2008 toyota prius. Brakes seems to "lose hold" when driving at slow speeds and hitting a bump in the road. The loss of braking seems to only last for a fraction of a second but is very disconcerting. Also, driver's side headlamp kept malfunctioning, going off periodically when driving. Dealer could not replicate problem in shop, so stated there was no problem. Took car back three additional times for same issue. Finally dealer said there'd been numerous complaints and changed out the headlamp at a cost of $250.00. ($150 for the headlamp and $100 for labor) later got a letter from toyota acknowledging the faulty headlamp issue, but said toyota had given us a discount by only charging $150.00 for the headlamp instead of the regular $300.00 cost. $300.00 for a headlamp seems excessive and if it's a common issue why is toyota not issuing a recall for this matter.
2008 Toyota Prius brakes complaints
Page 10 of 14: complaints 251 to 280 of 391, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2008 toyota prius and on december 4, 2009, I rear-ended another vehicle after my brakes failed. I applied the brakes as I was coming upon the car, and the car just kept going. Fortunately, I was going at a slow speed. I immediately reported the accident to my insurance company and I did tell the representative that I hit the brakes but the car kept going.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and applying the brakes they failed to respond unless she applied pressure. This failure occurred approximately 20 times since she purchased the vehicle. The brakes also malfunctioned whenever she drove over railroad tracks. The dealer stated that she must be doing something wrong to cause the brakes to malfunction. No repairs have been made. The failure mileage was 100. The current mileage was 13000.
We own a 2008 toyota prius there has been three separate incidents while braking that the car would speed up. The dealer said it was just the electric motor and gas engine changing back and forth. I read on the internet of other people with the same problem also one lady who was stopped at a red light and when she pressed on the gas pedal too take off at a normal speed the car sped up fast causing her too put both feet on the brake too stop the car. These are all pre 2010 cars they also need to be looked at.
With the brake pedal engaged, the brakes shut off temporarily while the traction control light is on. This failure occurs daily when I approach the stop sign in my neighborhood. As a approach the stop sign (brakes engaged), the road dips slightly which turns on the traction control. At this point the brakes turn off (with my foot still on the pedal) until the traction control light goes out indicating that the traction control has disengaged. So far I have been lucky and have not hit anyone after rolling through the stop sign. This is not a new problem as it has happened basically every day since I bought the vehicle. I have been dealing with it until I saw the notice about the 2010 prius with exactly the same problem. I would like to submit a formal complaint so that the 2010 prius brake investigation can be expanded to include the 2008 prius.
2008 toyota prius hybrid - braking problem since purchase of car. Son remarked frequently when he drove vehicle. I noticed it only when hitting a bumpy surface that caused car to respond as if it had lost traction and seemed to engage the ABS system. No consequences to date, but risky if bumpy conditions occur on icy patches. I mentioned at last vehicle checkup at toyota dealership where I go for service, but was told problem could not be duplicated - so no rememdy suggested. I feel confident toyota will address, but since I am a pre- 2010 prius, I wanted to bring this to your attention.
2008 toyota prius - when braking over an uneven surface, the deceleration momentarily disappears - this is usually less than a second, but is very noticeable. This has happened for as long as I've owned the car (late 2007) - and I can reproduce the event. A road was just worked on near my house and a part of the pavement near the intersection has been removed and filled in with gravel - when approaching the intersection, the braking suddenly releases, then reapplies. I always thought this was related to the traction control.
I own a 2008 toyota prius. There have been numerous occasions that the brakes on my car have not worked properly. The last time was on pavement that was wet, trying to stop for a red light on a downhill road. Luckily the car in front of me went through the red light or I would have hit it. The other times have been near my home, I live on a dirt road, many of the roads are unpaved and uneven dirt roads in my neighborhood where I am extremely cautious when braking because many times the brakes do not work well. The light does come on to indicate uneven road, while braking. I have noticed this problem since I purchased the vehicle. I hope something can be done about the braking system. This occurs daily because I live on a dirt road.
