10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
16 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,261 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.

2008 Toyota Prius brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #66

Jan 112018

Prius

  • 118,000 miles

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

Toyota brake system failure in January 2018. This issue resulted in an accident and is a critical safety problem. Toyota is aware of this problem and are unwilling to correct the issue.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #65

Sep 122018

Prius

  • 148,000 miles
Driving on city street while very rainy outside, drove through a puddle and felt the brakes loosen, all the warning lights came on and wouldn't turn off. Anti-lock breaking system was offline. Took to Toyota dealership, mechanics said the ABS is not communicating with the computer and it would be $2800 to fix. Breaks feel loose and are not as responsive anymore.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #64

Sep 062018

Prius

  • 103,000 miles
After 2nd day owning the brake light came on and 3 other lights vsc, circle with exclamation, check engine, and one more I believe. Went to Toyota to find out the brake actuator is out and they would charge me 2 thousand dollars. There should be warranty on this malfunction. When driving we were luckily in a parking lot.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #63

Aug 142018

Prius

  • 110,000 miles

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

The brake actuator is not working properly causing safety issues related to the brakes

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #62

Jan 022018

Prius

  • 120,000 miles
Breaking ceases to work at random intervals. ABS light turns on and then off. Problem is very random and unexplained. Sometimes occurs at a light or when taking off from the park position. Seems that a recall should have been issued for this issue.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #61

Jul 292018

Prius

  • 79,500 miles
ABS lights came on as I started the car and warning signals also. The vehicle was in a parking lot as I was preparing to drive when the signals came on. Here they are: Brake, (!) ABS, vsc.

- Acton, MA, USA

problem #60

May 172018

Prius

  • 142,000 miles

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

Combination meter is defective, light panel, including speedometer & fuel levels go dark, unable to tell speed of vehicle or remaining fuel, multiple incidents, all began (thus far) while vehicle was stationary.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #59

May 232018

Prius

  • 173,000 miles
My Prius made a sound like a turkey call/barking sound, my brake light, ABS light, vsc light and exclamation light all came on at the same time. Took veh to Toyota dealership and was advised it was the brake actuator that needed to be replaced. Was advised it was very dangerous to drive any further with this issue.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #58

May 062018

Prius

  • 88,000 miles
On Sunday, May 6 the ABS, brake light, and master warning indicator lights were activated on my 2008 Prius. The technician at Toyota identify the issue as the brake actuator. The estimated service bill is $3,500. My car is routinely serviced by Toyota and even though the brakes were making noises, I was unaware that the brake actuator was failing. The replacement part would have been fully covered under the warranty enhancement notification (ZG1), but that ended on December 31, 2017. My car was symptomatic, but since the warning lights were not activated, Toyota did not replace the actuator, or informs me of its imminent failure. (Toyota relied solely on the car's ABS warning lights instead of using their diagnostic evaluation system, which determines trade-in value.) I am the original owner with less than 87,000 miles, which is far below the 150,000 miles stated in the warranty enhancement notification. Without brakes, my ten year old car in excellent condition is worthless and the costly part makes repairing impossible. Toyota headquarter is standing behind the date on their warranty. The brake actuator--a very major component--should have been recalled and fixed.

- Juno Beach, FL, USA

problem #57

Apr 292018

Prius

  • 155,000 miles
Powered on vehicle in driveway and while the car was still in park and the brake pedal engaged, the car rolled out of the driveway. I applied additional pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from rolling out. A week later, the instrument panel warning lights for ABS, vsc, brake system and brake illuminated due to internal malfunctions of the brake actuator assembly. Toyota stated the vehicle is outside of the extended warranty for this known issue.

- Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA

problem #56

Apr 292018

Prius

  • 140,000 miles

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

Vehicle brake actuator failed causing loss of brakes during reversing, all brake warning lights illuminated on dash. Found that Toyota extended warranty on this part expired in December 2017. I was never sent a notice about this part possibly failing.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #55

Mar 202018

Prius

  • 112,000 miles
Brake, ABS, vsc, ! with circle around it, and a solid high pitch alarm came on while driving and when coming to a red light at 55mph, I noticed my brakes had failed. This had almost caused me an accident by running into the back end of another car. Thankfully I had my foot and the brake peddle pressed almost through the firewall as was able to stop. This is not a hazard, this is extremely dangerous for any Prius driven like this.

- Minneola, FL, USA

problem #54

Apr 122018

Prius

  • 113,000 miles
The ABS warning came on and we took it to the dealership for diagnosis. Apparently there was a "warranty enhancement program" attached to this car for this specific problem, the brake actuator assembly". however, even this is a known manufacturing-defect, Toyota is refusing to pay for this service because they reasoned that this has fallen out of their warranty dates, which included 2 types of coverage: Primary coverage ended 12/31/2017 and secondary coverage for car less than 10 years old from the first use or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. According to Toyota, the first use of my Toyota Prius is 10/13/2007, and 10 years from that date is 10/13/2017, which came before even the deadline for primary coverage. This "warranty enhancement program" is for 2004-2009 Prius. You would think it will cover at least until the last manufactured car of 2009, but that was not the case. Also, the dealer and the manufacturer both stated that they can't fix it unless you actually have the ABS light turned on and it warns about the issue. You would think if that light comes on, it will be very dangerous if you are driving 60 mph on the freeway and you can't brake! Toyota definitely did not think so. The repairs I was quoted for this particular problem is $2800 + tax, which is expensive and I can't afford to pay for it. I feel ridiculed because this is a manufacturing defect and it is not something related to wear-and-tear. Toyota acknowledged that this is a manufacturer defect and the reason they refuse to pay for this service is because it fell outside of the "extended warranty period". we did not even receive the notice to begin with; I found this out on the internet and apparently, a lot of people have this problem with their vehicles and Toyota either dragged out the timeline of repair so that it will surpass the deadline stated on the letter of the program.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #53

