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 2005 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Complaint Against Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive - Faulty Repairs & Lack of Response I am filing a complaint regarding incomplete and faulty repairs performed on my household's 2005 Toyota Corolla CE at Ben Nielsen Skyline Automotive on November 22, 2024 (Invoice #1 attached) and January 3, 2025 (Invoice #2 attached). During my first visit, the mechanic identified an oil leak, added dye to locate the source, and instructed me to return after 100 miles for further repairs. I followed these instructions and returned on January 3, 2025, when the shop also adjusted the tie rod and installed new rear brakes. At the time, I trusted that the work had been completed to a professional standard and that my vehicle was safe to drive. …
As I was pulling into a parking lot I began to step on the brakes and the car would not stop. I had no choice but to crash into a wall causing a major injuries to my body and car. The car would no longer start and I had to tow the car to my home until a mechanic came to start the car and we had noticed that when the car is in park it will keep going.
The brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a wall while attempting to park in a garage. Also, power steering did not work during inclement weather, making the ability to maintain control of the vehicle difficult. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer. Prior to the accident, the brakes locked up and skidded in dry road conditions. Vehicle surged forward when attempting to stop vehicle. When the power steering failed the battery light came on. Dealer found nothing wrong and no adjustments were made. After vehicle came back from dealer's inspection there was a grinding/scretching noise. Consumer had to take vehicle back to dealer and found that the backing plate behind the rotors was bent. Backing plate was bend back into place. Consumer felt grinding noise was not a result of accident and/or damages occured to vehicle.
I have a Toyota Corolla 2005 model purchased in oct. 2004. I was going to work one morning, pulling into the parking garage, I coasted up the incline til I slowed, tapped the accelerator to give it a push, and the car surged forward, not just a little, a lot! I tried to stop but only went faster, smashing into the concrete wall ahead of me, too fast to make the turn. My cars front end sustained 5000.00 in damages, undrivable. Was in the shop for over a month. I was apprehensive about driving for a long time, only parked on the street with plenty of room. The accelerator still surges, but I've acclimated to the handling of the car to avoid other accidents, still a couple of times have been close. Anyway, this was mentioned to my service dept at Toyota and was told there were no reports of problems of this nature, that was in 2006.
While traveling at 35mph on a 50mph roadway, anticipating to stop or steer off the roadway, my 2005 Toyota Corolla brakes and steering failed despite repeated attempts to stop or steer the vehicle to the soft shoulder to avoid rear ending the vehicle stopped ahead of me. Once I applied my brakes, the steering mechanism became non responsive as though both brakes and steering failed. I watched my vehicle continued on its forward trajectory until it slammed into the rear of the vehicle at the red light. In addition, one would have expected the air bag on this vehicle to deploy at impact at this speed. To my surprise and that of the investigating officer from tampa police department, the air bag did not deploy. Luckily, I was the only one in the vehicle as neither the driver's air bag nor the passenger air bag deployed.
When I speeded up and pressed gas from 30 to 55 mile per hour at the freeway, I found the car in front of me suddenly slowed down. I was at 55 mile per hour when I found it and tried to press the brake hardly. However, the brake couldn't be pressed hardly and the car could not be stopped as soon as possible. The car slowed down slowly and hit the car in front of me, even though I tried to press the brake hardly. The brake didn't work well when the car is in the process of speeding up from low speed to high speed at the freeway.
Dt: the consumer stated that 2005 Toyota Corolla was involved in a crash and the anti-lock brakes did not work, and the vehicle did not stop while driving at 60-65 MPH. The point of impact was on both sides of the vehicle. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The manufacturer was contacted. Toyota was suppose to send someone to look at the car. The dealership was called also. The dealer said that would call the insurance company. A police report was taken.
I was traveling in the left lane when a car pulled out in front of me. My approximate speed at the time was around 50 miles an hour. I threw on my brakes, they locked up, and I hit the other vehicle at approximately 35 - 40 MPH. Neither one of my air bags deployed. My vehicle had damage across the front bumper, left side in particular. Hood was bent up and radiator was damaged as there was radiator fluid leaking...updated 11/06/14 updated 7/9/2015
I was driving between 30 and 35 MPH on a back paved road when a buck ran out in front of my vehicle. I pushed my brakes all the way down to the floor but the car wouldn't stop. I pushed them again and the car still wouldn't stop. I ended up hitting a ditch and rolling my car on its side. The mechanic could not find a problem with the ABS. I had 2 Goodyear tires (the car had less than 2500 miles) that blew out. Airbags deflated upon impact.
2005 Corolla le purchased in sept 2005. Was going home today from work. I was driving slow (thx god) because of traffic. When I tried to slow down when seeing a car in front on me, the brakes won't respond. I pushed the brakes couple times but it won't slow down. So I rear ended a truck. My car front end is in pretty bad shape but since it wasn't at a high speed the frame seems to be OK. Of course the truck infront of me barely has a scratch.
Brake complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the model year's 854 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Corolla brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Toyota Corolla, though it has 6 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 2005 Toyota Corolla brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.