2013 Toyota Prius Brakes

Failure of ABS module and actuator..Known problem with Prius

A very common issue with 2012-2015 models caused by a defective part that causes the brake fluid to leak into the brake actuator causing an eventual DTC C1391 error code that Toyota previously had a recall and warranty on the parts. ABS has failed, traction control is non-responsive and the brake light is on. This is an issue that Toyota was previously aware of and only recently discontinued their “extended” warranty for the failed parts - despite this occurring in the upper mileage life of the car. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

There has always been this ringing sound when releasing the brakes. I had it looked at and was told there was no issue. Then while driving it felt like the brakes locked and all of the sensors came on the dashboard. I had those scanned and was told they were sensor issues but car started driving/braking ok. Few days later everything locked up. I can’t push the brake at all. I was told the Brake Booster Pump Assembly with Accumulator was shot. So i began research and saw hundreds of complaints for the exact thing in my make and model and year. This could have killed someone had it happened on a highway. This should be a recall, major issue that numerous are experiencing.

I am experiencing the issue described in the BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLIES recall issued by Toyota for the Prius, which for me ended in 2023. The vehicle is unsafe to drive without performing this $4000 repair (dealer cost), which is almost more than my car is worth. Toyota should issue another extension for the repair coverage since they are known to be faulty. The previous recall and extension of the recall can be found here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Break booster issue. Car only has 63,465 miles. Toyota has received reports about certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster. Problem is, not many have had luck getting the part covered because it's likely that the problem does not commonly present itself until after the warranty expires.

The ABS system has failed, and I have to pony up $3000 + for repair, since the warranty extension from Toyota has expired - 10 years since first use (even though I have only had it for 5 years). I have less than 150,000 miles on this car, which is the the other parameter for service coverage for this problem. Toyota knows these parts fail, and they extended the warranty, BUT there is no recourse if your car is over the 10 year limit, even if under the mileage limit. it is a safety issue and should be addressed no matter the age of the car. I can't afford the cost of repair and so will gamble on not needing to use the antilock brakes.

My prius have a scan code: C1391 and my brakes don’t work good i almost crash. And I traying to see what happen online but i see hundreds and hundreds, of prius with this problems, you need to do something and do a Recall. This is a recurring problem with Prius models, and they never do anything about it. It seems like Toyota is paying someone not to do the recall.

6/12/25 I'm driving my 2013 Prius w 123K m through a construction zone. The road became bumpy and when I depressed the brake nothing happened. Thinking I must have hit air or be imagining things I tried the other pedal. The acceleration re-oriented me to the fact that my brakes were non-existent. Many lights I've never seen illuminated on the dash as I looked into my mothers eyes to say we had no brakes. I was somehow able to pull safely. After the initial loss of braking I discovered I had a small amount of stop if I put the pedal on the floor. The closest local shop thought most of the internal braking system related to the pump and actuator would need to be replaced but requested I get an opinion from Toyota. At drop off I had requested they top off the brake fluid, despite their informing me that was never necessary. Perhaps this repressurized the system because upon visiting the car all dash lights were off and the brakes felt normalish. The shop did not know why. This is my only transportation.At 9:30 in the AM 6/14/25 I proceeded to the closest Toyota dealership w the safest direct route slowly with hazard lights and lots of space from other cars. While waiting for diagnosis I discovered this exact issue was a known defect and had been the subject of a class action lawsuit and customer service bulletin of which i had no notice. Since 2022/2023 the car had been briefly and consistently losing traction over minor bumpy conditions. Without notice of the issue I had no way to know this was a precursor to Total brake failure. This car was serviced at 3 Toyota dealerships during the extended warranty authorized by the CSB. I was never apprised of the potential issue, and expressly requested a list of recalls related to my vehicle at Lumberton Toyota in 2022 which they refused to provide. I therefore googled recalls, but this issue was not a recall. I have never heard of a CSB. Two Toyota dealers quoted me the full price to replace the braking system, $3,273.94.

