Very stiff brake pedal, very little brake action

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dan T, May 13, 2022.

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  1. Dan T

    Dan T New Member

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    Noob here, grateful for this forum.

    2 days ago, the wife parked our 2010 Prius in the driveway and mentioned an odd sound from the brakes.
    Next day I go to run an errand and find that the brake pedal is hard, very hard to depress and there's almost no braking action, it barely stops.

    So I had it towed to a local dealership in Bradford, PA.

    They're diagnosing a failed actuator and a break line leak.

    They want to charge $3500 to replace the actuator (which was replaced in 2013 under a recall), $350 to do the brake line.

    I've researched the average cost to replace this and they run from $1500 to $2000. SO we really think the dealership is trying to gouge us on this repair.

    Who else has had this issue and how much did repairs cost?
     
    #1 Dan T, May 13, 2022
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have read around $2,500. typically. have you checked other dealers?

    it's hard to believe there is a brake line leak, how is the level in the reservoir?
     
    #2 bisco, May 13, 2022
  3. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    Seems expensive as said above I would try another dealer of better yet find a mom and pop hybrid shop.
    I would file a complaint with NHTSA. This is a major safety problem and should be covered by Toyota especially if it’s a repeat fail point.
     
    #3 2010moneypit?, May 13, 2022
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  4. Dan T

    Dan T New Member

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    Anyone done the CG jumper trick? Put in the jumper, start the car, let it run it's diags then hit the brakes 8 times in rapid succession to reset the brake system.
     
    #4 Dan T, May 14, 2022
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That isn't a reset, it just clears trouble codes. But getting the car to forget what it knows about a brake problem isn't the same as fixing the brake problem.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, May 14, 2022
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  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Pennsylvania is not a state where you want to be messing with Toyota dealerships or having to go to court with your kids believe me
     
    #6 Tombukt2, May 15, 2022
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