Your Brakes Could Fail When You Need Them Most Toyota Issues Urgent Recall

Dear Reader,

Today, I want to get something important on your radar. Toyota is recalling about 42,000 Corolla Hybrids from the 2023 or 2024 model year. These SUVs have a serious problem with the brake pedal.  And no, this isn’t just some minor inconvenience—it’s a serious issue that could put you, your family, and everyone around you at risk.

Here’s the deal: The problem could hit you out of nowhere, especially when you’re braking during a turn. This means the next time you’re cruising through your neighborhood, making a routine turn, your brake pedal could go stiff and not respond. You press down, and it doesn’t react like it should. Your car doesn’t stop as quickly as you expect, and in that split second, your stopping distance is longer than it should be. There’s a parked car, a pedestrian, maybe even another vehicle right in your path, and you can’t stop in time.

It’s a nightmare scenario, right? The brake pedal is one of your car’s most critical safety components, and when it doesn’t do its job, it’s not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Even a momentary delay can be the difference between stopping safely and a crash. And we all know that when your brakes don’t work, things can get really ugly fast.

We trust our cars to keep us safe, and it’s easy to forget how quickly that sense of security can disappear when something goes wrong. Whether it’s a quick trip to the store or driving your kids around, your brakes need to work as expected.

So what’s Toyota doing about it?

They’re offering a free fix by updating the electronic control unit software for the brakes. You’ll start seeing notices by late November. If you’re not sure your vehicle’s affected, you should act now. Call Toyota at 800-331-4331 or visit https://www.toyota.com/recall. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or check your VIN on their website to see if your car is part of the recall.

Recalls are a hassle, but they’re issued for a reason—to stop accidents before they happen. Get this recall sorted out as soon as you can. Having working brakes is non-negotiable. Ignoring this recall puts you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road at risk.

I tell you this because I care about your safety. Malfunctions like this can have serious consequences. If you ever find yourself or someone you love injured because of a malfunctioning vehicle—or any other type of negligence—I’m here for you. Call my office at 703-761-4343 or 301-949-1515.

Until next time, please be safe and never text while driving.

Paul Samakow

Attorney Paul Samakow
703-761-4343 | 301-949-1515