Not a smooth braking system when braking over bumps / holes, railroad tracks.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius hybrid. While driving 10 MPH he experienced a delay whenever the brakes were applied unless he continued to apply pressure to the brake pedal. He will take the vehicle to the dealer to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 45,000.
Brakes momentarily fail and/or the car lurches forward when applying the brakes while driving on top of a pot hole or other similar obstruction.
There are two issues with my 2008 toyota prius. When trying to accelerate rapidly, the engine cuts out and hesitates. I think it's related to the traction control, but this happens way too easily. I have new tires and it happens on dry pavement. The second issue is related to the brakes. When braking and encountering small bumps in the road, the car appears to leap forward. There is a sensation of accelerating when this happens, although I'm certain it is just the ABS system. It is a very uneasy feeling.
Braking fails when going over rumble strips or rough road surface. 2 accidents in this car both on city streets with somewhat poor surface. Both a speeds less than 30 MPH but whole system shuts down utill bumps stop only accidents I have had in 40 years of driving. I work in 3 states avg 60k /yr I asked dealer to disable the anti skid feature as manual said could be done dealer said they had trouble disabling feature it kept reseting itself to on
The brakes on my 2008 toyota prius disengaged for a second or two while attempting to stop on a road that was bumpy
When my 2008 toyota prius moves on a bumpy surface at low speed I feel a pause in the braking - same problem that is being reported on the 2010 models.
I have a 2008 toyota prius. On several occasions when braking and hitting a pothole (right front tire) I have experienced a momentary loss of braking. It kind of felt like the car was floating above the ground before braking was reengaged. I did not know what was going on until I heard about the 2010 toyota prius brake problems and instantly recognized the symptoms. I have not experienced any adverse consequences as the brakes reengaged and allowed me to control the car after a second.
I have a 2008 toyota prius. When I drive over bumpy surfaces such as road covers or pot holes while breaking, I can feel my car accelerating mid-brake and then have to press doubly hard on my brakes to slow the vehicle. I was in an accident driving because driving over some bumpy railroad track crossings, I had to break because the car in front of me stopped suddenly. I floored the brakes and my car continued to roll right into the car in front of me. I have also considered that perhaps there was electrical interference with my brakes caused by the railroad crossing.
When I am slowing down and applying the brake on my toyota prius and there is a bump or defect in the road I get a feeling of being on ice. A feeling of a lack of control. I was always aware of this but I never mentioned it when having my vehicle serviced.
My 2008 prius experiences the braking problem being investigated with the 2010 prius.
Brakes release at stops where only slight road conditions exist and here there should be complete braking. I have found this happens at numerous times during the period I have owned my 2008 prius. I believe there are valid concerns with this vehicles brake system that need to be acknowledged and addressed by the manufacturer.
The issue that has been reported on toyota prius brakes failing to work on bumpy roads extends beyond the 2010 model year. I own a 2008 prius and know another person as well who have experienced the exact same problem with our cars when braking on bumpy roads. The toyota complaint line does not answer anymore due to the volume of calls (says the message), so I am reporting it here.
I purchased 2008 toyota prius from anapolis toyota. The brakes failed on three occasions since purchasing car on january 18, 2010. Car was taken in during the first 7 days after purchasing it. Service departmdnt and used car sales management claimed nothing was wrong. Problem occurs when I hit a bump in the road. Brakes competely fail. Very dangerous. It is not just the 2010 model that should be questioned. All prius' should be recalled until this is solved.
2008 toytoa prius brakes disengaging when going over bumps, potholes, railway tracks. No injuries yet but some close calls.
1) the even happens during normal braking from 40 MPH over a road with potholes. The location is here: http://maps.google.com/?ie=utf8&hq=&hnear=cleveland,+cass,+missouri&ll=38.67887,-94.675729&spn=0.00139,0.00284&z=19 2) the car loses all braking for 1-2 seconds after running over the pothole. If somebody was in front of me, it would result in a accident. It happens 5 days a week as part of my daily commute. 3) toyota says it is normal for the prius to do this.
