This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Even after all recall work was performed there is an issue braking with the 2010 Prius. When braking over bumpy surfaces you often get a feeling that the car is accelerating rather than braking. I do not think the car actually accelerates - it is more of an issue that the brakes releasing when I brought it to the attention of my Toyota dealer they do not think it is a problem. When it happens in bumper to bumper traffic it can really scare you! I worry letting my kids drive the car. And no - it is the ABS is kicking in.
When I started to drive home, the car was lurching while braking. It was an uncontrolled acceleration. Once I got on the freeway, my brake light, ABS light and slippage lights all came on at once (along with beeping noise that does not go away). I pulled over to the side of road and noticed that my brakes had degraded by about 75 percent.....while I did have some brakes it would have not been enough for an emergency stop or normal traffic braking.
The Prius seems to accelerate while stepping on the brake at slow speeds--the car feels like it jerks forward. This usually happens while I am on a road with potholes.
I was driving on I-680 North today and suddenly the "brake", "ABS" and "slip indicator" turned on and started beeping. At that time I did not realize what happened, but when I tried to brake the pedal was really hard to press and I was not able to slow down. I finally was able to slow down by going on a ramp and then really pressing down on the brake where the car jerked and slowed down. Again the brakes were not working. I was finally able to get the car to stop. When I turn the car on again, the same lights switch on and the car is beeping.
While driving on interstate, the brake and vehicle stability assist lights suddently went on and a beeping alarm sounded. The brakes were not very effective, and it was very difficult to slow down and stop the car when we pulled over. We had the car towed to the dealership, where they informed us that the ABS pump and the entire braking system needed to be replaced...on our one year old car! parts alone totaled over $4000 dollars, without labor. Toyota was unwilling to replace, as the car was out of warranty for mileage. Clearly a defective system in our car, but they were not willing to stand behind their product to cover. Angry customer, especially given the fact that Toyota states that they want to restore customer faith in their product. We were lucky that injury did not result from the failure of the parts needed to stop the car.
- Spotsylvania , VA, USA
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When I am driving and hit a pothole, the car jolts forward. It's a pretty scary feeling to be out of control when that happens. I don't drive often, so I can only imagine how many more times this could happen. I do like my car and is only a year old, but this is quite concerning. I am extra careful, but what if I hit someone in the street or the car in front of me. I have seen a few complaints about this same exact reason. Please something has to be done about it before someone gets hurt.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V039000 (service brakes, air: Antilock: Control unit/module). The contact noticed that after the recall repairs, there was an abnormal increase in stopping distance when braking over uneven pavement. The contact stated there have been several occasion when the vehicle floated into an intersection because the failure prevented the vehicle from stopping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times where the contact was told there were no failures with the vehicle because the braking system was operating as designed. The failure mileage was unavailable.
My driving record was clean until this 2010 Prius. In one year I have had two accidents and several incidents, all of which I am now convinced due to brake failure. The first accident took place end of December 2010. I was going only about 10 mph. I hit the brakes repeatedly to try to get the car to stop. At the time I thought the car did not stop because of ice, but now after this 2nd accident and researching other Prius reports, I am convinced this first accident was also because the brakes failed to work. Since I did not suspect this at the time, I did not report it or have the brakes checked when the car was repaired. The 2nd accident was last night, Dec 8th, 2011. I was traveling between 25-30 mph. The brakes clearly failed to work, and I hit a car stopped at the traffic light in front of me. I had plenty of distance to stop. The car did not slow down, if anything, it may have speeded up, but I cannot definitely say this, as I was too freaked out looking at the car I was going to hit to check my speed. The road was not icy. The impact demolished the front end of the Prius. My air bag also did not inflate. I have whiplash from this second accident. Fortunately no one else was injured. I now realize I had several other brake 'slippage' problems last winter that did not result in accidents and I did not identify then as brake problems. I thought it was my snow tires, even though they were brand new. I took the car back to the tire dealer last month who said they had no other complaints about that brand of tire, but I so concerned I had them replace the tires anyway with new ones of a different brand. I have opened a case with Toyota after I started to research 2010 Prius and found a recall on this model and year from before I leased this car. Toyota says there is not a recall on my VIN#. I want Toyota to take responsibility for this accident and take back the car.
