2010 Toyota Prius: jerking or lurching

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Brakes, Fuel system · NC

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and disconnected and reconnected the battery terminals to reboot the vehicle. The contact stated that a yellow triangle warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The message "Check Hybrid System" was displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 65 MPH while driving. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Auto Zone and O'Reilly's; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure might be an ABS system failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure first occurred years ago, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 1, 2024 · Brakes · TX

The brake accumulator has failed on my prius which then deactivates regenerative braking, traction control, abs, and stability control. The lights for traction control, ABS, and stability control and parking brake are shown on the dash. The result for the driver is that the brake pedal has the same pressure, but does nothing until about 25% of pedal travel. At this point, the mechanical brakes will engage and provide a very sudden and jerky application to the brakes. In other words, a very non-linear brake control is present and is incredibly difficult to predict. If this vehicle is operated on the motorway, the safety of the vehicle's occupants as well as others on the road is greatly reduced. Street Toyota has confirmed this issue and its effects. They want to charge $3600 to fix this issue even though the car is only worth $5k. This problem has been investigated in the past buy Toyota and the federal safety agency. Toyota has applied an extended warranty for this part meaning that they will only replace it once it goes out. They also failed to notify their consumers about this matter. It is a serious issue that has put many lives at risk and has caused multiple injuries. It is a matter that should not be ignored by either the federal safety agency or Toyota.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle consistently made abnormal sounds and jerked forward while the brake pedal was being depressed. The vehicle became inoperable. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a crack and leak in the brake booster. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V235000 (Service Brakes). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The contact stated this is a known manufacturing fail for the brake booster 2010 Prius.

Filed Apr 23, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,000 miles · MA

I was just told that my 2010 prius needs the brake boost assembly (cylinder and boost) at a cost of $2,570. It was causing my 4 month old, 12v battery to drain. I thought that was outrageous so I looked into it and found out there was an "enhanced extended" warranty issued (not a recall) , but for my vehicle it expired april 2020. Another issue that I uncovered that this part also causes the prius to lurch forward when braking and you happen to drive over a bump. Train tracks, or potholes which is a safety issue. I have also experienced this with my prius. Fortunately, I have had no accidents so far. I have read that there have been accidents caused by this issue. Toyota should step up and fix the problem before people are injured due to this defective braking system. My daughter drives a 2015 prius. Is anything more being done? Or are they going to wait until more accidents happen? I stumbled across this issue when my 2010 toyota prius 12v battery required frequent jump starts. I replaced the battery ($300) dec 2020. Prior to that, I called aaa and got a jump start. Because of covid, I wasn't driving the vehicle daily (work from home) so it was assumed the cause was the vehicle should be driven frequently.

Filed Feb 27, 2021 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · DC

On tuesday, february 23, our braking system failed on our toyota prius while driving on a side road after months of continuing weakness in the brake pedal and "lurching" when braking over potholes. The brake system lost hydraulic pressure. Upon inspection by an ase-certifie mechanic, they determined the brake booster assembly had likely failed, but recommended sending to a toyota dealership. They confirmed the vehicle was unfit to drive. The vehicle was sent to a toyota dealer. The dealer confirmed the break booster assembly/actuator had failed. The dealer advised the brake booster had previously been under a toyota "customer service campaign," but that the "warranty" campaign had expired. However, he advised toyota brand engagement center has often assisted customers when they're just outside the warranty period. When contacting toyota, they stated this vehicle was never under recall and was not eligible, but then said they sent information on a toyota safety campaign. Upon research, we continued to confirm that the diagnosis was tied to recall d0h from july 2013. We've also reviewed our vehicle history, and the brake pump assembly was never replaced despite being inspected consistently by toyota dealers since 2013 and under recall. Toyota has declined to cover the cost of the replacement for the brake pump assembly. The cost of repair is nearly the same as the current value of the vehicle. Toyota brand engagement center has declined to provide this information in writing, would not provide a name, and otherwise acted completely sketchy - for lack of a better word - any time we tried to clarify the repair was clearly tied to the june 2013 recall. We were very, very fortunate the brakes failed on a side street near our home, not on a highway or other high-risk area. We would like toyota to honor the recall, extend it for other customers, and cover the cost of repair.

