Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving speed less than 25mph on familiar surface street with need to stop for a car about 75 feet (estimate) in front; should have been an easy stop; applied brakes but car accelerated (I think only electric motor); further brake pressure did not stop the car, continued to accelerate (estimate 30 MPH); fender bender crash of driver side front fender into passenger rear fender and side bumper. Very familiar with car (19 years driving it) and very familiar street near my home; confusion was not a factor; no airbags on either car activated; I was able to stop when I was beyond the struck vehicle. I plan on not driving car further and have asked Toyota dealer to take it back for junk without a definite reply so far
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. She stated while pulling out from a driveway and applying the brakes, the brakes did not engage and caused her to crash into another vehicle. The vehicle sustained extensive damages to the entire front structure and was towed from the scene. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint filed. The failure and current mileages were 24,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the brake indicator on the instrument panel remains illuminated, regardless if the brakes are engaged or not. The vehicle has been to the dealer three times and they discovered a leak in the brakes. Brake fluid was added to remedy the failure, but the indicator illuminated again a few days later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they informed him not to worry about the failure. There was no attempt to repair the failure. Weeks later, the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and they discovered that the brake activator failed. The vehicle was out of warranty; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repairs. He refused to pay for the repairs and the manufacturer will not assume responsibility. In addition, the check engine lamp in the vehicle has also illuminated. …
I believe Toyota has known of the braking problem all along. I purchased new, a 2002 Prius. In 2008 my anti-locking brake system went out. The service mgr. Told me it needed a new relay, and he could fix it for $1700. I have never in my life seen a relay costing $1700. My brakes still worked, just not properly so I didn't spend the $1700. As long as Toyota can get their customers to spend $1700. There is no need to have a recall. I have around 47000 miles on the vehicle and am on my third set of rotors and brake pads. My tires actually last longer. I believe this braking problem has been around from day one. I think ray lahood should check frequency of this repair against customers records, it might reveal a consistent fault.
Since I purchased my Toyota Prius in late 2001, it has intermittently surged when the brake is pressed. While I do not have the high speed surges that other drivers have reported, periodically when I am at low speeds and press the brake to stop, the car will slow to a stop, then lurch forward, requiring me to press the brake harder to maintain control. I reported this to Toyota in 2001 and 2002, but I was told that this was normal for a hybrid, which was fairly new technology at the time. I am concerned that in the future I May have a higher speed surge. So far my surges have been low speed, and I have been able to control them by pressing the brake harder.
I have always had problems with the brakes on the Prius, but the dealer keeps telling me there is nothing wrong with it. Yet you first hit the brakes on they are OK, but if you have to hit them hard - no brakes...yet the dealer can't find anything wrong with it. "the computer doesn't show anything wrong" I guess I will have to kill someone before I can get them to listen and fix the problem. The last 12 years have been a nightmare......why can't we get them to recall this? I seen so many people you complain about the same thing yet nothing is done?
My 2002 Prius has braking problems when it hits a rough patch of pavement or encounters small bumps. This has happened since it was purchased (new). If you are slowing down and hit a bump or a series of bumps, the braking power literally disappears for a moment or two. The braking power does return, but it adds considerably to your stopping distance. I never realized how serious it could be until I heard about the other Toyota recalls involving brakes.
2002 Toyota Prius accident the consumer stated she was leaving a meeting when she attempted to release her emergency brake. She was parked on an incline and has parked there once a month for over a year. Before she knew what was happening, the vehicle started to roll backwards at such high speed that she was unable to control it by braking. Therefore, she side swiped another vehicle and caused over $10,500 worth of damage to both cars.
Brake and ABS light came on. Brakes lost complete braking ability. Luckily we were on a hill off the interstate exit when this happened so the car could not go further, though it almost crashed into the person in front of us (that person turned off road). This is 100% dangerous! The car currently sits at my house. Too dangerous to drive. When brake pads were checked last I was told brakes were 80% new, so it is clearly not the pads.
While decelerating and driving over speed bump/raised cross walk, brakes feel like they release and the car surges forward. Has happened on a regular basis when similar conditions exist (pot holes, or anything that might cause loss of traction on 1 wheel). Dealer insists that this is "normal" for anit-lock brakes. Really just a matter of time before it results in rear-ending someone due to unexpected surge.
Brake complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Toyota Prius, 12% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is power assist (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Prius brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Toyota Prius, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Prius brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.