Grabbing Brakes in Reverse

This seems to be a known event. There's a thread that talks about this problem: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/65875-braking-in-reverse.html

Here's how to avoid it from the link:

 

I haven't specifically noticed the problem but when I am parked on an incline I have my parking brake applied anyway. I put my foot on the brake pedal and turn on the car. Keeping my foot on the brake pedal, I release the parking brake and put the car in reverse. Then I ease off the brake pedal.

I'm not sure how you do it. That is why I spelled out what I do. Hope it helps.

 

Make sure you're not invoking the hill-hold feature and then
getting weird behavior when it releases.
.
_H*

 

This happened to me once while reversing out of my garage (level surface).

 

Had this happen to me, today. Level office parking garage.

The lightest touch in reverse caused the brakes to seize up quickly. Seemed to do it 2 or 3 times before it settled down. The gas engine seemed to have come on, too. It was almost as if the brakes settled down once the engine kicked in.

Brand new Model IV Prius -- 2 days old.

 

Grabbing Brakes in Reverse would be bad for your hands. Brakes Grabbing in Reverse is another issue.

Tom

 

it happened to me this morning, since i needed to move forward in order to not hit the car behind me, the brakes where pretty violent in the incline moving forward but not going on reverse. weird.

 

It has happened to me at least a dozen times on level surfaces forward and reverse. There is definitely a problem with this otherwise wonderful automobile.
I questioned the local Toyota service manager and they were unaware of any problem. I contacted Toyota technical services and they had not heard of any problem either.
They said they would make a note in regard to the VIN of the automobile. I honestly believe the NHSB should be involved in forcing Toyota to resolve this problem.

 

I've had the problem too, forward and reverse...but after pumping the brakes for a bit it goes away quickly....sure GRABS fast and furious until then...even the slightest pressure on the brake pedal and it really seizes up....noticed mine in forward motion first, not reverse...though I've had it happen both directions...and only when the car is first starting up.

 

Found a solution. Put the Prius in park. Apply the brakes and shift out of park to D or R. Grabbing brakes solved. I now know when I get in the car if the brake pedal feel hard , I just pump it a few times. You can feel the brake pedal go further down and you won't have grabbing brakes at all. I sure hope Toyota fixes this. I have 4100 miles on my 2010 level IV and the problem still exists.

 

The brake pedal gets very stiff and then goes back to normal after pumping several times.
See video:
[ame=http://www.vimeo.com/9170569]Strange Brake Issue on 2010 Prius on Vimeo[/ame]

I noticed the problem most often after sitting with the ignition on (listening to the radio at lunch) and then backing out of a parking space, but I cannot reliably reproduce it 100% of the time.

 

I have had it happen only on level surfaces since I have not had the opportunity to park the car on an incline since I bought it. I found it disturbing but didn't feel that it was dangerous. The brake would grab, I would do the normal thing and release the brake and then it may grab again but usually it quit grabbing after one or two uses.

 

I have had the grabbing brakes only on inclines when I'm backing up, its acting like the hill assist is on, but with out the indicator being on.

 

If they are saying they do not know about this, they are lying once again. It is a well-reported problem. Until Toyota stops lying and fixes this, the fix I have found is to shift into park and then back into gear.

This company needs to stop lying to its customers. What will it take?