2008 Toyota Prius: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Brakes · OH

Loud grinding noise coming from engine compartment accompanied by a loud shrill alert. When attempting to pull over to a safe place, I put my foot on the brake pedal, but immediately became distressed because it felt like I had no brakes at all. After applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal, the car did begin to slow down, albeit very slowly. I had 2 passengers in the car (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ) and I felt their lives were in jeopardy. Upon researching, I found that Toyota has known about this ABS problem for quite awhile (at one point, they even extended the warranty on the faulty parts). With the gravity of losing the ability to brake while driving, reasonable people would conclude that a recall is in order. It does not matter if it is voluntary by Toyota or mandatory by the appropriate government entities. I, literally, feared for my life and the lives of my passengers. I am grateful it didn't happen while traveling at highway speeds because the outcome could have been much much worse. I sincerely hope that my government who is in charge of protecting it's citizens against known automobile dangers, will take the necessary steps to initiate a recall for all Toyota vehicles that have this serious ABS problem. My fear is that those decisions are made by algorithms and actuarial data rather than by reasonable common sense. I certainly hope there isn't an arbitrary number of deaths before a recall is made. What if one of your family died as a result of purposeful inaction. The diagnostic codes for my Toyota are C1256 and C1391. These both point to serious problems with the ABS system ( actuator, accumulater etc.). Please consider investigating this common and life threatening problem. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, she heard a beeping sound, and the instrument cluster flashed the parking brake and a triangle symbol with an exclamation point was illuminated. The contact stated that the "Failure with Transmission - Pull Over and Shift to Park(P)” message was displayed. The contact stated that the shift indicator on the instrument cluster showed that the vehicle was shifted into park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and started losing motive power. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact stated that when she depressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality; however, after driving for ten miles, the failure recurred. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2010 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. The contact heard a squeaking noise when he applied pressure to the brake pedal, whether driving the vehicle or while it was stopped. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the failure was common but it was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000 and the current mileage was 60,743.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Brakes · 3,500 miles · OK

I have a 2008 toyota prius and my problem is with the braking and the anti skid coming on even on dry pavement. I have also a noise that comes from braking when the car is stopped. When you press on the brake it makes a clicking and grinding noise even when the car is not going. I have had it in about 4-5 times for these 2 problems and 3 times they bled the brakes and 2 times they changed the actuator. This problem started about 3-4 months after I purchased my 2008 prius.

Filed Aug 27, 2009 · Brakes · 100 miles · FL

Every time we step on and off the brake there is a grinding noise. I have visited 2 dealerships to help identify the problem at least 7 toyota people have verified the noise but are unable to determine the cause. The local rep originally said I hear it, don't know what it is and therefore cannot fix it. After I contacted their corporate hqs in ca he now says it is a normal noise.without explaining cause. This is a 2008 prius vehicle. Friends who have 2005,2007 and 2009 prius' do not have this noise. It is a life threatening problem until the cause is determined. Since it involves the brakes. I have a detailed list of all the actions I have taken, which individuals verified the noise and the individuals I have spoken to concerning this problem. Is it a faulty electric motor or controller between gas and electric motor? This vehicle uses the electric motor as part of the braking system. Did the vehicle design put a noise in 2008 and take it out in 2009? Please help me have toyota examine the vehicle and determine the cause of the noise and fix it. Please help before someone gets hurt. *tr fred zivitofsky