10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
49 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
6,061 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 1 of 38)

problem #746

Apr 152024

Prius

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, he became aware that the brake pedal required excessive force to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The service brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the brake booster and brake master cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the diagnosis and additionally found that there was a leak in the brake fluid accumulator, resulting in low brake fluid pressure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who added brake fluid to the braking system, which seemed to temporarily resolve the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

problem #745

Jun 052023

Prius

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. Additionally, the contact stated that while self-inspecting the vehicle, he became aware that there was no brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. The contact stated that when the vehicle was self-inspected for a second time that same day, the brake fluid was full. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact of an unknown recall for the brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #744

Jan 172022

Prius

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the braking system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a brake fluid leak in the brake master cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the extended warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Mount Jackson, VA, USA

problem #743

Oct 062021

Prius

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH, she noticed several unknown warning lights illuminated on the vehicle and a beeping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed that whenever the beeping sound was present, it was very difficult to depress the brake pedal to slow the vehicle. The contact had to depress on the brake pedal all the way to the floor for the vehicle to slow down and for the contact to pull over to the side of the road. The contact waited for a minute before restarting the vehicle and continued to drive a short distance before the failure recurred. The contact was able to restart and slowly drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #742

Sep 062021

Prius

  • 115,001 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving, the brake lights, ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. There was an abnormal noise detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the brake booster assembly needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. The VIN was not available.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #741

Jun 022021

Prius

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the automatic braking system failed and the brakes were making a strange sound and not responding as soon as the brake pedal was depressed. The ABS, brake, and stability control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with hydraulic brake booster pump failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was over the extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #740

Jul 012018

Prius

  • 208,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, while coming to a stop on wet pavement, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the vehicle ahead of him. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that whenever the roads were wet, excessive force on the brake pedal was needed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #739

Sep 042018

Prius

  • 197,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle cut in front of the vehicle. The contact quickly depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle started to skid. The contact let up off the brake pedal to straighten the vehicle and stay in her lane. The contact stated that the antilock brakes failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact mentioned that she had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change before the failure and was informed that the vehicle was under recall. The contact called fred anderson Toyota of asheville (777 brevard rd, asheville, nc 28806) and informed them of the recall on the brake booster pump assembly. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was over the mileage for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #738

May 052016

Prius 4-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and brake system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake booster master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V235000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000. Updated 09/06/16 the consumer stated the master cylinder/brake booster assembly were subsequently replaced. Also, on January 5, 2016, the consumer was involved in an accident while driving on a winding highway. As he tried to negotiate a turn, the tires slipped off the pavement and he ran off the road, causing over $10,000 in damages. Updated 10/18/16.

- Navarro, CA, USA

problem #737

Jan 022016

Prius 4-cyl

  • 68,840 miles
As I was driving, I noticed that when I pressed on the brakes, the car would jerk forward before coming to a stop. Once stopped (but still turned on), the car made a buzzing noise I had never heard before. No warning lights came on, and the brakes did not squeak. An hour later, my husband drove the car home for me (I rode with a friend), and he reported that warning lights came on and the brakes did not work properly. In order for the brakes to work, he had to press very hard on them and also allow much more distance for the car to stop. He could have easily crashed into the back of another vehicle. He took the car to the Toyota dealership and was informed the brake booster assembly would have to be replaced. This is the same complaint as a 2010 Prius recall, but my VIN number was not included in the recall, so I did not receive a notice in the ail. Also, we had to pay $3008 to have the brake booster assembly replaced. The consumer referenced recall # 13V235000. Updated 02/11/16.

- Elon, NC, USA

problem #736

Jul 012012

Prius

  • 10,000 miles

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

When braking on rough roads the brakes will release, causing the car to lunge forward. Very scary and dangerous. I took my car back to Toyota dealer to have this checked out. They had never heard of this problem (even though there is a recall for it). They checked it out and test drove it, braking over rough road. They said it was braking fine. It is still releasing when braking on rough patches for me. I am always mindful to leave plenty of room between me and the car ahead of me in case I hit a rough patch. I plan on taking my car back to Toyota with a printout from this site showing it has been recalled for this very problem and that others are also experiencing the same thing.

- Center Line , MI, USA

problem #735

May 232014

Prius 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Whilst stopped at a traffic light, behind a suburu, the brake failed and hit the suburu. (this was not the first time the brake failed, but fortunately there were no other cars involved when the car did not stop. The driver believed that black ice was involved, but after the incident with the suburu, realized that it was brake failure.) believing that the auto could no longer be trusted, it was sold. Toyota insisted it was driver error., and claimed that there was no fault in the breaking system.

- Saco, ME, USA

problem #734

May 312012

Prius 4-cyl

  • miles
2010 Toyota Prius. Consumer states two brake system failures the consumer stated the vehicle began making an unusual sound and after a few days, numerous warning lights appeared on the dashboard announcing a failure of the braking system. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. An inspection revealed the master cylinder, booster and ECU needed to be replaced. The consumer paid $ $3,246.83 for the repairs. However, nine days later, the unusual brake pedal sound returned, but the brakes worked and no warning lights appeared. The next day, the brake system completely failed while his daughter was driving the vehicle. Again, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the technicians determined the vehicle needed a new brake booster assembly. The consumer was informed he would only be responsible for the labor costs of $ $255.48. The consumer believed the booster and brake booster were the same part, which was supposed to have been replaced several days prior.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #733

Apr 252012

Prius 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,643 miles
The contact was driving a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving 40 mph when the vehicle stopped in the street. Prior to the vehicle stopping, a beeping/alarm sounded, the seat belt locked in place and the warning on the dashboard flashed brakes.

- Snyder , TX, USA

problem #732

Mar 172012

Prius 4-cyl

  • miles
I was entering a parking space, I approached the space about 5 mph. The vehicle suddenly accelerated, the steering locked and the brakes went to the floor. The vehicle jumped the curbing and hit the truck in the next righthand space. It connected with the trucks left front fender. That stopped the vehicle.

- Citrus Springs, FL, USA

problem #731

Mar 172012

Prius 4-cyl

  • 20,600 miles
I was entering a parking space. Turned right into space. The vehicle accelerated, steering wheel locked, and brakes did not respond!.the car sped over the curbing and hit the left front fender of the truck in the next space.

- Citrus Springs, FL, USA

problem #730

Jul 142011

Prius

  • 1,200 miles
When approaching an intersection I hit a pothole & the car suddenly quit braking and required me to do evasive driving maneuvers to assure I did not hit the vehicle in front of me or the light pole at the intersection. Similar "brake release" has happened on multiple occasions. When bringing this matter to the dealership on multiple occasions I have been told that this is standard operation. When pressed they say itis just the way the car is designed. Thus, my complaint to you from the lobby of my Toyota dealership as they remove the braking comments, again, from my appointment record history. Please force the company to resolve this matter as I worry about my health & that of my four children who ride in the car with me. It should not be acceptable for a company to know that their vehicle is unsafe & tell customers, "sorry, we have a problem but we do not care...

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #729

Mar 082012

Prius 4-cyl

  • miles
Brakes does not work properly on rough surface or bumpy road I have reported couple of times to the dealer but dealer try to mislead and confused me by saying that it is ABS system which becomes active on bumpy road and it is a normal brake operation and we have no recall for this vehicle. Please let me know what to do? thanks.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #728

Feb 242011

Prius

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, he noticed that the brakes would not operate as they should if the vehicle was warm. When depressing the brakes, he would have to apply extreme force in order to get the brake pedal to engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The contact mentioned that the failure only occurred when driving during the morning hours, after the vehicle had been sitting overnight. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #727

Feb 152012

Prius

  • 13,115 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving 20 mph when the brakes were depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact then crashed into a sign. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 13,115.

- Alcoa, TN, USA

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