2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Service Brakes Problems
171 complaints about Service Brakes
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Service Brakes Complaints (171)
My 2012 Toyota Prius plug in hybrid had just passed state inspections and was even looked at by a dealership a year ago with no reported issues. I brought up a whirring issue at the dealership when breaking but the dealership said that’s normal for a hybrid. In a matter of minutes while driving, the traction light, brake light, and ABS light came on as well as a groaning, whirring sound when breaking. Over time, the breaks failed and I could not stop the car, almost causing a wreck because I could not stop without putting all my body weight on the break pedal. When taking it to the Toyota dealership for a whole diagnostic, they said it was a break actuator and break booster failure that is known to happen with Prius’s. They quoted me $3000 for a repair and then marked my breaks as yellow not red on their sheet implying I could still drive it despite the dangerous situation of driving without functioning breaks. When looking into it, this seems to be a known and common problem with Prius’s due to a faulty manufactured part. Codes were c1391, wc1256, and c1252. I believe this part should be recalled and Toyota should fix these faulty parts, especially considering they inspected my car and did not mention it as an issue despite it being a known issue. I got a second opinion from Mavis Tires and they concurred with the diagnosis but could not fix it.
While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden brake system malfunction without prior warning or gradual degradation. The vehicle was being operated under normal driving, road, and weather conditions. No recent brake service, repairs, or aftermarket modifications had been performed prior to the failure. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, including the ABS warning light, brake warning light, and traction control warning light. Shortly after the warning lights appeared, the vehicle began emitting continuous warning beeps. Audible buzzing or pumping noises were also present from the brake system during the malfunction. During this event, brake performance was reduced and braking felt inconsistent. The brake pedal became hard at times and spongy at other times, requiring increased effort to slow the vehicle and resulting in unpredictable braking response. This created a safety concern while the vehicle was in motion. The driver was forced to alter driving behavior and exercise extreme caution due to reduced braking confidence and unpredictable pedal feel. The malfunction has occurred intermittently during normal driving. The condition temporarily resolves on its own and later reoccurs without corrective action. The suspected failed component is the brake actuator / ABS actuator assembly. A diagnostic scan retrieved fault codes C1252 (Brake Booster Pump Motor ON Time Abnormally Long), C1253 (Pump Motor Relay Malfunction), and C1256 (Accumulator Low Pressure), which are consistent with brake actuator malfunction. The failure occurred at approximately 154,000 miles. This vehicle model and generation have a documented history of premature brake actuator failures with similar safety-related symptoms reported by other owners. The condition places the driver and others at risk due to unpredictable braking behavior, reduced braking effectiveness, and repeated warning alarms while driving. Warning lamps and audible alerts continue intermittently.
While driving on a city road below the speed limit, braking was compromised leading to loss of traction and failure of the ABS system. During the incident, the brake, ABS, and engine warning lights all turned on and a collision was only avoided due to pumping of the brakes. Further investigation by a mechanic revealed a failure of the brake actuator system. Failure of this system has increased the stopping distance of the vehicle considerably and makes braking unreliable and unpredictable.
While driving 60 mph in highway, ABS, traction control and brake lights lit up and vehicle lost its effective braking power. There were no prior warnings prior to this failure. It was a sudden incident. Since it wasn't rush hour, I could safely reduce speed and bring the car to stop. Situation could have been much different if it was normal hours. After taking the car to dealership, it indicated DTC code 1391, Brake Assembly Failure. The car was fixed at dealership at cost of $3,000. When researched further, it appeared that there is broader pattern of failures. Numerous reports have been made by owners of 2010–2015 Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, 2012–2015 Prius V, 2012–2014 Camry Hybrid, and 2013–2015 Avalon Hybrid vehicles, all of which share the same brake booster pump assembly design manufactured by Advics Co., Ltd. Dealerships, including Capistrano Toyota and Claremont Toyota in California, have previously petitioned NHTSA regarding this very defect. Their 2019 letter to the agency documented that Toyota: * Knowingly excluded hundreds of thousands of hybrids from prior safety recalls (DOH 13V-235 and KOL 19V-544) despite identical failures. *Issued “post-failure” repair programs (Warranty Enhancements ZJB, ZKK, ZKC, ZLM, 20LE03, 23TE06 and 23TE07) only after owners experienced brake failure. * Identified the same DTC codes (C1252, C1253, C1256, C1391, U0293) in both recalled and unrecalled vehicles—codes that correspond to accumulator leaks, loss of brake pressure, and failure of brake assist and stability control systems. * Admitted through Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0130-19 that these defects caused loss of hydraulic pressure, increased stopping distance, and total loss of brake assist in affected hybrids. In short, the defect pattern across multiple hybrid models is identical to those already recognized by Toyota and NHTSA under prior recall campaigns, but for reasons unexplained, Toyota limited the recall population and left many consumers unprotected
Traction control.Abs and brake warning lights all came on.
2012 Toyota Prius. The brake system malfunctioned and my daughter was almost in a wreck. The ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights on the bashboard all illuminated at the same time. The brake pedal feels soft and is less responsive requiring more effort to stop the vehicle. The brake actuator assembly is making a hissing noise. Ran a ABS test using a scan tool and received a C1391 error code. The Code points to a leak within the brake actuator system. Upon research I have found that this is a very common and costly repair that Toyota has known about for many years. Toyota issued a customer support program related to this issue that ran for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle's date of first use. This car, being a 2012, is beyond the support program. I contacted Toyota, hoping they would do the right thing and cover the repair. I was told that they would not cover the repair or supply the parts to cover the repair. I told the Rep. for Toyota that I did not feel like it was fair for Toyota to continue to put millions of drivers at risk for a product that they clearly realize for years now is defective and could hurt or kill someone. The code and the braking issue did not appear until after the customer support program ended and therefore we had no warning or way to anticipate this braking issue or the danger to my daughter and anyone else riding with her in the car or on the roadway near her travel routes. I traveled 300 miles, rented a Uhaul car tow trailer and brought the car back home. My mechanic confirmed the code C1391 and the fact that the brake actuator has failed. The mechanic has ordered the parts (the same defective parts) to replace the broken ones. Toyota is still selling the same part as a replacement part clearly knowing that it is not safe and no warning came with the replacement part explaining the potential for a braking issue. Based on internet research this same part is in many 2005 to 2013 Toyota and Lexus
While pulling out of a parallel parking spot going slightly uphill, I braked as I looked around the back of a double parked truck. I saw a car coming, braked hard, and suddenly my car surged forward across the street and hit a parked car. I looked down and saw that my foot was squarely on the brake pedal pressing down as hard as I could. The parked car was unoccupied, and I was uninjured. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem. I turned my car into the dealer for repairs and a fix to the sudden unexpected acceleration. They could offer no fix until a Toyota representative examined the car. On August 14, by an emailed letter, Toyota claimed it found no defects and it must be the result of driver error, specifically, my mistakenly hitting the accelerator. This is gaslighting denialism. (a) The EDR data sent to me does not indicate that I hit the accelerator unless that data is in the page of hexadecimal numbers. (b) Toyota's claim that I hit the breaks at "-0.2 seconds prior to the collision" is physically impossible. No one can move their foot from the accelerator to the brake that fast. (c) Toyota's claim is contrary to what I experienced and observed.
Brake getting stuck on the floor would have to press on brake really hard just to get a response, this will happen out of the blue! Driving in highway or just driving off the driveway. I almost hit a car in front of me due to lack of brake, i had to swerve to the side! First appear 1 day after buying the car..This issue needs to be worked on right away.
While driving on the freeway I applied the brakes and the brakes suddenly felt soft and not very responsive. At that moment 3 dashboard lights turned on: ABS, BRAKE, and the slip indicator lights. I carefully got out of the freeway, parked the car, and had the car towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic detected brake booster and actuator problems, code C1391.
C1391 - Abnormal Leak in Accumulator
My Prius, along with the thousands of others this has apparently happened to according to a quick online search, has had the C1391 code appear, indicating a failed brake actuator and accumulator. It, like the thousands of Priuses from this generation, have had these faulty brake pump systems develop a leak and begin to fail. You will hear a whirring and hissing noise constantly when it starts going out, eventually resulting in a Christmas tree of dash warning lights and reduced braking due to a failsafe kicking on. Toyota apparently issued a "customer service bulletin" that is now ineffective as it only covered if you had the system fail within 10 years of manufactor or 150,000 miles AND had the codes appear. Most people's Priuses go out AFTER this, unless you're driving it like you stole it. It is a hefty repair too, being quoted at over $3000 at the Toyota STEALSRSHIP!! I have since gone to an independent mechanic and had one portion replaced in hopes that would fix the issue, but it turns out both the actuator and accumulator are needed to be replaced, which is extremely expensive, more so for the actuator than the accumulator, but still exorbitantly expensive. In conjunction with this, Toyota further added difficulties by making their paet numbers they have listed different from the mark number engraved on the part, so buying third party is made a bigger hassle by this as they will not know for certain the part number. This is a huge safety concern as this affects the vehicle's ability to brake. Their service bulletin was the equivalent of offering people bandaids years before they'd be anywhere to getting a cut!! Please investigate and please please PLEASE lead to Toyota issuing an actual recall, regardless of miles or year from manufacture. More and more Priuses are reaching the time where this will occur and it's a huge safety concern, if not an environmental concern when people start disposing of Priuses due to this massive failure with hefty repair bills.
The brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies had to be replaced at the dealership. Parts are not available for inspection as far as I know. We were warned by the dealership that we should not be driving the car because the brakes could completely fail at any moment if we didn't have parts replaced. That would have been dangerous for us and anyone else sharing the road with us. On a Sunday, leaving our house and driving down our street, three lights turned on on the dashboard display - traction, brakes, and ABS - and the brakes felt softer and less responsive than normal. After having gotten a diagnosis and repair estimate from the dealership, we carefully drove the car home to consider our options. We tried to get a second opinion from a trusted mechanic, but it sounded like the parts we needed were tightly monitored by Toyota and the original estimate for the repair from the dealership was above $3,000. After a few days, the dashboard warning lights turned off and the brakes felt back to normal. The whirring noise which had been happening roughly every 4 seconds had slowed to roughly every 10-12 seconds. We were told that this turning off of the lights sometimes happened, but that the issue was still the same. Prior to these lights turning on, the car had been making a lot of the whirring noises for some time, but it had never thrown the codes before that would have been picked up by a mechanic. At the time, we didn't recognize the sounds as a sign of an impending commonly recognized failure - only after doing some research did we find that this was a very common problem for a lot of Prius owners, especially for the given year and number of miles we had. There is an "extended warranty" for this part and repair, but while we were within the mileage limit, we were outside of the time limit and we were told at the dealership that Toyota would be inflexible about paying for the repairs.
While driving my 2012 Toyota Prius, the traction control, brake, and ABS warning lights all came on at the same time. I used a home OBD scanner but it didn’t show any diagnostic codes. After some research and inspection, I discovered that the issue was related to a faulty brake booster and accumulator—something I’ve learned is a common problem with this model. I was relieved to hear that Toyota has an extended warranty on these parts. However, last night while driving, the brakes suddenly stopped functioning properly. It became very difficult to slow down, which put me in a dangerous situation. I’m deeply concerned about the safety risks this defect poses and believe this issue deserves further attention.
I am reporting a sudden and dangerous failure of the brake booster in my 2012 Toyota Prius. While driving, I experienced a loss of braking power, accompanied by several warning lights including ABS, Brake, and the Traction Control system. The brake pedal became extremely stiff and unresponsive, significantly increasing the stopping distance. This failure nearly caused an accident, as I was unable to stop quickly enough when traffic slowed unexpectedly. This issue happened without warning and is a serious safety risk. I later discovered this is a common and widely reported defect in 2010–2015 Toyota Prius models. Toyota issued an extended warranty (Customer Support Program ZE3) to cover this known brake booster defect — but only for vehicles within 10 years or 150,000 miles. While my Prius has well under 150,000 miles, it is just over 10 years old, which disqualifies me from coverage, leaving me with a repair estimate over $4,000 for a well-documented manufacturer defect. This seems grossly unfair, especially for responsible owners with low-mileage, well-maintained vehicles. Toyota’s refusal to issue a formal recall and instead offering only limited support puts millions of Prius drivers at risk. A brake system failure of this kind should qualify as a safety defect and trigger a mandatory recall, not a quietly limited program with arbitrary expiration dates. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue further and consider a recall of the defective brake booster system in these Prius models to protect public safety and ensure fair treatment for affected owners. Thank you.
This Prius Hybrid is my [XXX] mother's car which she got thinking is was a very safe and reliable vehicle. She purchased the vehicle from a Toyota dealership here in Maine on [XXX]. Last week while driving down the road, all of a sudden, every brake warning light lit up the dashboard and the brakes became extremely unresponsive. It scared us both to death but thank goodness, I was driving when this happened. After doing some research, I have discovered that this a very well known brake issue with the 2010-2015 Prius cars. I cannot for the life of me understand how this major safety defect has not been made into an actual safety recall. I did contact Toyota customer service and they will not help us at all. Even though my mother has only had the car for just under 9 years and is well under the allotted mileage, they said their Customer Support Program (ZJB) only covers 10 years from the day the car was first driven after production. Her Prius now is inoperable and the repair costs are in the thousands. We are so incredibly disappointed with Toyota and the safety board for allowing this to happen to all of the defective Prius owners. I hope you will reconsider and do the right thing and recall these cars before someone does get into an accident where they are injured or killed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Brake booster failures are a common safety issue with 2012-2015 Toyota Prius' this one included is starting to fail which can lead to ABS deactivating and shorter braking distances. There was a recall for this part but most tend to fail after the warranty period. Leaving many vehicles unrepaired and dangerous.
My brakes began making a funny noise when I used them. I only have 80000 on the car and do regular maintenance. I took it in because it seemed the brake pedal was getting spongy as well. They ran in through diagnostic tests and determined the braking module or brake booster/master assembly was bad. This seems to be an issues with Toyota and should be addressed immediately. It is an expensive fix for a low mileage car
47050-47180 47070-47060 Both failed at same time along with many others getting quotes of 3500-4000 to replace no brake control or anti lock brakes
Toyota installed known faulty brake booster and master cylinder systems in Prius C models manufactured 2012-2014. Knowing these systems would fail, but not wanting to pay for their mistake, they created a basically secret "extended warranty program" for owners to get their brake booster replaced ONLY IF for a specific 2 year time frame their brakes failed with a certain DTC code. Knowing that many prius owners would not actually receive the notification nor had driven their vehicle enough miles for the braking system to fail, they got away without having to correct their issue. The brakes literally just fail and stop working in the middle of the highway, causing extreme safety concerns and accidents with no responsibility from Toyota.
Brake system went out suddenly making the car brakes not work
Subject: Safety Complaint – 2012 Toyota Prius Brake Booster Failure (C1391 Code) I am writing to formally report a serious safety defect in my 2012 Toyota Prius involving the brake system. Recently, my vehicle’s dashboard displayed the ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights, indicating a critical braking issue. Upon diagnostic testing at a Toyota dealership, the vehicle was found to have DTC Code C1391 – Brake Booster Leak/Accumulator Failure. I later discovered that Toyota acknowledged this defect and issued a Customer Support Program (CSP) to cover repairs. However, I was never notified, despite always servicing my vehicle at Toyota dealerships. When I contacted Toyota, they confirmed that my vehicle has been flagged in their system, yet I was never received anything in the mail about the potential brake failure. Toyota initially set the CSP expiration in 2023, later extending it to May 2025, but they have refused to repair my vehicle under this program. The estimated repair cost is $4,680.09 along with a diagnostic fee of 206.09, which is a significant financial burden for an issue stemming from a known manufacturing defect. Most importantly, this is a major safety hazard: My brakes now produce a loud hissing sound when pressed, indicating imminent failure. If the brake booster fails completely, it could result in a loss of braking power, endangering myself, passengers, and others on the road. Numerous Prius owners have reported similar failures, yet Toyota has not issued a formal recall. I urge NHTSA to investigate this defect further and push Toyota to issue a full recall instead of a limited support program that many owners were unaware of. Given the life-threatening nature of brake failure, Toyota should not be allowed to limit coverage or deny repairs for a problem they have long recognized. I respectfully request that NHTSA take action to ensure Toyota addresses this safety defect responsibly.
My break actuator goes off every 12 seconds continuously. There is no warning sign in the dash board. Brought the vehicle to the Toyota dealership and had it checked out. The dealership says there is no problems according to their analysis. But the actuator continuously goes off every 12 seconds and the dealership said this was "normal" and charged me the service fee. I am seriously concerned because I drive this car with my child and I am reading that this is a bad sign and that the breaks might fail at any time. Since the dashboard doesn't give me a warning sign and the dealership says there's no problems based on their diagnostics, even if everyone can hear the actuator go off ever 12 seconds I guess I can safely drive this vehicle...it seems like driving a ticking disaster waiting to happen.
ABS pump and master cylinder malfunction. Pump is running very often. Hard braking makes it sound abnormally.
Brakes failed
I accidentally slid out into traffic as my brakes failed as I pulled up to stop at the edge of the parking lot. I was nearly hit driver's side on a pickup. Fortunately, it was able to swerve around me and there was no immediate following vehicle. I was able to pull out and back into a nearby parking lot to address the problem with my brakes. Upon speaking to my mechanic and local Toyota Dealership I was informed that the brake booster/accumulator had failed and that this was a known issue on my vehicle. Toyota extended a special warranty on these parts several times but did not notify owners of the safety risk. That warranty coverage has expired for my vehicle. I believe it is an inherent safety risk and they obscured it by covering the parts under this extended warranty. I believe they should be recalled and at the least owners should be warned of the risks. All communications were done over the phone or in person, I have no electronic records. I submitted an identical request on my 2011 Prius by accident, as I used it's VIN when I meant to use the VIN on my 2012 Prius. Regardless, I am now concerned for my safety in both vehicles.
Failure in ABS system
Vehicle has good break pads and rotors. Also the vehicle turn on the ABS the Break and the slippery lights on. When the car was scanned is show code C1391" which indicates a problem with the brake accumulator within the system, often requiring replacement of the brake booster and accumulator assembly. I can't drive the car and other people with same car on 2011 year has the same issue
As i was driving, my breaks suddenly became spongey and unresponsive. I could hear a "hiss" sound come from below me. ABS and other warning lights came on on my dash. As i was near my auto mechanic i tried to make it there safely, and as i drove the brakes seemed to become softer and softer. By the time i had reached my mechanic i was so uncomfortable with its ineffectivness i felt it necessary to use the emergency brake to come to a complete stop. My mechanic confirmed that the issues included the failing of the Brake Booster, Brake Master Cylinder, Accumulator Pump, ABS, ABS Computer. According to him this was caused by a set of issues involving internal leaks in the brake booster assembly. These issues were replicatable, and my mechanic says they pose a saftey risk. Even after he gave it a "temporary patch job." Due to this the only times it has been driven were to get it home, to move it along our street so as to not get ticketed for having a stationary vehicle too many days in a row, and one time it was taken up the nearest rise in preparation for a Tsunami warning. When looking for replacment parts, my mechanic allerted me to a Technical Service Bulletin that should have been sent out to owners warning them of this issue and offering replacment parts. I never received this notice as I am the second owner of this vehicle, the notices were sent before i owned it, the previous owner claims not to have been aware of this issue herself, and because it was a voluntary service call, when researching the vehicle myself for any reported issues such as recalls, none had come up, meaning i had no way of knowing. To add to this, i contacted Toyota to see if they would honor the past offer to service this issue, but Toyota refuses to replace the parts now as it is too far past the voluntary service dates they set.
My Brakes almost caused me to crash on Jan 18th. I'm driving down the highway and traffic comes to a complete stop. I started braking but my abs, stability control and brake light come on. When this occurred I had to push the brakes to the floor just to stop. My brakes were very unsafe and unpredictable. I had to drive way below the speed limit to make it home, keeping at least 8 car lengths between me. I inspected the vehicle when I made it home. Their is noise coming from the driver side firewall. Something is consistently turning on and off and a slight click after each cycle, every 5 seconds approximately. I was told that it was my abs pump or brake actuator. This is unacceptable and dangerous to all consumers. The fact there was no warning that occurred in a safer environment. I'm so thankful my kid wasn't driving it. Why isn't this a recall? I don't understand how something this dangerous is not a factor to the consumers. I have researched and found many cases that consumers have had a similar issue. This issue is not like brake pads. Their is a clear warning when its time to change brake pads. I honestly would like to see toyota to fix this issue.
I am writing to bring attention to a critical safety issue affecting the 2012 Toyota Prius and other Toyota models equipped with the brake booster and actuator system. These components are failing at alarming rates, leaving vehicles with no functional brakes, ABS, or traction control. Additionally, this failure compromises the hybrid system due to the regenerative braking no longer working, potentially causing further damage to hybrid components and resulting in repairs costing several thousand dollars. Toyota issued Customer Support Program ZJB, which covered these issues for a limited period. This program was in effect from August 31, 2021, with no mileage or year restrictions, but offered secondary coverage for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle’s first use. Unfortunately, my vehicle, with approximately 130,000 miles and 12 years of age, was denied coverage when brought to a dealer after the program had ended. Despite the brake booster and actuator failing, the dealership did not advise me not to drive the vehicle, further emphasizing the gravity of this oversight. This is a significant safety hazard, as vehicles with these failures lack the ability to stop effectively, risking lives on the road. Furthermore, this problem is not isolated to my Prius; it affects thousands of Toyota vehicles equipped with these components. The estimated repair cost exceeds $3,000, an undue burden on owners for an issue that stems from defective manufacturing. I firmly believe Toyota’s decision to address this problem through a limited Customer Support Program, rather than a full recall, is inadequate and irresponsible. This issue meets the criteria for a safety recall and should be treated as such by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). I respectfully urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter further asap/mandate a recall for all affected vehicles. This is a big safety issue. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)
The brake actuator has failed in this 2012 Prius with 135,000 miles. No issues were noticed while braking, however, when starting the car, the ABS, Brake and Traction Control warning lights lit up. The Toyota Dealership said this is a failed Brake Actuator and quoted $3,800. We have learned there is a secondary warranty on this part due to constant failures that Toyota issued, however, this warranty only applies to Prius up to 150,000 miles or 10 years from initial use, whichever comes first. This is unfair to most Prius users as this is a common problem happening, but typically happening after the 10 year mark.
The ABS, Brake, and Traction Control lights all illuminated while driving. I took it into a local shop, the computer scanned "brake accumulator leak". The accumulator is buzzing every 10 seconds and the brake fluid needs topping up. Now there is a brake fluid puddle under the car. The fix is to repair the brake master cylinder and replace the brake booster pump. The car is a 2012 with 110,000 miles. This is a known Toyota Prius vehicle issue but they decline to service it and can the brakes can fail.
