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 2011 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am filing this complaint to report an active, severe safety defect involving a sudden, un-warned loss of power braking assist due to a failing factory brake actuator/booster pump assembly. My vehicle is exhibiting the exact internal hydraulic seal failure, pressure drop, and audible hissing/sipping sound outlined in Toyota's prior technical service bulletins. Because the onboard ECU computer only triggers warning lights once a complete, catastrophic failure threshold is met, the system is currently masking the defect from the dashboard. However, the physical hardware is actively failing, requiring the high-pressure pump to run constantly to maintain braking pressure. This component failure dramatically increases stopping distances and presents an immediate, unreasonable risk of a crash. …
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal harder and the vehicle almost came to a complete stop. The ABS warning light, the brake warning light, and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she exited the highway and was able to continue to drive by slightly depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an internal malfunction of the brake booster and the brake booster assembly pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact contacted the manufacturer and inquired about assistance with repairing the vehicle under an unknown customer satisfaction program. …
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine, service brakes, ABS, and the traction control system warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the road for approximately 3 minutes before continuing to drive to her residence. The contact stated on March 17, 2023, while her husband was approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle properly. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated. The driver stated that the vehicle cruised to a stop independently. The driver decided to drive at a slow speed to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake master cylinder, the brake pump assembly, and the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, ABS, and brake lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the contact heard air coming from the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed brake booster pump assembly. The contact was informed that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that there was an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program with a similar failure description however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the emergency brake and traction control warning lights remained illuminated, and the stopping distance was extended while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the hydraulic brake booster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the manufacturer extended coverage for the failure. The contact stated that over the years the vehicle had experienced failures which included brake pedal stiffness and unintended acceleration after driving over bumps in the roadway. The failure mileage was 9,000. The VIN was not available.
On April 25, 2023 I started my Prius and as soon as I braked I knew something was not right. I noted that warning light were on. When I pushed on brake pedal, the resistance was very soft for about 2 inches of pedal travel. At that point the brakes grabbed very quickly. I drove to the Toyota dealership (Huntington Beach Toyota) and was informed later that day that the master and pump master cylinder needed to be replaced. The dealer said that Toyota did have a program to replace these assemblies, but had not issued a recall, which (in my opinion) it should have. I've had quite a few cars, most of which lasted for more than 200,000 miles. I've never had such a failure nor have I heard of one. Clearly there was a manufacturing defect that should have required a recall.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond. The contact did not recall the number of feet in stopping distance delay. The ABS warning light, traction control warning light, tire pressure warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The Brake message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake booster and the brake booster pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the failure was a known failure however, the extended warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the front-end of the vehicle, and the brake pedal required pumping to slow the vehicle. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was an accumulator pressure leak. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: DP19004 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the battery was drained frequently upon starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was firm while depressing, with several warning lights including the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and based from the noise coming from the vehicle; the mechanic determined that the brake booster and brake booster assembly were defective. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to stop the vehicle due to the brake pedal being depressed to the floorboard. The contact stated that the traction control, ABS, and brake warning lights would appear upon starting the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective ABS actuator control unit and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
NHTSA investigations
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights.
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s).
Brake complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 277 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 53% of the model year's 521 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Prius brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 Toyota Prius, though it has 6 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 2011 Toyota Prius brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.