My 2008 prius, which I bought brand new with only 4 miles on it from longo toyota in california, has been experiencing the following brake issue: everyday while driving on pacific coast highway near manhattan beach, I will hit a pothole while braking, noticing my yellow traction control light flash on my dash board three times, and then my car will surge forward. This happens in the same general area everytime, and although I have not hit anybody in front of me, I am shocked each and everytime it does occur. I am almost guaranteed to experience this when driving in the slow lane in the location described above once a day. I love my 2008 prius, but this issue is very alarming. I have noticed this from november 20th, 2007 until today, february 4th, 2010.
2008 Toyota Prius brakes complaints
Page 12 of 14: complaints 311 to 340 of 391, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2008 prius speeds up when brakes are applied while going over bumpy road or pot hole this is a constant problem that exists today.
I have a 2008 prius and on three occasions while driving at slow speeds when I went to apply the brakes they just locked up on me and sent me lunging forward. Thank god I was wearing a seat belt. When I complained about this to the dealer they said they told me to take the floor mats out. Now I come to find out this morning that they have a problem with the brake systems on the prius but after investigating this they say only on the 2010 models. Sorry it has happened to mine and it happened 3 times only at slow speeds. Most of my driving is highway driving and that is probably why I have only experienced this only 3 times.
2008 toyota prius: driving over manhole covers or bumps in the road, the car felt like it accelerated when braking and the "slippery" light came on the dashboard. It happens whenever I need to brake over a manhole or bump or slick spot. I went to the dealer months ago (end of summer '09) with this complaint but said they would need to do a full diagnostics on the car at my expense since there have been no issues with the prius' ABS they would need to check everything. I did not have this done. I checked "service brakes, electric" since your form did not have an option to choose anti-lock braking system. Also, there are a lot more dates of incidents than just one.
Prius brake problem as described in media recently has happened to me twice. Brakes were applied and braking was delayed for at least one full second or longer and vehicle felt like it was actually accelerating.
2008 toyota prius with a braking condition which I've come to realize isn't normal. Since I've purchased the car, I've had poor braking while traveling over rough roads, potholes and cornering. I thought this was normal as a result of ABS brakes and skid control. The feeling is disconcerting and feels as though the brakes aren't initially engaging. I now realize that this isn't normal handling and performance even though I've somewhat gotten used to it over time. I can replicate this issue. There is a road that I travel frequently that causes this issue.
I own a 2008 toyota prius and it also has a problem when braking while driving over a rough surface or pot holes. The traction control light comes on and there is a 1-2 second delay before the real brakes kick in. I have learned to be aware of this issue and press the brakes harder until the brakes start to work.
I own a 2008 toyota prius. After reading a report about possible braking problems with this auto, I wanted someone to be aware that this is also happening with the 2008 prius and not just the 2010 prius. I have experience several times when I hit a small pothole or even a speed bump, that there is a problem with a momentary loss of braking capability. This has not resulted in any accident or injury, but very scary when it happens. I dismissed the problem thinking it was suppose to act that way, but now I am concerned.
When my 2008 prius goes over anything slick, wet, and sometimes loose gravel, particularly on a down-hill surface, the car slips when the brake is engaged. If applied while on the slick surface, it is as if the brake does not respond immediately; if applied previous to the surface, the brake stops responding when it hits the slick surface. It happens very frequently, at least every 50 miles or so. The variable stability control engages at the same time the slipping occurs. The only correction is to continue to hold the brake, wait for it to engage, and leave extra time/distance to brake. This problem repeatedly happens at specific points of frequently driven routes (ie. Manhole cover on my street at bottom of hill). I have not have this problem in any other car.
I have a 2008 prius and I experience the same problem of: "as described by the federal safety agency's office of defect investigations "consumers allege a momentary loss in braking during brake applications while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump in the roadway."" my car won't brake properly when going over bumps on the road or uneven surfaces. The brakes hesitate briefly and the car slightly lunges forward. However, I have a 2008 prius. I have always noticed the problem but didn't know I could report this anywhere that would listen to me. Ongoing problem. I've experienced this problem since I bought the car. The skid light goes on when this problem arises. I'm concerned about rear-ending someone ahead of me.
I am having issues with my 2008 toyota prius brakes. When I apply pressure to the brakes (gentle- not sudden) there is an instant when the car jerks forward and seems to speed up. The ABS sensor light comes on for a second or two, then goes off and the normal braking resumes. This also happened to me with my 2006 highlander hybrid (of which I leased from 9/06-4/08). When I brought it to my dealers attention, what was going on, they said that it was completely normal. It did not seem normal to me. In fact, I have a neighbor who also has a highlander hybrid who attributed a recent fender bender to this very brake/jerking issue. This happens almost on a daily basis (every 2 days would be more like it), particularly when I drive on the bumpy country dirt roads around where I live. I typically drive slow (10-15 MPH) on the dirt roads because I don't want to damage/jossle the parts in car 'loose', so 'high' speed would not play a role in why my ABS light comes on and the car jumps forward. The issue has not been corrected by my dealer, though I have brought it to their attention with both cars. As I mentioned earlier, they said it was 'normal'. Fortunately this has not caused an accident but I typically drive very conservatively and am very aware of what this car does - brake wise, so I tend to brake early, if possible.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. While driving 10 MPH the brakes failed whenever the vehicle was driven over a bump or pothole in the road. The vehicle lost traction and continued to accelerate uncontrollably. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle is designed with the braking feature that caused the failure. The contact is concerned about the risk of a crash occurring. The failure mileage was 20,000.
