33 of the
93 complaints filed about the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
are about the braking system —
35% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be depressed abnormally hard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11631073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WENT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND GOT THE SAME ISSUE CONFIRMED. IT IS A BOOSTER BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE. I CALLED CONSUMER ADVOCATES AND THEY SAID THE NOTICE WENT OUT IN 2019 AND SINCE THEN EXPIRED. THEREFORE DEALERSHIP IS NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTICE. WHEN I CONTENDED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE HANDLED AND MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN 10 YEARS THEY REFUSED. FROM MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT IT IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH THE BREAK BOOSTER AND DEFFINATELY WARRANTS A RECALL. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE MANY MEDICAL ISSUES I NEED MONEY FOR AND CAN NOT AFFORD $3000 MANUFACTURING FAULT DEFECT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #11625528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS/ brakes, traction control warning lights came on 5 days ago. Dealer stated DTC 1391 code detected and recommend brake actuator replacement and brake booster assembly. Toyota issued TSB 0024-19 for service.
NHTSA complaint #11610589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. The ABS system failed upon inspection at a dealership. Specifically the ABS accumulator and booster. 2. The ABS system put us at risk by failing prematurely, and traction control and ABS functions seemingly stopped working while driving on the road. 3. Yes, dealership confirmed the issue with a full diagnostic, and the part has a customer support program bulletin/TSB out for this specific issue. 4. inspected by manufacturer dealership service center. 5. Lights such as the parking brake, ABS, and (!) lit up while driving and the failure occurred at the same time.
NHTSA complaint #11610069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal was very stiff. The contact stated that the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake power booster and brake power gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
NHTSA complaint #11602995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brakes stopped functioning fully when i was driving and car started throwing ABS and Brake warning signs. I could not brake my car properly and had to stop the car and get it towed. The dealer said its a brake actuator failure. The error code is C1391.Its costing me around 2000 to get it fixed
NHTSA complaint #11595500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 5/23/24, the ABS, Traction, and Brakes lights came on the dash and the brakes were not responding. My car was picked up from the Toyota dealer on 5/22/24 afternoon. It passed their multipoint inspection after they replaced all 4 brake pads on 5/21/24. Code C1391 internal leak. The brake actuator and brake pump needed to be replaced. I was quoted $2700 for repairs after I already paid over $570 to replace brake pads.
NHTSA complaint #11591084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parts failed: accumulator/brake actuator and brake pump [XXX]: I dropped off my car at the Coggin Toyota dealer in Jacksonville, FL to replace all (4) brake pads [XXX]: I picked up my car during lunch and their multipoint inspection passed with no issues [XXX]: Maintenance lights came on the dash during lunch, brakes were not responsive, and my car was beeping non-stop. I dropped off my car to Coggin Toyota to check the issue. They estimated $2722.81 before tax to replace brake actuator and brake pump because there is an internal leak in the brake actuator. [XXX]: The Toyota advisor stated that my car did not qualify for their extended warranty to replace the parts. He also stated that if I pay for the repairs, they will only cover the parts for up to 12k miles or 1 year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11590662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving down a winding road, the brake warning light and brake message suddenly activated and while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The vehicle was later taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the brake booster, brake master cylinder, and brake booster pump assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle did not qualify for the manufacturers extended coverage regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11581169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving less than 55mph on freeway on February 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, Brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, Spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider.
