2014 LEXUS CT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The vehicle's Brake Booster Pump Assembly and Brake Accumulator are exhibiting signs of imminent failure. While the vehicle is in "READY" mode and stationary (in Park), the brake booster pump cycles on and off at an abnormally high frequency (every 15-30 seconds). Additionally, an audible hissing or "squawking" noise can be heard from the brake actuator assembly after the pump cycles, indicating an internal pressure leak within the accumulator. This condition creates a significant safety hazard. If the brake booster pump fails due to this excessive cycling caused by the internal leak, the vehicle will experience a sudden loss of power braking assist. This would result in an unexpectedly hard brake pedal and significantly increased stopping distances, drastically increasing the risk of a crash. Lexus/Toyota has acknowledged this specific defect in Customer Support Program 24LE01 (DTCs C1391, C1252, C1256), identifying it as an "internal malfunction." However, the manufacturer has limited the coverage to 10 years from the date of first use. My vehicle, with only approximately 62,000 miles, is exhibiting these known failure symptoms just outside this arbitrary time window. A safety-critical component like the braking system should not fail at such low mileage, and the manufacturer should address this design defect via a Safety Recall rather than a time-limited warranty extension that leaves owners of low-mileage vehicles with a dangerous defect.

common problem with these Lexus ct200h, as well as Toyota Prius V models, are that the brake accumulators begin to leak internally, as they share the same part numbers. Therefore, the actuator will buzz every few seconds trying to keep pressure in the braking system to a safe operating level of gas pressure to no avail due to this leak in the actuator. After it quits buzzing from shutting the car off, you can hear the air leak hissing the pressure away. There are tons and tons of articles on this issue online as this is a major safety concern. Many have had Toyota replace the part free of charge as well due to the extended 10 year, or 150k miles, in whichever comes first. warranty. This may be perhaps because there are several more prius on the road than this rare Lexus CT200H. Just look up “c1391 danger” and see what comes up. In my opinion, as well as many, it is pathetic that an issue in which endangers the lives of others due this brake failure is not further addressed. There is Not much stopping distances when and after this suddenly occurs. In the process, the abs, traction control, brake, a yellow exclamation mark, lights suddenly all come on the dash at once and the brake feels like a sponge very suddenly, as it did me as I was driving today. There were no engine lights as I started my drive. There are no external brake fluid leaks involved for this actuator. Toyota covers it under extended warranty, although it appears as though Lexus does not, this is a major safety hazard and concern. The trouble code is.: C1391. Also, I went to Sewell Lexus of Dallas today and was told there are no recalls, after looking my vin #. The service program had expired and there is nothing they can do for me. Please extend the program or issue a recall for this dangerous failure. The repair cost is substantial and should be covered for a known flaw.

I’m reporting a serious safety issue with my 2014 Lexus CT200h involving the brake booster and ABS pump/accumulator system. This issue is well-documented across Lexus CT200h and Toyota Prius V models, which use the same components. Lexus quietly issued a Customer Support Program (CSP) for the affected part but never notified me. I contacted Lexus and was told they “didn’t have to” notify all owners. After escalating, they claimed a letter was sent, but I confirmed my address and never received anything. Several months before the CSP expired, I noticed inconsistent brake response, a soft/spongy pedal, and warning lights: ABS, traction control, brake, and TPMS. I took the car to an independent mechanic who misdiagnosed it as a TPMS issue. Six months later, a loud chime began sounding repeatedly, unrelated to seatbelt use. I brought the car to Lexus of North Miami, where they diagnosed a failing ABS pump and accumulator — the exact components covered by the CSP. This is a critical safety failure. Loss of braking pressure compromises stopping distance and puts my safety and others at risk. Lexus refused assistance because the CSP expired, even though the problem began earlier and I sought help. Corporate and their Resolution Team were dismissive and unprofessional. The issue is reproducible and confirmed by a certified Lexus dealer. Thousands of drivers online report the same pattern: trouble code C1391, buzzing brake actuator, unexplained chimes, hissing noises after shutdown, and external fluid leaks. Some dealers reportedly told customers to disable the chime rather than investigate. Toyota Prius owners with the same part received repairs under warranty or recall — Lexus drivers did not. I urge NHTSA to investigate this defect before it leads to serious injury or death. This is not normal wear. It’s a known mechanical failure affecting a critical safety system. What makes this even more dangerous is that most owners won’t do the deep digging I did to connect it.

I’m reporting a serious safety issue with my 2014 Lexus CT200h involving the brake booster and ABS pump/accumulator system. This issue is well-documented across Lexus CT200h and Toyota Prius V models, which use the same components. Lexus quietly issued a Customer Support Program (CSP) for the affected part but never notified me. I contacted Lexus and was told they “didn’t have to” notify all owners. After escalating, they claimed a letter was sent, but I confirmed my address and never received anything. Several months before the CSP expired, I noticed inconsistent brake response, a soft/spongy pedal, and warning lights: ABS, traction control, brake, and TPMS. I took the car to an independent mechanic who misdiagnosed it as a TPMS issue. Six months later, a loud chime began sounding repeatedly, unrelated to seatbelt use. I brought the car to Lexus of North Miami, where they diagnosed a failing ABS pump and accumulator — the exact components covered by the CSP. This is a critical safety failure. Loss of braking pressure compromises stopping distance and puts my safety and others at risk. Lexus refused assistance because the CSP expired, even though the problem began earlier and I sought help. Corporate and their Resolution Team were dismissive and unprofessional. The issue is reproducible and confirmed by a certified Lexus dealer. Thousands of drivers online report the same pattern: trouble code C1391, buzzing brake actuator, unexplained chimes, hissing noises after shutdown, and external fluid leaks. Some dealers reportedly told customers to disable the chime rather than investigate. Toyota Prius owners with the same part received repairs under warranty or recall — Lexus drivers did not. I urge NHTSA to investigate this defect before it leads to serious injury or death. This is not normal wear. It’s a known mechanical failure affecting a critical safety system. What makes this even more dangerous is that most owners won’t do the deep digging I did to connect it.

ABS, TRACTION CONTROL , BRAKE, A YELLOW EXCLAMMATION POINT, RED BRAKE LIGHT ALL COME ON, AS WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD, AND THE BREAKS START TO FEEL SPONGEY AND NOT WORK AS WELL. THE ACTUATOR STARTS TO BUZZ EVERY FEW SECONDS TRYING TO KEEP PRESSURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT IT CANNOT DUE TO A LEAK IN THE ACCUATOR, IN WHICH THEN CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE, A KNOWN PROBLEM OF THE LEXUS CT200H, MANY OF THE OTHER LEXUS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL AS WELL- LEXUS SHOULD BE FIXING THIS FOR PEOPLE ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE BRAKES START TO NOT WORK OUT OF NO WHERE AND ITS NOT FAIR TO THE OWNER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ENORMOUS BILL TO FIX WHEN ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF LEXUS! IT STATES ONLINE ALL OVER THE PLACE THAT CT200H VEHICLES MAY HAVE BRAKE, ABS AND OR TRAC WARNING LIGHTS ON OR A CHECK VSC MESSAGE DISPLAYED DUE TO A SMALL BRAKE FLUID LEAK INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY WITH MASTER CYLINDER, ABS ACTUATOR FAILURE, AND ONLINE LISTS ALL THE CODES. IT SAYS IF THE CONDITION IS VERIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED WITH NEW BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLIES BUT NOT ALL LEXUS ESTABLISHMENTS ARE COOPERATING WITH THIS, AND ITS NOT SAFE!