2006 TOYOTA PRIUS Service Brakes, Electric Problems

WHEN BRAKING QUICKLY USUALLY ON ROUGH SURFACES, WET ROADS, SLOPES BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAIL AS IF NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR GIVING ME AN ADRENALINE RUSH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR 4 YEARS THINKING IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF PRIUS. JUNE 30TH 2011, I STEERED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WAS PARKING ON THE FIRST SPOT AT THE RIGHT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTRY TO PARKING LOT AT THE SPEED OF 5 MPH. APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY TO CURB I WITHDREW MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT ON THE BRAKES SLOWLY. I WAS EXPECTING THE CAR TO HALT PRIOR TO THE CURB LINE AS USUAL. BUT IT DID NOT STOP ON THE CONTRARY IT ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND RIGHT ON THE FENCE. THE FENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET FROM CURB; BEFORE IT WENT ON FENCE I LOOKED AT MY FEET AND MADE SURE IT WAS ON THE BRAKES AS COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND YES I AM 100% SURE IT WAS ON BRAKES. I ALSO APPLIED PARKING BRAKES AND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE POWER, WHEN IT STOPPED OVER THE FENCE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DEALER AS THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AT 32,431 MILES. THE DEALER DID HEALTH CHECK SCAN TWICE TAKING 6 HOURS FOR EACH SCAN. AFTER FIRST SCAN I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD FRONT SPEED SENSORS CODES AND A LOW OR ABNORMAL HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE. AND ADVISED TO DETECT SENSORS IN DETAILS AND REPLACE THEM AT NEXT APPOINTMENT. SECOND DAY AFTER THE MANAGER DID ANOTHER HEALTH CHECK FOR 6 HOURS, I DON'T KNOW WHY ANOTHER SCAN; AND REPORTED CODES FOR LOW BATTERY AND SPEED SENSORS AND ECU. NONE HAVE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE CUSTOMER CONCERN. THEY FINALLY BLAMED THE FLOOR MAT WHICH WAS DEFINITELY NOT THE PROBLEM. SURPRISINGLY WHEN I ASKED HOW DID THEY TAKE CARE OF THE CODES? IF SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEY TOLD ME THE CODES ARE GONE NOW. THERE WERE NO DETAILS PROVIDED INSPITE OF ME ASKING SEVERAL TIMES WHY THE CAR MOVES AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. BEING A DOCTOR I AM CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AND PREVENTION MORE THAN ANYTHING. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS COMPLETELY FAILED TO FUNCTION, DESPITE THE PEDAL BEING FULLY ENGAGED, AND I ROLLED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME AT LOW SPEED. THE FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, THE SECOND WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, AGAIN, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ON BOTH OCCASIONS MY FRONT BUMPER WAS SERIOUSLY MANGLED - COSTING ME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND INCREASING MY INSURANCE RATES CONSIDERABLY - WHILE THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED LITTLE TO NO DAMAGE. MY NECK IS EXTREMELY STIFF AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS TO TAKE THE FAMILY TO LUNCH. I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, I WAS ON THE CEL PHONE, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND I CRASHED INTO A TRUCK WHO WAS OUT IN THE INTERSECTION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE PRIUS. MY WIFE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING FOR MONTHS THAT THE PRIUS HAD BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENTS ONCE A MONTH. I WOULD TEST DRIVE THE CAR, AND COULD NOT GET THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THAT IS UNTIL THE INCIDENT MENTIONED ABOVE HAPPENED. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. I INFORMED THEM THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. I INFORMED THEM THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY FOR A MONTH BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A MONTH, BUT DID NOT TEST IT AS I RECOMMENDED......AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY PROBLEM, FORCING ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR $1,566.57....AS WELL AS FOR THE $1,440.38 RENTAL CAR BILL. I IMMEDIATELY PICKED UP THE CAR AND DROVE IT TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURERS DEALERSHIP AND TRADED IT IN ON HONDA ACCORD. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO RISK MY FAMILIES LIVES, DRIVING THAT CAR ANOTHER DAY. STATE FARM CLAIM NUMBER #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 30,921

WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN SURFACE OR GRATE OR SLIPPERY SURFACE WHILE BRAKING IN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) AND/OR VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THESE SYSTEMS DO SO, IT FEELS LIKE I LOSE ALL BRAKING POWER AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE CAR ACCELERATES. IT IS MOST APPARENT WHEN IT IS WET OUT, BUT I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN EVEN IN DRY CONDITIONS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE ABS, BUT THEY SEEM TO BE CORRECTING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR 2010 PRIUSES THROUGH A SOFTWARE CHANGE--BUT NOT ANY OTHER YEAR MODELS. *TR

WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME I GO OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR ROUGH ROAD SUCH AS POTHOLES, THE BRAKES FEELS LIKE THEY DISENGAGE FOR A SHORT TIME ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS (PURCHASED NEW IN 2006). SOMETIMES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON MOMENTARILY BUT NOT ALWAYS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA CAR DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD "THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT." NOT IN ANY OF MY OTHER CARS THAT HAVE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. TOO BAD TOYOTA JUST CANT TELL THE TRUTH EVER. THIS IS ABNORMAL BRAKING BEHAVIOR. *TR

WHENEVER BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME I GO OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR ROUGH ROAD SUCH AS POTHOLES, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES DISENGAGE FOR A SHORT TIME ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS PURCHASED NEW IN 2006.. MY HUSBAND'S SUBURU FORESTER DOES NOT GIVE THIS UNSETTLING FEELING, AS IF LOSING CONTROL, WHEN IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING MODE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA CAR DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND WAS TOLD "THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT." I SUSPECT IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE REGENERATION OF THE ELECTRIC BATTERY WHILE BRAKING SINCE THIS IS A DIFFERENCE FROM OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 500

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE WHEN EXITING FREEWAY (101) ONTO OFF RAMP AT RENGSDORFF AVE., IN MOUNTAIN VIEW. ROADWAY WAS SLIGHTLY MOIST FROM LIGHT MORNING DRIZZLE AND ACCUMULATED OILS ON ROAD BUT OTHERWISE NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT ROAD CONDITIONS... EXITED FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH AND APPLIED BRAKES BUT BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND CAR SKIDDED OFF THE OFF RAMP INTO A SWALE... CAR BECAME STUCK IN SWALE AND SUFFERED BODY DAMAGE TO LEFT SIDE OF CAR...A TOW TRUCK HAD TO BE CALLED TO DRAG IT OUT OF THE SWALE...THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DEALER WHO DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND STONEWALLED ME...ALSO REPORTED BRAKE PROBLEM TO TOYOTA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS (CARLOS A. GARCIA) IN TORRANCE, CA AND HE WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF A BRAKE PROBLEM IN THE 2006 PRIUS. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR, RENTAL CAR, TOWING , ETC. WAS APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00. *TR

Mileage: 28,432

BRAKES FAILED TEMPORARILY AND MOMENTARILY WHEN BRAKING OVER POTHOLES WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSTATE ON-RAMP. THIS IS NOT AT ALL THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. WHEN BRAKING WHILE GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, ESPECIALLY DOUBLE SETS OF TRACKS, IT HAS BEEN COMMON THAT IT WOULD FEEL AS IF I WAS SAILING OVER THE TRACKS -- DEFINITELY NOT SLOWING DOWN (EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES) BUT MAYBE EVEN SPEEDING UP. THAT TOO WAS THE FEELING I HAD, ALBEIT MOMENTARILY, LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS BRAKING OVER POTHOLES. *TR

Mileage: 78,500

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) TO:[email protected] FROM:[XXX] SUBJECT:2006 PRIUS BRAKES COMMENTS: I HAVE A 2006 PRIUS AND HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT BRAKE PROBLEMS(I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM THE TOYOTA DEALER IN 2007). THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE SLIPPING BEFORE ACTUALLY STOPPING THE CAR. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT TOYOTA BRAKE RECALLS, I NOW HAVE CONCERNS THAT MY CAR MAY ALSO HAVE BRAKES THAT MAY FAIL. [XXX] *TR

