I have reviewed my service records and it is quite clear that I have had problems with the "electrical" system in my car since april 2006 @ 3,370 miles. This was also the same time it began to accelerate from a stopped position for the first time, when I noticed that the braking system began to "feel" different, when the car began "slipping" on perfectly dry roads, and when my steering wheel would lock up. I find it difficult to believe that the failure of my brakes and my intermittent acceleration issues are not somehow related to the cars "computer" system and not mechanical issues. I have filed complaints with toyota for these issues (cases # 200807100210, 200811030088). I experienced my first braking issue on 27-jun-2008 (25,133 miles). While I was able to bring the car to a stop eventually, the slowing of my car was a very gradual process requiring heavy pressure on the brake with minimal braking response. I went to the toyota dealership. The dtc code at the time was c1247 with "code 179" stored, there was "no brake assist." the dealership reset the memory and reinitialized the linear solenoid valve and calibration. The brakes were reported to have returned to "normal." on 09-jul-2008 (25,551 miles), I returned to the dealership because my brakes failed again. This time my brake failure resulted in a car accident (the person I hit stated at the time of the accident he had whiplash but he never contacted me afterwards). Toyota replaced the skid control ecu and rechecked operation reassuring me once again that the brakes had returned to "normal." on 03-nov-2008 (29,575 miles) as I was driving over 65 on a major highway my brakes again failed (dtc c1247, code 179). Toyota case #08300402. At this point the repair shop replaced the brake stroke sensor. I am concerned because my car had an acceleration issue on 13-feb-2010 and I find it to be "slipping" again on dry roads. Similar problems to those I had before my brakes failed. Please help. Updated ivoq 04/02/10 updated 04/08/10.
2005 Toyota Prius brakes complaints
Page 6 of 11: complaints 131 to 160 of 282, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Incident with my 2005 toyota prius I've had problems with my braking system and went to great lengths to get my car repaired. I have toyota dealership documentation of what was done to my car to correct the problem. My car was in their shop for 2 months and it took 2 dealerships to figure out what was wrong. If you would like to ask questions about my experience for your investigation, I'll be happy to cooperate to the best of my ability.
2005 toyota prius makes a loud noise caused by anti-lock brake problems.*ts the consumer stated the noise was heard when the brakes were applied. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. Upon diagnosis, the consumer was informed it would cost $2,300 to correct the problem. The service rep stated a tsb had been issued regarding the problem, but there was no safety issue involved. The service rep it was not necessary to have the unit repaired.
Although I have never had an accident because of it, my prius (2005) has a habit of lurching forward when I hit the brake the stop at a light, for example. Rather than decelerating the car suddenly speeds up before coming to a stop. This happens about once a week. Sometimes it does not happen for a couple of weeks and other times it happens a couple of days in a row.
Our 2005 toyota prius has exhibited the same braking problems as described in the news. When you are applying the brakes and hit a bump or pothole the car feels like it lurches forward. I now understand that what I was experiencing as a "lurch" or "skidding" sensation was probably caused by the momentary split second failure of the brakes. These brakes are also extremely touchy when it rains. They grab as if you had slammed on the brakes. It is hard to deal with and we have not found a way to avoid the problem by somehow altering our braking. I mentioned these two problems to the toyota dealer after we bought the car and then again when all this was on the news. They said they'd had no complaints and dismissed my concerns. However, when I looked online there are other 2005 prius owners who have experienced the same problems. I feel it is unsafe for the car to do this. I think the earlier prius models need to be included in the investigation and fixed.
I was traveling down a residential street and approaching a pedestrian intersection when a pedestrian on her morning exercise run suddenly ran across my path. I immediately tried to stop, but the edge of the sole of my dress shoes were caught behind the brake pedal, and I was unable to move my foot onto the pedal to depress it. Only by steering away from the pedestrian, and her action to stop, did I avoid a serious accident. The cause of this incident is the fact that the accelerator and brake pedals are displaced by several inches, that is, the brake pedal is closer to the driver than what the accelerator is. This requires one to lift your foot by 6 inches or so before moving it over to the brake pedal to depress it. In an emergency situation your reflexive reaction is to try to move your foot over as quickly as possible. However, the displacement of the brake pedal creates an obstacle than, in the best case, results in a delay, and in the worst case results in an inability to operate the brake pedal in time to avoid an accident.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2005 toyota prius [xxx] when braking on uneven/bumpy road (even freeway lane divider bumps), skid light come on and braking force is reduced. Has happened at both low and high speeds. No issue on smooth roads. Has occured several times, over several years, have never had the brakes serviced. Last occured 3/3/2010.