Without warning, the ABS, Traction Stability, Brake and other lights lit up and I lost braking on the highway. Luckily, I was in very light and narrowly avoided a crash. I was able to get home with far less braking power and no regenerative braking. Since then, I have researched the problem and found that this is an extremely common issue. I can remedy it for ten or twenty minutes by putting the car in DIAG mode and pumping the brakes, but it will do it again, and again. I need a new accumulator and ABS module, and the dealer wants thousands for it. I cannot afford it and it is a known flaw and a safety issue. I take my daughter to school in this car, thankfully it's nearby, but it's terrifying. Our other Prius has no issues, and I understand that Toyota has repaired other cars under a warranty program of which I was never notified.
2012 Prius in very good condition with 180k miles- only 12 years old. Driving on back roads (thankfully) and the drivers side rear wheel compelely fell off while driving. I was doing about 30 MPH and felt like there was a flat tire so I was in the process of pulling over when the whole rear assembly snapped. The wheel hit the rear quarter of the car and bounced about 100 feet down the road. I could have been on the highway and this could have been fatal I believe. Very, Very scary. As can be seen in attached photos the issue was rust from the inside. This is very concerning since there was no way for me to know this was an issue. I could have been killed or killed someone else. I believe Toyota needs to look into this since there are other Prius' out there the same thing happened to on this very thread. Although this is a Massachusetts car I have owed it since 25k miles and have maintained it impeccably. I always have the undercarriage cleaned after driving on salty roads. Safety inspection was current- only done the month before. Had that wheel bearing replaced about 2 weeks before the incident and the reputable mechanic reported no issues. There was no warning except for maybe a minute before it happened- the car was vibrating like I had a flat tire. The damage repair estimate on this was $8500. Catastrophic fail Toyota. Is this a rust issue like the Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia?????
2012 Toyota Prius 5 with 105k miles. ABS, Brake, and Traction Control lights all illuminated while driving to work. Drove to the dealership and had their service department run a diagnosis for 200$. Their scanner reported CODE C1391, and that a new BRAKE PUMP and MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY would need to be replaced for a total cost of $4,000. Toyota has a Customer Support Program Bulletin indicating that certain 2010-2015 Toyota Prius will experience internal malfunctions and require repair for BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLIES. Since this is a safety issue, Toyota should extend the program indefinite and repair their faulty systems.
Wednesday morning I went to start my car to go to work. I noticed the brake would not go down. It was difficult to press. I was unable to go to work safely. I brought my car to a mechanic where I was informed it was a faulty brake booster. When I researched online, I saw many many other Toyota owners went through the exact same issue. There is no recall but it’s a huge issue and a a safety problem.
ABS Pump and Actuator failed at 100,000 miles. Traction control, ebrake, ABS light came on while driving. Many other stories of Toyota vehicles with the same failure.
My actuator is failing. This is a known issue for Priuses and a danger to those on the road. Toyota issued a voluntary service program on these parts to avoid a recall and now many are on the road with actautors that should have been replaced.
ABS brake system doesn't work with three warning lights on and warning beeping sound. I'v learned that Brake actuator failed. Current mileage is only 67300.
ABS Break Lights turned ON and it need replacement. Toyota have faulty ABS this is my 3rd Prius that have the same Issue.
I started noticing a strange noise when I applied the brakes. It was an electronic type of almost grinding sound. When I looked into it, it was determined that the brake actuator was failing despite no warning lights coming on. This started around the beginning of March. Finally in the beginning of July the noise stopped and a lot of dashboard lights came on including ABS, BRAKE, and others. This is when the brake actuator actually failed, and the battery no longer was charged when the brakes were applied. This is extremely concerning that a major brake component can fail like this and affect the safety of the vehicle. I am attaching a photo of the dash that shows the lights that came on when this failure occurred.
In 2019, I took my Prius in for service. I reported that when I suddenly brake, the pedal feels spongy as if the brakes will not stop vehicle and lights on dash lit up. Toyota did diagnostic, no action taken by service department at Toyota dealership. I have service history documentation. On June 29, 2024 we had routine maintenance and the service department of the Toyota dealership recommended brake fluid serviced. On July 1, 2024, I was driving my child home from his summer camp and when I tried to stop the brake did not work. I started pumping the brakes several times until the car slowed and came to a stop. The lights on the dash lit up again. The brake failure put my son and I in danger. We had the car towed to the service department of the Toyota dealership. The service department sent the following information after their diagnostic. "The warning lights re-appeared after we drove it a few times. Now regarding the brake fluid service we performed, it is not related to those warning lights. Your accumulator is internally failing. The accumulator is a computer that distributes and controls the amount of pressure going into the brake system, and the computer was not untouched. Unfortunately it was bad timing and the computer started to internally fail. These vehicle's are known to have bad brake actuators, and Toyota created a type of recall for it to get replaced under no charge. Unfortunately they only cover up to 10 years and your warranty expired last year." My husband and I did not receive information regarding this recall. We did an online search to find out more about this recall and found several pages and posts of people describing the same situation.
Completely lost vacuum brake assist without any prior warning, while driving on the interstate. Got warning lights on the dash for brake and ABS, when it happened. Fortunately there was little traffic, but if there had been even moderate traffic, it could have caused a crash. Checked the codes and found a C1391 leak in the accumulator. Dealer has quoted me $3200 to repair.
Hi NHTSA, I have a 2012 Toyota Prius and all the Brake-related lights came on the dash. ABS and TC stopped working and the Brake Pedal lost sensitivity. I was about to crash the car and immediately took my car to the Toyota Dealership. They said that there was a Recall unfortunately the program has expired on my vehicle. I asked a couple of Toyota Prius owner friends and half of them had the same issue and they have been fixed under a program. But they said my 95k miles Prius is barely out of the program. My concern is that they charged the diagnosis cost released my vehicle and said that it was not safe to drive! I don't have the budget to cover the Manufacturer's low-quality BRAKE Booster production and I have to drive my car every day! I don't want to risk anyone but I have no choice. I hope you can help!
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not stop as intended. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake master cylinder, accumulator, and brake booster. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder, accumulator, and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of an unknown recall for the failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Mileage: 136,000
Traction control, brake, and abs warning lights all came on at once while driving on freeway. Braking became harder. Car has fewer than 60,000 miles. I took it to the mechanic. He says I need a new booster pump.
Decreased braking performance. Sudden loss of ABS and Traction Control capabilities. (ABS light and Traction Control lights are now permanently illuminated on the dash). During the drive home, the brake response changed dramatically. More force is now required to operate the brakes. This failure occurred during a merge into traffic while on a merge ramp, going about 35 mph. It took what felt like a few seconds for both the vehicle and myself to adjust to the new braking requirements. During this time, it felt like a brief loss of braking ability. I continued to depress the brake pedal, and finally noticed a slowing of the vehicle. The pedal clearly requires much more effort and depress distance to begin slowing down the car. This decreased braking performance appears to be sustained until repairs are made to the vehicle.
ABS, Stability Control and Brake warning lamps on dashboard. Faulty Brake Booster/Pump/Accumulator doesn't allow for safe stopping. Looking on the world wide web, it appears to be a common issue with this generation Prius (and it is COSTLY to repair).
Was 8 days out of warranty so Toyota would not honor offer to replace the brake booster/actuator. Paid personally to have it done with genuine Toyota parts. 16 months later same parts need replacing. Toyota refuses to help.
Brake system warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal pressure required to stop the vehicle has increased. In effect: no power brakes, no traction control, and no antilock available. Intermittent engagement of an electric motor can be heard about every 8 seconds for a period of about 3 seconds during operation of the vehicle at all times.
Sudden lights appear on dashboard. Brake system sudden fail becomes very hard to press the pedal or apply brakes My car has 136000 miles only Asked mechanic and mentioned the brake booster pump.
Brake pressure actuator defect leading to major brake failure. No warning until it's too late.
Warning lights, and while driving the ABS, brake, and traction control lights came on, and I NOTICED a strange sound when applying the brakes. The brakes seem somewhat soft when applied. This is a 2012 Prius with 123,000 miles.
I bought my first used car, 2012 Toyota Prius, from Fowler Toyota back at the end of October 2023, but I was not able to pick it up until September 21, 2023 due to extra time for re-conditioning. I did not haggle about the price nor complained about the 3 week delay. In the last 3 weeks of owning my car, the TPMS sensor light and check engine light infrequently turned on. February 28, 2024 all the fault sensor lights on my instrument panel are on, along with the loss of proper braking function. I was not worried about the other sensor faults, but brake malfunction is a matter of life and death to myself and others on the road. I have had the car for a little over 4 months and less than 10k miles. I brought the car in to diagnose all the error codes. The dealer said it will cost over $2600 to fix the brake malfunction. I chose this particular car because carfax had well documented service records and Fowler Toyota advertised that every used vehicle for sale has surpassed rigorous inspection. I voiced my complaint to the used car director and he offered numerous default excuses for unforeseen problems inherent in buying a used car. I said I did my due diligence by selectively purchasing a used Toyota Prius, from a reputable Toyota dealership that uses a Toyota certified service center to inspect and recondition vehicles for sale. All the cliche nightmare stories of buying a used car from the side of the road car lots came true in my experience at Fowler Toyota. The worst used car story happened to me, despite performing my due diligence: to buy a used Toyota from a Toyota dealership that uses a Toyota certified service center for re-conditioning vehicles. I even paid more to finance my Prius through Toyota Financial services, which did not offer extended warranty. For God sake, I was buying a Toyota with 121k miles. I only bought a prius because I work too hard to throw away all my hard earned money on gasoline. The only recourse the dealership offered
Brake master control system failure with constant issues over 80k miles. Forward running lights control housing has not held a light fixture since day one and dealership wants to charge for light replacement. It’s a faulty part and burnt through the housing. Olathe Toyota refused to repair under warranty saying it was a customer issue but is clearly a safety problem. Irresponsible dealer management.
Brake failure
Hard to stop, ABS AND BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROLL RELATED WARNING LIGHTS ON. ERROR CODE C1391
On October 24, 2023, while driving my car, several lights went on all at once, including the ABS, and brake lights. I immediately drove it to the Toyota Dealership on 2213 Old Jacksboro Hwy, WF TX 76301. The car was also making a noise constantly, that I had taken into Toyota service center previously which was also causing an issue with my battery dying. (It went through 4 batteries in the last 2 years). Toyota diagnosed it as a problem with brake booster and assembly and brake booster pump. calling for both of them to be replaced at a cost of $3,888. Toyota did not inform us of any recall regarding brakes, I did email Toyota directly, called and tried to work with the dealership, all to no avail. They are being sued due to numerous complaints and refused to assist me.
I have had a 2012 Prius since 2016. The entire time I've had it, it occasionally "hydroplanes" but without any water. It happens in wet or dry (but mostly dry) conditions. Usually at slower speeds so, though it makes me very uncomfortable, it doesn't happen with any regularity. I've taken it multiple times to my mechanic who always says "Prius' just do that", which is not reassuring. I know there was a recall and I was told my car did not fall under that umbrella. On Wednesday of this week, 10/25/23, I finally had an accident because of this. The brake lockup had been happening more frequently in the past week and in this instance I saw the car in front of me suddenly slow down - I had about 2/3 of a cars distance between me and the car ahead. I hit the brakes and nothing happened. I was pushing down on them long enough to think, "Ok, this is it. They aren't responding at all and I'm going to hit this car in front of me." I did and it crushed the passenger side of the car. Luckily I wasn't hurt. There were no warnings from the car at all that this was going to happen, as there never are. I took it in for possible repair today (the mechanic is not sure but thinks it may be a total loss). This car did everything they describe in the recall cases and I want to know if there's anyway to be repaid from the company for this as there was nothing I could do to stop this accident? Why wasn't my car included in the recall?
