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BrakesPart report

2005 Toyota Corolla Brakes Problems

Complaints
37about this part
Share
4%of 854 total for the year
Median mileage
52,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the 854 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“As I was pulling into a parking lot I began to step on the brakes and the car would not stop. I had no choice but to crash into a wall causing a major injuries to my body and car. The car would no longer start and I had to tow the car to my home until a mechanic came to start the car and we had noticed that when the car is in park it will keep going.”

NHTSA complaint #11209389, filed 2019-05, 120,000 miles

“I am 76 years old. Own 2005 Toyota Corolla with 30k miles. Took my car to dealershipfor routine servicing and oil change. Was told I had brake fluid contamination and it would cost $2200. The 2005 Toyota avalon and highlanders were recalled for brake fluid leaks. Could it be possible my car had the same problem?”

NHTSA complaint #10384826, filed 2011-02, 30,000 miles

“I was traveling in the left lane when a car pulled out in front of me. My approximate speed at the time was around 50 miles an hour. I threw on my brakes, they locked up, and I hit the other vehicle at approximately 35 - 40 MPH. Neither one of my air bags deployed. My vehicle had damage across the front bumper, left side in particular. Hood was bent up and radiator was damaged as there was radiator fluid leaking...updated 11/06/14 updated 7/9/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10650605, filed 2014-10, 155,000 miles

“I was driving my 2005 Toyota Corolla when it went out of control and didnt want to stop. I was unable to stop the car when applying the brakes. I crashed into a walgreens store. The car was towed to an auto body shop and repaired. The insurance company wanted to have the car inspected by Toyota, for defects, however I was told I would have to pay for the towing and the inspection . I declined.”

NHTSA complaint #10322560, filed 2010-03, 18,350 miles

“I just purchased my 2005 Corolla 3 months prior to this incident and it was a fairly new car but it had the check engine light on with in the first month I had it. On the day of the incident the weather nice and pleasant & I was soberly driving home from nursing school in san jose along in the middle lane of a 3 lane street at the legal speed limit of 35 miles an hour. About 600 feet ahead there was a yellowing stoplight and two cars slowing down nearing the stoplight. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598719, filed 2014-06, 52,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026317%
2025826%
20241015%
202379%
20221616%
202195%
2020248%
2019168%
2018118%
20172615%
20163014%
2015188%
2014176%
20132412%
2012112%
2011214%
201016613%
20091208%
2008268%
2007455%
2006354%
2005374%
2004143%
2003324%
200287%
2001129%
200096%
199975%
1998157%
199797%
19961310%
19952112%
199421%
199322%
1992610%
199123%
1989313%
198814%
198717%

Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Corolla

Air bags
457 complaints
Engine cooling
92 complaints
Vehicle speed control
66 complaints
Electrical system
59 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
37 complaints
Fuel system
36 complaints
Engine
29 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Steering
22 complaints
Body and structure
17 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Equipment
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Corolla

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology