No one likes having to bring their car in to get a tune-up, or worse, to get a major issue fixed. It can be expensive and time-consuming. It is important to understand how to troubleshoot some of the issues you may experience with your Toyota Camry’s brake system. So, what issues might come up?
One prevalent issue in the Toyota Camry brake system is a failure of the brake master cylinder. This cylinder controls the hydraulic pressure in the brake system, and its failure can lead to reduced braking efficiency or a spongy brake pedal. Replacing the faulty brake master cylinder typically resolves this issue, restoring proper brake function.
Degraded brake fluid can also cause issues in the Toyota Camry’s brake system. Over time, brake fluid can absorb moisture, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential corrosion of brake system components.
The remedy involves completely flushing out the old fluid and replacing it with new, high-quality brake fluid. This process ensures that the hydraulic system operates optimally, thereby restoring the brakes’ responsiveness and reliability.
In addition, faulty brake calipers can lead to problems in the Camry’s braking system. These calipers, which clamp the brake pads onto the rotors to slow the vehicle, can stick or seize due to wear, corrosion, or dirt.
The solution is to inspect the calipers for any signs of damage or malfunction, cleaning or lubricating them as needed. In cases where the calipers are beyond repair, replacing them is necessary to ensure effective braking performance.
After reading some of the common issues you might have with your Toyota Camry, you must want some answers as to how you can take preventative measures and troubleshoot. Read on to learn everything you need to know about common issues you may come across with your Toyota Camry’s brake system.
Toyota Camry Brake System Issues
If you own a Toyota Camry, then you should know how to troubleshoot any brake system issues that your Toyota Camry may experience during its life cycle. Here is a list of some common Toyota Camry brake system issues you may encounter:
- Toyota Camry brake lamp failure sensor
- Toyota Camry brake fluid capacity
- Toyota Camry brake pedal pressure loss
- Toyota Camry parking brake sensor not working
Each of these brake system issues are potential problems you may experience when owning a Toyota. By learning more about each of these issues, you can better equip yourself to deal with any brake system issues you encounter in the future.
Toyota Camry Brake Lamp Failure Sensor
One common issue with the Toyota Camry’s brake system is the brake lamp failure sensor. This sensor is there to alert you when something is wrong with your brake lights, such as the lights are about to burn out or otherwise stop functioning correctly, but occasionally it can give a false error.
This false error can be a nuisance, and oftentimes the only way to fix it is to have it replaced, which can be pricey. The following are steps you can take to try and solve the problem yourself, instead of having to order a new sensor:
- Clean off all wires and terminals: It is possible that dirt could be interfering with the signals sent by the sensor module. You can attempt to clean dirt or grime off the terminals and wires with a cloth or rough paper.
- Replace the bulbs: Even if the bulbs and terminals are clean, it might make no difference if the bulbs themselves are burnt out. The lamp failure sensor may turn off if new bulbs are installed in the brake light housing, which means that it was actually working properly.
If these steps fail, the only option is to replace the sensor. This can cost upwards of two hundred dollars in some cases.
Toyota Camry Brake Fluid Capacity/Flush/Change Interval/Type
Another problem that could be plaguing your Toyota Camry may be an issue with its brake fluid. This can include having low brake fluid, a brake fluid leak, or needing to have a brake fluid flush.
Low brake fluid can be an indicator of a leak, but it can also simply be because of normal wear and tear that your brakes endure as they are used over long periods of time. It can be tricky to replace brake fluid yourself, even more so to fix a leak, so it would be best to take your car in for this one.
How Often to Change Toyota Camry’s Brake Fluid
Sometimes brake fluid may just need to be changed out, having accumulated dirt and other things in it that inhibit its ability to function smoothly. Brake fluid flushes are fairly routine and can be done by your local mechanic. Typically, brake fluid should be changed every 20,000 miles for maximum braking efficiency and to avoid issues.
