2016 Toyota Corolla service brakes problems

“While operating a vehicle through the peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo in Alaska (Reservation: 61060048), the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic brake failure of the braking system while driving. The brakes completely failed to respond, creating an immediate loss of vehicle control. Immediately following the braking failure, upon exiting the vehicle, smoke erupted from the wheel well/undercarriage area. This subsequently led to a minor burn on one of the passenger's face and hand. Before this event occured, we had discussed an issue with the brake light remaining on. When discussing it with the host, she had assured me that the vehicle had been thoroughly inspected before renting it to us. She gave us a few DIY solutions we could try out, but we opted to not attempt anything of that nature. She did tell us we could take it to the mechanic if we were concerned, but we would have had to cover the cost of an inspection. After the event, the host had the car towed, but we are completely unaware if they had the vehicle inspected.”

“I recently 6 weeks ago bought a used certified 2016 Toyota Corolla with 43,000 miles. I have been going back and forth with Toyota since the day after I bought it about the many mechanical issues that pose a major safety risk. The car shudders/vibrates when accelerating, knocks when backing up. And when making turns the car shifts hard side to side with a shudder and wobble in floor board of car. It feels as if you don’t have control of the vehicle when driving. It has lots of loose play in the front end and steering really the whole car. It also has a problem going up hill and jumping on fwy a major problem accelerating. They keep telling me car is working per design but this is a lie. I have taken it to 2 other mechanics who told me this car has major issues safety ones to take it back. Toyota fixed the control arms stating that might be what it is but the same problems remain. I am afraid to drive this vehicle and they refuse to figure out the problems and fix them. 2 days after buying it I told them take the car back it has too many mechanical issues they refused. I don’t know what to do I cannot continue driving this car like this and in the rain it could…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED HER BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT PANICKED AND EJECTED HERSELF FROM THE VEHICLE AS HER VEHICLE THEN HIT A TRAILER THAT WAS ATTACHED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT ARM BUT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LONGO TOYOTA (3534 N, PECK RD, EL MONTE, CA 91731) WHERE IT HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THE BRAKES WERE NEVER APPLIED PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT DISPUTED THAT REPORT AND STATED THAT MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:20V024000 (AIR BAG). THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,473.”

“DOLAN TOYOTA SCION INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE CALIPER WAS LEAKING--I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY CYLINDER-- IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. I NEEDED NEW PADS AND THE ROTORS TO BE RESURFACED. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE I HAD TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT. TOTAL BILL: $794.01. THE ISSUE IS WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? SEVERAL MECHANICS AND EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DOLAN AGREED THAT THIS WAS A RARE EVENT ON A CAR WITH 35651 MILES. IT POINTS TO A DEFECTIVE PART OR A PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY PROCESS. THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS CASE. THEY SOLD ME A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I CALLED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES,USA, INC, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE $794.01 BILL OR AT LEAST A PART OF IT! THE DISAGREED WITH ME--THEY WANT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELLING ME A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED--THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE. COULD YOU INVESTIGATE? I HAVE INCLUDED A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE AND A COPY OF AN E MAIL FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES. MY CASE NUMBER IS:[XXX] AND THEIR…”

“CONTINUING PROBLEM WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE PEDAL AND HIT A BUMP IN ROAD, GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATION SENSATION IN PEDAL. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS BRAKES ARE OK. TODAY THIS HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME THE GRINDING NOISE WAS PRONOUNCED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE - FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND BARELY STOPPED IN TIME BEFORE ALMOST REAR ENDING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF THE SAME PROBLEM.”

“ON 1/1/2020 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE CITY STREET; AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THIS SAME BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WITH THE VEHICLE, REOCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH”