Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10609883July 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN 2007, WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 WITH 13,298 MILES. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR EVER SINCE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 81,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENT ON JUNE 30, 2014, I WAS DRIVING THE 2005 PRIUS SLOWLY (10-15 MPH) ALONG A ROADWAY LOCATED IN A TECUMSEH, MI CITY PARK: AS THE CAR APPROACHED A LOCAL STREET, I BRAKED FOR A STOP BEFORE MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN. AS I ENGAGED THE BRAKE, THE ABS SYSTEM RED LIGHT APPEARED, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT AND THE RELATED BUZZER WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. AS I BRAKED, MY RIGHT FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I DROVE THE PRIUS VERY SLOWLY OVER THE TWO MILES HOME, USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AS NEEDED. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE RIDING WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WITNESSED THE INCIDENT. ON JULY 1, 2014, I CONTACTED AAA AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP IN ANN ARBOR, MI ' 30 MILES AWAY. AFTER A WEEK, AT THE REPAIR SHOP I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE FACILITY. OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE MONTHS, I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER CURIOUS PROBLEM THAT MAY BE BRAKE RELATED. WHEN BRAKING ON BUMPY ROADS (WE HAVE HORRIBLE POT HOLES ON MANY MAJOR STREETS AND ROADS) OR CURB CUTS, THE CAR ACCELERATES EVER SO BRIEFLY. THE FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL IS VERY DISTURBING. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE NOTED ABOVE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS BRAKE FAILURE. HOWEVER, I HAD JUST RETURNED HOME FROM BUSINESS IN A NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY 35 MILES AWAY. I OFTEN DRIVE BACKCOUNTRY COUNTY ROADS WITH POSTED SPEEDS OF 55 MPH. IF I HAD EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE FAILURE THEN, I MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606089June 26, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF HID LIGHTS GOING OUT. IT WILL SWITCH FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER. SOMETIMES RESULTS IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. MOST OF THE TIME A QUICK FLIP OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WILL BRING THEM BACK ON. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM. INSTANCES WHEN BOTH LIGHTS GO OUT, EACH TIME HAD TO MAKE A QUICK PULL OVER TO WAIT FOR A MOMENT, AS THE NORMAL QUICK FLICK TO GET THE LIGHTS BACK ON FAILS, THUS CAUSING A QUICK PANIC TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE COMPLETE DARK AND HOPE THAT OTHER VEHICLES AROUND YOU CAN SEE YOU AND LET YOU OVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10597720June 11, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IN MID JUNE 2012, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT ON, INITIALLY I THOUGHT THE BULB WAS BAD SINCE I HAD ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT ONE. I HAD PLANED TO TAKE THE CAR TO ELMORE TOYOTA OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA TO HAVE THE BULB REPLACED BUT THE FOLLOWING DAY THE LIGHT WAS WORKING. AFTER A FEW DAYS IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. I FOUND THAT IF I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF THE HEADLIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON, I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. TODAY I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, NOW THEY CAN'T SEEM TO TELL ME WHAT IS THE TRUE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS SELL ME A NEW BULB. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON MY OWN I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE 2007 AND THAT THE NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THIS AND HAS DECIDED THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DECISION WOULD LIKE TO GO ON A LONG NIGHT DRIVE WITH ME ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD. RIGHT NOW I WANT TO OFFICIALLY FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT DEPENDABLE AND THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THEY WILL STOP WORKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10597093June 9, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH OF MY PRIUS HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. FLICKING THEM OFF AND THEN BACK ON BROUGHT THEM ON AGAIN, BUT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME SINCE THEN. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA IS UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. THE COMPANY WANTS TO REPLACE THE BULBS, BUT THIS DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. REPLACING THE BULBS OR ADJACENT PARTS CAN COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, WHICH IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. IT SEEMS THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596554June 6, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
BRAKE, ABS AND (O) WITH EXCLAMATION MARK INSIDE HAVE BEEN ON , THE SELLER WAS NOT HONEST WITH ME ABOUT WHY THE LIGHTS WERE ON, I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, REPAIRS WOULD COST $7000.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10593350May 22, 2014
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, A LEG GASH AND A PULLED MUSCLE IN THE BACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. BOTH THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLAT SURFACE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE KEY FAILED TO EXIT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10592978May 21, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT OUTAGE - FRONT RIGHT SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587523May 9, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT OPERATION BECAME ERRATIC. SOMETIMES ONE WOULD WORK AND SOMETIMES THE OTHER ONE WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE TO FUNCTION. SOMETIMES NEITHER HEADLIGHT WOULD COME ON. REPEATED OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH EVENTUALLY WOULD GET ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON. THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED IN 2012 AND AGAIN IN 2013. THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. WHEN I HAVE ASKED MY TOYOTA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT IT, THEY SIMPLY SAID THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE. THIS IS A MUCH DISCUSSED AND NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM. WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MIGHT FAIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET, BUT I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE HEADLIGHT RELIABILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585073April 26, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ENTERING I-25 SOUTHBOUND ON DARK NIGHT AND THE HEAD LAMPS WENT OUT. TURNED THE SWITCH OFF AND THEN ON, THEY CAME BACK ON AND THEN WENT RIGHT OFF. RE-TRIED THE SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON.. FAILED AGAIN ABOUT FIVE MILES FURTHER SOUTH ON THE I-25 HIGHWAY. TURNED THEM OFF AND BACK ON AND THEY CAME BACK ON AND STAYED UNTIL I GOT BACK HOME. THE BULBS MUST BE GOOD FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON. POSSIBLE BAD SWITCH OR COMPUTER CHIP THAT CONTROLS THE AUTOMATIC CIRCUITRY. THIS WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE WE HAD HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC THAT COULDN'T SEE US BECAUSE WE HAD NO LIGHTS VISIBLE. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA WHICH MADE IT ALL THE MORE TENSE NOTE:THE VEHICLE MAKE NAME BOX ABOVE DOES NOT PULL DOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583486April 18, 2014
