2011 Toyota Prius: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Brakes · 9,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the emergency brake and traction control warning lights remained illuminated, and the stopping distance was extended while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the hydraulic brake booster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the manufacturer extended coverage for the failure. The contact stated that over the years the vehicle had experienced failures which included brake pedal stiffness and unintended acceleration after driving over bumps in the roadway. The failure mileage was 9,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · NJ · crash

My brakes consistently lock and the car lunges forward when I hit a pothole while braking. This caused a crash when the car was only a couple years old when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and it lunged forward into the back of a car. This is extremely dangerous and I've seen this comment often with this vehicle. I don't understand why toyota has not addressed this issue.

Filed Apr 16, 2018 · Brakes · 98,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota prius. While driving various low speeds, the ABS and traction indicators illuminated without warning. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle lunged forward. The dealer (universal toyota in san antonio, texas) diagnosed that the brake booster and the pump for the booster/accumulator were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 180-4162-158. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed May 14, 2015 · Acceleration · 19,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota prius. While attempting to park the vehicle into a space at approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The vehicle traveled into a semi circle and struck a parked vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but no diagnostic was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 100 miles · VA

Periodically, after going over a bump at fairly low speeds, the car will accelerate. In light of the other unintended acceleration issue reported under odi 10499911, I wonder if these two events are related -- possibly something to do with going from the motor to the battery?

Filed Nov 14, 2012 · Brakes · 18,150 miles · NY

While driving on a rough road surface and applying the brakes the car lost its brakes or the power to the brakes and surge forward. There was a feeling that the ABS had engaged than disengaged leaving the car with no brakes. Normally the brakes are very consistent, they slow and stop the car quickly and safely, however when the brakes are applied while riding on rough roads they become very inconsistent and unreliable. It feels that the brakes stop functioning, braking distance becomes longer as does the time required to stop the car. I first noticed this condition while braking on a rough road at about 30 MPH. The condition now occurs not only when driving on rough roads (paved roads with potholes/pothole repairs) but also on wet/slick roads. This condition is intermittent but is occurring more frequently and at any speed, road surface and weather condition. The dealership has been unsuccessful in replicating the condition by driving the car over rough roads and applying the brakes. They tell me that unless they can experience the condition (see for themselves) they can not diagnose or repair the condition. Toyota corporate tell me they stand behind the dealership and can do nothing.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Brakes, Fuel system · 9,040 miles · CA

On april 3 2012 we drove our 2011 toyota prius to a full and complete stop at a stop sign in a residential neighborhood. While we were stopped, the car surged forward approximately 5 feet before coming to a stop. My wife, who as driving looked down to check that her foot was on the brake. While staring at her foot squarely on the brake, the car surged forward again about 3 feet. The car then surged forward again about one foot before stopping. Luckily there was no crossing traffic, pedestrians or any other obstructions. No collision occurred and no one was hurt. We called toyota care immediately and they promptly picked up the car and took it to the dealer. The dealer later called us and informed us that they had diagnosed the car and that no problem could be found. We disputed that we were unwilling to take the car back until a problem was found and they told us that they had done everything they could do and even had driven the car 10 miles with no incident. I informed them that we had driven the car nearly 10,000 miles and it happened once. Once is too many times. The dealer told us we had to take the car back. We asked for a written statement guaranteeing the safety of the car and that the issue would not occur. They said they could offer no written statement, so we refused to take the car back what followed was essentially the dealer passing the buck to toyota corporate who basically told us that there was nothing they could do and that if we still had a problem we could go to arbitration. Toyota corporate was neither reassuring nor helpful. We are now in arbitration with toyota. We have our arbitration hearing today. It has now been nearly two months since we have had the car, yet we are still paying the lease and insurance. We are not looking for money, we only want assurance and safety for our family.

Filed Apr 18, 2011 · Acceleration · 900 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota prius. While driving at any speed, the contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly accelerate forward while pressure was being applied to the brakes. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer took a complaint on the contacts behalf but provided no further assistance. The current mileage was 2,000 and the failure mileage was 900.