2011 Toyota Prius Service Brakes Problems
- 123
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 123 stored complaint records:
- 12 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- brake pedal · 24 records
- traction control · 15 records
- brake booster · 12 records
- lights came · 11 records
- brake light · 11 records
- warning lights · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 34 |
| 100–150k mi | 26 |
| 60–100k mi | 21 |
| 30–60k mi | 19 |
| 150–400k mi | 11 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Service Brakes
We have been experiencing braking abnormalities for 1-2 months, and when our brake malfunction light came on we had it checked out. Initially, about 1 month ago, the toyota dealer's service dept. Could not detect an issue, so simply reset the computer. But, again, the malfunction light returned and again, we returned the car to the service dept. On this occasion, they told us that nitrogen gas has leaked from the…
ODI 10722312
Service Brakes
The abs braking system in this car is overly sensitive. This does not happen often, but it has happened enough over the past three years that i can clearly predict when it will happen again. If you are slowing down moderately say for a traffic light, on a dry road, but one that is in need of repaving (no pot holes, but just a rough surface), and if you are on a road that is going slightly downhill, the abs braking…
ODI 10637080
Body · Service Brakes
The prius failed to stop when brakes were applied; instead the car did a lurch when the brakes were applied and then accelerated forward causing a 4 car collision; luckily no one was injured. Made toyota aware of the problem, when they investigated they of course found nothing wrong with the vehicle's brake system. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10637465
Service Brakes
When i applied the brakes while going over a pothole or curb, the vehicle lurched forward. This has happened twice so far and i've only owned the car for a few months. *tr
ODI 10629738
Service Brakes
Numerous times when trying to stop, the vehicle would loss control of the braking when going over even the smallest of bumps. A few times even the traction control light would luminate when this happened. It also appeared that the vehicle would accelerate just slightly during this braking rather than slowing down. The best way to describe how the vehicle felt, is as if it was "hydroplaning", there was not control…
ODI 10605972
Service Brakes
The prius brakes do not work well under certain conditions. When i slow down the vehicle and am over uneven pavement or a pothole, the car feels like it lurches forward for a split second. My reaction is one of panic and to press harder on the brakes. My wife and i have experienced this four times since we have owned the vehicle. We feel very unsure of the brakes and worry for bicyclists or pedestrians. *tr
ODI 10597489
Service Brakes
When i am coming to stop at an intersection on a bumpy or uneven or snow covered road and apply the brakes the car lurches forward instead of stopping. I am lucky i haven't hit a car in front of me or a person crossing at the intersection. I have been reading the other complaints and they describe exactly what is happening with my car. I haven't yet tried to get this fixed, but i am starting today. *tr
ODI 10576223
Body · Service Brakes
While pulling into a parking slot in a parking lot, which was on a slope, i applied the foot brake without any response whatsoever. The vehicle gained enough speed to jump the small stop-curb and hit a concrete wall next to it. The damage to the front of the car was just over $4000. I thought i had missed the pedal. On june 12th and 15th, i had two more incidents of the brake pedal going all the way to the floor…
Crash reported
ODI 10598545
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Unknown Or Other
On two separate occasions in december of 2013, with two different drivers, the brakes on our 2011 model year prius (purchased new in february 2012), failed to engage. The first time occurred when i was driving (with one of my teenagers in the car with me), and the second time occurred when my wife was driving the car alone. In both instance we pressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond at all.…
ODI 10564732
Service Brakes
My son was driving my prius 2011 - i was in the passenger seat. We were sitting at a red light and he had his foot on the brake. Suddenly the car surged ahead although my son still had his foot on the brake. Immediately lights came up on the dash - brake, abs? And picture of a car with skid marks. The brakes were then spongy, there sometimes and then not. I have it in the toyota shop now and the repairs have been…
ODI 10550145
Service Brakes
Love my prius until i started to become scared daily by the unsafe driving conditions due to the car's tendency to lurch forward while braking over bumpy ground or potholes when coming to a stop or slowing down to turn. It's rather startling and fortunately has not caused an accident yet for no other car has been around when this happens. A different story with the other more serious issue with the braking system…
Crash reported
ODI 10547701
Service Brakes
While pressing the brake pedal in a bumpy road ,i feel the car accelerates and try to jump and i usually press the brake hard to stop. I have been experiencing this several times but never report. To clarify more , it happens while pressing the brake.
