10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 44 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 20 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 66,754 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
While driving around 70mph I had to hit the brakes hard but short. About 5 seconds later a bunch of warning lights came on and the vehicle became very difficult to stop. Pretty much had to stand on the brakes to slow down and then the brakes would lock up so I would get off the brakes and start the slowing/stopping process over again. This is the same failure mode (ABS accumulator nitrogen gas leaked into brake hydraulic fluid when accumulator cracked) as other cars (Prius and Lexus hybrids) that Toyota did recall but my car is outside of the current recall scope. If this was not in southern California's dry road a major incident could have taken place, especially with the grabbing/ locking up of the brakes.
- Hemet, CA, USA
Brake pedal loses pressure while braking over bumps in road. Pressure returns after bumps are passed. Recall issued and software fix provided by dealer in March 2010. Software fix didn't help. Similar condition has persisted since then. Bought vehicle new. Mileage and date when first noticed condition are estimates. After software fix, noticed condition again immediately.
- Champaign, IL, USA
This has happened several times over the past two years. As I brake at low speeds, the car surges ahead as though your foot is on the accelerator. Sometimes it was so subtle, you wondered if it really happened. Today (11/23/14) there was absolutely no mistaking it. The car surged forward a couple of feet as I was slowing to turn left. If someone had been stopped in front of me, I would have hit them from behind.
- Essex Junction, VT, USA
While applying the brakes to stop at an intersection one of the front tires was over a manhole cover and the car skidded over it like I was braking on a patch of ice. As soon as I was past the cover the brakes engaged and stopped the car. I noticed this occurring every time I would brake on an uneven surface where there was space between one of the front tires and pavement. I had bought the same make, model and year vehicle for my son 11 months later and noticed the same problem while test driving it. When I questioned the salesman about it I was told that it was the way the ABS works and that it was normal. On 11/20/2014 while checking the airbag recall list I noticed a recall for the same problem that I was having, recall announced 2/9/2010, NHTSA ref # 10V03900 so I called Toyota customer service 1-800-331-4331 and was told that neither cars' VIN# showed in the recall so it could not be happening and I would not be covered under the recall. They referred me to a Toyota dealer who told me that the fix which was (reprogramming of ABS control unit module) would not covered in the extended warranties of either cars. I should not be financially responsible for the diagnostics and repairs of a known safety problem which had a recall. I understand that it is not the dealers' fault and they shouldn't be held financially responsible either.
- Meriden, CT, USA
This is related to report receipt date: Feb 09, 2010 (I bought the car used in may, 2013). NHTSA campaign number: 10V039000 component(s): Service brakes, air - this happens all the time when the conditions are right. I complained to Toyota at the time that this car should have been in the recall list - it does exactly as described in this campaign description...the brakes release when braking over bumps or slippery surfaces. The first time I took it in, they said they could find nothing wrong, and they were 'working as designed'. I called Toyota today after reading more about this recall, and they told me I would have to take to service and give them a ride to show them how it happens. I don't understand why this car wasn't included in the recall. Any suggestions or assistance" are you still getting complaints about this"
- Columbia, MD, USA
This is a chronic problem with the car: When it hits rough terrain, the brakes do not react properly. There is a hesitation between the time the brake pedal is hit and the time the car slows. (there was an earlier repair/recall for this issue, and the initial problem -- also brake-related -- was helped; but this hesitation problem -- only on gravel or rough terrain -- resulted.) it will cause an accident eventually.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I continue having this issue when braking over a bump or braking while turning. The car speeds up instead of slowing down when pressing the brakes. This is very dangerous issue and an cause an accident. I talked to Toyota who advice me to take it to the dealer. Dealer finds no trouble. I have reported this many times to my dealer and Toyota with nothing really done.
- Cypress, TX, USA
I continue to have a problem with braking when going over a bumpy surface. This has happened numerous times. Most recently, while driving over a bump in the road, I applied the brakes and the car lunged forward. Luckily, there was enough distance between my car and the car in front of me (which had also applied the brakes). I am afraid this will cause a serious accident someday. This has also happened at stop signs. I have complained to the dealership a few times and they act as if they don't know what I am talking about, which is ludicrous. I even mentioned the ECU recall/fix regarding the braking system and told them that my vehicle had the fix applied and they told me that the fix was not to address the problem I am describing. They insist that no one else has complained about it. I told them that I assume that they have been directed to tell customers that they know nothing about it. I see so many complaints regarding this issue and I don't understand why nothing is being done about it.
- Elmhurst, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving down a hill at approximately 20 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the brakes failed to respond without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake booster pump leaked nitrogen into the master cylinder brake booster assembly that caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign: 13V235000 (service brakes). The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
- New Milford , CT, USA
I purchased this car in 2010 after the 2010 brake malfunction recall. I was told the recall software update had been performed to my car. Despite that recall, my car continues to have the following problem on a consistent basis. Whenever braking at slow speeds, if I go over a bump or pothole while braking, the brakes disengage, the car lurches forward, and I have to slam on the brakes to get the car to slow down/stop. My understanding is that this problem was supposed to have been fixed by the prior recall.
- Somerville, MA, USA
Braking power is not consistent. Car is hard to stop. Need to push the pedal really hard to stop at speed. This started to get worst after the recall.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Master brake cylinder and booster, $4700 repair.
- San Benito , TX, USA
Even after having my vehicle repaired under the recall for the ABS braking issue in 2010, I continue to have braking problems when braking on uneven roads. 9/12/14 was my most recent incident when I came to a stop on a dirt road at an intersection and my vehicle lunged forward when I went over a hole in the road while braking. I was not going fast, maybe 15 mph, and there were no vehicles in front of me, but it could have resulted in a crash if there had been another vehicle in front of me at the intersection. Again, my vehicle has been serviced under the previous recall, but I continue to experience braking problems related to the ABS. Please re-open this investigation and issue another recall on this problem.
- Belleville, MI, USA
Upon braking if on a bumpy road or happen to hit a pothole the brakes feel like they are disengaged for a few seconds.
- Burbank, CA, USA
I would like to file this claim as the same incident described below happen two times in less than two years. This is a big safety issue which could have been fatal. -- first event occurred on 8/17/2012 (odometer 55899). Brake totally failed on a freeway and almost lost my life that day. Towed to the dealer and they replaced 1) break cylinder assembly pn#47050-47060, 2)gasket, break boost pn#44785-02060 & 3) break fluid. When asked to the dealer what the reason for the failure was, we were told that they do not know the cause and failed part was sent to the manufacturer for investigation. We requested to tell us the findings from the manufacturer but never heard back and soon after this incident Toyota had a recall for breaks. -- the second incident occurred on 7/16/2014 (odometer 91965) and same brake failure occurred again as described above.this time dealer replaced 1) break cylinder assembly pn#47050-47140, 2) gasket, brake boost pn#44785-02060 & 3) break fluid. Please note that the second time the brake cylinder assembly pn# is different. We asked the dealer again what was the reason for failure of the same part again but did not get a clear answer from them. We wrote several emails to the dealer but no response yet as of today (8/19/14). I am a very unhappy customer. What will Toyota do if this happens again" soon our warranty will expire and if this happens again which is a Toyota's existing problem, how it will be covered" -- hope to hear soon from Toyota.
- Dublin, CA, USA
Vehicle continued forward with no braking for 2 seconds after applying the brakes. Vehicle did not stop in time to avoid striking the vehicle in front. Front bumper was dented and punctured by striking the trailer hitch on the car ahead. No damage to other car. Brake booster was replaced last year under recall for same problem. Repair has done nothing to correct the problem. The same problem has occured intermittently before and after the "fix". brakes momentarily fail to activate every so often, with no particular pattern or frequency. Dealer was notified, and stated that unless we can duplicate the problem for them, they cannot provide any repair or assistance. Becoming uneasy about using the car. Will probably trade it in for something different, which is not what we really want. Would like to get it fixed, as we like the car. Not trying to be difficult, but felt that it should be reported.
- Hallowell, ME, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that when he applied the brakes while driving 30 mph he heard a harsh abnormal sound. The noise was heard one thousand times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the brake boosters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50.
- Chino Hills, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving 40 mph over a bump in the road, the vehicle lost braking capability for a few seconds. The failure occurred each time the vehicle was driven over a bump or pothole. The dealer adjusted the brakes, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. Updated 09/02/14
- Syracuse, NY, USA
Exiting from the highway, I slowed while I approached a stop sign. As the Prius went over a bump, deceleration was interrupted. The Prius momentarily seemed to lurch forward; but within a short time braking resumed. This is disturbing car behavior. If there was a car directly in front of me, I would have hit it.
- Northampton, MA, USA
- Matawan, NJ, USA