10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,084 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #81

Oct 042023

Prius

  • miles
Brake booster defect caused ABS and brake light went on, thus we lost ABS while driving. Initially we heard noises while breaking in April 2023, told to change break pads. We went in to Toyota dealer again in Oct 2023, and diagnosed with brake booster problem, leaking gas inside. Toyota knew that its brake booster has a defect in design and has customer support program as a post failure solution vs recalls as a preventative measure. We were never informed about this customer support program regarding defect in brake booster. Toyota declined to repair saying my car already missed the time window (10 years since first use). Toyota should recall brake booster assemblies for Prius 2010-2015. In my case, due to delay in diagnosing this serious problem, I was put on a serious financial burden to pay for this repair ($2800 quoted by Toyota dealer). I was also put on a life threatening risk of driving a malfunctioning car for a long time without being informed. Since the beginning of this incidence, I-??ve called Toyota four times and Toyota acknowledged that they did not inform me and Toyota dealer failed to make a proper diagnosis on time to repair.

- San Marino, CA, USA

problem #80

Sep 012022

Prius

  • miles
To whom may be concerned, The car I own is Toyota Prius 2013, it has the brake issue nearly a year: I can hear the brake booster pump works every 8 seconds, and the worse thing is the car is jump and has a longer brake distance when I step on the brake paddle. I even nearly had a incident at the intersection because the brake lag. I know Toyota has customer support program ZJB, and I also brought my car to Toyota Dealer. But they say they can replicate the issue. But according to the program, it must be some light on to be qualified. So now I have to take care of over $3000 bill by myself, otherwise I have to take a risk to drive my car with the brake issue. I searched online, there are a lot of customers have the similar issues like me. So Toyota has already known this issue, but why they just still wanna those cars running on the road, brake system is the most important part, it's Disregarding human life. Thanks for your time. Best Regards [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #79

Sep 212023

Prius

  • miles
The brake actuator keeps buzzing every 3 seconds or so the entire time the car is on and even after I turn the car off and get out. The brakes make a wierd burping noise and the pedal depresses with each noise if I am stopped at a red light or stop sign with my foot on the brakes. All of the brake, abs, and traction control lights lit up. The regenerative braking is no longer working.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #78

Feb 152023

Prius

  • miles
I was driving around 65 miles per hour on the highway, when I suddenly feel my brake were not working properly. Brake light, abs and traction light were shown at the same time. I almost felt like it was kind of break failure. Break would only work if i push all the way to the floor.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #77

Aug 302023

Prius

  • miles
When the car was being driven on a surface road, the ABS, Brake and Traction lights came on. The brakes became stiff and hard to press. Braking was also slow. Car was traveling at less than 30 mph at that time When taken to the mechanic shop, and running diagnosis, the code came back to be C1391. The car has 113000 miles and purchased in July 2013.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #76

Aug 092023

Prius

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, when the contact's wife depressed the brake pedal, the brakes were inoperable and inadvertently all the warning lights illuminated on the control; however, the wife then let off the brake pedal and then depressed the brake pedal again and was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the wife was able to safely drive the vehicle to their residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as having an ABS control module failure and needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; a case was filed, but the manufacturer provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Meadow Vista, CA, USA

problem #75

May 132022

Prius

  • miles
Back in May 2022, my Toyota Prius experienced issues with the braking system. I lost braking power while driving, the brake experienced a loss of power and felt very squishy to press. I had my car towed to a nearby auto shop who examined the vehicle but could not resolve the issue and recommended I take the car to Toyota. This third party auto shop reset the computer diagnostic system and cleared the error codes. When I towed the car to Toyota, the braking issue had miraculously resolved - but without the active error codes - Toyota refused to make the extended warranty repairs to the braking system that are a widespread and known issue. I continued driving the car without issue until 8/13/23 where the brake lights went on while driving and the same squishy brake issue occurred again. Toyota looked into it and determined it was related to the extended warranty braking issue, but my cars extended warranty ended on 6/29/23 - just over 6 weeks ago. Toyota refused to honor the extended warranty even though the issue first occurred in May 2022. They estimated the repair would cost $3000. I would like to have Toyota honor their agreement to extend the warranties of this braking issue.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #74

Aug 052023

Prius

  • miles
Brake Booster Pump failed on August 5, 2023 in parking lot, as found by dealership in Marion, IL. ABS, Brake, and Traction lights were on. Vehicle has been properly maintained at dealership. Before that, the brake was making weird noises when depressed. When braking, it tends to lunge forward before slowing down. Dealer deemed vehicle not safe to drive. They showed me the primary and secondary warranty internal documents, up to 150K. My vehicle is at 150400. How could that 400 miles make any difference? But Toyota refused to cover the cost of repair at over $3000. It is clear Toyota and dealership know all along that there is an ongoing problem with their braking system. I am glad this did not happen on a highway. But other owners must be made aware of this ongoing safety issue. Something must be done to have this recalled. Many thanks for your inquiry and oversight of the issue.

- Carbondale, IL, USA

problem #73

Jul 032023

Prius

  • miles
Have an issue with the Prius having the error code C1391. The dealership refuses to fix the issue since it's unsafe to drive with the brake failing. Need to replace the Brake Power booster and ABS Pump/ Motor; the total cost to get all this is quoted by the dealer as $3300

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #72

Jul 012023

Prius

  • miles
Brakes are failing intermittently. There was a recall but they say we missed the deadline.Brake booster is obviously defective makes noises constantly.

- Johns Island, SC, USA

problem #71

Jun 262023

Prius

  • miles
The brakes on my 2013 Toyota Prius suddenly quit working normally, requiring significantly more force to stop. The car has been inspected by the dealer, who pointed it to what is apparently a common problem with the car -- failure of the brake booster/master cylinder assembly and the brake booster pump assembly. Half of the dashboard lit up when the problem occurred. No warning before.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #70

May 162023

Prius

  • 154,000 miles
I drove myself and two neighbors to a restaurant for dinner when my traction light came on momentarily but did not stay on. We had dinner and when I went to back out of the parking stall, I felt like I did not have brakes. Since it was approximately 9 pm and I was no where near a service station, I drove very slowly because I was unsure I could get the car to stop. The traction light, the brake and ABS lights were on, as well as a loud beeping alarm. I drove in the right hand lane so I could pull off the road if I could not get the car to stop. I managed to get us home and Toyota Dealer was called the next morning. They towed the car to Dealer who sold the car to us in 2015, and where it was serviced on a rigid schedule. We had an extended warranty even after it passed the 100,00 mile mark. We bought an extended warranty beyond the original warranty but were upset to find that it did not cover the brakes! It cost $2654 to replace the ABS booster and brake cylinder. When I asked the Dealer to adjust our costs as brake failure was the most reported complaint on the 2013 Prius, I was told there was a 10 year /or 150,00 mile rebate program that had expired that started in 2010, but since we had not had any reported problems during the time, there was nothing they could do to help. I asked why they had never sent us a letter knowing there was a possible brake program, and was told ALL 2013 Prius owners were felt to be affected. Our Prius now has 154,000 miles on it. I explained how I, and my neighbors, could have easily been rammed from behind, or not stop at stoplights causing ourselves and others to be harmed but they insisted there was nothing they could do.

- Lady Lake, FL, USA

problem #69

Apr 072023

Prius

  • miles
Approaching a red light brake failed to stop the car. I lost pressure on the brake pedal. No body was hurt. Suddenly all brake, abs and traction control lights came on at once. Toyota dealer told me i needed to replace the brake booster pump and that it was common on those cars

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #68

Mar 302023

Prius

  • miles
While driving suddenly the traction control light, the ABS light, the Brake light, and the Master warning light went on. I was able to pull off the road and stop by exerting an abnormal amount of pressure on my brakes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it showed code C1391. Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0024-19 addresses this saying it is caused by an internal brake fluid leak inside the brake booster assembly with master cylinder. Toyota is aware of the problem and has redesigned the parts. This is a dangerous problem with 2011-2015 Prius vehicles.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #67

Apr 022023

Prius

  • miles
Previous models (2010) had a recall on the breaks system not this VIN number. ABS Actuator is malfunctioning, is the same system as 2010 that had a recall on it. I have two kids in the car when it stopped working without warning. A safety recall must take effect, my car only has 82000 miles on it.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #66

