10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
41 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
19 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,865 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.

2010 Toyota Prius brakes problems

brakes problem

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2010 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 7 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #388

Apr 202021

Prius

  • 120,000 miles

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

I was just told that my 2010 Prius needs the brake boost assembly (cylinder and boost) at a cost of $2,570. It was causing my 4 month old, 12V battery to drain. I thought that was outrageous so I looked into it and found out there was an "enhanced extended" warranty issued (not a recall), but for my vehicle it expired April 2020. Another issue that I uncovered that this part also causes the Prius to lurch forward when braking and you happen to drive over a bump. Train tracks, or potholes which is a safety issue. I have also experienced this with my Prius. Fortunately, I have had no accidents so far. I have read that there have been accidents caused by this issue. Toyota should step up and fix the problem before people are injured due to this defective braking system. My daughter drives a 2015 Prius. Is anything more being done" or are they going to wait until more accidents happen" I stumbled across this issue when my 2010 Toyota Prius 12V battery required frequent jump starts. I replaced the battery ($300) Dec 2020. Prior to that, I called aaa and got a jump start. Because of covid, I wasn't driving the vehicle daily (work from home) so it was assumed the cause was the vehicle should be driven frequently.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #387

Apr 092021

Prius

  • 120,910 miles
I bought this car brand new in 2010. Toyota Prius hybrid. Two weeks ago the ABS light, emergency brake light, and traction control lights all came on and won't go off. Dealership says I need $2000 worth of work. Brake booster/master cylinder, brake booster pump assembly, brake actuator internal leak. Brakes acting weird. Dealership says I don't need to drive car, just pay $2000 which I don't have. They said Toyota extended the warranty to December 2020, which just past. I never got letter saying it was a problem.

- Gun Barrel City, TX, USA

problem #386

Apr 012021

Prius

  • 91,300 miles
I was driving and pressed the brake pedal to make a turn. After completing the turn I noticed several warning lights illuminated on the dash board including brake, ABS, and traction control. The brakes were very mushy but worked enough to get the vehicle to a shop. The shop assessed the vehicle which displayed code C1391 and said it was brake related possibly ABS system. They cleared the code in my vehicle and brakes worked normal for a very short time before the same warning lights appeared and brakes went mushy and not working properly. I then looked up possible recalls or enhanced warranties and I called Toyota customer service and was told there is no recall or extended/enhanced warranty for any braking issue on my vehicle based on the VIN number. I took the vehicle to my local Toyota dealer and they charged me to test for a code. They came up with code C1391 and state in their paperwork that the cause is "brake booster internal failure" and recommend replacing the brake booster. Their paperwork shows replacement of a brake pump and brake booster had an extended warranty but that it expired 9/26/2020. Therefore the dealer would not fix my car at the cost of Toyota. My vehicle has approximately 91,000 miles and others with higher mileage have documented that Toyota has repaired this known, well documented, expensive (about $4,000) and continued dangerous braking problem in several cases. Per the dealership and my contact with Toyota they are not willing to repair my vehicle at their cost., which at the Toyota dealership is about $4,000 parts and labor. An additional issue is trusting Toyota service and/or private mechanics that they will replace the problem part(s) or replacing additional parts making the repair bill higher or maybe not fixing the problem where additional repairs will be required before too long.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #385

Apr 062021

Prius

  • 150,000 miles

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

Traveling home from tampa to St. Petersburg on interstate at 70 mph and suddenly breaks fail. Brake, ABS, and traction lights come on. Pushed pedal to the floor and was able to get enough braking to pull off the interstate and into a gas station and into a parking spot safely. No warning-just immediate failure. Miracle no one killed. Reading many other similar stories for year. What is going on that this has not been recalled"??"

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #384

Jan 012019

Prius

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard while attempting to stop the vehicle. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of tampa bay (1101 E fletcher ave, tampa, fl 33612: (813) 402-1323) on several occasions to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- Seffner, FL, USA

problem #383

Mar 112021

Prius

  • 113,864 miles
I inherited a 2010 Toyota Prius 3rd generation when my mother passed a few years ago. I've since had several unnecessary and costly problems with the car as well as dealership's outlook, treatment, and indifference to the danger that their customers face--as many already have. The following are situations that I'm experiencing now. First, I was recently leaving the pharmacy when all of my warning lights (ABS, brake, traction ) suddenly came on and my brakes failed as I was heading home. I'm a single mother of a special needs child and I had to get home to her. I was approximately 1 mile from my home and I was nearly in 3 accidents that could've been catastrophic. Thankfully the road was dry, clear, and with little traffic. We have been homebound for weeks, without transportation for doctors, food, etc. Our vehicle is our only means of transportation, and we must get to doctor appointments, etc. Second, the car has inexplicably stalled twice. Third, I'm constantly having to replace lights, and have been pulled over by the police for lights not working. Finally, an airbag has been recalled and once I can afford it I'll get that fixed as well. I spoke with my local Toyota dealerships, and after explaining the problems, I was informed (several times as I was repeatedly transferred) that I had to pay an inspection fee that also changed with each person. Finally, I was told I had to leave my car there for days and that I was going to pay thousands of dollars to fix the car. I'm unable to pay that much money--and the amount kept changing as well. I have researched these problems and now understand the methodology and intimidation used on poor people such as myself. Toyota should be ashamed. Fix these problems that will endanger and possibly kill your customers for nothing more than their own incompetence and greed.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #382

Mar 292021

Prius

  • miles

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

Just purchase the car and they R refusing to fix the ABS known issue under that ABS recall

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #381

Jan 172021

Prius

  • 124,000 miles
Toyota Prius 2010 started experiencing braking issues in January 17, 2020. Car was taken to the dealer three times with miss diagnosis. In March dealer diagnosed issue most likely a brake booster and pump assembly which was a known issue with 2010 Prius. Toyota identified the issue in a previous quality campaign but only repaired if brakes fully failed. Brake failure is what it took to have your car repaired?

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #380

Feb 232021

Prius

  • miles
ABS, traction, and brake light stay on. It is the actuator brake and the cost to fix is over $2000. I have researched this issue with other 2010 Prius' and it is a common issue. This is a defect that Toyota refuses to fix even though it is very common and puts many people at risk.

- Harlingen, TX, USA

problem #379

Feb 262021

Prius

  • 130,000 miles
I have lost all regenerative braking. The ABS, traction control, and service lights are all illuminated continually. It has become difficult to stop and the hybrid battery is depleting at a rapid rate with very slow recharging.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #378

Feb 232021

Prius

  • 115,000 miles

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

On Tuesday, February 23, our braking system failed on our Toyota Prius while driving on a side road after months of continuing weakness in the brake pedal and "lurching" when braking over potholes. The brake system lost hydraulic pressure. Upon inspection by an ase-certifie mechanic, they determined the brake booster assembly had likely failed, but recommended sending to a Toyota dealership. They confirmed the vehicle was unfit to drive. The vehicle was sent to a Toyota dealer. The dealer confirmed the break booster assembly/actuator had failed. The dealer advised the brake booster had previously been under a Toyota "customer service campaign, " but that the "warranty" campaign had expired. However, he advised Toyota brand engagement center has often assisted customers when they're just outside the warranty period. When contacting Toyota, they stated this vehicle was never under recall and was not eligible, but then said they sent information on a Toyota safety campaign. Upon research, we continued to confirm that the diagnosis was tied to recall D0H from July 2013. We've also reviewed our vehicle history, and the brake pump assembly was never replaced despite being inspected consistently by Toyota dealers since 2013 and under recall. Toyota has declined to cover the cost of the replacement for the brake pump assembly. The cost of repair is nearly the same as the current value of the vehicle. Toyota brand engagement center has declined to provide this information in writing, would not provide a name, and otherwise acted completely sketchy - for lack of a better word - any time we tried to clarify the repair was clearly tied to the June 2013 recall. We were very, very fortunate the brakes failed on a side street near our home, not on a highway or other high-risk area. We would like Toyota to honor the recall, extend it for other customers, and cover the cost of repair.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #377

