10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,792 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Jul 262021

Prius v

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving with the brake pedal applied, the vehicle hesitated and was slow to respond. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Brainerd, MN, USA

problem #19

May 122021

Prius v

  • 102,000 miles
Prius displayed all brake warning lights when car was running. Toyota dealership confirmed that brake booster and pump assembly need to be replaced, but would not replace them under customer support program 20te07 because they could not pull the specified diagnostic code. Dealer acknowledged that the battery dying two weeks prior could have erased the necessary codes, but still refused to fix the car. After calling the corporate customer service line and speaking to someone for 30 minutes, they stated that Toyota could fix the problem, but made a business decision not to.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #18

May 262020

Prius v

  • 137,500 miles
My brakes failed on a two-lane divided street in lutz. We were driving straight, and when my husband put his foot on the brake, they failed. We drove to the nearest Toyota garage and the agent said that it was a master cylinder problem but the prius would be covered under a recall - prius' less than 10 years old and less than 150,000 miles on the clock were covered. My car fit both criteria. On returning to collect the car, none of the V class prius' were included. The part number was C1391. We had to pay $3886.09. Our manufacturer number was not covered. It was one number different. I spoke to the most senior executive I could contact at Toyota. (danny castro). Danny had no answers that I found satisfactory. His basic reply was: 'your manufacturers number is not included.' These are my concerns and reasons: 1. there is a known fault with the master cylinder with all prius cars, but the company says that it is only responsible for certain manufacturer part numbers, which doesn't include the V's. I think it's a design fault and by giving the part a different number to avoid the recall on V's, seems underhanded. 2. there is nothing I have done to instigate or aggravate this problem. 3. my car has been perfectly serviced and I have not missed any mileage dates. 4. we were lucky. With the brakes failing abruptly and without warning, we were at risk and I believe that my complaint may save others that aren't so fortunate as us. All prius cars should be covered under the recall program.the internet documents master cylinder failures on all prius models, the top one being a leak; my problem. 1.5 million cars are being recalled - why not mine!!!!

- Tequesta, FL, USA

problem #17

Apr 182020

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
This is something that's happening occasionally, I'm driving and all of the sudden, the traction control, ABS and brake lights, turn on and the brake pedal feels sluggish and starts to apply at a dangerous low level, the pedal almost hits the floor, then a day may pass, then it starts normal again, for a couple of hours, then, the lights come on again, and the pedal starts with the problem again, it's getting very dangerous for me to drive the car. That happened with my youngest son and my grandson, this started at April, and it still doing it 'till this day, please help.

- Bayamon, PR, USA

problem #16

Apr 242020

Prius v 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles
While driving the vehicle a sequence of 4 lights appears on the dash- 1. brake light 2. master warning light 3. slip indicator light and 4. ABS (anti-lock brake system indicator light). When this happens the vehicle's power braking system goes into what seems to be a manual mode making the pedal hard to press and brakes to malfunction, it is so dangerous. I took the vehicle to my local Toyota dealer and they confirmed fault code C1391 (abnormal leak in the accumulator) and the "brake cylinder assy. ABS pump, part # 47050-47110 is defective. The estimate given by the dealer for my repair was $3040. After doing my research on the condition, it was discovered that Toyota has issued a warranty enhancement letter coded "zjb" for similar prius vehicles of the same year span as my vehicle. After contacting Toyota, they stated the enhancement is VIN-specific and the Prius V model does not fall within the "zjb" enhancement. The enhancement currently applies to 2012-2015 prius and prius phv vehicles, but not the Prius V. the program offers complete repair, at zero cost to the customer. It is my position that the Prius V should be included in this rework as it affects the same components, same fault codes, and same symptoms affected on the covered models. Toyota is well aware of the issue with these ABS brake pumps going back to their 2010 cars. It is also my position that since there are less Prius V models on the road, there just hasn't been enough complaints to make it relevant. I currently have an open file with Toyota, the file number is 2005133097. At this time they have agreed to make some adjustments on the repair costs, however, Toyota should be required to add the Prius V model to the "zjb" warranty enhancement rework letter. There are many other Prius V model owners that this issue is affecting and not being treated fairly by Toyota. Please do what you can to help?

