Brake locks up with indicator when stopped

If the indicator light/s came on as you say, there should be a code latched. I take brake systems very serious, especially with the Prius based on past failures. If it were me..I'd pony up the diagnostic fee at the Dealership and make sure what's going on post haste.

 

What indicator light comes on?

Any chance it is the Hill Assist indicating light? This comes on when you press the brake harder than normal. It is meant to keep the car from rolling backwards on a hill. It holds the brakes for a couple of seconds to give you time to move your foot from brake to accelerator.

 

+1. I agree, it sounds like the OP is activating the Hill Start Assist feature.

OP, if it's the Hill Start Assist feature, then simply pressing on the accelerator releases the brakes.

 

I hope you guys are right, but in over 110,000 miles driving flat-land and mountains I have not had this combination of events happen...ever.

 

I wonder if this might be related to caliper slide pins needing to be cleaned/lubricated... Just a thought.

 

"IF" it happens again...you mean "when" don't you.

 

With hill assist it doesn't matter whether you are on a hill or not, it's how hard you press the brake pedal. You might try (next time you are out and not in traffic) pressing on the brake pedal very hard and see if the same light lights up, if so, you have your answer, if not, I guess it is time to see the dealer

 

Just out of curiosity given your described situation, do you have any sense as to whether the "not moving" is more a brakes are locked issue, or a the transmission isn't working issue?

Just curious because the common denominator is you selecting park then drive.

I don't know what to hope for here, as a transmission problem could be more expensive than a brake problem. But either problem is a potential safety issue.

I'd really recommend getting this looked at ASAP.

 

I agree with frodo about the severity, but also agree it could be hill assist, and notice the op ignores the advice to have the code read, but want to add, it's a '10, is the 12v new or nearly new? Weirder things have happened with a low 12v

 

I'm actually placing my bet on Transmission Problem.

 

you have to have them scanned at the dealer and give you a printout.

 

Be careful.
Despite the dealerships failure to "notice anything" I suspect you do have a problem and it will manifest again.
What exactly did the dealership do as far as diagnosis?

 

sorry.

 

Sorry, did NOT mean to sound judgmental or suggest you weren't competent.

Whenever anyone brings forth a problem that might be brake, tire, or transmission related I'm a little aggressive about suggesting being attentive, if only because I see it as a potential safety issue. That's the only reason I mention "being careful". I'd say the same thing to my enemy, mother or best friend.

 

I dont want to sound like the broken record, and I know you are intelligent but I didnt even know my Prius had "hill assist" until I accidentally activated it one day, lol. And it did the same thing on flat ground.
Just crossing my fingers that this is a feature you are activating inadvertently, and not something more nefarious.....