11 problems related to brakes failed have been reported for the 2011 Toyota Prius. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Brakes completely failed. Loud beeping sound happened, couldn't stop car even in a parking lot. Had to use transmission to slow to a stop. Was in a grocery store parking lot.
I have been lucky to miss closed-call hitting the car in front of me after skidding. When I apply brakes going down the ramp, the car skids and the brake doesn't stop the car until I get pretty close to the car in front of me. I am more concerned because some parts of the road are uneven where I live that increases the chance of brake failure. It happens on surface roads when there is a bump too. The braking distance increase when the street is wet.
My 2011 Prius very recently has started making audibly noise while pressing the brake pedal, whether in motion or stopped. This noise contains continuous whirring, whining and loud clicking noise. These noises where not seen before completely. I spoke to dealer mentioning a TSB pertaining to this particular issue in specific and was told nothing can be done until it fails completely, which is bad, as I have a family of 3 and god forbid if this were to happen while driving on freeway, a serious safety hazard and Toyota dealer (rudy luther) response is irresponsible. I am actually worried more now on waiting for the brakes to fail. This loud continuous clicking noises occurs the moment car is turned on and the noises lingers on for short while after the car is turned off, at moments I have to press on the brakes really harder than usual to get the car slowed and is a tremendous panicky situation. I am registering and requesting for this to be looked immediately before any catastrophe.
I'm constantly hearing a barking/ purging noise coming from the brake accumulator pump whenever I do hard braking. Whenever I hit potholes or rough roads, the car would still rolls during braking as if the abs is getting triggered. I was quoted by Toyota dealer of an estimate of $3000 to replace the brake accumulator pump and booster. I'm afraid that the brakes would fail while driving.
The brakes temporarily disengaged sometimes when braking. At around 100,000 miles, the brake accumulator would constantly make noises while driving and after shutting the car off. Eventually the brake accumulator and brake booster failed completely at 117,000 miles, costing around $4,000 to repair.
The abs/brake/skid/warning triangle on. My 2011 Prius iii is 121k mile. This went on/off for a few days then it was on the whole time. The brake seems to loose the hydraulic power brake. I feel like the brakes feel weird whenever hit small bump, brake just failed for a second. I went to Toyota dealership they said it's the actuator that need to be replaced and it's expensive $2-3k. They said it need to be fix soon because brake might fail at any time. There seems to be a warranty enhancement for the 2010 and older but not 2011 and newer. Seems like Toyota still have the same issue with newer model, not fixed yet. Please bring this issue up for safety reason.
Brakes failing when applied hard or while driving over bumps.
On two separate occasions in December of 2013, with two different drivers, the brakes on our 2011 model year Prius (purchased new in February 2012), failed to engage. The first time occured when I was driving (with one of my teenagers in the car with me), and the second time occured when my wife was drving the car alone. In both instance we pressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond at all. Although it is winter, the roads were clear, and the car did not slow down at all when the brakes were pressed / applied. Interestingly, after 30 - 60 seconds, the brake function restored itself. Since December the car has been at the shop at the Toyota dealership where we purchased the car. The shop has been unable to identify the source of the problem. Additionally, the shop indicated they contacted Toyota mechanics and service support staff to help identify and fix the problem, but Toyota claimed they never heard of such a problem or anything like it. Moreover, Toyota refuses to make any repairs or change any parts (even though the car is still under warranty). Yet, this past Wednesday (February 12, 2014), Toyota announced a recall on rav4's and other models for a software problem that causes the anti-brakes to intermittently turn off. This is particularly troubling, given Toyota's claim that they never heard of anything like this and did not know what to fix. Further, Toyota announced a recall on the Prius itself, for a software problem that might cause the car to turn off completely while driving. Clearly, Toyota has a problem with its software in a number of vehicles. At this point, all I have received is corporate double talk, and I urge the NHTSA to pursue this matter as vigorously as possible.
My brakes consistently lock and the car lunges forward when I hit a pothole while braking. This caused a crash when the car was only a couple years old when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and it lunged forward into the back of a car. This is extremely dangerous and I've seen this comment often with this vehicle. I don't understand why Toyota has not addressed this issue.
This has happened multiple times since I purchased this vehicle. The first time this happened was at 2,500 miles. While applying brakes on a rough road or when crossing a pot hole, cracked road, or bridge joint the brakes fail momentarily allowing the car to lurch forward. It his happens regardless of the speed. I could be traveling at 15 or 50 mph and the brakes will fail and lurch forward. I purchased the Prius new in 2011 and have told the service folks at Toyota about the problem and they look at the vehicle and are not able to find a reason for this brake failure. This is dangerous. I have to make sure I start braking a good distance from a car in front of me as I am afraid this defect will cause an accident. If I have to brake suddenly and am driving over any road that is not smooth my brakes fail and lurch forward. How many people need to get injured or die before Toyota fixes this defect?.
While applying brakes on a rough road or when crossing a pot hole, cracked road, or bridge joint the brakes fail momentarily allowing the car to lurch forward. I purchased the Prius new in 2011 and have told the service folks at Toyota about the problem and they always tell me it’s normal for a Prius without noting anything in my file. I am here to tell you that the Prius brake design is faulty and the NHTSA should be investigating!.