I am experiencing temporary loss of brakes while braking on uneven surfaces, bumpy streets, potholes, railroad tracks. This is not the same as normal ABS activating, but longer and complete loss of braking for a few seconds. Dealer informed me this is by design. All my other cars (with ABS) do not experience this in the same conditions. Incident repeated daily during my commute. I have to drive much slower because of this and I want this fixed since if it's by design then its a bad design!!! Note this is on a gen2 prius, 2008 model.
On my 2008 toyota prius, the brakes do not work after hitting a large pothole or bump. I thought it was how they normally worked on the prius as it is a very light car. However, I can make it happen at any time and have since learned of the recall (or pending recall) of the 2010 prius for the same issue.
I own a 2008 toyota prius which surges ahead when I am braking under certain conditions: wet, uneven surfaces, and bumpy roads. It is scary because I nearly hit someone at a stop sign and I feel out of control when it does this. On average, happens 1-2x week. It happens when my foot is off the gas pedal and I am under 20 MPH. It seems like a computer error and not accelerator related.
I have 2008 toyota prius and I had also had issues when trying to brake over uneven speed bumps or metal connections in bridges (I do not know the name of the connectors). One time while driving on the bridge I started to brake since the upcoming stoplight had turned red. Trying to slow my car down (since I was driving a street, I was not going fast in the first place), I pressed my brake pedal as I was going over the metal bridge connectors and the brakes did not work. It was if I was driving on ice. There was a car ahead of me so I slammed real hard on the brakes and luckily I was able to stop just a few inches behind the other car so I did not hit it. It was real close call. I have had similar experiences when I go over speed bumps (and I am going slowly over the bumps). It takes a while for the brakes to take effect. So I do not believe this problem is only related to the newer 2010 prius model. As discussed, I have braking problems with my older 2008 prius. Also, I would like to add that I believe the sticky pedal problem can also be found on japanese made toyotas (such as the prius). If you look up "sticking accelerator pedal" on the internet, you will find the same issue has happened with the prius too. However, luckily, I have not experienced this sticky pedal problem.
I own a 2008 toyota prius. I bought it new 4/12/08 in bend, oregon I live in madras, oregon. The problem has happened 3 times, it happens on packed snow slick conditions. It happened 2 times making 90 deg turns at 20 MPH, I slow down into a right turn and half way thru I touch the gas and the car starts to slide and it will not come out of it. 1st time I hit the curb on the left side of road and went clear up on sidewalk. It did damage to left front tire. 2nd time same turn but there was now side walk I went off the road. 3rd time I was going into a left hand turn normal conditions would have been a easy 55 MPH corner. With packed snow I was going about 30 MPH I slowed into the turn and half way thru I touched the gas pedal and it instantly went into a slide and hit the snow bank on the right hand side and knocked me back into the road. On the prius when you step on the gas and the tires start to spin it stops the tires from spinning instantly. If you hold the gas pedal the same it will start and stop power to the wheels until it gets to the point of no spinning of the tires. I think that when I touch the gas and the tire spins it instantly stops the tire from spinning and the car goes into a slide and it will not let me control the slide because the tires are still in the lock mode and it slides out of control. I do not want to drive the car on slick roads but I don't want to sell it and have someone else get in a wreck because of the problem. I am going to try and contact toyota and tell them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. Whenever the contact would attempt to apply the brakes while driving at a low speed they would not fully engage increasing stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the failure could not be reproduced. The current and failure mileages were 25000. Updated 03/09/10. *lj the consumer stated the vehicle would lurch sporadically, which only occurred when stopping. Updated 06/11/10.
Re: my 2008 prius. The brakes occasionally seem to 'skip,' especially on wet or rough roads. They always work, but seem to pause or hesitate before stopping. I've only heard word about 2010 models, but this has been happening to my 2008 too often!
My 2008 prius lurches forward after applying the brakes when encountering a small pot hole/ slippery conditions...the traction control light comes on. I have heard of this happening with the 2010 prius, but I am also experiencing this with my older model. This happens every time I encounter some unforeseen obstacles (2 or 3 times/month).
1. Any uneven road surface, ice, or slippery road (after a rain) 2. The car lurches forward when attempting to brake as a car would with a standard transmission if braking without downshifting 3. Nothing has been done. Toyota summarizes the problem as such:the wheel slide or stability indicator switches on for no apparent reason equaling a loss of vehicle control. Happens conditions ranging from perfect to other.
