2004 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems

Codes C1256 and C1391 ACC low pressure and abnormal leak of ACC press

NHTSA ID

11689579

Incident

Sep 24, 2025

ABS failure. Won't pressurize. Anti-lock brakes quit working.

NHTSA ID

11452343

Incident

Sep 13, 2021

Toyota has issued time-limited 'Warranty enhancement program ZG1' instead of working with the NHSTA to issue a comprehensive BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY RECALL. ZG1 was explicitly in place only from April 2016 to Dec 2017, requiring dealer verification of an actual system failure prior to 31 Dec 2017. My failure occurred in 2021 and Toyota will not extend ZG1 for me (case 211015000390). Obviously the BRAKE ACTUATOR is a key safety component. Obviously this is a design flaw - brake systems MUST be designed to last the life of the vehicle. Obviously Toyota has had an excessive number of failures. Toyota is improperly using this 'warranty enhancement program ZG1' to avoid the NHSTA and to avoid responsibility for the poor BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY design. Per their letter to owners, Toyota was NOT replacing the BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY on a preventive basis prior to actual brake failure. Because of the importance and severity, Toyota should have replaced the BRAKE ACTUATORS via a recall. I would like Toyota to fix my faulty brakes at their expense.

NHTSA ID

11441812

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

BRAKE ACTUATOR WENT OUT AND DEALER SAID TOYOTA USED TO COVER IT, BUT NOT ANYMORE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THIS [PART IS BAD IN MOST PRIUS VEHICLES AND TOYOTA EXTENDED THE COVERAGE ON THE 2010-2015 UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2021. UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS 2004 AND DOES NOT GET THE BENEFIT OF THE EXTENSION. THE COST TO REPAIR IS ALMOST $4,000. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD REPAIR MY CAR AS THEY ARE WITH THE OTHER YEARS 2010-2015. THIS IS A DRIVER SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11416310

Incident

May 12, 2021

Mileage

242,520 mi

WHEN STOPPING SUDDENLY SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 PRIUS WOULD NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY AS THEY SHOULD. THEY WOULD RELEASE THE CALIPERS COMPLETELY AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP WOULD BE TO LET OFF THE BRAKES AND PRESS THEM AGAIN. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN BUT IT IS REGULAR ENOUGH THAT THIS HAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ME VERY MUCH. TODAY I WAS FOLLOWING A CAR WHO SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES VERY SUDDENLY AND THEREFOR I ALSO HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO RELEASE THE BRAKES AND PRESS THEM AGAIN CAUSING ME TO HIT THE BACK OF THE CAR THAT I WAS FOLLOWING. I MAINTAIN MY CARS VERY WELL AND THIS CAR WAS IN TOP CONDITION WITH BRAND NEW TIRES. THE BRAKES DO NOT EVEN ACTIVATE ENOUGH TO SQUEAL OR LEAVE ANY RUBBER BEHIND. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I COULD POSSIBLY HAVE STOPPED IN TIME. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE CARS.

NHTSA ID

11257981

Incident

Sep 25, 2019

Mileage

138,000 mi

BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, JUST AS PREDICTED IN TOYOTA'S WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT ZG1. TOYOTA KNOWS THE PART IS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNTIL IT FAILED, AND MINE DID NOT FAIL UNTIL AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DEADLINE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ON I-45 NEAR MADISONVILLE AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE A WARNING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON.

NHTSA ID

11246485

Incident

Aug 18, 2019

Mileage

138,900 mi

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN WE TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES AND IT FELT LIKE WE ONLY HAD 10% OF OUR BRAKING ABILITY. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND ABS LIGHT WENT ON AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS A WARNING BUZZER. IT FELT LIKE WE HAD MANUAL BRAKES.

NHTSA ID

11208876

Incident

May 18, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS, VCS AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ALL CAME ON. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $3,000. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS: REPLACE BRAKE ACCUMULATOR ASSY. (BRAKE ACCUMULATOR ASSY. LEAK/ LOW PRESSURE (C1256, C1391))

NHTSA ID

11174988

Incident

Jan 29, 2019

Mileage

111,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE PRIUS ON CITY STREETS IN RAIN. I CAME TO A STOP AND STARTED TO DRIVE AND A BUNCH OF EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND BEEPING STARTED. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL NOISE OR GRINDING UNTIL I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AND HAD SIGNIFICANTLY LOST BRAKING POWER. ALL LIGHTS AND BEEPING CONTINUED AFTER TURNING OF AND RESTARTING THE PRIUS. I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD BRAKE ACTUATOR. AS BEING A PRIUS OWNER I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND KNOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THAT 9 MONTHS AGO TOYOTA WAS REPLACING THIS PART FOR FREE. I FEEL LIKE TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS MY PRIUS ONLY HAS 80K MILES AND A 3 THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR IS PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS FOR A CAR THAT HASN'T EVEN HIT 100K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11123316

