10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,989 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.

2009 Toyota Prius brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Nov 052019

Prius

  • miles

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

I just found out yesterday after a visit to a Toyota dealership service center that the ABS brake actuator on my 2009 Prius has failed and needs to be replaced. I was quoted at $1750 for the part and $605 for the labor, pre-tax. I did some additional research on this issue and found that there was a warranty enhancement program ' ZG1 specifically for this part and issue. (https://toyotatalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/T-cp-ZG1-A110-D-1.pdf) in late 2018 I first reported clicking and knocking in my brakes, and last time I went for service (before today) I reported it to the service representative. The program was for 10 years after the date of original sale, which ended in April 2019. Because the bad part lasted 6 months longer I don't feel that it is right for me to have to pay for the faulty workmanship in the vehicle from the factory when it first drove off the lot. The issue that I reported back then are the preliminary signs of the actuator going bad (https://priuschat.com/threads/brake-actuator-warranty-extension-from-Toyota.168243/) had this issue been caught I would have been in the warranty enhancement window and would not be in the hole I am now where I am sitting at having to spend half the value of my car to fix it. My issue is that I do not feel that it is right for me to be on the hook for this part since Toyota has itself confirmed the part was faulty when it was put on my vehicle and was honoring replacements. It seems a little unfair that Toyota wouldn't acknowledge that my part is faulty and replace it as soon as it came to light. What can I do to get some relief for this matter because I need my car to be functional to get to work and pay my bills!

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #33

Jul 242019

Prius

  • 180,000 miles
ABS actuator. The diaphragm in the brake accumulator fails. This is a known recall. However mine is beyond their extended warranty on the recall of both past ten years and past 175000. Dealer estimate was $2500 to repair. This is an essential safety recall due to the fact that when it completely fails the vehicle loses powered braking leaving only emergency brakes and engine braking mode which are inadequate and not designed to stop the vehicle by themselves. This should be a lifetime warranty recall not an extended warranty recall.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #32

Aug 202019

Prius

  • 106,000 miles
ABS pump went bad. Also when braking hard, the car will let go of the brakes. Turning on the car and immediately reversing the car brakes will not work until after everything is loaded in the car. Making backing up dangerous.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #31

Jul 302019

Prius

  • 169,000 miles

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

Sometimes the brakes don't work. It happened to me as I was exiting a parking spot, I've put the gear in reverse with my foot on the brake but tha car kept moving and the brake pedal felt hard.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #30

Jul 252019

Prius

  • 209,000 miles
My ABS, traction control, and master brake light came up on the dash. The problem is a failing brake actuator, which is a known issue by Toyota. Spoke to Toyota a dwas told that I am out of their ten year extended warrenty for this issue and it would be a roughly $2700 repair. Why this brake actuator was never placed as a recall is beyond me as a complete failure is an accident waiting to happen. Toyota refuses to budge on their "extended" warrenty for a known defective part, that would cause a serious hazard if it failed while driving.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #29

Jul 082019

Prius

  • 84,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. While driving 25 mph, the brake pedal seized when it was depressed and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact managed to pump the brake pedal three times and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to Toyota of braintree (210 union St, braintree, MA 02184, (781) 848-9300). A second diagnostic test was conducted, which rendered the same outcome. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 84,500.

- Hull, MA, USA

problem #28

Jun 122019

Prius

  • 147,000 miles

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

ZG1 known issue with brake actuator assembly. Warranty enhancement program ZG1 was issued to cover 2nd gen Prius' for 10 years. At 10 year 3 months and 143K miles had unit fail, leaving driving with only functioning rear brakes. This large of a safety issue should have been a recall. How Toyota was able to avoid a recall with this limited warranty extension is concerning, I was away from home when I got into my car and all of the brake related warning lights turned on and a warning beep turned and remained on. Only rear brakes function. Toyota case number 1906130936

- Decker, MI, USA

problem #27

Apr 202019

Prius

  • 139,000 miles
Brake warning light broken brake actuator system Toyota dealer refusing to fix this safety hazard under the warranty enhancement notification ZG1

