general problems of the 2014 Toyota Prius - part 1

Description of the problem vehicle: 2014 Toyota Prius v (mileage: 70,000) problem description: the vehicle is experiencing a critical failure of the electronically controlled braking (ecb) system, specifically the brake actuator and booster pump assembly. The dashboard currently displays multiple warning indicators: abs light, traction control light, and the brake system warning light (master warning "!"). Symptoms: mechanical failure: the internal high-pressure accumulator is failing to hold pressure. The electric brake booster pump is heard cycling (straining) every 10–20 seconds even when the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal is not depressed. Loss of braking safety features: the system has disabled regenerative braking and anti-lock braking (abs), causing significantly increased stopping distances and a "wooden," unresponsive brake pedal feel. Predictability of failure: this failure matches the exact symptoms described in Toyota’s customer support program 20te07 (and previously zjb), which acknowledges an internal defect in the brake actuator. Safety risk: the sudden transition from power-assisted braking to manual hydraulic braking during a drive creates an immediate safety hazard. As the pump motor continues to cycle excessively to compensate for the internal leak, it is at risk of total thermal failure, which would lead to a near-total loss of braking assist while the vehicle is in motion. Additional notes: despite the vehicle having only 70,000 miles (well under the 150,000-mile limit acknowledged in Toyota’s support programs), Toyota has declined to provide assistance because the vehicle has surpassed the 10-year age mark. I am filing this report because a primary safety component (brakes) should not experience catastrophic internal failure at 70,000 miles, regardless of the vehicle's age.

I have 2014 Prius v 5 with 100,000 miles but I had issues with brake booster pump.

While driving, three warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard . Abs warning, traction light, and break warning light at the same time, the brake pedal became very hard to press, and the vehicle did not slow down as expected. This caused a significant increase in stopping distance, and I nearly rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. The issue appears to involve the braking system and created an immediate safety risk. No prior warning signs were noticed before this incident. The vehicle has not yet been inspected but is available for inspection upon request.

On April 5, 2026, while driving downhill around a corner in my 2014 Toyota Prius, the brake booster and brake booster pump assembly failed without any prior warning. When I pressed the brake pedal the car did not slow down and instead appeared to accelerate due to a complete loss of braking assist. I was unable to stop the vehicle normally and had to rely on gravity and coasting to slow down, creating a serious risk of collision. There were no warning signs prior to the failure. Immediately after the incident, three warning lights illuminated on the dashboard: the brake light, the abs light, and the vsc (vehicle stability control) light, which have remained on since. The vehicle was taken to darcars Toyota baltimore, 6007 eastern Ave, baltimore, MD 21224, where the failure was confirmed on April 15, 2026. Technician victor lawson diagnosed diagnostic trouble code c1391, which is the exact qualifying code listed under Toyota's customer support program zjb for brake booster and brake booster pump assembly failure (ro# xxx). The vehicle remains at the dealership and is available for inspection. Toyota corporate was contacted and opened case number xxx but declined to cover the repair despite this being a documented issue that Toyota has publicly acknowledged. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Subject: brake booster/pump assembly failure – Toyota program zjb / 23te07 description of incident: I am reporting a failure of the brake booster and pump assembly on my 3rd generation Prius (82,000 miles). While the vehicle is 11. 3 years old, it is well under the 150,000-mile threshold of Toyota’s customer support program zjb. The brake pump began cycling every 13 seconds, indicating an internal pressure leak in the accumulator. This is a documented precursor to a total loss of power-assist braking. Despite the clear mechanical failure, no warning lamps or diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) were triggered, creating a safety hazard where the system could fail without prior electronic notification. Repair and cost details: because the vehicle was 1. 3 years past the arbitrary 10-year "secondary coverage" window, I was forced to pay $3,461. 18 out-of-pocket for a known manufacturing defect. I would like to highlight a discrepancy in labor billing: while Toyota’s own technical bulletins (zjb/23te07) state the repair should take approximately 5. 3 hours, the dealership charged 8. 9 hours of labor for the same procedure. Safety concern: by limiting coverage to 10 years, Toyota has left many low-mileage owners with a critical safety defect that degrades over time regardless of mileage. I request that the NHTSA transition this from a "customer support program" to a formal safety recall to ensure all affected vehicles are repaired and owners are reimbursed, regardless of the vehicle's age.