Incident

Aug 28, 2018

Mileage

82,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WERE 5 PASSENGERS IN THE CAR INCLUDING ME. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD ALARM IN THE CAR. IT WAS A LOUD BEEP. THE BREAKS COMPLETELY FAILED. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BREAKS THEY DID NOT REACT. I WAS GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT GOING DOWN HILL. I USED THE ENGINE BRAKE AND PRESSED REALLY HARD ON THE BREAKS TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP ON AN OFF-RAMP. SINCE I WEIGHT 300 POUNDS I COULD PUT ALL MY WEIGHT INTO THE BRAKES AND FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO A STOP. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED. THE WHOLE EPISODE TOOK LIKE 3 MINUTES. IT WAS AGONIZING BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO CRASH AGAINST OTHER CARS BECAUSE I HAD NO WAY OF INFORMING THEM THAT I HAD NO BRAKES. THE IDEA OF GOING IN THE RAMP WAS TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE TO OTHER PEOPLE. THE ALARM CONTINUES WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR. I TOOK THE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS THE CULPRIT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME. I WAS SITTING ON A FAULTY PART. THEY SAID IT WAS ON A WARRANTY AND NOT ON A RECALL SO THEY COULD HAVE ONLY FIXED IT IF IT FAILED AND I WAS TOO LATE FOR THE FIX. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2017. IN OTHER WORDS, MY 147,700 MILES TOYOTA IS ESSENTIALLY TOTALED. THE FIX COST MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME TO DISABLE THE ABS AND I WOULD BE OK. A MAVIS BRAKE MECHANIC TELLS ME NOT RISK IT. I ALWAYS TOOK MY TOYOTA TO SERVICE AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS. THEY NEVER MENTIONED THE RECALL IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN THEY PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGE THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND THEN TURN ON. I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF IN THE CAR. I FEEL LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM LOOKING FOR A MECHANIC TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS HARD TO FIND INDEPENDENT HYBRID MECHANICS. TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE $2800

NHTSA ID

11115868

Incident

May 25, 2018

Mileage

147,000 mi

ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED. I'M GETTING THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WITH THE LOUD CONSTANT BEEPING TONE IN CAR. THE REAR BRAKES ARE ONLY BEING ACTIVATED AND I CAN BARELY STOP.

NHTSA ID

11105409

Incident

Jul 3, 2018

Mileage

203,859 mi

BOUGHT CAR A FEW WEEKS AGO AND LIGHTS CAME ON AND BRAKES DID T WORK. VERY SCARY. TOYOTA DEALER SAID I MISSED A WARRANTY EXTENSION LAST YEAR. BRAKE ACTUATOR PROBLEMS THEY SAID. VERY DANGEROUS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11101800

Incident

Jun 4, 2018

Mileage

62,350 mi

THE BRAKE ACTUATOR IN MY CAR, WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THESE CARS GAVE OUT AS CONFIRMED BY BOTH TOYOTA AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD GET EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID

11089148

Incident

Sep 20, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR'S BREAK LIGHTS WENT ON, AS WELL AS THE ABS AND VSC WARNING LIGHTS. STRANGE NOISES ARE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOOD OF THE CAR DUE TO THAT. I ALSO FEEL LIKE MY CAR DOES NOT BREAK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID

11084660

Incident

Apr 5, 2018

Mileage

153,800 mi

MY PRIUS SUDDENLY HAD A 70 TO80% LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. MY PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ABS, VCS, THE RED TRIANGLE AND A LOAD BUZZER. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED I COULD HAVE REAR-ENDED OR KILLED SOMEONE. AFTER TURNING MY CAR OFF AND LETTING IT SIT THE LIGHTS STAYED OFF. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO A FALSE SENSE THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SEEMED TO KNOW RIGHT AWAY IT WAS THE ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR CODE C1256. I DID SOME DIGGING AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND YET IT'S NOT A RECALL ISSUE. I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY PRIUS WAS BOUGHT NEW BY MY SENIOR PARENTS, THEY KEPT IT GARAGED AND ONLY HAD 45000. MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT FROM THERE ESTATE. AT THE TIME THE MALFUNCTION AC CURED IT STILL ONLY HAS 72456. MILES ON IT. FOR A PART TO MALFUNCTION WITH SUCH LITTLE MILES TO ME INDICATES A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT. IN MOTION GOING STRAIGHT DRIVING AT 25 MPH RESIDENTIAL STREET.