Error code C1391 confirmed by two separate facilities, described as "abnormal leak in accumulator" and "accumulator pressure." Took to an independent shop first, then to Haley Certified Toyota Dealership. At dealership, parts needed were quoted to include tsb-0024-19. Three lights went on simultaneously (ABS, Traction, Brake).
The abs pump kept running after the car stopped running... Malfunction and had to be replaced!
My car breaks with out i almost hit the car in front of me, i could killed someone . This is very dangerous i took my car to a Toyota dealership they said the Extended warranty expired. They said upon inspection found code C1252,C1253,C1256 brake pump and actuator fault. Upon inspection found abs actuator accumualtor leak. Causing brake pedal to be hard and brake system malfunction. Toyota should had made a recall of this and not just a extended warranty that expires. I have 206,000 miles original owner they should me a lawsuit for this its very dangerous. I end paying $3000 of my own money to fix it, i should get reimburse for my money.
ABS, Break and traction control lights from dashboard lit on and breaks were difficult to operate during driving, able to drive back home safely. Find out that ABS (brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies which are consider safety items), are defective and can cause accidents. When calling Toyota Customer Experience Center, they decline to honor customer support program ZJB due to my car is exceeding by 5k miles the additional limited warranty. Now I will have to pay out of pocket on known safety defective part, this should be a recall and not wait to an accident to happen.
My teenage daughter was driving and almost had an accident because the brakes failed. No warning lights came on until the brakes failed. I am learning now that it is a brake booster pump that Toyota knows about it as they had issued an extended warranty on the same thing that expired last year. Toyota confirmed that my Pruis was included in the customer service program but it has now expired.
While coming to a stop there was a loss of braking power and feel. Due to the unexpected change in braking characteristics this nearly caused me to collide with the vehicle in front of me. Noticed the traction control, ABS and Brake light on dash illuminated. My local Toyota dealership has diagnosed the repair as a repair involving the brake booster master cylinder and pump assembly.
On June 11, 2023, my Toyota Prius brakes failed while I was driving! The vehicle was towed to the Toyota dealership on June 12, 2023 and determined the car needed brake booster assembly with master cylinder, based on codes presented at diagnostic. Quoted repair cost of $3,544.99+tax. I am second owner of this vehicle, which was purchased December 2020 from the same dealership. I was never notified about this pending issue from Toyota North America or from the dealer. I contacted Toyota North America on June 13, 2023 and was denied repair because Consumer Support Program 20TE07 expired May 2022. This Consumer Program should have been a recall. Brake failure is a major safety issue.
Brakes Failed with code c1391 this is a known issue with toyota .
Mileage: 139,000
The Brake Actuator and Brake Accumulator were covered under a customer support issue until 5/18/22 On our car they are charging me $2600 to fix this issue. The car was at Toyota years earlier for a recall but Toyota never told us about this issue. That is not fair in my opinion. And now we are being charged $2600 to fix this issue Best [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The Brake Actuator and Accumulator on the car have failed Toyota had a customer support issue on these parts and fixed them for free BUT it expired 5/18/22 No Toyota dealer told me about this issue and I received no warnings Now the 2012 Prius with 78,000 miles has this issue and Toyota wants $2600 to fix it
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle responded after depressing the brake pedal several times, and came into a complete stop. The ABS and anti-skid warning light were illuminated, and the message "Brake" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown location, where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger brake sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the pump actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown Technical Service Bulletin Number as it had exceeded the mileage and year required. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Mileage: 165,000
Driving on Interstate and suddenly traction control light, brake Light, and ABS light came on. After this the brakes were not as affective at stopping the vehicle and felt sluggish. Found a lot of reports online about similar issue and even some when the vehicle brakes failed. My brakes allowed me to get home without incident.
Mileage: 112,000
Our 2012 Toyota Prius experienced brake failure due to the Accuator and Accumulator. I contacted Toyota Corporate office, which advised it is a known problem and had a customer support program that expired last year. The Toyota rep advised me to not drive the vehicle because of the brake failure and opened a ticket advising it is a known issue. After researching online, it is a very common issue. https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Consumer-Complaint/2010/Toyota/Prius/Brake
Suspected Brake Booster failure. We have been experiencing our brake booster running several times a minute and something felt off. In December, we took it to the dealership who said they "were unable to replicate the issue". We found that odd since we experience the issue every few minutes, but we believed them when they said that there was nothing wrong with our brakes. Yesterday, about one month later, we were driving on a busy street when our brakes appeared to fail. We couldn't make the car stop, three dashboard lights came on (the ABS and two others) and eventually we realized the brakes had to be pressed really hard to get the car to stop. We avoided an accident, pulled into a parking lot, turned off the car, checked the brake fluid (the brake fluid was fine), restarted the car and the lights still remained and the brakes continued to not compress easily. We called our Toyota dealer who said that there is no recall on our Brake Booster and that this is not a known issue, and yet there are hundreds of readily available accounts of 2012 prius owners who experience the same fail.
Toyota Program ZJB, internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies. A known failure of the brake booster than Toyota did extend the warranty on for 10 years BUT would not honor the warranty unless specific diagnostic codes appeared on the vehicle. My issue is that all of the symptoms of the failure occurred on my vehicle (pump constantly running, varying hydraulic pressure resulting in pulsing brake stops, soft brake pedal) but the warranty would not be honored because the diagnostic did not manifest itself. Had technicians tell me that it definitely was this booster failure, but Toyota would not pay for it unless the diagnostic came up. I am now left with a vehicle that has a failed brake system and no monetary support from Toyota. Quoted $2500 to $3000 to repair. Not safe to drive in my opinion with a known failure that I am having trouble getting funding to repair. Contacted Toyota customer support and they reiterated that they would not pay for the repair without the diagnostic occurring and now their extended warranty expired August 31, 2021. Inspection available upon request Safety issue as braking is inconsistent and not predictable Problem was identified by Toyota dealer service department No diagnostic alarms - which is the only symptom not present
The Brake Booster or Actuator is failing, without any indication or warning lights on the dash alarming us to the problem. The car has been making weird sounds, but after being inspected, this, according to the Authorized Toyota Dealer, on December 22, 2022, is a life-threatening and very dangerous malfunction to myself and others around me when driving. This is the first hybrid car we have owned, and we thought the noises we had been hearing for a couple years was normal, because there were no warning lights coming on to tell us otherwise. The dealer did not want us to drive the car any further due to the danger of the problem. We asked the dealer to repair the problem without charge, but that request was denied by the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (Case 221222000587). The dealer is currently repairing the malfunction at a cost of approximately $2650 plus tax). We are highly disappointed with Toyota not repairing this known problem under a dealer recall.
The brakes on my 2012 Toyota Prius failed suddenly with little warning after starting the car, and when I began driving off in a busy Walmart parking. I was startled when I felt that the brakes did not seem to work, nearly causing me to collide with the car in front of me. I had to quickly depress the brake pedal to bring the car to a stop. The normal braking power was greatly reduced when I depressed the brake pedal, and I had to use more force to bring the vehicle to a stop. Only when I looked down did I see that some of the dashboard lights relating to the brake system stayed lit and not turn off like they normally do. These lights appear to be brake warning, ABS warning, and anti-skidding lights. The brake problem has been inspected and confirmed by both an independent service center as well as the Toyota dealer. The failed brake component was diagnosed as an abnormal leak in the accumulator, and the brake booster with master cylinder assembly requiring replacement, with the code #c1391. After having done some research, it appears that this exact brake problem seems to be afflicting many such generation Toyota Prius vehicles, and the manufacturer Toyota was aware of this problem existing in such vehicles.
The car has been diagnosed by a Toyota dealership as having an internal leak in the Brake Booster and Accumulator, both are part of the brake system. Repair estimate of $3800 00 dlls. Currently i have 3 check lights on, Brake, ABS and Traction control. All controlled by the same module
My prius got ABS, Brake, Traction light on when I was on traffic in the highway. Car lost brake power. Regenerative brake does not. It takes longer to stop the car. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS. THE ABS MODULE IS GONNA FAIL AT SOME POINT. Dealership asks $5000 to fix. C1391
At 106K miles and after 10 years and 8 months in service (new vehicle bought in March 2012) Brake booster internal leak, code c1391. Brake light, ABS light and VSC light stay on. Can not drive it as the brake booster internal leak is making the brakes spongy and slow in response. Talked to Toyota and they said it is out of warranty and the deal is estimating $2000 plus for the repair. Miles on my cars 106K are way less than 150,000 allowed by Program Service bulletin ZJB (attached) but Toyota is denying repair coverage as the vehicle life is eight months more than 10 year limit since first use. Did not drive it much within the last two years because of working from home due to covid 19. Had it been driven more frequently the brake system failure would have happened way earlier as the internal leak (possible fatigue failure causing leak) should be more related to driven miles and brake system cycling of pressurizing and depressurizing than just being parked on the drive way. Would request if NHTSA could extend the duration of ZJB bulletin considering the fact that many drivers did not drive that much in the last two years due to working from home and this internal leakage failure can be related to fatigue loading of the hydraulic components and the number of fatigue cycle are directly proportional to the driven miles and not the life of the vehicle. Thanks
The brake system (accumulator/booster) has failed and reduced stopping ability. Error code is C1391
I have a 2012 Toyota Prius that the Toyota dealership has confirmed that I have a failed ABS actuator and is displaying the correct repair codes for the service bulletin but they refusing to cover any of the costs to replace the ABS actuator and boost pump. Since the failure of the ABS actuator I have had 2 close calls where I needed to stop fast and my tires locked up, I lost control of the car and spun out but luckily I did not hit anything. The brake, ABS, and 2 other warning lights have come on and off intermittently on the dashboard of my 2012 Toyota Prius. I summited a good faith request to the repair my Toyota Prius ABS actuator at Toyota of Anaheim on 10/28/2022 and due to it being 20 days past the 10 year limit and slightly over the 150,000 mile limit at 158,000 they say that I'm 100% responsible for the repair costs of $3,231.78. This proven design flaw is not my fault, it did not occur under normal wear and tear and the brake ABS actuator and boost pump should last much longer than it did. Now I'm faced with paying a huge bill for the repair or pick up my Prius from the dealership and drive it home with a defective ABS actuator. This is another example that Toyota is placing profit ahead of safety.
During a hard braking, felt brake pedal softer and less responsive braking. Now ABS Icon, Brake Icon, and Traction Icon is on. Confirmed Code P1391 in ABS system.
My breakes failed when driving. I almost got in accident. Code C1391. Brake Actuaror Failure. car has 200,000 miles. Toyota is denying to repair the car. It is well known problem with that but still not fixing.
While on the freeway, I was braking due to traffic and the car started shaking and the ABS light, "BRAKE" light and traction light all came on and remained on. The brake system did not operate properly, which nearly caused a collision.
