2013 Toyota Prius: brake failure

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Brakes · MD

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.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Brakes · TX

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a catastrophic brake component failure on my 2013 Toyota Prius, occurring at less than 83,000 miles. The vehicle’s Brake Master Cylinder/Actuator Assembly has suffered an internal hydraulic pressure leak, causing the electric booster pump to run continuously to prevent a total loss of braking assist. This is a well-documented manufacturing defect that directly compromises passenger safety, drastically increases stopping distances, and threatens a complete loss of power assist while driving. Toyota explicitly acknowledged this inherent design flaw through its Customer Support Program (ZJB). However, they limited coverage to a strict 10-year expiration date from the first date of use. Because my vehicle has exceptionally low mileage and was driven gently, the component took longer to degrade, causing it to fail just outside Toyota's arbitrary time limit. Limiting safety coverage based on time rather than mileage penalizes owners of low-mileage vehicles for an engineered factory defect.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Brakes · CA

On June 20, 2026 while driving the Toyota Prius I experienced a sudden brake failure. Initially I thought I might have pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. But then pressing the brake I found the car did not stop and the ABS brake, brake lights, and other lights lit up on the dash board. The car had only 61,150 on the odometer. I called on Toyota for their warranty coverage but they declined saying that the vehicle is no longer covered. This brake failure should have been under Recall. AAA auto service has pulled C1391 vehicle code - requiring removing and replacing brake booster pump assembly with master cylinder, etc.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH

Year/Make/Model: 2013 Toyota Prius • Component: Brake Booster Assembly with Master Cylinder (Part #47070-47060) Description of the Defect: After approximately 30–40 minutes of driving, my dashboard illuminates with the Brake, ABS, and VSC warning lights simultaneously. The brake pedal becomes inconsistent and requires significantly more effort to stop the vehicle. This is a known internal fluid leak within the brake booster assembly that causes the accumulator pump to run continuously and ultimately reduces braking performance — a direct safety hazard. Why This Requires Federal Attention: This is not an isolated incident. Hundreds of 2013 Prius owners have reported identical symptoms, with associated diagnostic trouble codes C1391, C1252, C1256, and C1253. Toyota acknowledged this defect by issuing Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0089-20 and a Customer Support Program (ZJB) providing limited extended warranty coverage. However, that program was not well publicized . I was never informed as a vehicle owner . And it has now expired, leaving thousands of owners with a dangerous defect and repair bills costing thousands . A safety defect of this magnitude — one that can result in sudden, significant loss of braking ability — should not have an expiration date on its remedy. Toyota has not issued a mandatory recall, and owners continue to unknowingly drive vehicles with compromised brake systems. Requested Action: I respectfully urge the federal safety agency to: 1.Open a formal investigation into this defect across all affected 2013–2015 Toyota Prius model years 2.Require Toyota to issue a mandatory safety recall 3.Compel Toyota to cover repair costs for all affected owners regardless of mileage or age of vehicle

Filed Dec 6, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

On [XXX], we were driving from Coalinga, CA to Phoenix, AZ for Thanksgiving. As we began to descend into Los Angeles on [XXX], three warning indicators suddenly went on: the ABS warning light, the traction control light and the brake warning light. The brakes still worked but the brake assist was weakened. We pulled over as soon as possible at the nearest AutoZone. The employee performed a standard handheld OBD-II scan of the vehicle and did not detect any issues. We continued on our way through Los Angeles and to San Bernadino where we were spending the night. At one point the indicator lights went off for a few minutes but then came back on. We spent the night in San Bernadino, and the next day (11/26/2025), we took the car into the San Bernadino Toyota Dealership as we felt it was unsafe to keep driving. The dealer conducted a thorough full brake and hybrid system diagnostic and confirmed that the failure was inside the brake booster system. The repair estimate states: "Brake booster assembly with master cylinder and brake booster pump assembly have an internal leak." Thus, Toyota's own technician identified an internal hydraulic leak within the booster system, affecting the booster assembly, master cylinder, and booster pump assembly. The total repair estimate is $3,959.99. This is a major safety defect affecting sealed hydraulic components that are not part of routine wear-and-tear. There were 4 people in the car. Fortunately, the brake failure did not result in an accident, but it could have if we had kept driving on to our destination. We contacted the Toyota Brand Engagement Center to ask for Goodwill Assistance, but they were unable to help us. In addition to the repair costs, we have incurred rental car costs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 20, 2025 · Brakes · GA

while driving the 2013 Prius hybrid , the ABS , brake light, and traction control lights came on. The brake was rock hard and the car would not stop at the light, causing me to swerve away from the cars in front of me and pull into a nearby parking lot. The brake would not work. There is a constant beeping noise in the car , which is a brake warning. I looked up the problem and just like many other Prius owners, there is a brake booster and brake accumulator issue and Toyota is not owning up to this problem. Many Toyota Prius owners are complaining of this loss of brakes issue. How long until the federal safety agency forces Toyota to do a proper recall about this very dangerous loss of brakes issue ??? They recalled a few vehicles, but the recall does not seem to cover many Prius vehicle owners that are complaining. Mine has 140 000 miles now, but this part is failing even on cars with 40 000 miles. Toyota knows very well that they have a big serious issue costing upwards of $4000 to fix. They are just refusing to recall this issue. the federal safety agency has to address this issue please. They are many complaints about this loss of brakes issue.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Brakes · NC

