Problems · by component

2017 Toyota Corolla service brakes problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Corolla cite service brakes, 13% of all 189 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
13% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While reversing out of a parking spot, I noticed my break and steering wheel felt extremely stiff. I lost control of the vehicle for a second until I instinctively pushed HARD on the break. I realized it was unsafe to continue reversing, so I switched from R (reverse) to D (drive), I let go of the break pedal slowly, but the car continued to reverse. I pushed hard on the stiff break again, and switched from D (drive), to P (park), I let go of the break pedal again, and the car continued to roll back in reverse still. I realized my cars breaks, steering wheel, and gears were being unresponsive. I kept my foot on the break pedal, used the parking stick and set the car into P (parking) again, and turned it off. The car did not roll back as before, and was completely off. I turned the car back on again, and it went back to normal. The steering wheel and break pedal were not stiff, and the gears were all working and being responsive. I searched up the problem, and from what I have read, it is currently unsafe to drive my vehicle. I have kept up with proper and regular maintenance on my vehicle. But from what I have researched, the corolla has had a massive recall on…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11717408
“I am contacting you on a problem I cannot fully describe. However, I believe there is a mechanical problem with the right side of my vehicle with handling and braking. I have downloaded the form with the information as reported to me and explained via the North American Corolla Facebook group. Please look at the attached documentation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2026Suspension, Service brakesODI 11710227
“This vehicle when it's impacted there's really no help or assistance to get the vehicle removed off your property on the vehicle is a hazard it really needs to be retested and there needs to be someone to know that it's not safe for children and being this vehicle a lot of times it's kids slides and it doesn't have the front part of the vehicle is impacted bad and it's hard to get the car replaced by the manufacturer in thewayenough restraint so that you can take your kids a little faster in the car without answering them it's also a hazard because only certain drivers know how to operate it and it's not always safe to have this car out and about without issues or malfunction”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2022Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11469072
“My brakes seem to malfunction when engaged after hitting potholes and/or street depressions. This has occurred on Kensington Street east of Church Avenue. This is between Church Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway among other streets. My safety was put at risk as I felt the brakes were not going to hold or stop the vehicle. No, it has not been attempted to be duplicated. When my brakes were inspected, I was told everything was fine. It seemed no one was interested in driving the vehicle over a pothole and/or street depression. Why would it be inspected when a Toyota Dealership and Firestone reported my brakes were fine without duplicating the situation in which I had a problem. No warning lights, lamps, messages. My 2 front tires continually lose air down to 28 and 29 psi from the 32psi. I will be taking the car back to Firestone for them to check the two front tires that I purchased from them. In case something happens to me or others reporting this problem, I wanted proof I informed you of the issue I had. The contact stated the vehicle still makes a grinding noise when brakes are applied during and after rain. Also, the brakes were inspected but that wasn't the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2021Service brakesODI 11445701
“When it's wet on the road or raining my car deploys and I lose control I've been telling the dealer ship since the first day I had this car they told me it's nothing yesterday when it was raining my car did it again also u I called to have my recall fixed and they said there was not any in my car??? This car is a risk I'm going to kill myself driving this car or get hurt I had 3 rental cars because I am scared to drive this car [XXX].”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2021Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11438290
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A 4X4 TRUCK AT 25 MPH. THE WHOLE FRONT WAS SMASHED IN AND THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE INNER CAB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS SHE HAD INTERNAL BLEEDING AND CONTUSIONS ALL OVER HER BODY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V02400 (AIR BAGS) A MONTH AFTER THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500. *DT CONSUMER STATED HEADACHE BUT NO CONCUSSION. CAR WAS TOTALED.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2020Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11323847

Showing 6 of 25 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.

Other 2017 Corolla problem areas