8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,610
Average Mileage:
114,350 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace brake booster and actuator (5 reports)
  2. replace master cylinder (2 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
2011 Toyota Prius brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Toyota Prius Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 152021

Prius 3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,000 miles

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

In 2012 when my 2011 Prius was one year old, the auto began to make a single "chunking" noise when started up and my foot was on the brake pedal. As the vehicle was still under warranty, I took it in to my Toyota Dealership, Don Moore Toyota in Owensboro, KY for a check. The service department could not find any problem with the vehicle. Over the years the car would make this "chunking" noise almost every time I turned it on. Just recently it began to make this chunking noise almost every time I applied the brakes.

My dash board lights indicated my brakes needed service and the ABS, and Anti-Skid lights came on. The brakes felt very mushy and I needed to depress them harder to make the car stop. I took it into my auto mechanic shop, Harley's Auto in Owensboro, and they diagnosed the problem right away as needing a new brake booster/master cylinder. The cost of the part was $1023 and the final cost to fix it was $1,373. I brought the vehicle home today and there is no more "chunking" noise when I start it up and/or press the brakes. Did Toyota know in 2012 that this "chunking" noise indicated a problem with the brake system?

- ldpoole, Owensboro, US

problem #7

Sep 152019

Prius 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Same problem as the 2010 recall. I have the C1391 code set, and the brake actuator runs more frequently than it should. This problem comes and goes, as the warning lights (traction, abs, brake) will turn on and off randomly. When they’re off everything works like normal. When the lights illuminate the braking is very different. Because the problem occurs when I am on the highway I am worried about safety issues. I bought the Prius brand new and have been very happy with it. Saddling a loyal Toyota customer with a 3500-4000 bill for fixing the car is enough to make me buy another car, and I will definitely be looking at other brands. Obviously this is a problem part, many others have filed the exact same complaint, and many of those are in the same situation I am, the car is a 2011 and not a 2010, so it’s not covered by recall, but it dwdiiitwly seems like it should be. I hope no one gets hurt as a result of this issue that appears to be more and more common on the priuses from 2010 and 2011.

- Nick S., Groveland, US

problem #6

May 192020

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

Had the traction, abs, and brake lights all pop on. Braking feels a little different now. C1391 code was given by mechanic. He is talking about brake parts that will cost parts and labor around $2500. I can't afford this and I need a car to drive, so hoping no wrecks. We are a Toyota family with 4 now in the family. Called to complain to Toyota Headquarters and they said out of warranty, but they did recall the 2010 models, even though the same problem is with the 2010-2015 and some other Toyotas. They basically blew me off.

- John W., Jacksonville, NC, US

problem #5

Mar 122019

Prius 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 120,312 miles

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

Toyota keeps having issues with the brakes with all the prius cars.

- Nelson L., Granada Hills, CA, US

problem #4

Dec 312018

Prius TWO Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,212 miles

The following lights came up on my dash (traction, brake, and abs). I went to the dealership and they tell me the code C1391 and that the brake booster and actuator needs to be replaced. It has to do with the braking system and if you look up recalls, guess what? The year prior (2010) had a massive recall vehicle had the recall. I spoke to Toyota and they tell me that the parts involved with this error code has a 3 year/ 36,000 mile warranty. They know this is a big problem because prior generations have had the same issues and have been recalled. Toyota is avoiding responsibility for a issue that DOES exist.

- Orlando S., Orlando, US

problem #3

Dec 182018

Prius

  • CVT transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Brake/Trac/ABS lights on. Sometimes the lights go out and the brakes are fine, but most of the time my dash is lit up like Christmas. Spongy pedal. No ABS. No Traction Control. Definite safety hazard. Caused an accident - Someone stopped short in front of me so I had to slam on brakes... my brakes locked up and sent me sliding into a concrete barrier. My first accident ever, and I'm 38. Tough little car. Still driving it. Don't have the money to fix the damage and definitely don't have $3000+ to fix the brake issue. Pray for me.

- Jamey D., Lexington, US

problem #2

Oct 192015

Prius Limited hybrid

  • CVT transmission
  • 59,085 miles

Brakes quit suddenally. Had to pump brake to get intermittent breaking. Definite safety hazard. Brake cylinder assembly replaced for $3049.09. This was a recall on 2010 Prius but not for the 2011 model . Had 59,000 miles

- jimtripp, Navarre, FL, US

problem #1

Aug 072015

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

At 42,000 miles this part should not have failed. It's of course out of warranty but at a cost of 3,400 dollars parts and labor to replace the master cylinder a part that would run $300 to $400 on any other vehicle I would warn anyone considering a Prius to buy different car. The master cylinder part alone costs $2,400 from Toyota. The Toyota rep just blew me off when I asked if he could do anything for me. I've been a Toyota customer since 1985, next time I buy I'll go to Honda.

- Jerry W., Santa Fe, NM, US

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