10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 16 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 53,516 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 completely failed. Loud beeping sound happened, couldn't stop car even in a parking lot. Had to use transmission to slow to a stop. Was in a grocery store parking lot.
- Mims, FL, USA
Brake light, ABS, slip indicator, brake system warnig light system all came on while driving at high velocity [75M/H] in the rain and lost 75% of the braking power plus the car started to slide. Needless to say this was a catastrophic failure of the entire brake system on a car that has a customer support program notification from Toyota[zjb] that was sent to me with a warning of such occurrence. This is down right irresponsible to a major car manufacturer to allow these vehicles on the road without testing the entire system on each of these affected vehicles and with for a catastrophic failure to occur and cause public harm or even death. I had just taken the vehicle for service a few weeks prior where I explained the service advisor of an issue with brake pulsation. However, the entire brake system was not throughly checked and was just told that its the front rotors that are uneven, thank god I did not fully loose control of the vehicle and cause a catastrophic accident as it would have resulted in bodily harm to my family. I expect this federal government Agency to use it's authority to prevent such occurrence to the tax paying citizens of this nation.
- Tampa, FL, USA
2011 Toyota Prius. Consumer writes in regards to defective brakes and electrical issues. The consumer stated the master warning light, air bag light, slip indicator light, and brake sysytem light all illuminated.
- Safety Harbor, FL, USA
2011 Toyota Prius is displaying warning lights for brake, traction control, and ABS. The automobile can no longer brake at the same effectiveness as prior. Car skids and slips when braking. Brake booster sounds intermittently every 10 seconds while operating. Called Toyota regarding recall, recall is only available for cars with less than 150,000 miles despite the dangers this poses to drivers. My automobile has 165,000 miles. Toyota requiring drivers to pay out of pocket for known recall issue. Vehicle was stationary, parked, and weather conditions were dry and sunny when warning lights appeared.
- Nashville, TN, USA
Had the traction, ABS, and brake lights all pop on. Braking feels a little different now. C1391 code was given by mechanic. He is talking about brake parts that will cost parts and labor around $2500. I can't afford this and I need a car to drive, so hoping no wrecks. We are a Toyota family with 4 now in the family. Called to complain to Toyota headquarters and they said out of warranty, but they did recall the 2010 models, even though the same problem is with the 2010-2015 and some other Toyota. They basically blew me off.
- Jacksonville, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to park in a parking space, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a sign post. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed during the independent acceleration. There was no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was repaired by the insurance company. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Harbor Springs, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard which extended the braking distance. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was taken to marietta Toyota located at (750 cobb pkwy S, marietta, ga 30060 (470) 938-8430). The dealer declined to offer the repair because the vehicle had a salvage title. The manufacturer was contacted and offered a software update of the hybrid system but declined to offer any additional repairs. The failure mileage was 101,000.
- Marietta, GA, USA
A few weeks ago my brake and ABS lights came on and my brake pedal changed and became spongy. Since I was still able to brake, I kept driving the car and became used to the spongy pedal. Then the other day I was returning home from work when the car in front of me suddenly hit his brakes. I had to quickly hit mine as well and the brakes locked up sending the car sharply to the right and I crashed into the guard rail causing $1500 worth of damage. I picked up the car today after having the damage repaired but I still have the same problem.
- Palm Harbor, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. While driving a squilling came from the brakes. The braking distance was extended. The contact was concern the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a squilling noise was present coming from the front of the vehicle and when pressing the brake pedal the braking distance was extended. The vehicle was taken to the local service center server co Toyota(2841 pukoloa, hi) who diagnosed that the brake actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
I have been lucky to miss closed-call hitting the car in front of me after skidding. When I apply brakes going down the ramp, the car skids and the brake doesn't stop the car until I get pretty close to the car in front of me. I am more concerned because some parts of the road are uneven where I live that increases the chance of brake failure. It happens on surface roads when there is a bump too. The braking distance increase when the street is wet.
- West Sacramento, CA, USA
When I was about to exit while driving on freeway, myabs, brake, tcs light is suddenly on, the brake need power to push and regenerate charger not working when brake pedal push, and make mpg drop.
- Loma Linda, CA, USA
Traction control, ABS and brake lights came on today and brake pressure dropped severely while driving on the highway. Not safe to drive.
- Sheffield Village, OH, USA
When driving over uneven surfaces like potholes and applying my breaks, I feel a delayed response until after I'm out of the pothole. In other words; I apply breaks, go over pot hole, breaks disengage even though the pedal is pressed, and reengaged once I'm on a smooth surface. This has been happening since I first bought my car five years ago, but I always thought it was me over thinking it.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
The ABS traction, control and brake light come on for 2 to 3 hours. Then the light will go off throughout the day and then the lights will pop back on and I just went to stop my car went sideways scariest moment ever. The other vehicle on the 2 lane road I was on swerved off the road to avoid hitting me because the vehicle went sideways. At this time all 3 lights were lit up. I drive about 10 hours a day. Please investigate. (nearly died as well as the guy in the other vehicle)
- Glen Allen, VA, USA
The brake system appears to break down; ABS module and brake booster lose power. This causes braking to be harder and potential safety for the vehicle to lose all braking capability. This issue occurs when braking. There appears to be less air pressure in assist in the braking. Reading online this is a very common issue for the 2011 vehicle! the 2010 model had a recall due to manufacture defect. Https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Prius/2011/brakes/service_brakes.shtml please address soon because this is a major safety issue!
- Tempe, AZ, USA
Brake, traction control, tire pressure, ABS lights all come on while driving. Took to shop. Claims it's the brake booster/ actuator problem. Customer support program
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
My car spontaneously started showing the ABS system warning light, the "brake" light, and the electronic stability control indicator light without warning while parked. As soon as this happened and I put it in motion, the car began responding poorly to braking, with increased pressure and lack of responsiveness. Additionally, the car is receiving barely any battery charge from the brakes (a small amount compared to the normally full charge), and a whirring noise can be heard about every 3 seconds ( the same whirring noise that occurs when the car is starting up, which I think may be related to the battery). This issue happened while the car was at rest, and affects the car while in motion and at rest. The car feels unsafe to drive due to unpredictability with the brakes and their effectiveness. I believe this issue may be associated with the brake actuator.
- Plano, TX, USA
After applying brakes car continued to move forward through garage opening crashing into wall at end of garage before it stopped. Brake was not slowing/stopping vehicle
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Warning lights for traction control, brake, ave all appeared, and then braking dramatically changed. Almost like not having power brakes. Lights went off and normal brake finction returned. The warning indicator lights go on and off, at random. Code C1391 shows when scanned. This is same symptom as exhibited by 2010 model year priuses covered by recall. Mine is 2011, exact same issue but not covered by recall. Problem has occurred at low 5-25 mph and highway speeds (55-70 mph) this is very dangerous as if this happens at high speed (highway) and the problem occurs there is a sudden change in braking quality an accident may result. This happens when the vehicle is moving, at any speed.
- Groveland, FL, USA
- Harbor Springs, MI, USA