Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#11010456July 25, 2017
VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY 2008 PRIUS HID HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY AFTER FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN BACK ON BRINGS IT BACK SOMETIMES. READING FROM OTHER PRIUS OWNERS COMMENTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH SOME OF THE PRIUS MODELS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF TOYOTA PROVIDES ANY SUGGESTED FIX TO THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT'S COMMON ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11010192July 24, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE MAIN DISPLAY RANDOMLY GOES OUT AFTER STARTING THE CAR. MY PRIUS WAS AT 82,000 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA, WHO INFORMED ME IT'S A BAD EUC MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE DISPLAY FOR SPEED, FUEL, WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN AND IF YOUR HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON. ALL OF THOSE ITEMS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WHEN OPERATING A VEHICLE AND IF NOT WORKING COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE ON THE ISSUE AND WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THEY INFORMED ME THE 9 YEAR OUT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SINCE MY CAR LEFT THE LOT IN SEP. 2007. TOYOTA CORPORATE NOR CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA WOULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ON THE PART, LABOR OR EVEN PROVING A LOANER CAR WHILE SERVICE WAS PREFORMED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA IT COULD TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS FOR THE PART / LABOR TO BE COMPLETED. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS PART, AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE A KNOWN BUG WITH THE SYSTEM. DUE TO THE TOOLS THIS MODULE CONTROLS (SPEED, GEARS, LIGHTS) THIS COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. PLEASE HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE TO KEEPING THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFE. AS A LONG TIME TOYOTA OWNER, I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THEIR HANDLING OF THE SITUATION. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION NEEDED TO HELP CORRECT THIS ISSUE FOR ALL PRIUS OWNERS THAT HAVE OR HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11006777July 21, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE MAIN DISPLAY/TOUCH-SCREEN IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS STOPPED WORKING WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE DEVICE WORKED IN THE MORNING WHEN, BUT IT WOULD NOT WORK THAT AFTERNOON WHEN I RE-STARTED MY CAR. THE DEVICE ALSO STOPPED WORKING AT THAT SAME TIME. AS A RESULT, I AM UNABLE TO: MONITOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM; ACCESS THE CLIMATE CONTROLS (THERE ARE SOME CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT, SINCE I CANNOT SEE THE EFFECT, I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO TOUCH THEM FEARING THAT I WILL LOSE WHAT LITTLE A/C I HAVE NOW); THE BACK-UP CAMERA; THE BLUE-TOOTH (FOR MY HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE); THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM; VEHICLE MAINTENANCE INFO; ETC. I HAVE DRIVEN MY VEHICLE SINCE, AND NOW MY VEHICLE FLASHES THE SYMBOL INDICATING THE ABSENCE OF MY KEY-FOB (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE IT WITH ME IN MY POCKET) UNLESS/UNTIL I PUSH THE KEY-FOB INTO ITS SLOT IN MY PRIUS. AS A RESULT, IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCESS, I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED THAT MY PRIUS IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DUE TO ITS FAILURE NOW TO RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF MY KEY-FOB. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT IS APPARENT THAT MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS (SEVERAL YEAR MODELS) HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS DEVICE. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM REPAIR/REPLACE MY DEVICE, THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA DID NOT MAKE THE DEVICE, THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY REPLACEMENTS, THAT THE MANUFACTURER ALSO DOES NOT HAVE ANY MORE REPLACEMENTS, AND THAT MY ONLY HOPE WAS FOR THEM TO DISCONNECT/REMOVE THE DEVICE, SEND IT OFF TO A 3RD PARTY TO "HOPEFULLY REPAIR" MY DEVICE, AND THAT THIS PROCESS WILL TAKE UP TO 2 WEEKS (WHILE I DRIVE WITHOUT IT). IT IS INCONCEIVABLE TO ME THAT TOYOTA IS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM (SINCE ALL OF THEIR SUPPLY AND THE MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLY OF REPLACEMENT UNITS HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED). PLEASE HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11006252July 18, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED QUICKLY, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONGER TIME TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN ELWAY'S CROWN TOYOTA (1201 KETTERING DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE SITUATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,045.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11003186July 5, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PASSENGER LIGHT KEEPS FAILING WHEN IT IS ON AT NIGHT WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE AND MORE. IT IS DEFINITELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN PULLED OVER ONCE FOR THE HEADLIGHT BEING OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11000734June 22, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
