2009 Toyota Prius: brake failure

Filed May 7, 2026 · Brakes · KS

I own 2 2009 Toyota Prius. Both cars less than 175,000 miles and both have failed ABS modules. The ABS module in this vehicle is also the power brake booster. This failure can cause braking issues such as loss of braking or sudden brake application. Only known fix is replacement of the ABS brake module which requires the Toyota Techstream service computer.

Filed Dec 5, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TN

In the 2009 Toyota Series II vehicle there are two parts for the brake actuator pump assembly which has been cycling about every 20 seconds for the past six months or more. There is an intermittent tone when depressing the brake pedal before starting the car (engine off). The Brake dash warning light is on continuously. Occasional loss of brake power in reverse causing the driver to re-apply the brakes to stop unwanted motion of the vehicle.

Filed Sep 15, 2021 · Brakes · AR

I was exiting the highway and had no brakes, the pedal felt hard but wouldn’t slow the vehicle at all. In a panic I attempted to pump the brakes and by the grace of God was able to finally stop before plunging into something. The lights came on on the dash with a triangle and exclamation mark and a horrible continuous beeping noise started. I looked up the problem and found out this is a known problem with the Prius and there was even an extended warranty that ended in 2017 for the cause of the problem which is the brake actuator. Toyota quotes the repair at 2500-3000. So if it goes out after 2017 the cost is on you. This repair is necessary due to the huge safety concern!! Lives at risk because Toyota refuses to accept responsibility.

Filed Aug 12, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

I went to park in a parallel space when all of a sudden my ABS, (!), VSC light come on with the loss of brake power and a loud beeping noise. With this sudden loss of brakes in the middle of driving, I could have harmed myself and others in any cars around me because I also lost steering capability. This is a problem that there was an extended warranty for, but there should be a recall. My car is a 2009 and was only covered before the pandemic and now it is 2021 and I have no recourse, but to try and fork over $3500.00 for which I don't have. I am a second owner and this is a very common problem amongst Prius owners. I didn't have any other symptoms that I could point out prior to this situation. I have had my hybrid battery, engine, ecu and most recently a stolen catalytic converter replaced. This ABS actuator problem needs to be addressed for another 5 years with a free repair. I would hate to have hit some other car and had my car smash into a wall, another car, pedestrian, pole or any other object based on it's ability not to stop.

Filed Mar 29, 2019 · Brakes · 175,000 miles · TX

Brake actuator not working properly when I use the diagnostic settings it works but then after a while it stops working again. Was going 50 on the highway when brakes stopped working almost wrecked. Brake light (!) light ABS light and vsc light are all on.

Filed Dec 30, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 95,000 miles · AZ

My prius now has all those dash lights on: !, ABS, vcs. I was driving yesterday, on a city street and the lights came on, and the brakes suddenly did not work-hard to push. For months, when I would drive over rough terrain, I had the loss of braking, accelerating, and the slick road icon would illuminate. The is exactly the same ABS module problem affecting 2010 prius, ands needs to be recalled and repairs covered.if I didn't stay so far behind other vehicles, I would have rear-ended someone.

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA

Traveling 101 north toward ventura, on the top of the down hill grade just south of the camirillo springs exit. All lights on panel came on. Estimate 65 MPH, applied brake to slow with traffic flow. No brakes,no warning.semi tracker trailers also slowing. Took exit bottom of hill with flashes on, went thru stop sign as my speed at approx 45-48mph. Went thru second stop sign made sharp left pulled emergency brake on... This is a garage car serviced by dealer only, 3rd time for electrical problem! Never while driving.... This was near fatal! This was an electrical problem of the manufacture, never repaired correctly! Have 3 copies of repairs for the electrical starting 6 months after purchase car...help.

Filed Apr 28, 2015 · Brakes · 79,000 miles · MA · crash

I was driving 10-15 MPH in the middle of my small town, coming up a slight hill on a street that leveled out shortly before the site of the accident. As I drove up onto the level part of the street, I saw that there was a long line of cars stopped ahead of me, waiting for a traffic light to change. I was about 2-3 car lengths from the last car in the lane of traffic, when the last car in the line of cars ahead of me braked very suddenly, and as I was coming up to that car, I also stepped hard on my brakes - and - my brakes completely failed! I will have nightmares for the rest of my life of those next few moments of pressing on the brake and seeing my car ignore me and continue forward, right into the car in front of me. And, I felt that my car accelerated, as the brakes failed, which made the situation even worse. My car hit the car in front of me (car #2) which hit car #3, which hit car #4. My car was declared a total loss, the car in front of me was badly damaged and had to be loaded onto a flatbed truck of the collision company. Cars #3 and #4 could be driven away; car #3 had some damage to the front and back of the car, while car #4 had some scratches on the rear bumper. I was never notified of any safety recall for the brakes of this car, but I was often alarmed when the brakes seemed to slip or not work for a few seconds each time that I drove over a small bump, pothole, manhole cover, etc. During the six years that I owned and drove this car. There are many other prius drivers that have written to the edmund.com and other websites to tell of their similar accidents or near accidents. Please warn the public and particularly prius owners of this danger. These cars are not safe!

Filed Dec 8, 2011 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to brake, the traction warning light illuminated and the brake failed to respond with a reduction in engine power. The contact stated that the failure only lasted for a moment before returning to normal function. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000. The current mileage was not available.

Filed Nov 12, 2011 · Brakes, Lights · 57,000 miles · TX

One week after being at the dealership for its routine oil/vehicle check-up (55,000-60,000), my red brake light, the yellow warning sign and the ABS lights come up on my dashboard. Towed it back to dealership since the brakes didn't work. They found I needed to change my brake actuator and the solenoid that is stuck. According to what I've read, this should not happen period paragraph but if it does it would be on a much older vehicle with a lot more miles with a stop and go history. According to the customer service representative at the dealership this is a malfunction of the part. When I called toyota they gave me the go around about being out of warranty. I need help. Also there is a reflective line of light that shines on the driver side of the window from my dashboard.

Filed Apr 19, 2010 · Brakes · 9,200 miles · 00 · crash · 1 injury

I was moving toward a stop sign and slowing as usual. The road is level and it was dry. Suddenly there seemed to be no braking and the next thing I knew I had been hit by a truck traveling at right angles from my left. I apparently went through the stop sign. I brought the car to a stop safely at the side of the road to check on the truck which had swerved into a fence. The driver of the truck was cut by glass. My car had the bumper and grill torn off and unibody bent. This was a brake failure. Unlike some reports, the road was not rough. This was a low speed failure. Another few feet and my driver's door would have been hit and I could have been seriously injured.

Filed Apr 16, 2010 · Brakes · 480 miles · NY · crash

S10 appropriate handling re toyota brake problem fm owner of a 2009 toyota prius. *kb four days after purchasing the vehicle, the consumers wife was heading down a gentle incline toward a traffic light at an intersection shortly after a light snowfall, the street was wet, but there was no ice on the road. As she braked to slow down, she noticed there was no deceleration and continued to press down on the brake pedal to no avail. To avoid crashing into other cars, she veered sharply to the right into a curb and came to a stop. The vehicle sustained extensive damage to the wheel, axle and undercarriage. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and after the inspection, the consumer was informed there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The dealer implied the consumers wife must have applied the brakes incorrectly and was not accustomed to ABS. A few months later on another wet rainy day, there was a similar incident of brake failure.