I was driving my 2005 prius on the 210 freeway in los angeles, ca in stop and go traffic. The traffic sped up, then the car infront slammed on their brakes. I hit my brakes hard, and thought "nothing's happening." I rear ended the dar infront of me, causing $a total of $9,000 damage to both cars.
2005 toyota prius with momentary failure in braking system. Occurring 3 times in 2009.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. He was driving 30 MPH on a rainy day when he started to apply the brakes and the vehicle surged. The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated that the ABS needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 107415. The current mileage was unknown. Updated 4/5/10 *cn updated 07/01/10.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. While driving 55 MPH the mass air flow sensor failed causing the vehicle to shut off. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer to have the mass air flow sensor replaced. The ABS warning lights also flashed on the dash board causing the brakes to fail while driving 40 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer to have the ABS brake actuator replaced. The failure mileage was 18,461. Updated 11/10/10 *bf updated 11/18/10
Abs braking system on my 2005 toyota prius will lock the drive wheels leaving you stalled in the middle of the road/turn. The accelerator can be all the way to the floor - engine racing - I have had to sit for 30-45 seconds before system released the drive wheels.
2005 toyota prius brake failure over bumpy or icy roads reported to the federal safety agency in 2005 with no response. Toyota denied failure and we were told to sue.
I would like to file an official report of my accident that involved my 2005 toyota prius on january 13 of this year. It was in the morning after I had dropped off my children to their school. I was driving down the hill and driving the normal 25- 30mph down the hill to go home. Upon coming to the stoplight, I noticed the cars in front of me stopped at the stoplight so I went to hit my brakes and did not feel any power from my brakes so I quickly stood on my brakes with both feet and realized I had absolutely no brake power. I subsequently crashed quite hard into the car in front of me and experienced severe pain to the right side of my neck. After initial shock, I was able to maneuver my car out of traffic to a parking lot and noticed it funny that my brakes were working at that point. After exchanging information with the man that I hit, my car was towed to an autobody shop. After going to kaiser to look into my injury (which was whiplash) I was told at the autobody shop that my car was totaled and could not be fixed. He also told me that my airbag did not deploy because I had hit a larger american car which was higher than my bumper. It never hit the airbag sensor on my car that was lower than the impact point. After the accident, I asked my insurance company, the interinsurance exchange of the automobile , to please look into the brake situation and they stated that they did not find anything wrong. I am not satisfied with this answer because I have read that the toyota problems are not easy to diagnose. I have been driving for 27 years and have never been in an auto crash that was my fault. I also have never experienced such a scary feeling as having absolutely no control over my car.
I sent an e-mail to the federal safety agency on 2/8/10 describing this complaint. My husband and I are the owners of a 2005 prius which we bought new. Ever since we've owned it we have always had the following problem: when we go over a bump, pothole, or uneven surface we experience a momentary loss of braking ability-we have always felt this was due to the nature of the anti-lock brakes and never considered that it might be a defect or flaw, until now. This situation is only momentary, and because it lasts only briefly we never felt our safety was compromised. This situation is on-going. We have had our floor mats modified by toyota last month.
2005 toyota prius - slipping brakes - multiple occurrences over the years, one today while approaching a traffic light. As car slowed, brakes slipped during transition from regenerative to mechanical. Car's nose passed about 1 foot beyond white line demarcating intersection. No crash or damage to vehicle or occupants - this time. Why is toyota prius brake recall limited to 2010 year model when these events are occurring in earlier year models? I have submitted two requests to toyota customer service to understand the problem in the last two weeks with no response.
