10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,461 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2012 Toyota Prius c brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Toyota Prius c Owner Comments

problem #18

Jun 212024

Prius c

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While my daughter was driving brake pedal faded and rear brakes locked up causing her to lose initial control of car. Steering felt tight. Many warning lights, check hybrid system, brake lights, steering warning lights, along with abs lights came on. Took car to Toyota dealer to diagnose it needs brake booster and master cylinder module. Service consultant said known issue with TSB but it had expired. Many, many complaints of this same incident of Toyota and Prius forums.

- Naples, NY, USA

problem #17

Jan 132024

Prius c

  • miles
Code C1391 shows in which the accumulator and the brake booster assembly need to be changed. This is a known defect and was covered through an -??extended warranty-?? due to a lawsuit. Since it results in less than optimal braking, and can result in crashes since function disappears suddenly, it should have warranted a recall. This issue is also known to happen in multiple Toyota hybrid vehicles.

- Toa Alta, PR, USA

problem #16

Sep 102023

Prius c

  • miles
The brakes fail and the ABS module stops working correctly and when I go at a speed of 60 MPH the brakes lock until the speed drops and they work again. The problem is with the ABS module and I went to the dealer and the repair value is $3450 dollars.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #15

Jun 032023

Prius c

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Last week my 2012 Toyota Prius-C had four lights come on (ABS, Brake, Swerve, and one other). I took it to my local mechanic who informed me that it was my master cylinder brake that needed to be replaced and would cost me $3,300. This issue started roughly 10-12 months ago, when I heard my brakes making a noise that sounded very unusual, almost like a hydraulic issue. I learned that there was a Toyota initiated CSP. Toyota realized there was an issue with the 2012-2014 brake system that affected over 100,000 vehicles. Those affected by CSP's are supposedly notified by mail. Needless to say, I never received such notice. This aforementioned CSP expired in November 2022 that my car would have qualified for, had the problem been diagnosed prior. However, when I brought my car in on August 8th, 2022 for my hybrid battery, a diagnostic was done on my brake system with no indication that my brake system was in trouble. I really can't fault the mechanics at the local Toyota, I took it to a second brake specialist a few months after and they too could not identify the problem. The problem was so bad, Toyota discontinued the brake system. Toyota said it would need to be broken 100% with an error message to qualify prior to the November 2022 deadline. After being facetious and saying I should have broken the part myself to qualify, she said that is what I would have needed to qualify.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #14

May 052023

Prius c

  • miles
Without prior warning brake pedal goes to floor before minimally engaging braking system at a very reduced rate causing me to swerve and narrowly avoid collisions on interstate. There is no pressure feeling in the brake pedal although brake fluid level is normal and inspection of brake pads indicated significant pad available. No DTC light is coming on and OBD scan tool indicates no brake error. Brakes are unable to stop car to avoid collision, so car is dangerous and undrivable.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #13

Mar 142022

Prius c

  • miles
a warning light came in on my dashboard brakes regarding the Brake pump accumulator. It feels like my brakes are not working right, not stopping like they always did.I was scared I almost hit someone in front of me at a red light because after applying the appropriate notes due on the brake pedal I noticed a delay in the car stopping. I had the brakes checked by a mechanic and they are ok. This is very dangerous. Can the manufacturer be required to repair this defect? Thank for your help.

- Coconut Creek , FL, USA

problem #12

Dec 062021

Prius c

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My brakes gave out while driving with my infant child luckily I was almost home and made it without hitting anyone or seriously hurting myself and my child. Had car diagnosed error code c1256. Local dealership won-??t repair because I -??missed -?? recall and my car has salvage title. I cannot afford to fix on my own and I-??m shaking as I drive with my child to work everyday praying to get there in one piece because I have to work-??

- Groveland , FL, USA

problem #11

Dec 242019

Prius c

  • 15,000 miles
Igualmente que los carros prius regulares, el cual hay una garantia extendida, mi el auto dao la bomba de frenos, lo cual ES muy costosa, esta garantia solo ES solo para prius regulares igualmente utilizan el mismo sistema. SE debe verificar porque no cubre los otros autos ya que tienen el mismo sistema.

- Juncos, PR, USA

problem #10

May 232012

Prius c

  • 800 miles
From date of purchase, vehicle performed unpredictably. Transitioning from electric to motor was rough and noticeable. At 600 miles, a significant impact was felt during transition. Dealer found nothing. Brake pedal traveled to the floor and vehicle went through stop sign at low speed. Route 44 Toyota insisted I needed to get used to electronic brakes. Toyota insisted brakes worked as prescribed. Recently, a aaa driver discovered the ground wire on the battery was loose. The battery was replaced and the vehicle now functions as described, the hill hold functions as described. NHTSA did an inspection in response to a defect petition - vehicle did not perform as described in the federal register. Brake pedal is now high, as it was initially. This vehicle was sent from the factory with a loose battery ground and it was covered up by everyone from Toyota, dealerships to NHTSA when the correction was simple. Toyota does not stand behind their product.

- Middleboro, MA, USA

problem #9

Oct 202012

Prius c

  • 1,500 miles
The back brakes automatically release at 5 mph when decreasing speed and only when its wet outside. The car is now at 365,000 miles and it is still doing it 6 years later

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #8

Jan 142016

Prius c

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake booster w/ master ECM communication malfunction -unable to communicate and performs ABS, anti slippery and brake pedal to low. The malfunction includes warning lights panel to stay on.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #7

Jan 142016

Prius c

  • 87,000 miles
"takata report" comunication circuit malfunction C 1203 ECM - brake booster w/master, during operation all indicator lights at the dash went on permanently.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #6

Dec 152015

Prius c

  • 40,000 miles
Brakes are very sensitive during wet weather. It takes great effort to avoid a skid. Once the brakes warm up the performance is normal. The dealer resurfaced the front rotors which fixed the problem in the short term. However, the problem is returning.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #5

Oct 012014

Prius c 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Braking often becomes extremely aggressive when moisture is prevalent. Initial application is normal, until deeper into the braking cycle. Once vehicle is committed to stopping an additional (hard brake) surge then renders system into becoming far too aggressive. This is under normal braking scenarios requiring active operator adjustments to stop normally.

- Graham, WA, USA

problem #4

Nov 012013

Prius c 4-cyl

  • miles
Brakes are extremely touchy and grab whenever it is damp outside.

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #3

Apr 202014

Prius c

  • 0 miles
When stepping on the brakes during West weather (moisture in the brakes) the rear wheels lock up for a split second every time. When it is dry it doesn't lock up but still hits hard.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #2

Mar 292014

Prius c

  • 25,000 miles
Car in front slowed then stopped quickly as the car ahead of it attempted to use the middle lane improperly (not a turn lane at that time), not moving fully nor quickly into the lane. Car in front stopped. Applied brakes immediately to the Prius C to slow, then added one rapid pump, and ultimately pushed the pedal to the floor. The prius did little more than slow (without even a jolt from the firm application of the brakes), causing a crash into the rear of the car in front and significant damage to the entire front end. No airbag deployment.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1

May 232013

Prius c 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
The brakes were applied gently as the car was approaching a stopped car. The Prius C then accelerated, at which time the brakes were firmly applied, the ABS system engaged, but not in enough time for the vehicle to stop. The prius rear ended the vehicle in front, all airbags were deployed causing injury to the driver, and the front end of the prius was destroyed. It cannot be fixed and will need to be scrapped.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

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