TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE ANYWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,000.