10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 49 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 6,061 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
I have a 2010 Prius that has had the brake recall fix applied. But when I am turning right applying the brake and then hit bump/chuck hole the brakes fade for just a few seconds. No accidents but does not give driver any confidence.
- Pendleton, IN, USA
2010 Prius - this car was recalled for a braking problem. The "software fix" was completed on my car, but the same braking problem still exists in the car. A follow-up visit to the dealer complaining of the problem still happening resulted in nothing being done to fix the braking problem. The problem : occasionally when braking over a bump the brakes disengage for a brief time (probably less than a second) and result in an increased stopping distance and possible accident. In other words the recall fix has done nothing to correct the problem - - if it was bad enough to have a recall - and it doesn't get fixed - then it must still be a significant problem.... this problem occurs often - but not easily demonstrated. It has happened since the car was new and we now have 11,000 miles and it still happens.
- Parker, CO, USA
Today at yet another check for my 2010 Prius to try to discover the cause for the continual surging, I was informed that 160 times in the last 1 1/2 months I have driven with both the gas and brake pedals depressed simultaneously. This is a ridiculous assertion and completely false. Obviously there is an issue with the computer software in my Prius brakes. This is further evidence that there is a serious safety issue with the Prius brakes.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated when braking from speeds of at least 30 mph, the vehicle would abnormally surge forward. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated the failure had occurred since the date of purchase and continued to recur intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 300 and the current mileage was 9,650.
- Quincy, MA, USA
I was driving the car on a road approx. 25 mph. I hit a dip in the road right as I was braking to make a left turn. The automobile surged forward despite my foot being on the brake. This has happened repeatedly since having the recall fix!!! this problem must be fixed. We have repeatedly contacted Toyota about the problem and get the same answer every time - there is no problem. I do not consider it to be normal for the car to surge forward while my food is firmly on the brake. What does it take to get something done! we tried arbitration to get rid of our vehicle and Toyota basically said that we were lying about the problem. Please review and recall. I know by reading the other complaints that I am not the only one having this issue. This is a safety hazard!!!
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Our new 2010 Toyota Prius lost its brakes for a short period when driving down a steep hill at slow speed (10 mph). Although I was pressing on the brake pedal the brakes completely released for roughly 2 seconds and then re-applied. We had just driven over a small but sharp bump. I understand how ABS works, and this was not ABS. The brakes completely released and the car "jumped" forward - it jumped because the hill was quite steep. What is most disturbing is that the car had just been serviced (May 29th) and the event happened May 31. When I called the dealership they said the car had been recalled for a brake problem but they had "forgotten" to do the recall. Further, I have owned the car for five months and have not received a recall notice from Toyota.
- Laguna Beach, CA, USA
My 2010 Toyota Prius continues to experience the momentary loss of braking power even after the recall fix was applied back in March. I experience the same loss of braking power as I did in the past when going over bumps, pot holes and the like, especially when hitting the brake on a decline. I brought my car back to the dealership and a field tech specialist was unable to reproduce the problem - but I have experienced it a half dozen times since the recall and have notified Toyota's hq - they have not responded. I continue to feel as if pedestrian, other driver, and my own safety are at risk with this continued brake issue that Toyota cannot seem to fix.
- New York, NY, USA
All brake rotors had a crack perpendicular to the rotation.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
I have a 2010 Toyota Prius purchased in July 2009. During ownership I experienced when there was a crease, hole or bump in the road when braking - it accelerating and lunges. I avoided situations like that and when the recall came, I took it to butler Toyota (also had the floor mat hooks installed prior), on April 5, 2010. They supposedly fixed it. About a week later, I came upon a manhole cover in a road while braking and making a turn so going slow, and the same thing happened. The next day I purposely went through it to "test" and it did the same thing but lunge into the other lane. I was scared and called butler Toyota. They told me to call national Toyota to report. They contact butler and I went back in May 21, they did not repair it and "shrugged" their shoulders saying it's the ABS. They offered to have a field tech person come drive my car. I called national again and they seem to be "mediating" this with butler. I found a report from consumeraffairs.com that this very similar issue was occurring back in 2008 and they called it "traction control". no one from Toyota has told me this. I want it fixed or a different car. I have a teenage with a permit and if he was driving this and it occurred, he would probably run into someone because it takes you by surprise. I do fear him driving it due to his inexperience and I frankly am concerned and am very cautious as a result.
- Carmel, IN, USA
Brake failure occurred when vehicle was coming off freeway exit ramp at approximately 40 mph on uneven, curvy road. While approaching intersection from several hundred feet away, brakes failed to engage for about a second; also felt the vehicle "lurch" forward in that lapse of time. Repeated pressure on the brakes finally brought car to stop but not in time to prevent collision with incoming pickup truck on straightaway traffic. Police arrived at scene but did not file report because nobody was injured. Body shop estimated damage on front bumper at $1500. Vehicle was brought in to dealer on 05/18/2010 for inspection. Service manager said ECU brake recall had been conducted on said vehicle in February 2010 at different dealership. Currently still awaiting on conclusive report from Toyota engineers. Car only has 1000 miles on odometer. Brake failure has been experienced some ten times in the 2 months of owning this vehicle, usually during higher speeds over uneven road. Came close to accidents on three instances, not including this actual one. This is a serious safety defect that could result in fatalities. Please investigate!
- Mission Viejo, CA, USA
As noted in NHTSA investigation PE10006. I entered an incident date of 5/19/2010, but this happens consistently with my 2010 Toyota Prius (purchased Oct. 2009). It is as described in the investigation summary; a momentary lapse in braking while traveling over uneven or rough surfaces. I had the software update performed last week and interestingly, it seems to have gotten worse since then. It's very disconcerting and alarming. Fortunately, it's never happened when there is a car in front of me (as on the exit ramp of a freeway or prior to a stoplight), but if it does, I have no doubt that it will result in a crash, for which I will no doubt be wrongly blamed and cited. I'm to the point that I would prefer that my wife not drive the car and am considering what action I can take with Toyota --- returning the car, some kind of financial compensation etc. When I had the software update performed, I noted the problem to the dealership and made them write it on the service order to document it. This complaint is also to document the problem. I should note that we own a 1996 4runner and a 2003 highlander (my parents own a 2010 Prius and 2010 Camry as well), so it's not like I have something against Toyota. Also, I travel a lot for my job (80%+) and over the last 6 months have probably driven at least 20 different makes and models of cars. This has never happened in any car I have owned or rented.
- Hudson, OH, USA
Regenerative braking - loss of braking, when slowing over rough road surface approximately 5-9mph. Brakes "go away", resulting in further pedal application to avoid striking vehicle ahead. Incident occurs sporadically, however has occurred at least 8 times in the two months we've owned vehicle.
- Cedar Falls,, IA, USA
Two issues within 5 minutes (will file two reports). First issue occurred while backing out of level parking space. Brakes grabbed on and off as if I were pressing brakes firmly, releasing, then pressing firmly again, even though I was lightly holding the brakes as I was reversing. Second issue occurred a few minutes later while braking on a descent, going approximately 35-40 mph. My front left tire went over a manhole cover which caused a mild bump, which resulted in a momentary release of the brakes. Car was purchased new last week (May 13, 2010), has approximately 400 miles, and has no recalls outstanding.
- Columbia, SC, USA
Two issues within 5 minutes (will file two reports). First issue occurred while backing out of level parking space. Brakes grabbed on and off as if I were pressing brakes firmly, releasing, then pressing firmly again, even though I was lightly holding the brakes as I was reversing. Second issue occurred a few minutes later while braking on a descent, going approximately 35-40 mph. My front left tire went over a manhole cover which caused a mild bump, which resulted in a momentary release of the brakes. Car was purchased new last week (May 13, 2010), has approximately 400 miles, and has no recalls outstanding.
- Columbia, SC, USA
I have a 2010 Toyota Prius, and have noticed that while braking on uneven pavement, the car lurches forward. The jack safro dealership said to bring it in, as there was a recall. Since they worked on it, I see no change. I called the dealership and told them there was no difference, and they took it for a test drive. The mechanic said he didn't experience any problem. They said they would note the problem, but there was nothing else they could do. I have to be very careful when approaching a stop sign or light on uneven pavement. I fear rear ending someone. Or worse hitting a pedestrian.
- Waukesha, WI, USA
2010 Toyota Prius. Consumer states vehicle did not seem to stop immediately when he hit a bump.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
While driving on bowman road in West little rock, I was braking as I approached the intersection at markham. The car suddenly felt like it was surging forward and not braking at all as I drove over a man-hole cover. This was especially pronounced as I was going downhill and turning to the right at the yield sign. My wife noticed it from the passenger seat as well. We momentarily felt as if we would not stop and end up in the path of oncoming traffic. This happened after this vehicle has already been recalled for this same problem. Unfortunately, the software upgrade did not fix this dangerous problem.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
I have a 2010 Toyota Prius with braking problems, which have continued to occur even after I took it to my Toyota dealer for the recall repair on February 12, 2010. Three times since then the brakes did not engage for about three seconds, when I was trying to stop, on a dry surface that was slightly uneven. This was not the sudden rapid pumping of ABS brakes which I would recognize from years of use with ABS equipped cars. The dealer saw no problem when I brought it back to them last week. I am worried it will cause an accident.
- Nashville, TN, USA
2/13, the day after my car was "fixed" under the recall, my brakes failed. I was on the way to the airport, and the brakes failed. When I returned home from my trip, I brought it in to Toyota kearny mesa in san diego, who found nothing wrong. My brakes failed again a week ago. I was driving on a smooth road, slowing down for a light, when suddenly the car speeded up and I went straight though the red light. No cars were nearby, so I did not crash and no one was hurt. Again, Toyota found nothing wrong. They tell me that they can't fix it unless they can "replicate" the problem. They want me to return the loaner car tomorrow morning and drive home with my Prius and I'm scared.
- San Diego, CA, USA
- Arlington, VA, USA