2018 Toyota Camry Brakes Problems

The Vacuum Pump for the Power Assist Brake System failed on my vehicle, the dealership would not provide me with the failed unit as they "have to send it back to Toyota". My brake assist was very inconsistent, sometimes barely had any which lead to very poor braking, accompanied with a KNOWN problematic knocking noise with an active TSB. I complained about this issue when I bought this used vehicle that was barely driven, at the local Toyota Dealership knowing the vehicle was made at the same time that other vehicles built in the same timeframe with the same issue were recalled, they told me it was just "injector noise" and it didn't apply to me. I brought it up again a few months later as it got worse, they told me it was "normal noise, use injector cleaner" and sent me off. I brought it up there last month about the Brake System Error message, they told me it was because the car wasn't on, however it never did this when I bought it nor do other cars on their lot. I brought it up again to the dealership this week as it got a lot more frequent that I would have poor brake assistance, the knocking was loud enough to hear in heavy traffic, and they finally told me the vacuum pump had failed. The dealer told me they couldn't do anything about the recall, would not cover it as goodwill warranty even when it is simmilar/same failure as the recall and previously complained about it, and the full repair would be over 1,800 dollars. I called Toyota Customer Hotline and explained that the failure was the same as the known issue in their recall on the same vehicles and the active TSB, they would not tell me why my VIN was not included in the recall, they would not extend a goodwill coverage on it as being it was the same failure, or take a complaint. Symptoms were present at the time of purchase, starting with inconsistent brake assist and light knocking, ended with excessively loud knocking and significant increase in frequency of the inconsistency and brake error message.

I own a 2018 Toyota Camry XSE. The car is equipped with a radar cruise control and automatic braking system that will brake the car if programming believes there is risk of an accident. The problem is this is all front-based monitory and no rear based monitoring. Recently I was traveling the speed limit on a 4-lane highway when a car stopped abruptly in the turn lane in which I was following. There was no need for my car to brake abruptly as I was not traveling so close behind the car in front of me to justify that. Rather, I was more concerned about a car behind me that was tailgating me. I wanted to brake gradually to give the car behind me time to stop. But the auto braking system in my car braked so suddenly against my will causing the car behind me to veer off the road onto the shoulder in order to avoid rear ending me. It also made me worry that the driver of the car behind me might believe I intentionally braked hard to make him back away from my car when this was not the case. The 2018 Camry XSE auto braking system is a hazard because it looks forward with the radar but did not consider the car tailgating me and it nearly caused me to be rear ended were it not for evasive action of the car behind me veering onto the shoulder. I can turn it off when I drive the car but it always comes back on when I start the car. I am undecided about liability as well if I must permit this defective system to run or whether I am protected legally by turning it off. It is such a hassle to constantly turn it off each time I start the car so I just let the car do it's thing most of the time thinking I might be better legally protected with it on than with it off.

While driving out of my neighborhood at a low speed, the vehicle’s brakes suddenly stopped responding. I pressed the brake pedal multiple times, but it felt soft and failed to slow or stop the car as expected. I had to rely on the parking brake to bring the vehicle to a stop safely. Fortunately, there were no injuries or collisions, but this created a serious safety risk for myself and others. There were no prior warning lights or error messages before the incident. After researching, I discovered that my vehicle model and year have been associated with a known braking issue, as described in a recall for certain 2018–2019 Toyota Camry vehicles related to a vacuum pump or braking system malfunction. I took the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer immediately after the incident. The dealer confirmed the brake vacuum pump had failed, matching the symptoms described in the existing recall for other vehicles of the same model and year. However, they stated that my specific VIN was not included in the recall and refused to cover the repair under warranty or recall service. As a result, I was forced to pay over $1,200 out of pocket to fix a problem that is clearly related to the same known defect.

Vehicle cut off at a stop light twice

Pre-Collision system malfunction, secondary collision system malfunction along with check engine. It appears to be a trend with 2018 Toyota Camry XSE and higher model. I found that many people that own this model vehicle is experiencing the same issue even after going to a Toyota dealer and the issue still persist.

