2008 Toyota Prius brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 18, 2026CABrakes

   2008 Toyota Prius gen2 with 139k miles. ABS, Brake, parking brake, and Traction Control lights all illuminated while driving the other day. Potential is losing all electronically assisted braking function in the car. Problem has been confirmed by local independent service center. Independent service center pulled codes: C1256 Accumulator low pressure C1378 Capacitor Communication Malfunction C1391 Abnormal leak of ACC pressure all consistent with ABS accumulator failure.…

   NHTSA complaint #11725225 · source
2. Filed Feb 1, 2026WVBrakes

   Brake pedal became hard and vehicle was difficult to stop. ABS warning light appeared on dashboard. This is a problem that Toyota has addressed previously by extending the warranty period to 10 Years/150,000 miles. My vehicle has 122,000 miles on it but the 10 year extended warranty has expired. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and they confirmed that there was a problem with the brake actuator assembly. Now, Toyota says it would cost over $3000 to remove and…

   NHTSA complaint #11714800 · source
3. Filed Sep 26, 2025MOBrakes

   The ABS brake booster/accumulator is going out and this has been a known issue with Toyota for years. Mine was purchased used a few years ago and had no issues until recently, as the pump is running more frequently.

   NHTSA complaint #11689871 · source
4. Filed Jul 2, 2025CACrashTowedBrakesEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My name is [XXX] ,i am filing this report on behalf of My daughter [XXX] the driver of the vehicle that involved with the unintended acceleration on the 2009 Toyota Prius .On a good clear morning on [XXX] . My daughter drove the 2009 Toyota Prius to work- when she enter to the parking lot at the speed round 5 mile/hour . Just when she was making a left turn on to the entrance gate with her left foot on the brake pedal . On a sudden the vehicle RPM unintended rev up too high…

   NHTSA complaint #11670935 · source
5. Filed Jun 23, 2025ALBrakes

   Incident Summary: While relocating from northern to southern Alabama, I experienced a sudden and concerning failure in the vehicle’s braking system. While driving, multiple dashboard warning indicators were triggered simultaneously, including: •Brake warning light •ABS light •VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) light •Additional system fault alerts This happened unexpectedly and severely impacted my ability to drive the vehicle safely. Given the nature of these warnings and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11668556 · source
6. Filed Jun 5, 2025LABrakesElectrical System

   I recently took my vehicle to the dealership because all the hazard lights on the dash came on. They diagnosed it as an issue with the inverter water pump and suggested that the engine was overheating, which was causing the hazard light to appear on the dashboard. So I had them replace that part and everything was fine. A week later, I went to drive to work and my entire dashboard was out. My radio, clock, blinkers, and brakes worked, but I could not see the speedometer, gas…

   NHTSA complaint #11665147 · source
7. Filed Mar 13, 2025IDBrakes

   Brake actuator fails. Subject to prior recalls, but they're continuing to be an issue. This vehicle, and thousands of others like it, the electric brake actuator/pump starts running constantly then fails entirely. When that happens, as has to mine, the vehicle has NO power brakes, which can and does cause the vehicle to crash. The replacement part is over a thousand dollars. Toyota has engineered a failure mode that creates massive continuing profits.

   NHTSA complaint #11648237 · source
8. Filed Feb 26, 2025CABrakes

   The error lights related to the ABS, VSC braking system can suddenly come on, the antilock brakes stop working, and breaking power is greatly diminished. This occurs without warning and when it does, the brakes do not work safely and it is more difficult to bring the car to a stop. I have taken the car in to repair shops who have confirmed the issue. This malfunction produces error code C1256 and multiple mechanics have confirmed it is related to a faulty ABS Actuator…

   NHTSA complaint #11644952 · source
9. Filed Oct 15, 2024OHBrakes

   Loud grinding noise coming from engine compartment accompanied by a loud shrill alert. When attempting to pull over to a safe place, I put my foot on the brake pedal, but immediately became distressed because it felt like I had no brakes at all. After applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal, the car did begin to slow down, albeit very slowly. I had 2 passengers in the car (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ) and I felt their lives were in jeopardy. Upon researching, I found that…

   NHTSA complaint #11619772 · source
10. Filed Sep 12, 2024NCBrakes

    I have a 2008 Toyota Prius (172k miles). From the sounds coming from the ABS Brake actuator and soft breaks, it is clear from my research online that I will soon have a failing ABS brake actuator. I have the code C1256 thrown which is ABS "Accumulator Low Pressure" Read more: [XXX] I do not feel safe driving it as it is clear one day the brakes will suddenly go out on it. This needs repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.…

    NHTSA complaint #11614339 · source
11. Filed Jul 8, 2024COBrakes

    Brake ABS and front brakes have completely failed because a software error where the and cannot be calibrated and terminates during calibration. The car only has rear brakes which frequently lock of and cause a safety issue. Front brakes completely disabled due to a software calibration issue

    NHTSA complaint #11600249 · source
12. Filed May 19, 2024CABrakes

    The ABS Actuator failed. It can be inspected. This is dangerous as this has the possibility of causing a brake failure. A retired mechanic plugged in his scan tool and determined that the ABS actuator is leaking. In addition, I can tell audibly that this is the case because the car's pump is starting up every 10-15 seconds trying to fill the air reservoir but is unable to due to the leak. Neither the vehicle nor the component has been inspected by the manufacturer, police,…

    NHTSA complaint #11589556 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology