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A class action lawsuit says that the brakes in some Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid vehicles are defective in a way that can pose a safety hazard.
The Toyota brake class action was filed by California resident Mariano Alaniz, who claims that the 2010-2015 Prius and Prius PHV, the 2012-2015 Prius V, the 2012-2014 Camry Hybrid, and the 2013-2015 Avalon Hybrid vehicles possess defective brake booster pump assemblies.
Alaniz says that in 2017, he purchased a 2014 Toyota Prius from a Toyota-authorized dealer believing it to be free from defects. He claims that, since purchasing the vehicle, he has experienced the brake defect numerous times.
Allegedly, the defect causes Alaniz to have difficulty coming to a stop, even though he applies pressure to the brakes. He claims that this problem has increased his stopping distance. The plaintiff argues that the brake defect and the increased stopping distance pose a serious safety hazard to him, other drivers, and pedestrians near his vehicle.
According to the Toyota brakes class action lawsuit, this defect is common in many of the Class vehicles.
The lawsuit claims that none of the advertisements or representations viewed by Alaniz indicated that the vehicle was defective. Alaniz argues that if Toyota had disclosed the defect, he would not have purchased the vehicle or would have paid less than he did for it.
The Toyota class action lawsuit goes on to assert that Toyota was aware of the defect, and even recalled some vehicles. However, Alaniz argues that this recall only dealt with some of the affected vehicles and not all of the vehicles that possess the defect.
Toyota allegedly defined the defect in a 2013 Defect Information Report sent to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration. The report explained that cracks could develop in the pleated bellows of the metal plunger which contains brake fluid. These cracks, which emerge after use, could then cause nitrogen gas to leak into the brake fluid and “gradually cause the brake pedal strokes to become longer, resulting in decreased hydraulic pressure,” according to the company’s report.
Toyota allegedly said that the condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Toyota reportedly investigated the problem for 18 months and voluntarily issued a recall of some affected vehicles. However, this recall was limited to only some 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h vehicles and none of the vehicles that Alaniz proposes to include in the Class vehicles.
The Toyota class action argues that Toyota was aware that the defect was present in some Class vehicles, noting that the company then issued another recall in 2019, which Alaniz says did still not fully address the problem.
Alaniz seeks damages on behalf of himself and all other similarly affected consumers.
Do you drive a Toyota? Tell us why you chose your vehicle in the comments below.
Alaniz is represented by L. Timothy Fisher and Scott A. Bursor of Bursor & Fisher PA.
The Toyota Brake System Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Mariano Alaniz v. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-01351, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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24 thoughts onToyota Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Brake Defect in Hybrids
Same situation with our 2012 Prius C. Brakes suddenly failed & almost caused accident. Cost $3200 to fix. This is a known problem & Toyota isn’t doing anything except overcharging for repairs. My car has 90,000 miles.
My 2012 gen 3 prius has just had brake failure with codes C1252,1253 and C1256 ,suggesting the Brake power booster with main cylinder are at fault.
Just repaired this issue in my 2011 Prius, it has less then 150k but over the ten year, called corporate spoke to a Tier 2 Rep, absolutely no joy, didn’t even offer to pay for the defective parts, where is the “we build quality and stand behind our products” bull shit now!
My 2010 Prius III, less than 60K miles, is in the shop to repair the C1391 brake booster and accumulator pump, Even though I purchased extend coverage 7 year, the secondary warranty only gave me 3 months. $3K in the hole. Thanks Toyota.
I was in an accident with my children. The breaks on my 2014 Prius would break and I hit the car in front of me. My car was totalled. It resides in a car lot thousands of miles away. And I’m left with the bill, I’ve never been in an accident before.
I am another victim of this awful situation. I have a 2013 Prius and after 3 times over the past year of intermittent issues with traction control and ABS lights coming on and off with no clue of this issue from Toyota. The supervisors of the headquarters in Texas and dealership didnt know (supposedly) due to the codes not being present at the time. I brought the car to my mechanic who has been in business for 25 years after the complete failure almost killed me. I lost complete brake functionality with 4-5 lights coming on ABS, brake, traction control and the emergency light exclamation light. The warning buzzer is going off and all the warning lights are still present. The mechanic told me what it was and how much it was going to cost 3500$. After dong some research because I was going to fix it, I found the information of this known problem. With my car at the shop for the 6th time for the same issue my mechanic had no idea of this problem by pulling the VIN. This is not a recall according to Toyota, and doesnt come up any system because of their hidden announcement of the problem. The car was owned by a relative who had every oil change and service up to 2020 and was the only owner. I bought the car from her and my car was never transferred by Toyota in the DMV system therefor neither got information about the problem. Apparently you must almost die in crash before this is brought light by Toyota. My car was 2 months over the 10 year mark with 110K miles and they have denied responsibility, even though this issue was logged over the the past year without positive ID of failure codes being present at the time. My car presently resides for the past 2 weeks at a dealership in Florida because I cant afford to spend 3500 dollars on the repair that should have been fixed by them 3 years ago. How do I join this lawsuit? Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Why is the Gen II Prius is not included in this lawsuit? I have a 2007 with less than 100k miles (as of Jan 2023) that has already had the brake actuator fail TWICE outside of warranty. Toyotas are known for reliability yet the brake actuator in Gen II Prius (and hybrid Highlander from the same years) are notorious for brake actuator failure. It is a miracle that I have not had an accident since most of my mileage is on Interstate 4.
I have a 2012 Toyota Prius that the Toyota dealership has confirmed that I have a failed ABS actuator and is displaying the correct repair codes for the service bulletin but they refusing to cover any of the costs to replace the ABS actuator and boost pump. Since the failure of the ABS actuator I have had 2 close calls where I needed to stop fast and my tires locked up, I lost control of the car and spun out but luckily I did not hit anything. I summited a good faith request to the repair my Toyota Prius ABS actuator at Toyota of Anaheim on 10/28/2022 and due to it being 20 days past the 10 year limit and slightly over the 150,000 mile limit at 158,000 they say that I’m 100% responsible for the repair costs of $3,231.78. This proven design flaw is not my fault, it did not occur under normal wear and tear and the brake ABS actuator and boost pump should last much longer than it did. Now I’m faced with paying a huge bill for the repair or pick up my Prius from the dealership and drive it home with a broken ABS actuator. This is another example that Toyota is placing profit ahead of safety therefore I would like to join the ongoing class action lawsuit.
My 2013 Prius V is now having the same issue with the brake booster and accumulator pump. I’m told the cost is 3k+ from the dealer. Not happy about this.
My 2012 Prius with less than 90k miles has the C1391 and just out of the 10yr coverage.
Brakes failed and see airbags and before the wreck coming down the Hill at parkwin avenue The brakes jerk and hard to press the brakes in our 2011 Toyota Prius.
How to we join this law suit? I have a 2011 Prius with a bad actuator, problem occurred 3 weeks over warranty. Local dealership refuses to do anything. No word from national level yet but not expecting much.