10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 13 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 38,113 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
My 2012 Toyota Prius II threw error code C1391 abnormal leak in accumulator. I've reset it and its come back on again. Regenerative braking has gone out and stopping is difficult. This is not right. My car has just over 130,000 miles
- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
Vsa, avs, and brake lights on with decreased resistance in petal. Brakes will return to normal without warning periodically while driving. This makes driving and stopping unsafe and unpredictable.
- Houston, TX, USA
Traction, brake and ABS lights all came on at once, pratically lost all braking while driving but able to slowly stop. Squishy brakes. "pump" sounding noise like it's having trouble pumping brake fluid.
- Riverview, FL, USA
I having a problem with the brake booster on my Prius and the Toyota dealership I went to said I need to replace both the master cylinder and booster pump which would be 3000 dollars worth of parts and labor. After research this issue I have found serval people have the same issue. Also the parts are on back order, showing you how big of issue this is. The breaking system felt spongy, my traction control braking system and ABS lights came on. Thankfully I had just a couple of feet to my driveway.
- Victoria Tx, TX, 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 2012 Toyota Prius and a 2010 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 has been suffering all of the brake symptoms for the recall of the 2010 Prius brake booster system. I've repeatedly complained about losing braking power when the ABS light comes on when I go over uneven surfaces such as railroad tracks or a pothole. The brakes have benn farting from day one while sitting at a light or parked if the brakes are depressed and then slightly released. And now today the ABS brakes are on with the battery light and there is limited braking power. I have to push almost all the way down before the brake engages. Toyota tells me I need to replace the brake booster system for $3500 and there are only 70,000 miles on my 2012 car. I feel my brakes have the same issues as the 2010 recall and more years including mine are affected and should be recalled.
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
I was coming up the freeway off ramp and my car just turned off I had no braking I hit six other cars rolled over and was severly imjured in the hospital forr three days
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Problem with braking system involving, the other day the car was on and suddenly three (3) warning lights came on: Brake light, ABS light and traction control light. There is also now a pumping sound coming from under the interior of the dash (on it at least sounds that is where it's coming from. The car has 151,428 miles on it. I've included pictures of the current eror code, mileage and dash lights that are on.
- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
The vehicle was traveling over 60 mph when the ABS, brake and traction lights came on and the brake became immediately spongy and I had to depressed even harder (past the foaminess) to reduce speed. A motor could be heard trying to turn over on the brake system. The car speed was reduced to 25-30 mph on the highway but the spongy brakes continued. Within 5 min I pulled off the highway and into a parking lot. Parked the car, turned it off and on to see if that would remedy the situation and nothing changed. I then called the Toyota dealership's service department to book an immediate appointment and arrived at the dealership approximately 40 minutes later. The car was looked at and I was told that the brake actuator was the issue and that they would like to contact Toyota to see if this was in warranty or part of the recall. I was told the next day that the cost of installation and parts would be at least $4,000 and that I would need to pay the full amount as Toyota was taking no responsibility. I called the Toyota customer service line, explained my situation and was told the same thing as I was told at the dealership. I feel that this brake actuator (its parts, its composition and/or its installation) is a systemic issue with Toyota products and a known issue with Toyota Prius' in 2009 and 2010. Tangential to this issue, my father owns a Toyota car as well and has also had to have his actuator replaced this year. Toyota should be held responsible for all faulty parts and installation and purchase of new parts. My maintenance record is exemplary and my driving record is as well so this is not regular wear and tear in my opinion.
- Orlando, FL, USA
I was traveling North on the highway. I was going between 50 and 55 mph when the traffic light turned to yellow and then to red. When I applied the breaks nothing happened. My vehicle actually appeared to speed up. I released the brake then pumped the break twice then again applied the break, this time stomping harder and with both feet. My vehicle did not stop or even slow. I went through the light, resulting in a car accident. I T boned another car.
- Sullivan, IN, USA
Brakes failing, getting a C1391 code, leak in accumulator. Toyota has a warranty enhancement for this issue on the 2010 model but it has not extended to 2011 or 2012 models. I contacted local dealer and national representatives and was refused any assistance from Toyota. This issue happened twice over the last two days, both times while vehicle in motion on a city street. Warning lights came on and almost no stopping power.
- Tampa, FL, USA
Brake actuator /master brake cylinder broken, same issue as prebious models of the Prius.
- Naples, FL, USA
Various alerts lighted, brakes, ABS, anti skid. Lost some braking... too soft and funny like... needed pumping. Cost of repair to replace brake pump system including tha actuator(buster). Brake pads for $3,700 +. at Toyota calesa in puerto rico.
- Bayamon, PR, USA
A number of lights came on...ABS, anti skid, system failure, etc. The brakes started to feel very funny and started to make a strange noise. Took it to Toyota and they said it was not safe to drive because of the brakes. Needed the brake system (actuator is the name I believe).
- Miami, FL, USA
The brake light, ABS light, traction control light all came on at once while driving normally. It did not affect the drivability of the vehicle. I took it to the local Toyota dealership to diagnose the problem. The service specialist said that this is a known problem with these cars and quoted a $2500 service price to replace it. If it is this known and this expensive to replace then it should be included in a recall. That would make it a design flaw by the manufacturer.
- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
While driving at 45mph vsc, parking brake, and ABS lights comes on and stays on after research it seems to be a fairly common issue with the 2012 Prius. Still waiting for Toyota to do smething about
- Naples, FL, USA
The ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights came on. I took the vehicle to my local Toyota dealership, where I was told the diagnostic has alarm dtc C1391 and this is a major brake hazard. The dealer state the ABS brake system need to be replaced at a cost of $4,504.63 plus taxes. I explained to the dealer the car is making a sound like the ABS is kicking in when it come to a stop. The noise persist coming in and out even when the car is parked and off. My 2012 Prius has only 74K miles. The brakes pedals feel weird and loose. I red Toyota extended the warranty for this issue due the brake actuator failure due manufactory issues. The dealer state my VIN is not there. What are they waiting to fix this issue on the 2012 Prius"?" we need to have Toyota fix this problem for all cars before catastrofic event happen.
- Doral, FL, USA
Lost front brakes completely driving down road. I was able to slow car with manual brake on shifter in conjunction with rear brakes. A serious issue.
- Tampa, FL, USA
When braking during normal driving conditions, a mixture of city and highway, the car makes a sound like the ABS is kicking in. When coming to a stop, the noise persists until releasing the brake pedal. Shortly after this started, the ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights came on. I took the vehicle to my local Toyota dealership where I was told it was the brake actuator needed replace at the cost of $3600. My 2012 Prius only has 76K miles on it.
- Manassas, VA, USA
- Dobbs Ferry, NY, USA