Brake actuator assembly known issue in Prius c, Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Part is not cheap.

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended with the brake pedal depressed. The abs warning light was occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the brake master cylinder, brake booster, and brake lines needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

When the brake is applied, the vehicle accelerates for a fraction of a second before slowing down. I have experienced this when the vehicle is moving slowly, such as in a parking lot.

Vehicle: 2014 Toyota Prius v hybrid mileage: 79,000 miles the vehicle experienced sudden failure of the brake booster / brake accumulator system. Multiple warning lights appeared including abs, traction control, and the red brake warning light. Diagnostic code c1391 was retrieved. The brake pedal became soft/spongy and the electric brake pump began cycling frequently. Braking performance felt reduced and inconsistent, creating a potential safety risk. This vehicle has very low mileage (79,000 miles) and has been well maintained. The failure appears to be related to a known defect in the Prius braking system. Toyota previously issued customer support program 20te07 addressing brake booster and pump failures on 2012–2014 Prius v vehicles. Despite this known issue, the repair is not being covered and the cost quoted is several thousand dollars. A failure of the brake booster/accumulator system significantly affects braking performance and should not occur at this mileage. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting Prius vehicles and represents a potential safety defect involving the braking system.

Brake booster is not working.

The slip notification, abs, and brake lights turned on while driving on the highway. The brakes then became very stiff and the vehicle did not brake as fast or as well as it normally does without the lights.

The brake booster/accumulator failed on my vehicle. This part was a common failure during the 2010-2015 production run so much so that Toyota extended coverage to replace. Mine failed recently beyond the warranty extension of 10 years/150k miles. My vehicle has only 108k miles and is 15 months beyond warranty. Toyota corporate will not replace this vital part, despite the fact it was a defective design. I can’t drive it any longer since I don’t have the $4000 to make repair. Toyota corporate has shown little concern despite this critical safety defect.

2014 Prius hb with 135k miles , onboard system warning lights for brakes, abs system, tpms and traction ctrl all came one suddenly. Brake losing pressure while vehicle making strange noise under front driver side.

The brake booster system (electric brake booster pump) in my 2014 Toyota Prius has been making frequent, audible cycling noises inside the cabin, particularly during cold weather. I have also noticed a faint odor outside the vehicle that seems related to electrical movement. No abs or brake warning lights have illuminated, but the cycling pump may indicate increased stress on the brake system. The issue has not yet been diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The problem has not caused a loss of braking ability to date, but the unusual noises and electrical odor suggest potential risk if the booster were to fail completely. No recall or customer support program currently covers this issue. The component is part of the vehicle’s brake system and would be available for inspection by a dealer or manufacturer upon request. Toyota has offered no help or possibility of goodwill assistance inspection for this issue.

On Jan 5, 2026 I was driving locally at about 40-45 mph. All of a sudden 3 indicator lights came on abs, brake, and brake system warning light. There were no noises, but the brakes felt different. They did stop when needed. I left space between myself and others just in case, did not want an accident. Called my regular mechanic. They advised to not drive the car, but to bring it into the shop at 8am the following day. On Jan 6th, the mechanic stated it was beyond their expertise. It was towed to the local Toyota dealer for repairs. It ended up being the brake booster and pump. Upon investigation online, we saw this was a recall, but we were not notified by Toyota.

