What is a brake actuator? It's part of the brake assembly in your Toyota Prius, along with an accumulator. It's made up of a high-pressure motor, a pressure tank, and valves, which open and close to transfer brake fluid to brake calipers on your wheels. In short, brake actuators basically prime brakes. Unfortunately, they can fail, owing to either degraded parts or old age.

What are the Signs of Brake Actuator Failure in a Toyota Prius?

There are many, but they're not always apparent. They include some or all of your dashboard warning lights activating, an intermittent buzzing sound, system leaks, and tank pressure drops. Luckily, you can plug in a code reader and run an inspection to figure out if you have brake actuator problems. If you read C1256, it's the most common diagnostic code for a failing brake actuator. It indicates your hybrid has entered failsafe mode and disabled its antilock brakes, electronic braking force distribution feature, and regenerative braking system. If you also get battery failure codes, you could have an overly discharged, essentially dead battery on your hands, often because battery regen has failed. With symptoms like these, you'll need to replace your brake actuator (and probably your battery). Our auto parts store has the best solution: genuine OEM; brake actuators made by Toyota for your Prius specifically will fit it best, after all. Order now and we'll ship one to you immediately.