Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10547983October 15, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS BLINK OUT SINGLY OR AT THE SAME TIME FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. INCREASINGLY BOTH LIGHTS GO OUT OVER LAST YEAR. CAR AT 74000 MILES NOW. CAN BE ONE OR BOTH SO I DOUBT THIS IS A BULB ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547582October 10, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID HEADLAMP INTERMITTENT, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT HAS FAILED AGAIN @ 76,000 MI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546897October 6, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVERS HEADLIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. BULBS WILL NOT FIX IT AND THERE IS NO FACTORY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME VERY UNSAFE. FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546764October 4, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 PRIUS HEADLAMPS INTERMITTENT HID PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA PRIUS 2004-2009. NO RECALL FOR IT THAT I AM AWARE OF, HOWEVER THEY LIGHT WILL GO OUT RANDOMLY. THE COST OF REPAIR CAN BEEN EXTREME. TOYOTA WAS SUED FOR THIS, BUT DID NOT MAKE AN OFFICIAL RECALL (HTTP://WWW.GIRARDGIBBS.COM/TOYOTA-PRIUS/). WHEN DRIVING MY LIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON. TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON WILL SOMETIMES CORRECT THE ISSUE, BUT OTHERS TIMES I HAVE TO WAIT A BIT AND RETRY. THIS IS A DANGER AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ WHERE REPAIRS CAN RUN FROM 300 - 1100 PER SIDE TO REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFT GATE LATCH RUBBER IS BECOMING VERY STICKY. I HAVE AGAIN READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT IT EVENTUALLY MELTS AND AGAIN TOYOTA HAS NOT PUT A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS. LASTLY THE MPG IS HORRIBLE. IN THE CITY I GET 27 TO 36 RANDOMLY CHANGES, THERE IS NO STABILITY IN THE MPG. IT IS ALL OVER THE BOARD. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT TUSTIN TOYOTA IN TUSTIN CALIFORNIA. THEY HAVE REFUSED ALL CALLS FROM ME. THEY HAVE NOT CALLED BACK AFTER 4 MESSAGES AND TWO INTERNET CHAT MESSAGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546542October 2, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ONE, THE OTHER, OR BOTH HEADLIGHT TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. ROTATING THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL STALK TO OFF POSITION AND THEN BACK TO ON POSITION WILL RELIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THERE ARE NOW MULTIPLE INCIDENTS EVEN DURING SHORT TRIPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546112September 29, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, WE VISITED A FRIEND WHO TOLD US OUR PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. WHEN WE TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON IT CAME ON. WE HAVE HAD THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND OUR MECHANIC TRY TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE LIGHTS STILL GO OUT, SOMETIMES PASSENGER SIDE, SOMETIMES DRIVER SIDE, AND A FEW TIMES THEY HAVE BOTH GONE OUT. WHEN THE SWITCH IS SHUT OFF AND ON THEY COME BACK ON. I'M AFRAID MY LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND BE THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. WE, MY HUSBAND AND I, TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND SPECIFICALLY ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE HEADLIGHTS AND DESCRIBED OUR PROBLEMS TO THEM. THEY FAILED TO CHECK OUR LIGHTS BUT GAVE US A CHECKLIST OF OTHER MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545080September 24, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNED OFF. WHEN LIGHT SWITCH WAS TOGGLED HEADLIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN. OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT (INCLUDING ON A SECLUDED ROAD AT NIGHT) WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE EITHER BULB IS MALFUNCTIONING. CURRENTLY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL, AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT DOES NOT STAY ON MORE THAN 30 SECONDS AT A TIME. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545139September 24, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SOME MONTHS AGO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. I ENDED UP USING THE KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, SINCE TOYOTA DEALER QUOTED ME $500 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS, I DECIDED TO PAY AND THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. TO MY SURPRISE, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK IS GOING BAD NOW. WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK IT FROM WITHIN THE CAR, USING THE "UNLOCK DOORS" BUTTON, IT WILL WORK EVERY 3RD TIME OR SO. CLEARLY A BIGGER ISSUE, NOT ISOLATED TO MY INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE 70000 MILES AND ALWAYS SERVICED MY VEHICLE AT THE TOYOTA DEALERS. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO PAY TO FIX MY LOCK AND REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ACTUATOR I ALREADY PAID TO REPLACE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544725September 21, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS AT NIGHT, I HAD MY HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVING AT APPROX 50 - 60 MPH MY HID FRONT LIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS NOT A SAFETY RECALL BY NOW BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING WITH REGULARITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542824September 10, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I KNOW ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN RECALL AND IT DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL RECENTLY, SO IT DOES NOT FIT IN WITH THE TOYOTA 50,000 MILES AND UNDER RULE. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN STOPPED A COUPLE TIMES AND ITS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10541802September 4, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