Toyota Camry ABS, Traction Control, and Brake Light on
The ABS, or Anti-lock brake system, is made up of a wide array of parts and systems to enable your car to brake when skidding, and if the ABS light is on, something could be seriously wrong with it. Because the ABS system simulates pressing the brake over and over to maximize friction, it is a feature that improves the safety of your vehicle.
Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Aug 5, 2021. .
The problems you may face when the ABS light is on include:
- Damaged sensors: The sensors on each wheel may be malfunctioning and could require replacement. Your local mechanic could easily diagnose and solve this issue, but you may be able to see if this is indeed an issue with a visual inspection.
- Faulty sensors: The sensors in your Toyota Camry’s ABS system may be faulty, not damaged. This can easily be diagnosed by checking for error codes using a diagnostic tool.
If the problem persists, it is best to take your vehicle in to get it checked by professionals.
Toyota Camry Brake Pedal Pressure Loss/Goes to the Floor
Does your brake pedal feel too soft when pressing down on it? Does it go all the way to the floor when you give it the slightest push? This generally denotes a loss of brake pedal pressure.
In most recent day vehicles, brakes are run by a hydraulic pressure system. This compensates for the extra pressure needed to pump the brakes. If the brakes are too easy to press, this could indicate that something has entered the system and is throwing the pressure off, such as air.
Some reasons why this could be happening include:
- Brake line leak: Your brake lines may have taken on air. This can be diagnosed by raising the vehicle up, detaching the rear wheels, and doing a visual inspection.
- Faulty master cylinder: The master cylinder could also have air in it. If it does, bleeding it could help, but if this does not fix the issue, it will need to be replaced.
If the problem persists, it is best to take your vehicle in to get it checked by a professional.
Toyota Camry Brake Pads
Your vehicle’s brake pads are essential to being able to brake, as they put pressure on the wheels in order to slow them down or stop them from moving. This involves a brake element that exerts a force on the brake to slow it through friction. Needless to say, if your vehicle is experiencing issues with this component of its brake system, that can be bad.
You can tell if you’ve got an issue with your brake pads if they make an alarming noise when braking, such as grinding, screeching, squeaking, or squealing. Extreme cases may produce a smoky or acrid odor as the pads wear against the rotors.
Toyota Camry Brake Pad Replacement
If the issue persists, you may need to replace the brake pads. Typically, you should take your vehicle in to get the brake pads checked per 30,000 to 70,000 miles driven, depending on driving habits and situation. Frequent driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic may accelerate the wear and tear on the brake pads, for example.
You can expect brake pad replacement to cost anywhere from $75 to $250 per axle with labor costs ranging from $80 to $100. It can be a good idea to check with your local Toyota dealer, as they generally run deals on brake maintenance regularly.
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It’s important to note that if your Toyota Camry’s brake pads are heavily worn, your rotors may suffer wear and tear as well. If the rotors are worn, the pads may not catch as efficiently on them, causing further brake issues. Your local mechanic or dealer will be able to monitor and diagnose this for you.
If the issue persists, you may need to replace the brake pads. Typically, you should take your vehicle in to get the brake pads checked per 30,000 to 70,000 miles driven, depending on driving habits and situation. Frequent driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic may accelerate the wear and tear on the brake pads, for example.
Toyota Camry Parking Brake Sensor/Not Working
The final common issue that may be affecting your Toyota Camry’s brake system is parking brake issues. The parking brake can often get stuck or may not function properly, not stopping your vehicle’s motion when it needs to.
These issues can be hard to diagnose and may require the help of your local mechanic or dealer. They will be able to disassemble your vehicle’s brake system and get to the bottom of the problem using a wide array of tools and systems.
If the emergency brake light is on, it could be a sign of a faulty brake actuator, which would need to be replaced. This faulty actuator can send an incorrect reading to the car’s computer and cause the light to come on, even if the emergency brake is not set. This can be a costly repair, prices ranging from the upper hundreds to the low thousands.
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KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Aug 5, 2021 and last updated on .