Mileage: 57,300

ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, WHEN I HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY STRETCH OF ROAD, THE BRAKES HAVE NOT APPLIED PROPERLY ON MY 2006 PRIUS. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATING A SKID WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT HANDLE PROPERLY. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT WAS A COMMON FEATURE OF ABS SYSTEMS. I HAVE COMPENSATED BY NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR POTHOLE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE BRAKES SHOULD WORK IN ANY SUCH SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, MOST RECENTLY SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. IN EACH CASE, THE ROAD SURFACES WERE NOT WET, JUST BUMPY. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSES BRAKING WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE ON UNEVEN SURFACES. THE DASH WILL LIGHT UP THE ICON WHICH DISPLAYS UNEVEN GROUND AND WHEN I APPLY BRAKES THERE IS A MOMENTARILY LAPSE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND. ALSO MY LEFT HEADLIGHT AND LEFT TAILLIGHT GO ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. IF I HIT A POTHOLE WHILE I AM BRAKING, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES SLIP FOR A SECOND AND I LOSE MY ABILITY TO BRAKE WHILE THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. A SECOND LATER EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL. THE VSA LIGHT FLASHES CONCURRENTLY WITH THE INCIDENT. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED, IT REALLY SCARED ME, AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I MAKE SURE TO LEAVE MORE THAN THE NORMAL SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN CASE THIS HAPPENS. I JUST ASSUMED THIS WAS SOMETHING THE CAR DID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO, BUT NOW THAT THE 2010 PRIUS RECALL HAS BEEN PUBLICIZED, THE ISSUE BEING DESCRIBED THERE SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND FOR YEARS I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE NEWS. AT TIMES WHEN I DRIVE OVER BUMPY TERRAIN, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON. I CAN RE-GAIN CONTROL BY HITTING THE BRAKES HARD AND/OR PUMPING THE BRAKES DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN JANUARY 2006. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I'M NOT SURE IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED OR NOT, BUT IF THEY WERE, THEY WERE APPLIED LIGHTLY. THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY. *TR

I EXPERIENCE SURGING WHEN BRAKING. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

I HAVE A 2006 PRIUS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING PROBLEM THAT IS REPORTED FOR THE 2010 PRIUS FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR (SINCE 2006). OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKES WILL FAIL FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND WHEN BRAKING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE (TRAIN TRACKS ETC). BY NOW I AM USED TO THE PROBLEM THOUGH IT DOES SEEM TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY OVER TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CONFINED TO THE 2010 MODEL. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW, BUT THIS IS A FREQUENTLY RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 1

WE OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF BRAKING PROBLEMS THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE MODEL YEAR 2010 RECALL. ON FEBRUARY 8TH, MY WIFE (WITH OUR INFANT IN THE BACK SEAT) WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH A BUMPY INTERSECTION AND FOR A SPLIT SECOND LOST BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS SCARY. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME CONDITION MORE THAN ONCE LAST YEAR DURING SNOWY/SLUSHY CONDITIONS. *TR

Mileage: 24,332

WHEN I GENTLY APPLY THE BRAKE TO STOP AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. IN SURPRISE, I APPLY GREATER FORCE AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. THERE IS SOME PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE HYBRID DRIVE TRAIN THAT DOES NOT FULLY DISCONNECT THE DRIVE WHEN STOPPING. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR FIND ANY PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT REPORT OR ESCALATE IT FURTHER, JUST DISMISSED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 18,570

THE ABS HAS CAUSED THE BRAKES ON MY CAR TO DISENGAGE WHEN THEY SHOULD BE ENGAGED. I NOTIFIED THE TOYOTA DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. IN LIGHT OF RECENT INFORMATION THAT HAS COME TO THE PUBLIC AWARENESS, I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO LOOK FURTHER BACK INTO THE ORIGIN OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

MY SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS (2006) HAS ALWAYS EXPERIENCED THE SAME BRAKE SLIPPAGE THAT IS BEING REPORTED FOR 3RD GENERATION PRIUS'. WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, I TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OVER THE BRAKES AND A WARNING LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD.

Mileage: 77,000

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID AND I WANT TO OFFICIALLY NOTE THAT THE BREAKING PROBLEM BEING DISCUSSED IN THE MEDIA IS NOT LIMITED TO THE 2010 MODEL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I HAVE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AS I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND EACH TIME THEY SIMPLY NOTED THAT THE BREAKS SHOULD BE WORKING FINE. THE ISSUE IS THAT AT SLOW SPEEDS AND TRAVELING OVER UNEVEN OR BUMPY SURFACES, THE PRIUS DOES NOT BREAK AS IT SHOULD. INSTEAD, THE CAR SEEMS TO JERK AND MOVE FORWARD WITH A SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

Mileage: 2,000

WHEN I DRIVE OVER POT HOLES OR UNEVEN SURFACES AND APPLY MY BRAKES, THEY DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE RE-ENGAGING, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD MOMENTARILY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AND OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS. I ASKED THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO FIX IT, BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM, SO HAD NO WAY OF FIXING IT (EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED IN DETAIL WHAT WAS HAPPENING). AGAIN, THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS, AND WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA.