Mar 122018

Prius

  • miles
ABS, break and the vsc lights are on which is indicate that my actuator ABS system fails in my Prius 2008. Technician notes: C1256 accumulator low pressure. 0.00 0.00 C1391 abnormal leak of pressure. The ABS brake actuator has failed. This a known issue. To rectify this issue we will need to replace the ABS brake actuator, resistor, and flush the system. Tsb-0032-16 states that this is a common issue caused by an internal brake fluid leak in the brake actuator. The front brake pads look almost new, and the rotors are in good shape. The rear shoes and drums are in good shape as well. The noise the customer is hearing is the ABS engaging. This is covered under warranty from Toyota for 10 years, 100,000 miles. I called to see if they would honor this. They said that the vehcile is out of warranty. Brk0 rp R&R ABS brake actuator and bleed the system. Labor : $624.75 expressly disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, including any parts : $1,981.39 implied warranty of merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose and sublet : $0 neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume for it any liability in $0 connection with the sale of said products. Supply charg other fees : $30 subtotal : $2,636.14 X____________________________________________________ date ________________ sales tax : $165.94 total : $2,802.08 paid by : pay ref : paid : $0 due : $2,802.08

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #52

Mar 212018

Prius

  • 150,000 miles
Brake actuator failing (warning lights on, clunking sound when depressing brake, increased force to apply brakes) two months after extended "service campaign" ended. Had a recall been issued I would have been notified there was a technical problem that needs to be fixed. A known technical issue that affects a vehicle's brakes and anti- locking braking system should result in a recall.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #51

Apr 032018

Prius

  • 142,583 miles
In bumper to bumper traffic the brakes failed to stop the car when approaching a traffic light. It bumped the vehicle in front at a low speed without injuries or damage.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #50

Mar 222018

Prius

  • 141,160 miles
My mother has a 2008 Prius that has two serious issues that Toyota has acknowledged and even offered to fix under what they call a support program. Sounds great right" here's the problem. 1. she never received a letter notifying her of the problem and that it needed to be fixed (and only now that the issues have become her issues is she aware there was a recall and 2. Toyota set a time frame to fix these issues which she is now past. Again, sounds like they tried to do the right thing" the first issue is an internal leak causing her brake booster to malfunction (which is a Toyota issue, not an age or wear and tear issue) and the second issue is that there are no lights on her dash board(combination meter) which means that for a Prius, there is no way to tell your speed or gas levels. So take that in. She has a car, that has two major issues, one of which Toyota fixed up until Dec of 2017 and the other Dec of 2016 and are caused by faulty parts and labor by Toyota, and they will no longer fix these. The break issue cost $2400 and the dash $800. For an issue that is caused by Toyota not the driver or wear and tear and is a serious safety issue. This is the kind of company Toyota really is. Several years ago my mom received about 14 letters stating she needed to come in and replace her floor matts because they were part of a recall. Floor mats! she's received recall issues on her door lock among other things that she promptly had fixed. She took her car to the Toyota dealership many times and no one ever mentioned these issues or "support programs". but breaks and dashboards aren't as important as floor mats or door locks. I would love for Toyota to explain to me and everyone else, how something they acknowledge is a Toyota issue, has an expiration date to get fixed by them.

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #49

Feb 062018

Prius

  • 198,000 miles
My car has been making noises for a couple years now and I recently found out it's been my brake actuator. Due to the actuator not keeping compression the ABS brake system isn't working properly and my car rolls right out of the driveway into the road die to poor braking system. I've called Toyota and spoken with the dealership they're aware of the safety issue but state my car is outside of the warranty period and want $3400 for repairs than may increase once work has begun.

- El Mirage, AZ, USA

problem #48

Mar 152018

Prius

  • 141,000 miles
Have been hearing more noises than usual and then the brake wasn't staying engaged after starting the vehicle and putting it in gear. Then all brake warning lights have come on, brake, ABS, vsc, and (O), and stayed on. Local dealership is saying it's the brake actuator and quoted me $2,900 to fix. Really?!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #47

Feb 192018

Prius

  • 149,800 miles
Running on a city street at 20 miles, gas pedal would not work, could not decrease or increase mileage. Brake pedal worked but went all the way down and finally stopped with a jerk. A constant noise and and has a Toyota confirmed brake acctuator problem that Toyota refuses to help since extra warrant expired in 12/2017

- Houston, TX, USA

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