10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 44 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 20 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 67,230 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
Brakes and vdc system constantly engage during U-turns, tight turning circles, causing the car to brake unexpectedly. While not accident has happened, it has caused a few near misses as my window to turn shrinks because the car is braking.
- Ogden, UT, USA
While driving on the highway the ABS warning light, brake light and traction light all came on at once, took to local Toyota specialist, diagnosed the code as C1391, an abnormal leak in break booster accumulator. Mechanic informed me that this issue was previously under safety recall and my vehicle had the proper repairs done, clearly this is an ongoing safety issue with this vehicle that is not being properly addressed by Toyota. It is also an extremely expensive repair which Toyota needs to be financially responsible for.
- Bushnell, FL, USA
Brakes failed while driving car (in motion) which almost caused an accident. The red warning "brake" light, yellow "ABS" and yellow traction control light all illuminated. This apparently is a known issue for the Toyota Prius and I have contacted them concerning the issue but they will not pay to fix the problem. My car cannot be driven at this point. This issue is a serious hazard and could easily result in an accident. They need to issue a recall.
- Solana Beach, CA, USA
Code C-1391 leak in brake accumulator.these should be a recall with Toyota putting a bad brake accumulator in Prius model.I notice it was a secondary recall with this part.Toyota know this is a safety problem when this happen the car goes to manual breaking and you can lose control of the car.please look into this problem.
- Killeen, TX, USA
Warning lights for ABS, brake and symbol indicating traction control is operating all lit simultaneously with a corresponding change in brake pedal feel. Toyota dealer diagnosed brake booster failure and initially quoted $1,915 to repair then called back to revise this to $2,915. There have been recalls on this part just not covering my VIN.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
On Friday, May 15 2020 I turned on my car and saw ABS, brake and vehicle traction lights illuminated. The brake peddle also felt odd. Within 30 minutes I took it to my local Toyota dealer. The service writer had a clear idea of what was happening as she said this has been happening a lot to Prius models. Sure enough the diagnostic code C1391. I was told I needed to replace the brake booster/pump assembly which would cost me $3,000! upon research, my car was covered under a tsb till November 30, 2019, but only if they failed. There was no recall issued by tms to pro-actively fix a known brake deficiency. My car has 159,000 miles, I have never had anyone service my vehicle besides Toyota dealerships (except tires). I called tms to corporate to see if I could be offered assistance, but was flat out denied (I can provide that case number if needed).I find it odd that Toyota began phase2 on 2011-2015 for same issue that lasts till April 2021. It is unsettling that if Toyota knows about the brake booster and pump problems, why they don't have a recall, but rather a wait and see if it fails under their 'secondary/enhanced warranty'. upset that if this happened 5 months ago, this would have fallen under their guideline to repair.
- Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Toyota usa failed to honor repair defect within the brake booster pump assembly. When this defect occurs, various warning lamps on the instrument panel made illuminate, I experience increased stopping distance, reduced hydraulic pressure within your brake system, the deactivation of brake assist, & the deactivation of vehicle stability control.Toyota previously issued at least 2 safety recalls. Designed to prevent similar dangerous occurrences. However, hundreds of thousands of Prius models 2010-2015 were excluded from those safety recalls including my 2010 model. As of today Toyota usa filed case number 2005052305. Safety recall in torrance California dated June 4, 2013 stated Toyota sales usa was conducting a voluntary safety recall involving over 87,000 model 2010 Toyota Prius however I called Toyota today and the insisted my vehicle was excluded even though in barely has 100,000 miles we just began to experience these brake symptoms. Customer rep insisted it was Toyota voluntary recall not enforced so my vehicle did not even qualified for a customer support service. Please help us have Toyota fix this safety issue asap before someone has a mayor accident. Warning lights for ABS, stability control, and warning lights all came on at once. Brakes became spongy when pressed. Was able to still brake but with much more effort and not confident in the braking. I had it towed to a local mechanic and the diagnostic error code registered "C1391". per mechanic this is for ABS accumulator, or booster pump failure or leak per mechanic. This happened out of the blue, no warnings. Per Toyota the part required are cylinder assembly brake and brake pump assembly. Cost to repair these parts per Toyota would be estimated at $2700.. attached video of actuator's loud noise it produces & dashboard showing ABS failed& brakes lights/also failed attempt to solve this with Toyota usa.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
The Prius have been great and have been serviced with oil changes, spark plugs etc. It runs like a champ with 159K miles, but all of a sudden one day, the traction control, ABS, and brake lights all came on at once. The brake pressure feels softer and that whirring noise is heard every few seconds. Dealership said it was the brake actuator and would cost 3K to fix. Apparently there was an extended warranty for it but it ended in November 2019. Attempted to call Toyota, but no help.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Defect within the brake booster pump assembly. If this defect occurs, various warning lamps on the instrument panel made illuminate, I experience increased stopping distance, reduced hydraulic pressure within your brake system, the deactivation of brake assist, and/or the deactivation of vehicle stability control. Toyota has previously issued at least two safety recalls ' D0H and K0L ' designed to prevent similar dangerous occurrences. However, hundreds of thousands of generation III Prius vehicles (2010-2015 model years) were excluded from those safety recalls.