Driving approx 35 MPH. Traction, Brake, ABS lights all illuminated. Went to brake and brakes went almost to floor with little to no braking power. Car felt out of control and unreactive. Slowed down, pumped brakes (brakes worked but not normal) and pulled over. It was extremely scary and happened out of the blue with no warning, I thought I was going to crash as car felt "slippery" and unresponsive/no braking. If there was a red light or someone stopped in front of me, I would have crashed. Tested and found code of C1391 ABS Anti-lock Brake System Abnormal Leak of ACC PRESS. Researched and found customer bulletin from Toyota POL18-03 and Customer Support Program ZJB. Safety at risk - near accident, could have been a huge accident, no warning and no brakes. This should be a recall! No warning lights prior to failure, lit at time of failure. I was completely unaware of the potential brake failures. Toyota should issue a recall or cover repair. I have been tossed back and forth between corporate & local dealer. Customer coverage expired June 29, 2022 for my car (10 yrs after 1st use). The incident occurred barely one month later on August 16, 2022. It is under 150,000 miles. Toyota refusing to assist or take responsibility for repair coverage. I have been given the runaround by Toyota and attempting to get a call from a case manager is near fruitless. One case manager left me a voicemail indicating that they cannot help me until I take the car to a local dealership to diagnose. So I did. Forced to Toyota, we carefully drove on side streets to the dealership only to be charged $130 for diagnosis & attempt to "upsell" extra services. Vehicle inspected by Toyota. C1391 replace brake booster assembly master cylinder and brake pump almost $3,000. We drove home white-knuckled. After many more phone calls and unable to speak to a case manager, I rec'd a voicemail indicating they will not cover due to expired June 29, 2022. Same issue happening w/other models - pls recall.
While commuting home by Prius has the traction control, ABS, brake light, and brake system indicator dash lights activate. I was able to make it to an autoparts store and the code C1391 was displayed. Researching this code points me to a safety issue that Toyota is aware of and their remedy ended in 2021. Toyota should warranty this known issue, especially for those people who were never notified of the failure of the brake accumulator and brake booster. I now am afraid to drive my vehicle due to potential failure of the brake system and the costs of the repairs are really expensive.
Seven days ago, the hazard lights on our 2012 Prius suddenly would not turn off. By the time we got home, the brake, ABS, and the traction warning lights all came on. Two hours later, the hazard lights stopped blinking but the other lights were still on. We brought the car into the Toyota dealer for service the next morning (8/1/2022) to have the issue checked, notified the service writer of the hazard light being the initial issue. Mechanic cleared the codes and the lights all were off and stayed off after what he said was 2 test drives. We asked him if the mechanic had tested the hazards, to be sure they didn't stay on. He said the mechanic had left and we agreed to leave the car overnight so he could check that again. The service writer gave us a list of other repairs/maintenance we should have done but none of them was the brake booster acuator. We declined the other service and went home. Car drove fine. Yesterday morning, we woke up to see the hazard lights flashing, even though we hadn't egnaged them since the previous Sunday. Our neighbor noted he noticed them flashing at 2 am. We brought the car back to the dealer and when my husband spoke directly with the manager, he (manager) said that they weren't aware of the hazards flashing. That is a lie. I told the service writer when it was brought in and then we discussed it again that afternoon. Manager calls us late yesterday to say that we need to replace the brake booster acuator at the tune of $3400+. The manager told us this morning that Toyota had a recall on it but they weren't notifying people unless the issue occurred. He said there was recall coverage, which Toyota extended, but it expired 7/24/2022. We never received any mail or email notification of a recall and have only had our car serviced at this dealer. Why did they not warn people? We are outraged and livid. How is this kind of greedy chicanery allowed?
ABS system has malfunctioned- brakes lose pressure constantly (makes a barking noise when pressing on them or holding them down), and brakes feel very squishy. Car constantly makes whirring noise of actuator pump trying to function. Mechanic said on inspection that it was the abs actuator and potentially the master cylinder as well. Vehicle is unsafe to drive
Faulty brake booster pump
I have the same issue as every other Toyota Prius owner. My car has 177,000 miles and Toyota quoted me $3200.00 to replace ABS system that causes Brake Failure and risk of Crashing. All the ABS lights come on and the car almost loses all braking power.
MY brake warning lights have coming on for over 12,000 miles abs , vehicle stability off/ stability control and indicator and red brake light .Last week they came on and stay on .I took it to mechanic he told me there was a recall on them up to 150,000 miles .I don't see it on your site .The part is Toyota Brake Booster part Number - 47050-47180. I mention this to toyota in January and they said the light sometime just come on .I don,t know what the mileage should have anything to do about a recall
I took my vehicle in to the Toyota dealership last month because of a brake related noise that was concerning and a loss of brake sensitivity. The diagnostic showed that the brake booster was showing signs that is would fail soon. I was informed that there was a warranty program (ZJB) for it but the warranty required that a specific error code must be present (C1391), regardless of the obvious symptoms. They were unwilling to honor the no cost replacement even though everything but the error code was present. Fast forward to just under a month after the warranty period expired (16 APR 2022 was the expiration date, today is 13 MAY 2022) and the vehicles brakes nearly fail and the error code, which was required for the warranty replacement is now present. Toyota is unwilling to assist me in the slightest with the cost regardless of the inspection prior to expiration of the warranty showing that is was approaching failure and the error code showing shortly after expiration of the warranty. I never received a notice that there was even a warranty for the part in the first place, I was only informed when it took it in the first time, before the warranty expired.
The vehicle was traveling on the interstate at cruising speeds around 70 MPH when the braking system suddenly lost nearly all function. The dashboard began displaying multiple brake system warnings. There was no warning about potential failure. It was sudden and started when the brake pedal was not engaged. Some braking power remained, but it required full activation of the pedal. The vehicle was then driven very slowly to the next exit and later towed to the Toyota dealership for repair and inspection. The dealer has confirmed that this is the same error described in Toyota's Customer Support Program ZJB. Two adult passengers and one infant inside the vehicle and all other vehicles in the vicinity were at risk of suffering a high-speed crash.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost brakes and power steering functionality. The traction control, ABS, and braking system warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with brake booster failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer and was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V235000 (Service Brakes). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
Brakes started making leaking sound when stopped at lights. Went to get diagnosed and was told I needed to have brake booster (toyota PN 47050-47180) and related pump assembly (Toyota PN 47070-47060) replaced. The specific cause note given by the technician: "FOUND BRAKE PUMP AND BOOSTER ASSEMBLY TO BE LEAKING INTERNALLY CAUSING PUMP TO ACUATE MORE THAN NORMAL WHICH WILL CAUSE THESE NOISES" Found out researching online that this is a common issue with the brake booster/master cylinder assembly affecting multiple models and model years of Toyota vehicles and a pending class-action lawsuit in Texas for it. Was told there was no recall but there was an extended service option. I was not made aware of this extended service option which they indicate in the program notes would be mailed to vehicle owners, and was told when the issue was diagnosed that my vehicle does not qualify for it.
The Brake Booster pump assembly in the car has failed. Toyota issued a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies, However, there are parameters limiting the age of the vehicle and mileage on the vehicle that exclude our car from the campaign. Therefore, the consumer is subject to pay for the entire cost of the repair, which can exceed $4,000. The malfunction occurs over time, and the part fails at a steady pace. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the issue until my ABS light came on, and the breaks became subject to malfunctioning. I took my car to the Toyota Dealership on January 29, 2022, and the dealership made no mention of the Safety Campaign which directly impacts my vehicle. In my opinion, Toyota has demonstrated negligence in regards to this issue. A full recall should be issued for this part. A Safety Campaign simply fails to completely resolve the issue at hand.
My 2012 Toyota Prius Hybrid: the brakes failed on 12/30/21 with virtually no warning which was very scary and could have caused fatalities and a crash. Luckily I was able to pull of the road and put on the e brake to stop the car but if the failure had happened about 10 mins earlier, I might have died because I was going 50 mpg coming down a large hill. I did some research and see that Toyota has KNOWN the brake booster assembly is bad on this model Prius yet they did not issue a full recall and are putting peoples' lives at risk! I am outraged, I was told by my local Toyota dealer that I could qualify for this "customer support program" but only after I had the break line (which also blew out) fixed so I spent $1,100 to fix the brake line then the booster/pump was still malfunctioning but then Toyota changed their tone and told me my vehicle has too many miles to qualify for the booster/pump replacement and then quoted me $4,500 to replace it !! This is an OUTRAGE, Toyota knows this is an issue but is skirting the issue and putting people in danger. It doesn't get much worse then brakes failing on a vehicle. I hope the government forces Toyota to do the right thing and slap them with a huge fine to teach them a lesson. This is not okay!
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the ABS, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel as the brake pedal became spongy. The contact initially drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her of a service bulletin related to the failure; he then instructed her to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be covered under a warranty related to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and confirmed that her vehicle was no longer covered under warranty; a case was filed with the manufacturer. The contact agreed to have the vehicle repaired by the dealer and the vehicle remained in their possession. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000. The VIN was not available.
Mileage: 192,000
Loud noises coming from braking system. Diagnosed by Toyota service technician as a failure of the brake booster and booster pump assemblies. This specific issue is acknowledged by Toyota per a Customer Support Program ZJB. My vehicle, a 2012 Prius with 130,000 miles, qualifies for coverage under the CSP, however Toyota is denying coverage as the vehicle has not displayed a warning light or code associated with the problem, despite a Toyota service tech confirming the issue. Toyota wants me to drive a vehicle with brakes that may completely fail at any given moment. The Toyota Brand Engagement team has been no help in trying to get the repairs covered under the CSP. Class action lawsuits appear to be filed in several states as Toyota has refused to issue a full recall.
The brake master cylinder/accumulator has failed causing multiple codes as well as dash lights for the brake and abs systems. I took the vehicle to the local Toyota dealership after reading about this problem in all other models of the Prius. I have just purchased the vehicle. They covered this issue with a free warranty replacement up until August of 2021. They had extended the warranty with restrictions until this next year. Reading about other models of the same car, the warranty still covers regardless of mileage. It's the identical part as other models that are still being covered. This is a $3000 dollar repair made in some vehicles for the identical part, but not in others. This is terrible customer service for an unsafe issue by Toyota. This issue does effect the braking in the vehicle and it is unsafe to drive. The regenerative braking also no longer is functioning changing the entire handling and characteristics of the vehicle.
Vehicle has issue with brake booster and accumulator, making it dangerous to drive on the road as brakes would intermittently go out not allowing me to stop. Toyota Corporate had agreed to fix the vehicle originally based on good faith and acknowledgement of the defect under their "Customer Support Program" yet coerced me to go to the local dealership to get the repair, and now disclaims responsibility to cover the repair/parts costs. Toyota Corporate did call the dealer to authorize the repair on 12/14, but since then, have not paid for any of the repairs so my vehicle is being held hostage at the dealership.