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #15

Nov 212019

Prius v

  • 35 miles
2013 prius, mileage 100,590 car in motion driving on city streets. While breaking on uneven roads/potholes, the car skids and front wheels lock up and traction control/break assist light appears on the dashboard. When this occurs the car is dangerously slow to break and takes far too long to stop. This happens almost daily on my commute to work in both dry and wet conditions. This seems to be an issue with the breaking/stability system.

- Aguas Buenas, PR, USA

problem #14

Oct 052019

Prius v

  • 65,000 miles
Own a 2013 Prius V. noticed about 5 times over past 2 years-when car starts after sitting overnight (12 hours) and put into gear, car will roll back while foot is depressed on brake. After a few feet of rolling and pumping brakes, car will stop.no injuries or damage sustained as car was in flat carport. Over past 6 months, braking while at low speeds (less than 5 mph), produced a rhythmic jerking type of stop. Dealership diagnosed problem as needing replacement of brake booster pump and master booster assembly. Drove car without repair for 1.5 more months when ABS warning lights came on while on the freeway. Stopping distance greatly increased and need to press the brake down hard was a significant difference. Wrote to Toyota headquarters as well as local servco which is the main Toyota/Lexus/Subaru dealer in Hawaii. They declined to my request to repair the defect at no charge stating car is not covered under the zjb customer support program that Toyota already has in place for 2010-2015 prius and prius plug in (but not the Prius V). Dealer states the zjb program is a "courtesy" for those covered vehicles. This is a defective part that Toyota and servco knowingly sold to the consumer-it is a consumer safety issue.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #13

Sep 102019

Prius v

  • 93,119 miles
During an inspection, it was discovered that the brake accumulator and booster developed an internal leak. Fluid was accumulating on top of engine components and inside the cabin on the brake pedal. The repair cost nearly $3,000 and can only be performed at a Toyota dealer due to a special tool.

- Englewood, CO, USA

problem #12

Apr 122019

Prius v

  • 100,000 miles
Partial brake failure caused by faulty brake booster and actuator. Vehicle was in motionn on roadway when loss of braking suddenly happened.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #11

Apr 252019

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 106,853 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius V. while driving approximately 20 mph and attempting to brake, the vehicle did not stop and the tire pressure monitoring system, anti-lock, brake, and electronic stability control indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to john elway's crown Toyota (1201 kettering dr, Ontario, ca 91761) where it was diagnosed that the brake booster/brake booster pump and master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle had a software failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,853. The consumer stated the vehicle over heated. The hybrid battery pack needed to be replaced and the was also an issue concerning the electric pump assembly. A recall repair was completed on the vehicle that caused issues with the master cylinder and brake booster pump assembly. The consumer has since not driven the vehicle.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 122018

Prius v

  • 51,500 miles
This has happened five times now, thus far only on a level surface. Starting with the car off and parked with the parking brake on. I depress and hold the brake pedal with my right foot. Start the car by pressing power. While continuing to hold the brake pedal I depress and release the parking brake to disengage it. Then, still with my foot on the brake pedal, I shift into reverse. Instead of remaining still the car rolls backwards. Immediately depressing the brake pedal farther does not cause any braking. I have instinctively removed my foot from the pedal completely and then depressed the pedal again. The second attempt has always resulted in braking. Fortunately this has occurred only when there has been no traffic or obstacle behind the car but it is greatly concerning, particularly on san francisco hills, to worry that the brakes will not function when shifting into gear from park. Further there seems to be no warning when the brakes may malfunction. I can only tell the brakes aren't working when it starts rolling backward under power.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 142017

Prius v

  • miles
My wife started her car this morning, put it in park and then stepped out to get the mail. The vehicle unexpectedly moved forward running her over and pinning her leg underneath. She is currently at the hospital being checked for internal injuries. Has this been reported and if so, why not fully reported?