I bought a 2008 toyota prius in the summer of 2008 and almost immediately got into an accident. I was turning a corner and the car didn't handle as I expected - I got a "hydroplaning" warning light even thought it was not raining and tried to brake, but the brakes did not react and I ended up crashing into a curb, causing $3,000 in damage to the wheel, axel, and bumper. No one was hurt and there was no property damage other than to my own car. At the time I chalked it up to not yet being used to the car, I had previously had a jetta that handled wonderfully and I was used to that car being completely responsive. I made the necessary repairs to my car and just tried to be more cautious when I was driving in the future. I have always noticed certain things about the handling and braking of this car, and the current recall on the 2010 version made me realize I wasn't imagining these problems. I constantly get the hydroplaning type warning on my dashboard when I go over bumps or in bad weather, to the point where I feel unsafe driving my prius in inclement weather and often borrow a relative's car. I have been lucky to have no more accidents other than that first one, but there have been most definitely been times when I felt the car was not handling the way it ought to. Even when I had that accident I had maintained to family and friends that I just couldn't fathom how I got into that accident and I felt like it was "the car's fault." I didn't spread this opinion too widely though because it sounded like I was just making an excuse for my accident. That's really how I felt though; as if something went wrong with the brakes that day. I felt if I had been in any other car I've ever driven that accident could have been avoided. I didn't even know there was an option to file a complaint with the federal safety agency until this recall hit the news, so I figured filing a complaint now is better than never filing at all. Thanks for your time.
I have a 2008 prius and it does exactly what they are reporting the 2010 models are doing. Mine jumps forward while braking over a rough road. My friend owns a 2007 model and his does the same thing. Mine occurs almost daily when transitioning home from work over a particular stretch of road. I will be glad to testify. I also sent a complaint to toyota.
The brakes of my toyota prius seem to have intermittent "grabbing and delaying" problems. The most frequent problem is that the braking system seems to apply extra pressure when slowing at low speeds causing the car to jerk slightly. Less frequently the brakes can seem to "go out" for a short time after hitting a bump or pot hole. If the road is wet this seems to make the problem worse. Approximate incident date is various.
Toyota prius braking problems not limited to generation 3 vehicles. I have and 2008 prius (generation 2) that always lunges forward while braking when the vehicle rolls over a pothole.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. Whenever the brake pedal was engaged while driving at speeds of 20 MPH or more over ice or a speed bump, the brakes failed. When the failure occurred, the traction control would activate causing the vehicle to slide momentarily. The manufacturer was contacted via email; however she has not received a response. No repairs were made to date. The failure mileage was under 1,000 and the current was 18,300.
2008 toyota prius. Have not experienced the braking failure currently being investigated in the 2010 prius, but I have experienced multiple similar failures with the traction control system on both slippery and bumpy roads where the car will completely disengage from the drive train for an unreasonably long period of time, and then pulse wildly between having the drive system engage and disengage. In minnesota with slippery roads for many months in the year, it can be very tricky making a left had turn even when oncoming traffic is a very safe distance away. You can "stall" mid turn in a very vulnerable broadside position. Same issue has happened, to a lesser degree on bumpy roads, not just icy roads. I have not pressed toyota on the issue. I raised it once in conversation and they simply said that it was just how the traction control operated. I am telling you as you open the investigation into the 2010 prius braking system. I think the scope is wider than brakes, it is acceleration as well, and I don't think it is limited to the most recent model of the prius. I drive a late model previous generation prius.
I drive a black 2008 toyota prius and after reading the news reports, I think there might be similar braking issues with my vehicle. The condition definitely does not happen very often, but I would say at least 5-10 times over the 23 months (march 08 - present) that I have had the vehicle. With the brake pedal applied after going over a rough spot or pothole in the road, it felt like the car was skidding or sliding. The car would resume normal operating conditions within a few seconds. The car was never out of control, but the steering wheel and brake pedal definitely felt very loose which is different than under normal circumstances. Also, when this condition occurs, the low-traction indicator light on the dashboard illuminates for a few seconds. These incidents occurred when there was not other traffic around. Up to this point, I attributed the condition to driver error, but I would rather add my description and err on the side of being overly cautious.
Pulling into a driveway, my brakes failed to hold, my 2008 toyota prius car jumped forward while my foot was still depressed on the brake, and my car hit a parked car. I reported the accident to my insurance company. Damage was done to the parked vehicle; only minor damage was done to my car. I advised my dealership of the incident, and I was told that they could inspect the brakes, but there was nothing else they could do regarding the incident that occurred.
I have read news reports about the 2010 prius braking issues. As an owner of a 2008 prius, I have experienced near identical behavior. When braking, if the car hits a pothole or a bump, I momentarily (maybe 1/2 -1 second of time) lose all braking power before braking then resumes. After this 'hiccup' the ABS/traction control light blinks 3-4 times. The issue has never resulted in an accident, however I have changed my driving habits to ensure I have extra room to stop as the issue is both recurring and quite frequent (there is one offramp on my way home from work with a small bump that causes this issue 35-50% of the time). I know that the current story is that the 2010 prius has a 'redesigned' braking system, so prior models and generations are supposedly not affected by the problem the federal safety agency is currently investigating. My experience, however, leads me to believe the problem is more widespread and does in fact impact earlier generation prius cars, possibly in a portion of the braking control system common to both the older and newer prius models.
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