2003 Toyota Prius brakes problems

Filed Aug 31, 2020 · Brakes · NJ

Occasionally, when braking, the car will begin to brake, then lurch forward a little, and then brake again properly. It's disconcerting at best and scary and dangerous at worst. I've had this brake problem for years but finally realized that it's a significant toyota flaw with the ABS, and that newer priuses and lexuses were recalled because of a similar problem. Toyota did not recall the 2001-03 priuses and refuse to accept that it's anything but the result of age (as per aug 2020). However, I've seen online that many owners have had this problem since they first bought the car! I bought it used and can't remember how long it's been happening. It's not every time I drive the car. It hasn't caused an accident, but it certainly could. And if I crash into someone, it will be considered my fault, even though it's very clearly toyota's fault! I'm very disturbed that people have been reporting this issue for years, that toyota dealers have referenced it as a problem, too, and that toyota refuses to accept responsibility and fix the problem.

Filed Jul 10, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 151,000 miles · IL

For no apparent reason when driving, the emergency brake will engage, without pressing the e brake pedal. Also, intermittent once car is parked and doors locked, alarm will just start going off for nonreason.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Brakes · 35,946 miles · CA

The vehicle would not come to a stop when the brakes were applied. An alarm/light indicator came on for ABS brakes at the same time. I had to apply the emergency brakes for the vehicle to come to a stop. I was able to avoid two vehicles and came to a stop in the bus stop area. The vehicle was towed for repair but the repair shop cannot find the root cause of the problem without the need to replace the entire braking system. For a vehicle with only 36k miles this seems highly unusual and a severely dangerous situation.

Filed Oct 25, 2013 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · NY

Abs brake light came on then went off. I brought car to mechanic who checked brakes. There was no problem with the brakes. Then I heard a high pitched alarm sounding noise while the ABS brake light warning was on, then both would turn off then on then off.....there is no rhyme or reason to what is causing this trouble. When I checked the internet, other prius owners complained about this as well. Some of those people have spent thousands of dollars to fix the problem and after all the "codes" had been fixed, the alarm sounded yet again. There should be a recall notice for this problem.

Filed Jul 27, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 85,377 miles · CA

I took my car in a week before this incident because I needed service and was going on a trip to san diego with my 5 yr old daughter. Keyes toyota in van nuys did everything to it and replaced my front brakes and inspected everything including the other brakes... So yesterday, im on the freeway and suddenly a piercing, long beep happens and 2 warning lights come on. " brake and ABS" ... I'm thinking " what just happened! I just had my car made perfect the other day!!?? .. And then, not two minutes after those warning lights came on, my brakes completely failed!! Pedal to the floor nothing! :-( ... I was soooooo scared.... I put my hazards on and crept over to find a shoulder .... I weaved over without causing an accident thank god so I get to the shoulder thankfully but it's a short shoulder... And im praying as I roll to a stop .. I've been back and forth with the dealership and toyota corporate these past 24 hours because I should not have to pay over $2000 for something that is the manufacturers fault!!... I could have died or killed someone...what if my daughter was in the car and I was at an intersection slowing for a red light!!?? Oh my god!... Something has to be done... I'm fully ready to sue toyota...go to the news outlets...los angeles times...anyone who will make this public... No one should die because they are trying to help the environment.... And no one should die because a corporation won't own up! ..I'm putting a stop order on the repair tomorrow morning....I'm hoping you can help me and others who could potentially be fatally injured (or their children) from an electrical system that just fails! Both the dealership and corporate just said " well, that particular part only has a 3 yr warranty or 36,000 miles and so after that it's the owners responsibility. Really? It's my responsibility if your crazy faulty car kills me or my child? Nuts!

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Brakes · 177,000 miles · CA

Abs brake light comes on and beeps, and brakes become squishy on my 2003 toyota prius. Toyota dealer does not know what the problem is. I have spent hundreds of dollars on diagnostics, but the problem keeps happening. I have noticed similar complaints on the internet regarding this ABS light problem, and squishy brake problem. Toyota dealer informs me that they have heard nothing of this problem from the toyota motor corporation.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Brakes · 1 miles · OH

I own a 2003 prius. When I bought it, before I ever drove it (was snow and ice) dealer told me to be careful of the brakes. He said, when applied, it may feel for a split second that I was speeding up or not stopping. The car does this on slippery and rough rd and always has. I thought that was the nature of the hybrid and have learned to drive accordingly but it is definitely a trying situation.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · WI

Abs brake fails for a short time when slowing and hitting a bump. This has occurred intermittently since purchase (new) in 2003.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Brakes · 66,627 miles · MD

2203 toyota prius cst brake light goes on intermittently had brakes replaced by dealer. Brakes did not feel ok but told this was normal. Brake pedal went to floor intermittently but no brake light came on. After car slid thru red light at intersection, car was brought back to dealer. Replaced master cylinder. Brakes still did not work. Dealer said brake hoses were soft & swollen and brake controller sticking. Replaced brake hoses, flushed lines cap. Bleeder plug actuator assy. Car has 67,000 miles.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 109,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota prius. Whenever the contact would attempt to apply the brakes while traveling over a bumpy or slippery surface the contact noticed that the brakes would not fully engage increasing stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure could not be reproduced. The contact has noticed the failure since the day the vehicle was purchased. The current and failure mileages were 109,000.