6/12/25 I'm driving my 2013 Prius w 123K m through a construction zone. The road became bumpy and when I depressed the brake nothing happened. Thinking I must have hit air or be imagining things I tried the other pedal. The acceleration re-oriented me to the fact that my brakes were non-existent. Many lights I've never seen illuminated on the dash as I looked into my mothers eyes to say we had no brakes. I was somehow able to pull safely. After the initial loss of braking I discovered I had a small amount of stop if I put the pedal on the floor. The closest local shop thought most of the internal braking system related to the pump and actuator would need to be replaced but requested I get an opinion from Toyota. At drop off I had requested they top off the brake fluid, despite their informing me that was never necessary. Perhaps this repressurized the system because upon visiting the car all dash lights were off and the brakes felt normalish. The shop did not know why. This is my only transportation.At 9:30 in the AM 6/14/25 I proceeded to the closest Toyota dealership w the safest direct route slowly with hazard lights and lots of space from other cars. While waiting for diagnosis I discovered this exact issue was a known defect and had been the subject of a class action lawsuit and customer service bulletin of which i had no notice. Since 2022/2023 the car had been briefly and consistently losing traction over minor bumpy conditions. Without notice of the issue I had no way to know this was a precursor to Total brake failure. This car was serviced at 3 Toyota dealerships during the extended warranty authorized by the CSB. I was never apprised of the potential issue, and expressly requested a list of recalls related to my vehicle at Lumberton Toyota in 2022 which they refused to provide. I therefore googled recalls, but this issue was not a recall. I have never heard of a CSB. Two Toyota dealers quoted me the full price to replace the braking system, $3,273.94.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Brakes · FL

Brakes failed to provide sufficient power to stop car. Towed to garage where FIXD was plugged in OPBD port and received code "C1391." Cost to replace parts and labor is $3,002.42.

Filed May 31, 2025 · Brakes · VA

My vehicle displays the anti-skid light when brakes are applied. I also hear a chirping noise and brake pump activation noise when the vehicle's brakes are utilized and as the vehicle is stopped. Information on the internet indicates this is a serious issue with the Prius Gen III brake system, requiring replacement of the hydraulic brake booster and pump. This brake failure should not be happening, and Toyota has already identified this problem. This Prius has been trouble free up to this point and has ~185,000 miles.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Brakes · CA

On 2/14/2025 I brought my 2013 prius into a third party mechanic because all the brake warning lights came on while driving. After inspection the mechanic informed me that there was a vehicle service bulletin about the brake booster and brake booster system that Toyota sent out in September 2020. It states that models made between 2012-2014 may exhibit a condition where the brake ABS and/or on track lights are on and it is caused by a small internal brake fluid leak inside the brake booster assembly with master cylinder. Toyota placed an extended warranty on the part. They state that if the vehicle had the abs light come on for this reason they would fix it if and only if it fell within 150,000 miles or ten years from the first driven part. I have been told if the issue is not addressed it could caused brake failure, the repair is upwards of $3000. I have contacted Toyota to open a case and will be taking the car to a Toyota dealership but Toyota is not taking any responsibility for the faulty part even when they know it is an issue because they say it fell outside of the extended warranty. I need Toyota to be held accountable and for not addressing a known issue with the their product. This is not an issue with wear and tear, it caused by a faulty part on their part and just because the issue became apparent after their cut off does not mean they are not liable. The car has 125,000 miles on it, I was never made aware that there was an issue with the part, received no communication until I brought it into a mechanic who researched it.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Brakes · CA

On the way home from a family vacation, the brake warning light, ABS warning, and swerve warning lit up on our 2013 Toyota Prius's dashboard. It was evening already, and with only a few miles to go we continued toward our home. While driving at approximately 50 mph, a red light appeared around a bend. I hit the brakes, a little hard, but certainly with enough time to safely stop. The brakes completely locked and the tired screeched and let off smoke, while the back of the car fishtailed around until we were sideways. It was terrifying. I believe the anti-lock brakes failed, and when they seized up it caused loss of control of the vehicle. Fortunately, no other vehicle was in the left turning lane, where we ended up, and we did not pass into the intersection. No one was hurt, but we could easily have been if not for good luck. I have noticed that the Toyota Prius has had a number of warning and warranty extensions due to brake actuator [XXX] ) and that several class-action lawsuits are underway. We would like to report our problem for the safety of others. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Brakes · NC

ABS brake failure (code c1391) occurred at less than 98,000 miles. Toyota will not cover cost despite being a commonly known failure.