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #8

Jan 012017

Prius v

  • 30,000 miles
The ABS/regen/hydraulic braking conflict on 3rd gen prius' previously documented, is getting worse as my car ages. It was only slightly apparent in the first 2 years but is getting progressively worse. The brakes let go on constant brake pressure when the front wheels lose traction: Wet road, bumps, train tracks, gravel, uneven road surface, speed bumps, etc..previous models were subject to a recall. Brake problem documented here: Toyota-Alabama.com/Alabama-engineer-tackles-prius-brake-issues-and-discovers-potholes/; this now occurs on a daily basis, but I have inputted the event date as 1/1/17.

- Towson, MD, USA

problem #7

Mar 162016

Prius v 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius V. while driving at approximately 60 mph, the brakes activated independently and caused the vehicle to rapidly decelerate. In addition, the seat belt tightened without being used. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000....updated 04/11/16

- Sykesville, MD, USA

problem #6

Sep 032015

Prius v

  • 35,000 miles
Second of two accidents. Braking distance appears severely compromised. Unable to stop within a reasonable distance.

- Gloucester, VA, USA

problem #5

Jul 302015

Prius v

  • 26,500 miles
While traveling on a local interstate, I had to use the brakes because traffic in front of me had slowed. When pressing the brake pedal it went all the way to the floor and at the same time two different warning lights on the dash illuminated; the ABS light and the brake failure light. I managed to slow the vehicle using the emergency brake and engine compression. Car was towed to a local Toyota dealership and they was not able to identify the problem. They state that when they checked the car the next morning the car had brakes. However, when the service tech performed a test drive later that day, she would not release the vehicle because again the brakes failed but again when further tested, this prius again had normal brakes. The ECU software was updated and I was told that was the issue but that is not possible. The car is unsafe to drive, . this issue needs to be investigated because if this prius has the defect so do others.

- Aledo, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 272014

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 1,200 miles
We rented a Toyota prius from enterprise in shreveport la at the airport. We drove to kilgore tx for the shakespeare festival. In kilgore, the driver with one passenger attempted to enter a diagonal parking space in front of a strip mall. Upon approach, going approximately five miles per hour or less, the car's brake pedal went to the floor, with no braking happening. The car then surged into the parking space, up over the curb, and into the corner of a store, causing extensive injury to passenger side and passenger, minor injury to driver, and extensive injury to the building. Police records state that "at the scene, I checked the brakes of the vehicle both running and not running and fond there was little or no resistance while threatening pressure to the brake pedal. I observed the brake pedal go all the way to the floor and heard a metallic grinding. This lead me to believe the brakes did not function properly at the time of, or immediately prior to the accident."

- Edgewater , FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 082014

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 28,583 miles
With my foot on the brake, coming to a stop at a stop sign, we went over uneven pavement and the car lurched forward while only a few feet from the crosswalk. Braking to a stop at an intersection - the road is dry and flat. The car's traction control/slippery icon comes on. Car is parked in an underground parking lot. Start car and reverse out of parking spot when the car suddenly stops and losses power. Had to start car again and the slippery icon comes on and car wouldn't go into gear. Power on and off a few times before car went into gear.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #2

Oct 302014

Prius v

  • 36,198 miles
Was going down hill at 40mph the light turned red I tried to stop I pumped the brakes twice then twice again the lain to my life was full to my right was a curb about 13in height and by then we were in the back end of the car in front of us and no air bags I don't know when air bag deploy or at what speed I thank god for other cars back ends that we can hit and not kill any one I guess.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #1

May 162013

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 200 miles
2013 Prius V - brand new. Brakes make a grinding noise when cold. Three different Toyota dealerships told me that it is normal for the brakes to grind when cold. Nothing they could do about it. Vehicle now has 15,000 miles on it and it still makes grinding noises when cold. I had a 2010 prius and had no problems with it. Found on the Toyota owners website there are several others with the same problem. One of them had the seattle Toyota dealership fix the problem: Toyota of seattle 1,379 service details rear brake noise when cold Prius V R&R both calipers, R. dsc 1-sd (on-veh) comb: Opposite side there is a fix and Toyota is refusing to fix the problem. Please issue a recall for this problem before the grinding brakes become a loss of braking action and accidents occur.

- Fairfax, VA, USA