MY CONCERN IS WITH THE BRAKING CAPACITY IN MY 2006 PRIUS. I HAVE NOTICED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER), THAT WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS, ROUGH ROADS (INCLUDING ICE /SNOW), AND MY FOOT IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE, THERE IS A JERKING SENSATION AND THE CAR FAILS TO STOP. IN FACT, IT LURCHES FORWARD. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS PHENOMENON WITH OTHER PRIUS OWNERS, BUT NOT UNTIL THE LATEST SAFETY RECALL FOR THE 2010 PRIUS, HAVE I TAKEN ACTION. THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NEVER A CAR OR A PEDESTRIAN IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THIS OCCURED. I AM PUTTING YESTERDAYS DATE AS THE DATE OF INCIDENT, HOWEVER THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS. *CN

Mileage: 46,100

YOU NEED TO LOOK AT MORE THAN JUST THE 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS IN TERMS OF BRAKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE A 2006 PRIUS WITH THE SAME ISSUE - LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASE BUT I HAVE NEVER REPORTED AS I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE ABS/HYBRID BATTERY RELATIONSHIP. *TW

I READ ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH MOMENTARY BRAKE PROBLEMS ON THE 2010 PRIUS ON BUMPY ROADS. HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED EARLIER MODEL YEARS? I HAVE A 2006 PRIUS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES. *TW

Mileage: 30,000

OVER THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I'VE TAKEN MY PRIUS TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE WITH CONCERN OVER MY BRAKING SYSTEM THREE TIMES. TWICE THE HEAD OF SERVICE MECHANICS HAS DRIVEN WITH ME SEEING NOTHING UNUSUAL, THE THIRD TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK THE CAR OUT WITH ME. THEY ALL VOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE REASON I'VE BEEN SO CONCERNED WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM DIDN'T RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WITH WET PAVEMENT OR RAINING, PRESSING THE BRAKES WITH AUTHORITY, THE CAR WILL GO INTO A SLIGHT SKID WITH THE DASH SKID LIGHT COMING ON. THIS ENTIRE SENARIO HAS CAUSED ME TO BE OVERLY CAUTIOUS WHEN BRAKING ANYTIME AND IN ANY SITUATION. IF A QUICK ACTION IS NEEDED FOR SPEEDY BRAKING I QUESTION WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. IT APPEARS THE PEOPLE AT TOYOTA HAVE JUST TRIED TO APPEASE ME NOT BELIEVING NOR UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S BEEN IN ERROR. I DON'T FEEL SO INADEQUATE NOW THAT ALL THE CURRENT INFORMATION HAS COME TO LIGHT. WAS BEGINNING TO THINK I WAS THE COMPLAINER WITHOUT CAUSE. I LOVE MY CAR - BUT AM NOW EVEN MORE HESITANT ABOUT IT'S SAFETY. MUST ADMIT, I'M FAR MORE CAREFUL THAN EVER, BEING ON THE LOOKOUT FOR POSSIBLE BRAKING SITUATIONS IN ADVANCE. *CN

I HAVE A 2006 PRIUS AND DIDN'T MAKE THE CONNECTION UNTIL THE NEWS STORIES CAME OUT. I DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LIGHT RIGHT AFTER THE TRACKS. THE LIGHT INDICATING ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS CAME ON AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE THE TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE BRAKES TAKING HOLD. IT STARTLED ME, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR - THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HIT ROUGH ROAD AND TRIED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. MY REACTION WAS TO AVOID THAT SCENARIO BY ADJUSTING MY DRIVING, BUT NOW I'M WONDERING IF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ISN'T JUST LIMITED TO THE 2010 PRIUS. I HAVEN'T TRIED TO REPEAT THAT SEQUENCE, BUT I DO THINK OTHER PRIUS MODELS SHOULD BE TESTED. I RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE ABS CABLE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. THE REPAIR SHOP THOUGHT THE DAMAGE MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF DRIVING OFF-ROAD, BUT I'VE NEVER DRIVEN THE CAR OFF-ROAD. ONLY ON PAVEMENT. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE ABS CABLE OR NOT. I STILL HAVE THE DAMAGED CABLE. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS SEVERAL ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION, BRAKING, TURNING CAR OFF AND ON ALARM GOES OFF CONSTANTLY AND TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE AROUND 30 MILES PER GALLON. *TR

