RoadVitals

1998 Toyota Corolla Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Mar 2, 2010
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 225 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Mar 2, 2010

1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. ON AUGUST 20, 1999, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RUBBING SOUND IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED EARLY IN THE MORNINGS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE DOOR PANELS WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE GLUE COMING THROUGH THE FABRIC. THE DOME LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON AT TIMES. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 44 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND THEN DECREASE IN SPEED. THE CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. UPDATED 05/26/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
534376
Incident
Aug 20, 2009
Brakes
Filed Apr 19, 2004

NUMEROUS REVISIONS TO THE PART NUMBER FOR BRAKE PADS. TOYOTA IS SAYING THAT THE OWNER HAS TO EAT THE COST OF THEIR MISTAKE THAT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET RIGHT BY PURCHASING THE NEW PADS, SHIMS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS THAT GO WITH IT. IF TOYOTA SOLD THE CARS WITH THE WRONG SIZE PADS THEN TOYOTA SHOULD EAT THE COST. I HAVE BEEN TO THE MECHANICS 6 TIMES IN AS MANY MONTHS AND MY BRAKES ARE STILL MESSED UP.*AK

NHTSA ID
10066492
Incident
Apr 13, 2004
Mileage
15 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 30, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

ABS LOCKED UP WHEN I TAPPED ON CAR SEEMED TO ACCELERATE MAKING THE CAR SKID AND FISH TAIL SENDING ME 4 LANES ACROSS THE FREEWAY INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER TOTALING MY CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016804
Incident
Mar 22, 2003
Mileage
77,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE DURING A RAINING DAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT TO THE SIDE. THIS KIND OF SCENARIO HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE ( ON LOCAL STREETS WHILE DRIVING AROUND 20 MILES PER HOUR). I FELT THAT THIS CAR'S BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE OTHER CARS I OWNED BEFORE. SHOULDN'T THE ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM HELP THE CAR STAY STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD? ON 09-20-2002, IT WAS RAINING, I DROVE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR, ON THE FIRST LEFT LANE. AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE SPEED FURTHER, MY CAR WENT TO THE RIGHT SIDE, AND THEN LEFT SIDE, AND THEN CRASHED TO THE MIDDLE CONCRETE. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768012

NHTSA ID
10007432
Incident
Sep 20, 2002
Mileage
51,690 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2000

BRAKES SQUEAKING AND GRINDING, REPLACE ALL FOUR BRAKES

NHTSA ID
9001706
Incident
Jul 24, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 2000

OCTOBER 1999 - BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR INSP. - SERVICE DEPART. SAID MY BRAKES NEEDED CLEANED AND ADJUSTED - TOPPED OFF MASTER CYLINDER - NOW IT PASSED STATE INSP. ON 1/11/00. 2/29/00 BROUGHT BACK FOR NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES - SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BRAKES NEEDED CLEANED & ADJUSTED WHEN I LEFT SERVICE DEPT. PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURING - CALLED SET UP ANOTHER APPT - 3/8/00 SERVICE DEPT FOUND REAR DRUMS RUSTED - REAR SHOES CRACKED - A RENT A CAR WAS GIVEN 3/7/00 RETURNED IT ON 3/8/00 - THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND SHOES - NOW COULD THIS HAPPEN IN A FEW DAYS ON 2/29 YOU SAID NO PROBLEM? 4/11/00 BROUGHT CAR BACK FOR INSP DUE TO SAME NOISE BUT NOW WORSE HAD SERVICE MGR NOW DO A TEST RUN WITH ME - SERVICE DEPT FOUND FRONT BRAKE PADS CRACKING AND ROTORS SCORED LEFT FRONT AXLE SHAFT INTERNAL DEFECT - FRONT BEARING INTERNAL PROBLEM - BOTH FRONT HUBS NEED REPLACED - RENT A CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME AGAIN. NOW 6/00 NOISE IS BACK ON 7/14/00 TOOK CAR FOR ANOTHER UNDER CARRAGE INSP, OIL- FILTER CHANGE, 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, ETC.. THEY SAID NO PROBLEM ITS JUST BRAKE DUST. THE NOISE IS STILL CURRENT AS OF TODAY 7/23/00. I NOW HAVE TO CALL THEM & THEY ALREADY TREAT ME WITH IGNORANCE, I'M LOOKING INTO FILING FOR THE LEMON LAW I NEED SOME SATISFACTION - HOW COULD ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS BE OVERLOOKED? - I FEEL MY LIFE IS IN THE HANDS OF TOYOTA'S SERVICE DEPT - AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL. THEY GAVE ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 6 YEAR OR 100,000.00 MILES AFTER I ASKED FOR IT. I STATED NOW THAT I HAVE MY RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLE BACK WOULD TOYOTA GRANT ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND STAND BEHIND THERE PARTS. THEY DID BUT THE STRESS AND LOSS OF WORK DUE TO MANY SERVICE APPTS IS SO AGGRAVATING. MAYBE MY PROBLEM COULD BE OF USE TO YOU. IF I COULD ASSIST IN ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL - I STILL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPT FOR MY VEHICLE -I MEAN IS IT REALLY BRAKE DUST THIS TIME OR IS THE CAR GOING TO FALL APART AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITH ME IN IT? THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
725860
Incident
Apr 6, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 2000

