TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Toyota Avalon brakes problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
5crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 19 brakes complaints filed for the 2007 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Toyota Avalon in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES WITH MALFUNCTION OF ABS/VSC, MIL ON AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS, RESULTING IN OVERLY SENSITIVE MONITORING LOGIC WITHOUT ANY ABS/VSC SYSTEM ISSUE. MODELS 2007-2011 CAMRY; 2004-2009 PRIUS. UPDATED 8/26/14.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a cluster of serious brake issues starting as early as 33,000 miles. The most consistent complaint is excessive brake pedal travel—the pedal sinks slowly to the floor when stopped or braking, taking 5–10 seconds to bottom out. Multiple owners tried multiple dealerships; every one told them this is normal. Some suspect an internal leak in the ABS or anti-skid system.
Worse, several owners report actual brake failure: pedal pressed fully to the floor during emergency stops or low-speed exits, but the car did not slow down or stop until it hit another vehicle. Two crashes resulted from this. One crash occurred at 20,000 miles shortly after front brakes had been replaced.
Other owners describe unintended sudden braking (violent, without pedal input) with the ABS light on, brake fluid leaks from the master cylinder, squeaking and grinding noises, and one brake caliper that fell off after 3.5 years. One owner's vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and would not brake, causing a crash in a parking garage with children in car seats. Three recall services did not resolve the acceleration/braking complaint. Dealerships repeatedly refused diagnosis or repair, claiming the conditions are normal, even when directly comparing the owner's car to others showing identical symptoms.
Same Toyota Avalon brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Master Cylinder Fluid Leak
Brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Owner alleges the same part (ID #47028-0710) used in pre-7/2007 Avalons is identical to recalled 2005–2006 models, yet Toyota has not expanded the recall to 2007 models.
When: 33,452 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake fluid leaking from master cylinder; Vehicle deemed unsafe to drive by dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement performed at dealership (12-day repair)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2007 model year; dealership and Toyota corporate would not confirm whether the part differs from recalled units
Brake Pedal Sinking to Floor
Brake pedal gradually sinks or depresses all the way to the floor when pressure is applied while stopped or during normal braking, with pedal reaching the mechanical stop. Multiple owners report this across multiple dealerships. Dealers claim it is normal; some suspect internal leak in anti-skid/ABS system.
When: Various mileages reported; complaint filed at 52,000+ miles on some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks slowly to floor when stopped at traffic light or during braking; Sinking occurs in 5–10 seconds with moderate pressure; Pedal travel excessive compared to other vehicles; Disconcerting sensation; some braking effectiveness remains
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships adjusted brake system but did not fully resolve pedal travel; no repairs completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers and Toyota corporate claim this is a normal condition; warranty claims denied; Toyota USA and Japan complaints filed by owners
Brake Failure or Loss of Braking
Brakes fail to stop the vehicle at normal or emergency speeds, or stop only after striking another vehicle. Includes incidents where the brake pedal is fully depressed but the car does not decelerate. Two crashes and one near-miss reported.
When: 20,000 miles (one crash); various other mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed fully but car continues to move or accelerate; Vehicle does not slow or stop as expected from 30–50 mph; Braking failure occurs during normal or wet-weather driving
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs made to brakes following crash damage at dealership; prior brake work (front brake replacement 2 weeks before failure) had been completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Unintended Sudden Braking
Brakes apply suddenly and violently without driver input, with severe enough force to lock seat belt restraint. ABS warning light was on or illuminated during incident. Occurred once; condition ceased after 1–2 seconds with normal braking resuming.
When: Unknown mileage; incident occurred during normal driving at 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, violent braking without brake pedal depression; Seat belt restraint locked from deceleration force; ABS warning light on before or during incident; Braking lasted 1–2 seconds then stopped
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light illuminated
Squeaking/Grinding Brake Noise
Abnormal squeaking or grinding noises heard when braking. One case resolved by rear brake replacement; another case involved scrubbing noise with new front brakes and was attributed to low-end brake product quality.
When: 52,000 miles (one case); unknown mileage (other case)
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal squeaking or grinding noise when applying brakes; Noise confused with tire noise initially; Front brakes scrubbing, causing blackening of tires
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brakes replaced to resolve squeaking; front disc brakes replaced but scrubbing persisted
Brake Caliper Detachment
Front left brake caliper fell off the vehicle.
When: After 3.5 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake caliper separated from vehicle
Uncontrolled Vehicle Acceleration (Brake-Related Context)
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly during low-speed driving or while braking, despite driver reports of no stuck pedals or floor mat interference. One incident occurred shortly after recall service completion (3 weeks post-service). Related narratives also report inability to brake during acceleration events.
When: One incident approximately 1 year after purchase; another 3 weeks after recall service completion
Symptoms owners cite: Car accelerates unexpectedly during slow-speed driving or when seeking air pump at gas station; Brake application does not stop acceleration; No floor mat or stuck pedal involvement detected; Incident recurs after repair/recall service
Repairs/costs cited: Recommended workaround: shift to neutral and turn off engine
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Three recall services completed; issue persisted after recall
Parking Brake Insufficient to Hold Vehicle
Parking brake does not hold vehicle; car moves or lurches forward/backward even when parked or in Park gear unless foot brake is also applied. When engine revs and PTO switch engaged with parking brake set, engine can overcome parking brake and vehicle moves.
When: Unknown mileage; complaint relates to general use
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle moves or lurches even when in Park or parked position; Requires constant application of foot brake in addition to parking brake; Engine rev with PTO switch can overcome parking brake hold
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
In my opinion and based on my recent interaction with Toyota, they are not being honest about their safety issues with public. Two weeks ago, I took my Toyota avalon 2007 with only 33452 miles to bob smith Toyota because break fluid was leaking out from break master cylinder. They told me the car is not safe to drive and master cylinder needs to be replaced. I left the car to be repaired. I did…
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 Toyota Avalon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2007 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 20,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Toyota/Avalon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.