2002 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems

“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.”

“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.”

“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?”

“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. …”

“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. …”