The brake system malfunctioned suddenly. While driving and while stopped, the brake pedal became very hard and braking behavior became unpredictable. The vehicle sometimes brakes aggressively and other times requires excessive pedal force to stop. The abs and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle no longer provides normal braking assistance. This issue is related to a failure of the brake actuator / brake booster, which is a known issue affecting Toyota Prius models from 2010 to 2015. This defect creates a serious safety risk, as braking performance is inconsistent and may increase stopping distance or cause loss of control during emergency braking situations. The vehicle has not been repaired yet because the cost is very high and the manufacturer has declined assistance despite this being a known safety-related defect.

I was driving on the freeway, and a few lights(including abs, brake lights) all came on and a beeping noise started, as I immediately lost complete control of my brakes! that god it was late, and no cars were in front of me. The car slowed down as I removed my foot of the gas right away. I tried to pull over as soon as I heard the lights, and that’s when I realized my brakes were completely gone! I was able to stop after about two miles; car stop on its own as it slowed down. Apparently, this was a major known issue and had warranty up to 150k miles. At the time of the incident, my car had about 165k miles. I had the car for years, and no one at the dealer ever mentioned anything about this or even tried to make me aware of it! I called the Toyota dealer and corporate number several times and they declined providing me with any help at all! this caused me fear and traume because I never thought this was possible! it could’ve ended my life and the life of people around me if there were any cars in sight! the problem has been confirmed by a reputable mechanic! he did the repairs! he also called the Toyota dealer and corporate and attempted collecting anything since he found out about the warranty and common issue. They also denied help. No lights were on at all before this incident happened! it all came at once! I even have all records of monthly/ bimonthly complete inspections at the dealer with everything normal on the results!.

While driving, suddenly all brake lights and warning lights went on, and brakes stopped working normally. It became difficult to brake (brake took a while to engage - had to press pedal to the floor). After diagnostics at the dealership it looks like the brake booster failed. Apparently Toyota knew about this issue as they did an extended warranty through a customer support program, but unfortunately my issue occurred just past the expiration of that warranty. Since brakes are such a critical component of vehicle safety, if they don't operate well or as expected, it endangers the driver and everyone else on the road. It is wild that Toyota is aware of this issue but that there has been no recall yet.

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius v. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the brake light, tire pressure, traction control, battery, and other warning lights were illuminated. While attempting to depress the brake pedal, there was more resistance than normal, making it difficult to slow the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the nearest mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to another certified mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the brake master cylinder and actuator assemblies had failed. The brake master cylinder and brake actuator assemblies were in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

My 2014 Toyota Prius (VIN [xxx] , 77,000 miles) displayed brake, abs, and slip warning lights. A mechanic confirmed failure of the brake booster and pump assembly (dtc c1391). Toyota previously acknowledged this as a safety-related defect under customer support program zjb, but my coverage expired because I never received Toyota’s notice dated may 21, 2019. My car has been undrivable for weeks and Toyota refuses goodwill repair. This is a serious brake safety issue that should be reviewed for recall or extended coverage since many Prius owners have experienced the same failure. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Abs complete and total failure while driving.

The ads, traction light, and brake light all came on at once. Apparently this is a known problem with these cars and Toyota was fixing them for awhile but has stopped. No brake issues were reported when I brought it in for inspection in 2023. I never received any mail stating that this was a know defect and I needed to bring my car in to get it inspected. It's obvious to me that Toyota designed a defective part that impacts safety, and is forcing the owner to bear the cost of the fix by creating parameters that can never be met before the warranty expires.

My brakes consistently lock and the car lunges forward. Driving down the highway I tapped my brakes and they didn’t work. I lost traction in the brakes. I had no control over the car or speed. I’m scared everyday I have to drive it. This is extremely dangerous and I've seen this comment often with this vehicle. Toyota said they had an extended warranty for this but it expired. I never received any mail or phone calls stating that this was a known defect. They say they can’t do anything now and are quoting me over $3000 to fix it.