when test driving the vehicle I asked about this buzzing/ whirring noise while sitting in the running but parked car. I was told these cars are hybrids, the electrical components make all sorts of whirring and humming noises and not to be concerned. Over the years I heard this noise, increasingly more and more, but I never knew it was something to pay attention to. Fast forward to July 2025. I noticed the car is inching forward while I’ve been stopped for a while at a red light almost like the brakes don’t want to hold. This has been happening so often that I have began to put the car in park while waiting for lights to turn green because it gets painful having to push the brake so far down. I take my car to a mechanic, explain all of the noises and the sensations and two mechanics Drive it but say it feels fine and there are no recalls. They say my front brake pads are low and that must be what I’m feeling. After replacing the brake pads nothing had changed. Now there is also a squeak while moving at a slow speed in stop and go traffic. 1 week later i bring it up while getting an oil change and ask if they know what it could be. They said brakes seemed fine. A couple weeks go by and yesterday while I was driving down the highway in heavy school traffic out of nowhere my car makes a clunk noise and all of these lights pop up on the dash. I roll the windows down and scream for my children to hold on because something was wrong. Luckily we were able to get to safety but I definitely had reduced breaking capabilities. I immediately take the car in and and find out my brake booster and accumulator has failed. service tech brings up the consumer program but my car is a 2013 and it is not eligible to be repaired bc it’s 10+ yrs. Even though Toyota admits to internal malfunctions of the Brake Booster Assembly, and my car is only at 76,000 mi it’s not being fixed. This is negligence on Toyotas part. Not fixing these faulty parts is endangering lives.

For last 4 years i have been noticing a hissing sound when brake pedal is pressed. At first it was unclear to me where it could be coming from, and no indicator light has triggered. I have brought this to the attention of toyota dealership when i first noticed it and the individual couldn't really make out what it was. The sound has now gotten worse, and upon further studies i am learning that there was indeed a recall pertaining to the brake booster and actuator, but my car for some reason is not included. This is a major safety issue and i expect toyota to help resolve. Please help.

CODE C1391 for leak in brake accumulator pressure. All brake system lights flashed (e-brake, traction control, ABS).

My vehicle displays the anti-skid light when brakes are applied. I also hear a chirping noise and brake pump activation noise when the vehicle's brakes are utilized and as the vehicle is stopped. Information on the internet indicates this is a serious issue with the Prius Gen III brake system, requiring replacement of the hydraulic brake booster and pump. This brake failure should not be happening, and Toyota has already identified this problem. This Prius has been trouble free up to this point and has ~185,000 miles.

Toyota defective ABS system- revised master cylinder&brake booster pump never changed by dealership except misleading inspection and breach of recall in 2020. The incident happened last year in Sep 2024 dangerous on hwy or freeway. Thank got I was on the side street with beeping vehicle and codes on the dashboard, barely with serious risk went back home! As a defective parts they should be replaced for free or customer should received reimbursement! A professional dealer who performs  ONLY AN INSPECTION for a “recall” in 2020 should replace the factory-damaged part and not brazenly wait for the codes to appear on the dashboard, depriving the customer of free replacement of the factory-defective ABS system. "the complaint was originally filed over the Toyota hybrid system problems in Feb. 2020, presenting claims on behalf of owners of certain 2010 through 2015 Toyota Prius and Prius PHV, 2012 through 2015 Toyota Prius V, 2012 -2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Avalon Hybrid vehicles that contain the defective braking system" ... This complaint accuses Toyota of placing PROFITS before the lives and safety of hundreds of thousands of drivers and passengers whose brakes are defective, but must wait for the potentially life-threatening brake booster defect to occur before the manufacturer will address it. The lawsuit ; ;"presents claims of breach of warranties, false advertisement, illegal sales practices, fraudulent concealment, unfair and deceptive trade practices, unjust enrichment and various other allegations on behalf of hundreds of thousands of impacted vehicle owners across the nation". Similar problem with defective piston rings in my engine which was burning oil under 85-87k based on NEW WORLD ORDER which cost catastrophic engine failure in so many brands and models -2010-2025 Toyota is playing idiotic game about defective products/parts from Toyota Motor Corporation #8rebuild engine [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

