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.
Several times I have applied the brakes on my 2010 Prius only to feel the car continue to move forward without any feeling of brake engagement... this would last only a short time... perhaps a second... this occurred when trying to stop on bumpy roadway.
I have had numerous problems with the brakes on my new 2010 Prius which I purchased a few days before xmas. I have reported two of the episodes with Toyota - the first time the phone rep seemed to listen carefully to my account of what happened - the last time I called the phone rep seemed to blow me off and didn't' ask any follow up questions but said to take it to my local dealer for repairs. This was before the brake issue became known as a widespread problem - the local dealer where I purchased the car told me there were no problems - again this is before the announcement of the potential recall - both times - I was driving slowly and when I put my foot on the B rake it not only didn't stop but actually seemed to jump forward several feet. Fortunately there were no cars in front of me so I did not hit anything. I have also had repeated braking problems when I am backing up- and when I first drive the car after not driving it for an hour or so - just a bare touch of the brake and it stops so hard - the first time I thought I had hit something - the brakes will continue to jerk and jolt me until I start to drive forward - then it seems to correct itself. I have had the car one month - I live in the los angeles area.
I purchased a 2010 Prius in October, 2009. On several occasions I have been braking and hit a pothole or bump in the road and my vehicle has accelerated momentarily. The first couple of times this happened, it was rather concerning and dangerous, as I was concerned I'd hit the vehicle in front of me. Since then, I attempt to not brake directly over a pothole.
Driving a brand new 2010 Toyota Prius iv approaching a set of rr tracks. While braking to make a left turn I crossed the tracks. The Prius surged forward and I almost collided with the automobile in front of me.
Toyota Prius 2010. While driving approx 20 mph over a pothole while applying the brakes, I felt what seemed like the brake slip and release temporarily. Although it did not cause an accident, it could have had there been a car closer on the other side of the pothole.
- Coon Rapids, MN, USA
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On 8-21-09, I took delivery on a 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid. Since taking delivery, I have experienced intermittent, momentary, unintended acceleration and intermittent, momentary loss of braking. On 1-10-10, I took it in for the 5000 mile maintenance check, but did not tell the dealer my problems, because I thought the car was still in a "breaking in" period and would resolve itself. But when I heard today 2-4-10, that the NHTSA was opening an investigation of the 2010 Prius, I decided to add my complaint to the others. Updated 03/04/10
In early January, when backing our 2010 Toyota Prius out of the garage, the brake pedal became overly-sensitive and began locking the brakes when any pressure at all was applied to the pedal. This went on for about a dozen iterations until the transmission was shifted to drive. At that point the brakes began behaving normally. This has only occurred a single time since purchasing the vehicle in July, 2009.
My 2010 Toyota Prius has a problem with braking specifically when the car moves on a bumpy or slippery surface, I can feel a pause in the braking and it feels as though I glide a few feet further than I should when I brake the pedal is fully pressed down. This has occurred since I bought the car in August 2009.
I have a 2010 Prius. When I am coming to a stop and there is a slope in the road or a pothole, the brakes will momentarily disengage and the car lunges forward. It has happened multiple times. I can predict when it is going to happen based on the bumpiness of the road. And the distance I am from coming to a complete stop.
Since purchasing my 2010 Prius in October 2009 I have noticed a brief pulsating sensation when applying the brakes over bumping surfaces. The brakes appear not to work for that brief moment when applying the brakes.
Making a left turn at slow rate of speed after encountering minor pothole. A feeling of loss of control of car or braking. Braking did not allow proper trajectory of car in turn, causing car to hit and roll over curb and short shrubbery with right front tire. Tire was flattened, and approximately $7000 damage was done to car frame. No other vehicles involved. Legacy Toyota in tallahassee, fl completed body repairs.
With my 2010 Prius (purchased late Aug 2009), it has exactly the same problem others have described. While going downhill, with the brakes applied, hitting potholes or bumpy road surface causes the car to accelerate. It happens "every so often". it's quite obvious when it happens and clearly a safety hazard. I have taken it into the dealer but the problem is not reproducible every time and they have no official word from Toyota on it.
My 2010 Prius brakes skip when going over large bumps or holes making the car surge forward rather than slow. I notice it at a higher rather than lower speeds. I thought it was just me until I heard others having the same problem. It was a daily problem as I go to work the same day and it happened in the same spot so the approx. Incident date below is sorta invalid. In addition, I don't know I checked the correct "brake" section, I just know it's the brakes.
My 2010 Prius seems to momentarily lurch forward when driving over bumps and braking at the same time. It seems that the brake disengages momentarily and then re-engages. I have not had any accident, and the time of disengagement is very short, but it does scare me a little.
Just adding fuel to the fire, but I have a 2010 Toyota Prius and there is definitely a braking issue. Specifically, I notice it when I hit a pothole (and I live in los angeles, which is all the time). I frankly don't know whether there's actual acceleration or just total loss of braking (I basically notice it at slower city speeds--braking while turning a corner, for example), but there is definitely a momentary "surge." It happens regularly (ignore the date I had to enter below)--so much so that at this point I anticipate it.
When driving through an alley, at the end, before I stop for the street, there is a pothole. Twice I hit it while braking for the stop sign at the street and something felt weird, like the brake didn't quite hold. Honestly I thought I moved my foot from the brake or something. I think it may have happened one other time. I am conscious of if because I wanted to be aware if I was doing something wrong so I could correct it.
Every time we drive down a hill near our house and hit a pothole/crack in the road, the 2010 Prius seems to accelerate through the pothole even though I am breaking down the hill. This has happened since the first day we drove the car (in August 2009). There have been no accidents or injuries since this road is not heavily traveled, but it makes me hesitant to drive my car if I have to go down that hill.
My 2010 Toyota Prius has issues with the braking system at different times, particularly when traveling over bumps, etc. There is a momentary loss of braking control. There have been no accidents but certainly scary to drive. Nothing has been done about the failure. I contacted my dealership as the car is still under warranty and they said all they could do was take my name and number down.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Allison Park, PA, USA