1. MULTIPLE EVENTS, IN ORDER OF FREQUENCY: A) HIGH SPEED W/CRUISE CONTROL (65-75MPH) B) HIGH SPEED BEFORE BRAKING (65-75MPH) C) HITTING A BUMP BEFORE BRAKING 2. MULTIPLE EVENTS: A) CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW / OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, MAYBE 12-15 OCCURRENCES / GAINED CONTROL BY TURNING CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND FIRMLY PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL B&C) CAR WAS…
2005 Toyota Prius brakes problems
severe 254 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
254
Recalls
0
Crashes
27
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
EVEN MINOR TREPIDATION CAUSED BY ANY UNEVENNESS IN THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WILL DISENGAGE THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND RISK OF CRASH INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. I OBSERVED THIS PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY IN SEVERAL PRIUS RANGING FROM 2005 TO 2010 SINCE I PURCHASED MINE IN APRIL 2012. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO A COUPLE OF DEALERSHIP…
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 254 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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