I have a ABS alarm on my car. Toyota ABS C1391 (1/1) Current Abnormal Leak of ACC Press I tried to Talk to the Toyota I left a message with the service writer At Avondale Toyota In Arizona and left a message about my car problem They never returned a call to me! I have bought 4 new cars from Avondale Toyota. You would think they should return my call to talk about my cars brake problems I haven't received any return calls
Toyota did not inform us about a half recall on our family's Prius car. My wife driving yesterday with kids Christmas shopping and the brake pedal stopped working. She was able to thankfully to have space to let car slow down and pull off to side of road. People with a Toyota Prius need to know the brake pedal could stop working at any moment. The Toyota dealership says the repair is $2900 and they will not cover it. They advised I call Toyota so I did and spoke to 3 people advised and they said they would not. The half recall states online, which I dug and found after the dealership advisor told me about it, states that cars up until 8/31/2021 with unlimited milage are covered. After, then its 10 years from purchase and drops from unlimited milage to 150K. We are a few months from Sept and they would not make an exception and do the right thing. The cars is past the 150K milage BARELY, but still under 10 years. If the breaks had gone out in August 31st and a major accident happened would Toyota been liable? HAs this happened and people don't know? It's not right, not ethical, we were not informed of this at any point or even the last time I took the car into the dealership. The idea that others could have this happen to them or even get hurt out there is insane to imagine as a possibility actually a reality as it happened to us. Toyota headquarters brand representative (Monica supervisor) on phone told me that if my wife had the break pedal and system go out in August and died Toyota would have covered it. I almost dropped the phone. Others need to know about this. Do you know anyone with a Toyota Prius? or a Toyota? Please tell them the brake pedal could stop working at any moment and cause an accident. Please help us and together help others know about this. Toyota should have done the right thing, but they didn't. Toyota needs to alert others of this before someone gets hurt. The National Safety board needs to force to a full recall to REPLACE THEM
ABS/Brake Actuators on these cars are faulty! Not able to apply adequate pressure on the brakes to stop the car confidently. Brake actuator hissing notating that pressure is being lost. Brakes feel like they are skipping, and also making a loud "quack/screeching" noise. Brakes were inspected on my vehicle, and the pads had over 60% life left, and no damage to the rotots, so its the brake actuator at fault. A very common issue on 3rd generation prius models, and a $3000+ repair through toyota. Customer support program ZJB issued. Its not a recall, but instead an "extended warranty". Toyota will not fix the problem without dash warning lights on, so my car is just waiting to break down or cause an accident. I worry about my life and the brakes failing at some point. Ive taken it to two different mechanics and they both noted its a well known problem that toyota is trying not to pay out for.
I write to report that I asked for help at TOYOTA on the repair of the brake booster pump program. On August 19th, 2021 I took my Toyota Prius 2012 to my nearest dealer, in this case, Toyota of Homestead in Florida, US (I have a screen capture of the appointment); because the brake pump was pumping continuedly every 15 seconds regardless of the vehicle was in motion or stop parked; also the breaking felt like spongy and hesitant. I explained that to the Toyota dealer employee and he told me that the pump running every 15 seconds is not normal and agree that something was not right with my car's brake, but if there is not a MIL light ON, they can not replace my brake booster under the Toyota Program, and I have to pay $170.-first to "scan" the vehicle and make a diagnostic, well I told him that was too much money just to scan the vehicle since there was no light on in the dash the Toyota employee told me I will need to pay for the full brake pump replacement. That was unfair because the Toyota employee agree that definitely the brake was bad, but can not do anything. Took my car home and a few days later September 2nd, the brake lights came on. Well, my wife uses this car daily to transport our kids to school and to do the shopping necessary for food and supplies, and definitely, the cars do NOT break AS IT SHOULD. Toyota employee told me the repair will cost between $3000.- to $4000.-, I took the car to the Dealer when was covered under the Customer Support Program, but the light on the dash should NOT be the main factor to determine that the brake booster needs to be replaced. To be fair TOYOTA should recall all those vehicles. The Toyota dealer employee witness that there was a problem with the pump, and anybody with common sense that know this cars should immediately notice that the sound of the pump going on every 15 seconds is NOT NORMAL. This is my second Prius (My first one was a Toyota Prius C 2014) and I detect almost immediately with something is WRONG.
ABS Actuator and Booster Assembly failing. No recall was issued but a safety bulletin to the dealer with a cutoff date and nothing issued to consumer to know it needs to be replaced. Now I am outside their service bulleting window with a 3,000 repair that should be covered indefinitely by toyota
Brake Booster assembly has failed on my car preventing the regenerative braking to function normally and it could potentially lead to the brakes failing all together. Upon further research it seems to be a common issues with these vehicles and Toyota has a "Customer Support Program" under the code "ZJB" that will replace the faulty brake booster assembly. My car is still technically covered under the service bulletin that Toyota sent out but when I called several dealers and Toyota corporate, they notified me that my car was ineligible due to mileage. I was quoted over $3,000 at various dealers to replace the part to what amounts to a basically very expensive brake job. I am concerned for my safety in terms of the brakes failing while driving. This is my only vehicle and I have started to resort to driving on the city streets as opposed to the freeway.
The brake, abs, and stability control light come on and the brakes require more pressure to function. The problem is intermittent, but has been happening more often and for longer. The rotors, pads, and brake fluid were looked at within the last month and have no issues. I am getting a code C1391 Abnormal Leak in the Accumulator. The symptoms, as well as my car year and make match this recall, but I was never informed of this recall and there are no open recalls associated with my VIN. https://toyotatalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ZJB-Phase-2-.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1I91f2ohQk73kYnbBYOlOi-yYlpgVNQ0leI3N8uWbg7V4IMKgULdG7F10
The brakes felt very spongy and the car was having a difficult time coming to a complete stop. The ABS, brake, and stability control lights turned on at the same time. Also, a whirring noise close to the passenger side started happening every 2-3 seconds. After some research I later learned that the noise is most probably coming from a brake pump assembly that has failed and is not able to keep pressure. The car is currently parked since I don’t feel safe to drive it. I contacted a local dealer to see if this part can be changed for free since this is not normal wear and is unsafe. I also learned in online Prius owner forums that there is a large group of Toyota Prius owners with the exact same issue.
LIGHTS CAME ON AND CODE ARE C1252 AND C1253, BEEPING SOUNDED AND BRAKES WHEN TO FLOOR AND WOULDN'T STOP.
MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 WITH 95K MIL. ABS, TRACTION AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE BREAKING WASN'T LIKE USED TO BE, IT WAS MUSHY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS, TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THEY ESTIMATED $3500 FOR THE BRAKE REPLACEMENT THE FAULT CODES C1241, C1247, C1391 FOUND BREAK BOOSTER AND PUMP ASSY, NEEDED. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA, ITS SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT HAD 41K MILES AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED THE CAR THROUGHOUT MY OWNERSHIP PERIOD.
Mileage: 95,755
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Mileage: 190,000
ABS , TRACTION CONTROL,BRAKE LIGHTS ON. NO POWER ASSIST BRAKE, NO ABS, NO TRACTION CONTROL
Mileage: 170,000
MY 2012 PRIUS WAS DIAGNOSED AT OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDS A BRAKE BOOSTER/SOLENOID. WHEN I LOOKED INTO IT, IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS WITH PRIUS CARS FROM THE SAME ERA. IT IS A DEVASTATING $3,000 REPAIR. TOTAL INJUSTICE IF IT IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AS IT SEEMS.
Mileage: 154,000
ABS WARNING LIGHT INDICATING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR STORE AND THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CODES ON HIS COMPUTER AND RECEIVED 2 CODES THAT INDICATING THAT THE ABS PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $3000 TO $5000. THE ABS LIGHT GOES ON WHEN I START THE CAR
Mileage: 61,900
I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL MAIL REGARDING THE CAR. I USED AN INSURANCE TRACKING PLUGIN, AND ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED.PCS ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD, DUE TO A LEAK IN BRAKE BOOSTER THEY SAID. MY DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TELL ME IT'S A RECALL, MADE IT SEEM LIKE THEY HELPED ME INSTEAD OF CHARGING AS HIGH AS $4000. I WAS NOT GIVEN A LOANER CAR FOR THE 4DAYS THEY HAD MY CAR, AND DID NOT GET ANY REFUNDS FOR THE RENTAL CAR I GOT
THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH A CHIRPING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. TODAY THE CAR APPEARS TO LOSE REGENERATIVE BRAKING CHARGING. THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE BRAKE APPEARED TO BE MUSHIED.
Mileage: 98,000
I REPLACED MY BRAKE BOOSTER THREE TIMES IN TWO MONTHS.STILL I HAVE BIG ISSUES WITH TOYATA COMPANY.
MORE THAN ONCE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40/45MPH, ONCE ON A CURVE, ANYHOW AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE CURVE IT FELT AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THEM. I UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY THING, HOWEVER AT BOTH INSTANCES IT WAS NOT NECESSARY. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE LEFT. ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL.
Mileage: 75,300
I STARTED MY CAR AND MY DASH LIGHTS FOR BRAKES, ANTI-LOCK, ANTI-SKID CAME ON AND BRAKES BECAME SPONGY. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I PARKED THE CAR AND LATER CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND THE CAR WAS OPERATING NORMAL. I DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO TRY TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AND BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. SPONGY AND NO ANTI-LOCK. I CHECKED RECALLS AND FOUND THE ISSUE WAS RECALLED IN 2010. I ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON PRIUS FORUMS FOR THIS ISSUE COVERING 2012 PRIUS. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL FOR 2012 AS WELL.
Mileage: 151,000
CAR WAS IN MOTION AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT HALF WAY TO FLOOR AND ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL AND TIRE SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON. MASTER CYLINDER OR BRAKE BOOSTER SEEM TO HAVE FAILED. DEALER DIDN'T RECOGNIZE CODES AND COULD ONLY RECOMMEND CHANGING SPARK PLUGS WHEN I JUST HAD THEM REPLACE 6-8 MONTHS PRIOR. EXPLAINED THAT DID THINK THAT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES GIVING OUT. THEY RESET CODES AND SURE ENOUGH HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. TOYOTA ADMITTED TO SINCE RECEIVING MANY REPORTS OF CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLIES. 4 TRIPS LATER TO DEALER THE RESPONSE IS THE CODES ARE NOT COMING UP (DTCS) C1391, C1252, C1256 OR C1253 IN ORDER TO BE COVERED IT'S VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM WHICH HAS BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP COVERAGE. VERY FRUSTRATING!
Mileage: 212,566
MY CAR HAS THE SAME BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER CYLINDER DEFECT THAT THE 2010/11 MODEL PRIUS WERE RECALLED FOR. BRAKE BOOSTER OR BRAKE PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR FAILURE ON 2012 MODELS CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS. THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Mileage: 133,000
MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS II THREW ERROR CODE C1391 ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. I'VE RESET IT AND ITS COME BACK ON AGAIN. REGENERATIVE BRAKING HAS GONE OUT AND STOPPING IS DIFFICULT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 130,000 MILES
Mileage: 130,000
VSA, AVS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON WITH DECREASED RESISTANCE IN PETAL. BRAKES WILL RETURN TO NORMAL WITHOUT WARNING PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES DRIVING AND STOPPING UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE.
TRACTION, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT ONCE, PRATICALLY LOST ALL BRAKING WHILE DRIVING BUT ABLE TO SLOWLY STOP. SQUISHY BRAKES. "PUMP" SOUNDING NOISE LIKE IT'S HAVING TROUBLE PUMPING BRAKE FLUID.
Mileage: 115,000
I HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON MY PRIUS AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I WENT TO SAID I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER PUMP WHICH WOULD BE 3000 DOLLARS WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER RESEARCH THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND SERVAL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER, SHOWING YOU HOW BIG OF ISSUE THIS IS. THE BREAKING SYSTEM FELT SPONGY, MY TRACTION CONTROL BRAKING SYSTEM AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. THANKFULLY I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF FEET TO MY DRIVEWAY.