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 75 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE INVERTER COOLING SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYING. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V536000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN TO PERFORM THE REPAIR AT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION SIX MONTHS PRIOR AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE OF WHEN THE VEHICLE COULD BE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10578799April 10, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN RUN CAR TO LONG DISTANCE AND STOP, THE CAR ACCELERATE THE MOTOR TO HIGH REVOLUTIONS AND NEED PRESS THE BRAKES. THE DEALER TELL ME PAID FOR EVALUATION, BUT THE CAR NOT HAVE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR PROBLEMS. THAT'S IS A SAFETY CONCERNS. PLEASE NEED HELP. I THINKING THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575398March 28, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE WERE DRIVING JUST NORTH OF COOS BAY, OREGON WHEN A BIG TRUCK WITH THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER [XXX] CARRYING A TRAILER WITH THE LICENSE PLATE [XXX] CLIPPED THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE OF OUR CAR WHILE WE WERE FORCED TO CHANGE LANES BECAUSE OF THE LANE ENDING. I HAD MY BLINKER ON FOR A LONG TIME AND WE WERE AHEAD OF HIM UNTIL HE SPED UP AND CLIPPED US. HE THEN SPED UP AND CUT US OFF AND DROVE AWAY VERY QUICKLY. IT WAS RAINING AND WE WERE ON THE 101 IN OREGON AND HE WAS GOING AT LEAST 80 MPH BECAUSE WE WERE GOING AROUND 65 AND HE WAS PULLING AWAY FAST. SINCE IT WAS A SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY WE STAYED BEHIND HIM LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO PULL OVER, BUT THE SECOND HE GOT THE CHANCE, HE CHANGED LANES AND CUT OTHERS OFF IN ORDER TO GET AWAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575412March 28, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS THEN GOES OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT ON AGAIN BY MANUALLY TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF. THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ($175 FOR THE PART ALONE) IN MAY OF 2012. IT IS NOW MARCH OF 2014 AND THE SAME LIGHT BEGAN DOING IT AGAIN, FLICKERING. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO GO ON BY MANUALLY SWITCHING IT ON. NOW IT IS OUT AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574442March 24, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573894March 20, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE FAST LANE DRIVING 65 MPH A SUDDEN ALARM CAME UP. THE RED TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION MARK, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A TONE. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN MY CAR BY RELEASING THE THROTTLE OFF. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER ONLY TO FIND THAT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $3000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE ECU AND ACTUATOR. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS IF YOU DRIVE A BIT FAST OVER POTHOLE AND SPEED BUMP. YOU LOSE BRAKING FOR A MOMENT. *TR UPDATED 8/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573627March 19, 2014
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
ON 2/27/14 THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT IN OUR VEHICLE LIT UP CAUSING US TO REVIEW THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE SERVICE. PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0042-11, THIS ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SCANNER CODE B1826. ACCORDING TO THE TSB, THE DESIGN/MATERIAL FAULT CAN OCCUR IN 2004-2009 PRIUSES. THE FAULT, ACCORDING TO A TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISOR, RESULTS IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION, "AN UPDATED WIRE HARNESS MUST BE INSTALLED." THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DESIGN FAULT IS $2,500. AND UP DEPENDING ON IF ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED AT ONCE WE PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT EXPRESSED OUR VIEW TO THE TOYOTA PERSONNEL THAT THE DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY TOYOTA. WE FEEL THAT THIS DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. CALLS TO THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567319March 4, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAILURE OF ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROLS: SUDDEN RAPID ACCELERATION, UN-COMMANDED, WHICH TERMINATED QUICKLY AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564706February 17, 2014
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED ON A HILL WITH LIGHT SNOW COVER COMPLETELY STOPPING THE WHEELS AND PREVENTING ANY FORWARD MOTION, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PEDESTRIANS HAD TO PUSH THE CAR UP THE HILL WHILE THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED TO GET TO THE TOP. BACKING WOULD HAVE PLACED THE CAR IN A DANGEROUS POSITION WITH ONCOMING 50 MPH CROSS TRAFFIC . THERE SHOULD BE AN OVERRIDE FOR SITUATIONS SUCH AS THIS TO ENABLE SOME FORWARD MOTION TO BE MAINTAINED EVEN IF THERE IS SOME WHEEL SLIPPAGE. OCCURRED FRIDAY 14 FEB 2014. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST ON GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS AND OTHER ROADS. THIS INSTANCE WAS BY FAR THE MOST TROUBLING SINCE PEDESTRIANS WERE INVOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564494February 15, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DURING THE RECENT RASH OF SNOW STORMS TO HIT THE EASTERN MID-STATES I NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID NOZZLE FROZE UP. IT WORKED WHEN I LEFT HOME AND STOPPED WORKING ON RT 32, MD. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID I USED. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME SEEING OUT OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE BACK NOZZLE DID NOT ICE-UP. I NOTICED THAT ALL THE OTHER CARS (EASILY 40-50 CARS) WINDOWS WERE CLEAR, EXCEPT ONE, ANOTHER PRIUS! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY AS WELL AS IN THE PAST. IF ASKED, I AM CERTAIN OTHER PRIUS USERS WOULD REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR IS AN '05. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563117February 5, 2014
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE INSIGNIA SE200 ALL SEASON TIRES, SIZE: P185/65R 15 86T. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFLATED AND THE SIDE WALL WAS SPLIT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THEY PROVIDED HER WITH A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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