Toyota Prius brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake actuator failed

NHTSA complaint #11758413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, traction control, and BRAKE warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled off on the off-ramp and became aware that extra effort was needed to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with brake booster and accumulator failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11756742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Code DTC C1391 - Abnormal leak of accumulator pressure. Internal failure of the brake booster pump assembly, preventing the system from maintaining proper hydraulic pressure. This means the brakes don't work, putting the driver's and passengers' lives at risk. This DTC C1391 code and problem were reproduced and confirmed by an independent service center who specializes in 3rd generation priuses. There were warning lights that lit up when the brakes failed - the ABS, traction control, and brake light all lit up but only after the brakes had stopped working. This is a known manufacturer defect but toyota won't pay to fix it because they put a 10 year limit on first driven date or 150,000 miles. This prius only has 100k miles but toyota still won't stand behind their product even though they have admitted it was a manufacturing defect and they sold a defective product.

NHTSA complaint #11756229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle Information: 2011 Toyota Prius, 144,000 miles. Component: Hydraulic Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System. Description of Incident: While driving at normal speeds, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe reduction in braking capability. The dashboard simultaneously illuminated the Brake Warning Light, ABS Light, and Slip/Traction Control Indicator Light. The brake pedal immediately became soft, spongy, and squishy, requiring significantly increased physical foot pressure and a vastly extended distance to bring the vehicle to a stop. Upon inspection, the brake fluid reservoir remains completely full, but the brake booster pump under the hood cycles and buzzes rapidly every 10 seconds while stationary. A diagnostic scan confirmed trouble code C1391 (Brake Actuator Internal Leak). This indicates a severe internal hydraulic pressure bleed inside the braking module. [SEE ATTACHED] This is a known, widespread manufacturing defect previously documented under Toyota Customer Support Program ZJB. The manufacturer has refused to remedy this life-threatening safety defect because a 10-year calendar threshold has passed, despite the vehicle being well under the 150,000-mile limit established by the manufacturer. The vehicle currently poses an immediate safety risk to occupants and the public.

NHTSA complaint #11756097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My vehicle has 105492 miles and ABS light, Trackion and Brake light went on. I could hear a buzzing sound from the brake actuator every 5 seconds. The brake actuator and master cylinder was failing. According to the dealership failure of brake actuator and master cylinder is a common safety issue with Toyota Prius. The failure of the actuator can lead to failure in the braking system and a crash. Online research shows that several customers have reported this issue. The Claremont Toyota quoted me $3646 to fix this issue. I contacted Toyota of America and they informed that they cannot cover these repairs case number 260515002576.I took my vehicle to a private mechanic. I paid $2312 for parts and labor to fix this safety issue. I would like to file a complaint against Toyota for not addressing this critical safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11755768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety concern involving the brake actuator/booster assembly on my 2014 Toyota Prius. My vehicle has experienced failure of this critical braking component and has been unable to be properly repaired since November due to difficulty obtaining the correct replacement parts. This involves a major safety system required for proper braking operation. Brake actuator/booster assembly. Diagnostic codes: B1206, B2321, C1252, C1253 C1256. Toyota previously acknowledged brake actuator concerns through Customer Support Program ZJB. However, my vehicle is outside the program limits despite experiencing what appears to be the same type of failure reported by many other Prius owners. Since November, I have faced difficulty obtaining the correct parts, reports of nationwide backorders or limited availability, conflicting information regarding updated Toyota part numbers, and concerns about repair providers advertising new OEM parts that may actually be aftermarket or incorrect components. This creates a safety concern because owners experiencing brake failures may be unable to obtain timely repairs using verified, appropriate parts. Repair estimates have ranged from approximately $3,000 to over $4,000, including a Toyota dealership estimate of approximately $4,100. This creates a significant barrier to restoring a vehicle to safe operation, especially involving a component Toyota has previously addressed through a customer support program. I request that NHTSA review this complaint and similar reports to determine whether further investigation is warranted regarding Toyota Prius brake actuator failures, parts availability issues, and whether additional manufacturer action or support is needed. A vehicle’s braking system is a fundamental safety component. Owners should be able to obtain a safe and reliable repair without months of delay or uncertainty regarding replacement parts.

NHTSA complaint #11754349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I am the first owner of a Toyota 2013 Prius that I purchased in Baltimore, MD, in 2013. I moved Georgia in 2014. The car currently has 130000 miles. I heard there were recalls on this vehicle type few years ago, but I was never notified. The brake has failed recently with code C1391. I spent $3,500 recently and the car is still in the repair shop.

NHTSA complaint #11753299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Every time I'd press the brakes there'd be an audible "click" noise and then when taking my foot off the brake it'd sound like a manual tire pump being pressed... kind of like air filling / hydraulic sound. This worried me (I don't mess around with brakes). One other thing that would happen is if I pressed the brake hard enough, the automatic braking system would kick in. The Toyota dealership claimed they couldn't hear anything and there were no warning lights so I took it to a reputable local mechanic. They diagnosed it as a bad ABS Actuator / Brake Booster and said it's common with this year of Prius. They also said it was good I brought it in now because it was not severe enough to totally fail (which could have caused an accident) but there was evidence of degradation and they also said the issue was causing sufficient brake fluid to not get where it needs to be.

