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
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
ABS system completely failed while driving, no accident occurred but definitely could have. Vehicle was taken to dealer and I was told there was a recall for the ABS system on the vehicle but they declined fixing it free of charge due to mileage, and they gave me a quote of $3000 to fix a problem that they have not taken responsibility for a know about. To my understanding a recall is a recall regardless to mileage and I also asked the dealer about the problem 1 year ago and was told it was no problem.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. Each time the vehicle was driven, it shook, stalled, and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact had to depress the brake pedal with excessive pressure for the brake lights to illuminate. Also, the horn failed to function. The vehicle was taken to South bay Toyota (located at 18416 S western ave, gardena, ca 90248, (310) 323-7800), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was later taken to autonation Toyota cerritos (located at 18700 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703, (562) 802-4000), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the repair fees. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While the brakes were engaged and the vehicle was stationary, a loud abnormal noise was heard from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to germain Toyota of naples (13315 tamiami trail N, naples, fl 34110, (888) 722-4942) where the contact was informed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced and the linear off set value needed to be re-learned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,399.
- Naples, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 13V235000 (service brakes). The vehicle was taken to Toyota of poway (13631 poway rd, poway, ca 92064, 858-486-2900) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they would send her a claim number. The failure mileage was approximately 137,450.
- San Diego, CA, USA
When braking while car is going over a pothole, car will briefly accelerate forward before stopping.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Sometimes after starting the car, brakes will only response to hard braking. Cannot brake to slow down gradually. Brakes will not respond at all when lightly pressing down on brake pedal. Only after driving about 1 mile will normal braking functionality return. This has been an issue ever since I first bought my car new.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Prius anti lock system
- Los Angels, CA, USA
Intermittently, several warning lights come on at once while driving: Traction control, brake, and ABS lights. While on, braking is lessened, brakes feel spongy, and the battery generation indicator shows no energy being produced. I found several similar complaints online. For me, the problem has comes and goes, affecting about 50 percent of my driving time.
- Holyoke, MA, USA
I am entering this complaint based on reading dozens of accounts that resemble my issue exactly. Ten minutes into a forty minute drive three lights suddenly came on, the brake, ABS and traction control lights. The brakes immediately became soft, requiring 50-60% more effort to stop the car and drastically reduced stopping time. This occurred on a dark county road, after a light snowfall and temperatures in the mid-20's. I quickly pulled into a church parking lot to check the brake fluid level and for any broken brake lines. I also shut off the car hoping to clear the error, which it did not. Fluid levels looked normal and I decided to proceed the remaining 25 miles of my drive after ensuring that I could stop as needed. After 20 minutes of driving 45-55mph the lights turned off and braking power was instantly restored to 100%. I have not taken my car into the dealer yet, but plan on notifying them.
- La Crosse, WI, USA
I had not any problem with breaks at all....once after taking a left turn.......check pcs sytem with other lights like warning, slippary, ABS, front breaks, came on. Emergency lights keep flashing even if you shut the car off. I took off the fuse 16 for turn signals...everything came normal....only that I dont have turn signals. As soon as I put the turn signal fuse back...emergency lights started flashing and check pcs system with all other lights came on. Dealer diagnosed the car for $ 150.00.....no clue....said they will charge me extra $550 to find problem.....on the second day evening they said I need to replace ABS actuator will cost me $ 4500.00
- Hamilton, On, Canada, NY, USA
I was exiting exit 3 of interstate 91 in new haven ct and was trying slow down and stop but when I applied the brakes there was no response. I pumped the pedal several times but the brakes still failed. I steered the car to the left to avoid directly colliding with the vehicle in front of me and wound up scraping it and crashing into into a barrier. I have since learned that this has been an ongoing problem with the 2010 Prius and am outraged that the company has been willing to gamble with my safety and that of other Prius owners. I do not have the ability to scan documents but the claim number is allstate 0523873875 and the ct state police incident report is 1800537795.
- Tolland, CT, USA
My car is making a weird noise coming from the firewall. My traction control lights are on, brake, and a couple other. It turns off and then will turn back on.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
- San Leandro, CA, USA