Problems · by component
2018 Toyota Camry service brakes problems
131 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Camry cite service brakes, 17% of all 754 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
131
17% of all complaints
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2018 Toyota Camry On October 26, 2026, the driver was operating a 2018 Toyota Camry on a public roadway at approximately 45 mph when the vehicle unexpectedly activated its automatic emergency braking system. The dashboard displayed a “BRAKE!” warning, immediately followed by extremely forceful braking, comparable to someone suddenly slamming their foot on the brake pedal. The vehicle rapidly decelerated from approximately 45 mph to a complete stop, despite there being no vehicles, pedestrians, or visible obstacles in front of or near the vehicle. The sudden braking caused the driver’s body to lurch forward. According to the driver, the seat belt did not noticeably tighten during the incident. After the vehicle came to a complete stop, the brakes released, and the car slowly began rolling forward without the driver pressing the accelerator. The driver did not intentionally initiate the emergency braking. This unexpected activation created a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a rear-end collision, loss of vehicle control, or serious injury. The incident raises concerns about a possible malfunction of the vehicle’s…”
“The transmission quit moving the car forward in traffic which could have caused a collision. When the transmission started shifting weird and not accelerating normally, the ABS Sensor malfunction light came on. I towed the car to a toyota dealership in [XXX] and they said I needed the transmission replaced for 10000(new), which I could not afford. I was expecting it to be a sensor since that was the light that came on. I had the transmission rebuilt by an independent mechanic and during the first test drive, the car applied brakes and came to a complete stop. We took the car to the toyota dealership for a program update that the information we had said was needed. The dealership stated there was no update available. They also told me I could drive the car home. After going about three miles from the dealership the transmission stopped moving the car again in traffic which again could have caused a collision. There were codes being thrown that would not be there when the transmission was rebuilt and subsequent reevaluations. The car has been unusable since XXX”
“After taking the car on a short drive: Pre-collision malfunction; parking brake malf; ICS malf; chk eng reduced power; secondary collision brake malf; rough idle and driving; sometimes won't accelerate (revs only); cruise control won't work; battery drained when off (12.5 v to 10.5 in one day; battery just under 3 years old); after replacing battery: OBD 2:P0302”
“2018 Camry XSE, Vacuum pump went on my car less then a year ago. I had my car towed to the dealership for the recall to be fixed. Since that incident my car hasn’t been the same. While stopped at a light my dash board lite up with every issue the car could possibly have. Lane departure assist, secondary breaking system failure, engine coolant too hot, emergency brake failure and then the check engine light came on. I was able to get my cat to the side of the road and eventually make it home. I brought my car back to Toyota and a day later I was informed I might need a new engine, 8,000 dollars. I am very diligent about oil changes, tune ups etc. My car has 140,000 highway miles. I travel a lot for work. This car has never had a major issue until the recalled vacuum pump was repaired. All these complaints from other people with primarily the same issue cannot be wrong. It is definitely a manufacturing issue and I shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for an issue that the dealership caused. Now I either have to buy a new car or pay 8000 to repair my current vehicle. I will never buy another Toyota again”
“While driving on the interstate 10 in California in rush hour traffic my vehicles’ brakes pedal suddenly became hard to press down and slow the vehicle down.fortunately I was able to safely get to the right shoulder and call a tow truck to get my car towed home.”
“In February of 2025 the brake vacuum pump failed and lost braking power. It was promptly towed to Toyota and the recall was performed. Roughly 3 weeks later an internal engine part that was removed during the recall repair came loose and damaged something internally. Since then the vehicle has yet to be adequately repaired. It produces no power, struggles to accelerate and has constant safety system malfunctions. Toyota had the vehicle from April to October and failed to adequately repair the vehicle after dozens of attempts. The vehicle was forcefully returned and will no longer pass smog from the engine malfunction they introduced during repairs. Currently in litigation and Toyota is ignoring all complaints.”
Showing 6 of 131 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.