Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not immediately stop, causing the stopping distance to become extended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact's wife stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the VSC and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the brake master cylinder replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact also filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid that has been serviced several times for brakes. Repeated requests to change brake pads, which was initially thought to be the problem but several mechanics have confirmed that this was not the issue. Contacted Toyota headquarters whom confirmed that there is no recall. Instead, owners are encouraged to visit their local dealer only if a dashboard warning brake light is lit, which was not applicable in my case although a degredation in the brake system was apparent. Toyota only sent a notice regarding the brake-fluid reservoir tank and no warning to consumers of a serious safety risk regarding a defective brake system that worsens overtime. Currently having a difficult time selling the vehicle due to same feedback/complaint of slow brake response, which worsens with higher speeds and/or sudden stops. …
I have been feeling from last 2 or 3 days that my Toyota Camry brakes were not working right and they required additional pedaling to brake and somehow I was able to feel that it was taking extra time and distance to stop and was planning to show this to Toyota dealer today , I have talked about this during previous service with Toyota service center during my previous service & they told me everything was OK and my brake pads were good,but unfortunately my fears came true today then when I was driving 20-25mph and suddenly a car ahead of me almost 20-25feet ahead braked and I pushed hard to brake but I could feel it was not braking right or the hybrids braking system has failed and my car didn't stop in the right time and we hit the car ahead of us.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. While the contact's husband was driving 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a brick wall. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,683.
I was traveling eastbound on a city street turning into a shopping plaza and applied the brakes to let opposite westboard traffic to clear. The car did not respond to the brakes and I hit the center concrete median that divides east and westbound traffic.
Brake comes on, ABS light comes on and it becomes difficult to brake (brakes are hard). Then after an hour or so the lights go off and brakes return to normal. I noticed that when it returns to normal there is a heavy bump, it actually feels like someone bumped you from the rear. This has happened off and on for about 3 months now. I took it to my mechanic thinking it was something minor, pads etc. And it was not that. On 11/28/18 I took it to the dealership. They found nothing wrong. Not sure what else can be done. This is very frustrating and potentially dangerous. Because this problem can happen at any time with no warning, it has happened while driving and also starting the vehicle. …
The hand brake light keeps coming on and off while driving. The car feels like it's coasting and have no traction control. All of the sudden, all lights turn on dashboard and check vsc system comes on, brakes are hard to engage and steering control is difficult. Car drives like that for about 5 minutes and then all goes back to normal. Few days later it starts up again with the break lights coming on and off. It happens during different driving conditions: straight city street, while turning, going down a hill or attempting to come to a stop. This makes it really scary as I am in a very dangerous situation when I am trying to break and the break do not engage and steering control is affected. I have taken it to mechanic after the incidents and they cannot diagnose the issue and there are no failure codes. However, the issue keeps going on making me terrified to drive the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. While driving approximatey 10 MPH and attempting to stop, the vehicle would not stop or slow down when depressing the brake pedal. During the failure, several warning messages and indicators displayed and illuminated including "check vsc system" (vehicle stability control), ABS, master warning, and brake failure. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to passport Toyota (5001 auth way, suitland, md) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,571.
Driving at about 30 MPH on a straight road 6 am approx. 1 mile from my house. I applied brakes intending to make a left turn then vsc warning light came on and brakes did not work properly. No cars in front of me, had to push hard on the brake pedal to slow the car. I missed my intersection to turn. It is as if the power system to the brakes stopped working. I slowed enough to turn the car onto a sided street and pumped the brakes hard, it is still difficult to brake, but at least I know I have to apply heavy foot pressure to brake. Turned car off and back on again and vsc light came on again, then turned off after 1 minute and power braking returned to normal.
NHTSA investigations
Brake Actuator malfunction
On June 25, 2014, Toyota initiated a Warranty Enhancement Program (ZE1) to extend warranty coverage for the brake actuator assembly and skid control ECU/brake pedal stroke sensor in certain MY 2007 to 2011 Toyota Camry hybrid vehicles.
Brake complaints in other Camry Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, 50% of the model year's 118 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.