PARKING BRAKE FAILS (2 COMPLETE FAILURES). TAKEN TO DEALER, FIXED, BUT FAILED AGAIN. MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR, SO I NEED THE PARKING BRAKE. CAR NEARLY ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC NUMEROUS TIMES. MADE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK ON STEEP HILLS.*AK

NHTSA ID
725323
BrakesFuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2000

THIS CAR HAS VISITED AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE STATION FOR ALMOST A TOTAL OF 3 WEEKS COMBINED SINCE I BOUGHT IT APRIL 2000. GAS LEAKED WHEN PUTTING GAS IN TANK AND THE CAR SMELLED OF GAS ON THE INSIDE. THE TANK WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED BUT JUST RECENTLY STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. PLUS THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR WHEELS MAKE NOISE. I JUST WANT THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE COROLLA'S ARE GOOD CARS BUT THE CONSTANT VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ONE THING OR ANOTHER IS REALLY STARTING TO ANNOY ME AND HAS BECOME A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
725236
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed May 24, 2000

THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND SMELLED OF BURNING WIRE. NLM

NHTSA ID
784653
Incident
May 23, 2000
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 2, 2000
Crash reported

JUST MINUTES AFTER DRIVING IN HEAVY DALLAS TRAFFIC, STOPPED AT A GROCERY STORE AND WAS PULLING INTO AN ANGLED PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ALMOST STOPPED, WHEN CAR SURGED FORWARD (REPEAT-WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE). THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. I HIT THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF ME; VERY LITTLE DAMAGE AS MY CAR WAS ALMOST STOPPED WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD AND BRAKE FAILED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY CAR PORT. THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR SURGED FORWARD. THAT TIME I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND JUST THOUGHT MY FOOT MUST HAVE SLIPPED. THIS TIME, I HAD TWO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND WE ALL WITNESSED THE SURGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR (USELESS). AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED (BY HITTING SOMETHING EACH TIME), THE BRAKE GOES BACK TO ITS USUAL POSITION. I TOOK THE CAR TO CLASSIC TOYOTA HERE IN TYLER THE NEXT DAY WHEN I DROVE BACK HERE. THEY SAID THEY INSPECTED IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I WAS VERY UPSET AND IT WAS ANNOTATED ON THE JOB TICKET. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND LEFT MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER WITH THE DRIVER OF THE CAR I HIT IN THE GROCERY STORE LOT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED JUST MINUTES BEFORE AS I STOPPED FOR THE NUMEROUS RED LIGHTS IN DALLAS, MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN PROPELLED OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND THE CAR IS A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS OR THE VEHICLE I MIGHT HIT BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE AND SURGE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A TWO-YEAR LAPSE BETWEEN THE TWO INCIDENTS, WHICH IS WHY THE DEALER COULDN'T TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED MY FOOT HAD SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR. THIS ABSOLUTELY WAS NOT WHAT HAPPENED. *AK

NHTSA ID
720900
Incident
Mar 15, 2000
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 1999

WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS ON WET PAVEMENT, AUTOMOBILE GOES INTO A SKID WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ON 10-13-99 AT 11,802- LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON. REPORTED LOUD NOISES FROM THE BRAKES TO TH DEALER AT 5000 MILES ( BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THEN, AS WELL). NEW BRAKES ARE NEEDED NOW, AT 11,802 MILES. NOTE TOO THAT AUTOMOBLE SWAYS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS( I.E., HIGH SPEED AND WIND COMBINATION). AND, BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS (55 MILES PER HOUR) CAUSE THE CAR TO PULL.

NHTSA ID
713464
Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 1999

MAKING NOISES IN FRONT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. HAD AN OIL CHANGE 12-OCT-99, NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT. ALSO, REPLACED AND SURFACED ROTORS. DEALER SAID THAT CONSUMER WOULD NEED NEW BRAKES IN ABOUT 12000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
850693
Incident
Oct 13, 1999
Body & structureBrakesSteering+2 more
Filed Oct 5, 1999

HIGH SPEEDS CAR HARD TO CONTROL, CORNERS HORRIBLY,PITCHING MOTION OVER BUMPS, CRUNCHING NOISE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT

NHTSA ID
712862
Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 1999

WHILE MAKING A NORMAL STOP THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
847278
Incident
Jul 10, 1999
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 1999

FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED CAUSED CLICKING NOISE. YH

NHTSA ID
608754
Incident
Nov 21, 1998
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 1998

BRAKES MAKE NOISE.

NHTSA ID
542646

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .