2011 Toyota Prius brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026TXBrakes

   I was driving on the highway when my 2011 Toyota Prius started beeping repeatedly, and as I approached the red light, my brakes were not operational. My car completely passed through the red light, narrowly missing what could have been a fatal accident for me and others on the road. I had to navigate to the furthest right lane, almost getting hit by others due to my speed and inability to stop my car. I was going at 50 mph through the intersection, and had to gradually lower…

   NHTSA complaint #11768253 · source
2. Filed Sep 30, 2026CABrakes

   2011 Toyota Prius with approximately 134,000 miles. The brake actuator/master cylinder has been diagnosed as malfunctioning and failing to maintain hydraulic pressure. The brake booster pump initially began cycling approximately every 10 seconds while the vehicle was in READY mode, stationary, and without the brake pedal being applied. The cycling subsequently increased to approximately every 3 seconds. The affected components remain installed and are available for…

   NHTSA complaint #11768168 · source
3. Filed Sep 14, 2026VACrashBrakes

   I am filing this complaint to report an active, severe safety defect involving a sudden, un-warned loss of power braking assist due to a failing factory brake actuator/booster pump assembly. My vehicle is exhibiting the exact internal hydraulic seal failure, pressure drop, and audible hissing/sipping sound outlined in Toyota's prior technical service bulletins. Because the onboard ECU computer only triggers warning lights once a complete, catastrophic failure threshold is…

   NHTSA complaint #11764198 · source
4. Filed Aug 10, 2026IABrakes

   Vehicle Information: 2011 Toyota Prius, 144,000 miles. Component: Hydraulic Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System. Description of Incident: While driving at normal speeds, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe reduction in braking capability. The dashboard simultaneously illuminated the Brake Warning Light, ABS Light, and Slip/Traction Control Indicator Light. The brake pedal immediately became soft, spongy, and squishy, requiring…

   NHTSA complaint #11756097 · source
5. Filed Jul 26, 2026TXBrakes

   Every time I'd press the brakes there'd be an audible "click" noise and then when taking my foot off the brake it'd sound like a manual tire pump being pressed... kind of like air filling / hydraulic sound. This worried me (I don't mess around with brakes). One other thing that would happen is if I pressed the brake hard enough, the automatic braking system would kick in. The Toyota dealership claimed they couldn't hear anything and there were no warning lights so I took it…

   NHTSA complaint #11752939 · source
6. Filed Jun 26, 2026CABrakes

   Vehicle Information: Year: 2011 Make: Toyota Model: Prius Mileage at Failure: 58,769 miles Date of First Use: February 20, 2012 Complaint Description: As I was driving on the freeway, my 2011 Toyota Prius brakelights all came on. I pulled off, had it towed to nearest mechanic, who diagnosed a failure involving the brake booster, brake actuator, and ABS system at only 58,769 miles. The vehicle was diagnosed with Diagnostic Trouble Code C1391 (Abnormal Leak of Accumulator…

   NHTSA complaint #11746722 · source
7. Filed Jun 18, 2026NCBrakes

   Shortly after purchasing used last year I had my brake, traction control, ABS, & TPMS lights come on when stopping at a stop light all at once. I went and had it scanned and no codes showed up. I hear a buzzing from the brake actuator/ brake pump every 15 seconds. This all has been going on for almost a year now. Over the weekend a loud buzzing warning alarm came on that will not turn off. I had it checked out and was quoted around 3500 to repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11745016 · source
8. Filed Jun 16, 2026SCBrakes

   The ABS actuator (brake booster) went out suddenly. It is 100% available for inspection. It is being towed to M&M Auto Repair in Gaston SC. I was not sure if the car was going to stop when I was trying to figure out what was wrong. The car was acting like it wasn't going to stop until a few seconds later. People online have had a similar problem as me with prius models around my year to 2015. And it was a problem confirmed by the dealership. The component has not been…

   NHTSA complaint #11744577 · source
9. Filed Jun 2, 2026MOBrakes

   There is a known problem with the brake booster and skid control that was a part of an customer support extended recall program. Our Prius has very low miles (less that 60,000) so the issue didn't trigger for us until recently. Unfortunately, we are out of the extended recall program of 10 years or 150,000. This doesn't seem fair since it is a known and documented issue from Toyota. Unless we fix the issue, we are at risk of losing braking control. All brake lights on the…

   NHTSA complaint #11741498 · source
10. Filed May 9, 2026NYBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    2011 Prius. 80k miles. Brake booster buzz coming on every 15 seconds now. ABs, traction and brake lights on. I’ve heard of many Prius owners with the same issue. I also have another Prius with the same issue at 120k miles. Brake booster accumulator codes popping up with 80k miles. It is a safety concern as the abs brakes don’t work. Almost every Prius is effected by this.

    NHTSA complaint #11736723 · source
11. Filed Apr 27, 2026TXBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was driving my car and suddenly the traction , hand brake and ABS sign started showing up. I usually apply only 10% of force on brake pedal but after this I have to apply almost 60% of force to even slow down the car. Almost 90% force to stop the car It has threatened safety of my family. When diagnosed at autozone they told cannot determine error code. When reading in internet this seems to be common problem in prius. Please help is fixing the issue as it is not at my…

    NHTSA complaint #11734183 · source
12. Filed Apr 21, 2026ALBrakes

    The brake cylinder assembly and the brake booster pump assembly failed while driving, which made braking very difficult, caused the regenerative braking to stop working, and caused multiple warning lights to come on. No warning lights, messages, or other symptoms were present prior to the sudden failure. This sudden failure could have easily resulted in a crash and/or death(s). I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership, and they confirmed the above issue and replaced the…

    NHTSA complaint #11732836 · 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