NHTSA ID

11082096

Incident

Mar 28, 2018

Mileage

72,436 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10761515

Incident

Mar 15, 2015

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF AN SUV. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE TOE INJURIES ON THE RIGHT FOOT, INCLUDING ONE FRACTURED TOE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000.

NHTSA ID

10734529

Incident

Jun 23, 2015

Mileage

205,000 mi

AS I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL THE ABS VSC BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE PEDAL BECAME MUSH AND I LOST POWER BRAKING. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PULLED OFF THE SHOULDER JUST MISSING THE GUARD RAIL. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS FAULTY PROBLEM AND NOW THEY DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE 3,000 TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID

10732021

Incident

Jul 3, 2015

Mileage

268,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT STILL ON AFTER RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL . *TR

NHTSA ID

10655311

Incident

Nov 11, 2014

Mileage

93,268 mi

2004 & 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR VIEW VISIBILITY AND BRAKING ISSUES IN BOTH VEHICLES. *SMD

NHTSA ID

10541671

Incident

Sep 2, 2013

I WAS TRAVELING ON I95 WHEN ALL THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (ABS, BRAKE, ETC.). I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK. FINALLY, THE REGEN SYSTEM KICKED IN, AND SLOWED THE CAR. WHEN I JAMMED MY FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR STOPPED WITH A JERK. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED (WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON), I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (KENDALL TOYOTA), THEY RESET AND RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTERS IN THE CAR, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME, THE ABS COMPUTER HAD A HARD FAILURE. THEY REPLACED IT WITH A LOW MILEAGE USED PART, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST THURSDAY. BROUGHT IT INTO KENDALL TOYOTA ON THURSDAY EVENING, AND ON FRIDAY THEY TOLD ME THE I NEEDED A NEW ABS COMPUTER. TURNS OUT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE ABS COMPUTER, BUT NEVER SENT OUT ANY NOTICE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS IS WHY THE USED PART DIDN'T LAST LONG. THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FAULTY BRAKING IN THE PAST (SEE BELOW). A NEW ABS COMPUTER PLUS INSTALLATION FROM TOYOTA COST APPROXIMATELY $3000. THE SYMPTOMS I WAS HAVING WHEN I REPORTED COMPLAINT # 10292409 WERE IDENTICAL TO THOSE ABOVE, EXCEPT THAT NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. THEY CAR DID NOT WANT TO STOP (AND EVEN SEEMED TO "RUN AWAY") UNTIL I JAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PRIUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515224

Incident

May 30, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE TOOK AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10490772

Incident

Dec 31, 2012

Mileage

101,000 mi

MY 24 YR. OLD CHILD WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING BRAKES AND ENGINE AND TRIANGLE WENT ON. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WOULD NOT TAKE A BATTERY JUMP. HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA SERVICE AND THEY DISCOVERED CODE P0335 PRESENT AND VERIFIED A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, REPLACED IT, AND CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR WORKS NOW. COST FOR DIAGNOSIS AND SERVICE WAS $367.07. THIS FAULTY PART WAS A PART OF A RECALL DATED IN 2006 FOR 2001 AND 2002 PRIUSES. WE WISH TO ADVISE THE AGENCY THAT WE BELIEVE THE YEAR 2004 AND PERHAPS OTHER YEARS OUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SAME RECALL AS THE 2001 AND 2002 PRIUS MODELS WITH RESPECT TO A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WE BELIEVE OUR CAR HAD A FAULTY SENSOR AND THAT WE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE EARLIER RECALL, AND ALSO OBTAIN A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR CHARGES. THIS SUDDEN STOPPING BY THE VEHICLE POSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANY DRIVER. OUR CHILD WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A HORRENDOUS ACCIDENT. WE URGE YOUR AGENCY TO BE PROACTIVE IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482058

Incident

Oct 20, 2012

Mileage

92,521 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE FAULTY BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10452589

Incident

Nov 24, 2011

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON APPLICATION. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ABS ACTUATOR. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE DEFECT COULD POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO THE SKID CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10414995

Incident

May 26, 2011

Mileage

94,000 mi