Mileage: 40,200

BRAKES MOMENTARILY STOP WORKING WHILE BRAKING ON UNEVEN SURFACES SUCH AS HITTING A CRACK OR BUMP IN THE ROAD, BRAKING OVER A MANHOLE COVER, ETC. I WILL LOOSE BREAKING FOR ABOUT 1 FULL SECOND. I HAVE ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT SO FAR HAVE STOPPED JUST IN TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. TOYOTA IGNORES MY COMPLAINTS, AS THEY SAY IT IS PART OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND HOW THEY OPERATE, OR THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WHEN THEY TEST IT. IT IS NOT NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES!!!! I KNOW HOW ANTILOCK BRAKES WORK AND THEY DON'T LET THE CAR GO WITH OUT BRAKE FOR A FULL SECOND OR MORE. *TR

Mileage: 10

I WAS DRIVING IN SLICK CONDITIONS AT ROUGHLY 15 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TWO STOPPED CARS IN FRONT OF ME, AND WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FOR THE BRAKES. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND STILL NO RESPONSE AFTER ABOUT 20 SECONDS MY BRAKES RETURNED. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE STOPPED AUDI IN FRONT OF ME I TURNED MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK, MY BRAKES RETURNED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TOO FAR ON THE SIDEWALK. THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL SLIDE FROM SLICK CONDITIONS I HAVE NO RESPONSE FROM MY BRAKES AT ALL NOT ABS PUMP AT ALL, NOTHING. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

1. BRAKES ON MY 2006 PRIUS MOMENTARILY FAILED TO RESPOND, AFTER A 1 - 2 SEC DELAY THEY ACTIVATED. AT SAME TIME,THE TRACTION LIGHT FLASHES, BUT THE CAR IS NOT LOSING TRACTION. THIS HAPPENED 4 X, ONE ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. IT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN WHEN BRAKING WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER TIMES WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT FLASHES ON UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT EFFECT ON BRAKES IS UNKNOWN: NOT BRAKING THEN. 3 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AT ONE DEALER, I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH A MECHANIC. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON WHEN THERE WAS NO LOSS OF TRACTION. THE INVOICE STATED "TEST DROVE AND CHECKED OPERATIONS. AT THIS TIME COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERNS." I WROTE ON THE INVOICE "I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON WHEN THERE WAS NO LOSS OF TRACTION. I AM NOT SATISFIED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND AND REPAIRED." & ON THE SIGNATURE LINE "NOT SATISFIED, (SIGNATURE)" I WANTED THEM TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER, BUT THEY SAID IF THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY COULDN'T CHANGE THE COMPUTER. I INSISTED THAT THEY REPLACE ONE COMPONENT, AND IF THE PROBLEM DIDN'T REOCCUR, I'D KNOW THEY FOUND THE SOLUTION. THEY BLED THE BRAKES, WHICH WAS UNLIKELY TO BE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY INVOICE UP 2ND TIME, THE COPY ON WHICH I HAD WRITTEN MY COMMENTS WAS RETURNED TO ME, AND A FRESHLY PRINTED COPY- WITHOUT MY COMMENTS - WAS GIVEN TO ME & KEPT FOR THEIR RECORDS. 2. SAME CAR: HEADLIGHT GO OUT AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. 2 TOYOTA DEALERS TOLD ME THAT THE BULB WOULD COST $300, AND INSTALLATION WOULD BE WELL OVER $100 BECAUSE THEY "HAD TO TAKE OFF THE BUMPER TO CHANGE THE BULB!" I REPLACED THE BULB MYSELF (WITHOUT TAKING OFF THE BUMPER) BUT NOW, 9 MONTHS LATER, IT IS STARTING TO GO AGAIN. TOYOTA SENT A LETTER SAYING IT WAS HOW HID BULBS BURNED OUT & NOT A PBLM W/ CONTROLLER. IF TRUE, HOW IS IT THAT NEW BULB IS ALSO BURNING OUT? *TR

Mileage: 16,500

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT I READ IN THE NYTIMES: "IN THE UNITED STATES, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS LOGGED AT LEAST 136 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE 2010 PRIUS. MANY ARE FROM DRIVERS WHO SAY THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OR TEMPORARILY LOST BRAKING AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER UNEVEN SURFACE, AND MANY SAY IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM." UNTIL I READ THIS, I THOUGHT THAT IT HAD BEEN MY IMAGINATION, BECAUSE IT WAS TEMPORARY, MILDLY DISTURBING, BUT DIDN'T RESULT IN ANY DAMAGE. I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SPORADICALLY SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR MARCH 15, 2006, PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES IN MORE THAN 100,000 MILES LOGGED. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I READ TODAY'S NEWS ABOUT PRIUS BRAKE ISSUES AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A DEFECT, AND DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT. WHEN I BRAKE, AND THERE IS A BUMP OR POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, THE CARS TIRES SEEM TO SKID FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THE VEHICLE SKID INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON A WHILE THE CAR JERKS FORWARD. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

