2010 Toyota Corolla Brake Problems

166 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2010 Toyota Corolla to NHTSA — 13% of all 1,244 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 5,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 32 Corolla model years for brake complaints (a typical year has 16). One related recall has been issued.

166complaints
5ktypical miles
1related recalls
37crashes
0fires
19injuries

Which parts fail

  • Power assist › Vacuum
    3
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
    3
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
    2
  • Pedals and linkages
    1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    11275%
  • 25k–50k
    107%
  • 50k–75k
    117%
  • 75k–100k
    53%
  • 100k–150k
    85%
  • 150k+
    43%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated despite the brakes being applied, causing the driver to crash into a parked vehicle. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployments, or police reports filed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

53,000 miles · Jun 2026 · crash

Was drive west down Gooding Ave in Bristol,R.I 02809 when my vehicle idle surged and car was going over 50mph with out my foot on the accelerator.. when trying to control the vehicle I couldn't even use the brakes stepping on the brake would not slow down the vehicle I ended up side swiping a vehicle at a traffic light and proceeded through the intersection through a fence onto a person's lawn Clearly this was a unintended acceleration issue

Oct 2021 · crash

During the operation of the vehicle on a normal surface street during morning commute through city streets following traffic at speeds not exceeding 35 MPH the vehicle seemed to have accelerated (sped up) during the application of the brake causing the vehicle to strike the vehicle in front of it. The damage to the vehicle struck was not visible due to the slow speed, but it did cause minor damage to the vehicle in question. During the event the driver perceived acceleration at the time of the application of the brakes and the sound associated with the anti-lock features being engaged. At the end of the incident the brake pedal was depressed all the way down to the floor. This is very concerning since the reaction of the vehicle was opposite of the driver command. …

110,000 miles · Jan 2017 · crash

While driving on a street named hamner this afternoon on a warm day in the city of norco with clear skies traveling approximately 15 MPH my 2010 Corolla did not stop at a distance of about 15 feet when I applied the brake pedal and that caused me to hit another vehicle. The brake system failure which felt like the anti-lock brake system where the brakes did not engage but rather made a pulsating movement against my rotors caused my vehicle to keep moving and inevitably I could not stop my vehicle. On several occasions I have brought this issue up to Toyota service departments at numerous dealers in the past years and I was given no solutions. The explanation after showing the technicians was that it was normal and should not be a problem. This brake issue caused me to not have braking system power to safely come to a stop prior to the collision today. …

176,000 miles · Jul 2017 · crash

I was driving 99 south in south sacramento last aug 21 2015, at around 2 pm. My lt foot was on the brake as I stopped to glance at my blind spot on my rt side so I can take hwy 50 toward lake tahoe, when I turned my head to the front, I noticed my car was moving forward on it's own, so I pressed the brakes all the way down and I lost control of the car, I felt the brake stucked to the floor and the only reason the car stopped is because I was on bumper to bumper traffic and my car hit the car infront of me. My car had only had 47000 miles on it. 2 weeks prior to that I took my car to the dealer for oil change and he said I need new front brakes on the next oil change. As a result of the accident, my car is totalled. Fortunately no one was injured! The policeman took report. …

47,000 miles · Aug 2015 · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on an incline with the brake pedal engaged but it failed to respond and the vehicle rolled down the driveway and crash into the curb. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where minor auto body repairs were completed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The driver sustained bruising and swelling to the leg and knee but did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed with coraopolis police department. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 153,000. The VIN was not available.

153,000 miles · Jun 2017 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. While depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, it failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into an electrical pole. The contact sustained chest and arm injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the home of the contact's sister. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

73,000 miles · Mar 2018 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision with a concrete wall. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes did not respond. A police report was not filed. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a collision repair shop. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact suffered moderate head pain, scrapes, and bruises on the arm. Medical attention was required. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not provided.

40,000 miles · Dec 2017 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became unresponsive and the brakes became stiff. As a result, the vehicle hydro-plane on the wet pavement and crashed against a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

50,000 miles · Sep 2014 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the garage. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but the body damage was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

58,000 miles · Jun 2015 · crash

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum

NHTSA recall 09V-338 · Aug 27, 2009 · 95,705 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Scion xd and my 2009-2010 corolla, and corolla matrix vehicles equipped with 1.8l engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new…

Remedy: Dealers will install a newly designed intake air connector which will relocate the brake system vacuum port. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2009.

Brake complaints in other Corolla years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262113915791283214373545261201662111241718302611162491771083
Brake complaints per model year, Toyota Corolla.

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake problems on the 2010 Toyota Corolla?

NHTSA has 166 complaints about the brakes of the 2010 Toyota Corolla, 13% of the model year's 1,244 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (3 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2010 Toyota Corolla brake problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-338 (vacuum, Aug 27, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2010 Toyota Corolla brake problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 37 crashes, 0 fires and 19 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.