Toyota prius 2008: when driving at slow speed and braking, if I hit a small bump (like manhole cover), my vehicle skid warning light comes on and it feels like the car temporarily stops braking for about a second and then brake re-engages. This has happened off and on for over a year. I reported it to the dealer when I first experienced it and they checked computer and could find no evidence of a problem.
Summary: brakes hesitate if I have the brakes on before driving over bumpy road transition: driving ~25 to 30mph going up hill, on bridge that is a freeway overpass, where I turn into the left turn lane that has a stoplight that leads to the freeway on ramp. If the light is red or I need to slowdown for the turn, when my wheels go over the metal transition plate between the asphalt road and the concrete bridge, if I have my brakes on prior to the transition, the out of control light flashes , ABS engages and after the transition, I lose brakes for a second or two or maybe three. If the light is red it can be a little tricky as I need to stop for the light shortly after the transition. There are two lanes that turn onto the freeway and if someone shifts from one lane to the other for a better light position, it gets even trickier to stop on time. For those in san diego, this is the light at la costa in carlsbad, going west on la costa and entering the I-5 south on ramp.
While driving over a bumpy road today, I applied brakes to my prius (2008). The vehicle jumped into anti-lock position and would not stop even after applying more pressure. Finally, just before rear ending the vehicle in front of me, I was able to stop. I notified toyota about this today on their web site. Is there anything else I should do?
2005 and 2009 toyota prius braking problems. I have a 2005 and a 2009 toyota prius. On both of these vehicles, I have experienced the same problems which are being described in the news about the 2010 prius model. I have never had an accident relating to this problem, but the potential is certainly there. The problem occurs when I am moving forward, have the brake slightly depressed, and I hit a pot hole or speed bump. The wheels momentarily speed up, so I react by pressing harder on the brakes and the wheels slow down.
My car is a 2008 prius. The incident is that my car didn't stop and skidded into a concrete curb, damaging the right front power steering rack. It was snowing, about 1-2" accumulated. Driving into my office parking lot, there is a street with a steep but short hill - maybe 50feet or less - (it was not plowed or sanded). At the foot of the hill, there is a left turn into a level parking lot or a right turn under a highway overpass, or straight ahead into shrubs and the river. I slowed down before going down the hill and as I went down the hill I lightly pumped brakes. Tried to come to a complete stop at foot of the hill but car didn't stop completely, but was going slow. So, I made the left turn into the parking lot. The body of the car turned into the lot, but was not in control. With the brakes on, and the wheel turned to the left, the car went into a slide sideways to the right. The right front wheel slammed into a concrete curb and the car stopped. It felt as if I had no brakes - coming down the hill they couldn't stop me and there was no skid control coming on at any time. The failure: given the weather conditions I don't know how to prove a failure but I suspect something with the brakes. I have owned this car for one year (purchased it used) and during that time the one thing that bugs me in the car is the brakes and the skid control. They just feel strange, I go over a depressed manhole in the road and the dsc comes on and it feels like I skid - it should just feel like a bump. Repairs: this is the list -entire power steering rack on right front to be replaced- tie rod, lower control arm, wheel, rim-all bent. Front cover and lower ball joint damaged-to be replaced. Over $3000 in repairs; they will be done this week (8 feb). If you want the old parts I can ask for dealer to save them. Car is @ toyota dealer. Mileage & speed are my best guess; components I guessed - your terms were not familiar to me.
I own a 2008 toyota prius. I've noticed that when I run over a bump or a pothole on the road, the car seems to accelerate or jolt forward. It happens while I brake to a stop sign and run over a bump or pothole. It has also happened while letting go of the gas pedal but not stepping on the brake. Usually when this occurs the light for the traction control engages as if it detects a skid, even though there is no skid. I have to press the brake very hard in order to stop or slow down the car. I tend to leave extra room in front of me just in case the car accelerates unexpectedly, but there is definitely a problem with unexplained acceleration.
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