- #58 of 82
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Re: 2004-2009 Prius Brake Failure Rate is High [hal_cat]
by jpeters1970
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Jun 26, 2009 (6:23 pm)
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Replying to: hal_cat (Jun 08, 2009 7:48 am)
A lot of people don't realize that the Prius brakes differently than other cars. When you initially press the brake moderately and you're going 45MPH, the Disc/Drums are NOT engaging, but what is happening is that the generator is applied and converting energy for the battery, Yes the car is slowing down, but without the aid of the conventional braking system. If you slow down faster i.e. press harder, you will eventually engage the disc/drum brakes which will augment the braking power of the vehicle. I have 66,000 trouble free miles in my 2004 Prius and I've driven in snow, rain, dry weather and heavy stop and go city driving. I have never,ever had any incident with respect to the brakes not doing what they're supposed to. I did have one instance which scared the crap out of me and that was unintended acceleration. I had the car cleaned the day before and they put the mats back incorrectly. I took my foot off the accelerator and the car kept going faster!!! I immediately knew what the problem was, pulled over and remounted the mat on the holding pins. Based on the submissions to the NTSB site and also based on other sources (CR, Prius enthusiast sites) there is nothing wrong with the braking system of the Prius.
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- #59 of 82
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Re: 2004-2009 Prius Brake Failure Rate is High [jpeters1970]
by jacquesc
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Jun 27, 2009 (1:58 pm)
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Replying to: jpeters1970 (Jun 26, 2009 6:23 pm)
There is something wrong with the break system. Occasionally a delay occurs between abrupt low speed brake pedal application and brake engagement. It hasn't happened to you - but it exists. And it is a design flaw. And has cost Prius owners thousands in deductibles and raised insurance rates.
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- #60 of 82
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Re: 2004-2009 Prius Brake Failure Rate is High [jpeters1970]
by hal_cat
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Jun 27, 2009 (7:44 pm)
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Replying to: jpeters1970 (Jun 26, 2009 6:23 pm)
You are fortunate, as are almost a million other Prius drivers, who have never encountered the brake problem. I had driven 32K miles with no brake problems what-so-ever. I believe that the problem has to do with the interactions of the energy management software, the brake system software, and the brake hardware. I believe that the problem is the result of some very specific set of conditions which do not happen very often, given that hundreds of thousands of Priuses with the same equipment and software that I have are not crashing daily, or even monthly. I have 14 years experience in writing software for engines and transmissions. I understand how difficult it is to develop a fail-safe system, and how a very simple detail, like comparing two values incorrectly, can make the difference between something working correctly all the time or working correctly almost all the time, and with brakes, almost all the time is not good enough. I also believe that if it were happening all the time, the software and hardware engineers in Japan would have found the problem and corrected it. I do know that I slammed down the brakes hard when I wanted to stop, and that I got absolutely no observable response at all. (I don't know if it was charging my battery prior to slamming me into the car in front of me.) I sincerely hope that you don't have a brake failure like I had, but I know I won't, because I am dumping a two year old Prius which my wife refuses to ride in.
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- #61 of 82
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Re: 2004-2009 Prius Brake Failure Rate is High [hal_cat]
by jpeters1970
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Jun 27, 2009 (8:06 pm)
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Replying to: hal_cat (Jun 27, 2009 7:44 pm)
It must be an extraordinary set of circumstances to replicate this from happening. There are over a million Prius out there and I happen to participate in numerous chats on other boards. I have not read anything about a brake issue other than a few on edmunds. Contrary to what another poster mentioned, my insurance rates have gone DOWN since I got my Prius. I haven't even heard/read anything in the media about it either. You know how stories like that tend to get everyone's attention. Like I said, with all the millions and millions of miles being accumulated daily you would think that this alleged problem would manifest itself more frequently. Oh FYI.... brake: stop break: broken. 
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- #62 of 82
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Re: 2004-2009 Prius Brake Failure Rate is High [jpeters1970]
by nanster630
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Jul 04, 2009 (6:57 am)
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Replying to: jpeters1970 (Jun 27, 2009 8:06 pm)
I just bought a certified used 2005 three weeks ago, and since then I have had this happen TWICE, which is why I'm on the Internet searching for information about it. Fortunately, so far, the break has eventually engaged just in the nick of time but it has made this usually very confident driver more than a little squeamish about driving in Chicago area traffic. I love every other aspect of this car. Are you telling me that Toyota refuses to acknowledge the problem, and there is no way to correct it? HELP!! 
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- #63 of 82
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Re: Prius brake failure [minervinha]
by nanster630
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Jul 04, 2009 (7:09 am)
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Replying to: minervinha (Apr 01, 2009 4:18 pm)
Minerva...I'm with you. I've only had my used 2005 for 3 weeks, and it's already almost failed (grabbed at the last minute) twice. Please let me know -- and I'll do the same -- if you hear about a class action suit. UGH!!! 
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- #64 of 82
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Re: Prius brake failure [nanster630]
by hal_cat
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Jul 04, 2009 (8:41 am)
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Replying to: nanster630 (Jul 04, 2009 7:09 am)
In addition to Edmond, check out:
http://www.hybridcars.com/forums/brake-failure-2007-t1013.html
And, there have been 45 reports to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ (mine included)
I vote
I am in the process of trading up to the latest (2010) Prius, in hopes that the brake problems are fixed. I will be driving with my left foot ready to hit the emergency brake, and as I always do, looking for where to swerve it the brakes don't hold.
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- #65 of 82
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Re: Prius brake failure [hal_cat]
by mnwinter
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Sep 12, 2009 (9:07 am)
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Replying to: hal_cat (Jul 04, 2009 8:41 am)
I picked up my 2010 Prius three weeks ago. I am taking it in today because of brake issues experienced in the last 2 weeks. I spend a lot of time on the highway - haven't experienced problems there - just in town. The brakes engage initially - but then feel like they release. The last time it happened I was turning a corner - it was a little unnerving - that was when I decided it was going in!
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- #66 of 82
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Re: Prius brake failure [mnwinter]
by jacquesc
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Sep 14, 2009 (7:08 am)
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Replying to: mnwinter (Sep 12, 2009 9:07 am)
They will probably tell you nothing is wrong. Same as they did me.
Then, when you need the brakes the most you will hastily apply them, and they will delay in gripping or grip and kinda release. Resulting in a deductible and thousands in damage with diminished vehicle value (since the car has been in an accident). Finally, increased insurance rates. Hopefully no body gets hurt.
FYI to all and Toyota: I have tried to report my concerns this with a discussion over the phone and have not had my voicemails returned.
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- #67 of 82
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Re: Prius brake failure [jacquesc]
by whitey9
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Sep 14, 2009 (8:30 am)
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Replying to: jacquesc (Sep 14, 2009 7:08 am)
Yeah, it's just like with the Priui catching fire at/near the hybrid battery compartment. I have searched thru www.nhtsa.dot.gov for investigations into failing brakes, or fires, and have found NOTHING!
The fires, I suspect, are the result of the hybrid system being modified by an aftermarket company, to become a "plug-in" Prius.
I keep hearing about "no brakes", "brakes failing", but cannot reports, or investigations by the government.
I have had issues with the HID bulbs "burning out", but no other defects have surfaced on my '07.
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