NHTSA complaint #11752939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Code 1391 / power brake booster failure. Know defect by Toyota in which they extended warranty, vehicle is within mileage warranty but past the date warranty. Therefore Toyota will not assist in repairing. Very troubling in that this is a high risk recall or safety issue well known and instead of repairing extended. Repairs cost more than half the value of the vehicle and we are heavily reliant on this car and cannot afford 4k repair nor would sell knowing the saftey issue. Apparently there was notices sent for voluntary repairs in which I never received, had I received and reviewed I would have had repaired. My car had been to Toyota dealership and was never notified of this recall. Toyota offered voluntary programs (such as ZJB or model-specific extensions like 21TE01 for certain 2012–2014 Prius c vehicles) to replace failing brake boosters and pump assemblies.

NHTSA complaint #11752316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake warning lights on, buzzing sound every 10 seconds. Likely a known actuator and master cylinder issue

NHTSA complaint #11750980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake lights icons stay on mechanic at Toyota dealership state need new brak master cylinder and booster

NHTSA complaint #11751225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My car experienced a failing brake actuator/accumulator. The first sign was the ABS and break lights accompanied by a whoosing sound. The issue causes intermittent system wide break failure and renders the car undriveable. Toyota had an extended warranty for this issue but that offer was closed by the time my car had the failure even though it was still under 150,000 miles. I believe this is a significant safety issue and should rise to the level of a recall by Toyota.

NHTSA complaint #11751206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake actuator had been making noises and it finally stopped working on 7/14/26. Thankfully my car was and stopped and parked. The car has 137k miles on it, one owner and no explanation of what caused this. There were no accidents, abuse, or failure to maintenance.

NHTSA complaint #11750234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The brake light, abs light, and traction control light is on. This was a known issue with Toyota Prius. They extended the warranty but failed to adequately notify user. I believe this is a serious safety issue and should be a recall as it affects the adequate stopping of a car, not just an extended warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11749675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My 2012 Toyota Prius is experiencing brake actuator pump failure, presenting diagnostic trouble codes C1253 (brake actuator pump motor stuck/locked) and C1256 (brake actuator pump motor overcurrent). These codes trigger ABS, brake, and VSC warning lights and disable ABS and stability control. Toyota previously acknowledged this exact defect under Customer Support Program ZJB, which covered 2010-2015 Prius vehicles for brake booster and brake booster pump assembly failures triggered by these specific codes. I am the original owner of this vehicle, purchased new in 2012. I never received notification of CSP ZJB despite being the registered owner at the time notifications were distributed in 2019-2021. My current mileage is under 150,000 miles, within the secondary coverage mileage limit established by the program. Toyota has declined to provide goodwill coverage citing program expiration. This is a known safety defect that reduces braking effectiveness and disables ABS — it should have been addressed through a mandatory recall rather than a voluntary program with an expiration date that left original owners without recourse due to failed notification.

NHTSA complaint #11748062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The traction control, abs, and emergency brake light came on. We checked and the code produced was C1391. There’s a humming noise every 10 or so seconds when idle. The humming noise is also present when braking. We did some research and this appears to be an issue with Toyota Prius. We called the dealership and were informed that this was not a known issue. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11748069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a catastrophic brake component failure on my 2013 Toyota Prius, occurring at less than 83,000 miles. The vehicle’s Brake Master Cylinder/Actuator Assembly has suffered an internal hydraulic pressure leak, causing the electric booster pump to run continuously to prevent a total loss of braking assist. This is a well-documented manufacturing defect that directly compromises passenger safety, drastically increases stopping distances, and threatens a complete loss of power assist while driving. Toyota explicitly acknowledged this inherent design flaw through its Customer Support Program (ZJB). However, they limited coverage to a strict 10-year expiration date from the first date of use. Because my vehicle has exceptionally low mileage and was driven gently, the component took longer to degrade, causing it to fail just outside Toyota's arbitrary time limit. Limiting safety coverage based on time rather than mileage penalizes owners of low-mileage vehicles for an engineered factory defect.

NHTSA complaint #11747592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on and running, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the messages "Braking Power Low - Stop in a Safe Place”, “See Owner's Manual", "Braking Power Low - Visit the Dealer", and "ABS Malfunction - See Dealer" were displayed. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and DTC: C14B6 was retrieved, indicating that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the code was cleared. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the information from the dealer was relayed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,028.

NHTSA complaint #11747244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle Information: Year: 2011 Make: Toyota Model: Prius Mileage at Failure: 58,769 miles Date of First Use: February 20, 2012 Complaint Description: As I was driving on the freeway, my 2011 Toyota Prius brakelights all came on. I pulled off, had it towed to nearest mechanic, who diagnosed a failure involving the brake booster, brake actuator, and ABS system at only 58,769 miles. The vehicle was diagnosed with Diagnostic Trouble Code C1391 (Abnormal Leak of Accumulator Pressure). According to my mechanic, the condition is caused by an internal brake fluid leak within the brake booster assembly with master cylinder. The recommended repair includes replacement of both the brake booster assembly with master cylinder and the brake booster pump assembly. The estimated cost of repair is approximately $4,100. This concerns me because the brake system is a critical safety component, and I believe such a failure at fewer than 60,000 miles is highly unusual and may pose a safety risk to drivers and passengers. Toyota previously issued a Warranty Enhancement Program for this issue, but my vehicle was denied coverage because the program expired on August 31, 2021, and the secondary coverage expired on February 20, 2022, ten years after the vehicle's first use date. Toyota declined any out-of-warranty assistance despite the vehicle's exceptionally low mileage. I am submitting this complaint so that this incident is documented as a potential safety concern involving premature failure of the brake booster and ABS system components on the 2011 Toyota Prius.

NHTSA complaint #11746722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.