Upon inspection, our mechanic determined that the master cylinder assembly and the actuator assembly require replacement (error code c1391). It is currently available for inspection, but will need to be repaired soon. Our safety and the safety of others is at great risk, because there is impending brake failure if driven and the end result could be catastrophic. On 09/13/25, the brake, traction control, abs and ((!)) lights came on about 10 minutes from home. We drove home, parked the car and did not drive it again until we took it to our mechanic on 09/15/25. During this incident, the brakes failed to respond properly, which could have led to a serious accident. We took the car to a local mechanic and repairs are currently pending. The estimated cost for the necessary parts is approx. $3,000 and the labor costs are estimated to be between $1,100 and $2,000. Our local Toyota dealership was also contacted and they confirmed the presence of code c1391. Please reference Toyota service bulletin pol18-03, which addresses issues related to the braking system in certain Toyota models, including the Prius v. This bulletin indicates that various brake system-related warning lamps may illuminate due to internal malfunctions within the brake system, and it outlines affected parts that may require replacement. Additionally, please reference Toyota customer support program 20te07, which provides extended coverage for certain brake system repairs. It is concerning that, despite this well-known, very serious problem, Toyota has not issued a recall. While our vehicle currently has 116,975 miles, we are aware that the warranty period ended 10 years from the first date of use or 150,000 miles. However, this malfunction not only endangers our safety, but also that of other drivers on the road. We urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter thoroughly and consider the implications for a potential recall for this model, because Toyota is well-aware of this issue.

I have a 2014 Prius v with 92,000 miles. My anti-skid, brake and abs idiot lights went off approximately 1 week ago. (August 25, 2025) scheduled an appointment at my Toyota dealer (September 3, 2025) and was told there was an abnormal leak in the accumulator and that the brake booster pump and brake pump assembly needed to be replaced. Cost $5715. Not related to the brakes, but they also said I had to replace the rear shock absorbers as they are leaking and needed to be replaced and then realigned. Cost $1363. This should have been a recall not a mileage or 10 year limit.

The brake actuator failed, it can be available for inspection anytime. My abs light, brake light, and traction control lights all came on to indicate the failure. Since the hybrid engine requires the breaking system to recharge, failure of this part will eventually lead you to be stranded if it isn’t functional. Additionally, the responsiveness of the breaks makes driving at higher speeds a lot riskier. Toyota offered an "extended warranty" to have the parts replaced for free for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever came first. My make is 2014, at only 89,000 miles.

Apparently Toyota knows of a recurring problem with the brake actuator. I took my Toyota Prius to the dealer for an unrelated recall issue that they repaired and I asked them what the sound was that I kept hearing every 10 seconds or so. The told me it is the brake actuator, but did not seem concerned at all that I get it repaired right away. They did quote me a very high price to have it fixed by them. I have chosen to take it to my mechanic for repair. In the mean time, I decided to research this on the internet and discovered that it is a known problem by Toyota and there is a class action suite filed on them. I want Toyota to pay to have it fixed! I fear for my life and lives of others with the same issue.

Toyota has a break issue that they extended the warranty for 10 years or 150000 miles and now a few months pass the 10 years I have a problem with the actuator giving warnings and my daughter went into a skid when applying the breaks. She was lucky and didn’t hit anyone. If Toyota knows there is a problem that is a safety concern they should fix it I did get a Toyota dealership to give an estimate to fix it and was told $4300. 00 I think that’s too much for a defective part. It should be a safety recall.

Abs brake pump actuator booster failed. It is available for inspection. While driving, I started hearing a hissing sound from my brakes. I tried to slow down and my several diagnostic lights (abs, traction control, brake, check engine, etc. ) flashed on while my brakes failed to work properly. I turned on my hazard lights immediately. I was in the middle of the road with my toddler in the car and I almost rammed into the car in front of me. Luckily I was able to pull into a turn lane and pushed with all my might on the brakes and it finally was able to stop. My brakes failed and I could have hit the cars in front of me and hurt my child, myself and others. It was terrifying. Problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The warning lamps only appeared while the issue was happening and my brakes failed to work properly.

C1391 - abnormal leak of acc pressurization. Bad brake booster assembly.

I am writing to express my profound concern and disappointment regarding a recent, terrifying incident involving the brake system of my 2014 Toyota Prius. On Saturday, June 21, 2025, while driving with other passengers, my vehicle experienced a complete and sudden brake failure. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and despite my efforts, the brakes became unresponsive, making it impossible to stop the car. The sheer terror and helplessness I felt in that moment, with the very real potential for a catastrophic accident involving myself, my passengers, and other road users, is indescribable. Fortunately, through sheer luck and quick thinking, I was able to make an emergency stop on the side of the road, preventing any collision or injury. However, the emotional toll of that experience, the lingering stress, and the fear of a recurrence remain significant. I was subsequently informed that the cause of the failure was a leak in the brake accumulator. I am attaching the diagnosis and repair invoice. The necessary repairs were not completed until Wednesday, June 25th. This unforeseen and critical malfunction also necessitated the expense of a rental car for four days, adding to the financial burden and inconvenience. My frustration is compounded by the fact that this brake accumulator issue is a well-documented and known defect in Toyota Prius models, specifically affecting 2010-2015 vehicles. Toyota itself has previously issued a technical service bulletin (TSB t-sb-0043-13) acknowledging this problem and offering warranty extensions for affected vehicles, typically up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Despite this being a recognized safety concern, I was informed that my vehicle falls approximately eight months outside the 10-year warranty period, thus disqualifying me.

Cruise control not working. Traction control light active, brake light active, and light active the cause was diagnosed by Toyota of paris. TSB for c1391 code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with master cylinder and brake booster pump assembly.

2014 Toyota Prius c with 220k miles. Four warning lights came on while driving. Brakes became not responsive unless you press down very hard. Regenerative braking, went away. The brake pump can be audibly heard turning on every few seconds.

Upon exiting the highway my brake system when engaged was completely unresponsive. I of course pushed down gently as would and upon realizing the brakes were not responding I started pounding on the brake pad. I had to ram the brake down for the vehicle to even slow. Thankfully no-one was in front of me at the light and I was able to pull into the nearest gas station having to ram brake to fullest extent to get the vehicle to stop moving. All lights within the braking system lit up including the master warning light, brake system warning light, abs warning light, and slip indicator as well as the warning siren. These warning lights did not come on til after* the brake system was engaged with failure*** not prior. It was not indicative of an issue prior too, no former brake issue or warning lights. I turned the vehicle off and then back on again to see if the same lights still lit and issue was still malfunctioning. I called for a tow and had vehicle taken to the adams Toyota dealership (mo)the following diagnostic code c1391 was registered on my vehicle at dealership. Upon research (not disclosure) I found that the above code- c1391- "brake booster and brake booster pump assembly" is a known issue that Toyota offered a warranty repair from may 21-Nov 22' if failure not a recall but a "if" brake system fails. Please see customer support program 21te01. I purchased vehicle in oct 21 and was never informed, never provided this warranty letter, issue didn't show up on carfax etc and I purchased directly from the Toyota dealership. Upon research you will find that Toyota is currently in class action and individual lawsuits re this specific part failure with the above diagnostic code. They are denying replacement due the expired warranty time. The parts should recalled* not just a "warranty issue" -unacceptable to leave buyers uninformed to such a major issue that can cause accident/death (im pregnant I may add!) and unable to seek covered repairs unless it fails!.

After 120k miles and 11 years of use, my Prius 3 brake booster pump failed while I was driving. The warning lights came on, including the abs and brake lights. My brake felt strange, and I had to finish my drive to the dealership keeping a large driving distance so the brakes would work in time. I was advised that this was a result of a c1391 error and that the brake pump part is only covered under extended warranty for 10 years. The advisors at the dealership said it is extremely common for cars to come in with this problem just after the warranty period has ended. I have spoken to other Prius user who have complained of the same issue and are considering a class action lawsuit because this safety issue is so common.