Feb 082021

Prius

  • 209,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 20 mph and depressing the brake pedal to attempt to stop the vehicle, the vehicle proceeded to roll forward while the pedal was still depressed. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #376

Feb 152021

Prius

  • 135,360 miles
Hello, I have a problem with my Prius 2010, I have not idea what happened with my brakes when I was driving in highway 95 North in Florida, my brakes was heavy and difficult to puch, after that problem never my car was normal again.I have all thats light on in my car right now. I am scary drive my car with this problem. I see lot up information of other owners of Toyota Prius 2010 and 2011 with the same problem but anybody knot what is the problem. My light of brakes ABS, stabilytrac and other symbols of pracaution is on in the sametime. Is important fix this problem. Our heal and our life can not be replace for an brakes problem of the car. I called Toyota this week for let they know the information about my problem and other users in internet. This is a big security problem. Somebody need take care the responsability about this, they did an diagnostic about of this problem and they know the problem brakes in this model Prius long time ago. I want a see any result about this situation because is our life. This can be dangerous this for our safety on road for millon peoples in United States of America.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #375

Feb 042021

Prius

  • 124,000 miles
Went over bump at railroad crossing and ABS, brake, slip warning lights came on and regenerative braking stopped working. Car was harder to stop. Took to dealer and car was diagnosed with this work needed: Replace booster and booster pump assy and reflash (failed booster, booster pump) fail $3,259.84 car is beyond warranty fix dates though all these cars were recalled in Canada and a class action suit is ongoing in Ohio over this issue. Why won't the ntsb follow Canada's lead and get these failing brake systems fixed before something serious happens?

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #374

Dec 012020

Prius

  • 112,278 miles
My car's ABS, traction, and brake lights are on. I took it to two shops and they both said my car was recalled and to have the dealership fix it. The recall is on the breaks. The brake pedal is also not fully working, there is an abnormal leak of brake fluid pressure. Both auto service places said to demand for the dealership to take car of this because there is a class action lawsuit going on for this car with this exact problem.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #373

Jan 052021

Prius

  • 227,600 miles
Brake booster failure, loss pressure at brake the car, the stability control and the ABS doesn't work

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #372

Jan 192021

Prius

  • 181,323 miles
I was driving down the highway and the traction control, ABS, and brake light all come on. I go to use the brakes and the pedal was a lot firmer and was harder to press. The car makes a buzzing noise I believe it is the brake accumulator. I go to the nearest place to get the codes read. It came up with C1391 and I look that code up and it comes up with that code is a common issue with the Prius. I read that it could lead to brake failure.

- Colorado Springs Colorado, CO, USA

problem #371

Jan 162021

Prius

  • 162,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that driving at 15 mph, the brakes failed to operate as needed upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact stated that several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel including the ABS, tire pressure, traction control and emergency brake lights. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to haley Toyota of roanoke (1530 courtland rd ne, roanoke, va 24012) where she was informed that there was a crack in the brake booster pump assembly accumulator, a decrease in the hydraulic pressure, and a defective brake master cylinder. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 13V235000 (service brakes) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #370

Sep 042018

Prius

  • 58,000 miles
The casing of the brake actuator is cracking. The brake actuator apparently is an underlying problem that Toyota does not want to take responsibility for and fix.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #369

Dec 302020

Prius

  • 134,000 miles
I travel to work one hour away from home, on high speed highway's my break system lights turned on, traction, ABS and break, break pedal sinks and will not break and is very dangerous when driving home. I hope no one gets killed

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

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