Abs service light and brake light came on. When braking vehicle bucks - driver hesitated to drive car few miles to dealership. "ABS code c1247 strolesensor malfunction performed linear int and calibrate. If condition recurs ABS ecu may be faulty" - (9/7/06) "ABS light comes on. Code #c1247...internal open circuit in skid control computer, replaced computer. - (3/20/07) ABS light on. Diagnosed brake pedal stroke sensor internally shorted code #c1247. Replaced sensor. (4/23/07) . The preceding was taken from the dealership service department's notes on their service sheets. After the three trips to the dealer the problem appears to have been solved -- obviously an electronic part that might have had serious consequences depending on the circumstances.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that when the traction control engaged, the brakes would release for a second. He noticed the issue on a bumpy road and he saw the traction control engage when the light on the dashboard illuminated. The problem occurred whenever he had to brake on a bumpy surface (1-2 times a month). He had not taken the vehicle to the dealership or called the manufacturer to-date. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 98,100. The failure mileage was approximately 2500.
Was driving down a flat hartford, ct street at around 20 MPH and began to brake as approached intersection at an avenue with stop sign. When compressing brake absolutely no response came and the car continued to go as if it was coasting. Went straight through the intersection--fortunately it was late and no traffic was present. Happened again at the next intersection, stopped by bumping into curb. . Thought nothing of it at the time, it had started snowing and I figured it must be some black ice. But given all the toyota brake problems reported, and thinking about the fact that no ABS signal ever came up, and it didn't feel as though ABS was "pumping" the brakes it seems like this could be consistent with the other reports of prius brake failures.
2005 prius brakes fail temporary when traveling over bumpy surface. It occurs weekly. No consequences yet. Nothing done to correct the problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. While driving 15 MPH out of a parking lot in inclement weather, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle accelerated through a stop sign and crashed into a vehicle. The crash caused damages to both vehicles. No one was injured during the crash. The contact was able to drive the vehicle after the crash occurred. The contact has not called the manufacturer. The contact stated the brakes always malfunction during inclement weather. The failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 3/24/10 *cn updated 06/30/10.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH on a bumpy road the contact applied the brakes to slow the vehicle down and the brake failed causing the vehicle to accelerate into the intersection. The vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact feels this vehicle is unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. He experienced the identical failure as the 2010 prius when he attempt to engage the brake pedal. The brakes began functioning normally whenever he wasn't driving over a bump in the road. He has always experienced the failure but he thought it was normal. When he took the vehicle to the dealer for routine service and mentioned the brake failure; the dealer told him there was nothing to be worried about it was a normal function for the prius. The failure mileage was 120, 00 and the current mileage was 143,000.
My 2005 toyota prius brakes didn't engage when I pressed on them in stop and go traffic. I was behind a utility truck with a concrete post hanging about 10 feet off the back of it (properly marked), and I gave myself room behind the truck and was aware of the pole hanging off of the truck. Traffic started moving, and I was going between 5-15mph, and then the truck braked and I braked but my brakes didn't respond until the concrete pole had come through my windshield and roof, inches from my head. My engine/front of car was not damaged but my insurance adjustor has estimated damages at a minimum of $4,000-$4,500 for the windshield and roof, not including possible dash replacement from the shattered glass in the vehicle. The car was drivable to move off of the road, but failed to turn back on when the tow truck arrived. I have reported this incident to toyota and am waiting for a case manager to get in touch with me. I was miraculously not cut, maimed, or decapitated, but have sustained shoulder, back, neck, and arm injuries and am seeing a chiropractor and awaiting x-ray results. I also have bruising from my knee hitting the dash board. My mileage is approximate based on an oil change receipt I found from last month.