Filed May 8, 2019 · Brakes · 81,400 miles · CA

Started car one morning, immediately noticed the 'ABS', 'brake', and 'traction control' warning lights were on simultaneously. Took the car for a drive around the corner, and immediately noticed brakes were very soft and unresponsive. Pedal literally sinks to the floor while air can be heard leaking from the system/pedal. . Also noticed the brakes no longer recharge the system, and they also feel jerky at times. I checked the brake fluid reservoir, and noticed fluid was halfway between max and low. Perhaps a leak somewhere in the system? I contacted my local toyota dealer and will have them take a look at it on 05/10/2019 according to some research I conducted, this is a known issue in the 2010/2011 models. Supposedly, over time, vibrations can actually crack the line(s) feeding into the brake master cylinder, and thus resulting in this fault. Toyota should definitely be more communicative about these issues. I have owned this car for 4 years, and have never heard of this before. Currently not driving the car at the moment, as I do not feel safe

Filed Jul 2, 2018 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · FL

After regular check-ups and maintenance at 90000 miles and 8 years of driving, all of a sudden three brake lights came on, the ABS, hand brake, and skid control lights all came on. At this time the braking issues seem to be less responsive braking and slight jerking when putting constant pressure on the brakes at low speeds. When brought to the toyota dealership, they noted that there are no issues, however the master brake cylinder is likely to fail soon.

Filed Apr 17, 2018 · Brakes · 69,000 miles · NY

I own a 2010 toyota prius iv. I concur with all that has been documented about ABS and braking issues with the prius. Two weeks ago my brakes started to sqeal. I took it to a mechanic and was informed all was well (brake pads,fluids, oil). A week later the brake and ABS indicator came on in my vehicle. The braking distance is elongated as I have to pressed firmly on the brake for the car to stop. I took it to my mechanic who reset the car. I drove from the mechanic and all appeared to be fine until I hit a bump in the road. The indicators came back on immediately and the braking changed. I had to pressed the brake pedal all the way down in order for the car to start. The car always surges forward whenever I hit a pothole, bump or any rough surface. In hin sight, when I first bought the car I had a fender bender because the car lurched forward when I was parking. I am now discovering this issue is a knwon issued with toyota; particularly the prius. Fixing this problem seems to be expensive. Toyota should cover the cost via a recall.

Filed Apr 2, 2018 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · CA

When I press brake on the bumped road, the car function weird and seems like it has sudden "shock" so it is kind of losing control for the car even I didn't press brake that hard, it happens several times already during the course of 7 years that I owned this car, even when car is new. I was so scared and nervous, I don't know where to report this problem and did mentioned to dealer before. The problem is random and unpredictable and I don't know when it will happen. But I guess I am kind of cautious on when I press pedal when I drive. This is mostly happen in local drive, not highway. In driving when driving forward, maybe there is something on the road, but it should not be doing this as it is very scary and it's like a sudden "jerky". My name is [xxx] it happened at least 10 times during the past 7 years to me. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 4, 2017 · Brakes · CA

I am the original owner of a 2010 prius. Within the first month, I contacted toyota, complaining of the brakes, which were not consistently smooth. In general, the brakes work fine, but if I hit a bump or ditch, the brakes suddenly stop working for a split second, and the car feels like it is lurching forward, before the brakes suddenly start working again. Toyota service was never able to "reproduce" the problem, and eventually I gave up. A couple years ago, the car was recalled for this problem, and I brought the car in to be fixed. Unfortunately, the recall work has not remedied the problem. The brakes still seem to occasionally malfunction when the car drives over a rough patch. Toyota seems to believe the problem has been solved, but it has not be solved. There is no difference since the recall.

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 141,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota prius. When the brake pedal was depressed at 35 MPH, the vehicle skipped, jerked, and hesitated to respond. Also, the ABS and traction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster pump assembly accumulator was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v235000 (service brakes). The failure mileage was 141,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Brakes, Steering · IA · crash · 1 injury

Driving on a extremely rough street, my car jerked to the left. I tried braking, but unmovable objects (street sign and phone junction box) provided the stop. Airbags did not deploy, but force of car pushed me hard into the steering wheel. I had my safety belt on, plus back brace. Emts noted 60% o2, in icu on respirator for a week, hospital for 2 wks. Distinctly, I remember the steering wheel jerked to the left.