The 'brake cut-out driving over a pothole or manhole cover' is >not< restricted to the 2010 prius. My 2007 has done that since day one [65k miles ago]. There are hills near my house where I have to go out of my way to avoid manhole covers -- particularly the last one near a stop sign. The car just goes into free-wheel mode for a second or so.
2007 Toyota Prius brakes complaints
Page 9 of 12: complaints 221 to 250 of 331, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When driving on rough road or over rail road crossing and applying brakes brakes fail for split second and ABS light flashes nothing done to fix issue
My 2007 prius touring can/does experience braking issues when slowing/braking downhill and coming in contact with a manhole cover, pothole, or other "even" road surface. Thought it was the tires, so replaced the original bridgestones for nokians, but the issue still occurs. The "sensation" is you feel like you've lost control of the car momentarily. As a result, I've changed my commute route home and drive much slower (was already driving slower since prius mileage is dependent on MPH). On occasions, the speed (on a straight away) set with cruise control will increase by itself ... By a couple MPH .... W/o me doing anything or touching anything. So I'm forced to tap brake ........ Occurred this weekend with passengers - they said they felt the surge .....
2007 prius brakes applied for yellow light on good roadbed, brakes stopped working approximately 1 second and a few feet later, an additional failure of approximately 1 second. Car stopped but braking distance greatly extended. This car has always had issues with stopping on rough surfaces. This is the first experience on good road.
Toyota prius 2007 - antilock brake failure hitting potholes, man hole covers, crossing train tracks, going the speed limit down hills, rain & snow are the worst. Every time car is taken in to dealer for servicing, we inform them of the brakes. They ensured us that nothing was wrong with them and there was nothing to worry about. We contacted our primary dealer who has done most of the services for the car, they conveniently no longer have service records for my vehicle prior to august 2009. The most recent incident that sent us complaining to the dealer was in october 2009, when returning home from work and the brakes needed to be applied in order to avoid hitting a deer, the brakes did absolutely nothing. The car continued to move and narrowly missed hitting the deer. This was reported to toyota of york in pennsylvania. The primary dealership that has provided our services is riverhead toyota in new york. The recent snowfall in pennsylvania has essentially made my car useless, it cannot handle the snowy roads without sliding all over the place, and we no longer trust the brake system in the event we need them. No physical injuries have occurred as a result of the brakes on our particular car, however emotionally, we are worried about placing ourselves in any potential situations where an accident could occur.
Transient loss of braking ability when the car encounters potholes, bumpy or uneven pavement. When hitting brakes over these road conditions the car continues to move forward without slowing down; the 'slippery pavement" indicator also lights up onthe dashboard transiently. Has been occurring regularly (every week or so) since car purchased in 2007 but didn't think anything of it until recent description I read in the paper about braking problems in the 2010 prius (wall street journal article 2/5/10). . When I read that, it seemed identical to what I had been experiencing for a few years with my 2007 priius. Fortunately all incidents have been at low speed on local roads, no accidents.
Toyota prius 2007 braking problem. The braking problem that has been reported in the 2010 prius is also occurring in my 2007 prius.
I was braking to slow down and make a turn. When I applied my brakes over the uneven surface, the brakes were working, then let up for a second. This has happened enough that I have changed my driving habits to account for this slippage in brakes. It's not a sliding issue - I can feel the tension in the brake pedal ease up momentarily each time. I'd say this happens at least once per month since I purchased the car new in 2007.
The brakes on the 2007 prius act the same as the 2010 brakes. Ever since I owned my prius if I happened to brake on uneven surfaces no matter what the speed the brakes seem to release and then start braking again. The time span is short, maybe 1-2 seconds, but the traction light comes on for every incident. Called the dealership several times and then recently after hearing about the 2010 brakes and their response is the same, no injury, no accident, no problem. I hope someone makes them fix the entire prius line brakes, all makes and models. The incident date is the first day I noticed the problem.
This involves a 2007 toyota prius. I have the same experience with the brakes of this vehicle as described with the 2010 toyota prius model. When braking somewhat forcefully and driving over a suddenly uneven surface, the braking ceases for a brief moment. I have reported this several times to the toyota dealer/service center. That dealership/service center is toyota of braintree, braintree, ma. Each time, I was told that they (the dealership/service center) and the wider toyota organization had no knowledge and that it was probably operator related. The last time I brought this up was saturday, january 30, 2010. I mention this date date below as the incident date although I reported these occurrences before.