BRAKE FAILURE IN PRIUS 2006 MODEL. CAR DID NOT STOP NEAR A SIGNAL LIGHT, AND WOULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR INFRONT OF MINE. FINALLY ENDED UP DRIVING INTO ANOTHER LANE FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION TRAFFIC. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT CAR DID NOT STOP FOR 15 FT NEAR A STOP SIGN, WHERE THERE WAS A LITTLE SNOW UNTIL ABS ACTED. IN BOTH CASES WE GOT LUCKY. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED NOT ONLY FOR 2010 MODEL PRIUS BUT ALSO FOR PREVIOUS MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 6,500

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE, MY CAR SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL CAUSING OVER $8,000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND HURTING MY NECK. A FEW MONTHS AGO, I GOT A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS THE PROBLEM, SO I REMOVED THE MAT. HOWEVER, LAST WEEK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS GOING SLOW AND PUSHED ON THE BRAKE HARD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE I HIT ANYTHING. THE CAR ACTUALLY FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS ACCELERATING. ALSO, ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE PRIUS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I INFORMED THE TOYOTA DEALER AT 5727 S 27TH ST. MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN, THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SKIDDING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD. THE SKID LIGHT IN THE DASH ACTUALLY COMES ON. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM SO THEY DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING OCCURRENCE. I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET FROM THIS PROBLEM BUT I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS ALSO SINCE I SEE THAT THEY ARE SAYING THAT ONLY THE 2010 PRIUSES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS . *TR

1) TOYOTA PRIUS, 15MPH, ENGAGED BRAKES, HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AND ANTI-LOCKING MECHANISM DISENGAGED BRAKES. 2) FAILURE IS BRAKING MECHANISM IN TOYOTA PRIUS WILL DISENGAGE. SEEMS TO BE DUE TO HOW THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM WORKS. IT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO QUIT FUNCTIONING. 3) NOTHING. TOYOTA WOULD NOT ADMIT TO ISSUE WITH BRAKING. ON 02/03/2010 TOYOTA ADMITTED TO BRAKE ISSUES WITH TOYOTA PRIUS FROM MY YEAR. THIS IS THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

I AM CONTACTING YOU TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IN MY 2006 PRIUS ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. I DROVE HOME AND STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX TO GET THE MAIL. THE CAR SHIFTED OFF OF GAS AND ONTO ELECTRIC. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 MILES PER HOUR TO MAKE A Y-TURN TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE THE CAR THRUSTED FORWARD WHILE ON ELECTRIC WITH GREAT FORCE THROUGH THE NEIGHBOR'S SIX FOOT WOODEN FENCE WHERE THE CAR STOPPED (I DON'T KNOW IF IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN OR GOT HUNG UP IN FENCE AND ALSO STUCK FROM HILL DECLINE.) I NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO TRY PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE A SECOND TIME DUE TO THE FACT IT HAPPENED THAT FAST AND FORCE FULL. THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON ELECTRIC AND BARELY MOVING. MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK AND THE MAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE MAT AND ACTUALLY KICKED AT THE MAT TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AND IT DID NOT. OUR MAT WAS NOT EVEN UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE MY HIGH HEELS MADE THE GAS PEDAL STICK. I DO NOT WEAR HIGH HEELS AND MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT THRUSTED FORWARD WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT YOU HAVE MORE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION OF SOME TYPE. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO SENT A REPRESENTATIVE WHO CHECKED OUR CAR OUT WHILE AT THE BODY SHOP AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID HE WAS IN THE CAR FOR OVER AN HOUR THE COMPUTER APPEARED TO BE CLEARED. TOYOTA TOLD US THERE WAS NO PROBLEM? WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN FIGURE THIS OUT AND REASSURE US THAT OUR VEHICLE IS SAFE. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AT HOME DUE TO THE FACT THE DAY THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE I WAS AT A LOCAL COLLEGE CAMPUS AND COULD OF RUN OVER A GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS. SOMEONE COULD OF BEEN INJURED OR KILLED THAT DAY! IT SCARES ME THAT MY CAR MIGHT DO THIS AGAIN! *TR

