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

Dealer wants $4500 for brake repair.... WHAT?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013.

Page 1 of 6
  1. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    90
    14
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Ok well, background story first:

    2010 Prius 98,000 miles - No Accidents (always driven like a grandma)

    I was driving on the freeway cruising about 65-70mph... not using the brake at all. All the sudden the car starts beeping loudly with the BRAKE light going off, traction control light going off, and the ((!)) light as well. So I wanted to pull over to the side and realized my brakes were not working !! It was the same feeling as if you're trying to brake the car when the car is turned off. I slowly pulled off the freeway. Tried to reset the ECU, battery, everything, thinking at the traction control is just going crazy.

    I couldn't get it fixed and brakes were still not working and had the car towed to Toyota of Glendora. They spent the day looking at the car, and today I got a call from them saying something about the brake cylinder blew along with the brake power boosters. The next thing they told me almost made me crash my other car - $3500 in parts, $1000 in labor..... WHAT?

    Thats 1/3 of the value of the car right now. I'm going over to the dealer to get a printout of all the parts they say I need, and I'm thinking of taking it to a 3rd party mechanic and/or fix it myself once I buy the parts cheaper.

    Has this happened to anyone? helpp.. any assistance would be great :( I really do not want to spend $4.5k on brakes. I'll update again once I get the printout from the dealer of all the parts I need..
     
    #1 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I know you past your warranty but it may help to call Toyota corporate in Torrence California and open a ticket with the customer experience dept. I have heard of master cylinder failures but not at 3 years old. Toyota may pay for the parts and you the labor . It is worth a call.

    If they flat out turn you down call Avi in Pasadena , Ca they are a independent shop that specializes in Prius. Very honest and reliable and priced much less than dealer
    Avi's Advanced Auto Homepage
     
    #2 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
    Avi's Advanced Automotive likes this.
  3. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    537
    74
    0
    Location:
    Jacksonville
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Seems I've seen a recall notice on the brake booster, but I'm not sure. I believe it had to be an older 2010 within a certain serial no range?
     
    #3 GSW, Nov 1, 2013
  4. terry brecheen

    terry brecheen Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    139
    30
    0
    Location:
    houston, texas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Man that is crazy. I'm glad I bought the 100,000 mile extended warranty. This might me think about trading it in for a newer one when I get close to the end of my warranty. Let us all know how this turns out. Sorry for your trouble.
     
    #4 terry brecheen, Nov 1, 2013
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Let us know the outcome
     
    #5 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
  6. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    OP - It stinks - now that you have a diagnosis you can call around and check pricing.
     
    #6 stevemcelroy, Nov 1, 2013
  7. kronos89

    kronos89 CHRRYPRL

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2013
    105
    11
    0
    Location:
    North New jersey
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    Did you do the brake recall? I think it had to do something with the brake booster
     
    #7 kronos89, Nov 1, 2013
  8. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Dealer sometimes does not check recall list. Ping the dealer service manager
     
    #8 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
  9. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,873
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    #9 jdenenberg, Nov 1, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,340
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    There was a recent recall on 2010 models with build dates through early October 2009. The recall replaced the Brake Booster Pump Assembly on all and the Master Cylinder on some. There was a note on the recall that if you had experienced a failure prior to the recall that you could submit a request for reimbursement.

    If you are the original owner you should have received a letter if your car was included. Evidently you were not included or were possibly missed. I would definitely call the Service Manager and discuss the recall.

    98,000 miles is too early to be losing the brake system.
     
    #10 jdcollins5, Nov 1, 2013
  11. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    90
    14
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    no, I just purchased the car 6 months ago, I will look into this recall as well and get back to you guys..

    EDIT: I called Dealer, they said the car is not part of the recall :cry:. Service guys blames it on "wear and tear". Since I am the second owner, i guess its POSSIBLE it was abused for 60,000 miles before I received it, but for the last 30,000 i drove it like a grandma to save gas. meh.. what now..
     
    #11 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how do the pads look? how can you abuse the brakes? i second calling toyota. all the best!(y)
     
    #12 bisco, Nov 1, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  13. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,340
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I agree with calling Toyota Customer Service. The brake system is a known problem area in the 2010's. I would not agree that this is wear and tear at 90,000 miles.

    Good luck.
     
    #13 jdcollins5, Nov 1, 2013
  14. BrianPB

    BrianPB Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2013
    114
    36
    0
    Location:
    Sylmar, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Wow that stinks, I just hit 95,000 miles on mine and I bought it with 60,000 miles too... make me think about trading it in. Hope everything turns out well for you!
     
    #14 BrianPB, Nov 1, 2013
  15. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    90
    14
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II

    you say Avi in Pasadena? but the address seems to show in Tujunga, CA. is that correct?
     
    #15 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  16. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,873
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Yes, Avi is in Tujunga, CA. Call him

    JeffD
     
    #16 jdenenberg, Nov 1, 2013
    Avi's Advanced Automotive likes this.
  17. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That 's my first question, too. I believe there is a recall. Has something to do with the nitrogen charge in the brake system leaking and making the brakes fail. Serious stuff. And the recall is for 2010 models.
     
    #17 BZzap!, Nov 1, 2013
  18. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yes Tujunga. I was at work and brain farted. They are good people
     
    #18 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
  19. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    90
    14
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Got the paper from the dealer, says: "Found Internal Leak in Accumulator Booster Pump Follow Flow Chart and Rec replacing Brake Booster Pump and Master Cylinder." Total Damage: $4300 including labor.

    Dealer says no to the recall, and I put my VIN into the toyota recall website and found nothing either. so much for that :( Going to give Avi a call tomorrow and let you guys know. That dealer is not getting $4300 out of my pocket today.
     
    #19 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 2, 2013
  20. kronos89

    kronos89 CHRRYPRL

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2013
    105
    11
    0
    Location:
    North New jersey
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    Oh man, this is crazy. I wonder if this had to do with brake fluid going low, i recently had an issue with mine where the fluid would go low and toyota said it could be an internal leak, however, when they took it apart they found nothing.
     
    #20 kronos89, Nov 2, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 6