2001 Toyota Prius: brake failure

5 of the 165 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Prius describe brake failure.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Brake failure by model year

2025
1
2020
1
2017
1
2016
3
2015
15
2014
18
2013
30
2012
30
2011
22
2010
327
2009
29
2008
72
2007
60
2006
44
2005
59
2004
13
2003
1
2002
6
2001
5

What owners say

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Brakes · 218,000 miles · WA

Complete brake failure, shop said it was the turbo brake booster.

Filed Aug 25, 2013 · Brakes · 130,450 miles · CA

A renter from relayrides.com was driving my vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor and the ABS, traction control and brake lights came on. Luckily he didn't have to stop immediately and was able to slowly get the car to stop with the bare little brakes left. There was very little braking power left, even with pumping.

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Brakes · UT

Toyota has announced a recall of the newest generation of prius cars to install software to repair a braking problem. I am the owner of a first generation (2001) prius. My car has always had that braking problem. When the road is wet or bumpy or at unpredictable times due to road conditions, the brakes momentarily fail to engage and it is as though there are no brakes. The toyota dealer has never been willing to admit that there was a problem. I think that all models of prius have this problem because of the unique nature of the braking/charging system inherent in the car's design. Since it is a safety issue, earlier models of the prius should be investigated as well.

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · UT

My 2001 (yes, that is 2001) prius has the same issue that is behind the recall of the 2010 prius: "momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump." momentary = less than a second.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 63,932 miles · GA

On 12/21/06 the brake pedal went to the floor, as I tried to stop for a light. Had to use the park brake to stop. Prior to this my wife complain several time that the pedal was soft and went down. We complain several time about that and the ABS light coming on, answer we can not fine anything. On 01/10/07 the ABS light did not go away they replaced the master brake cyl. Not fix they replaced ABS actuator assy fix 12/10/09 brake light and ABS on, brake pedal to the floor.