Toyota prius loss of electical power, loss of steering resulting in crash in may 2009 while driving in a residental neighborhood at low speeds, prius lost all power resulting in loss of steering and loss of brakes resulting in crash into a high curb. I had prius towed to toyota dealership and filed complaint with dealership as well as with main california complaint center. They said that it would take them 4 months to investigate complaint. They recommended my storing car at dealership for four months if I wanted an investigation. They would not investigate otherwise. They told me there was no cause for concern and that the power loss must of resulted after the crash. They said that toyota had no safety complaints about power loss or steering or brake loss. I went on line and found same year model recall in australia. They told me the products were dissimilar and not a cause for concern. I disagreed. My routine mechanic at merchants tire and auto could find nothing wrong. I repaired the structural damage and sold the car since toyota assured me there was nothing wrong. Toyota corporation's methodology of investigation appears to be designed to stifle any meaningful determination of baseline safety fault. The requirement to store a car for months at owners expense and for driver to have no access for transportation would appear to discourage any meaningful investigation of safety concern. Given the current finding of brake and other safety defects in toyota products, I am concerned that the power loss may have been under-reported because of their unethical business practices. I report it to help you determine if there is a pattern of power loss, loss of steering and loss of braking in the prius.
On seven separate occasions since 2007 (the year of the prius being reported ) a slight skid occurs, which also results in the skid light coming on, when brake pedal is pressed. Has been increasing in frequency -- three times in last week--and usually occurs within the first mile of car use that day. I reported the last incident below. However, this was first noticed sometime in 2007 after july purchase date.
While driving my 2007 prius on many occasions, the vehicle failed to stop while I was driving over any uneven road such as grooves and potholes. Braking system only became effective after the surface became more regular. This has occurred many times and I did not report issue to toyota as I believe this was a normal vehicle "behavior" given the driving conditions. In view of toyota's potential recall of 2010 prius vehicles, it has become clear to me that vehicles from other years should also be evaluated.
Braking system fails to respond under circumstances of wet or uneven pavement. Traction control symbol lights up on dash. This has happened since new. (I filled in an approximate incident date only because it is a required field in this form.)
When I bought my new prius in 2007 I knew there was something strange. Everytime I went down this big hill near my house the car would shoot forward a bit and it would be hard to brake. I called my dealer and they told me it was an advanced safty feature. The more I drove the car the worse it got. I would avoid routes with hills in the rain. In 2009 when I had my 2nd child I decided to get rid of the car because the problem was getting worse. It was as if I was sliding on ice in the middle of the summer
On december 6, 2009, automatic brakes kicked in at low speed coming to a stop at a red light. Shortly thereafter a screeching metal against metal sound. Took the car to the dealer and they said brakes were fine. On december 28th, again at low speed braking for a red light, applied the brakes and heard a loud bang and the car lurched. At first I thought I had been rear-ended but there was no car behind me. Drove immediately to the dealer. This time they said the brakes were grabbing and they cleaned and adjusted the brakes. This happened on a 2007 prius, not a 2010 prius, so I am wondering if the brake problem is more widespread than is currently assumed.
I own a prius 2007 and have been experiencing the brake problems reported in the news since buying the car used in 12/08. Sometimes when applying the brakes on uneven surfaces, a dashboard slip indicator light comes on as the brakes release/stop working and the car feels like it is skidding forward for about a second. Then they reengage and the car can be stopped. I have not been in a accident yet. My dealership had told me that it is a normal function of the prius. This happen again on 2/2/10 as I was turning into a parking lot and went over the lip of the entrance.
Brakes momentarily disrupted when going over potholes and yellow light flashes. This has been a regular occurrence with our pre 2010 (2007) prius since purchase. Never considered it a serious hazard, but I am reporting it now in connection with your ongoing investigation of the 2010 models.
