10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 42 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 19 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 70,306 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My 2010 Toyota Prius slides while breaking when I drive over a bump or a whole the car slides while in motion on city streets or highways. These occurrences happen while driving straight or turning. This occurs all the time when the roads are dry and it is worst when it is wet outside, ice, rain sleet or snow.
- Michigan City, IN, USA
Brake/ABS and stability system failure. Possible actuator or accumulator. Touota knows there is a fault and hides behind a software update. System fails and causes unreliable braking with increased force to apply the brakes. Brakes apply so hard at times the rear passengers heads hit the rear seat.
- Hephzibah, GA, USA
I was making a left turn, creeping into a parking space, in a residential area. When I pressed the brake pedal to stop the car, the car accelerated instead. I then slammed on the brakes and the car accelerated again, causing me to go over the curb, over the sidewalk and knock down a fence and shed. I turned the vehicle off, some kind bystanders took the debris off the car so that I could get out. I then called police and the property owner, as well as my insurance company. I am honestly scared to drive the car again, as I do not want this unintended acceleration to happen again. I will be notifying Toyota, and the repair shop working on my car has already been informed.
- Silver Spring, MD, USA
Brake failure and car went up curb, knocked down stair rail, hit tree and turned over on side
- Cockeysville, MD, USA
Brakes went completely out and emergency noise was beeping loudly in car. Talk to mechanic and he said brake actuator is bad and there was a recall but Toyota won't acknowledge and repair
- Houston, TX, USA
Even though the break pads are new, the breaks are not working at all when vehicle is in motion. They do not feel tight. The vehicle looses stability in curves at a low speed ( slips) and keeps moving even when breaks are pushed to the end. All the break lights are on. There are several recalls regarding the breaks of this vehicle year 2010 and none applies to the vehicle VIN number. It it not reliable at all in the highway. In order to brake the speed must be very slow and the distance must be way more than normal
- Parkville, MO, USA
Even though the breaks seem fine, the electric break system does work at all. All lights are on and the breaks pedals feels loose. When I push the breaks the vehicle keeps going. The ABS warning light is on as well as all the other lights regarding to breaks and stability mechanisms.
- Parkville, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to operate. The vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was driven from the crash site to the residence. Sunnyside Toyota located at 27000 lorain rd, North olmsted, oh 44070, (440) 777-9911, was contacted and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
- Oberlin, OH, USA
All brake, ABS, and traction control lights came on. Checked ABS code and received C1391. Mechanic can here the actuator continuously running and believe the pump/actuator is bad. I have seen this recalled on 2010 made between March 2009, and October 2009. My manufacture date is Sept 2010. Vehicle was in motion when the lights came on. The car became hard to stop and regenerative braking is no longer working.
- Apex, NC, USA
Loud screeching noise and vibration at brake pedal. ABS brake and traction lights all lit up along with beeping. Has happened sporadically over last 2 years. Have owens car 5 yes. Approx 120,000 miles. When the brake noise and all lights appear on dash very low braking ability. Happens when driving or staring car. On 6/6 lights and braking failed and do not turn off. Took to service at Toyota dealer & tech says $3000 plus for repairs. Possible leak in ABS pump??
- Fort Scott, KS, USA
Without warning, total failure of power assist to brakes. Numerous dash warning lights and loud buzzer sounds. Requires extreme brake pedal force to stop the car. Extremely unnerving and dangerous situation.
- San Pablo, CA, USA
Started car one morning, immediately noticed the 'ABS', 'brake', and 'traction control' warning lights were on simultaneously. Took the car for a drive around the corner, and immediately noticed brakes were very soft and unresponsive. Pedal literally sinks to the floor while air can be heard leaking from the system/pedal.. also noticed the brakes no longer recharge the system, and they also feel jerky at times. I checked the brake fluid reservoir, and noticed fluid was halfway between max and low. Perhaps a leak somewhere in the system? I contacted my local Toyota dealer and will have them take a look at it on 05/10/2019 according to some research I conducted, this is a known issue in the 2010/2011 models. Supposedly, over time, vibrations can actually crack the line(s) feeding into the brake master cylinder, and thus resulting in this fault. Toyota should definitely be more communicative about these issues. I have owned this car for 4 years, and have never heard of this before. Currently not driving the car at the moment, as I do not feel safe
- San Leandro, CA, USA
The ABS/brake light/ slip inidicator warning triangle on & off. My 2010 Toyota Prius II has 153K mile. This has gone on/off for a few weeks now. The brake seems to loose the hydraulic power brake. I feel like the brakes have failed a few times while driving at higher speeds. I have to pump brake and vehicle begins to brake on 2nd pump. I've had to triple my stopping distance as to not rear anyone. I went to autoshop, they said it's the brake actuator/sensors that need to be replaced and it's expensive $2-3K. They said it need to be fix soon because brake might fail at any time. I called camelback Toyota, phoenix, AZ, ed in service dept said there is no safety recall for this even though they know it has been a common problem with priuses. I checked vehicle repair history looks like ABS programming was flashed back in 2/11/2010, when vehicle was still on the manufacturer, 3 miles. I have not fixed yet. Please research this issue further for safety reasons. I do not want to kill anyone when brakes will eventually fail.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
My brakes has always had a weak feel and it would lose stopping power when braking on a bumpy road. Its almost like, the brakes releases when you hit a bump. There are currently two recalls for the 2010 Prius but for some reason, my VIN number is not included in it. Is there any way we can get the dealer to perform the recall? its just a software computer update, but I have a feeling they will not do it since my VIN is not included in the recall. Even though I experience the symptoms of the 2 brake recalls for the 2010 Prius. Thank you.
- Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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 2010 Toyota Prius and a 2012 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.
- Farmington, CT, USA
The car was moving when the traction light, ABS light and brake lights all came on. Thhe brakes felt a little different then. I could still brake but they were more stiff.
- St. Croix Falls, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the brakes made an abnormal noise and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed. Also, various warning indicators and gauges remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had to apply force to the brake pedal due to the failure. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 13V235000 (service brakes), although the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the recall campaign. Toyota of hollywood (6000 hollywood blvd, los angeles, ca 90028, (323) 498-2260) was notified and diagnosed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and excluded the vehicle from the brake system recall. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
ABS failed. Warning lights do not appear. Heard others have similar issue. Toyota will fix the ABS only if the warning lights appear. Warning lights appear only when car is not on completely. Brakes went out with no warning at all. Brakes went out with no warning while driving. Light bulb leaks moisture has since purchase. Light bulbs blow frequently.
- High Springs, FL, USA
Upon braking (exacerbated by wet or slippery conditions and hard braking) the ABS system does not behave as expected. Instead of pulsating to modulate the amount of braking force and slowing down the vehicle the brakes will completely stop engaging while the car travels a moderate distance (e.g. 10 feet) before the brakes kick in again.
- Loomis, CA, USA
- Vancouver, WA, USA