2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid problems

“My 2013 Prius Plug-In Hybrid with 131k miles on it showed the ABS, Brake, and Traction Control lights while driving last week. Diagnostics from auto shop showed DTC code C1391. System is available for inspection upon request. Safety is definitely at risk, since I am needing to drive it around to assess the issue, and brakes could fail at any time. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. After speaking to Toyota, I was informed that--although under 150k miles--my car is not covered by the extended warranty because it is 2 years past the 10 year requirement. I drove my car very little between 2020-2022 because of the global pandemic. This is a very common issue with 2012-2015 models caused by a defective part, and it's likely that the problem does not commonly present itself until after the warranty expires.”

“While driving on Highway 316E on March 31, 2022, at approximately 10am, at some point, as traffic started to slow down and I applied my brakes I was dumbfounded when my car would not stop! It was frightening, as I watched my car get closer and closer to the large truck in front of it. I kept applying the brake and then pumping the brake. The brakes kept failing and had no pressure or tension in them to stop the car. The brake pedal was flat on the floor. But, thanks to a sufficient distance between my car and the truck in front of it, it rolled to a stop just short of crashing into the back of said truck by an inch or two. Sometime in October of 2024 , I spoke with a Service Rep at Marietta Toyota about a whizzing sound that appeared to be coming from under the hood on the driver’s side. This sound would occur while I was driving and even when I turned the car off. It would continue making this whizzing sound sometimes for as long as 45 minutes after the ignition was turned off. I took the car back to Marietta Toyota and the service rep said the problem was related to the weather. On December 24, 2024, at around 11:00am EST, I parked my car in the parking lot…”

“Pulled out of the driveway drove about a 100 ft heard large clunking sound front end dropped down as if there was a flat tire pulled off the highway drove through the grass 100 ft back to my home the car started smoking from the engine compartment and burst into flames. Tried to extinguish with fire extinguishers and water hose while calling 911. Fire Department extinguished the fire. Car is a complete loss. There was an oil leak trail from where the car first drop down through the grass. The car did not have a previous oil leak. The car had 300,000 miles on it. No one was injured.”

“Took vehicle for state inspection on 2/13/2024, failed inspection because of brake warning lights. Slip indicator, Electronically controlled brake warning light, Brake warning light, Anti-lock brake system, and Low tire pressure lights are all on. I have looked into it, and it seems the brake actuator/booster used to be under warranty, however since this is a 2013 in 2024 with almost 210k miles on it, it no longer qualifies for the original recall.”

“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been inspected for damages. The contact was transported to the local medical center. The contact sustained injuries such as a fractured sternum and a fractured left foot. The contact received treatment and the local medical ctr for a total of four days and then transferred to a primary care facility. In addition, the contact was receiving continued treatment. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,761.”

“The brake actuator keeps buzzing every 3 seconds or so the entire time the car is on and even after I turn the car off and get out. The brakes make a wierd burping noise and the pedal depresses with each noise if I am stopped at a red light or stop sign with my foot on the brakes. All of the brake, abs, and traction control lights lit up. The regenerative braking is no longer working.”