10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,371 miles

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problem #7

Mar 132024

Prius v

  • miles
I started hearing the whirring sound from the brake booster that normally only comes on at startup almost constantly, about every 15 seconds. Along with this, a puffing sound and a pulsing from the brake pedal when stopped with the car on, such as at a traffic light. Also, when coming to a stop there would be a shudder from the brakes. After about a month I was driving when 3 separate warning lights lit up on the dashboard and the next time I braked the pedal felt very different than normal, very mushy, and the car seemed to not stop as well. I consulted a repair shop and they told me it-??s a common problem with this model: brake booster/actuator failure resulting in a loss of the ABS system. They quoted me over $2000 to make the repair. Internet research confirmed that this is a common problem that Toyota is aware of but refuses to acknowledge as something to be recalled, despite the huge safety risk associated with it. This on a car with only 85,000 miles.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #6

May 302021

Prius v

  • miles
Car hesitates after stopping at a traffic light (5/30/21). After a few seconds the car finally engages (accelerate). Happens infrequently. Brakes seems to be stuck after braking and releasing brakes (7/15/21). Took a few second to acceleerate. Happens infrequently. Car switch to neutral after stopping at a traffic light (9/15/21). Car switch to neutral after stopping at a traffic light (10/12/21.) Car switch to neutral after stopping at a traffic light (10/15/21). Warning lights came on (10/15/21) Diagnosted: pressure control chip for the master cyclinder failed. After braking at a traffic light the car switched to neutral by itself and failed to acceleerate or move forward (10/16/21).

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #5

Apr 142019

Prius v

  • 34,500 miles
Traveling at approximately 25 mph in a neighborhood, I had just turned into a diagonal parking space in a cul-de-sac at about 10am and the car suddenly accelerated forward and hit a yellow iron post beyond the front of the parking space. It happened in a matter of 2-3 seconds and I couldn't stop the car by braking. The post stopped the car and caused extensive damage to the car. It was extremely perplexing and I still don't think it was caused by my actions due to the sudden acceleration. I no longer have photos of the damage. I contacted my insurance carrier and my rates increased significantly but I still feel strongly that I did not cause the accident. I had been driving at 20mph through the neighborhood prior to parking. Repairs totaled about $2400.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 012017

Prius v

  • 25,000 miles
Issue started after 2 years, when wet and cold as I back up and put my foot on the brake pedal, a very loud noise heard coming from the back" it lasts as long as I put my foot on the pedal. Expressed my concerns at peterson Toyota dealer locally, but the technician stated that "it's normal", could be the brake hydraulic booster system" the issues still continue as of today. I do record the noise when it happens

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #3

Feb 062019

Prius v

  • 60,000 miles
This is an occasional and intermittent issue. At 35 to 45 mph, traveling straight, on city avenues and boulevards. When braking in an urgent fshion (not panick and not easy) the brake peddal is soft and travels significantly further than usual before the cars breaking system takes effect. This was on dry roads and above freezing temperatures. We have not experienced any accidents due to this but there have been moments of near panick prior to the brakes working as expected. As a separate brake issue, on two occasions when panick braking from apeeds over 50 mph, traveling straight, on freeways the brakes have locked and the car has skidded. This was on dry roads during daylight hours, dry roads and above freezing temperatures. This vehicle has antilock braking system. The local Toyota dealer was advised of this locking issue and reported they found no issue. We have our brakes inspected by a local Toyota dealre at manufacturer recommended intervals and have been given a 'green' rating for pad thickness. The above events started late in the first year of ownership and we are the first owners of this vehicle. I ama retired engineer with a fair background with performance driving on closed circuits. I have a solid understanding of proper brake performance. I fond the above experiences disconcerting and of concern. The below date of occurrence is for the latest slow brake response, not the locking up.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #2

Sep 242018

Prius v

  • 59,100 miles
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Prius V hybrid. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact shifted into reverse and the vehicle accelerated rapidly between 5-10 mph. The speed increased to 20 mph and the vehicle crashed into a fence. The contact applied significant pressure to the brake pedal during the failure, but the vehicle did not stop. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor soreness from the impact of the crash, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and deemed destroyed. Steve landers Toyota (10825 colonel glenn road, little rock, Arkansas 72204) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approxiately 59,100. The VIN was not available.

- Austin, AR, USA

problem #1

Aug 012016

Prius v

  • 13,000 miles
2015 Toyota Prius V: this car has a brake system accumulator that activates after the car has sat for a sufficiently long time (overnight, during the workday, etc). When you open the driver side door, the accumulator activates and pressurizes the brake system. However, when using the brakes while driving for the first time after the accumulator activates, the brakes are way too soft/spongy - so soft that it feels like the car will not stop and the stopping distance is lengthened, sometimes more than doubled. My local dealer claims they have to be able to reproduce the problem to fix it. I have had other model priuses where they have said the same thing, yet the problem turned out to be a systemic issue in a certain prius model. I fear that this is another pervasive brake issue that Toyota is trying to hide.

- Hanover, NH, USA