10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,989 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Toyota Prius:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #54

Apr 242024

Prius

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact depressed the brake pedal however, the brakes did not function as needed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that the failure was like an unknown recall; however, the recall notification had expired. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #53

Jan 052024

Prius

  • miles
Losing all breaking from abs dealership says $3000 to replace abs brake actuator module. I have been hearing from other second generation owners this is a common problem and it vecomes unsafe when you lose brake functioning in traffic additionally it was an extended warranty twice with no milage limitations but wondering why itvwasntvrecalled. Now I fear driving because u safe yet I am unable to afford to make the repair because I am unable to worker as delivery driver is my employment to generate income needed for repair.

- Gibsonville, NC, USA

problem #52

Jan 262024

Prius

  • miles
ABs Light came on high pitched sound and brakes suddenly stopped working while driving making very unsafe driving conditions. i recently purchased this car as my second, 2nd generation prius but the abs recall was evidently not performed when it was recalled and extended. this puts me upside down in a loan because i have found the repairs will be $1000-$2000 and now I can not afford to drive it. the car is at my home and available for inspection upon request. i felt very unsafe last night and the abs light recently came on and was intermittently making the high pitch sound which was continuous last evening when i was driving when the brakes stopped functioning

- Gibsonville, NC, USA

problem #51

Aug 142023

Prius

  • miles
The hybrid water pump failed/ aka the inverter coolant pump. This was recalled years ago and has failed again. The previous owner of my car replaced it in 2013, so Toyota is refusing to replace it again, despite the fact that the part is faulty and has compromised the safety of my vehicle. This issue was diagnosed by a mechanic yesterday, error code P0A93. The master warning light, check engine light, brake light came on. The AC stopped working. The brakes nearly gave out on me driving on a bridge in New York City. This part was recalled. Toyota refuses to honor the recall a second time. They clearly did not properly engineer this part! It failed again! They should be responsible for fixing this issue.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #50

May 012023

Prius

  • miles
All dashboard lights up. The brake fluid is full and the pads are in proper shape. When braking the car slips a few feets and I was about to make accedents several times with my school children.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #49

Jan 042023

Prius

  • miles
Unknown

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #48

Sep 262022

Prius

  • miles
The brake actuator is failing. This has been causing not only lower mpg, but uneven braking and sometime failed braking for the past several months. I have contacted Toyota and they said that the voluntary recall expired. I explained to them that the car was serviced at Toyota and was never given notice and that this is a danger to myself and my children. There are not only of hundred of documented incidents regarding the brake actuator failing, but there is also a new class action lawsuit against Toyota for the same issue with the newer generation Priuses.

- Arvin, CA, USA

problem #47

Apr 132022

Prius

  • miles
Brakes or not working fully brake peddle is hard to press 2009 toyota prius YouTube says it is the brake actuator

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #46

Oct 092020

Prius

  • miles
I was exiting the highway and had no brakes, the pedal felt hard but wouldn-??t slow the vehicle at all. In a panic I attempted to pump the brakes and by the grace of God was able to finally stop before plunging into something. The lights came on on the dash with a triangle and exclamation mark and a horrible continuous beeping noise started. I looked up the problem and found out this is a known problem with the Prius and there was even an extended warranty that ended in 2017 for the cause of the problem which is the brake actuator. Toyota quotes the repair at 2500-3000. So if it goes out after 2017 the cost is on you. This repair is necessary due to the huge safety concern!! Lives at risk because Toyota refuses to accept responsibility.

- Trumann, AR, USA

problem #45

Jun 012021

Prius

  • miles
The brake actuator is failing in my 2009 Prius Touring. This is confirmed by the dealership. Brakes work intermittently when reversing and are slowly becoming non-responsive during normal driving. This creates an unsafe situation for me and my son as drivers, as well as others on the road. The brake light and ABS light is on in the car. Toyota needs to cover this repair regardless of the year of the vehicle. Service code given by the dealership is C1391.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #44

