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2009 Toyota Prius brakes complaints

Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 199, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2009 Toyota Prius brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

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 Jan 31, 2019 · Brakes · GA

The ABS and other brake warning lights go on randomly and the brakes become stiff. Took the vehicle to the toyota dealership and they said it is due to the brake actuator assembly. The ABS actuator assembly part was part of an extended toyota warranty under notification zg1. However my vehicle just missed the deadline for the warranty by three months. This is a safety issue for toyota as they know this part has a high failure rate. Warranty should be extended in order to cover repairs. Filed a case with toyota, case # 1901312287.

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 Dec 12, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · HI

Our prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake makes very annoying noise.

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,001 miles · HI

Our prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake booster makes very annoying noise.

Filed Nov 28, 2018 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · TX

My car has been intermittently displaying ABS vsc and brake warning lights. When they are on there is no brake regeneration. The lights have come on and gone off and now are on again. Getting obd code c1391 (abnormal leak in accumulator) my vehicle is just a small amount over mileage to cover this under enhanced warranty but toyota knows they have a brake accumulator problem and wants 3k to fix what should have been a recall long ago. Have called and toyota will not help.

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · Brakes · CA

The lightbulbs burn out very easily. The car stalls when you are trying to leave from a light or stop sign. There is a recall for this but not on my model and there should be sometimes when stopping on breaks the car will show slippery alert even thought there is no reason for it. All these things have caused danger for us while driving the vehicle. This has been happening for years

Filed Sep 21, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 115,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. The contact stated that a warning indicator flashed on the instrument panel regarding the brake system when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the exhaust system. The contact inspected the vehicle and found a leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to salinas toyota (700 auto center cir, salinas, ca 93907, (831) 444-0700) where it was diagnosed that there was an internal brake fluid leak; however, the vehicle was excluded from the manufacturer warranty campaign. The manufacturer indicated that the obt2 sensor did not show the specific diagnostic trouble code (dtc) to receive the brake actuator replacement covered by the campaign. The dealer and the manufacturer refused to honor the warranty campaign for dtc number: c1240. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. *tt consumer stated smoke started coming under the hood. Noticed fluid dripping from engine onto the exhaust pipe. Dealer determined it was not an oil leak but empty brake reservoir. Updated 11/27/18

Filed Jun 4, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 183,483 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. While driving approximately 60 MPH, all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred approximately three other times. The contact also stated that the brakes seized while driving through a parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact mentioned that there was a technical service bulletin (t-sb-0032-16) in reference to the ABS actuator, but the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and case number: 1806043060 was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 183,483.

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · IN

Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering loss, brake loss and acceleration issues, corporation failure to inform consumer of counterfeit drive train issues that injured consumer. Smd the consumer stated toyota failed to warn them about being convicted of "using the intellectual property of hybrid drive inventor without his permission."

Filed Mar 13, 2018 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · TX

Four lights came on: emergency brake, ABS, vsc, exclamation point an alarm will sound and the brakes will go out while driving in neighborhoods and on the highway. Abs also turns on when car is off.

Filed Feb 22, 2018 · Brakes · 250,000 miles · CA

When braking hard, the brakes lose all pressure, go straight to the floor and warning lights come on. As soon as brakes are released the lights go off and brakes again have pressure again. Toyota extended the warranty on this part, but it is was expired before problems arose.

Filed Feb 19, 2018 · Brakes · 162,000 miles · TX

Prius dashboard lights up with brake light, ABS and vsc light. Ran diagnostic codes and took to dealership- said vehicle was part of brake actuator manufacturer malfunction. Dealership would not resolve issue despite acknowledging that it was a manufacture defect. Concerned for my safety because brakes are not working well. Called customer service and they wont do anything.

Filed Jan 10, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 132,000 miles · TN

I was driving my 2009 toyota prius on a very cold day (roughly 10 to 20 degrees f). The red brake warning light was on, along with the ABS, vcs and yellow "!" lights. The brakes were extremely soft for about the first 5-10 minutes of operation. I would push the brake pedal as far as it would go (it would not go all the way to the floor) and the brakes would seems to be engaging at about 30%-50% of their normal stopping power. After the vehicle warmed up, the warning lights on the dash went away and the brakes began operating normally. The following week, my wife was driving the vehicle on another very cold day (again probably about 10 degrees). She stated that the above mentioned lights stayed on for her entire commute (less than 10 minutes) but that when she arrived to work, her brakes were not working. She described that she pressed the brake pedal as far as it would go, but the brakes did not seem to be fully engaging. She stated that she nearly hit a wall as she was pulling into the parking lot at her work. I have found similar issues listed on prius forums online. Perhaps it is a electrical or computer problem as opposed to a problem with the brakes. We have never had the problem when the temperature was above 25 degrees.

Filed Dec 23, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 215,000 miles · CA

My headlight passenger side keeps going out after a few seconds of turning on. This keeps me from driving at night. My computer controls on my dash board that works the AC. And displays the information about the car does not work. My ABS break light will not go off. This has affected my breaking system on my car. All of these items I have mentioned all occurred while I was driving the car.

Filed Oct 7, 2017 · Brakes · 190,000 miles · CA

Toyota knows there is a systemic issue with the break actuator assembly in 2004-2009 model year prius vehicles, and have issued a "warranty enhancement program - zg1" to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to this part. My car is currently experiencing a malfunction in this part, but toyota is unwilling to honor the warranty because there are no warning lights appearing on the dash. The breaks feel like they will fail at any moment, posing a clear saftety concern. I was literally told that my wife is to drive off the lot, with failing breaks, hoping they fail even further so that warning lights appear, but not so much that they cause an accident.