Low breaking power

I am reporting a brake failure issue that matches the symptoms described in NHTSA Campaign Number 19V-544 (Toyota recall for brake booster vacuum pump failure). My 2018 Camry has experienced loss of brake assist, making it difficult to stop safely and requiring excessive pedal pressure. Despite these symptoms and the known recall for this issue, my VIN is not currently included. This raises concerns that the recall scope was too limited and that my vehicle should be included. I have contacted both the dealer and Toyota corporate, and I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect further and consider expanding the recall. This is a serious safety issue.

LOW BRAKING POWER MESSAGE IS ON AND BRAKE TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY CAUSE: DIAGNOSED CONCERN, FOUND VACCUM PUMP NOT PRODUCING VACCUM CAUSING CONCERN, INSPECTED AND FOUND VACCUM PUMP BROKEN AND CAMSHAFT BROKEN, PIECES BROKEN OFF INSIDE ENGINE. STATES LOW BRAKING POWER MESSAGE IS ON AND BRAKE PEDAL DROPS TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY

The vehicle will not start and is showing a warning message , " Low Braking Power Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual".

In February of 2025 the brake vacuum pump failed and lost braking power. It was promptly towed to Toyota and the recall was performed. Roughly 3 weeks later an internal engine part that was removed during the recall repair came loose and damaged something internally. Since then the vehicle has yet to be adequately repaired. It produces no power, struggles to accelerate and has constant safety system malfunctions. Toyota had the vehicle from April to October and failed to adequately repair the vehicle after dozens of attempts. The vehicle was forcefully returned and will no longer pass smog from the engine malfunction they introduced during repairs. Currently in litigation and Toyota is ignoring all complaints.

I am the owner of a 2018 Toyota Camry purchased 08/31/2018. Toyota recalled 2018 Camry models built between 01/16/2017 and 09/13/2018 for a brake problem (internal campaign reference code JOK/JLD). My vehicle falls within this period but seems to not be included in the recall. I am writing to you because I have had at least six occasions where when parking the car and going very slowly the vehicle doesn't seem to want to stop. Recently, I could not stop the vehicle and it was stopped by a cement barrier and bush. I have been told in the past by the dealer (Morristown Toyota) that there is no problem. Is it possible that my vehicle should have been included in the recall but was accidentally omitted.

Car wouldn’t start .it says low braking power

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to slow for a traffic signal and the brake pedal was firm. The message "Low Braking Power" was displayed. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the brake vacuum pump assist had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact was informed that there was an open recall on the VIN; NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V890000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Low Braking power light came on

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the pedal failed to respond. The contact's wife was able to stop the vehicle. The contact’s wife was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was provided the cost for a diagnostic test. The contact informed the dealer that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V890000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

While driving on the highway brakes became squishy and the brake warning light came one. Dash displayed “Low brake power. Stop in a safe place” message.

On 9/6/24 I pulled up to the gas pump and couldn’t stop. My brake light and warning light came on. I called Toyota and one of their service team members said it was covered because it was part of a repair kit that was completed on 9/2023. They then said that they did a recall repair at that time which involved the brake vacuum pump. I was not told this at the time. Now they say that this has failed and they refuse to fix it. I had no issues with my brakes until now. I haven’t seen any recalls on this car and I feel that Toyota don’t want to stand by there work.They were only repairing two sensors and they changed my rear brakes.

I was driving my car when a light came on the dash board with sign stating low brake power. I had to pull over as the brake became stiff and stopped working.

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact that while driving 60 MPH and attempting to complete a turn, upon depressing the brake pedal, the contact became aware that the brake pedal was stiff and had seized in the depressed position. As a result, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle, coming to a complete stop in a field after leaving the roadway and engaging the parking brake. The service brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V890000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The VIN was included, and the remedy was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 101,000.

I was driving down a dirt road about 30 mph when my vehicle wouldn’t come to a stop when braking. the master warning light popped up on my dash, next to the word ‘BRAKE’ in all red letters. on my dash also read ‘Low Braking Power. Stop in a safe place. see owners manual’.(photo is attatched, sorry it’s blurry i was trembling) no other warning signs or messages were on my dash prior to the incident. this happened VERY suddenly. luckily the incident happened when i wasn’t going very fast. had it happened 5 minutes prior when i was going about 75 mph down a narrow fm road, i probably wouldn’t be here to explain what happened. I could have crashed my car, hit someone else, there is numerous possibilities that could have happened. I thank God for watching over me and my child. i will be contacting the dealership tomorrow to see what can be done.