ANTI LOCK BRAKE ACTUATOR AND PUMP HAS GONE OUT FEB. 2008. BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP FEB. 2017. NEW FROM TOYOTA IS $1600.00. CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING WAS TOLD IF HAD A WRECK THEY WOULD LOCK UP IF WE DID NOT REPLACE. WE HAD TO QUIT DRIIVNG BRAKES CONTROL GOT SO BAD TILL WE COULD AFFORD A USED PART OFF INTERNET FOR $645.00.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10993466June 6, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY COMBINATION METER, WHICH DISPLAYS CAR SPEED, ODOMETER, FUEL LEVEL, AND TURNING OFF THE CAR. TOYOTA EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY FOR 9 YEARS BUT WON'T FIX THE KNOWN ISSUE ANYTIME PAST 9 YEARS. MINE FAILED 9 YEARS 2.5 MONTHS. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED A WHOOPING 669,000 COMBINATION METERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992990June 3, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I BOUGHT MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM BY BOSS IN JUNE 2016. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE AND HAD IT REPLACED. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, IT COMES ON WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND IT MAY STAY ON FOR AN ENTIRE TRIP OR IT MAY JUST STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. I CAN TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WILL COME ON AND LIKE I SAID, IT MAY STAY ON THE ENTIRE TRIP OR JUST FOR A FEW MINUTES. I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY SPECIFIC THING THAT MAKES IT GO OFF SUCH AS ROAD CONDITION, WEATHER, IT WILL EVEN GO OFF WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS, WIRE DAMAGE AND NONE WAS TO BE FOUND. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE PRIUS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO BE PULLED OVER AND FORTUNATELY THE OFFICER UNDERSTOOD, ONCE I SHOWED HIM THAT IT COMES ON AND I EXPLAINED THAT I CAN'T DETERMINE WHEN OR IF IT WILL GO OUT, AND HE GAVE ME A WARNING. THIS IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS WITH LIMITING LIGHTING FOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991293May 23, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CAR IN MOTION, RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. CITY POLICE PULL ME OVER. I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON. THE LIGHT WORKS UNTIL NEXT TIME IT GOES OUT. MY WIFE DRIVING SAME CAR AND POLICE PULL HER OVER FOR LEFT HEADLIGHT OUT. SHE TURNED LIGHTS OFF THEN ON AND THE LIGHT WORKS AGAIN. CAR IN MOTION BOTH TIMES AND ALL OTHER TIMES. STREETS & HIGHWAYS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990963May 22, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH FLICKER AND GO OUT EVEN AFTER REPLACING WITH BRAND NEW BULBS. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AS THE HEADLAMPS MAY TURN OFF DURING ADVERSE WEATHER OR DARK CONDITIONS. I HAVE WASTED A LOT OF MONEY REPLACING HEAD LIGHT BULBS WHEN THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE COMPUTERS IN THE HEADLAMP FIXTURES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR FOR SOMETHING THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10985809May 15, 2017
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE MADE A CHIMING SOUND AND UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10985540May 13, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASDANGER HEADLIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT CAUSE AND AT WILL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10985436May 12, 2017
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE COMBINATION METER SPORADICALLY WILL NOT TURN ON WHICH PREVENTS THE DISPLAY OF THE SPEED OF THE CAR. DURING THIS CONDITION, THE FUEL ECONOMY WILL NOT DISPLAY, THE CAR MAY NOT BE POWERED OFF BY NORMAL PROCEDURE, AND THE FUEL GAUGE, DRIVE TRAIN MODE INDICATOR, AND ODOMETER ARE NOT VISIBLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, PRIMARILY DURING COLD WEATHER, BUT ALSO DURING WARM WEATHER, AND I HAVE A VIDEO RECORDING OF THIS PROBLEM WHILE OPERATING THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DATED FEBRUARY 20 2017. TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THEIR OWN WARRANTY EXTENSION DESCRIBED IN THEIR DOCUMENT POL12-05, RELATED TO TSB T-SB-0172-09, STATING THAT THE DEALER