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BrakesPart report

2009 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems

Complaints
199about this part
Share
40%of 502 total for the year
Median mileage
16,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 199 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Toyota Prius, 40% of the 502 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,000 miles. 24 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Our Prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake makes very annoying noise.”

NHTSA complaint #11161023, filed 2018-12, 100,000 miles

“Our Prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake booster makes very annoying noise.”

NHTSA complaint #11156702, filed 2018-12, 100,001 miles

“Brake actuator malfunctioned and caused me to hit a parked car in my driveway (backing up). Even though I have less than 130k miles on my vehicle, it is a year after the extended warranty I am responsible for paying the $3k repair. The negligence by Toyota in handling this recall is terrible and life threatening. There should be a class action suit against Toyota for the hundreds of injuries and damages by their negligence.”

NHTSA complaint #11296679, filed 2020-01, 130,000 miles

“My headlight passenger side keeps going out after a few seconds of turning on. This keeps me from driving at night. My computer controls on my dash board that works the AC. And displays the information about the car does not work. My ABS break light will not go off. This has affected my breaking system on my car. All of these items I have mentioned all occurred while I was driving the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11056249, filed 2017-12, 215,000 miles

“My car's brake actuator failed while I was on highway. Gladly nothing dangerous happened but I am concerned others will face the similar situation with worst scenario. Toyota told me the warranty expired and quoted me $2600. Please ask Toyota to extend the warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11292275, filed 2019-12, 133,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025213%
202427%
2023210%
2022521%
2021117%
2020429%
20191137%
2018411%
20171415%
20162013%
20159356%
201410349%
201324258%
201220047%
201127853%
20101,94569%
200919940%
200839026%
200733117%
200621015%
200528227%
20047612%
20031616%
20022012%
20011610%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Prius

Exterior lighting
111 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Prius

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology