# Toyota Camry brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 86 - **Most complaints:** 2018 (38) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Toyota Camry (2015-2026 models), most for the **2018** model year (38). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Toyota Camry brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 13 | 286 | 5% | | 2016 | 5 | 189 | 3% | | 2017 | 9 | 153 | 6% | | 2018 | 38 | 782 | 5% | | 2019 | 12 | 412 | 3% | | 2020 | 4 | 284 | 1% | | 2021 | 1 | 166 | 1% | | 2022 | 2 | 67 | 3% | | 2025 | 2 | 175 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Toyota Camry recalls related to the brake warning light **[21V890000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V890000)** (2018-2019 models, reported 2021-11-17): A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will repair or replace the vacuum pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2022. **[18V211000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V211000)** (2018 models, reported 2018-04-03): A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Toyota Camry owners report - "After the incident, the car displayed warnings: Brake System Malfunction, Smart Stop Malfunction, Electronically Controlled Brake System Failure, and Low Brake Fluid. No warning lights appeared prior to the incident. My safety was severely at risk as the vehicle left the roadway and struck rocks and brush. Had..." -- owner of a 2025 Toyota Camry, complaint filed 2025 - "I turned into a restaurant's parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake, but I felt the brake pedal just sank, and the car lurched..." -- owner of a 2022 Toyota Camry, complaint filed 2025 - "AWD System Malfunction, 2 WD Engaged (Visit your Dealer), Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction, Pre-Collision Brake System Malfunction, Parking Brake Malfunction, Check Engine light. I did NOT drive the car that day. Once the weather warmed up in Iowa, the number of codes would change and sometimes..." -- owner of a 2021 Toyota Camry, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Toyota Camry brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (21V890000, 18V211000) covering 2018-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Toyota Camry years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2018 and 2019 Camry model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 38 for 2018. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota Camry with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Toyota Camry has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Toyota dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Toyota Camry warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-camry): 17 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-camry): 46 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-camry): 154 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-camry): 29 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-camry): 68 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/toyota-camry): 10 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-camry): 19 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints ## Toyota Camry - [Toyota Camry specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-camry) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-camry Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.