Aug 062021

Prius

  • miles
I went to park in a parallel space when all of a sudden my ABS, (!), VSC light come on with the loss of brake power and a loud beeping noise. With this sudden loss of brakes in the middle of driving, I could have harmed myself and others in any cars around me because I also lost steering capability. This is a problem that there was an extended warranty for, but there should be a recall. My car is a 2009 and was only covered before the pandemic and now it is 2021 and I have no recourse, but to try and fork over $3500 for which I don't have. I am a second owner and this is a very common problem amongst Prius owners. I didn't have any other symptoms that I could point out prior to this situation. I have had my hybrid battery, engine, ecu and most recently a stolen catalytic converter replaced. This ABS actuator problem needs to be addressed for another 5 years with a free repair. I would hate to have hit some other car and had my car smash into a wall, another car, pedestrian, pole or any other object based on it's ability not to stop.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #43

Mar 162021

Prius

  • 112,000 miles
I purchased a 2009 Toyota Prius with 109,000 miles, I have only been driving it two months and the brake actuator is going bad! Toyota had a recall and provided a free of charge fix but only up until 2017 I believe. They should pay for any faulty actuators under 150,000 miles on the vehicle because that is the mileage they warranty their hybrid batteries for. Driving my vehicle I could stop and almost got into an accident because of this failing system! I could have been killed. I was driving in the city and lost all power in my brakes.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #42

May 192020

Prius

  • 93,836 miles
My 2009 Prius with 96425 miles as of 10/29/20 has the common problem known as failure of the brake actuator assembly. I have the brake, ABS, and vsc warning lights indicating failure of the brake actuator assembly. My mileage is reduced by 25%, and the brake rotors are very hot after driving the vehicle. Toyota issued a ZG1 warranty enhancement program to cover the cost for replacement of faulty brake actuator assemblies, but my vehicle is beyond the limits of the ZG1 program. Since this is a known problem, it is my opinion that Toyota is responsible to correct the situation. Toyota will not assist me in resolving this dangerous situation, and this is why I am bringing this matter to your attention. It is an expensive repair, this is a known problem with the brake actuator assembly, and potentially could result in serious (even fatal) situations.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #41

Jul 232020

Prius

  • 208,068 miles
I was driving when the ABS, brake system, and parking brake light turned on. The brakes became very mushy, I was trying to stop, and I could hear the brake actuator motor buzzing and making a groaning noise.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #40

Feb 072020

Prius

  • 177,000 miles
Upon starting the vehicle it makes a high-pitched beep, followed by a buzzing sound that repeats every five to eight seconds. The dashboard displays the tps, ABS, vsc, and brake lights. When putting the vehicle in drive, the high-pitch sound returns for one to two minutes. During that time the brake pedal becomes impossible to depress. If the engaged, the vehicle does not stop until the brake pressure returns. Once the sound stops, the brake pressure returns to normal. Diagnosis from Toyota shows: Code C1256 = accumulator low pressure. Code C1391 abnormal leak of accumulator pressure. Estimate for repairs = $2,811.72. At present the vehicle is unsafe to operate as Toyota advised, in the vehicle's current condition the brake system could fail at any time.

- Acton, CA, USA

problem #39

Dec 202019

Prius

  • 130,000 miles
Brake actuator malfunctioned and caused me to hit a parked car in my driveway (backing up). Even though I have less than 130K miles on my vehicle, it is a year after the extended warranty I am responsible for paying the $3K repair. The negligence by Toyota in handling this recall is terrible and life threatening. There should be a class action suit against Toyota for the hundreds of injuries and damages by their negligence.

- Manorville, NY, USA

problem #38

Dec 282019

Prius

  • 133,000 miles
My car's brake actuator failed while I was on highway. Gladly nothing dangerous happened but I am concerned others will face the similar situation with worst scenario. Toyota told me the warranty expired and quoted me $2600. Please ask Toyota to extend the warranty.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #37

Apr 011999

Prius

  • 10 miles
Brake warning light went on the dash. Brought the car in and dealership said it was a bad brake actuator. Said it would cost almost $3000 to repair and said that there was a extended warranty on the part that expired. If nothing screams of a recall as a problem with brakes, I don' know what would.

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #36

Nov 262019

Prius

  • 189,000 miles
Failing brake actuator assembly that Toyota knew was defective. They extended warranty through 2017, but the issue happens around 200,000 miles. Now that the extended warranty has expired Toyota is charging $2300 to replace this known and defective part.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #35

Nov 252019

Prius

  • miles
Brake pressure loss and constant noise from the brake actuator, read codes C1256 and C1391

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »