2012 Toyota Prius brake actuator failure. While driving my Toyota Prius the braking system failed, this was on a large road and so posed a major danger to not only me, but the passengers in the vehicle and the vehicles around us. Thankfully nobody was hurt. After having the vehicle inspected by a Toyota dealership the problem was found to be the -??Actuator/accumulator-?? and after speaking with the dealership it has come to be my understanding that this is a common and unavoidable problem with Toyota Prius models. There were no lights or warnings on in the vehicle until after the brakes gave out. I cannot understand why this has not been recalled when it is a manufacturing issue on Toyotas end that poses a significant danger on the roads, and am wondering what the reimbursement policy for this is as it came out to be quite expensive.

- Newnan, GA, USA

The Brake Master Cylinder and Brake Booster pump failed to maintain pressure. I don't have the replaced parts, my mechanic recycled them before I realised I was going to submit this. When the part completely failed, I had the ABS, traction control lights on. I couldn't trust that the car wouldn't have a problem stopped, and the brake pedal also became squishy in responsiveness. My own safety, my kids safety, and the safety of others was at risk and I immediately stopped driving it to get the repair done. The problem was confirmed by a Toyota dealership and this was a recall but since my car is older the recall had expired. I was unaware of this recall until the issue began. It was also confirmed by my personal mechanic to be the failure. The Dashboard lit up the ABS, TCS, Brake, (!) light, VSC, and the sound of the pump changed. Before all the lights came up I had noticed a air leaking sound coming from near the brake pedal at times.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

while driving i lost the power braking on my vehicle and the abs, traction and another exclamtion point symbol came on. my brakes had to be pushed really hard all the way down to the floor board increasing my braking distance.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Complete Brake failure, confirmed brake accumulator / actuator failure resulting in near miss crash, tow home not drivable, onle e brake works, appears pump burned up not running any longer.

- Glenwood, IA, USA

Brake booster has gone out. This is a known, dangerous issue that Toyota knows will occur, It is a dangerous and expensive risk to those driving these ticking time bombs, and those potentially in the path of these vehicles. This is a pure safety risk item. No one asking for these brake actions are gaining anything materially other than the use of their cars safely. To make matters worse, Toyota doesn-??t even make these in volumes that don-??t generate volume pricing efficiency, meaning replacement runs upward of $4k to $5k at their dealerships to replace. Criminal-??. Please help.

- Scottsboro, AK, USA

I was driving when I felt my brake pedal start to become soft and mushy. I was able to brake, but I had to pump the brakes to get full brakes to stop. I also noticed warnings began to appear on my dashboard. The warnings that were shown are the brake light, traction assistant light, and ABS light. I took it to Gates Toyota in South Bend, IN and paid for a brake inspection. They told me that my brakes themselves were OK (pads, rotors, calipers), but they were getting a C1391 error. I was told that the brake accumulator has an internal leak. I was told that I needed to replace the brake master cylinder and brake booster pump assembly. I bought the car used from the dealership about a year and a half ago. After doing research, I found that this same issue has been a common recall problem on a number of Toyota vehicles starting as far back as 2008. I also found a few class action lawsuits concerning Toyota vehicles with the exact same issue. My vehicle doesn't show any current recalls, but I'm having the same problem as other Prius V vehicles are having. I was quoted $3300 to fix this problem. I shouldn't have to be responsible for paying for a defect that has been recalled on a very large number of vehicles, and also has been the result of class action lawsuits.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

Brake failure resulting in code C1391. Petition for Defect Investigation dated 09/09/23 summitted to NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation via Certified Mail. Received by Office of Defects Investigation on 10/10/23.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

The hybrid system was shut down while driving. The symptoms are like the description in this recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000). However, my VIN is not on the recall list.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

8/2/22 My ABS light came on. Took the car to a dealer. They kept it for six weeks and returned it on 10/3/22. No charge and no explanation. 11/7/22 engine light came on. Took in to dealer, they returned it 11/17/22 indicated incorrect air/ fuel mixture. 10/9/23 Traveling 47 mph, came around a mountain and encountered stopped cars. Slammed on the brakes, car did not slow down, steering wheel locked to the right, car yawed to the right, and turned over, hit a curb and the car righted itself. 3 occupants, 2 injuries, 1 death. Researching the 2012 Toyota Prius, found many instances of a faulty ABS system, mimicking exactly my experience. I was never informed by Toyota or the local Toyota dealer.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

Brake actuator making noise every 10 seconds and oil is having to be filled in everyday.

