4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,000 miles

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problem #1

Mar 022007

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
March 2, 2007 5:01 pm on September 7, 2006 it rained and my car had been in the parking lot all morning during the rain. I drove it from work to a bus stop with clients in the back seat. When I depressed the brakes, the car slowed and at approximately 15 mph, the brakes grabbed and all occupants were jolted forward. I have never experienced this before. This has happened repeatedly when the brakes are wet from rain. After discussing with Toyota I explained the problem to the Toyota team leader at my dealer. Before test driving the car, he said he would take it inside and pull the tires and inspect the brakes. I was then advised by service manager that the rear brakes (drum) were filled with brake dust. I find it inconsistent that the large accumulation of brake dust did not exist about 8,000 miles ago when the grabbing condition first presented after I had driven without the problem for about 21,000 miles. (car now has about 30,000 miles.) I find it very strange that the "large accumulation of brake dust" was not found when the brakes were inspected by morristown Toyota on 2/16/07 when the warranty work was done and the brake issue was presented. After leaving morristown Toyota I phoned my mechanic. He said that there was no buildup of dust at any time the brakes were pulled. I watched him perform both services in September and 500 miles ago (I have the next change sticker in my car set for 5,000 miles and only 500 miles have elapsed since the last change). I change the oil every time the computer indicates that the car is due for service and, since September, it was during those oil changes that the mechanic would pull the wheels, check the brakes, clean the brakes (in September) and rotate the tires. I believe the brakes are defective and dangerous. It has nothing to do with the rear drums suddenly being filled with brake dust (which, based on the fact that the brakes were checked on February 16th by morristown Toyota, was generated in 2 weeks).

- Livingston, NJ, USA