On XXX, at approximately 152,570 miles, the brake, ABS, and traction-control warning lights illuminated at the same time on my 2013 Toyota Prius. The brakes felt spongy, and I heard a recurring buzzing sound approximately every 3 seconds. Because of the change in brake-pedal feel and concerns about braking safety, I stopped using the vehicle. I reported the problem to Longo Toyota in [XXX], which directed me to Toyota customer support. The vehicle was subsequently diagnosed with trouble code C1391, “Internal Leak in Accumulator.” I contacted the dealership and Toyota customer support about Customer Support Program ZJB, which addressed code C1391 brake booster and brake booster pump failures. Toyota denied coverage because the failure occurred outside the program’s time and mileage limits. The symptoms began only 2,570 miles beyond the 150,000-mile limit. My primary concern is **safety**, not simply the expiration of coverage. The vehicle developed spongy brakes, multiple warning lights, and frequent buzzing. The diagnosis appears consistent with the type of brake-system failure Toyota previously addressed through ZJB. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this condition constitutes a safety defect affecting 2013 Toyota Prius vehicles and whether a recall or other corrective action is warranted, including for vehicles that develop the failure after the support program expires. I can provide the diagnostic report and available supporting records. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2013 Toyota Prius brakes problems
242 complaints (58% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,000. 18 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 242
- of this car's complaints
- 58%
- typical mileage
- 93,000
- crashes
- 18
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Foundation components: master cylinder1
- Antilock: ABS warning light1
- Antilock1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota Prius brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Toyota Prius brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at under the following ODI number:11553736.
DP23005
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 the federal safety agency complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.the federal safety agency is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.
DP19004
What 2013 Toyota Prius owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving our 2013 Toyota Prius, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of braking effectiveness while the vehicle was in motion. This created an immediate safety risk because the vehicle did not respond to braking as expected. After the incident, the vehicle displayed the red BRAKE warning light, ABS warning light, brake-system warning light, and an audible warning. The vehicle was not driven after the failure and was transported to a Toyota dealership for diagnosis. The dealer confirmed a brake-system fault and recorded diagnostic trouble codes C1241, C1252, C1253, and C1256. Toyota previously issued Customer Support Program ZJB for certain 2010–2015 Prius vehicles involving internal brake booster and brake booster pump malfunctions. Toyota’s documentation for that condition identifies C1252, C1253, C1256, and C1391 as relevant diagnostic codes. This vehicle has three of those listed codes. The problem has been confirmed by the Toyota dealership. The failed brake-system components remain installed and are available for inspection at this time. There were no known brake-system warning lamps before the braking failure. The warning lamps and audible alarm appeared in connection with or immediately after the failure.
While driving, my brake pedal would randomly lose power assist. The pedal would get hard and I couldn't press it down normally, and I had to push as hard as I could just to get the car to slow down. This happened more than once while driving and I almost crashed because I couldn't stop the car in time. A scan later showed codes C1252 (brake booster pump motor on-time abnormally long), C1253 (pump motor relay fault), and C1256 (accumulator pressure low), pointing to a failure in the brake booster pump/accumulator system. A repair shop confirmed this and said the brake booster assembly with master cylinder and the brake booster pump assembly with accumulator both needed to be replaced. I also contacted Toyota and was told my car was previously covered under a Warranty Enhancement Program for this exact part, which has since expired meaning this is a known issue with this component. The part is available for inspection if needed.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the vehicle started to brake and lurch forward with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out and crashed into the median. The contact’s chest struck the steering wheel, causing bruising and chest pain. The contact was managing the pain with analgesics. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed, but the report number was not provided. The manufacturer was contacted and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The break pump for my 2013 prius is going out and is a known issue with Toyota. I contacted toyota and they have stated because it is past the extended warranty they can not repair it and aren't liable for it. I bought the car used and was unaware that it has been a known issue for years. The previous owner did not have it replaced as they were probably unaware as well. It is a highly unsafe issue and has caused my breaks to suddenly go our while driving recently with my toddler. It is also $3000-$5000 to fix it and is almost more than the cars value. I need help resolving this as it isn't "normal wear and tear" or a mileage issue. It is a known, very public defect that toyota has admitted and I have been able to easily find information on all over Google. The warning lights came on out of no where on the freeway today.
I purchased a 2013 Toyota Prius from a reputable dealership in Omaha (O'Daniel Honda). 5 days after purchase the ABS, BRAKE, and Traction Control lights came on in the evening. When I took it to the dealership the next day they had cycled off and the dealership couldn't find anything wrong. A few days later it happened again so I got into the dealer right away and they said Toyota had issued a service bulletin C1391 in 2019, and that I would have to replace the brake booster, brake cylinder, and brake pump assembly. I'm still fighting with the dealership to make this right, because they should have caught this during their inspection before putting the car for sale on their lot. The indicator lights keep cycling on and off. Something that effects the braking system should be a recall and not a service bulletin.
Brake actuator failed
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, traction control, and BRAKE warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled off on the off-ramp and became aware that extra effort was needed to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with brake booster and accumulator failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
My vehicle has 105492 miles and ABS light, Trackion and Brake light went on. I could hear a buzzing sound from the brake actuator every 5 seconds. The brake actuator and master cylinder was failing. According to the dealership failure of brake actuator and master cylinder is a common safety issue with Toyota Prius. The failure of the actuator can lead to failure in the braking system and a crash. Online research shows that several customers have reported this issue. The Claremont Toyota quoted me $3646 to fix this issue. I contacted Toyota of America and they informed that they cannot cover these repairs case number 260515002576.I took my vehicle to a private mechanic. I paid $2312 for parts and labor to fix this safety issue. I would like to file a complaint against Toyota for not addressing this critical safety issue.
I am the first owner of a Toyota 2013 Prius that I purchased in Baltimore, MD, in 2013. I moved Georgia in 2014. The car currently has 130000 miles. I heard there were recalls on this vehicle type few years ago, but I was never notified. The brake has failed recently with code C1391. I spent $3,500 recently and the car is still in the repair shop.
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Prius brakes
Does the 2013 Toyota Prius have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 242 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Toyota Prius, 58% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Prius brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Toyota Prius brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Toyota Prius have bad brakes?
The Toyota Prius model years with the most brakes complaints are 2010 (1,945 complaints), 2008 (391 complaints) and 2007 (331 complaints).
Other 2013 Toyota Prius problems
Electrical 52Engine 37Fuel system 24Acceleration 22Driver assistance 20Airbags 18Transmission 14Body 13Lights 12Wheels 9Steering 8Visibility 8Seat belts 6Suspension 5Tires 5Seats 4Locks 2
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