- San Antonio , TX, USA

Upon driving out of my school parking lot at approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour I noticed a cushiony filled with a brakes and all of a sudden I heard a shhh all of my lights popped up on my dashboard. When I took my vehicle in to be able to find out what was going on with it I was told that I need a master cylinder and a brake booster. This was after having my vehicle for only 3 years where I purchased it from Rice Toyota Greensboro North Carolina.

- Reidsville, NC, USA

Coming to a yellow light, I braked and the vehicle made a strange sound with loss of braking, so I sped up instead, having to go through a red light. Shortly after, that afternoon, when I again started the vehicle, the safety lights lit up in the dashboard and my vehicle kept making a strange cycling noise. As it turns out, it was the whole brake actuator assembly. Under great financial hardship, I had the vehicle repaired ($4300+). I applied to Toyota Corporate for help but they denied it, saying I was outside the extended warranty. I-??ve since learned this brake problem was a known issue, and Toyota settled a class action settlement. My vehicle has only 90,000 miles on it, and it is has been used primarily as an in-town vehicle, our only car. I-??m asking for a recall and reimbursement on repair for affected vehicles. Toyota has been allowed to get away with responsibility for a known issue by putting it into a extended warranty program, now expired. Meanwhile, this dangerous, known defect continues to happen to unsuspecting drivers. I was lucky with my incident, as no cars came out when the light changed, but it could have been a different outcome.

- High Point , NC, USA

brake warning lights (ABS, traction, and (!)) went on while driving on the highway with my 8-year old. Needed brake booster replaced. Replaced at dealership for over $4500. Was a year and a half outside of a customer support program that covered cost for our vehicle through Jan 2022. Called Toyota to see if they could do anything and to report safety issue. They did not give me any funds towards repair. I feel that this is a significant and scary safety issue, and an unfair financial burden for Toyota customers to bear.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

See attached document for complaint

- Bethel,, ME, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle; however, he had to apply extra pressure to the brake pedal and the brake pedal extended to the floorboard to bring the vehicle to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic retrieved DTC Code: 1391. The contact was informed that the brake booster assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

- Bethel, ME, USA

My Prius V experienced brake failure today, with three warning lights appearing at once and the brake pedal not engaging the brakes unless it was pressed almost to the floor. This made it feel extremely scary and unsafe to drive. I was very upset to see that this is a recurring problem with Prius cars in this age range. Although I only have less than 120,000 miles on it, Toyota is not offering an extended warranty for the failing parts (brake master cylinder and actuator and booster) past 10 years or 150,000 miles. This is total BS if they already know that there is a problem with these parts.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Diagnostic code C1391 abs system. Brake accumulator pressure leak. This a known issue and common problem. $3000 dealer only repair. There was a customer service program and extended warranty. This is a major safety issue and Toyota has stopped offering any repair support and expects customers to cover the full repair price themselves.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

In July of 2021 the Toyota dealership replaced the inverter on my 2012 Prius V. At the time, it also was exhibiting signs of the brake booster and pump failure as outlined in CSP 20TE07 (see https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2012-2014-toyota-prius-v-2015-toyota-prius-v-coverage-for-brake-booster-and-brake-booster-pump-assemblies-csp-20te07.2116/). It was inside the extended warranty period, but they would not fix it at the time, because it was not throwing diagnostic codes. Subsequently, the braking system malfunctioned, nearly causing a high-speed accident on the freeway. With diagnostic lights now showing, and code C1391 stored in the OBD system, I took the car back to the dealer, but now they said it was past the 10 year limit and still would do nothing about it. This is not acceptable! They knew the brake system was failing and a safety hazard, but would not address it, just because it hadn't actually failed yet. Toyota needs to further extend the warranty and take care of this brake failure past 10 years and 150,000 miles. Just because I took good care of my car and the brakes didn't fail as early as other owners, I should not have been subjected to the risk of brake failure or the high cost of repairing the brake system when Toyota took care of this problem for so many other hybrid owners. Please help.

- Elk Ridge, UT, USA

As I was driving, all of the brake lights turned on on the dashboard. The moment the lights turned on the brake power felt low on heavier pedal depression. I took the car in to the dealership for assessment and said they found internal failure of both brake actuator and booster and recommended replacement of both actuator pump and booster. I have had both the parts replaced and after now the second replacement of the master cylinder, there is still an error code for the pressure cylinder and all the brake lights are on.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Failure of hydraulic power brake booster and brake booster pump caused loss of brake fluid resulting in brakes not working properly. Cycling noise from brake booster. Vehicle regenerative brake system also failed to operate. Independent dealer repaired vehicle at my expense after Toyota denied warranty repair

- Lexington, SC, USA