Seven problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 1999 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Without warning, I. E. Squealing, sounds, etc. , I experienced increased stopping distance when I pressed the brakes to avoid a collision. When I returned the car to the dealer/service, they stated that the front pads are metal to metal. The car has 89,000 miles and the brakes and portions of the braking system have been replaced on average every 8,000 miles. This has been the eleventh time that there has been brake problems with this car. The front brake pads are being worn prematurely. There is usually a lot of brake dust and crystallized or solid material falling from the front brake pads. The dealer/mechanic/service has stated various reasons for the brake failures each time, but the problem is never resolved. This car has abs.
I am the original owner of a 1999 Toyota solara (purchased March 1999). Last month with 34,825 miles on it, I had to have the front rotors and brake pads replaced for the second time. The first time was in June 2001 with 22,125 miles on the vehicle. Both times, the dealer blames excessive rust and runout on the rotors as the cause of serious steering wheel vibration when braking. They claim I do not drive the car and use the brakes enough. The solara is garage kept and gets at least as much use as any other car I have owned and I have never had to have any brakes and rotors replaced for this reason and four of the cars I owned for a period of nine years each. Two of those sat outside their entire existence and averaged a grand total of three to four thousand miles/year. I have tried dealing with the dealer rep and he and the regional service manager tell me there is nothing they should do about it and I should expect to be doing this again every two years. This does not seem right to me and so far I have gotten the response from customer service that they stand behind the opinions of their dealer service techs. Even after repair, I get some vibration in pedal and steering wheel at times. Have also had problems with antilock brakes. Just today I had to avoid an accident as a car pulled out in front of me and antilock released braking causing a longer braking distance than necessary. One day when stopping at a traffic light in good weather conditions on a smooth surface, anti-lock kicked in and released braking power. I wound up with the whole front end of the car in the intersection. I was only going about 30-35 mph as I was in a residential area. I was lucky no one was coming. Any time you try to stop on a rough surface, it can be an adventure. You always have to remember to keep extra distance with this car. Anytime brought up to dealer, they said could not duplicate and this is the way antilock brakes are supposed to work.
Premature disc pad failure- left pads 0% , right side pads had 60% remaining. Complained to dealer at 11k miles that brake light was on. They wanted to charge me for brake service that they said was due at 7,500 miles and would not add fluid without charging. I refused it as being quite preposterous! repair cost me $75.
When applying brakes they grind and make noise. Dealer replaced pads. But, grinding sound persisted. Dealer adjusted brakes, still noisy. Currently, dealer said that all Toyotas do that, and they could replace brakes with after market brakes to remedy problem.
When driving and upon depressing brake pedal to make a normal stop pedal traveled to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Also, consumer heard noise coming from front end. Front brake pads were experiencing excessive wear. The brake pads failed at 12000 miles and again at 16200 miles. The consumer is concerned about brake safety on long trips.
Rotors & brake pads were replaced.
In 30000 miles we have replaced front rotors twice, pads 3 times, and tires twice-Toyota has told us this wear is normal.