Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10595329May 31, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BURNED OUT SINCE THE CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DON'T JUST SLOWLY DIM LIKE OTHER HEADLIGHTS. THEY GO COMPLETELY OUT OF A SUDDEN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS FIVE TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10595039May 30, 2014
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT REPLACING THE SHIFTER MAY RECTIFY THE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO GUARANTEE IT WOULD BE A PERMANENT FIX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. REMAILED 08/20/14*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588323May 14, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING A NEW 2008 PRIUS I HAVE HAD ISSUES W/ 1 HEADLIGHT GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. IF I PULL OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF & RESTART IT, THE LIGHT USUALLY COMES BACK ON. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE LIGHT BACK ON.THE PROBLEM HAS ESCALATED TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS DRIVING ALONE ON A DARK CURVY ROAD AT 10PM GOING 35 & SUDDENLY BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF! I COULDN'T SEE A THING & WAS NOW DRIVING IN THE PITCH DARK ON A CURVY ROAD! I PULLED OVER AS QUICKLY AS I COULD & ACTUALLY HIT A MAILBOX BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. IF SOMEONE WAS WALKING THEIR DOG I WOULD HAVE RUN OVER THEM WHILE TRYING TO PULL OVER.AFTER CONTINUOUSLY TURNING THE CAR ON & OFF, TURNING THE LIGHTS ON & OFF, TURNING THE HIGH BEAMS ON & OFF, I FINALLY GOT THE LIGHTS TO GO BACK ON. WHILE DRIVING THE REST OF THE WAY HOME,1 HEADLIGHT WENT OUT.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.NOT ONLY ARE YOU LEFT DRIVING IN THE DARK & NO ONE ELSE OR OTHER CARS CAN SEE YOU BUT IT CAUSES PANIC AS IT IS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED & HOW A DRIVER REACTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT (IF NOT HAVING HEADLIGHTS DOESN'T DO IT). A NEW DRIVER OR OLDER PERSON DRIVING WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WOULD CERTAINLY CAUSE THEM TO PANIC. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR HAVING A LIGHT OUT. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD; TOYOTA REPLACED THE BULB UNDER WARRANTY; THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS THE LIGHTS HAVE CONTINUED TO GO OUT. HAVING 1 LIGHT OUT IS BAD BUT HAVING BOTH GO OUT WHILE DRIVING IS ASKING FOR AN ACCIDENT & FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILLED. IF I CAN BE TICKETED FOR HAVING A LIGHT OUT BECAUSE THE CAR IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE THAN A SAFETY RECALL S/B ISSUED. THESE CARS ARE GETTING OLDER; PLEASE RE-OPEN THIS INVESTIGATION SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER GM IGNITION ISSUE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE DIED & WE FIND OUT THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588213May 13, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), POWER TRAIN
MY 2008 PRIUS WON'T STAY IN GEARS OCCASIONALLY GEAR JUMPED BACK FROM D TO N MODE. FORTUNATELY, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN I DROVE 70 MILES PER HOUR. I WENT TO TOYOTA CENTER AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SHIFT LEVER. I DON'T KNOW WHY I SHOULD PAY FOR IT, IT IS A DEFECT OF THIS CAR, NOT BECAUSE HOW I DRIVE THIS CAR. PLUS, I DON'T HAVE THIS MONEY, SO I DIDN'T REPAIR FOR IT. I NEED TO REPORT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL 2008 PRIUS, TO MAKE SURE OUR (CUSTOMER) SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587760May 12, 2014
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO BY A DUMP TRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586359May 3, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS LEAVING A STORE PARKING LOT WHEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AND TOLD ME MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. IT WAS GETTING DARK SO I HAD TO POSTPONE MY PLANS AND GO STRAIGHT HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BOTH ON, BUT THEN ON PARKING IN THE GARAGE I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OFF. THE NEXT MORNING I DROVE TO MY MECHANIC AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BOTH ON WHEN I LEFT, BUT ON ARRIVING THERE THEY WERE BOTH OFF. I AS SHOCKED WHEN MY MECHANIC SAID TO GO TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND TOYOTA WAS SUED FOR IT. HE SAID THE DEALER NEEDED TO REPORT IT TO TOYOTA, HOWEVER, THE DEALER DENIED KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE OR THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT UNTIL I SHOWED IT TO THEM ONLINE AND THEN THEY ADMITTED IT. WHEN I ASKED THEM IF TOYOTA HAS CHANGED ANYTHING ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM THEY SAID "NO!" THE ESTIMATE WAS $485. I CALLED TOYOTA AND COMPLAINED BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM SAID REPLACING THE BULBS DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT MAY RECUR OR MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS MIGHT BE NECESSARY. THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY WOULD COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP BULBS JUST THIS TIME ONLY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN A TOYOTA CUSTOMER FOR 17 YEARS AND NOT BECAUSE OF ANY NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART. AND LIKE THE DEALER, BASICALLY LIED AND REFUSED TO ADMIT THEY KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE OR THE LAWSUIT BUT AT THE SAME TIME MENTIONED THE 50,000 MILE/5 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM LAWSUIT FOR SAME ISSUE, WHICH EXCLUDES ME. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. MY HEADLIGHTS COULD GO OFF AGAIN WHILE I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO IGNORE DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS AND LIE TO COVER IT UP, NOT ONLY BY TOYOTA BUT ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY PAID BY TAXPAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586132May 2, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT WILL GO OFF WHEN DRIVING, SOMETIMES ONE ONLY. THEN THE OTHER. THERE IS NO SET PATTERN. HEADLIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON WHEN THE ON/OFF SWITCH IS TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON, THEN WILL GO OFF AGAIN. THREE OEM BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN ONE AND A HALF YEARS. I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY SAY THAT IT IS JUST A BAD BULB AND JUST REPLACE THE BULB ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE CANNOT PREDICT WHEN BULBS WILL GO OUT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585813May 1, 2014
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 09/01/10, WE TOOK OUR 2008 PRIUS IN BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO TIMES THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WHEN WE USED THE BRAKES. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. IT WAS SCARY AND I FEARED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THEY WORKED ON THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE FLOOR MATS THAT INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL TO RAISE IT UP SINCE IT WAS STUCK. I WAS ANGRY THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED THE FACT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND ACTED AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS HANDLED. ON 03/31/12, W. MANCHESTER/HINDRY, BEFORE 2:00 P.M., IT HAD DRIZZLED, I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, DROVE AHEAD AND AT A FORK IN THE ROAD I TAPPED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ON A CURVE. INSTEAD, THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR KEPT GAINING SPEED! I WAS AT LEAST 3 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND OTHER CAR, PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. IT WAS TERRIFYING! I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO CRASH AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT IT. I REAR ENDED THE MERCEDES, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAD 2 BOXES OF BOOKS IN THE TRUNK THAT HIT THE BACK OF MY SEAT AND KNOCKED DOWN THE REAR SEATS FROM THE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOWED. DAMAGES: $5,988.79. MEDICAL: $25,000. NEXT MONTH, A CRACKED PUMP WAS DISCOVERED AT FIREWALL, DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE BLACK BOX SHOWED IMPACT WAS AT 35 MPH, (35-27) MPH, 0.02 SEC. INJURIES: CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, BACK SPASMS, DOUBLE-CRUSH INJURY, PTSD, DEPRESSION, MIGRAINES. I COULDN'T DRIVE OR START PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 4 MOS., UNTIL 07/27/12. MY THERAPIST WORKED ALOT TO RELAX MY MUSCLES, I HAD TRACTION, BOUGHT A TRACTION DEVICE $400. AND 6 MOS. OF CHIROPRACTIC FOR MUSCLE SPASMS. 12/08/12, I HAD A NERVE-TEST, IT WAS ABNORMAL FOR A DOUBLE-CRUSH INJURY. PRESCRIBED XANAX FOR PTSD, ANXIETY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10585814May 1, 2014
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 09/01/10, WE TOOK OUR 2008 PRIUS IN BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO TIMES THE CAR DIDN'T STOP WHEN WE USED THE BRAKES. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. IT WAS SCARY AND I FEARED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THEY WORKED ON THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE FLOOR MATS THAT INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL TO RAISE IT UP SINCE IT WAS STUCK. I WAS ANGRY THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED THE FACT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND ACTED AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS HANDLED. ON 03/31/12, W. MANCHESTER/HINDRY, BEFORE 2:00 P.M., IT HAD DRIZZLED, I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, DROVE AHEAD AND AT A FORK IN THE ROAD I TAPPED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ON A CURVE. INSTEAD, THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR KEPT GAINING SPEED! I WAS AT LEAST 3 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND OTHER CAR, PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. IT WAS TERRIFYING! I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO CRASH AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT IT. I REAR ENDED THE MERCEDES, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I HAD 2 BOXES OF BOOKS IN THE TRUNK THAT HIT THE BACK OF MY SEAT AND KNOCKED DOWN THE REAR SEATS FROM THE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOWED. DAMAGES: $5,988.79. MEDICAL: $25,000. NEXT MONTH, A CRACKED PUMP WAS DISCOVERED AT FIREWALL, DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE BLACK BOX SHOWED IMPACT WAS AT 35 MPH, (35-27) MPH, 0.02 SEC. INJURIES: CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, BACK SPASMS, DOUBLE-CRUSH INJURY, PTSD, DEPRESSION, MIGRAINES. I COULDN'T DRIVE OR START PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 4 MOS., UNTIL 07/27/12. MY THERAPIST WORKED ALOT TO RELAX MY MUSCLES, I HAD TRACTION, BOUGHT A TRACTION DEVICE $400. AND 6 MOS. OF CHIROPRACTIC FOR MUSCLE SPASMS. 12/08/12, I HAD A NERVE-TEST, IT WAS ABNORMAL FOR A DOUBLE-CRUSH INJURY. PRESCRIBED XANAX FOR PTSD, ANXIETY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10584952April 25, 2014
TIRES, WHEELS
WE HAVE HAD TWO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES (195/55-16) - ONE ON 12/11/2012 (RIGHT FRONT) AND ONE ON 04/24/2014 (LEFT FRONT). BOTH TIRES HAD BEEN IN SERVICE LESS THAN 5,000 MILES, WERE CORRECTLY INFLATED AND IN NO WAY MISUSED. NO ROAD OBSTACLE HAS HIT - THE TIRES SIMPLY DISINTEGRATED AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT INDICATION. BOTH LOOK AS THOUGH A TIGER SAW HAD BEEN USED TO CUT AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE WHERE THE SIDEWALL TURNS TO MEET THE TREAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10579042April 10, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THE HID LEFT HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OUT. WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK, I HAD TO TURN OFF MY HEADLIGHTS AND TURN THEM BACK ON. WHEN I DID THIS, BOTH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF AN HOUR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10576711April 2, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE HEAD LIGHT BACK ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10576195April 1, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10576068March 31, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EVERY FEW WEEKS (EVEN SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SAME WEEK), THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON THE CAR GO COMPLETELY DARK, WITHOUT WARNING (NO, THE DIMMER SWITCH IS NOT TURNED TO "LOW" OR "OFF"-- THAT IS THE FIRST THING WE TRIED). SIMULTANEOUSLY, OR SOMETIMES AT DIFFERENT TIMES, THE CAR REFUSES TO TURN OFF, EVEN WHEN THE "OFF" SWITCH IS PRESSED CONSTANTLY OR INTERMITTENTLY, FOR UP TO A HALF-HOUR. OBVIOUSLY, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO LEAVE A CAR RUNNING, SO ONE CANNOT LEAVE THE CAR; WHEN DRIVING, THE LOSS OF ALL THE DASHBOARD INFORMATION IS TERRIFYING, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS SO DISTRACTING AS TO BE POTENTIALLY CRASH-CAUSING. THE TOYOTA DEALER FIRST CLAIMED IT WAS THE 12-VOLT BATTERY, SO WE REPLACED IT. THIS DID NOT FIX IT. AT THE DEALER'S REQUEST, WE LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM FOR A LONG WEEKEND, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT SINCE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO REENACT THE SITUATION, THEY COULD NOT HELP US. AFTER SOME BACK-AND-FORTH, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE A "COMBINATION METER," WHICH TOYOTA HAD APPARENTLY FOUND TROUBLESOME ENOUGH TO OFFER FREE "OUT-OF-WARRANTY" REPAIRS OF. HOWEVER, THE DEALER FIRST SAID TOYOTA WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT UNLESS THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE TROUBLE, AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RECREATE THE DISTRESSING SITUATION. AS IF WE WOULD LIE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A NEW COMBINATION METER! WE JUST WANT TO CAR TO WORK AND BE SAFE. NOW WE ARE WAITING FIVE-PLUS DAYS FOR THE PART TO COME IN, AND NOT EVEN SURE IF IT WILL FIX OUR PROBLEM. THERE'S PLENTY OF DISCUSSION OF THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE ALL ACROSS THE INTERNET. WHY HAS THE COMPANY NOT FIGURED THIS OUT, AND TRAINED ITS MECHANICS ACCORDINGLY? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573327March 19, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TWO TIMES WITHIN A MONTH. IN ONE CASE, I WAS TURNING LEFT TO TAKE A RAMP WITH A VERY LOW SPEED AROUND 5 MPH. EVEN THOUGH SOME PARTS OF THE ROAD WAS ICY, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T SLIP. IT WAS EXACTLY A SEVERAL SUDDEN PUSHES, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ONLY. I WAS SO SCARED BECAUSE I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR FOR FEW SECONDS, AND I THOUGHT I TOTALLY LOST THE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY AND TURN ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHT. CHECKED THE BRAKE AGAIN, IT WAS WORKING AFTER THAT. THE SECOND TIME, HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS COMING OUT OF SCHOOL PARKING AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY SPEED AT ALL. AGAIN AROUND 5 MPH. SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN RESIDENTIAL