9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
53,800 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. brake actuator replacement (1 reports)
2013 Toyota Prius brakes problems

brakes problem

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2013 Toyota Prius Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 172024

Prius TWO

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

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

Brake actuator failed while driving on the highway at 75 mph. Brake, ABS, Skid, and Tire Pressure icons all lit up suddenly while driving. ABS brakes were gone. Braking the car requires a lot of force. Very scary. Apparently Toyota does not honor the expensive repair on them. It should cost anywhere from 2-4k for the repair. I'll likely be forced to sell the car at a loss to avoid this nightmare any further. Looked into the repair myself but it looks moderately to fairly difficult.

- Tyler M., Goodyear, US

problem #4

Oct 012020

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Error code c1391. Brake system is failing on a daily basis. The brake system can be reset via an obd scanner however the problem reappears. When the brake system fails the brake operation is harder, there is a longer distance to stop. My brake pads are fine, rotors are good. Brake fluid levels are fine, no loss of fluid. This appears to be some computer type of problem as opposed to an actual part failure.

The parts that allegedly failed are the abs actuator assembly and the brake pressure accumulator which have been recalled. These parts never turn off, they operate while the car is off, and if the key fob is around it increases the speed at which the brakes turn on and off.

- Edward C., Pukalani, HI, US

problem #3

Aug 232016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,150 miles

Traveling approx 35/40 mph looked away for moment a some road construction work. when I looked back cars in front of me had stopped. I slammed on the brakes but it felt like I was skidding on ice. There was no slowing down, no brakes screeching noise, no skid marks except the ones in my underwear. I had felt this skidding on ice sensation before several times coming out of my driveway but it was only a few seconds sensation before the brakes caught traction. I have now totaled my prius with a 35 mph collision but I do have to say the airbags and seat belt work wonderful in this car

- emilyjones, Concord, NC, US

problem #2

Oct 052016

Prius

  • CVT transmission
  • 24,800 miles

When confronted with a sudden stop in traffic ahead, I did a panic brake application to stop. My car did not stop, and I rear-ended the car in front. There were no skid marks from my car, so the brakes were never applied. I am sure I moved my foot from the throttle to the brake - I distinctly remember the move. I was going less than 25 mph when this happened. The damage to my Prius is about $6000, and of course my insurance rates will go up since I was clearly "at fault." Obviously there is no proof that the problem was with me (not hitting the brake) or the car (computer failure in applying the brakes). But I sure feel that I properly braked. With regard to the crash, I can say that the Prius crumpled exactly as it is supposed to - I felt very little impact, and the air bag did not deploy. The car still runs - the engine was well protected.

- dbwood, Lincoln, CA, US

problem #1

Dec 292015

Prius 5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

Re: Toyota Prius Brake Failure

I was driving home in my 2013 Toyota Prius on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at approximately 4:30p.m. While turning right from the street on which I live into my driveway, the car, after I applied the brakes, suddenly surged forward. In spite of continuously pushing down on the brakes, the car would not stop. The driveway shows skid marks from my attempts to stop the car. The car did not stop. The brakes failed.

The car shot forward, crashing into the closed wooden garage door and the wall to the left of the garage door. The garage door broke and one half of the garage door split and was pushed into the garage. The garage door collapsed on my car as well as items stored in the garage including parts of the garage structure and large sections of a storage unit, which was bolted to the wall. Approximately 90% of my car was inside the garage. I tried to exit the car through the driver’s side but the door would not open. I crawled to the trunk area and could not find a mechanical release for that door. Finally I forced opened the driver’s side rear door and exited the car through the broken wall.

If the brakes had not failed this would have not have happened. As a result of the brake failure, I have incurred substantial loss, including the garage door (a total loss), damage to structural support to the garage wall, a built-in garage storage unit, contents stored in the garage and substantial damage to the car. Fortunately, I did not suffer any major physical injuries, although following the collision I experienced and continue to experience muscle, joint, hip, neck and back pain and discomfort. In addition, I continue to experience emotional distress from this incident.

I want Toyota to perform a complete diagnostic safety check of all systems including the brakes and any software that controls the braking system before I ever drive this car again. Included in the safety check, I want the results of any information from the Event Data Recorder to explain why this accident occurred and what steps are being taken to prevent this from ever happening again.

- Barbara G., Sherman Oaks, CA, US

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