I am experiencing a problem with my '07 toyota prius. I purchased my prius in may of '07 & have approximately 17,600 miles on the odometer. Since then I have experienced on approximately 6 occasions a lurching when braking to a full stop at a stop light. I am braking after a slow coast and gradually braking so it is not a sudden action. Since it happens so rarely and with no warning and doesn't repeat the problem for months I have not taken my car in to the dealership. After hearing similar complaints re: 2010 prius I called my dealership to see if they could check my car for the same defect. The dealership said it would be difficult to diagnose unless the car would just happen to experience the behavior during a test drive. But for $79 I could bring it in which would document my complaint. I was also told that since the 2010 recall the dealership was being inundated with hypochondriac owner's reporting imagined problems. I think those owner's are more likely to be like me. Just now reporting a hard to replicate incident. I think the investigation needs to be broadened immediately for all prius involved in the floor mat recall as I think that is just an invented problem to cover up the braking/acceleration defect. *tr updated 04/15/10.
I think that the prius braking problem is not limited to the 2010 model. My 2007 prius often hesitates in braking over bumpy and slippery surfaces including rain wet roads. I slid into an intersection that I feel any other car would have stopped without trouble.
I just wanted to let you know that the braking problem associated with the vsa icon in the toyota prius is not isolated to the 2010 model year. My 2007 prius does exactly what I have seen described in the media. It has done this ever since it was brand new. I had never driven a hybrid before, so I thought it was just the nature of the beast. But it is very unsettling when the car lurches forward when I drive on a road with an uneven surface.
I've complained -- with no response or help -- to a toyota dealer about 2 concerns I have with my 2007 prius that I've always believed were manufacturer/design defects: 1) the brakes skip when I hit a pothole, especially the one I traverse every weekday turning into my worksite. 2) during hard acceleration early in a drive (the uphill left turn leaving my neighborhood), there is a hesitation for about a second or two -- like the engine is going to stall and die (it hasn't yet.) when I 'floor it" to move into a hole in traffic, I get full power for a couple of seconds, followed by no power for a second and then a return of power. It's as if I took my foot off the accelerator, only it hasn't moved. My fear is that some time the delay will cause me to get hit and that some time the engine will just die. I've noticed this from when the car was within the first month old (I took delivery 4/30/07). Stevinson toyota (golden, co) said they hadn't heard of such complaints. When I took it in about a year ago, they said they couldn't reproduce the problems and did nothing.
Momentary loss of braking power and feeling of acceleration.
On 3 occasions, while stopped at a traffic light, and with my foot on the brake, the brake pedal would suddenly drop part way to the floor. The car would roll either forward or backward, depending on grade, until I put pressure on the brake pedal.
My 2007 toyota prius sporadically lurches forward if I hit a bump or pothole during braking. It has done this since it was new and the dealer has always told me since they cannot duplicate the problem there is nothing they can do about it. Could this be related to the current issues being claimed on the 2010 model.
2007 toyota prius braking issue!!!! The issues you are addressing with the braking system of the 2010 toyota prius aren't isolated to the 2010 prius. Please take note that I have a 2007 toyota prius and I have experienced the exact same issue with braking system seemingly every time the "traction control" light illuminates... For example when I hit uneven pavement or potholes and moments when the tires lose traction on wet/icy roads. The sensation when driving during the second or two that it feels it takes for the brakes to regain full function leaves me, the driver, feeling slightly out of control of the vehicle and unsafe on the road. Why are they/you not looking at earlier prius models, too, in this recall?? From what I understand, toyota has had complaints similar to mine since 2006 with their prius model. Nothing has been done to acknowledge/correct this issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 toyota prius. While driving various speeds to include approximately 35 MPH and attempting to slow down to stop the vehicle, the vehicle lunged forward and accelerated. A local mechanic replaced the entire braking system for $800. The failure mileage was 75,000.
I owned a 2007 prius that was totaled after the brakes failed at a yield sign in biloxi ms, and I ran into the side of a car in an intersection. (previously, I had also had trouble with the brakes and it caused an accident in chevy chase md. I hydroplaned when using the brakes in the rain, and rear-ended a car.)
Toyota prius 2007 also has the brake problem as the 2010 model. We were scared many times when braking and instead slowing down the car momentarily lurched forward. We have never reported it.
Similar to the reported braking incidents with the 2010 prius, my 2007 prius loses braking resistance when driving over a rough surface such as pot holes. When I brake over pot holes, the yellow warning light on the dashboard lights up (symbol is a car over wavy tire tracks), and the brake pedal has no effect whatsoever, even when fully depressed. Braking works once I am over the rough surface, but this has happened many, many times. Although lack of braking has not LED to an accident in my car, it is a very frightening situation to be in.
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