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 2013 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ABS and Traction Control not functioning. Indicator light on. Air bag recall due to metal possibly killing driver or passenger is more likely to happen because the ABS and Traction control not working.
On Monday, [redacted], I was at the CVS pharmacy drive through when the failure occurred. There was no accident and otherwise no warning before it happened. I attempted to pull out when I noticed the car was drifting and the steering was extremely stiff. I looked down to see that the airbag light and BRAKE light were both on. I coasted into a spot I happened to be aligned with. As I did, I felt the brakes and steering stiffen even more until they were almost 100% seized. (Kind of felt like I was fighting hydraulic fluid.) You guys are welcome to request to inspect the vehicle. I haven't been able to get it inspected, because the Toyota dealership wants me to pay a diagnostic fee to prove the airbag light came on due to the airbag assembly for them to be able to cover the work under the extended warranty for the airbag system. There was no accident. …
I was in a car accident turning,left at a big intersection in pooler, ga there was a double turn lane. I talked my brakes as other car next to me was in my lane on the turn. He adjusted and I preceded up the inclined road to where cars were stopped waiting for the light. I was horrified as I realized my brakes was not stopping by the time my brain computed they was not working,when they just worked seconds earlier. Next then I heard a gun shot noise from air bags exploding and was in the rear end of an SUV. I recall my brakes was replaced at 37000 miles pad were thin and constant brake dust daily on my rims. I am fortunate minor injuries and was going at a low speed. This could of been a fatal accident if on the freeway at high speeds. My brakes failing causes me high anxiety and,fear when driving now. …
The brake pedal is positioned so that it can catch the side or sole of the driver's shoe so that the brakes cannot be activated. It can capture the shoe under the brake pedal, making it impossible to activate the brakes. When needing brakes under an emergency situation, the shoe can be trapped, and can involved in a collision. This happens at least once every time I drive the car, and caused my mother to have an accident, because she could not get her foot on the brake pedal. Fortunately no one was injured, and only 3 cars were damaged.
I had a wreck and I ran into another car going about 25 MPH and my air bag did not deploy. I hit someone from behind, I thought I hit the brake but it did not stop and acted like I had the accelerator on. So I am asking about air bag & brake problems
Took my car in for a check engine light, slipping of the transmission. I was called and told that the transmission is fine and that the new sv transmissions handle differently from the older transmissions, I shouldn't be worried. Then I was told that I need to replace the front and rear brakes as they are bad. I was told by the service advisor that I ruined the brakes by driving the car hard. This is the first time in my thirty four years of driving that I have been told that I ruin brakes. When I purchased the vehicle it had 14599 miles. When I brought the vehicle in for check engine light the mileage on the vehicle it had 24397. Less than 10,000 miles had been driven on this vehicle and I am being told that I have to spend 600 dollars on a brake job. I have owned many cars, different makes and models and I have never ever had to replace brakes, rotors, pads, drums, shoes so soon. …
On July 3, 2015 when at first my car wouldn't start, I asked someone to look at my car and it was noticed that my brake fluid level was very low just to the point of empty. I was very concern because at no point prior to this discovery, the "brake" warning light did not flash or appear on to inform me to this issue! I called auto dealer and made an appointment for routine oil/maintenance service and requested that this matter be researched as to why no "brake" warning light worked; to also flush the brake system to check for air in the hose etc...; however very disappointment with auto service reply: I was basically told that the brake fluid level was not low enough for the "brake" warning light to activated; however when the car eventually started; the brake pedal was very noisy and once brake fluid level filled, the noise stopped. …
My daughter was driving south on interstate 95 (md) in the far left lane (fast lane) when her 2013 Toyota Corolla went out of control and went into a 180 degree clockwise spin across 3 lanes of traffic into the far right right lane (slow lane) and when she pumped her brakes the car went into a 180 degree counter clockwise spin back across 4 lanes of traffic almost getting hit by a Jeep before stopping on the left shoulder facing oncoming traffic. Incident happened in rush hour traffic at 9:20 am on wet roads. Yellow ABS light and traction control light was on, but not the red brake light. Was told by Toyota that the brake actuator assembly failed. In researching this issue, I found Toyota to have a history of brake actuator assembly problems resulting in warranty extensions, service campaigns & recalls on 2007-to 2011 camry's ,2010 prius, 2012 & 2013 tacoma pick ups, Toyota rav 4's.
I bought my vehicle under warranty at around 7000 miles. Before 36000 miles I had taken it to the dealer 3 times with complaints of bad front wheel bearing. They gave me the run and around and I ended up replacing the defective bearing now 3 times. Now I again have to replace the bearing on the back which comes now complete without having to be pressed in. I have heard from others that this car is anonymous for this part being defective which I think it's unfair for the consumer. This part is close to over 200$. I was also told by the dealer on first occurrence that it was my tires cause the vehicle wore them unevenly. The consumer is not being informed, protected and sold bad quality parts on vehicles and the producer is not being held responsible.
There's a high pitched metal grinding noise that has been coming and going on it's own when applying the brakes. This noise happens at slow or high speeds. My brake pads still have meat on them and the rotor is not warped as well. I've even checked for brake dust which I don't have any so I'm not sure what's going on. My friend's 2012 Corolla makes the same metal grinding noise when braking and there has even been complaints on carcomplaints.com and see people having the same issue. I bought this car over two years ago and it still has been making the same noise since then. Please look into this because this could be a serious issue due to a problem with the most important part of a car..the braking system! Thank you, NHTSA.
Brake complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Toyota Corolla, 12% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Toyota Corolla brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Toyota Corolla, though it has 5 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 2013 Toyota Corolla brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 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.