- Umatilla, FL, USA

problem #26

Mar 122019

Prius

  • 175,000 miles
Brake actuator not working properly when I use the diagnostic settings it works but then after a while it stops working again. Was going 50 on the highway when brakes stopped working almost wrecked. Brake light (!) light ABS light and vsc light are all on.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #25

Jan 282019

Prius

  • miles
The ABS and other brake warning lights go on randomly and the brakes become stiff. Took the vehicle to the Toyota dealership and they said it is due to the brake actuator assembly. The ABS actuator assembly part was part of an extended Toyota warranty under notification ZG1. However my vehicle just missed the deadline for the warranty by three months. This is a safety issue for Toyota as they know this part has a high failure rate. Warranty should be extended in order to cover repairs. Filed a case with Toyota, case # 1901312287.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #24

Dec 292018

Prius

  • 95,000 miles

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

My Prius now has all those dash lights on: !, ABS, vcs. I was driving yesterday, on a city street and the lights came on, and the brakes suddenly did not work-hard to push. For months, when I would drive over rough terrain, I had the loss of braking, accelerating, and the slick road icon would illuminate. The is exactly the same ABS module problem affecting 2010 Prius, ands needs to be recalled and repairs covered.if I didn't stay so far behind other vehicles, I would have rear-ended someone.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #23

Nov 302018

Prius

  • 100,000 miles
Our Prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake makes very annoying noise.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #22

Nov 302018

Prius

  • 100,001 miles
Our Prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake booster makes very annoying noise.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #21

Nov 062018

Prius

  • 160,000 miles
My car has been intermittently displaying ABS vsc and brake warning lights. When they are on there is no brake regeneration. The lights have come on and gone off and now are on again. Getting obd code C1391 (abnormal leak in accumulator) my vehicle is just a small amount over mileage to cover this under enhanced warranty but Toyota knows they have a brake accumulator problem and wants 3K to fix what should have been a recall long ago. Have called and Toyota will not help.

- Santa Fe, TX, USA

problem #20

Oct 092013

Prius

  • 0 miles
The lightbulbs burn out very easily. The car stalls when you are trying to leave from a light or stop sign. There is a recall for this but not on my model and there should be sometimes when stopping on breaks the car will show slippery alert even thought there is no reason for it. All these things have caused danger for us while driving the vehicle. This has been happening for years

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #19

Sep 152018

Prius 4-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that a warning indicator flashed on the instrument panel regarding the brake system when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the exhaust system. The contact inspected the vehicle and found a leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to salinas Toyota (700 auto center cir, salinas, ca 93907, (831) 444-0700) where it was diagnosed that there was an internal brake fluid leak; however, the vehicle was excluded from the manufacturer warranty campaign. The manufacturer indicated that the obt2 sensor did not show the specific diagnostic trouble code (dtc) to receive the brake actuator replacement covered by the campaign. The dealer and the manufacturer refused to honor the warranty campaign for dtc number: C1240. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Consumer stated smoke started coming under the hood. Noticed fluid dripping from engine onto the exhaust pipe. Dealer determined it was not an oil leak but empty brake reservoir. Updated 11/27/18

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 012018

Prius

  • 183,483 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 60 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred approximately three other times. The contact also stated that the brakes seized while driving through a parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact mentioned that there was a technical service bulletin (T-sb-0032-16) in reference to the ABS actuator, but the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and case number: 1806043060 was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 183,483.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #17

Apr 212016

Prius

  • miles
Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering loss, brake loss and acceleration issues, corporation failure to inform consumer of counterfeit drive train issues that injured consumer. Smd the consumer stated Toyota failed to warn them about being convicted of "using the intellectual property of hybrid drive inventor without his permission."

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #16

Mar 012018

Prius

  • 145,000 miles
Four lights came on: Emergency brake, ABS, vsc, exclamation point an alarm will sound and the brakes will go out while driving in neighborhoods and on the highway. ABS also turns on when car is off.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #15

Jan 122018

Prius

  • 250,000 miles
When braking hard, the brakes lose all pressure, go straight to the floor and warning lights come on. As soon as brakes are released the lights go off and brakes again have pressure again. Toyota extended the warranty on this part, but it is was expired before problems arose.

- Wildomar, CA, USA

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