Mileage: 14,000

THE PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE 06. IF I AM ON A WET ROAD OR A GRAVEL ROAD, IT SEEMS THAT WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKES, THEY NOT ONLY FAIL BUT THE CAR LURCHES. WHEN THIS OCCURS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD GOES OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER ABOUT IT 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A BRAKE FAILURE BUT WAS JUST THE WAY THE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BRAKES WORKED AND THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. I WAS INVOLVED IN A 6 CAR PILEUP ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO, IN WHICH I WAS THE 2ND CAR IN LINE. THE LIGHT WENT OFF DURING THE ACCIDENT ITSELF AND I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE WRECK, NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF ALL OF THIS. IT FELT ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME. I JUST ASSUMED THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PUSHING ME FORWARD, BUT NO AT FAULT PARTY COULD EVER BE DETERMINED. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN TODAY ASKING (SINCE MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) IF THIS COULD BE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS NOW ACKNOWLEDGED AND WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL A RECALL OCCURRED, TOYOTA CORPORATE HAD NOT INFORMED THEM OF A FIX SO NOTHING COULD OR WOULD BE DONE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE, AS I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE I AM PAYING A LOT (FOR MY INCOME ANYWAY) AND IT IS SO UNSAFE. I CARRY MY NEWBORN AROUND IN THIS THING! NOT ONLY ARE THE BRAKES A CONCERN TO ME BUT THE PRIUS IS ALSO PART OF THE FLOORMAT RECALL SO YOU COUPLE THE TWO ISSUES WITH BRAKE AND ACCELERATION AND YOU ARE ASKING FOR EXTREME RISK WHEN DRIVING. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE CAR I AM PAYING SO MUCH FOR IS SO RISKY TO DRIVE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THE CAR AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

IN 10/06, I HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE BRAKES AND STEERING OF MY 2006 PRIUS CEASED TO FUNCTION BRIEFLY, AS I TRIED TO BRAKE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY TOYOTA DEALER SHORTLY AFTER -- THEY CHECKED IT BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. THE DAY IN QUESTION WAS DRIZZLY AND THE ROADS WET. IT WAS DAYTIME, AND I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN BOSTON, APPROACHING THE FOREST HILLS INTERSECTION. THERE WERE TROLLEY TRACKS IN THE ROAD (SINCE REMOVED), WHICH I TRY TO AVOID, SINCE I KNOW THEY CAN BE SLIPPERY. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, GOING ABOUT 20 MPH, I PUT MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION OR FROZE UP, SO THAT I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR OR KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THUS THE CAR KEPT GOING, VEERING TO THE RIGHT, WITH ONE WHEEL BANGING INTO AND UP ONTO A CURB, BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. THE WHOLE THING TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SAT THERE IN DISBELIEF, SINCE I'D EXPERIENCED NOTHING LIKE THIS IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS CLOSE BY, SO I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND I HAD BEEN GOING SLOW ENOUGH SO THAT NEITHER I NOR MY TWO BOYS WERE HURT. I HAVE COME TO KNOW THE CAR BETTER, AND HAVE LEARNED THAT OFTEN WHEN THE ROAD IS SLIPPERY OR ROUGH, YELLOW WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH, AND THE BRAKES WILL SEEM BRIEFLY LESS CRISP. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WET CONDITIONS AND THE TROLLEY TRACKS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT CONTRIBUTED TO WHAT HAPPENED. HOWEVER, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCE OF THE 2006 INCIDENT. I'M NOT A CAR EXPERT, BUT IT FELT TO ME LIKE THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC SYSTEM HAD SEIZED UP, NOT LIKE THERE WAS SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM. IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A BRIEF BUT COMPLETE SEVERING OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MY ACTIONS WITH MY FEET AND HANDS AND HOW THE CAR BEHAVED. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR

Mileage: 4,860

INSUFFICIENT BRAKING WHEN A POT HOLE OR A PUDDLE IS HIT. ALSO THE CAR "SLIPS" WHEN DRIVING OVER WET SURFACES. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

I READ NEWS COVERAGE OF PRIUS BRAKES PROBLEMS. I OWN A 2006 PRIUS, AND HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YEARS THAT WE'VE OWNED IT. SO IT IS NOT ONLY A 2010 PROBLEM. I DID NOT REPORT IT IN THE PAST, BECAUSE IT NEVER PUT ME IN DANGER (YET). HOWEVER, WHENEVER THE CAR GOES OVER A POTHOLE OR AN UNEVEN SURFACE OR A SLIPPERY PATCH, IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE MOMENTARILY - IT'S SORT OF A "FLYING" SENSATION - NOT VERY PLEASANT, BUT SHORT ENOUGH, SO THAT CONTROL IS QUICKLY REGAINED. I AM NOT POSITIVE IF MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. I CAN FOLLOW UP AND PAY MORE ATTENTION IF THERE IS FOLLOW-UP WITH THIS COMPLAINING. THANKS. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

WHEN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HITS A BUMP OR HOLE IN THE ROAD WHILE BRAKING THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD. I HAVE ON MANY OCCASIONS ALMOST COLLIDED WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AFTER THESE "SURGE" EPISODES. IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY FROM OR TO WORK. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

IN OCT 2009 THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKES CAME ON IN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. DEALER SAID THEY RECALIBRATED THE ABS SENSOR. THEN IN DEC 2009, THE CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE PROPERLY AND SEEMED TO SKID FORWARD BEFORE THE BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN ONE TRIP AND SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THAT DAY. THEY REPRODUCED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY MADE SOME TYPE OF FIX TO THE ABS SYSTEM. ALSO SAID IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY WOULD PUT THE MONEY I HAD SPENT THUS FAR (ABOUT $130.00) TOWARDS FUTURE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN SINCE THEN (A MONTH AGO) BUT I AM AFRAID THIS PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO PROBLEMS OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH THEIR TOYOTAS NOT STOPPING. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

I OWN A 2006 PRIUS WHICH I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN A LEFT TURN BEHIND A FREIGHT TRUCK. AS I APPROACHED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK I APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED IN THE NORMAL FASHION, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE -- IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NO CHANGE IN SPEED. IMMEDIATELY AWARE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, I QUICKLY AND METHODICALLY 1) VISUALLY CONFIRMED THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE PEDAL, 2) CHECKED MY PERIPHERAL VISION TO CONFIRM THAT I WAS INDEED MOVING FORWARD RATHER THAN THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME MOVING BACKWARD AND 3) PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AT FULL FORCE AND HELD FIRM WHILE QUICKLY VISUALLY CHECKING THAT MY FEET WERE IN FACT ON THE BRAKE. I ALSO CHECKED THE DASHBOARD TO CONFIRM THAT THE CAR WAS ON AND IN A NORMAL "DRIVE" GEAR. AT LAST, IT WAS TOO LATE AND I SMASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, STILL WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE. THE TRUCK DRIVER EMERGED FROM THE CAB, A BIT SHAKEN BUT NOT HURT. HIS TRUCK WAS NOT HARMED AS I HIT A HEAVY METAL FRAME THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS DENTED AND SCRAPED. IN RESPONSE, I REMOVED THE CAR FROM TRAFFIC, CANCELLED THE MEETING I WAS ON THE WAY TO AND SLOWLY DROVE A VERY SHORT DISTANCE TO MY EMPLOYER'S PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE CAR. I CALLED THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER, EXPLAINED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND, AT THE DEALERS RECOMMENDATION, CALLED THEIR TOWING SERVICE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXAMINED THE BRAKES AND "FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE 'AT THIS TIME.'" THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. AND, SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATION, THEY ARE TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER AS I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 390,000

I BELIEVE THAT I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING ON A SNOWY LOCAL ROAD. I DO NOT KNOW MY EXACT SPEED, BUT I ESTIMATE IT WAS ABOUT 30 MPH (SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH). I SAW A CAR DRIVING SLOWLY IN FRONT OF ME AND I TRIED TO BRAKE FROM ABOUT HALF A BLOCK AWAY AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY EFFECT. BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER LOOKING AT MY FEET TO CONFIRM THAT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR, AND I HAD, INDEED, HAD MY FOOT ON THE CORRECT PEDAL. THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR (MOSTLY A BROKEN FENDER, I BELIEVE). MY CAR EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO A HEADLIGHT, WHEEL, DOOR AND A BIT TO THE ENGINE, BUT WAS REPAIRED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THAT MY FRONT TIRES WERE A BIT LOW ON TREAD (BUT NOT COMPLETELY BALD). THE REAR TIRES HAD BEEN CHANGED WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

HAD A MINOR FRONT END ACCIDENT WITH MY TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. LOST ALL BRAKES AND COULD NOT TURN OFF THE POWER AND STOP AFTER 10 MINUTES. I HAD TO DRIVE AROUND AN EMPTY SITE IN CIRCLES DURING THIS TIME. THIS WAS WITNESSED BY A POLICE OFFICER, THINKING I WAS CRAZY DRIVING IN CIRCLES. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN CITY BLOCKS, MANY INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. ANY SIMILAR COMPLAIN PREVIOUSLY? *TR

Mileage: 27,000