While driving, when vehicle is coasting (decelerating) in eco mode/engine off and brakes are applied under specific conditions such as passing over a man-hole cover or pothole the following occurs: Car decelerates, as wheel/tire hits an anomaly in the road surface the brakes momentarily fail and the car surges forward as the engine starts. The sensation is a loss of braking force, plus momentary surge in the forward direction. Reaction to this situation is mild panic and overbraking, (literally slamming on the brake pedal). This problem can be recreated faithfully at one road close to a stopsign/intersection. This problem has occurred for months. Recently (11/30/11) when following a car on this specific road the car stopped abruptly due to an animal jarting into the road. I applied the brakes, brake anomaly occurred and felt I could not stop in time. Evasive driving measures forced me into the on-coming traffic lane to avoid a collision. Toyota unwilling to address this issue at the dealer or corporate.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 20 mph the contact depressed the brake pedal and it fell to the floor board. The contact was able to avoid crashing into several vehicles he turned onto a sidewalk and hit a street lamp, which then crashed on top of the vehicle, causing extensive damage. A police report was filed. The police officer inspected the vehicle and confirmed the brakes had failed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop. The vehicle was included previously in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V039000 (service brakes, air:anti-lock:control unit/module) and had the recall repairs performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 8,190....updated 12/03/12 updated 01/11/12
I'm an owner of a 2010 Prius. Ten days or so after I purchased the car(in Jan 2010), I experienced a loss in braking which resulted in damage to the bumper. Numerous!!!! almost daily!!!! times since, even after the recall fix (done on my vehicle on 3/10/10), I have experienced, not only a loss of braking (usually while going over some little bump) but the car actually lurching forward. Quite dramatic and scary, especially if there is a stop sign, intersection, a car or a person in front of you. Last thurs (11/10/11), the road surface was wet, and I braked and had no, none, nada brakes and I rear ended the person in front of me. I paid for her damage out of my own pocket. I have not fixed the damage done to my car. Brand new all season tires on the car, by the way. Today (11/14/11), again the road surface was wet, I was behind a car in the right lane when a car inappropriately began merging from a ramp on the right, causing the car in front of me to suddenly slow down. I braked, and again, nothing!!! I quickly looked in my side view mirror and saw I had clearance to go in the left lane, and managed to avoid contact. 10 days after I purchased the 2010 Prius, I said I wanted to return it and I sent in all this documentation certified mail, but Toyota rejected everything. There is a defect in this car and it is unsafe.
When I was pulling into a parking spot, the brakes failed and the vehicle accelerated on its own causing me to run over the cement parking stop and crash into a cement wall. The vehicle then back up from the concussion and accelerated once again causing me to crash twice. I finally came to my senses and shut the vehicle off. I had been noticing the brakes feeling strange prior to this incident. This caused $6,400 in damage. Toyota was alerted, had the vehicle inspected and claim it revealed no evidence of any sort of malfunction or defect. In my heart, I know that is not true. This was a very frightening experience and I dread this happening again.
I just got an email from mycarstats.com which after reading through complaints one hit me and I thought "that's exactly what happened to us". at the time, a couple of months ago, with Toyota's known problems, I told my wife to remember this and let me know if it ever happens again (which it has not). The problem occurred when we were traveling at a low speed and I hit an speed bump the vehicle surged like I had bumped the gas pedal only I had my foot on the brake.
I gently drive my 2010 Toyota Prius in eco mode to maximize fuel economy. Every weekday, since January 2011, I slow on a certain road to make a right turn. The road has a manhole cover recessed about 1 inch into the road along the path of my passenger side tires. Every time I drive over this manhole cover the Prius completely loses ability to brake for about 1/2 second, then braking is reestablished. There are other small bumps I drive over at other places which have the same results to the Prius braking system. Yesterday (26 Oct 2011) something different but possibly associated happened while driving over a bump. This time I was accelerating after having made a right turn from a complete stop. While still accelerating after the turn I signaled left and proceeded to merge into the left hand lane. As the Prius right front tire drove over the reflective lane marker imbedded in the road surface (the marker sticks out about 1/2 inch from road surface) the Prius went out of control. The car suddenly and severely pulled hard to the left and rapidly slowed, I struggled against the cars actions to avoid hitting the raised center median. My first though was that I must have had a complete and instantaneous blow out on the front left tire. My reaction was to immediately remove my foot from the accelerator. Then as I was further assessing my options and the surrounding traffic the Prius regained control and I was able to continue driving down the road as if nothing had ever happened. As the Prius reinstated control I heard a beep come from the dashboard, however I was not quick enough to notice if any warning lights had engaged during the incident. When I looked at the displays everything appeared normal. I also check the car externally and everything appeared normal. All incidents are on high quality road surfaces with dry pavement. Dealer indicates no recalls.
