Squealing brakes in the morning but stops after a few stops — normal?

Totally normal. It's called "morning sickness" in the brake world. Overnight, a thin layer of rust forms on your rotors from humidity. The first few brake applications scrub it off, causing the squeal. You'll notice it's worse on rainy or humid mornings. If it goes away after a few stops, your brakes are fine. Start worrying if: - The squeal persists all day - You hear grinding (metal on metal) - The pedal pulses or vibrates - Braking distance increases At 45k you might be getting close to needing pads depending on driving style. Have them checked at your next tire rotation.

Same thing on my '19 Corolla. Been doing it since new. Toyota brakes just do this. It's the ceramic pad compound they use — great for low dust but squeals a bit when cold.