AREA. WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE PARKING, YOU CAN ONLY TURN RIGHT, THEN THERE IS AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN ALMOST 50 FEET AWAY. ON THE DAY OF INCIDENT, I TRIED TO STOP BEHIND THE STOP SIGN WITH NO SPEED AT ALL, BUT SUDDENLY THE CAR GOT THE SAME CONTINUOUS AND SUDDEN PUSHES. IT WAS ACCELERATED UNINTENDED. MY FOOT WAS COMPLETELY ON THE BRAKE, BUT I LOST THE CONTROL AGAIN, AND I WAS SO LUCKY THAT DAY THAT THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND THE INTERSECTION, I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE LEFT, TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHT, AND TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKE AGAIN AND AGAIN. AFTER FEW SECONDS, I FOUND IT WORKING. I CALLED THE TOYOTA THE SAME DAY, AND THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SCHEDULING ME FOR INSPECTION. AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THE SURFACE WAS SLICK WITH ICE, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE SPEED, AND IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE ABS IS WORKING. I EXACTLY KNOW HOW ABS WORKS, SPECIALLY WHEN IT IS SNOWY OR ICY. THIS IS VERY SCARY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573487March 19, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PURCHASED MY PRIUS NEW. I HAVE HAD A CHRONIC & CONSTANT ISSUE WITH MY HEAD LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE CHECKED BY MECHANICS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A "TOYOTA ELECTRICAL ISSUE". THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BULBS OR COMPONENTS THAT CAN BE FOUND BY MECHANICS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND OCCURS RANDOMLY WITHOUT NOTICE. MY HEAD LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS JUST "GO OUT"...ANY TIME, ANYWHERE! I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS (OTHER YEARS TOO), AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572844March 17, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PURCHASED CAR USED. I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT THE RIGHT LIGHT WAS FLICKERING. IN A FEW DAYS, IT STARTED GOING OUT. CAME BACK ON LATER, THEN WENT OUT AGAIN BACK AND FORTH. AFTER HAVING BULB REPLACED, WITH IN 2 DAYS, IT DID THE SAME THING. LEFT HID LIGHT IS NOW DOING THE SAME FLICKERING, THOUGH NOT GOING OUT TOTALLY YET THAT I HAVE NOTICED. TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF MAKE THEM WORK AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THEY RANDOMLY GO OUT. THEY WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT OR ON EVEN IF SITTING STILL. AFTER RESEARCHING, I AM FINDING THAT PEOPLE ARE SPENDING 1000S OF DOLLARS AND STILL NOT GETTING THIS FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568480March 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
CAR LOSES BRAKING ABLITIES WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN OR SLIPPERY TERRAIN. THE ABS INITIATES BUT THEN STOPS. THE ABS LIGHT CAN BE SEEN ON THE DASH (NORMAL). THIS ACTION IS VERY FRIGHTENING. THE STOPPING DISTANCES HAVE LEFT ROOM FOR ERROR, SO NO ACCIDENTS YET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567158March 5, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP THAT IS ALREADY BEING RECALLED. I HAD MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE BATTERY. MY INVOICE CAME OUT TO $1213. I SENT THIS TO TOYOTA FOR A REFUND WHEN THE RECALL NOTICE CAME OUT. THEY REFUNDED ME A MERE $428 (THIS IS FOR ONLY THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP) CLAIMING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING THAT SHOWS THE BATTERY OR THE OTHER WATER PUMP COULD BE EFFECTED BY THE RECALL CONDITION. IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN WHEN I EXPERIENCED EXACTLY THE SAME CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL AND ENDED UP NEEDING MULTIPLE PARTS REPLACED WHEN TOYOTA CLAIMS ONLY THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP MAY BE EFFECTED. I HAD NO OTHER ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE LEADING UP TO THIS SO IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THE WATER PUMP AND BATTERY JUST WENT BAD AT THE VERY SAME MOMENT THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP STOPPED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566912March 4, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE IS A LEAK INSIDE THE 12V BATTERY COMPARTMENT THAT HOUSES THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE CAR'S HATCH LEAKS WATER IN FROM RAIN AND CAR WASHES AND IT COLLECTS AROUND THE 12V BATTERY. IN THIS PRIUS, THIS AREA HAS THE BATTERY, ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER, AND FURTHER BACK IS THE HV BATTERY. THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY WATER THAT CAN LEAK INTO THIS AREA WITH THE ELECTRONICS. THERE ARE MANY GOOGLE THREADS REGARDING OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INSIDE THE CAR'S BACK AREA. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE THE BATTERY AND BRAKE BOOSTER IS IN THIS EXACT AREA WHERE IT CAN AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR WHEN DRIVEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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