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.
We have a new 2010 Toyota Prius type iv that my wife drives. Several times now she has experienced problems with the braking system; when she applied the brakes the car lunged forward and then she had to apply the brakes really hard in order to get it to stop. This occurred several time upon hitting a bump, but it has also occurred on a smooth surface road. We obtained this new car in September 2009; so the frequency of this problem is pretty high. We understand that others are experiencing this same problem... we would like to confirm and complain that we too are experiencing these same problem with our Prius. We have called the local car dealer where we purchased the vehicle, they are unaware of this problem and offered to do noting about it. We also tried to call the Toyota experience center but the 800 number was over run with calls and stated that they could not process our call due to high call volume. At this point I am very concerned for the safety of those in the car and those who may be struck should we experience this problem at a critical moment in stopping the vehicle.
When traveling forward over uneven, bumpy pavement, pot holes, or speed bumps and applying the brakes at the same time the car suddenly accelerates very strongly. The acceleration happens even though you are pressing on the brake pedal and your foot is completely off the accelerator. The sudden acceleration is so strong that it nearly jerks the steering wheel out of your hand. This incident has happened once when my wife was driving the car and three times when I have been driving. It almost feels like the brakes stop working for a second or two and the car accelerates by itself. When it happens it is quite startling. I took the car to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong with it. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be looked into.
On Feb. 3, 2010 the brakes in my 2010 Prius failed on sudden application and the pedal went all the way to the floor. I swerved right to an open lane, reapplied the brakes and this second application was successful and slowed the car. Event took place going 47 mph on crest of hill when car in front braked suddenly, and I went from acceleration to sudden braking. Prior to this experience I had made two complaints to my local dealer because the brakes occasionally grabbed violently when I was backing out of a parking space. The dealer could not replicate this action, so I just put up with it. The dealer now has my car and has provided a rental car at my request.
Brakes sporadically grab and make smooth braking impossible. These are unexpected and intermittent. It occurs maybe ten percent of my trips. Consequences are jolting stop. Nothing allegedly can be done to correct the failures.
- Greenough, MT, USA
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I purchased a 2010 Toyota Prius in September. I have noticed that during the first few minutes of driving after the car has been started, if I go over a speed bump the car is much more difficult to brake to a stop. After the car is warmed up, this issue goes away. There is a speed bump I have to go over on my way home from work and have experienced the problem consistently.
2010 Toyota Prius purchased on July 31, 2009. Between 10 and 12 times since purchase date, when applying the brakes simultaneously with driving over a bump or rough section of road, the car felt as though it was accelerating rather than braking. This lasted for one second or less but was frightening. The first time I thought it was my imagination but it occurred another 10 times or so. It always occurs when going over a bump. As far as I can recall, the pavement was always dry. Fortunately, there was no accident in any of these occurrences.
I have a new 2010 Toyota Prius that I bought in Dec 2009. I did experience something that sounds similar to the brake problem now being investigated - a momentary loss of brake power while going over a potholed/bumpy patch of road. It was just for a moment and no accident resulted, but I am worried now that the problem might not have just been a random fluke. Separately, I had another strange incident with the car. Backing out of a parking space, I had not yet hit the accelerator but the car immediately jumped backwards as though I had hit the gas hard. The only way prevent it from bucking backwards was to hit the brake. I had to sort of jolt out of the parking space because there was no in between of normal/slow acceleration. Once I got out of the space and put the car into drive, it was accelerated normally.
Issue with brakes of Prius 2010. We lose some control of the vehicle or it veers when the brakes are pushed sometimes. It happens very rarely but when we push the brake, the car will sometimes seems to slow, then accelerate a couple of feet before stopping.
Momentary lack of braking on 2010 Toyota Prius bought summer of 09. Has happened many times. Also brakes grab erratically jerking the car severely when in reverse. Same problems are noted by many, many owners on priuschat.com forum.
My 2010 Prius accelerates when it hits a pot hole while slowing down. This happens more when there is snow or ice on the road. In icy conditions I am slowing down and not pressing on the brake, but if it hits a pot hole -- a momentary loss of control is experience. It seems like the electric brake switches off and hydraulic brakes kicks in because it brakes harder once back.
We have Toyota Prius 2010 model and there has been incidences in the past couple of months where the brakes have not functioned properly. On Dec 7th 2009 on a traffic light signal my car despite applying the brakes kept on moving and ended up hitting another car. My car was damaged but I just couldn't comprehend the reason as to why the car didn't stop. Even after couple of weeks when my husband was driving, while we were stopped at the traffic light, the car kept rolling forward. All we could think was that may be we were not pressing the brakes hard enough, but since other people have come out with similar problem with Prius, the whole thing is making sense to us. I use Prius regularly with my two young kids in the back but now I am scared to even drive it.
We have a 2010 Toyota Prius II, and have experienced multiple instances of the brakes not working - especially while driving through our apartment complex and going over speed bumps. This has also occurred while on the interstate, slowing down for traffic. The date listed below is for the most recent occurrence.
2010 Toyota Prius II stopping time longer than expected when in "B" gear and need to brake. Note that I am not sure of the road surface when this occurred but I believe that it was flat. Car seems to lurch forward. Have come close to hitting car in front of me. Dry road surface, close to 50 degrees F.
2010 Toyota Prius III -- brake problem, similar to that described in news release of 4feb10. Car momentarily accelerates whenever hitting bump, even though brakes are being applied. Ongoing over the past several months.
While driving northwest on national bl, just past venice blvd, in my 2010 Prius, I applied the brakes and, rather than slowing, the car accelerated forward. I released the brake and pressed it again, very firmly, and the brakes finally caught.
2010 Toyota Prius brakes jerking in fanning on rough roads. I have call dealership but have not heard back.C all my ins. Company in was told not to dive the car. Now I have a car that keep be used.
After stopping the car, then either moving forward or reversing, brakes will grab. Brake grab is strong enough that it feels like I've slammed on the brakes when they are barely touched. In order to correct, I put the car in park, then either D or R. this has happened about 10 times since I bought the car in August 2009.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. Whenever the contact attempted to engage the brake pedal while driving 35 mph when the vehicle lunged forward and then it accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and advised that the vehicle was operating normally for since it is equipped with an electrical engine switch. The failure has occurred repeatedly. The failure mileage was 6,000.
I own a 2010 Toyota Prius, which I purchased in August, 2009. I have experienced a braking problem at lease 6 times since then. When I brake while driving over rough roads including driving over metal cover plates in roads, I lose all my brakes for a second or so. It feels like I have hit a patch of ice. It is very scary, and really gets your attention.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hummelstown, PA, USA