ODI 10763269
Service Brakes
Was at a complete stop at a red light with my foot on the brake pedal. While at the red light, the brake pedal went completely to the floor. *js
ODI 10545179
Service Brakes
My brakes consistently lock and the car lunges forward when i hit a pothole while braking. This caused a crash when the car was only a couple years old when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and it lunged forward into the back of a car. This is extremely dangerous and i've seen this comment often with this vehicle. I don't understand why toyota has not addressed this issue.
Crash reported
ODI 11110691
Service Brakes
Was exiting the highway and was braking on the off ramp when i lost brakes and had to drive up on the bank. Upon releasing the brake pedal and re-engaging the brakes, i had brakes and came to a stop. *js
ODI 10545180
Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota prius. The contact stated that while braking on an incline, an abnormal metal-on-metal noise was heard from the vehicle. The noise would become louder when there was only one occupant in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer fives times however, they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate…
ODI 10586111
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes
While driving at a slow speed, the traction control, brake and abs failure lights came on. When i attempted to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor without actuating the abs system. I was unable to stop the vehicle using the service brakes. Since i was traveling at a low speed, i was able to slow down and come to a full stop using the parking brake. Now the vehicle is parked and undriveable. I…
ODI 10533189
Service Brakes
When the brakes are pressed, if you hit a bump or pothole, the brakes lock and the car hydroplanes forward. I hit the back of someone because of this defect.
Crash reported
ODI 10898350
Air Bags · Seats · Service Brakes
I am an excellent driver. I purchased this prius in the summer of 2011. We (my wife and young daughter) were proceeding on juanita drive n.e. In kirkland, wa. My wife and i agree that our speed was approximately 30-33 mph and that there were approximately 3+ car lengths between us and the vehicle in front of us. The weather was dry and sunny. Suddenly, a vehicle three vehicles ahead of us stopped to make a left…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10498096
Service Brakes
Car lurches forward when brakes are applied on bumpy or uneven surfaces, as well as slippery surfaces such as metal plates that you sometimes find covering city streets under construction. On ice, when applied forcefully, no braking action occurs whatsoever, even when pumped or release and reapplied. In jan 2013, car slid more than 150' on a lightly snowy road into a ditch. My sense is anti-lock brakes are…
Crash reported
ODI 10553888
Service Brakes · Vehicle Speed Control
First incident: was traveling approx. 15 mph on side street. Icy conditions. Attempted to stop at stop sign and car lurched forward, carrying me through intersection. Dealership could not replicate and thought mat might not have been fully seated. Toyota case # [xxx] 2nd and third incidences one month later (both on 2/23/2013) in fine weather conditions. 25 mph. Attempted to stop at stop sign and car lurched…
ODI 10499911
Service Brakes
I was traveling down a mountainous road and the road surface changed from gravel to asphalt. I was also braking at the same time when the brakes seem to become nonexistent and the car just lurched forward. This has happened 3 times before. *tr
ODI 10489219
Service Brakes
Car was off and parked. When i entered the vehicle to turn the car on, i held the brake and pressed the power button in order to start the car. And with my foot still on the brake, i shifted the car into reverse to pull out of the parking spot. As soon as the car was shifted into reverse, the car moved backwards with my foot fully pressed on the brake. The car felt like the brakes were not engaged. I looked down to…
ODI 10504303
Body · Service Brakes
We purchased a 10 month old toyota prius on march 16nd 2012 with only 1367 miles. The prior owner who was leasing this car returned the car due to mileage inconsistency..... On oct 5th 2012, i was driving on sunny dry day at 22mph the vehicle in front of me slowed down. I stepped on the brake to slowdown but the car did not stop. When i stepped on the brake it did not respond immediately, i applied complete pressure…
Crash reported
ODI 10482485
Service Brakes
I have experienced brake issues with my 2011 prius model since i leased the car in december 2011. When i am traveling at low speeds and i try to break going down hill and /or break over a bump in the road, the car accelerates prior to fully stopping. This has happened a total of 5 times since i leased the vehicle. It always seems to happen while i travel at lower speeds and the car lurches forward as i hit the…
ODI 10505147
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2011 Toyota Prius.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.