1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Three brake warning lights came on at once

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by d4foster, Aug 18, 2014.

  1. d4foster

    d4foster Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2014
    29
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I just recently purchased my 2010 Prius via private party and as I was driving to work today three warning lights came on and completely freaked me out. I called our local toyota dealer and they tried to calm me down a bit but it doesn't stop me from worrying. The dealer said it was okay to drive until my appointment tomorrow but that I should take extra care. Well, I drove it home for lunch and the lights quickly turned off and everything was functioning normally... should I be concerned/worried about something serious?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,788
    48,990
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i only see two lights. skid control and abs? shouldn't be serious. i wouldn't worry, just follow their advice. all the best!(y)
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Did these warning lights come on as you were braking, then hit a bump or pothole, or loose gravel?

    If so, it's normal. The codes cleared and the warning lights went away because nothing is wrong with the braking system.
     
  4. drysider

    drysider Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    823
    332
    1
    Location:
    Liberty Lake WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Check the 12 volt battery.
     
  5. d4foster

    d4foster Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2014
    29
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I don't recall if there was a pothole or anything but they did occur while I was braking. My fear is that it seemed as if the electronic brake system didn't work or charge the battery as I braked into my workplace. After the car came to a rest I turned it off and turned it on again and the lights were still there. They didn't officially turn off until I got back in my car for lunch today (they turned off really quickly).
     
  6. d4foster

    d4foster Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2014
    29
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalamazoo, MI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    You guys actually made me feel pretty good about this whole situation but a sales guy from the dealership thinks it's something far worse which subsequently has made my wife and I nervous....
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,788
    48,990
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    that want your donation for their intensive search for the problem, only to tell you it's probably nothing, and come back for more wallet surgery if it happens again.:cool:
     
  8. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    1,209
    322
    0
    Location:
    Peoria AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    IMHO, the sales guy is going to take the safe approach to get you to have it checked. And, if it's bothering you and your wife, you should have it checked. It could be as simple as the tires losing their grip during braking, so the lights came on. If that's the case, don't be surprised if they can't identify and reproduce the problem. I guess the real question is if they say they can't find anything wrong, is that going to satisfy you?
     
  9. pcacj

    pcacj Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2014
    7
    2
    0
    Location:
    Oshkosh, WI
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    We had the same thing happen. the dealership turned the lights off and said if they come back on then it would be a major repair. The lights came back on and they are telling us it is an actuator issue and will cost $2000 to fix....$500 for labor and $1500 for parts. I am not liking my Prius right now.
     
  10. ChelseaK

    ChelseaK Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This just happened to me on Sunday and I'm being quoted $3500: $3000 to fix and $500 maintenance. I have a MAJOR issue with this. A) it is not a cheap car and only 5 years old (purchased May 2009). B) not all cars deal with this--it's not regular wear and tear. C) it was not preventable. Considering all of these factors, I really do not think customers should be accountable for an electrical system problem that isn't common to all cars (or even Priuses). I've lodged a complaint with Toyota and am going to be as public about this as possible. How many more of us are out there? If we drive it our brakes are in danger of failing, so there's really no choice. The cost is insane. And why was I quoted $1000 more than you??? I called two dealerships and got the same price.
     
  11. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
    477
    303
    6
    Location:
    Tropical Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I thought Toyota recalled the 2010 Prius for this brake problem. See link below:

    2010 Toyota Prius, Lexus HS 250h Recalled for Brake Problem | Edmunds.com

    On a side note I recently picked up a 12,000 mile complete 2013 Prius ABS unit including the pump from a salvage yard for $140.00 (included shipping) . I don't have an extended warranty so picking up this spare is my idea of cheap insurance.
     
    #11 IMkenNY, Sep 24, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2014
  12. pcacj

    pcacj Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2014
    7
    2
    0
    Location:
    Oshkosh, WI
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Not sure why you get a higher quote in the NW than I do in the Midwest. I took mine to Advance Auto Parts so they could read the codes. the little device they use communicated with my car and said "NO CODES TO REPORT". I have 3 warning lights on and no codes. Totally not liking or trusting anything Prius related at the moment.
     
    ChelseaK likes this.