Mileage: 200,000
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND GOING OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE, OR POTHOLE, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING UNTIL BACK ON A SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE. THIS HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. IT IS REALLY SCARY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES ALL BRAKING WHILE TRYING TO STOP. I HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS AND A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A FULL RECALL ON THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Mileage: 58,000
THE CAR HAS BEEN SUFFERING ALL OF THE BRAKE SYMPTOMS FOR THE RECALL OF THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM. I'VE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED ABOUT LOSING BRAKING POWER WHEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I GO OVER UNEVEN SURFACES SUCH AS RAILROAD TRACKS OR A POTHOLE. THE BRAKES HAVE BENN FARTING FROM DAY ONE WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT OR PARKED IF THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED AND THEN SLIGHTLY RELEASED. AND NOW TODAY THE ABS BRAKES ARE ON WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT AND THERE IS LIMITED BRAKING POWER. I HAVE TO PUSH ALMOST ALL THE WAY DOWN BEFORE THE BRAKE ENGAGES. TOYOTA TELLS ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM FOR $3500 AND THERE ARE ONLY 70,000 MILES ON MY 2012 CAR. I FEEL MY BRAKES HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE 2010 RECALL AND MORE YEARS INCLUDING MINE ARE AFFECTED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Mileage: 70,000
I WAS COMING UP THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP AND MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF I HAD NO BRAKING I HIT SIX OTHER CARS ROLLED OVER AND WAS SEVERLY IMJURED IN THE HOSPITAL FORR THREE DAYS
Mileage: 40,063
PROBLEM WITH BRAKING SYSTEM INVOLVING, THE OTHER DAY THE CAR WAS ON AND SUDDENLY THREE (3) WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON: BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. THERE IS ALSO NOW A PUMPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE INTERIOR OF THE DASH (ON IT AT LEAST SOUNDS THAT IS WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. THE CAR HAS 151,428 MILES ON IT. I'VE INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE CURRENT EROR CODE, MILEAGE AND DASH LIGHTS THAT ARE ON.
Mileage: 151,413
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING OVER 60 MPH WHEN THE ABS, BRAKE AND TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKE BECAME IMMEDIATELY SPONGY AND I HAD TO DEPRESSED EVEN HARDER (PAST THE FOAMINESS) TO REDUCE SPEED. A MOTOR COULD BE HEARD TRYING TO TURN OVER ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CAR SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 25-30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY BUT THE SPONGY BRAKES CONTINUED. WITHIN 5 MIN I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND ON TO SEE IF THAT WOULD REMEDY THE SITUATION AND NOTHING CHANGED. I THEN CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO BOOK AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT AND ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES LATER. THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS THE ISSUE AND THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE IF THIS WAS IN WARRANTY OR PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THE NEXT DAY THAT THE COST OF INSTALLATION AND PARTS WOULD BE AT LEAST $4,000 AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY THE FULL AMOUNT AS TOYOTA WAS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY. I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING AS I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT THIS BRAKE ACTUATOR (ITS PARTS, ITS COMPOSITION AND/OR ITS INSTALLATION) IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH TOYOTA PRODUCTS AND A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA PRIUS' IN 2009 AND 2010. TANGENTIAL TO THIS ISSUE, MY FATHER OWNS A TOYOTA CAR AS WELL AND HAS ALSO HAD TO HAVE HIS ACTUATOR REPLACED THIS YEAR. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FAULTY PARTS AND INSTALLATION AND PURCHASE OF NEW PARTS. MY MAINTENANCE RECORD IS EXEMPLARY AND MY DRIVING RECORD IS AS WELL SO THIS IS NOT REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR IN MY OPINION.
Mileage: 100,000
I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING BETWEEN 50 AND 55 MPH WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED TO YELLOW AND THEN TO RED. WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS NOTHING HAPPENED. MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY APPEARED TO SPEED UP. I RELEASED THE BRAKE THEN PUMPED THE BREAK TWICE THEN AGAIN APPLIED THE BREAK, THIS TIME STOMPING HARDER AND WITH BOTH FEET. MY VEHICLE DID NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW. I WENT THROUGH THE LIGHT, RESULTING IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I T BONED ANOTHER CAR.
Mileage: 150,000
BRAKES FAILING, GETTING A C1391 CODE, LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. TOYOTA HAS A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE 2010 MODEL BUT IT HAS NOT EXTENDED TO 2011 OR 2012 MODELS. I CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND WAS REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED TWICE OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, BOTH TIMES WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALMOST NO STOPPING POWER.
Mileage: 165,000
BRAKE ACTUATOR /MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER BROKEN, SAME ISSUE AS PREBIOUS MODELS OF THE PRIUS.
VARIOUS ALERTS LIGHTED, BRAKES, ABS, ANTI SKID. LOST SOME BRAKING... TOO SOFT AND FUNNY LIKE... NEEDED PUMPING. COST OF REPAIR TO REPLACE BRAKE PUMP SYSTEM INCLUDING THA ACTUATOR(BUSTER). BRAKE PADS FOR $3,700 +. AT TOYOTA CALESA IN PUERTO RICO.
Mileage: 81,300
A NUMBER OF LIGHTS CAME ON...ABS, ANTI SKID, SYSTEM FAILURE, ETC. THE BRAKES STARTED TO FEEL VERY FUNNY AND STARTED TO MAKE A STRANGE NOISE. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES. NEEDED THE BRAKE SYSTEM (ACTUATOR IS THE NAME I BELIEVE).
Mileage: 100,000
THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. IT DID NOT AFFECT THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE SPECIALIST SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND QUOTED A $2500 SERVICE PRICE TO REPLACE IT. IF IT IS THIS KNOWN AND THIS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THEN IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THAT WOULD MAKE IT A DESIGN FLAW BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Mileage: 120,000
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VSC, PARKING BRAKE, AND ABS LIGHTS COMES ON AND STAYS ON AFTER RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2012 PRIUS. STILL WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO DO SMETHING ABOUT IT
Mileage: 107,000
THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE DIAGNOSTIC HAS ALARM DTC C1391 AND THIS IS A MAJOR BRAKE HAZARD. THE DEALER STATE THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,504.63 PLUS TAXES. I EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER THE CAR IS MAKING A SOUND LIKE THE ABS IS KICKING IN WHEN IT COME TO A STOP. THE NOISE PERSIST COMING IN AND OUT EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND OFF. MY 2012 PRIUS HAS ONLY 74K MILES. THE BRAKES PEDALS FEEL WEIRD AND LOOSE. I RED TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE DUE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILURE DUE MANUFACTORY ISSUES. THE DEALER STATE MY VIN IS NOT THERE. WHAT ARE THEY WAITING TO FIX THIS ISSUE ON THE 2012 PRIUS??? WE NEED TO HAVE TOYOTA FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL CARS BEFORE CATASTROFIC EVENT HAPPEN.
Mileage: 22
LOST FRONT BRAKES COMPLETELY DRIVING DOWN ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW CAR WITH MANUAL BRAKE ON SHIFTER IN CONJUNCTION WITH REAR BRAKES. A SERIOUS ISSUE.
Mileage: 113,000
WHEN BRAKING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, A MIXTURE OF CITY AND HIGHWAY, THE CAR MAKES A SOUND LIKE THE ABS IS KICKING IN. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE NOISE PERSISTS UNTIL RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHORTLY AFTER THIS STARTED, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACE AT THE COST OF $3600. MY 2012 PRIUS ONLY HAS 76K MILES ON IT.
Mileage: 76,000
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF. A FEW TIMES IT SHUT DOWN THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND TELL ME TO STOP . NOW ALL THOSE LIGHTS ARE ALL ON AND I AM DRIVING WITHOUT VSS, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. BRAKING IS GETTING HARDER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE COST IS $3500. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PRIUS PROBLEM PROBLEM
Mileage: 78,000
ON JULY 28, 2017, I WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH MY THREE CHILDREN. I PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY TO PARK MY VEHICLE BEHIND A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 2 FOOT SPAN BETWEEN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT OF MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. TO THE RIGHT OF THE PARKED VEHICLE WAS A PARKED TRUCK. BEING THAT I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE TO PARK MY VEHICLE, I WAS TRAVELING EXTREMELY SLOWLY. I BEGAN TO PRESS ON MY BRAKE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND INSTANTLY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, SEVERAL LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH WITHIN THE DASH TO INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ABS, WARNING LIGHT, AND THE LIGHT WITH VEHICLE SWERVE LINES. OTHER LIGHTS WERE ALSO FLASHING, BUT I DO NOT RECALL EACH ONE. THE BRAKE PAD INSTANTLY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL FORWARD WITH ACCELERATION. TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I BEGAN TO TURN MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE TRUCK THAT WAS TO MY FRONT-RIGHT. MY PRIUS FAILED TO SLOW OR STOP. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND BEGAN PUSHING THE TRUCK UP THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE METAL GARAGE DOOR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED THE ENTIRE TIME. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FLASH PRIOR, DURING, AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TREAD WHEEL MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE WHEELS SPUN AND LEFT AN IMPRINT IN THE ASPHALT. I AND MY CHILDREN WERE UNINJURED HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT WAS INCREDIBLY TRAUMATIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND AS OF YET TO BE PROCESSED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BY TOYOTA. THE TOYOTA CARE SERVICE WAS INFORMED OF THE ACCIDENT. TOYOTA BELIEVES IT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTELLIGENCE COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER DETERMINATION IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN UNTIL DIAGNOSTIC IS PERFORMED.
Mileage: 106,453
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A DRY SURFACE STREET, THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE I HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP AND IT SEEMED TO TRAVEL FURTHER TOWARD THE FLOORBOARD THAN NORMAL.
Mileage: 120,000
I RECEIVED THE WARNING, PLEASE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. AFTER CHECKING THE DTC THE FOLLOWING CODE APPEARED ON THE COMPUTER: P0A08:DC/DC CONVERTER CIRCUIT STATUS WHICH INDICATES AN INVERTER PROBLEM. LOOKING AT THE RECALL WEBSITE USING VIN NUMBER, SHOWED NO RECALL CONCERNING THIS. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY OR A HIGHWAY
FOR SOME TIME I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKING, IF MY CAR HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES WOULD DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO EVEN IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY PRESSED, AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD UNTIL THE BRAKES REENGAGED. IT WAS A SIMILAR SENSATION TO HYDROPLANING, EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD OCCUR ON A DRY ROAD. THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD BE ON WHILE THE BRAKES WERE OUT, AND I AM TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF MY CAR ALSO WERE ON, BUT NO BRAKE FUNCTION FOR A SECOND OR TWO. A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS BRAKING AT A STOPLIGHT IN NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MY CAR ONLY HAS 30K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED.
Mileage: 30,000
PIVOT BOLT INSIDE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE, WAS WARNED IT HAD DROPPED TO WHERE IT COULD INTERFERE WITH BRAKE LINKAGES. FILED COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AND NEVER HEARD BACK SO FILING THIS COMPLAINT. (1) A LARGE BOLT INSIDE A SEALED AREA SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME LOOSE IF INSTALLED CORRECTLY (MANUFACTURING ERROR - SINGLE INSTANCE OR SYSTEMATIC?) AND (2) A LOOSE BOLT SHOULD NOT BE A RISK FOR A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC OUTCOME - LOSS OF BRAKES (DESIGN FLAW, LINKAGES SHOULD NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING JAMMED - THAT'S WHAT THEY WARNED ME ABOUT WHEN THEY ASKED FOR THE $330 TO FIX IT). THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICING, THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING FELT FUNNY.
Mileage: 95,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED PRIOR TO ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Mileage: 63,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE CRASH SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Mileage: 135,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Mileage: 46,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE TURNED RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TRASH DUMPSTER. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S COLLISION CENTER WHO REPAIRED THE BODY DAMAGES AND WAS TO SEND A THIRD PARTY TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Mileage: 20,000
VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OR NO BRAKING POWER IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION. THIS WAS LIKELY CAUSE BY A DELAY SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKES.
