At the shop, Toyota brake issues have a recognizable signature. 7,709 documented complaints across 200 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2010 Toyota Prius tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 4 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Toyota vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 4,468 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 41,648 miles. Repair cost runs around $450 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Pulsing, grinding, soft pedal — none of those should sit more than a week. Brake problems compound fast on a vehicle already on the list.
ProblemsByVin TOYOTA / BRAKES
200 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Toyota brakes problems
7,709 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Toyota vehicles for brakes issues. 38 active recall campaigns. See brakes across all makes →
Complaints
7,709
Recalls
38
Year-models
200
Avg fix
$450
880crashes
19fires
344injuries
4fatalities
Worst-affected Toyota model-years for brakes Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2010 Toyota Prius
1,800 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$450 critical
2007 Toyota Camry
394 complaints · ~$450 severe
2008 Toyota Prius
336 complaints · ~$450 severe
2012 Toyota Prius
288 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2007 Toyota Prius
282 complaints · ~$450 severe
2005 Toyota Prius
254 complaints · ~$450 severe
2011 Toyota Prius
223 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2013 Toyota Prius
195 complaints · ~$450 severe
2006 Toyota Prius
187 complaints · ~$450 critical
2009 Toyota Prius
175 complaints · ~$450 critical
2010 Toyota Corolla
125 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2018 Toyota Camry
123 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$450 severe
2009 Toyota Camry
97 complaints · ~$450 severe
2009 Toyota Corolla
92 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2008 Toyota Camry
91 complaints · ~$450 severe
2014 Toyota Prius
82 complaints · ~$450 severe
2006 Toyota Highlander
80 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2015 Toyota Prius
77 complaints · ~$450 severe
2005 Toyota Camry
75 complaints · ~$450 severe
2008 Toyota Highlander
65 complaints · ~$450 severe
2013 Toyota Prius V
59 complaints · ~$450 severe
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
55 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2021 Toyota Highlander
48 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2005 Toyota Sequoia
48 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 moderate
2018 Toyota Highlander
45 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
Active recalls — Toyota brakes 12 on file
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel drive vehicles
A brake fluid leak can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB04 and 25TA04.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus NX250, NX350, and Toyota Tundra vehicles
An electronic parking brake that cannot be engaged while in "park," may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the Skid Control ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 22TA11 and 22LA04.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Camry vehicles
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the vacuum pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles
The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions
The reduction in the braking system pressure may cause a loss of braking power in the rear braking system, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will install an adaptor to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles
Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles
A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Prius vehicles manufactured March 31, 2009, through October 9, 2009; and model year 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured June 19, 2009, through October 9, 2009
As nitrogen is released into the brake fluid, the brake pedal may have reduced hydraulic pressure. Under certain circumstances, this condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake booster pump assemblies. The recall began on August 7, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 sienna vehicles
This could result in brake drag with associated brake noise, vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light. Braking effectiveness could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket assembly free of charge. Toyota plans to mail an interim owner notification in the middle of january 2011, to advise owners of the recall. A second letter will be mailed when parts are available to complete repairs. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 Lexus rx, and model year 2006 Lexus gs and is vehicles
A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Common questions
How many Toyota brakes complaints are on file with NHTSA?
7,709 complaints across 200 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 38 active recall campaigns cover brakes issues across the Toyota lineup.
Which Toyota model has the most brakes complaints?
The 2010 Toyota Prius leads with 1,800 complaints in this category. Next: 2007 Camry (394) and 2008 Prius (336).
What does it cost to fix Toyota brakes problems?
Independent shops average $450 for brakes repairs across the Toyota lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Toyota brakes recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover brakes on Toyota vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Toyota.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.