BLACK HANDLE ON HATCH MELTING. AFTER ONLY ABOUT 5 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. I WENT TO TOYOTA ARDMORE, PA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT BUT DID NOT GET ANY ANSWERS AND CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO ASK TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538635September 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE REAR HATCH LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS MELTED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537547August 27, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
LIFT GATE LATCH RUBBER COVER IS MELTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536553August 21, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN SFO CITY ON AN UPHILL STREET. IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WAS GOING JUST FINE (STOP-AND-GO), AND AT ONE POINT IT JUST STOPPED ON THE UPHILL AND WON'T PULL UP. I HAD HALF+ TANK OF GAS, BATTERY WAS SHOWING 4 BARS, THE CAR WAS ON (ALL ELECTRICS OKAY) BUT WON'T PULL UP EVEN WHEN PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS. THERE WAS A EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME (SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR SOMETHING). I EVEN RESTARTED THE CAR, BUT NO HELP. FINALLY AAA CAME AND TOWED THE CAR AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE NORMAL ROAD AND IT STARTED RUNNING FINE?? NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS? I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HYBRID SWITCHING. MY CAR SERVICE (DEALER) SAYS THE 12V BATTERY (NOT THE HYBRID ONE) COULD BE DEAD/LOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535642August 15, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, WHIP LASH, AND INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED WHIP LASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10534976August 12, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
REAR LIFTGATE RUBBER GUARD HAS BECOME MELTED AND GOOEY CAUSING INTERMITTENT BACK LIFTGATE DOOR LOOK ISSUES. I NEED TO REPLACE JUST THE RUBBER PIECE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534723August 11, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BOTH MY LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THEN BOTH WENT OUT. THEN AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF THEN MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT STAYED OFF AND MY LEFT HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I CONTINUED ON THE ROAD, AFTER ABOUT 5 MINS DOWN THE ROAD THE LEFT WENT OUT AGAIN BUT CAME BACK ON. AND DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT AGAIN. THEN 3 WEEKS AGO I GOT MY RIGHT BULB REPLACED AND IT WORKED WITH NO PROBLEMS. THEN AFTER 2 WEEKS MY BULB BLEW AGAIN. THEN LAST NIGHT I WAS COMING HOME ON MY WAY FROM MY BARN AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED 1 TIME AND THEN I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS AND TOOK MY CAR DOWN INTO A FIELD BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE AFTER I CAME TO A STOP MY LIGHTS CAME BACK ON WITH ME TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534114August 7, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER TRAIN MOVED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER BACK INTO DRIVE. ONE WEEK LATER WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531601July 24, 2013
STRUCTURE
WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, THE RUBBER PIECE THAT YOU TOUCH IN ORDER TO OPEN THE TRUNK SEEM TO HAVE MELTED. MY FINGERS TURN BLACK EVERY TIME I TRY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT RUBBER PIECE IS CALLED OR THE PART NUMBER SO THAT I CAN REPLACE IT? IT MAKES THE REAR HATCH VERY HARD TO OPEN IN HOT AND COLD WEATHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10531714July 24, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE. WE WERE DRIVING AT NIGHT ABOUT 11:00 P.M. AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING FINE. SUDDENLY, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I SLOWED THE CAR AND TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND TURNED THEM BACK ON AGAIN VERY QUICKLY. NO PROBLEM THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND I WAS NOT SURE IF THEY WERE ON OR NOT AND WOULD SHUT THEM OFF AGAIN AND THEN ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES OTHER DRIVERS WOULD SIGNAL ME THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AND I WOULD TURN THEM OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND THEY WOULD BOTH BE LIT. BUT OFTEN WHEN THERE IS STILL AMBIENT LIGHT AS ON A CITY STREET OR LOTS OF OTHER CARS, I WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THEY WERE OFF UNTIL I HIT A DARK SECTION OF ROAD. I WENT TO TOYOTA YESTERDAY AND THE REPLACED BOTH BULBS. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND I BECAME AWARE OF IT BECAUSE I WAS FOLLOWING MY SON IN LAW IN HIS CAR AND HE SAID THAT I HAD NO LIGHTS. VERY SCARY. I DID THE SAME THING THEN AND TURNED THEM OFF AND ON AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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