Brake actuator fails. Subject to prior recalls, but they're continuing to be an issue. This vehicle, and thousands of others like it, the electric brake actuator/pump starts running constantly then fails entirely. When that happens, as has to mine, the vehicle has NO power brakes, which can and does cause the vehicle to crash. The replacement part is over a thousand dollars. Toyota has engineered a failure mode that creates massive continuing profits.

- Garden City, ID, USA

The error lights related to the ABS, VSC braking system can suddenly come on, the antilock brakes stop working, and breaking power is greatly diminished. This occurs without warning and when it does, the brakes do not work safely and it is more difficult to bring the car to a stop. I have taken the car in to repair shops who have confirmed the issue. This malfunction produces error code C1256 and multiple mechanics have confirmed it is related to a faulty ABS Actuator Assembly and recommend immediate replacement of the unit. This is a common and known issue with these cars. I have been quoted a range of $2,100+tax to $2950+tax to perform the repair using a brand new part from Toyota.

- South Pasadena, CA, USA

brake actuator assembly failed

- Lansdowne, PA, USA

Loud grinding noise coming from engine compartment accompanied by a loud shrill alert. When attempting to pull over to a safe place, I put my foot on the brake pedal, but immediately became distressed because it felt like I had no brakes at all. After applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal, the car did begin to slow down, albeit very slowly. I had 2 passengers in the car (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ) and I felt their lives were in jeopardy. Upon researching, I found that Toyota has known about this ABS problem for quite awhile (at one point, they even extended the warranty on the faulty parts). With the gravity of losing the ability to brake while driving, reasonable people would conclude that a recall is in order. It does not matter if it is voluntary by Toyota or mandatory by the appropriate government entities. I, literally, feared for my life and the lives of my passengers. I am grateful it didn't happen while traveling at highway speeds because the outcome could have been much much worse. I sincerely hope that my government who is in charge of protecting it's citizens against known automobile dangers, will take the necessary steps to initiate a recall for all Toyota vehicles that have this serious ABS problem. My fear is that those decisions are made by algorithms and actuarial data rather than by reasonable common sense. I certainly hope there isn't an arbitrary number of deaths before a recall is made. What if one of your family died as a result of purposeful inaction. The diagnostic codes for my Toyota are C1256 and C1391. These both point to serious problems with the ABS system ( actuator, accumulater etc.). Please consider investigating this common and life threatening problem. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- New Carlisle , OH, USA

Brake actuator failing just like everybody else

- Houston, TX, USA

I have a 2008 Toyota Prius (172k miles). From the sounds coming from the ABS Brake actuator and soft breaks, it is clear from my research online that I will soon have a failing ABS brake actuator. I have the code C1256 thrown which is ABS "Accumulator Low Pressure" Read more: [XXX] I do not feel safe driving it as it is clear one day the brakes will suddenly go out on it. This needs repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

Brake failure while driving. No warnings prior to failure. ABS Module 4450047141

- Redmond, WA, USA

Brake ABS and front brakes have completely failed because a software error where the and cannot be calibrated and terminates during calibration. The car only has rear brakes which frequently lock of and cause a safety issue. Front brakes completely disabled due to a software calibration issue

- Aurora, CO, USA

My abs actuator has failed at 104k miles

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

The ABS Actuator failed. It can be inspected. This is dangerous as this has the possibility of causing a brake failure. A retired mechanic plugged in his scan tool and determined that the ABS actuator is leaking. In addition, I can tell audibly that this is the case because the car's pump is starting up every 10-15 seconds trying to fill the air reservoir but is unable to due to the leak. Neither the vehicle nor the component has been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. The brake and ABS lights are lit up on the dashboard. The car's pump is starting up every 10-15 seconds trying to fill the air reservoir but is unable to due to the leak.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Brake Actuator Failure

- Milpitas , CA, USA

The electronic brake actuator failed while driving causing the loss of brakes. Didn't cause accident but still very dangerous situation. Mechanic pulled odb code c1256 from vehicle and says not to drive until it is repaired.

- West Union, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the brakes failed when pressed causing the vehicle to crash into the rear end of a second vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy and the rear driver-side seat belt had sprung outward, although no rear seat passenger was present. The second vehicle's rear driver's side passenger was later treated for an undisclosed injury. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.

- Newberry, SC, USA

I was shocked to find out that Toyota appears to be falsifying data in order to get out of paying to repair safety problems with their cars. Hiding safety issues may have already led to injuries and death. We bought a 2008 Toyota Prius in 2014. The title with Virginia DMV is dated 08/01/14. On November 4, 2023, after several indicator lights showed up, I found out from my garage that the car's anti-lock braking system was defective and not working. However, according to the garage manager, Toyota had acknowledged a defect with their anti-lock braking system. There had been a recall some years ago for this part on the 2008 Prius, but it was no longer in effect. On November 6, 2023, Brittany at Toyota told me the same thing. Toyota acknowledged in 2016 that there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system with this model of car, and that it would be replaced for free by Toyota. This was a "customer support program" rather than a recall. However, according to Brittany, the notice of this "customer support program" was not mailed to us. It was mailed to the previous owner, who owned it before 2014. We never received it. Of course, the dates do not work. We bought the car in 2014, and the notice went out in 2016. There was no reason to send the notice to someone who didn't own the car. Brittany, pretty innocently, had revealed that Toyota is falsifying records. She said that Toyota is using state DMV records to find car owners and send notices of faulty and dangerous parts. However, this is obviously not true. Virginia DMV issued our title to the car on 08/01/14, well before the recall. The only way I can see this happening is if Toyota is falsifying records so that they have to pay to fix far fewer cars. This practice could easily lead to injury and death. There would appear to be a notification mailing, with a postage bill to prove it, but it could have been at least partly fabricated by using past owners instead of current owners. If Toyota had not falsi

- Springfield, VA, USA

Yes it is available for inspection upon request. My brakes failed going down the road due to a flaw in brake actuator design that had a previous recall. My safety was put at risk as the brakes failed while I was traveling down the road. The problem has not gone away and can be easily reproduced. There are various warning lamps and the car is unable to be driven. Requests for Toyota to repair the vehicle have been fruitless. This is a KNOWN issue on this year and model.

- Stokesdale, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the messages for the parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, and VSC illuminated while driving. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake actuator and brake pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of the Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure however, the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 129,674.

- Nashville, TN, USA

Brake actuator is going bad, they had a recall on it and are refusing to fix it. Brakes are a lot harder to press.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

The inverter water pump failed while I was driving 50mph, it caused the car to stop working and the brakes malfunctioned as well. When I tried to hit the brakes I had to hit them a lot harder and it still acted like it wasn-??t going to stop. I was lucky enough that the light up ahead was still green and the cars in front of me started going forward.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

Vehicle braking system faulting because of lack of pressure from failing ABS accumulator. Given the price of the vehicle on the used market, parts and labor drive the cost of repair to a significant portion of the vehicle's value.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Abs system began a high pitch tone every time the brake pedal was pressed. Brakes did not function consistently, stopping either jarringly or not at all at a specific pressure. Brake pedal has high resistance. Toyota system diagnosed ABS codes C1252, C1256, and C1391: indicative of a faulty/broken brake actuator.

- Beebe, AR, USA