- Huntsville, AL, USA
ABS break parking light come
- Walker, LA, USA
While driving, we made a left turn on a city street, warning lights for ABS, stability control, and warning lights all came on at once. Brakes became spongy when pressed. Was able to still brake but with much more effort and not confident in the braking. I had it towed to a local mechanic and the diagnostic error code registered "C1391". per mechanic this is for ABS acculator, or booster pump failure or leak per mechanic. This happened out of the blue, no warnings. Luckily while driving we were driving in town and at a speed of only about 15-25 mph and we were not on the free way or at high speed. Per Toyota the part required are cylinder assembly brake and brake pump assembly. Cost to repair these parts per Toyota would be estimated at $2700. Local dealership wouldn't do anything until it registered the code again. The dealership service advisor, said until the code is triggered again they wouldn't do anything. Also after the code was reset the brakes worked normal again. This in my opinion is a safety issue!
- Modesto, CA, USA
I was driving at a speed around 60 mph and had to break suddenly and the car did not break right away and took more than normal to slow down. I just had the inspection a month ago and I was said I had plenty of breaks left.
- Frisco, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the brakes warning light, ABS warning light and several other warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Toyota of santa barbara located at 5611 hollister ave, goleta, ca 93117, (833) 779-4500) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake booster assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
- Santa Barbara, CA, USA
ABS system fails, rear passenger seat belt issue, headlight bulbs burned too much
- Lorton, VA, USA
When I was driving on West paces road in atlanta, I tried to brake and the barakes did not work. Therefore I went directly into the back of the car in front of me. I must precise that the brakes pad were new, the brake liquid was ok. I was driving at 30 miles an hour.
- Marietta, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while traveling 20 mph, the anti-lock brake system, stability control and brake warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle brake ability began to delay. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, they determined that the brake booster had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
- Springfield, MO, USA
Brakes fail when applied steadily while moving on a wet or bumpy surface causing the car to continue forward unless the peddle is pressed again firmly. This happens on the city streets while moving in a straight line. This appears to be due to the known ABS problem in the 2010 Prius and was supposed to have been corrected byway of a software patch, which I am told by chuck patterson chico Toyota has already been done and no further ehlp could be expected from Toyota.
- Chico, CA, USA
Noticed brakes pulsing at very slow speeds. Looked up symptoms online and determined it was from brake booster leak issue. Took to dealership but because no codes showed up on diagnostic machine, was told nothing wrong. (that was at 147,000 miles.) fast forward 6 months and warning lights came on while driving and braking became very spongy. Took back to dealership and needs brake booster pump and brake cylinder assembly replaced. Now has 155,000 miles and is 5000 miles past warranty. Long story short is that I was able to determine an issue long before their computer could detect anything. But because I'm now past warranty, I have to pay $2600 for repair.
- Savannah, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard extending the braking distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a defective ABS control unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V039000 (service brakes, air). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
- Ballwin, MO, USA
- Redondo Beach, CA, USA