CODE C1391 - Brake booster assembly failure

Last year, the brake light failure came on the dashboard. I brought the car to a repair shop they diagnosed the problem as a rusted brake line on the passenger side. Bill approximately $700 for the repair. Over the last weekend, I was driving near my home, and the same indicator lights came on. I drove home and when I got home, noticed that there was brake fluid on my garage floor. I checked the brake fluid level there was none detected. I filled it up with brake fluid and waited until the next day, and the level seemed stable. I started the car to bring it to a local repair shop. No more indicator lights were showing. The repair shop said it was the driver's side brake line that had rusted out. $400 for it to be replaced. I reported this to Toyota today. Reference Number #250516001403

Brake accumulator suddenly failed in vehicle. Known issue from manufacturer

Brake actuator went out on 2013 Toyota Prius Gen 5. The part is very expensive and in my opinion is a part that should not have to be replaced. The care has 120,000 miles. It is driven very softly, meaning not fast and hard but commuting to work and grocery store as needed. A nice commuter. It is not fast but gets you there. The actuator put me at risk as stepping on the brake was hard and the car did not want to stop and I was close to hitting the car in front of me. All the lights came on at the dashboard and I was very scared to continue to drive and had to get a tow truck.

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.

The brake booster pump assembly has been failed.everytime I tried to stop the. vehicle the brake pedal will go to the floor and it will take longer to stop the car. IT has been inspected by my mechanic and conformed the problem

failure of the brake booster system resulting in no ABS function, appears to be a common problem with this vehicle.

ABS, Brake, and Traction Control light came up had dealer review these and got error code C1391 and P0441. Initially they said its covered by Toyota customer service program which covered upto 150k miles as my vehicle only has 98k miles. Later they said only 10 years from the vehicle service which ended in 2023 and quoted $4500 to fix. Previously i asked them to check before expiration since it was not showing consistent light on they could not fix it. Reading through several forums it seems like consistent issue should have been included in recall not customer support program.

While driving on the highway at ~70 mph, the brakes just gave out and I narrowly escaped crashing into someone as I drove into the median having been unable to stop in the expected distance. The ABS light just came on and apparently it’s a very known issue that Toyota is refusing to fix or intimate owners. I have been going to the same dealership for 12+ years and never had this brought up by them.

Was driving on the freeway and 3 dash lights lit up. found out the brake accuator is failing. apparently this is a known issue for toyota priuses.

I had my car serviced Oct 21 and when I picked it up the vehicle brakes made a whooshing noise and felt spongy. I thought it must be ok as they had just serviced it but when it became apparent this could be a problem I took it back Nov 1 and was told the hydraulic brake booster pump needing replacing at the cost of $3400. I was shocked as they told me it could break completely AT ANY TIME but the brakes would still work. I decided to drive it home as that is an enormous car repair bill and I would have to get financing or get a different car. I didn't want to make rash decisions. I investigated the issue and found out this was a recall for these vehicles for 2010 through 2019 models. This same dealer did not mention this to me at the time of sale, that they had been subject to a recall, and since I did not have them inspect the car immediately after service (I had to miss work and my son drove me after he was off work and I feared they would close before I arrived so I had them park the car outside and the sales desk had the key). I thought I would drive it but after reflection I do not want to endanger other people if my brakes fail. This is a clear violation of the public trust that these cars are yet on the road.

The brake booster and ABS system failed requiring replacement of the entire system. A Toyota dealer service center examined the vehicle and deemed it unsafe to drive until the repairs were made. It was held for months due to part availability.