FaultScore

1994 Toyota Camry brake problems

46 of the 364 complaints about the 1994 Toyota Camry are about the braking system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 183,000 miles.

F

46

Complaints

11

Crashes

0

Fires

8

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Foundation Components 15 32.6%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 10 21.7%
Disc 5 10.9%
Rotor 4 8.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 8.7%
Service Brakes 2 4.3%
Master Cylinder 1 2.2%
Caliper 1 2.2%
Pads 1 2.2%
Drum 1 2.2%

Brakes across every Toyota Camry year

1989 10 0.4%
1991 16 0.7%
1992 23 1.0%
1993 31 1.4%
1994 46 2.0%
1995 64 2.8%
1996 59 2.6%
1997 126 5.6%
1998 140 6.2%
1999 103 4.5%
2000 67 3.0%
2001 27 1.2%
2002 178 7.8%
2003 123 5.4%
2004 75 3.3%
2005 96 4.2%
2006 40 1.8%
2007 320 14.1%
2008 83 3.7%
2009 110 4.8%
2010 54 2.4%
2011 49 2.2%
2012 55 2.4%
2013 20 0.9%
2014 39 1.7%
2015 39 1.7%
2016 19 0.8%
2017 21 0.9%
2018 166 7.3%
2019 42 1.9%
2020 12 0.5%
2021 16 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Rosamond, CA Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

"TAKATA RECALL" MY BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A DIRT ROAD TO GET HOME. INSTEAD I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A DITCH. MY AIRBAGS INFLATED. NOW MY MUFFLER SOUNDS LIKE ITS RATTLED AND A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE ALWAYS OCCUR WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE DUE TO THE CRASH. ONLY INTERNAL AND PRIOR TO THIS, MY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME OFF AND ON. I WAS TOLD THAT IT JUST MEANT THAT MY BRAKE SENSOR HAD A GLITCH. OTHER THAN THAT MY BREAKS WORKED JUST FINE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS OF THEM GOING OUT SOONER.

NHTSA complaint #11042263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 183,000 miles Mechanicsville, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

AT NOON ON 6/11/12, I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT MY CAR'S GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK. I REMOVED THE TAB THAT COVERS THE GEARSHIFT RELEASE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT PANEL AND UNLOCKED THE SHIFTER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MECHANICSVILLE TOYOTA (MECHANICSVILLE, VA) AND HAD THE PROBLEM ASSESSED BY THE SERVICE PERSON, [XXX]. SHE SAID SHE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THE CHANCES WERE PRETTY HIGH THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH (ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL) WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE SAID THAT CAUSES THE GEARSHIFT TO LOCK UP AND FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. INDEED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART (BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH). I PAID FOR, AND ORDERED, THE SWITCH AND ARRANGED FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012 AT 10AM. [XXX] WARNED ME TO BE CAREFUL AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. MY HOUSE IS APRX. 7 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I CAREFULLY DROVE TOWARDS HOME. AS I TURNED OFF OF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY ONTO THE SECONDARY ROAD THAT GOES TO MY HOUSE, MY RIGHT ANKLE WAS ACHING SO I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TAKE ME TOWARDS MY HOUSE AT 45MPH. AS I APPROACHED MY TURNOFF, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL! QUICKLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT [XXX] HAD SAID ABOUT THE BRAKE SWITCH, I THOUGHT TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE THUD SOUND FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE BRAKE IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE CAR. HAD I NOT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT APPROACHED TRAFFIC, AHEAD. I HAVE MORE COMMENTS BUT THE SYSTEM WON'T ACCEPT THEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10461386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles Riverdale, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING ON A SNOW COVERED SURFACE AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCING STEERING FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVICED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WHO STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM A PREVIOUS BRAKE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,934.

NHTSA complaint #10321433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scottsdale, AZ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT CANNOT REMEMBER WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO FAIL AND CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CONSEQUENTLY, SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPDATE 04/30/10.

NHTSA complaint #10315121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salem, OR Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1994 TOYOTA CAMRY HAD BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE SPED UP INSTEAD OF STOPPING AND WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS REAR ENDED SO SEVERELY, IT CAUSED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL TO PROTRUDE THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED AND CONSEQUENTLY HE HIT AN ELECTRIC POST. A REPORT FROM THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD JAMMED AND THE BRAKE LINKAGE WAS COMPLETE, BUT NOT MOVABLE AND ALSO JAMMED. *JB UPDATED 04/12/10

NHTSA complaint #10260094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 240,000 miles Mount Royal, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN I TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REVERSE INDICATOR LIGHTS, AND JUST BEFORE COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A SHUDDERING VIBRATION. THE SHUDDERING CAN BE PREVENTED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE STOPPING.

