2010 Toyota Prius brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 13V235000Jun 5, 201387,060 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES

  Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Prius vehicles manufactured March 31, 2009, through October 9, 2009; and model year 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured June 19, 2009, through October 9, 2009. Nitrogen gas from a component of the brake booster pump assembly could leak into the brake fluid.

  Risk: As nitrogen is released into the brake fluid, the brake pedal may have reduced hydraulic pressure. Under certain circumstances, this condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake booster pump assemblies. The recall began on August 7, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

• Recall 10V039000Feb 9, 2010148,549 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 toyota prius and lexus hs250h passenger vehicles. Customers have experienced inconsistent brake feel after abs actuation during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces. Stopping distances may be increased compared with a customer's expectation for a given pedal force.

  Risk: Vehicle stopping distances may increase relative to a customer's expectation increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will rewrite the programming of the abs control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on march 3, 2010, and is expected to be completed in late march 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 13, 2026CABrakes

   Subject: Vehicle Safety Defect Complaint / Request for Investigation Review Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Prius VIN: [XXX] Component: Electronic Brake Booster / Pressure Accumulator Assembly Dear Administrator, I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect in my 2010 Toyota Prius regarding the electronic brake booster and accumulator pump assembly. This component exhibits classic failure symptoms—specifically a distinct puffing, ticking, and pressure-loss noise directly…

   NHTSA complaint #11763884 · source
2. Filed Aug 27, 2026CABrakes

   Component failed: Brake actuator and accumulator on a 2010 Toyota Prius. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety: ABS, traction, and brake lights turned on suddenly in the middle of rush-hour traffic, followed by a spongey, hard-to-press pedal. Braking distance and efficiency was greatly impacted, and driving to a safe turn-out was extremely dangerous as I feared the brakes would give out entirely at any moment. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a…

   NHTSA complaint #11760155 · source
3. Filed Aug 25, 2026TXBody & StructureBrakes

   To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally complain about the way Toyota has handled the problems with my 2010 Toyota Prius and my repeated requests for assistance. I have been a loyal Toyota customer and have purchased two new Toyota vehicles because I trusted Toyota's quality and expected good customer service. Unfortunately, after years of contacting Toyota, I have repeatedly been given the runaround without receiving a meaningful resolution. I am now facing a…

   NHTSA complaint #11759364 · source
4. Filed Jun 4, 2026CABrakes

   ABS light came on 6 months ago as well as ((!)) light. As soon as those lights came on, the brakes had an increased stopping distance and it became harder to get the car to come to a complete stop. I have seen a few Prius owners in my area also having the same problem with their Prius. For my car, the ABS light would come on, then turn off for 300 or so miles, then turn back on and stay on for about 300 miles. That has lasted for 6 months. I had almost gotten in an accident…

   NHTSA complaint #11742107 · source
5. Filed Apr 22, 2026COBrakes

   My 2010 Prius has experienced the following error codes: C12341 and C1391, prompting the dealer to recommend replacing the brake booster assembly and master cylinder for $3938.89. This is a known issue with this vehicle and a Customer Support Program (CSP) was issued back in 2018, stating that if this vehicle displayed these codes, the repairs would be at no charge to the customer. Toyota extended this coverage to 10 years from date of first use or 150,000 miles (whichever…

   NHTSA complaint #11732957 · source
6. Filed Mar 29, 2026GABrakes

   There are issues with the brake. Many times the brake pedal goes down to the floor and it losses ability to stop. Apparently there is a common ABS actuator and Brake issues. Toyota will not address the issue

   NHTSA complaint #11727774 · source
7. Filed Mar 12, 2026NEBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   i have have 2 problems, both was recalls, but this one they say expired in 2021 when i bought the car and toyota dealer didnt tell me had recall so i could fix it before it expired. there is a class action lawsuit in the brake booster, master cyclinder actuator abs pump fialing loosing brakes making grrr noises leaking all brake fluid out continously dangerous to drive can cause bad accident wreck since i drive down the hwy alot and this is the only car i have to drive, i…

   NHTSA complaint #11723750 · source
8. Filed Mar 4, 2026GABrakes

   While driving my 2010 Toyota Prius, the brake warning lights suddenly illuminated and the brake pedal became soft and unresponsive. Stopping distance increased significantly, and the vehicle required much more pressure to slow down. This created an unsafe situation in traffic and could have easily resulted in a collision. A Toyota dealership diagnosed the issue as a failure of the brake booster and brake booster pump assembly (DTC C1391). This is the same failure Toyota…

   NHTSA complaint #11722046 · source
9. Filed Feb 28, 2026NE1 injuredBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   brake booster that was a recall that toyota said expired in 2020 when i bought the vehicle and the toyotal dealer didnt inform me of the recall to fix it said everything was fine when it was not, i had a dc inverter sensor brake booster issues and now it ills off my 12volt battery every time i put one in lasts about 1 mth, upset dealer never told me this wjhen took in tel me any recalls or probelms, they said none, they lied to me. it kills off my 12volg agm batteries in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11721212 · source
10. Filed Feb 28, 2026AZBrakes

    In 2019 Toyota repaired my 2010 Prius(120,189 miles) braking system under the ZJB program. The brake cylinder assembly and brake booster pump assembly were replaced as they had a known defect that caused the braking system to fail. As of February 27, 2026 the replaced components are failing again. The auto has approximately 224,000 miles. So the replacement components failed in less miles and time then the original equipment failed which was determined to be faulty. Toyota…

    NHTSA complaint #11721184 · source
11. Filed Dec 30, 2025TXBrakes

    On November 25, 2025, at approximately 11:45 p.m., our 2010 Toyota Prius experienced a braking system malfunction during normal operation. The brake pedal required significantly increased effort and the vehicle exhibited reduced braking performance, indicating a loss of brake power assist. The vehicle required increased stopping distance, creating an immediate risk of a collision. At the time of the failure, multiple warning indicators illuminated simultaneously, including…

    NHTSA complaint #11707945 · source
12. Filed Dec 17, 2025TNBrakes

    Car keeps throwing a C1391 Abnormal Leak in Accumulator code. The ABS, traction control, and brake lights are all illuminated. Hissing sound from brake pedal. Spongy feel when braking and incredibly soft braking as well, very hazardous to driving and stopping. This is a known issue with the 2010-2015 Prius, and a quick internet search shows thousands of other Prius owners who also have this issue with their vehicles. It’s a safety hazard and can be potentially life…

    NHTSA complaint #11705550 · 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