Mileage: 9,000
I OWN A 2012 PRIUS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, INCLUDING RADAR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THESE SAME RADAR SENSORS ARE ALSO USED TO DETECT IMMINENT COLLISIONS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL MODE IS NOT ENGAGED. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 5 IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, MY PRIUS WENT INTO "IMMINENT COLLISION MODE" DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME -- NO VEHICLES, NO DEBRIS, NO OBSTRUCTIONS. BEFORE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, MY SEAT BELT WAS "TIGHTENED" AND THE BRAKES WERE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AT FULL FORCE, EVEN WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY JARRING AND DISTURBING, AND COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THERE WAS A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME AT THIS TIME. AFTER ABOUT TWO SECONDS OF FULL BRAKING, THE VEHICLE "DISENGAGED" COLLISION MODE AND ALLOWED ME PROCEED AND RETURN TO SPEED. I CALLED THE TOYOTA OF SEATTLE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND SUGGESTED THAT I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING. THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $100 FOR A BASIC DIAGNOSTIC, AND IF SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT COULD COST HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. BECAUSE I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND LOOKING FOR WORK, I DID NOT BRING MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE CENTER. I FEEL THIS IS TOYOTA'S OBLIGATION TO FIX, AND SHOULDN'T REQUIRE ME SPENDING MONEY OUT OF POCKET. I WOULD LIKE SOME KIND OF RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE AVOIDED USING THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SINCE THIS MOMENT, BUT THE FACT THAT IT OCCURRED WHILE NOT IN THIS MODE MAKES ME FEEL THAT THE CAR COULD "TAKE CONTROL" AT ANY MOMENT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
Mileage: 50,000
I WAS DRIVING ON I-45 AT 55 OR 60 MPH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT IS STILL THAT WAY, BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS OK. TOYOTACARE PLAN IS EXPIRED. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES? THANKS *TR
Mileage: 19,466
I WENT TO START MY PRIUS V. AFTER IT WAS STARTED, A NUMBER OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL. I WAS STUNNED SINCE I HAD MY 30000 MILE CHECK UP IN MAY WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT RODENTS HAD EATEN THROUGH A NUMBER OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF THE SOY BASED WIRING. (I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT IT'S "BIOGRADABLE SOY BASED WIRING INSULATION.) I GENERALLY PARK MY CAR AT ONLY TWO LOCATIONS - MY HOME AND MY WORK. I HAD NEVER SEEN ANY RODENTS OF ANY TYPE! I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF ONE OF THE WIRES TO THE ENGINE, OR AIRBAGS, OR ANY SYSTEM FOR THAT MATTER SEPARATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IS TRYING TO DOWNPLAY IT! I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. MY CAR REQUIRES TWO NEW WIRING HARNESSES, THE ALARM WIRING, AND THE AIRBAG HARNESS PLUS OTHER REPAIRS. *TR
Mileage: 33,200
I WAS DRIVING ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, AND INSTEAD WENT OVER THE CURB, VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND SIDE SWIPED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR, NARROWLY MISSING HIS GARAGE.THE CAR THEN SIDE SWIPED A TREE ON MY LEFT (ON PROPERTY BETWEEN MY AND NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY.) THE FRONT END OF THE CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE, SAVING ME FROM ROLLING ABOUT 900 FEET TO THE STREET BELOW. THE ENTIRE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKES NEVER ENGAGED (PEDAL WAS DOWN TO FLOOR) AND I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO STEER TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING. A WITNESS, STANDING ON THE STREET, CONFIRMED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR WAS SERVICED BY TOYOTA (WORLD CLASS INSPECTION) 15 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. INSPECTION REPORT INDICATED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND BRAKE LINING WERE "CHECKED AND OK." AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SITE WHERE THE OPERATOR DEMONSTRATED TO ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE NONEXISTENT AND THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS STILL APPROPRIATE. CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. *TR
Mileage: 25,070
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Mileage: 5,000
I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR DURING TRAFFIC HOUR WHEN I SAW THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD AT LEAST 4 CAR DISTANCE WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. NORMALLY, I CAN FEEL THE SEAT BELT TIGHTEN, CARS JERKING OR SHAKE DUE TO ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE HARD. BUT THIS TIME, I DID NOT FEEL THE CAR SLOW DOWN WHEN I STEPPED ON BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN, IT CONTINUE TO CRUISE A LITTLE BEFORE IT SLOW DOWN, BUT BY THEN, I HAVE ALREADY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, DURING MY LAST VISIT 3 WEEKS AGO, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR IS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR
Mileage: 19,648
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
I HAVE OWNED A TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 SINCE FEBRUARY 2012 AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IF DRIVING OVER A DEPRESSION IN THE ROAD (E.G. POT HOLE OR MAN HOLE COVER) WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. IT SEEMS THAT THE VEHICLES BRAKE SYSTEM RELEASES AND YOU HAVE TO REAPPLY THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER 2 TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICE VARIOUS OTHER COMPLAINS ON THIS WEBSITE AND WANTED TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE GOVERNMENT FORCING TOYOTA TO RECALL 2012 PRIUS MODELS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
Mileage: 1,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC STARTUP ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITH A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED BY A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,775. ..UPDATED 02-28-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. UPDATED 03/19/2014*JS
Mileage: 32,775
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900....UPDATED 11-01-13 *BF
Mileage: 4,600
WHILE TRAVELING IN A RAIN STORM AT 17MPH, I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO AN 18 WHEELER AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGHT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES NOT THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN, GO INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL. I DID CRASH INTO THE 18 WHEELER BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING AND I WANTED TO STOP.WHEN I CRASHED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVEN AFTER IMPACT THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO PUSH THE 18 WHEELER. EVENTUALLY THE CAR POWERED DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY PUSHING EVERY BUTTON POSSIBLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I PHONED YOUR HOTLINE BUT THE VIN NUMBER I GAVE HAD A NUMBER THAT WAS WRONG MY PRIOR CONFIRMATION NUMBER IS 10542285. TOYOTA IS AWARE AND I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK.
Mileage: 30,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE THEN RESUMED WITHOUT THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 12,000
I WAS EXITING THE PARK AND MY TOYOTA PRIUS' BRAKES FAILED, CAREENING ME ONTO A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE) ON A HILL, WHILE MY CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING. I HIT THE PARK BUTTON AND MY CAR SLOWED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL AGAIN AND TURN UP A HILL TO A STOP. WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. *TR
Mileage: 3,700
MY PRIUS V FIVE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2012. LOCATION OF THE CAR IS NW OF WA STATE WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MID 50S (AND BELOW) WITH HIGH LEVEL OF HUMIDITY. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER 2012, I'M EXPERIENCING A NOISE THAT WOULD BEST BE DESCRIBED AS AN "OWL HOOTING." MY PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AFTER THE CAR HAS PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME (EG. IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT). SOMETIMES, MERELY PARKING FOR 10 MINUTES ON THE SCHOOL'S PARKING LOT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE THE NOISE APPEAR AGAIN. THE "HOOTING" DEFINITELY "OSCILLATES" WITH THE ROTATION OF THE TIRE AND EMANATES FROM MY REAR RIGHT SIDE, BUT IS ESPECIALLY LOUD WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER DRIVING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS, BUT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO TURN HEADS. I'M ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM EVERY SINGLE MORNING SINCE OCTOBER 2012. THE SERVICE TECHS WERE ABLE TO CONFIRM THE NOISE, BUT COULDN'T REPAIR THE DEFECT. INSTEAD, AN OPEN CASE/TICKET WAS SUBMITTED TO TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTER. *TR
Mileage: 1,800
THE VEHICLE EMITS A REPETITIVE 'WOO......WOO.....' THAT VARIES WITH SPEED/WHEEL REVOLUTION (SOMETHING RUBBING DURING EACH REVOLUTION). TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO TELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GROAN IS COMING FROM THE REAR-PASSENGER SIDE. THE SOUND IS USUALLY PRESENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT OR AFTER PROLONGED PARKING AND LAST FOR 100-300 FEET OF DRIVING. I'VE EVEN HEARD IT AFTER FOUR HOURS OF BEING PARKED AT WORK. IT WILL TYPICALLY MAKE THIS SOUND FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER A RAIN EVENT. THE SOUND HAS OCCURRED IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON OR OFF PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL AND HAVE HEARD IT ALL THE WAY TO THE PRESENT. DURING A TIRE REPLACEMENT I MADE NOTE OF THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER, WHO ATTRIBUTED IT TO ROTOR OXIDATION. I RESPONDED THAT I'VE HEARD THE GRIND/GROAN OF RUST BEING WORN OFF THE ROTOR WHEN FIRST APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THIS IS NOT THAT SOUND. I WENT IN WITH A RECORDING ON MY PHONE AND THE TECHNICIAN AGREED IT WASN'T RUST. THEY REPAIRED THE TIRE AND TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE CONDITION WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEY DID TEAR DOWN THE BRAKE AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THE FACT THAT THIS ISSUE PERSISTS ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL IS INDICATIVE OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Mileage: 3,000
REPEATING SEVERAL-SECOND GROANING OR GRINDING NOISE HEARD FROM REAR WHEEL AREA UPON STARTUP MOTION. THE NOISE IS SEVERE AND SOUNDS LIKE LOW-PITCH METAL GRINDING. IT'S POTENTIALLY BRAKE RELATED BUT COULD BE SUSPENSION BUSHINGS OR OTHER COMPONENTS RUBBING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE TYPICAL BRAKE GLAZING. THE NOISE OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TYPICALLY AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. NOISE CONTINUES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT STOP AND START. NOISE IS LOUD ENOUGH TO STARTLE AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THE ABSOLUTE SEVERITY AND INDICATION OF THE SOUND IS ENOUGH TO QUESTION SAFE ONGOING FUNCTIONALITY OF BRAKING AND/OR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. MULTIPLE REPORTS ARE DOCUMENTED ONLINE AT PRIUSCHAT.COM. TOYOTA DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A FIX OR RESOLUTION AT TIME OF WRITING, 10/2012. THIS IS FOR 2012 PRIUS V MODEL FIVE. *TR
Mileage: 2,400
VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE, AND DURING MORNING COLD START, THE VEHICLE PRODUCES A MOANING/WOOING SOUND FOR APPROX. 50-75 YARDS WITH VEHICLE MOVING UNDER 25 MPH. THE SOUND IS BEING GENERATED FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS. SOUND GENERATED IS RELATED TO VEHICLE SPEED. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE MOVES, THE MORE FREQUENT THE SOUND BEING PRODUCED DURING THE FIRST 50-75 YARDS. STRANGE SOUND IS GONE AFTER THAT, AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL THE NEXT COOL/COLD START. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER TOOK OFF THE FRONT WHEEL TO INSPECT BRAKES, WHEELS, AND TIRES, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ABNORMAL SOUND IS ONLY PRODUCED DURING MORNING COLD STARTS AND WHEN VEHICLE IS LEFT TO COOL(I.E. PARKING LOT AT WORK). *TR
Mileage: 1,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPS TO THE FLOOR BOARD ABOUT A HALF INCH WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Mileage: 3,000
AS I WAS APPROACHING A TURN I BEGAN TO BRAKE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER AND MAKING SURE THAT I HAD PROPER FOOT PLACEMENT AND IT FELT LIKE THE CAR ACCELERATED AT THAT POINT. SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND ENDED UP CROSSING THE ROAD DIAGONALLY AND GOING UP ONTO THE CURB. ONCE THE CAR WAS OVER THE CURB AND IN THE GRASS THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *JS
Mileage: 1,800