RoadVitals

2014 Toyota Prius C Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Mar 17, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 32 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Toyota Prius C submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2026

Brake actuator assembly known issue in Prius C, Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Part is not cheap.

NHTSA ID
11724852
Incident
Mar 16, 2026
Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 2025

While driving, suddenly all brake lights and warning lights went on, and brakes stopped working normally. It became difficult to brake (brake took a while to engage - had to press pedal to the floor). After diagnostics at the dealership it looks like the brake booster failed. Apparently Toyota knew about this issue as they did an extended warranty through a Customer Support Program, but unfortunately my issue occurred just past the expiration of that warranty. Since brakes are such a critical component of vehicle safety, if they don't operate well or as expected, it endangers the driver and everyone else on the road. It is wild that Toyota is aware of this issue but that there has been no recall yet.

NHTSA ID
11700832
Incident
Nov 13, 2025
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2025

I was told that my Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assembly needed replaced. I had specifically asked my dealership in the past if there were any issues with my car and was told that there was nothing, which was untrue. I called Toyota and was told that I was mailed something back in 2018, but I do not remember receiving it. Now I am told that this has expired. I wanted to know if I had any recourse or extension time on this program 21 TE01. I am afraid that my brakes will not work, as the lights go off and on. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11679204
Incident
Mar 13, 2025
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 14, 2025

Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to replace brake booster assembly with Master cylinder and Brake Booster pump Assembly.

NHTSA ID
11673351
Incident
Jun 10, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 2025

2014 Toyota Prius C with 220k miles. Four warning lights came on while driving. Brakes became not responsive unless you press down very hard. Regenerative braking, went away. The Brake pump can be audibly heard turning on every few seconds.

NHTSA ID
11665317
Incident
Jun 5, 2025
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2021

Brake failure / Unintended Acceleration / Unknown cause Driving at approx 25mph on urban street (road in good condition no potholes, ramps, etc) I began to slowly brake as I approached a red traffic light. Instead of braking, the car began to accelerate quickly. I pressed the brake pedal again - no response. Pressed down hard for a third time which executed an emergency stop. This all happened within 1 or 2 secs. There were no injuries or involvement of other cars on this occasion. However, had I been any closer to the car in front, I believe I would have rear-ended it. Had this occurred a few moments later, at the busy junction 400m ahead, it could have been fatal. I am absolutely sure it was not driver error. I was not distracted, drive regularly, and have been a confident and safe driver for over 30yrs. I have never experienced this in a car before, and in fact wasn't aware that it could happen until I researched it on this site. No warning lights or indicators came on. The car ran normally for the remaining 2 miles back home. I didn't think anything of it before, but prior to this incident (in our 5 yrs ownership) there were approx. 5 instances when the engine would "roar" as if it wanted to accelerate but didn't when I was breaking or slowing down on a highway. Also, there were perhaps 3 instances when the car felt as though it was "running away" i.e. a slight acceleration - for no obvious reason. As neither of these represented safety issues, I assumed the car was just a bit old and these issues would be addressed as part of any service. Now I wonder if they are related to the sudden acceleration. The car is currently having a "health checks" run, but nothing has been found. I am reluctant to drive this vehicle if neither my dealer or Toyota can discern the problem. Overall we have been happy with this car and its performance, but this is an unacceptable "anomaly" as far as safety is concerned. Vehicle available for inspection.

NHTSA ID
11429735
Incident
Aug 18, 2021
Brakes
Filed Aug 14, 2018

WHILE BRAKING THE FRONT WHEEL ROLLED OVER A SUNKEN SEWER COVER CAUSING TEMPORARY BRAKING FAILURE AND A SLIDING SENSATION.

NHTSA ID
11119828
Incident
Jul 29, 2018
Mileage
65,530 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2018

A LOS 3 MESES DE COMPRADO FUE EN MARZO 2017 DIO LA PRIMERA VEZ EL PROBLEMA EN TODO EL SISTEMA DE FRENOS LO REPARE Y AL MISMO TIEMPO EXACTO FINALES DE JUNIO 2017 VOLVIO A DAR EL MISMO PROBLEMA EL CONCESIONARIO NO QUIZO RESPONDER NI PORQUE TENIA GARANTIA LLEVE EL CARRO Y COMO NO SE PODIA MANEJAR POR LOS FRENOS NO SERVIAN ME ENVIARON EL CARRO EN GRUA A MI CASA NO LO USO DESDE AGOSTO Y LO ESTOY PAGANDO Y POR LOGICA YA SUCEDIO DOS VECES EL CARRO NO SIRVE Y YA NO SE A QUIEN PEDIR AYUDA PORQUE EL CARRO AUNQUE SE REPARE SU PROBLEMA SE VOLVERA A REPETIR PORQUE EL CARRO NO SIRVE Y ME E ENCONTRADO UN COMUNICADO DONDE DICEN QUE LOS PRIUS MUCHOS HAN RESULTADO CON EL MISMO PROBLEMA DE LOS FRENOS. TOYATA DIJO EN UNOS DE MIS RECLAMOS QUE ERA MI CULPA Y NI EN LO MAS ABSOLUTO NL ES MI CULPA SOY DUEA DE 3 CARROS MAS Y MAS VIEJOS Y CON NINGUNO HE TENIDO PROBLEMAS DE NINGUNA INDOLE ESPERO PUEDAN AYUDARME PORQUE MI VIDA Y LA DE MI HIJA CORREN PELIGRO AL MANEJAR ESE VEHICULO. ADJUNTO FOTO DE CUANDO DEL DEALER MANDARON MI CARRO PORQUE NO ES NADA SEGURO MANEJARLO.😠

NHTSA ID
11060968
Incident
Jun 29, 2017
Mileage
28,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

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