MUST BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE IN ORDER TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT. TOYOTA'S DOCUMENT POL12-05 SPECIFICALLY STATES "THIS CONDITION IS PRIMARILY FOUND IN COLD WEATHER CLIMATE CONDITIONS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO YOUR DEALERSHIP IT MAY NO LONGER BE IN A CLIMATE WHICH ALLOWS DUPLICATION OF THE CONDITION. IF THIS OCCURS, PLEASE VERIFY WITH THE CUSTOMER THAT THE EXPERIENCED CONDITION IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION AND PROCEED WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE COMBINATION METER." ON 5/12/2017, ANDREA N. (WOULD NOT PROVIDE LAST NAME) WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER, ASSIGNED ME TOYOTA CASE # 1705121649 AND STATED THAT "THE DEALER MUST REPRODUCE THE ISSUE IN ORDER TO COVER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY" DESPITE THE TOYOTA LETTER EXPLICITLY ALLOWING FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT WHEN THE CONDITION CANNOT BE REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10983434May 4, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
IF I AM APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE BRAKES BRIEFLY STOP WORKING AND DON'T RE ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL FEET. THUS, IF I AM DRIVING 30MPH, THE BRAKES WON'T RE ENGAGE FOR ABOUT 15 FEET. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BY OTHER 2008 PRIUS OWNERS. I BELIEVE IT IS A PROGRAMING PROBLEM WITH THE INTERPLAY OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ABS SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE 2010 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2008 MODELS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10978840April 17, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALSO KNOWN AS THE COMBINATION METER, FAIL TO TURN ON. THIS ISSUE IS VERY CONCERNING DUE TO THE OVERALL COMPUTER CONTROLLED FUNCTIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER, TRIP METER, ODOMETER AND OTHER FUNCTIONS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE COMBINATION METER. FUNCTIONS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SAFETY ITEMS SUCH AS THE POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING, ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, SPEEDOMETER, LIGHTS, ETC. THERE IS AN ISSUED WARRANTY COVERING THE ISSUE UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME HOWEVER SINCE IT IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDLESS. AFTER VEHICLE IS EVENTUALLY IGNITED, COMBINATION METER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT FAILS TO DO SO WHICH ALSO INCLUDES NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. I WAS ADVISED BY A TOYOTA MECHANIC TO ACCESS THE SAFETY OVERRIDE BY HOLDING THE POWER BUTTON HOWEVER THAT PROCEDURE DOES NOT WORK ALL OF THE TIME. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE DUE TO MY SAFETY AND DRIVERS AROUND ME AND THEIR SAFETY AND HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE CAN BE AVOIDED BEFORE A POSSIBLE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT HAPPENS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10969379March 29, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OR/AND TURN OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AND QUITE OFTEN, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. REPLACING THE HID BULBS DOESN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10968435March 24, 2017
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG BAD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10967916March 23, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SMOG CHECK FAILED BECAUSE OF OBD BULB CHECK FAILURE AND OBDII FAILURE. SERVICE FAULT CODES ARE U0100 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ECM/PCM "A" AND U0111 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH BATTERY ENERGY CONTROL MODULE "A." CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10967435March 21, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASH LIGHTS SHOWING SPEED, FUEL LEVEL AND ODOMETER STOP FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. SO FAR IT HAPPENED ONCE ON START UP AFTER A COLD NIGHT. DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON LATER IN THE DAY. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN, THOUGH EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMED TO WORK OK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10967347March 20, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
INVERTER WATER PUMP REPLACED AT 75000 MILES UNDER RECALL AND FAILURE. SAME PUMP FAILED AGAIN AT 146600 MILES. REPLACEMENT PUMP LASTED LESS MILES THAN ORIGINAL. PUMP DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR SERVICE. DIAGNOSIS WAS PUMP SEIZED DURING EXPRESSWAY DRIVING (65 MPH). DID NOT CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE STOPPAGE BUT VSC WARNING CAUSED REDUCED CONTROLLABILITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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