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 Yaris brakes problems
severe 37 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 37 brakes complaints filed for the 2007 Toyota Yaris, 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
Owners have filed 37 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 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 ↗A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs. The following recommendations are intended to provide general tips for the inspection and/or installation of Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) front brake pads and discs. Always refer to the model specific Repair manual and TIS publications for specific repair instructions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue on 2007 Yaris brakes is rear wheel speed sensor failure caused by water infiltration and corrosion at the electrical connector. The connector sits exposed on the wheel hub with no waterproofing, making it vulnerable to rain, snow, mud, and road salt—especially harsh in winter climates. Corrosion builds up on the connector pins and wiring harness, eventually short-circuiting the sensor.
When this happens, the ABS light comes on—sometimes intermittently, sometimes permanently. The brake light often illuminates simultaneously, and the owner's manual tells drivers to stop immediately and contact the dealer, which creates alarm. The real problem: the ABS system either shuts down or operates erratically. Owners report brake pedal shuddering, extended stopping distances, inability to stop on wet roads, and brakes locking unexpectedly and causing skids. Some say they nearly rear-ended other cars or spun out because the ABS kicked in when it shouldn't or didn't work when it should.
Toyota issued a technical service bulletin (TSB-0120-08) in 2008 acknowledging the problem and later redesigned the connectors for newer model years. However, no recall was issued for 2007–2008 models. Repair costs run $400–$1,600 to replace the sensor(s) and wiring harness. The frustrating part: owners report sensors failing again within 13 months to two years of replacement. Out-of-warranty owners pay the full bill; Toyota typically refuses to cover repairs once the factory warranty expires.
Same Toyota Yaris brakes reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wheel speed sensor failure due to water/corrosion
Right and left rear wheel speed sensors fail due to water infiltration, mud, and road salt corrosion at the electrical connector. The connectors lack waterproofing protection and are exposed to the elements at the wheel hub. Corrosion of connector pins and wiring harness causes intermittent or complete sensor failure, disabling ABS.
When: 2–4 years into ownership, 27k–76k miles; occurs especially after winter/snowy/rainy driving
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light comes on intermittently or stays on permanently; Brake warning light illuminates alongside ABS light; Brakes shudder or vibrate under braking; ABS activates at inappropriate times or fails to activate when needed; Reduced brake power or extended stopping distance; Moaning noise when braking
Codes mentioned: C0215, P0215
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of right or left rear wheel speed sensor (part 42450-52060 or equivalent), replacement of wiring harness (part 89516-52100), cleaning of corrosion. Cost ranges $400–$1,600 depending on whether one or both sides are replaced and harness is included. Some owners report repeating failures within 13 months to 2 years of repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0120-08 acknowledging the connector sealing issue; later model years (post-2007/2008) received redesigned sensors with improved sealing. No recall issued. Dealers sometimes perform repairs under warranty; out-of-warranty owners pay full cost.
ABS malfunction and loss of braking control
When the rear wheel speed sensors fail or are corroded, the ABS system operates erratically or becomes inoperative. Owners report sudden loss of braking power, inability to stop, locked brakes causing skids, and brake shuddering. In some cases, normal braking capacity is severely compromised during emergency stops or wet/icy conditions.
When: Occurs during winter/wet driving or during emergency braking; triggered especially by speed sensor failure
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal shudders or vibrates while braking; Extended stopping distance (30–40 feet on dry pavement); Brakes lock and cause vehicle to skid or slide; Loss of braking response requiring multiple brake applications to stop; Vehicle unable to stop quickly during emergency braking
Codes mentioned: C0215, P0215
Repairs/costs cited: Most commonly addressed by replacing the failed rear wheel speed sensor and cleaning/replacing wiring harness. Some owners report the issue recurs after sensor replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-0120-08 provides guidance for dealers to replace sensors and harness. No recall. Toyota has improved sensor sealing in later model years but offers no retrofit or extended warranty for affected 2007–2008 models.
Uneven brake pad wear and front brake caliper malfunction
One or both front brake calipers malfunction, causing uneven and accelerated brake pad wear. Owners report that pads wear at abnormal rates and the problem recurs after repair.
When: Several months apart; reported at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven brake pad wear on one side; Abnormally rapid brake pad wear; Problem recurs after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pad replacement needed; underlying caliper issue not detailed in complaint
Brake shudder and reduced braking during low-speed and high-speed stops
Brake pedal shudders or jerks during normal braking at various speeds, especially on rough roads. One owner reports sensation of no intention to stop and jerking brake motion on rough roads at high speed. Another reports inability to stop smoothly at low speed (~5 mph), with stopping distance exceeding normal.
When: Occurs intermittently during normal and emergency braking; at various mileages and speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal shudders or vibrates during braking; Jerking sensation in brake pedal and brake feel; Sensation that brakes have no intention to stop; Loss of or delayed brake response
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners attributed this to ABS sensor issues; repair often involves sensor replacement. In other cases, cause unknown and brakes were found to function normally upon inspection.
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
There is a well-known defect on Toyota yaris models (usa model years 2007 to present) that occasionally in cold, snowy weather, the rear ABS connector will have debris 'gunk up' the connection, disabling the ABS - obviously a very huge safety issue in the winter. There are many well-documented situations of this and threads on yarisworld.com dating from 2008 until today…
12/21/13: the weather conditions were 35f and raining. After a trip of about 8 miles my car was parked outside for a couple hours. Upon starting the car for my return trip I noticed that the dash indicators for ABS and brake were lit and remained lit through the duration of my trip of about 8 miles. These indicators have never done this before. 12/22/13: (next day) when I started the car the…
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 Toyota Yaris?
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 Yaris?
It's a meaningful issue. 37 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 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 45,000 and 75,200 miles, with the median around 60,447. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 75,200. 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/Yaris.
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.