Brake problem - 3 week old car

[dullard]

Bought a 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid three weeks ago (cue Toyota brake recall jokes). It now has just over 2000 miles.

Today while driving on the interstate (in the upper 60 MPH range) there was a slight pop or click sound. It sounded kind of like a mechanical relay but I can't be certain exactly since the radio was on. The noise seemed to come from the dash. There were no road obsticles, bumps, or any other reason to expect to hear a noise.

At the same moment the ABS, Brake, traction control, and brake system alert lights all come on.

I exited at the next exit and the car brakes weren't doing much. Pressing them like I normally did was the same as just coasting. I had to slam on the brakes to stop and even then it was not stopping like I wanted to.

Luckilly I was just blocks from the dealer that I purchased it from and I could limp it in to their service department. So far, they are stumped. They even put me on speakerphone so that multiple mechanics can hear my version of what happened. They saw the lights on, test drove it to see the brakes weren't working well, grabbed the code, reset the code, and now claim that it is all working.

Would you ever drive that car again? I drive it on the interstate only, going 60 MPH to 80 MPH.

 

[Kenmitch]

With the symptoms you describe it doesn't sound too safe to drive at high speeds. It's just a matter of if it happens again I guess.

Did they tell you what the code was?

 

[dullard]

Did they tell you what the code was?

The dealer's shop is still looking at it. I don't have the code yet, but I will ask for it.

 

[7window]

give me a new car. I worry about electronics controlling my brake.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Sounds as though a breaker or fuse tripped and you lost the electronic assist for the brakes (which would explain why the pedal had to be pressed much harder to stop the car).

Unlike traditional cars, which use a vacuum accumulator to provide power assist to the brakes, the Camry hybrid uses an electronic brake assistance mechanism. Given that it would make sense for such a system to also control the ABS (and therefore, the ABS-based traction control), failure of the electronic assist could easily cause all the lights you mentioned to come on.

I would be suspicious of them not being able to find any reason for what happened.

ZV

 

[dullard]

The code was C-1391. Toyota dealer brought in a master Toyota mechanic. He couldn't replicate the problem even after extensive driving tests with the computer hooked up. They are replacing the brake accumulator and crossing their fingers. Seems like it can still brake, but all power braking is gone in that situation. I think it should be safe to drive, since the lights will warn me prior to needing brakes. But still, that isn't very reassuring.

 

[JMWarren]

Sounds like when the electronics errored out you lost the hybrid systems regeneratitve brakes.

Pressing the peddle most of the way down would get you the friction breaks, it would feel like they weren't doing much due to the peddle travel.

Why it happened I have no idea....sounds like a tough one to troubleshoot an fix.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The code was C-1391. Toyota dealer brought in a master Toyota mechanic. He couldn't replicate the problem even after extensive driving tests with the computer hooked up. They are replacing the brake accumulator and crossing their fingers. Seems like it can still brake, but all power braking is gone in that situation. I think it should be safe to drive, since the lights will warn me prior to needing brakes. But still, that isn't very reassuring.

Looking up the code yielded this: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/105-camry-hybrid/401450-2007-tch-check-vsc-system-code-c1391.html

Looks like replacing the ABS Accumulator does fix the issue for people. The code itself is apparently for an "Abnormal Leak of Accumulator Pressure."

ZV

 

[DaTT]

I had a 1990 Thunderbird SC that used the Teves II braking system. No vacuum, also used an accumulator. Mine failed as well which made braking difficult.

Hopefully you get it all sorted out and fixed. Not having power brakes when you expect them is quite scary.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

I thought this would be partly relevant enough to mention it:

the recalled cars are Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, and Venza made in 2012 - 13.