This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My brakes failed the first time on 1/29/14 on my way to work. Luckily, I wasn't going too fast, which allowed me to safely pull over onto one of the side streets. My car displayed the error message: "check vsc system." I called aaa, and one of their tow truck drivers suggested that rather than taking my car to the dealership, I use a different place (which he claimed was aaa approved; it wasn't). Nearly $500 later ($472.94 to be exact), my car seemed fine for about a month. Then on 2/26/14, this time while driving on the interstate, my brakes failed again. I got the same message as before: "check vsc system." This time, I asked to be towed to the dealership. Supposedly, nobody at the dealership was aware of a recall for this systematic problem. However, I have since found out that 59 other complaints have been reported for this very issue. That's only through January; I can imagine how many other times this happened that were not reported. I ate the cost (this time upwards of $3,800) to have the entire vehicle suspension control (vsc) unit completely replaced. This morning, 4/21/14, I turned on my car & was greeted with that old familiar message: "check vsc system." I'm afraid to try driving my car to work in this condition, and meanwhile I've sunk over $4,000 into "repairs" that do not seem to last. I always thought Toyota were such good, reliable cars. However, I'm not sure if I would buy another one at this rate. My car has less than 100K miles and I'm extremely disappointed with this headache. Does someone have to die before Toyota actually steps up & issues a recall??
At 80K miles, my cars started to make strange and loud noise when I stepped on the break even when the car stopped or the engine is off. A Toyota dealer told me the break actuator was bad and needed to replace to avoid running into the break problem. I spent $3200 to replace the break actuator at that dealer. I think Toyota should recall the car and replace the break actuator for free because it is a very important safety feature of any car.
The brake actuator on these Camry and Camry hybrid models is a complaint of thousands of these models of Toyota. When taken to a dealer, they want approximately $4000 to repair the problem ($2800 for the part and $1200 for labor) and at 3 separate dealerships the undertone comment from the service writer is that Toyota should recall these cars and replace this part but until someone is killed in the car from the brakes failing, nothing is going to happen; it is a huge safety concern. Why isn't Toyota demanded to make a recall on a part that is defective in thousands of the Camry and hybrid Camry models? there are massive complaints recorded via computer and maybe people don't know who to appropriately address this issue to. Hopefully NHTSA.gov will take an human interest with regards to vehicle safety and demand that Toyota recall these cars and replace this part at their cost. With so many complaints about this brake actuator problem, there has to be a series of defective parts that were installed in these Camry and Camry hybrid models. When questioned about a defective part, Toyota just shrugs their shoulders. It is frustrating and it is now involving my family and especially my children at risk of death defying travel. I really appreciate any advice or help NHTSA can provide to make Toyota admit guilt of a defective brake actuator. I will guess that it really will take a series of deaths or mutilating accidents to get Toyota off the bench. I am truly concerned and not many people can afford a $4,000 repair. Thank you for your time and consideration.
While driving, the "check vsc system" warning came on, an immediate power reduction occurred and some brake pressure loss. Dealership said the skid control ECU ($1800) and ABS actuator ($2900) were both bad. After replacing both, warning lights are still on. Problem not resolved yet.
- Hendersonville, TN, USA
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Was in park in parking lot, switched to drive and immediately the brake light illuminated. Then the "check vsc" message came up on the computer. Proceeded to busy road and turn left, only to find out I had no braking power; other than the parking brake. With some luck and the parking brake I was able to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Fortunately it was 5am on my way to work at the hospital, if there was people or other vehicles there would be no way to stop the vehicle safely.
I was driving on the 405 freeway North from long beach to West los angeles, when the vsc system lights came on. I took the car to santa monica Toyota, where I had originally purchased it, and was told that the brake actuator system was leaking and the repair cost was $3800, no one there informed me that this particular part was being investigated for possible defects. After the car was looked at santa monica Toyota, the brakes started clucking and grabbing. After much heated discussion, corporate Toyota agreed to pay $1000 toward the repair which was done at marina del rey Toyota. I believe that the system is defective. No system should fail in so many cars of the same model and year. Toyota should recall the system and compensate myself and other Toyota owners.
Brake actuator had gone out, this controlled the entire braking system. No accident was caused but the car is inoperable and a new actuator is quoted at $2600.
