NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
124 reportsClear category filter22,961 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Service Brakes
I STATED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE24,2013 THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT RUNAWAY WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THEY ROAD TESTED MY CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE ANY ABNORMAL ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING. THEY VISUALLY INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE AND J…
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I STATED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE24,2013 THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT RUNAWAY WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THEY ROAD TESTED MY CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE ANY ABNORMAL ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING. THEY VISUALLY INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE AND JUT FORWARD EITHER ALMOST PASSING A RED LIGHT OR ALMOST HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS COMPLAINT SOONER,BUT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE. I JUST HAPPEN TO SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2012 PRIUS V. THIS SCARY DANGEROUS SITUATION STILL CONTINUES TILL THIS DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604558
4,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Service Brakes
I BEGAN EXPERIENCING WHAT I DESCRIBED TO THE DEALER AS A "HICCUP" IN MY BRAKES. I COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM THE TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (FIRST AND NEXT SIX MONTHS), AND EACH TIME THEY FOUND "NO PROBLEM" WITH THE BRAKES. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THIS SNOWY ROUGH WINTER WITH ALL THE ATTENDANT POT HOLES IN THE …
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I BEGAN EXPERIENCING WHAT I DESCRIBED TO THE DEALER AS A "HICCUP" IN MY BRAKES. I COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM THE TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (FIRST AND NEXT SIX MONTHS), AND EACH TIME THEY FOUND "NO PROBLEM" WITH THE BRAKES. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THIS SNOWY ROUGH WINTER WITH ALL THE ATTENDANT POT HOLES IN THE STREET THAT I CORRELATED THIS BRAKING PROBLEM WITH UNEVEN PAVEMENT. I KNOW THIS HAPPENS WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE HITS A POT HOLE, AND IT MAY HAPPEN WHEN ANY TIRE DOES, BUT IF I'M APPLY THE BRAKES - ESPECIALLY HITTING THE BRAKES AT THE MOMENT ONE TIRE DIPS INTO THE HOLE -THEY DO NOT ENGAGE AND IN FACT THERE'S A SLIGHT LURCH FORWARD, ALMOST AN ACCELERATION. THE CAR IS GOING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOMORROW WITH THE HOPES THAT THE PROBLEM CAN BE LOCATED. THIS TRULY FEELS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565603
15,800 miles · Jan 18, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I BOUGHT PRIUS V IN FEBRUARY 2012. I'VE NOTICED FEW TIMES ISSUES WITH BRAKES. WHILE DECELERATING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP AND IF THE CAR GOES OVER A POTHOLE OR SLIGHT BUMP ON THE ROAD THEN CAR ACCELERATES FORWARD BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS SAFETY HAZARD SINCE IT ALMOST LED TO HITTING THE…
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I BOUGHT PRIUS V IN FEBRUARY 2012. I'VE NOTICED FEW TIMES ISSUES WITH BRAKES. WHILE DECELERATING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP AND IF THE CAR GOES OVER A POTHOLE OR SLIGHT BUMP ON THE ROAD THEN CAR ACCELERATES FORWARD BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS SAFETY HAZARD SINCE IT ALMOST LED TO HITTING THE OTHER CAR'S REAR BUMPER. ALSO, I'VE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2013 WHERE THERE WAS ANOTHER BRAKE ISSUE. I STOPPED MY CAR IN THE INCLINE ROAD BY PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, I CHANGED THE GEAR SHIFT TO REAR AND SLOWLY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL SO THAT I CAN BACK INTO THE STREET PARKING WHICH WAS ONLY ABOUT 4 TO 5 FEET AWAY. SUDDENLY, CAR SPED DOWN THE ROAD GOING REAR DIRECTION TO THE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE STREET AND HIT TWO PARKED CARS. I HAD PUT THE FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR GOING REAR FAST BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR FROM GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR OR THE SPEED. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD SINCE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WITH LOSING CONTROL OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATION. I'VE OWNED OTHER TOYOTA CAR (CAMRY) BEFORE BUT NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE UNTIL THIS PRIUS V. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN BODY SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH WITH REPAIRS. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK OUT THIS BRAKE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560460
9,000 miles · Dec 21, 2013
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A STEEP INCLINE WHILE I CLOSED A GATE BEHIND ME TO A GATED DRIVEWAY. WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ROLLED BACK AND INTO THE GATE. THE CAR RELEASED AS IF IT WAS A STANDARD SHIFT CAR THAT NE…
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THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A STEEP INCLINE WHILE I CLOSED A GATE BEHIND ME TO A GATED DRIVEWAY. WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ROLLED BACK AND INTO THE GATE. THE CAR RELEASED AS IF IT WAS A STANDARD SHIFT CAR THAT NEEDED A CLUTCH AND SLAMMED INTO THE GATE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO OTHER SAFE SPOTS THAT ARE ON HILLS AND FOUND THAT THIS CAR CAN NOT HOLD A STOPPED POSITION ON AN INCLINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556928
16,004 miles · Oct 27, 2013
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
DRIVER WAS MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL DESPITE HARD PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL BUT INSTEAD ACCELERATED,JUMPED A CURB IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT FRONT BUMPER BADLY GOUGED AND…
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DRIVER WAS MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL DESPITE HARD PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL BUT INSTEAD ACCELERATED,JUMPED A CURB IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT FRONT BUMPER BADLY GOUGED AND FRONT DOOR SLIGHTLY DENTED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND GET OFF THE SIDEWALK. VEHICLE IS NOW AT TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPON REFLECTION 2 OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHERE WHAT FELT LIKE A MOMENTARY SPEEDUP OCCURRED AGAIN AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING AND BRAKING. BUT THESE 2 WERE WHILE MOVING FORWARD AND NOT ATTEMPTING TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549685
13,882 miles · Oct 13, 2013
Service Brakes
I WAS IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. I HAD ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CAR NOT ONLY WAS NOT BRAKING (I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME) BUT INDEED SEEMED TO ACCELERATE BRIEFLY BEFORE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED (I HAD MY FOOT ON TH…
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I WAS IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. I HAD ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CAR NOT ONLY WAS NOT BRAKING (I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME) BUT INDEED SEEMED TO ACCELERATE BRIEFLY BEFORE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED (I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE--DEPRESSING IT--THE ENTIRE TIME). THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH MY VEHICLE--IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, AND ALSO WHEN BREAKING WHILE DRIVING OVER ROAD BUMPS OR POTHOLES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547779
5,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Service Brakes
BRAKE NOISE WHEN PULLING FORWARD IN AM . DEALER SAID FIX IS COMING FOR MONTHS, SERVICE BULLETIN NEVER CAME OUT. WORRIED THAT MAY LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520707
14,281 miles · May 29, 2013
Service Brakes
MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS BEEN MAKING A GROINING, HOWLING NOISE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. NOISE COMES FROM FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. HAS TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIRS BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND CAN BE VERY LOUD. PEOPLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR CAN HEAR IT, SO ITS QUITE EMBARRASING. NOISE COMES AND GOES ITS N…
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MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS BEEN MAKING A GROINING, HOWLING NOISE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. NOISE COMES FROM FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. HAS TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIRS BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND CAN BE VERY LOUD. PEOPLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR CAN HEAR IT, SO ITS QUITE EMBARRASING. NOISE COMES AND GOES ITS NOT CONSTANT. TOYOTA SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. I DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR AND ITS SCARY TO KNOW THERE IS AN ABNORMALITY WITH THE BRAKES. BEWARE THE DEALER WILL TELL YOU TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH A THIRD PARTY ARBITRATION SERVICE. I DID AND MY CASE WAS DENIED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513986
5,000 miles · May 7, 2013
Service Brakes
BRAKE IS HAVING GROANING/ GRINDING/OWL HOOTING SOUNDS. THE GRINDING SOUND APPEARS WHEN YOU APPLIED THE BRAKE, AND WHEN THE CAR ALMOST AT COMPLETE STOP, IS THE WORST. GROANING AND OWL HOOTING SOUND ARE ALWAYS THERE, SPECIALLY IN THE MORNING. IN THE AFTERNOON IS NOT AS LOUD AS IN THE MORNING, BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. BEEN TO TOYO…
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BRAKE IS HAVING GROANING/ GRINDING/OWL HOOTING SOUNDS. THE GRINDING SOUND APPEARS WHEN YOU APPLIED THE BRAKE, AND WHEN THE CAR ALMOST AT COMPLETE STOP, IS THE WORST. GROANING AND OWL HOOTING SOUND ARE ALWAYS THERE, SPECIALLY IN THE MORNING. IN THE AFTERNOON IS NOT AS LOUD AS IN THE MORNING, BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. BEEN TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED THE BRAKE AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. ALSO SAYING THAT THE SOUND IS NORMAL FOR A REGENERATE BRAKE SYSTEM. BUT I DON'T AGREED TO IT. TOYOTA NEED TO FIND A FIX FOR IT, AND WE DON'T KNOW IS THE BRAKE REALLY SAFE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510907
1,200 miles · Apr 24, 2013
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR HAS AN ISSUE I FIRST NOTICED SOON AFTER I BOUGHT IT, AND THAT NOW HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. THE DATE I'VE ENTERED IS THE APPROXIMATE FIRST DATE I NOTICED THE PROBLEM OCCUR. I DESCRIBE BELOW A MORE RECENT INSTANCE OF THE SAME BEHAVIOR, THE TIME WHEN IT FELT THE LEAST SAFE. /// THE RECURRING BEHAVIOR IS THAT WHILE DECE…
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MY CAR HAS AN ISSUE I FIRST NOTICED SOON AFTER I BOUGHT IT, AND THAT NOW HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. THE DATE I'VE ENTERED IS THE APPROXIMATE FIRST DATE I NOTICED THE PROBLEM OCCUR. I DESCRIBE BELOW A MORE RECENT INSTANCE OF THE SAME BEHAVIOR, THE TIME WHEN IT FELT THE LEAST SAFE. /// THE RECURRING BEHAVIOR IS THAT WHILE DECELERATING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IF THE CAR GOES OVER AN OBSTRUCTION LIKE A ROCK, A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD, OR A POTHOLE, IT SOMETIMES LURCHES FORWARD BEFORE RESUMING DECELERATION. THE SENSATION IS OF ACCELERATING, BUT EVEN IF IT'S ONLY THAT THE CAR MOMENTARILY STOPS DECELERATING IT'S DISCONCERTING AND IN A FEW INSTANCES HAS GOTTEN ME CLOSE TO AN ACCIDENT. /// THE TIME IT CAME CLOSEST TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WAS ON 3/21/13, WHEN I FEARED THE CAR WAS GOING TO ROLL INTO A CROSSWALK AS PEOPLE CROSSED. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN, WE WENT OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE ONLY A FEW FEET FROM THE CROSSWALK. SEVERAL PEOPLE WAITED CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE SIDEWALK AT A BUS STOP. ONE OF THEM SEEMED READY TO STEP OUTTO CROSS THE STREET, AND I BRACED FOR THE WORST. /// ULTIMATELY I STOPPED A FEW FEET BEFORE THE CROSSWALK, BUT THE SITUATION FELT COMPLETELY UNSAFE SINCE IT INVOLVED LOSING STOPPING POWER WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN WITH PEDESTRIANS PRESENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509497
Official recalls
3Oct 4, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
Jul 15, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Jan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