2013 Toyota Prius

My 2013 Toyota Prius with only 99,000 miles is experiencing a brake system failure. The brake warning light, ABS light, and traction control light all illuminate. The brake actuator pump runs every 10 seconds, indicating loss of hydraulic pressure. Safety concern: This issue affects braking performance and disables ABS and traction control, creating a safety hazard, especially in emergency braking situations. This appears to be a known issue with Toyota Prius brake actuator assemblies. Toyota previously issued a warranty extension, but my vehicle is now outside the time window despite low mileage. This failure occurred prematurely and without warning. What happened: The warning lights temporarily went off after adding brake fluid but returned shortly after. The pump continues to cycle frequently, indicating system failure.

While driving my 2013 Toyota Prius, the red brake warning light, traction control, and ABS warning light suddenly illuminated on the dashboard. The brake pedal became spongy and required significantly more effort to stop the vehicle, indicating reduced braking power. The vehicle was diagnosed with code C1391 — abnormal leak in the brake booster accumulator assembly — a known manufacturing defect acknowledged by Toyota via Customer Support Program bulletin ZG1 for 2010–2015 Prius vehicles. The brake accumulator was replaced by a repair shop (ARC Auto Repair, Pasadena, CA), but the issue has recurred. The symptom is pressure-dependent: brake performance degrades in Eco drive mode as accumulator pressure bleeds down, and partially restores in Power mode when the system is forced to repressurize. Toyota dealership (Hamer Toyota, Mission Hills, CA) and Toyota Customer Experience (1-800-331-4331) both declined to assist, citing expired warranty. This is a known safety-critical defect in the braking system that Toyota has previously acknowledged. No crash or injury occurred, but the reduced braking capability presents a significant safety risk to the driver and public.

This vehicle qualifies for a repair under T-SB-0024-19. However, this TSB expired in 2023 but the defect and responsibility shouldn't. The car didn't qualify for the repair before the TSB expired, but does now. Because the bulletin was issued and Toyota as acknowledged the repair is needed I have asked them to cover the repair as if it was prior to expiration date. Without the pricey repair, the car is unsafe to drive at no fault of the purchaser. The TSB covers the brake booster and brake booster pump and fail. Do lives have to be put at risk for Toyota to honor and repair the very thing they know is faulty? The car has under 115,000 miles and the issue just started in February. The dealership refuses to provide an itemized repair receipt. The ticket just outlines warranty information of the repair and the second are the techs notes provided via text.

My 2013 Prius brake booster aassembly with aster cylinder had to be replaced for the sum $3996.75. Milage on the vehicle was 109,541. The car 's brake light went on and the engine area a buzzing occured. The car was very difficult to stop and I was concerned enough to drive the vehicle home and have it towed to the [XXX] Toyota dealer. I was informed that I needed a brake booster assembly and master cylinder the quote was about four thousand dollars. Attached is my paid bill for $3996.75. The VIN number of the car is [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

This is the 3rd time I have had to address this issue. The ABS system fails, resulting in increased braking distances. The dealership refuses to warranty or recall this dangerous defect, replacing the parts which fail again. Symptoms include increased braking distance, extremely hard pedal, lack of ABS function, lack of traction control, lack of hybrid regen. The entire dash lights up with indicators for all these functions.

While driving my 2013 Toyota Prius (110,691 miles), multiple warning lights suddenly illuminated on the dashboard, including the ABS, Brake, and Stability Control lights. I initially took the vehicle to an independent specialist (DC Line), but the mechanic there suggested I take it directly to Toyota because his staff recognized this as a known manufacturing defect that should be covered by the manufacturer. A Toyota dealership confirmed diagnostic code C1391, which indicates an internal high-pressure leak in the brake actuator and booster assembly. This is a critical safety defect that causes the brake pedal to become soft and unpredictable, significantly increasing stopping distances and disabling the ABS system. This poses a direct threat to my safety and others on the road. Toyota is fully aware of this defect through Customer Support Program ZJB, but they are refusing to cover the repair because of an arbitrary expiration date they set for 2023. I am currently 40,000 miles under the 150,000-mile limit Toyota established for this exact part failure, yet they are using the 2023 calendar date to deny coverage. Furthermore, I was never properly informed of this defect. Toyota claims they sent a single notification card in 2018, which I never received. I am now being forced to pay $3,000 out of pocket for a manufacturing flaw that even independent mechanics recognize as Toyota’s responsibility. It is unacceptable that a manufacturer can avoid responsibility for a dangerous braking failure by relying on a single postcard and an arbitrary 2023 deadline on a vehicle well under the mileage limit. This should be a mandatory safety recall, as the safety of a vehicle's braking system should not depend on a postcard or a calendar date.

I was driving and notice ABS light and other light came on, then noticed that when I tried to brake it felt weak, had to pump brake, then later noticed a leak on brake fluid. I took car to Toyota and they checked it and said brake booster and booster pump needed replacing and they wanted to charge me 3,000 dollars. I could not do the job so I checked around and the auto one in my area informed me that many Toyota Prius’s had a recall on that issue. I made an appointment with Parks Toyota in Deland, Florida to fix problem but when he got there they told me that my car was not on recall for that but was for battery EV fuse but couldn’t do because my engine light was off. I am having such a difficult time with this car. I cannot risk my life and that of others driving with this brake condition if I can’t have the manufacturer or who ever has to to take care of this issue. So far I was able to get a mechanic to do some adjustments so I can drive. I am being very careful and only use it as needed. I stopped looking for a part-time job because I need this fixed first. I am [XXX] , please tell me if I am able to get this recall show for me. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The ABS warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.