Mar 292023

Prius

  • 189,000 miles
The car entered into safe mode suddenly while driving on the freeway and caused me to lose the brake booster with no audible alert. The brake light, ABS light and Traction Control light showed up on the dashboard. The regenerative brake got deactivated too. I was able to stop the car to a safe place by pressing hard on the brakes. This is very concerning as no warning was issued and didn-??t expect to lose the break booster while driving at high speed on freeway. Toyota had issued a recall on this but only covering cars under 150,000 miles and mine has 189,000 miles. It is a 2013 Prius 3 model.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #65

Mar 032023

Prius

  • miles
Symptom: Brake pedal felt spongy with multiple dash warning lights ON and booster pump cycling on/off. Safety Risk: yes, my Prius felt like it wasn-??t stopping properly. My family and vehicles around were put at risk. Problem Confirmation: the problem has reproduced and has been confirmed by a local Toyota dealer. DTC: C1391 Warning lamps: there is multiple lamps On: Brake, ABS, trac/vsc, -??!-?? There is a Toyota Customer Support Program(CSP) : Prius Brake Booster Pump and Brake Master Actuator CSP ZJB. I also reached out to Toyota and I was told the repair would not be covered due to mileage but was within the 10 year -??use of date-??. (10 year or 150,000 miles) My Toyota case number is: 230324001393

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #64

Feb 102023

Prius

  • 87,000 miles
Brake accumulator may have a leak. Three brake warning lights came on while driving; the parking brake, traction control, and ABS. After the lights came on I noticed the brake accumulator coming on more often and needing to apply more pressure on brake pedal when stopping. I did some research and found that there was a recall for that same part on the 2010 Prius. I haven-??t had the car looked at by a mechanic but I was able to see and confirm that it was the brake accumulator/ actuator. Vehicle only has 87k miles and has had regular maintainance.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #63

Feb 042023

Prius

  • 218,000 miles
On appx. 11/18/21 I was driving my vehicle on the commute home from work, appx. 15 miles, when 4 Brake Indication Lights displayed themselves showing that there was some level of issue, whether major or minor, with the braking system. 2 "Brake" warning lights were illuminated along with the ABS Light and the SLIP Indicator(traction control) Lights also. Not knowing the level of severity of the issue and the car "seeming" to sufficiently stop the motion of the car I proceeded to use the vehicle supposing it were a miniscule issue such as brake fluid level, brake pads, wheel sensor or etc. With the Toyota vehicle still having a lengthy life expectancy at that time I proceeded forward until more work was needed on the engine itself around late 2022. This also posed a situation for myself to look through papers and documents accumulated on the vehicle of which a paper was observed possibly linking to my current braking issues. On 2/4/23 I took the 2013 Prius by an authorized Toyota Dealer for diagnosis on this "Brake Light" matter as the lights were still turning on and off at random abnormal times. The brake booster component was confirmed failed in regards to the expired recall ZJB that Toyota initiated on certain Prius year models. At this point in 2023 no assistance was offered by Toyota to make this repair of my failing brake booster even though the car mileage currently sits around 218,000 miles. 10 years of use for this car have not even passed for this vehicle at the time of this writing and Toyota vehicles are regularly known for a life span beyond 150,000 miles that the secondary coverage window of the Brake recall offered. It seems that calculation method determined for the active recall concerning the braking system on this model/s Toyota Prius has been miscalculated and should be observed again to broaden the scope of assistance provided by Toyota given that most of the affected cars can be expected to have a life beyond the current recall window.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #62

Apr 292022

Prius

  • miles
In April 2022, the brake booster pump activates every 20 seconds without applying brake. Brought the car to the dealer but service representative said since there is no trouble codes, Toyota will not cover brake booster pump replacement under Customer Support Program ZJB, and I'll have to pay for diagnostic fees. I took the car back without going through diagnostic test. Lately (Jan 2023, only 71800 miles driven), the booster pump would activate every 13 seconds, still not showing any trouble codes. Hissing sound can be heard inside the car and outside, especially on the driver side when parked, between each pumping cycle. Braking feel soft and insufficient towards the end of the 13-second cycle. It is a serious safety issue should the brake booster pump fail while driving. A recall should be issued instead of a customer support program, with limitations, which only address the issue only after trouble codes appear.

- Pearland, TX, USA

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