[Howard]

My 2011 Prius is scary. The brake and ABS warning lights go on and off intermittently. I took it to a dealer and I was told the master $$$ cylinder needs to be replaced. The Prius seems to drive normally with the warning lights on or off. Does anyone have technical experience with this problem? I observe that the lights may be on when I park, but the lights will be off the next morning. Does anyone else have this problem It is an issue of fundamental automobile safety? Is there a recall for this problem?

 

[George73]

Have them check if your falls under the free extended warranty they have available on the master cylinder for your brakes. This part coverage by Toyota saved us over 3k to get it fixed. It was covered for my 2013 model. Perhaps the 2011 might be out of scope based on the ten year warranty on that. Toyota might help you and offset the dealer cost. Reach out to them on Social Media. If dealer tells you it’s not covered. Just my .02. Best of luck.

 

[Howard]

Have them check if your falls under the free extended warranty they have available on the master cylinder for your brakes. This part coverage by Toyota saved us over 3k to get it fixed. It was covered for my 2013 model. Perhaps the 2011 might be out of scope based on the ten year warranty on that. Toyota might help you and offset the dealer cost. Reach out to them on Social Media. If dealer tells you it’s not covered. Just my .02. Best of luck.

Thank you. I will check. The first time I took it in the idea of it being a warranty issue was dismissed. I will try again.

 

[John Larson]

Thank you. I will check. The first time I took it in the idea of it being a warranty issue was dismissed. I will try again.

On my 2010 Prius I have a intermittent problem of my brakes grabbing when I back up. Going forward there is no problem, but the PCS light is on all of the time. I took it to the dealer & after spending $1400 dollars & not fixing the problem, I am just driving it. This was 2 years ago & I just took a black duct tape patch & covered up the light on the dashboard. Sometimes I feel that the dealer is just throwing parts at a vehicle to remedy a problem. The customer pays for all of the labor & parts that don't need to be changed. A dealer needs an excellent trouble shooter that can save the customer dollars that makes returning customers. I will not go back to this dealer.

 

[Howard]

Thanks for your comments. When I was traveling across the country from New Orleans to Seattle the lights came on while I was driving through mountainous areas outside of Albuquerque. I took it to a brake specialist and he evaluated the issue, free of charge. He vouched that the brakes were working and that the lights were an error. Furthermore, he said he would drive the car with his family. The lights remained off for the next 1000-plus miles to Seattle. My experience is similar to yours. I still expect that the warning lights should work. But, Toyota is oblivious to my concern. So, I just drive it and ignore the warning lights as they intermittently come on and off.

 

[Priusblog]

hello everyone. In my humble opinion Toyota makes the engine first and brakes second. You must be able to stop the Toyota in order to go buy another Toyota. Brake lights can be triggered by simple things such as sensors in wheels master cylinder inside car etc. Since its a electric mechanical system. as long as you have fluid (and no leaks) the car will stop. Also check health of pads and rotors. But having driven 300k miles on a toyota with original rotors! can attest that brakes in general need minimal maintenance. I would not worry much. Best of luck prius.blog

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[Howard]

Thanks for your comment. The brake lights work, but the brake warning and ABS warning lights intermittently appear on the dashboard. The lights came on again. Then after I parked the car, they were off again. There must be something faulty with the sensors. I do not understand why this annoying issue occurs.
I suspect the problem will not go away.
Howard

 

[mark.draugelis]

Underneath the steering wheel there's a brake reset button. I believe you hold that button in the same time you hold the start button in. You'll see the diagnosis screen run. Wallah! It's fixed!

 

[Howard]

I will try your suggestion. Today, the lights were off when I started driving and then came on during my short drive and stayed on.
Next time I drive I will try your suggestion, Mark.
Hope it works.