Brake actuator "warranty extension" from Toyota

Soylent,

Thanks for sharing. I had got the same letter but did not know what to make of it.

What were the symptoms when the brake actuator failed? Were the brakes less responsive or they completely stopped working? I am concerned that this may be an accident waiting to happen.

 

Now if only they would do the same on the power door lock actuators on the Prius C...

 

Just had my '05 at the dealer for this fix. The symptoms were that the red "BRAKE" light and orange "ABS" lights were both on, plus there was a slow pulsing in the brake pedal, much slower than the pulsing that a warped rotor might provide. The work must have been pretty involved because once the replacement part had arrived, it still took them about 3 days to get the job done. They gave me a loaner and there was no charge. The downside was the car came back with the HV battery failure warnings instead. I cured that myself by replacing a cell.

 

I just had my ABS accuator replaced which was covered under "recall" but Toyota said I also needed brake skid control computer replaced - $2700 !!! Independent Prius mechanic said the computer was part of the ABS Accuator - is that true?

 

My ABS actuator is starting to show symptoms like this. It just threw some codes over the weekend. I got the codes cleared which restored power brakes, but am worried it may happen again. Looks like they never fixed the underlying problem. Is there a warranty extension for the Gen 3?

 

I just dropped of my 06 Prius with 220K for GZ1 fix and oil change. However the dealer service dept. called and said no codes present to justify GZ1 fix (ABS actuator). I am bit confused as this was fix applied to all 2004-2009, I even hear ABS actuator kicking in every 30 seconds and have seen ABS/VSC break lights on dash couple times recently.

I am thinking the Toyota dealer is trying to get out of fixing this with excuses.

It seems there are several other warranties needed to be applied to my VIN including HID related but the service manager did not go through all.

 

I am determined to get break actuator fixed. How do I go about verifying codes?

I can recreate ABS/VSC warnings after leaving Prius in ACC mode and radio on for 20 minutes. When I power Prius back on the car starts to move even when break is pressed. I have to reapply the break to stop car from moving. This is a safety hazard and could end up in accident in tight situations.

 

Hey. Did you have the redtriangle. I have all same issues but no triangle. Took it to dealership and they didnt even say anything except a diff prob in my car. Coolant converter valve. Anyway took it to a different shop and they pulled 5 C codes and said its my acctuator. Next step is go back to the dealership

 

Have the same issues plus a long beep and brake pedal goes stiff or no power assist. Lights on. Just got back from independent dealer and they pulled 5 c codes the toyota dealership never told me when i took it in

 

I took mine to Toyota of Burien, they told me that they were able to replicate the noise. They never said there were any codes. They knew it was going out so they fixed it. So take yours to Toyota of Burien!!!!!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Well, I wish I was in Seattle area. I moved back to TX now and have to deal with local dealers now. I will try different dealer in few week.

 

thanks, my 08 was running the pump for 15 to 30 seconds after the car sat for a few weeks and got an error code but no warning lights, dealer says my vin is part of the affected cars and will check it for free..after driving it for a few days it seems fine now. I get the feeling they are going to tell me there is no problem and clear the codes then Im screwed.

 

if you use the word "recall" they will say there is no recall on the brakes Sir.. and get very defensive.. at least my dealer did, then I asked about the extended warranty and they had the car in the next day, inspected it, and did the free repair.. thank god the error code was stored in the computer because i never got the warning lights for more then a few seconds at start up

 

Is this brake actuator problem start with a unusual noise when pressing the brake to start the car? I don't know that I can explain the sound but something strange that turned on when the brake was pressed like maybe to pressurize something...but no idea really. Is that normal? Ive only had the car for 24hrs, started it probably 10 times for various trips but have only heard it one time when starting the car.

 

Yes, when it is working normally you will hear the pump activate to charge the accumulator when you open the door, or when you press the brake pedal. It will do it from time to time when the accumulator pressure gets low. This is the normal behavior.

When the problem occurs, the pump starts to cycle frequently. A DTC or two are generated as well, so brake related lights illuminate on the dash.

 

That's good to hear. Is it supposed to sound kind of like a fast clicking sound when the petal is pressed?

 

I still have address ABS actuator issue.

Meanwhile, took my 2006 Prius up to Pikes Peak in Colorado and had fun going down back to earth. After continues use of breaks going down the ABS lights came on for a while and went away. So after two hours of driving away from Pikes Peak I threw some water on both front breaks and ABS light came right back on. I can't seem to trust this breaks in hilly areas.