2007 Toyota Prius service brakes, hydraulic problems

“The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving the speed was unknown due to the instrument cluster being inoperable. On another occasion while driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to operate properly; however, on that occasion the instrument cluster was operating as designed. The vehicle stability control, ABS, and brake light warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with an actuator and brake booster failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,202.”

“I HAVE A 2007 PRIUS. THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 30, 2013 BECAUSE "NO BRAKE". IT WAS IN A STOP AND GO SITUATION TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR IN FRONT STOPPED, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. MY 16 YEARS OLD SON SITTING IN THE CAR OBSERVED THE "NO BRAKE" SCENARIO. THERE WAS A 25 POUND OF RICE IN THE TRUCK DID NOT EVEN MOVE. NO SKIP MARK... NOTHING. TOOK MY CAR TO LONGO TOYOTA AND FOUND NOTHING WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, OTHER THAN THE FRONT PAD WAS THIN, TIRES WERE MARGINAL ETC. NONE OF THE FINDINGS EXPLAINED THE NO BRAKE SCENARIO. FOR SOME REASON I CANNOT MAKE THIS NO BRAKE TO APPEAR AGAIN. I WANT PEOPLE TO AWARE OF THIS AND GATHER INFORMATION. IT APPEARS TO ME THE PRIUS CANNOT RESPONSE TO A QUICK STOP AT SLOW SPEED. SOMEHOW, THE CAR TAKES MORE THAN A SECOND FOR THE BRAKING TO KICK IN - THE REACTION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE INSTANTANEOUS. AND IF YOU ARE TOO CLOSE, THAT EXTRA ONE SECOND WAIT WILL CAUSE A COLLISION.”

“WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN DECELERATION AND THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE BRAKES RELEASE FOR A SECOND, THEN GRAB AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH FOOT PRESSURE HAS NOT CHANGED.”

“I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A 4-LANE BOULEVARD. THE VEHICLE AHEAD IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT SLOWED FOR A CAR IN FRONT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THEN SUDDENLY VEERED INTO MY LANE. I HIT THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT FOR THE FIRST 2-3 SECONDS, MY CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN. IT ALSO DIDN'T MAKE ANY SOUNDS I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED FROM URGENT BRAKING - NO SCREECHING TIRES, ETC. I CONTINUED TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD. AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE BRAKES FINALLY GRABBED AND MY CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I CONSIDERED MYSELF LUCKY THAT I HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AS THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,432. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11”

“DASHBOARD RED LIGHTS WHEN VEHICLE STARTS WITH: BRAKE FAILURE , ABS WARNING AND STABILITY WARNING. FIRST TIME IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO DEALER WHO COULD FIND NO PROBLEM AND RESET CODES. FOUR DAYS LATER SAME WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AGAIN. WERE TOLD HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM WAS OK BUT BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT $2600. COULD BE DRIVEN BUT WITHOUT ABS AND STABILITY CAPABILITY. HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS DUE TO HIGH PRICE. SHOPPING AROUND AT SALVAGE YARDS. *TR”