Please note this is my second complaint about my prius's brakes, but it is not a duplicate complaint. My car has two problems with it's brakes which seem to me to be unrelated. My prius brakes very oddly when driving in the rain, or in the early morning when there is appreciable dew/condensation. When gently depressing the brake pedal at a constant pressure, the car decelerates slowly, then abruptly transitions to very rapid deceleration, as though I had slammed the brake pedal down hard. It is very difficult to modulate the braking. This happens several times, then seems to ease up as the vehicle is operated for around 15 minutes. On several occasions I have reported this to the toyota dealership. They have sometimes dismissed the complaint out of hand, and once attempted in vain to replicate the defect, unsuccessfully. In any event, I have always been told my brakes were operating normally. Please note that this is not the same problem as the brake failure which occurs when braking while riding over a rough or uneven surface, which my vehicle also does. At least, I assume the two problems are unrelated. I have filed a separate complaint form for that problem.
My 2005 toyota prius frequently experiences brake failure while braking on bumpy pavement or rough terrain. The car appears to lurch forward for one or two seconds. I described the problem to bay ridge toyota on several occasions while having the car serviced. They reassured me that the brakes were working normally, and this phenomenon was supposed to happen with ABS brakes. Since I was told this was "normal", no repair was offered me. I have had one relatively minor crash because of this defect, resulting in damage to the hood of the car, but fortunately no injuries. But this problem has been there since I first took delivery of the car.
On 11/5/09 in mid-afternoon I was driving my 2005 prius north on calvert st. In baltimore city, just above saratoga st., at about 25 MPH when the traffic in front of me slowed. At the time I was speaking to my boss on my verizon cell phone using my bluetooth headset. I applied my brakes and the car was braking as usual slowing down normally until about 10 MPH, or so, at which point I felt the car bounce very slightly and gently as if there was a small gradual dip and rise in the roadway surface. My foot was still applying light pressure on the brake pedal as I intended to come to a near crawl as I neared the car in front of me, but after the slight bump the brake pedal gradually went to the floor and my car proceeded without any braking in effect. After the pedal was depressed to a point near the floor I pumped the brake pedal once and press on it as hard as possible. At this point the right rear wheel brake applied and the rr tire squealed as it appears it was the only one braking. I continued pressing until the car came to a stop at which point I notice that several of the instrument panel lights were now on, including the ones for the brake, the ABS, and vsc. I then continued driving slowly home, about 2 mi., because it appeared that only the rr brake was working and that there was not power assist with the braking. When I got home I turned the car off and then back on to see if the problem persisted, and upon restart the brakes appeared to work properly and some or perhaps all of the warning lights were off. I took the car to bill kidd toyota in timonium, md on 11/9/09 and they reported that scan code c1357 was present. They reportedly contacted toyota tech assistance who instructed them to clear the scan codes and perform linear solenoid calibration. They road tested the car and said it was ok to drive. My boss was on the phone with me during the entire incident and hear the rr tire squealing and we discuss what was going on. I am a mechanical engineer.
The brakes began to noticeably grab then release at low speeds, but it was intermittent. My son was driving, slowed for a stop light and hit the car in front of him when the brakes released. I took the car to the dealer, they could not recreate the problem and told me no fault was detected. Three weeks later, driving back from washington, through oregon, we pulled into a gas station, the car slowed at first, then the breaks let go and my husband had the stomp on the pedal. He turned off the car, filled it with gas, and when he turned it back on all the warning lights went off, signaling brake failure. We had it towed to a dealer in roseburg, and the brake sensor had faulted. But they told us we could probably drive back to sacramento. We decided to have it replaced there and not risk driving it any further.
I have a 2005 toyota prius and my brakes slip whenever a front tire drops onto an uneven surface. It seems to be the exact problem described as happening to the 2010 models. I have had it happen several times as I live on a gravel road and when I turn onto my road it is an uneven surface. It has happened numerous times, to the point that I anticipate the occurrence when on an uneven surface. I think that I could recreate the occurrence if needed. (the date listed below is just one of several) also, the light showing that vehicle stabilization is on lights up whenever this happens.
Vehicle: 2005 toyota prius, currently not covered by brake recall. When I apply the brakes and drive over a bump or pothole, I experience a momentary loss of braking power. This happens consistently - there is one particular pot hole that always causes this to happen, so it happens at least three times a week. I took it to the dealership to have it fixed, and they told me to call toyota directly. This has been happening since 6-28-09, two days after I bought the car, and happened again as recently as this morning.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Toyota Prius?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history