NHTSA complaint #11572415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After the failure, the contact became aware that the brake pedal needed an excessive amount of force to be depressed while bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The brake and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11560372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the stabili-trak, ABS, and a several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated there were also audible alarms being sounded. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the brake pedal failed to respond. The contact stated that she was able to coast the vehicle off the highway and shifted into park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact turned off and turned on the vehicle and attempted to depress the brake pedal; however, the brake pedal was abnormally firm. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11548466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2012 level 5 plug-in I was driving on the freeway with radar cruise control and the vehicle dash lit up with check pcs system ever warning light came on the brake petal was not there as normal it would go about half way down to engage very scary I took it to the dealership service said I need new brake booster installed not covered under warranty 130k miles
NHTSA complaint #11545308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Got rear end on 08.21.2023. Was able to drive car to work next day. Once I got home the ABS, traction control, and brake light went on. Using OBD2 scanner. Code 16-17 Right--Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Electrical Noise or Intermittent interruption, Code 16-17 Left-Right Wheel Speed Sensor Malfunction, 61-01 Modulator-Control Unit Initial IG Low Voltage, 65-33 Brake Fluid Level Switch Stuck On, 83-19 ECM/PCM Relation Failure, CT1203 ECM/EV Communication Circuit, C1345 Linear Solenoid Value Offset Learning Undone, C1392 Zero Point Calibration of Stroke Sensor Undone. Tow car to Toyota and they recommend to replace brake booster with Master Cylinder Assembly. Ran me $2968.41 bill which adjuster claim wasn't cause by rear engine damage. Accident Video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11544196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], while driving on a highway with two young children, the dashboard lit up with multiple lights and error warnings. This appeared without warning and with no incident, and the warnings included the main hybrid screen reading “Check PCS System”, triangular Master Warning Light, Brake System Warning Light, Brake Warning Buzzer, ABS Warning Light, and Slip Indicator. We immediately pulled over to the side of the highway to check for any major damage or leaks, but found nothing unusual. We booked a diagnostic with a Toyota service center, where we were informed that brake system error code C1391 was discovered and the service recommendation was to replace the failed (leaking) brake booster and booster pump assembly. The service representative informed us that this exact system failure was previously covered by a Toyota Customer Support Program due to a known faulty part, but the primary coverage date ended in August 2021 and we just barely surpassed the 10-year secondary coverage date of February 2023. We were urged to repair it right away and were told that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in the current condition, as the Antilock Braking System could fail at any time. We have noticed that it takes more pressure to brake the vehicle than prior to the issue, which may have been began deteriorating prior to the issue but was difficult to identify due to the slow progression. We brought the vehicle home with hopes of resolving the matter with Toyota customer engagement. They confirmed that this issue affected almost 1 million vehicles, but because it was a customer support program and not a recall, they could not help us since we were past the 10-year mark (yet well under the 150,000 mile limit to the program). The vehicle still has all the lights described above, and as such is concerning to drive. A second vehicle is critical for our family, so to be suddenly told that our vehicle is unsafe to drive but the defect wasn’t a full recall is concerning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC
NHTSA complaint #11530569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brakes failed while I was slowing down for a speed trap; if I had been stopping for traffic I would have been in somebody's back seat. There was already a class action lawsuit about this that Toyota settled out of court. We were supposed to receive notice about the extended warranty related to this but did not; additionally the dealership lied to us on two different occasions about our brakes being fine after they started behaving differently. If the dealership hadn't lied in both 2020, and 2022, my life wouldn't have been in jeopardy, and we wouldn't be paying thousands of dollars to fix a defective part. Why are you putting so many people's lives at risk by not forcing Toyota to issue a recall? All their hybrid braking systems over a decade of models have this issue. The hybrid specialist mechanic we ended up with said he sees several cars a week with this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11520412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brake booster pump started pressuurizing frequently last year around 140,000 miles. Error lights and less responsive breaks this year so I called Toyota service they said bring it in. They said repair is over $3000. The mileage was just over 150000 and just over 10 year extended warranty I didn't know about for this problem coded c1391
NHTSA complaint #11501936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brake pressure pump comes on every 2 seconds. The warning lights on the dash are on for brakes and abs. The car still stops but it reacts slower to pedal pressure. Dealer says it needs master cylinder and actuator pump for 3000$ at least. It is available for inspection, has 155,000 miles now, but pump has been hyperactive for about 12 mo. May be a hazard now, may fail completely ,I don't know. But too expensive to me to fix. Has only been inspected by autonation Toyota, not police etc. Pump was overactive for a year but right after anautomatic car wash the lights came on an the brake pedal got mushy. Then I called dealer. Apparently a common problem that was a recall for 2010 and silent recall after for later model gen 3s.
NHTSA complaint #11492460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought a first generation Toyota Prius PHEV in 2012. Apparently a Customer Support Program notice was sent out two years ago which I never received. For the last year or so my Prius has made a hissing sound when I stepped on the brakes unless I push extra hard on the pedal. Didn’t think anything of it until last month several lights went off. I took it to Big O Tires and they added brake fluid and the lights went away. Next month it went off again, I took it back and they suggested taking it to a dealer. I take it to Tustin Toyota they diagnose it as a Brake Booster and Pump problem. My issue is that I never received a mailer or email like I did for previous recalls. I did transfer ownership to my wife a while back, so I don’t know if that DMV administrative change impacted the mailer. It is a safety concern as my wife drives our two kids and the brake had signs but we did not take it in to the dealer until the failure lights lit up 11 months after the expiration. Is there a chance that a Customer Support Program becomes a Recall if NHTSA receives enough complaints?
NHTSA complaint #11481174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.