I depressed the brake pedal and, instead of slowing down, my car surged forward for about 20 feet before brakes engaged and the car stopped --- just before the intersection (red light). I barely avoided hitting a truck in front of me (I was able to drive around). Road surface was dry, without any potholes, bumps, etc. I took the car to the Toyota service center. After checking my car they informed me that the computer did not detect any malfunctions, the test drive was also uneventful, so that nothing could be done to resolve the problem. This car's braking is obviously unpredictable and it is, without a doubt, not safe to drive.
Car ABS light comes on, and at the same time vehicle loses brake assist or brake assist becomes uneven. Car has had three brake light failures - 1 with previous owner and 2 with current owner. First failure was repaired by resetting the computer, we think. With current owner, dealer has replaced the antilock sensor two times, and with the second sensor replacement Toyota now has pronounced the vehicle as safe. Since the brakes failed after the first sensor replacement, we have little confidence that the problem was solved with the second sensor replacement. We are concerned about vehicle safety, especially since the car is frequently driven in heavy Washington beltway traffic. Typically car runs for some time and then fails, so we do not know if and when it will happen again. Dealer and Toyota have been unsupportive to our concerns.
My issue is similar to others that have complained. When traveling a low speeds and I hit an unexpected bump the vehicle surges forward. This is very dangerous and one that I would hope Toyota take notice and address immediately.
I first reported this to Toyota prior to the initial 2010 recall, the car was less than 1 month old and I have reported it on numerous occasions via the Toyota website. On the few occasions I lent the car to friends they have had the same experience. Description: When traveling at relatively slow speeds and an unexpected bump comes up and the brakes are engaged early, once going over the bump the car losses brake power for a few seconds and jolts forward. It is very disconcerting B/C in those split seconds if one is not prepared the car hurls forward and could if all odds are against me, the car could kill someone if they are walking in front of the car. I reported it to my dealer, my dealer's inspector went out on test drive with me, we were able to recreate the incident when he was driving as there are a few spots in my neighborhood that it happens every time. He put the computer on the car but it did not read there was a problem. He called the national technical office, who eventually came out, I left the car at the dealership. They recreated the problem and according to the local technician they put a camera in the wheel to film the situation. I was later told by my local technician that it was determined that there was not a problem with the car and that the situation is normal where the tire catches an uneven surface and goes into overdrive. I have had dreams that I would kill someone in this car. Noone is allowed to use this car for the same reason. I fear for my life and the life of anyone walking in front of me on a street I do not know. It happens almost every 2 weeks. It is scary! please help! this is the first new car I bought in 25 years and I am unable to get rid of it B/C I had to pay so much for it. When I inquired what my options were, Toyota said none, that there is no problem with the car.
I purchased my 2010 Prius in August 2010. For the past year, I have had problems with the brake system when attempting to brake at low speeds. When braking at low speeds, such as stopping at a red light or stop sign, if the car hits a bump or a pothole, it stops braking and instead accelerates forward a bit. It is extremely frightening and I find it exceptionally dangerous. I have come extremely close to hitting the vehicles in front of me on several occasions. I now have to try to conscientiously adjust and drive very, very slowly when braking on uneven road surfaces since I have come to anticipate this problem. However, many times there is no way to avoid the car's surge of power. I believe this is a highly dangerous situation with my vehicle. A simple internet search will demonstrate that this problem exists and was not resolved with the recall in March 2010. I purchased my Prius, new, five months after the problem was allegedly fixed and I have had this problem since day one. The brakes have been examined on my vehicle by a Toyota dealer and they appear to be fine. I highly believe that a recall is appropriate to fix this dangerous braking issue.
When I pressed the brakes while approaching a stop I hit a bump in the road (large pot hole). The pressure on the brake released for approximately 1 second before the pressure on the brake pad re-engaged. This same scenario can happen any where from 0 to 2 times per week. In the winter when the road surface is not clear it is apparant that when the brake "disengages" the anti-lock doesn't engage because the car slides. I have slide through a red light, onto a busy street. Fortunately there have not been cars in the vacinity. I have taken the car to the dealership 3 times for this problem with no solution or recommendation.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bergenfield, NJ, USA