Braking Issue Complaint Current Mileage: 10,000

Please note: that I have owned a previous generation Prius - a 2011 - and I am more than aware that regenerative braking works entirely differently than a conventional braking system. So in no way am I referring to the "usual noises" that come from regenerative braking.

The common issue for the first 6,000 miles: During highway driving during stop and go - The initial depressing of the brake pedal was not enough brake being applied by the system, and then I would respond with more brake pressure and then that would be exaggerated over-braking and I would have to let me take my foot off the brake and start all over again which would create a lunging situation. Also there's a clicking noise from the front right brake in forward and or reverse during both stopping and taking of from a stop. Also reverse had/has additional clunking of some sort. Continental Toyota (dealership) “listened” to this problem in April and they said that it was “completely normal and as designed”. Note, that during this first 6,000 miles, It was very difficult without complete concentration to bring the car to a very gentle stop. The brakes appeared to be VERY sticky or grabby and the car would stop suddenly - and never gently - when coming to a full stop.

5,800 Miles Dealership Braking Noise Inspection: April 24 2017 Continental Toyota inspected the brake noise I brought it in for and also discussed the poor braking on the highway but the dealership said that these are all normal sounds and mannerisms of the system as designed. Again, owned a previous generation Prius and the brakes never responded the way that this new Prius has been responding and acting.

6,000 - Current 10,000 - Life and Safety Issue Experienced: The cars breaking mannerism has changed after 6,000 miles, but a new issue has surfaced this past weekend (June 4th) while on a family trip to Michigan. While approaching an intersection without anyone in front of me I was forced to break hard as I saw a car coming driving too fast perpendicular to me on the upcoming intersection. When I hit the brakes hard, the entire car locked up and there was a lot of loud screeching of tires locked up on the pavement. NO ABS went off at all. We were tagged to our seat-belts so hard it felt like we were going to fly through the windows. I had the cruise control activated when I braked hard as described above.

Something is clearly wrong with the braking system whether it's software, mechanical or combination of both.

Thats experience traumatized my wife and she no longer feels safe nor wants too be in our new Prius anymore.

9,000 Miles Dealership Braking Noise Inspection: June 14 2017 Toyota Case Number 1706131155 Today's conversation with the Toyota case manager that returned my call on this case number: After describing our loss of ABS incident in Michigan, his response lacked any sense of urgency in this obvious/potential life and safety issue. And this is an upper level case manager that I waited an extra day to call me. Absolutely unacceptable customer service from Toyota corporate. I called Continental Toyota and scheduled an appointment so that the car can be “properly inspected” according to Toyota. June 20 the car was dropped off. June 22 the car was ready to be picked up. Dealership states that Toyota corporate worked with them closely and concluded that everything is working as designed.

This is very concerning as there is clearly something wrong with this vehicles braking system. I do not want to be the guinea pig for Toyota to find out the hard way of some design flaw. I/we (especially my wife that wants no part of this car) have ZERO confidence in this defective vehicle that we are stuck with