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.
I began experiencing what I described to the dealer as a "hiccup" in my brakes. I complained of this problem the two times I took the car in for routine maintenance (first and next six months), and each time they found "no problem" with the brakes. It was not until this snowy rough winter with all the attendant pot holes in the street that I correlated this braking problem with uneven pavement. I know this happens when my right front tire hits a pot hole, and it may happen when any tire does, but if I'm apply the brakes - especially hitting the brakes at the moment one tire dips into the hole -they do not engage and in fact there's a slight lurch forward, almost an acceleration. The car is going to the service department tomorrow with the hopes that the problem can be located. This truly feels dangerous to drive.
I bought Prius V in February 2012. I've noticed few times issues with brakes. While decelerating with my foot on the brake pedal to slow the car to a stop and if the car goes over a pothole or slight bump on the road then car accelerates forward before coming to a stop. This is safety hazard since it almost led to hitting the other car's rear bumper. Also, I've gotten into an accident in December 2013 where there was another brake issue. I stopped my car in the incline road by putting my foot on the brake pedal. Then, I changed the gear shift to rear and slowly took my foot off the brake pedal so that I can back into the street parking which was only about 4 to 5 feet away. Suddenly, car sped down the road going rear direction to the directly opposite street and hit two parked cars. I had put the foot down on the brake pedal when I noticed the car going rear fast but it would not stop the car from going down the road. I had no control over the car or the speed. This is major safety hazard since someone could have been seriously injured with losing control of the brake and acceleration. I've owned other Toyota car (Camry) before but never had this issue until this Prius V. my car has been in body shop for over a month with repairs. I plan to take the car to the Toyota dealer to check out this brake issue.
The car was parked on a steep incline while I closed a gate behind me to a gated driveway. When I got back in the car and put the car in drive, I took my foot off of the brake and before I could get it to the gas pedal the car immediately rolled back and into the gate. The car released as if it was a standard shift car that needed a clutch and slammed into the gate. I have taken the car to other safe spots that are on hills and found that this car can not hold a stopped position on an incline.
Driver was making a sharp left turn into a parking space at low speed and attempted to brake to a stop. The vehicle did not slow down at all despite hard pressure on brake pedal but instead accelerated, jumped a curb in front of the vehicle and hit a wall which stopped the car. No one was injured but front bumper badly gouged and front door slightly dented. Driver was able to put the car in reverse and get off the sidewalk. Vehicle is now at Toyota dealer for inspection. Upon reflection 2 other incidents occurred where what felt like a momentary speedup occurred again at low speed while turning and braking. But these 2 were while moving forward and not attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
I was in stop-and-go traffic. I had accelerated to about 25 mph when I needed to slow down, I stepped on the brake and at about the same time hit a bump in the road. The car not only was not braking (I was stepping on the brake at the time) but indeed seemed to accelerate briefly before the brakes re-engaged (I had my foot on the brake--depressing it--the entire time). This has happened from time to time with my vehicle--it has happened when backing out of my garage, and also when breaking while driving over road bumps or potholes. This is a safety hazard that needs to be addressed.
- Dyer, IN, USA
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My 2012 Prius V has been making a groining, howling noise since I purchased it. Noise comes from front and rear brakes. Has taken the car for repairs but they have not been able to fix it. It is very annoying and can be very loud. People inside and outside the car can hear it, so its quite embarrasing. Noise comes and goes its not constant. Toyota says they are aware of the problem but have no repairs at this time. I drive my family in this car and its scary to know there is an abnormality with the brakes. Beware the dealer will tell you to follow through with a third party arbitration service. I did and my case was denied.
Brake is having groaning/ grinding/OWL hooting sounds. The grinding sound appears when you applied the brake, and when the car almost at complete stop, is the worst. Groaning and OWL hooting sound are always there, specially in the morning. In the afternoon is not as loud as in the morning, but still noticeable. Been to Toyota dealer and they inspected the brake and said there is nothing wrong. Also saying that the sound is normal for a regenerate brake system. But I don't agreed to it. Toyota need to find a fix for it, and we don't know is the brake really safe!
My car has an issue I first noticed soon after I bought it, and that now happens at least twice a week. The date I've entered is the approximate first date I noticed the problem occur. I describe below a more recent instance of the same behavior, the time when it felt the least safe. /// the recurring behavior is that while decelerating with my foot on the brake pedal, if the car goes over an obstruction like a rock, a rough patch of road, or a pothole, it sometimes lurches forward before resuming deceleration. The sensation is of accelerating, but even if it's only that the car momentarily stops decelerating it's disconcerting and in a few instances has gotten me close to an accident. /// the time it came closest to causing an accident was on 3/21/13, when I feared the car was going to roll into a crosswalk as people crossed. With my foot on the brake, coming to a stop at a stop sign, we went over uneven pavement and the car lurched forward while only a few feet from the crosswalk. Several people waited close to the edge of the sidewalk at a bus stop. One of them seemed ready to step outto cross the street, and I braced for the worst. /// ultimately I stopped a few feet before the crosswalk, but the situation felt completely unsafe since it involved losing stopping power while coming to a stop sign with pedestrians present.
Slowed for red light that was visible for a great distance so coasting and applied brakes and they weren't there....I hit the car in front of me, he hit the car in front of him....mostly dings in fenders....my hood was up on one side, and front panel moved....nobody was hurt police came and sat in the car and applied brake and it went to the floor. He said "you have no brakes; do not drive the car, have it towed".
When you start to drive it makes a loud howling sound, it is getting louder as time goes on. People look at us like we are crazy for driving with bad brakes. We have had it in to the dealer many times to just be told it is the way it is. No repair is necessary. It is getting more and more annoying to listen to. It lasts longer as time goes on. Come on Toyota lets get this taken care of before there is a fatal collision due to this! it is getting scary to drive and feel safe.
Loud scraping noise coming from rear of car---had the car in to Toyota 5 times. The noise continues to get louder as time passes.-- its now loud enough to drown out the radio.--Toyota service says it is just rust on the rotors.--this is the 4th new Toyota I have owned, -- but this the only one I have ha D this problem with.-- which leads me to believe that there is a fix for this problem.--II was told by the service manager that Toyota knows of this problem and are working a recall to fix it.---so where is the recall"????"
Purchased Prius V in March 2012, June 2012 took vehicle in for service and to have dealer look into noise coming from rear brakes. Dealer stated they could not hear the noise and saw nothing upon inspection. Noise became more frequent and louder, took vehicle back to dealer and they could hear the noise. Upon inspecting the rear brakes they found rear rotors had abnormal markings in them from improper machining. Brake pad friction material glazed. Rotors and pads replaced. After a week the noise returned. Took vehicle back to dealer and was told this was a problem which Toyota has been experiencing for months but has found no solution too. Was told I would be informed when a solution was found and I could bring the vehicle back then. I feel this is a safety concern which needs to be looked into.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brooklyn, NY, USA