NHTSA complaint #10206698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, MI Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

I WAS DRIVING ON I-75, SUDDENLY THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, I APPLIED ON THE BRAKE, IT DID NOT STOP, I WAS STRUGGLING BEC. THERE ARE CARS BEFORE & BEHIND , & TO MY RIGHT, I THEN ATTEMPTED TO MOVE TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, & IN THE PROCESS HIT THE CEMENT WALL AT ABOUT 60 M, SUSTAINING CHEST CONTUSION & WAS RUSHED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

NHTSA complaint #745459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS, BRAKE PADS OK. BRAKING SOMETIMES SEEMS TO TAKE AN EXTENDED TIME TO STOP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT I MUST RIDE THE BRAKES. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CAMRYS AND DIFFERENT VEHICLE FOR MUCH LONGER THAT THIS CAR, AND NEVER HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR ON MY BREAKS.

NHTSA complaint #741637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dedham, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHEN FIRST STARTING UP IN THE MORNING, ON VERY COLD DAYS, THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE FROZEN AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. THE CONDITION IS EXACTLY AS DISCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V156. MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND RESURFACE THE ROTORS. WHEN THIS DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM I FOUND YOUR RECALL ON THE 1997 MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #717718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Smyrna, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

BRAKES MAKE A GROUNDING SOUND AND VIBRATES EVEN SHORTLY AFTER NEW PADS....TIRES WERE DOWN AFTER 6MONTHS EVEN WITH BAL. AND ROTATION.

NHTSA complaint #709601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carbondale, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAKED, FOUND A STRIPPED BOLT IN THE CALIPER. DEALER CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, REPLACED TIRES. COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, REPAIR SHOP REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #828658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Buffalo, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN DRIVING IN THE COLD WEATHER AND APPLYING THE BRAKES , BRAKE'S ARE VERY HARD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD UNLESS CONSUMER PUT BOTH OF HER FEET ON THE BRAKES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP TWICE, AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #835155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tarrytown, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL UPON EXITING HIGHWAY. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #523266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHEN THEY APPLYING BRAKES, THEY GRIND AND SQUEAK. VEHICLE DOESN'T STOP UNTIL WHEN CONSUME R INITIALLY APPLIES THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #833483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ossining, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #824631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Benton, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DEALER STATES CAMRY HAS PROBLEM WITH WATER GETTING INTO WIRES CAUSING SHORT CIRCUIT TO ABS MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #528964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNK, 00

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #507103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #507334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakland, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

NEED TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL, IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP. BRAKE SYSTEM EXPERIENCES A DELAY BEFORE BRAKING.*AK CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, A PULLING SENSATION CAUSING A DECREASE IN POWER, WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND GAVE OFF A BURNING ODOR , OIL CONSISTENTLY LEAKED,AND ALSO WAS GETTING POOR GAS MILEAGE,CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK,TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #800877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakland, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NEED TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL, IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP. BRAKE SYSTEM EXPERIENCES A DELAY BEFORE BRAKING.*AK CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, A PULLING SENSATION CAUSING A DECREASE IN POWER, WHEN DRIVING UP HILLS THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND GAVE OFF A BURNING ODOR , OIL CONSISTENTLY LEAKED,AND ALSO WAS GETTING POOR GAS MILEAGE,CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK,TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #800877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

AFTER 18OOO MILES REPLACED ALL FOUR FIRESTONE TIRES, ALSO MOISTURE GETING INTO BETWEEN BRAKE PADS, CAUSING A THUMPING/SHUTTERING SOUND WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint #986136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES ARE MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP.

NHTSA complaint #986789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RIO Piedras, PR Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #982679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor Lock, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT DISC ROTORS AND ARE VERY NOISY, DEALER RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS AND REAR DRUMS, BUT IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA complaint #979990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor Lock, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT DISC ROTORS AND ARE VERY NOISY, DEALER RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS AND REAR DRUMS, BUT IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA complaint #979990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsto, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

FRONT BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED HARD FOR ABRUPT STOP.

NHTSA complaint #487723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsto, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

FRONT BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED HARD FOR ABRUPT STOP.

NHTSA complaint #487723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boca Raton, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES GRIND.

NHTSA complaint #485830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawthorne, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE, WHEN MAKE ATTEMPT SLOW/STOP PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND MAKES LOUD NOISES CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE. TT

NHTSA complaint #977371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellflower, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES GRIND LOUDLY WHEN APPLIED. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #483126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Toyota Camry problems

← Full 1994 Toyota Camry report