Filed Oct 9, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · 174,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Driver went to park and the brakes did not respond! In fact the vehicle went from 2-5mph to approx 30+ & kept picking up speed and went into storefront. Driver was able to wrestle vehicle into reverse and it went equally fast back into a parked car where it finally came to a stop. Hugely frightening and potentially lethal.

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 30, 2014 · Brakes · 98,500 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. In addition, the brake, the vsc, and the ABS warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,500.

Filed Jun 15, 2014 · Brakes · 77,000 miles · MO

Coming out of the grocery store I started my 2009 toyota prius and I notice that it lost braking power and the ABS,vsc,(!),and emergency brake lights stay on. I did some research and there is a recall for 2009 prius concerning this problem, but only on vehicles manufactured between 3/2009-10/2009 mine was manufacture on 10/2008. I think the recall should be on all 2009 models regardless of manufacturing date. There are many owners online complaining about this issue. My wife and children where scared, and I could of easily hurt someone walking in front of my car at the grocery's store parking lot. I can't drive this car anymore please extend the recall to all 2009 models regardless of manufacturing date. Thank you.

Filed Dec 13, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · TX

As I was driving my 2009 toyota prius on the service road of I-30 in dallas around 25 MPH after previously taking off from a red light, my vehicle's warning lights all turned on and started to beep and I could not brake or really steer. My vehicle...I almost hit the vehicle in front of me. Somehow I was able to turn right into a parking lot and somehow press on the brakes strong in enough to make the car stop. I feared for safety and the safety others as well. It was a very scary situation to be in a car that was not responding when you are trying to break and there's nothing you can do about it. Once I was in the parking lot, I turned the vehicle on and off and the lights were still on and beeping, did it again and it stopped. I took the car to the toyota dealership and they are telling me it's an issue with the accelerator and brake system and that I have to pay to have it fixed, but I am wondering how can toyota not be at fault for this safety issue? I'm glad I didn't injure myself or another person this time, but I think toyota really needs to look into this issue with their prius vehicles. I do not feel safe driving mine at all now.....they can not get away with not being responsible and liable for their faulty and defective vehicle's safety mechanisms.

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 71,500 miles · NJ

The vehicle braking lost braking momentarily when I was driving over small bumps and vehicle slip sign illuminated.

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · OH · crash

Since I purchased the prius in early 2012 with less than 60,000 miles, I always noticed that when braking over rough surfaces, the ABS would kick in and would delay the braking by at least 1/2 second per ABS/stability control event. While I had never had an incident initially, there were many close calls. After talking with the local toyota dealership, they said it was performing as expected and that I was not used to the car's handling characteristics. However, on 6/4/2013, the braking system performed its usual delay and did not allow me to stop in time, thereby rear-ending another person in a construction zone over a rough roadway. This needs to be something that the federal safety agency looks into for a recall situation. There are too many complaints already for them just to ignore this when there already has been a recall of the 2010 prius for the same issue.

Filed Feb 21, 2013 · Brakes · 66,500 miles · NJ

I purchased my 2009 prius 3 years 4 months ago. I noticed a strange new sound coming from the engine. It was a rattling noise every 15 seconds or so lasting approximately 3-4 seconds then starting over 15 seconds later constantly repeating this cycle. It continued when the car was off or on. I brought it in to my toyota dealership. They called me the next day with very unsettling news saying it was the "brake accumulator" as it was losing brake pressure and the noise was it trying to build the brake pressure back up but it wasn't holding. He said it would cost $2,700 to repair. My service representative said this is a part that should not fail and has never been replaced before at this dealership. It was a first for them. I was very upset as this shouldn't be happening in a 3.5 year old car with only 66,500 miles on it that has been impeccably maintained. The more research I did, I saw this was occurring quite often in camry hybrids along with the prius. This is a part that should not be failing at all especially in newer cars. If this part is not replaced it can lead to catastrophic break failure. This should be investigated and added to toyota prius's never ending recall list! This is the last toyota I will own.

Filed Feb 14, 2013 · Brakes · DC

2009 toyota prius. Consumer write regards to vehicle brake problems. Consumer also sent revised toyota document. *smd the consumer stated the same braking problem existed for models before and after the 2010 models. However, only the 2010 models were recalled.

Filed Jun 27, 2012 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space, the brakes were applied and the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle instead accelerated while the contact had the brake depressed. The contact crashed into a truck. The contact did not sustain injuries. The passenger did sustain some minor cuts and a minor hit to the head. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The police department was present and a police report was available. The vehicle had previously been repaired under the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v388000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal). The failure and current mileages were under 15,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2012 · Brakes · 73,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

I was approximately 8 or 9 car lengths from a vehicle that slammed on her brakes before hitting the car in front of her, so I stood up on my brakes at about 30 -35 MPH. The cars brakes did not grab for about a second, then started to grab right before impacting the car in front of me.

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 May 28, 2011 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · HI

My 2009 toyota prius brakes are faulty. The brakes do not respond properly, especially on slippery roads and on a decline. I took the car into the dealer in 10/2010 and they didn't find anything. I changed all 4 tires on the car in 2/2011 and still experienced the problem. I took the car into the dealer on 5/24/11 and again they did not find anything. They mentioned "ABS system" and implied that I was experiencing the ABS system kicking in. The problem is intermittent, and thus difficult to identify. But, I do notice the problem more frequently when it rains.

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