2013 Toyota Prius V: brake failure

Filed May 1, 2026 · Brakes · OR

Suddenly Cars Brakes failed with vehicle almost lunged forward. I had to slam the brakes heavily for it to stop; Took the vehicle to Toyota Service and clearly its a QUALITY issue toyota acknowledged as a know problem with error code C1391. They even had customer support program 20TE07 acknowledging it as their issue; I almost got killed for this. The repair costs are abnormally high at 4900$'s putting me a financial burden also and currently unsafe car; Toyota - they literally KNOW THIS ISSUE and still put me at risk. They are refusing any kind of assistance to help too.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Brakes · NC

I purchased a 2013 Toyota Prius V a couple of years ago from a reputable local dealership. In July of 2024 my brakes failed and several lights came on the dashboard. I went to my regular mechanic, Mr Tire and and to Hendricks Toyota and got two estimates, both a shocking nearly $4000. This is for a BRAKE BOOSTER and ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY. I found out that this was a known issue for years by Toyota and dealers were sent a TSB regarding this. I called Toyota corporate and at at first was told that there was a recall on the parts, BUT that the period of repair by Toyota had closed in July of 2023, one year prior to my car's issues. The next time I called asking for upper level management (which I never got) I was told that it was not an actual recall, just a "special program" that has now ended. They basically figuratively shrugged shoulders and said oh well, sorry we know this is frustrating but you will just have to pay out of pocket. I am a [XXX] on fixed limited income. I don't have $4000+ available just like that. I work part-time providing concierge services for [XXX] 10-20+ years older than me who are no longer able to drive. I take them grocery and pharmacy shopping, and to doctors appointments etc. I bought this car specifically because it is a comfortable wagon perfect for me and my elderly clients, easy for them to get in and out, easy to place their walkers or folding wheelchairs in. I am so stressed, nervous and worried about this situation, as I know I am putting myself, my clients, and others on the road at risk every time I take this car on the road! Particularly now that we are getting wintery weather. I cannot comprehend how such a huge company as Toyota refuses to help with a dangerous defect that they are well aware of. I am sorely disappointed, as myself and my entire family have been loyal Toyota car owners for over 40 years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 13, 2024 · Brakes · 79,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH in stop-and-go traffic and applying the brake pedal to decrease in speed, the vehicle hesitated to decrease in speed. The contact had to apply an excessive amount of pressure for the vehicle to decrease in speed. The Slip indicator light, brake system failure, and anti-lock brake failure warning lights are illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that code C1391 which showed on the diagnostic machine. The dealer stated the brake booster pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to the Customer Support Program 20TE07 with the federal safety agency ID Number 10184564 (Service Brakes, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the warranty coverage was associated with the Customer Support Program. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2024 · Brakes · FL

On November 28, 2023 my brakes went out in the middle of 3 lanes of traffic. Fortunately, I succeeded in not having a traffic accident and pulled off the road. The car was towed to Daytona Toyota. They informed me it was the ABS malfunction. I discovered it has been a known issue. The brake booster pump assembly on certain Prius V vehicles from years 2022 to 2014 are affected. A 'bulletin' had been mailed out several years prior, and it could be repaired free of charge up to September 30, 2023 - if I had mentioned it. It was and has been traumatic to consider what can and could happen when the brakes go out without any warning. There was no indication the brakes were bad, no warning light, nothing. This car has been continually serviced by Daytona Toyota on a regular basis. Not once has it ever been mentioned to me. Not once. In my opinion, nothing said, no repairs to be paid for. When I complained, and called Toyota's 'Brand Engagement' (case # 231129001653) I was told they had mailed out the information and was very sorry I didn't see it. So, as I see it, they are absolved of any legal responsibility. My fault, not theirs. I could have caused serious or deadly harm to someone. It would be my responsibility. Again, not once has my service advisor or anyone else said a word about it. I stopped by my neighbor's to advise him of the problem with the car. He said he liked to keep his cars maintained and had happened to Google any info on his car. It showed up, he took his car in and they said good thing he saw it. That the service coverage was expiring in a few days (it was late September). They fixed it for free right away. I on the other hand, almost 'rear-ended' someone in the center lane of traffic and paid $3,506.76. (they gave me 10% discount for being a good customer) So, how many other car drivers are on the road with this unknowing problem?

Filed Dec 20, 2023 · Brakes · MD

At approximately 150,100 miles (barely outside Toyota's extended warranty) several dash lights came on including the brake, ABS, and traction control lights. A Toyota dealer determined the problem to be the notorious C1391 brake booster issue (which seems identical to previous petition DP19-004). Even though by the time I got the vehicle to the dealer it had 150,300 miles on it (just 300 miles outside the extended warranty), Toyota refuses to pay a dime of the $4,000+ repair cost! I cannot afford the repair cost and since I was NOT warned that I could not drive the car as the brakes were still operational without the ABS, stability control, and traction control, I continued driving it. But after approximately 4 months, on 12/29/2023, at 152,787 miles, as I was slowly driving through a residential neighborhood, I lost almost all ability to brake and had to put tremendous pressure on the brake pedal to get the car to stop. Upon a subsequent reading of error codes that I performed myself, in addition to the C1391, codes C1252, C1253, and C1256 have also now triggered. It is a miracle I did not have an accident as I could have easily been on a highway or going down a steep hill when this brake failure occurred. In my 36 years of driving, I have never been behind the wheel of any car in which the brakes have failed like this, regardless of make, model, or year of vehicle. Please issue a recall on this known defective part before someone gets killed. (NOTE: I tried several times to upload the document receipt from the dealership with brake booster diagnosis but every time I click on the "Upload Files" button, the button disappears.)

Filed Sep 3, 2020 · Brakes · 137,500 miles · FL

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!!!!

Filed May 22, 2019 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · FL

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

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Brakes · 26,500 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Brakes, Fuel system · 1,200 miles · FL · crash · 2 injuries

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."

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Brakes · 200 miles · VA

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.