Comments on: NHTSA Monitors Toyota Prius Brake Complaints

By: StarrTineo

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By: Deborah Ogg

Deborah Ogg — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:39:47 +0000

My husband and I purchased a Prius new in November 2010. We live in the north of Scotland, UK, where the roads are very often very hilly and surfaces uneven due to the bad weather. The momentary loss of braking when going over uneven or rough roads has become a serious issue for us to the point that we now wish we had chosen a different car. I think Toyota has been so engrossed in the technology of producing a ‘green’ efficient car it has paid less attention the basic safety needs. I am beginning to feel a bit like a “crash test dummy”….

By: Ron Lopez

Ron Lopez — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:15:08 +0000

Yes, this happens to us quite often here in Brooklyn, NY. Usually going downhill, and usually when the car hits a harsh bump. The car seems to lurch forward and we have to press hard on the brakes to quickly slow it down. It happens in the same spot near 4th Avenue, Brooklyn. Just thought it was normal for the car so I never really questioned it.

By: Ron Lopez

Ron Lopez — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:15:04 +0000

By: Robert S

Robert S — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 20:21:16 +0000

I just test drove a 2010 on 12/31/10 and experienced this when we hit a small pot hole slowing down to turn back into the dealership, it did last about 1-2 seconds, it was like I took my foot off the break for that time. I had read about this on Consumer Reports but it did not specify what was wrong with the breaks. Consumer Reports rates the breaks on the 2010 with a big black dot which is far worse than average. The dealer claimed to have no idea about it. However we in fact did experience this issue while on our test drive. It caught me off guard and it did make me a bit concerned. At least now I know what Consumer Reports was referring to. I did purchase the car, but I hope Toyota address the issue as I could see it causing a problem in certain situations. Hope I don’t regret my decision, I think I will discuss this further with the dealer when I pick the car up tomorrow.

By: Ana Jay

Ana Jay — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:00:34 +0000

I have the same problem with my 2010 Prius. It feels like for just a couple of seconds you are skidding on ice when you run over an uneven surface. Second problem is that when the car is in drive, when you hit the breaks the ABS light comes on. The ABS light goes off when you release the break and accelerate. Was at dealer today for this and bringing it back for them to look at it during the week. Third problem has been resolved but been at the dealer three times. First time they couldn’t find a problem. Had a experienced a sensation like when the master cylinder is gone and it appears that the brake pedal goes down lower suddenly. The breaks do work, but, for a split second you don’t think they are going to because the break pedal seems to get lower and lower. It threw a code the third time this happened and the dealer service dept said that the car needed a software update which they did and I haven’t experienced this problem anymore.

By: Rebecca Redlinger

Rebecca Redlinger — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:03:42 +0000

I have the same problem with my 2009 Prius. I go over uneven or pot holes in the road and for just a few seconds my car felt like I was driving on black ice. I recently was in an auto accident due to no braking power. I was pulling into a parking space when my car lunged forward. My foot was already on the break as I was pulling into the space to stop. I pressed harder on the break when it lunged and it shot forward over a parking cinder block then when over the block ( brakes not working ) then lunged forward hitting a building. This all took place in about 4 sec. Thank God the building stopped me. I had the car towed to Toyota and wanted a full diagnostic because of the failure in the car. Guess….they report no problems. The car and building will be repaired by my Insurance. I will NEVER drive that car again. When the car is repaired I will tow it home. I will not sell this deathtrap to another human being. I will have to eat the 20,000 I owe on it. Ford…Here I come

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:00:12 +0000

I have a 2006 Prius. This problem has happened to me about 5 or 6 times-I have owned the car about 8 months. It is frightening; the last time it happened I had my children and their friends in the car. I went through a stop sign, laying on the horn and praying I would not get hit (and I was driving at a low rate of speed.) Another time I went partly through a red light and again had to lay on the horn because the brakes did not hold. I have almost rear ended the car in front of me more than once. I immediately then took it to the dealer and was told the same thing you were told. I refuse to drive the car again. Toyota needs to hear from us. File a complaint ASAP if you have not done so already. I will not wait until I hit a pedestrian or get broadsided.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:11:47 +0000

I have had the same ABS / loss of control issue described in this forum with my 2006 Prius. It is more likely to happen in cold weather (by which I mean cold for Los Angeles), and also more likely to happen when I go over a bump as I am going uphill or turning. I compensate for it by keeping a good distance away from cars in front of me. I told the dealership about the problem eons ago but they were unable to reproduce it. I just called the Toyota dealer to see if this is something they can fix, and was told that they only had a recall for the 2010 cars.

By: squareblock

squareblock — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:34:26 +0000

This might be a surprise to some of you here. I have the exact same problem of braking while going over bumpy surface (e.g. pot holes). What's interesting here is that I have a FJ Cruiser, which is not a hybrid. This problems has been experienced by other FJ owners (documented on online forums). After I learned of this problem on the Prius, I'm convinced the cause is NOT related to the electric motor (braking). I think it is how the traction control algorithm.