As I was driving my car to work that day, I suddenly felt that the brakes lost power -- I had to press them much harder to slow the car down even by a small amount. Many lights on the dashboard went on, including something like "check vsc" on the dashboard display. I felt that the danger of getting into an accident was very high, particularly given that I was driving on a freeway. Driving very slowly, I managed to safely get to work. When I got into the car a few hours later, the situation did not repeat itself and it drove normally. Still shaken, I brought the car over to a Toyota dealership, where they told me that my ABS actuator has gone bad. The best "discount" price I was able to find was $2,500. I researched online and realized that this problem is common. I called Toyota corporate customer service to complain and request reimbursement, but they refused. Since I had no choice but to address this safety issue, I fixed the car at a local Toyota dealership. However, since this is major safety problem, which is apparently quite widespread, I firmly believe that Toyota must recall and replace the problematic part, and compensate the owners who had to do it on their own.
About to leave from a parking lot at night, turned vehicle on. Released emergency brake. Put car in reverse to back out. While backing out, noticed car not operating correctly. Stopped backing out and reparked. Noticed engine dash lights were on:"check vsc system", ABS, emergency parking light nonresponsive, triangular warning light and check engine light. Looked into manual to read and said to take car in. Drove car around parking lot to see how car handled. Car braked but pumped on own after brake tapped each time. Braking ability and flexibility compromised. Being serviced now.
My car was just repaired 6 months ago for this same issue at a cost of over $3,000!!!! today my husband and son were in the car when the brakes failed and the check vsc warning light came on again!! luckily they were not in an accident as a result of the failed brakes.
Was braking to a stop and it felt as if the brakes briefly disengaged causing the car to stop about 15 feet farther than expected, this has happened on several occasions in the last 6-8 months and is unpredictable.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 mph the brake warning light illuminated and the brakes failed. Both the dealer and manufacture have been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 miles.
I was driving down the highway when I felt a noticeable difference in the steering and breaking of my car. At the same time a lot of the dashboard lights came on including: Brake, ABS, vsc warning, check engine, TPMS. After I felt this change, it was very hard to brake. It took me longer to stop and I had to use more physical force to do so. This was extremely scary considering how fast I was going and the fact that I had my child in the car with me. I took my car straight to a mechanic who cleared the code.
While cruising about 35 mph the following panel lights came on: Brakes, ABS, error message- vsc (vehicle stability control). A whirring sound emanated from the engine compartment which intensified when I depressed brake pedal. The brakes weakly responded to pedal pressure. I was able to drive slowly to a parking lot where I had it towed to the dealership. I note that the brake reservoir was full and detected no leaking fluids. I had no warning of this failure. The car has been serviced regularly by the dealership.
Brake warning light came on, then warning to check vsc system, 2 other warning lights and ABS light came on, braking became difficult with resistance when applying brake, pulsing and lurching forward when foot on brake stopped at stoplight. This is happening intermittently.
"check vsc system" notice came on my dash. Vsc (vehicle stability/skid control). I have taken my car into the dealership approximately every 3 months and nothing has ever been detected in terms of this. The area where I live does get heavy snow so this is extremely dangerous to have happen.
Dash board lit up like a christmas tree the brake, hazard warning, stability control and I think its a tire pressure light came on traveling at 55 mile an hour coming down a 20 degree incline off of the astoria bridge traveling North, from what I have read this is something that is happening quite frequently. My brakes seam to work fine I am taking it to the dealer tomorrow I under stand this is a $3000 fix I did buy extra warranty when I bought the car now to see if its good. Its been a very good car up to this point.
I was driving my car when without warning the brakes began to give out as I tried to stop my car. I am fortunate that there were no pedestrians or other vehicles in front of me or I might have hit one. A strange chugging noise emanated from my car and the lights went on, on my dashboard to check the vsc system. The Toyota dealership ran a diagnostic battery and said the ABS accommodator was faulty and needed to be replaced. A quick search online showed me that many other individuals with Camry hybrids are having this same issue with cars with low mileage. I feel fortunate that no one got hurt. I contacted Toyota headquarters and let them know of the issue.
The car's brakes do not brake smoothly at times. When the problem occurs at low speeds, the brakes vibrate causing uneven braking the is felt in a stop and go fashion. At high speeds, there's increased brake vibration making the whole car shake.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Austin, TX, USA