Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10526169July 22, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
REAR HATCH RELEASE COVER MELTS OFF SWITCH. MY PRIUS REAR HATCH RELEASE RUBBER COVER BECAME STICKY A YEAR OR SO AGO. THEN STARTED MELTING OFF THE SWITCH THIS YEAR. I LEFT THE CAR SIT FOR A WEEK IN HIGH 90 TEMPS AND THE RUBBER COVER WAS NEARLY MELTED TO MY LICENSE PLATE. IT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE ELECTRIC SWITCH. I RESEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA WANTS $200 PLUS FOR THE SWITCH. THIS SHOULD NOT BREAKDOWN LIKE THIS. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TOYOTA FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE IT HAS A HARD TIME KEEPING THIS PART IN STOCK. THAT SHOWS IT'S A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525814July 19, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING HOME, FRIENDS WHO WERE FOLLOWING ME PASSED ME THEN CALLEDTO LET ME KNOW THAT MY CAR'S RIGHT FRONT LIGHT AND LEFT REAR LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. FOR THE LAST WEEK OR SO PEOPLE COMING TOWARDS ME BLINKED THEIR LIGHTS .. I HAVE REGULAR CHECKUPS AT THE TOYOTA PLACE, SO I IGNORED IT. LOOKING BACK ON IT, THEY WERE PROBABLY TRYING TO TELL ME ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT. I TOOK MY 2008 PRIUS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO REPLACE THE BULBS. THE REPAIR REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THE FRONT LIGHTS WERE WORKING BUT THE LEFT REAR LIGHT WASN'T . WHEN I TOLD HIM BOTH LIGHTS WERE DEFINITELY NOT WORKING THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, HE SAID IF I WANTED, THEY COULD REPLACE THE REAR LIGHT WITH A BULB, BUT THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO REMOVING THE BUMPER AND CHANGING THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY (NOT JUST A BULB!). THIS WOULD COST ME ABOUT $300. I THOUGHT THAT A BULB REPLACEMENT WOULD DO IT BUT NOT SO, THIS CAR HAS BLUE LIGHTS THAT REQUIRE BUMPER REMOVAL TO EVEN GET TO THE LIGHT. SINCE THE LIGHT WAS WORKING AT THAT TIME AND $300 IS A LOT FOR A RETIRED SINGLE WOMAN , I TOLD HIM I WOULD THINK ABOUT IT. NOT KNOWING IF THE LIGHT WILL WORK OR NOT, I QUIT DRIVING AFTER DARK. HOWEVER, UNEXPECTED RAIN STORMS FORCED ME TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON A COUPLE DAYS AGO. IT WORKED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS I AM NOT SURE IF THEY WILL COME ON OR NOT. MAYBE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS DOING THE SAME THING: GOING OFF AND ON WHEN I HAVE NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. I BOUGHT THE PRIUS TO SAVE MONEY ON GAS AND CALLED IT MY "LAST" CAR AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT AS PRESCRIBED. NOW I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT OR WHEN IT RAINS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524692July 13, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
I LIVE IN TEXAS WHERE THE WEATHER GETS HOT DURING THE SUMMER. I NOTICED LAST YEAR THAT THE RUBBER TRUNK LATCH ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS WAS NOTICEABLY DIFFERENT IN TEXTURE AFTER I HAD TRIED TO USE IT AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN. IT DIDN'T CAUSE MUCH OF A PROBLEM THEN, BUT NOW IT HAS MELTED SO MUCH THAT IT DROOPS DOWN OVER AN INCH AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM THE SIDES. THE HANDLE HAS TURNED INTO A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE, AND WILL NOT REATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL PART. I SPOKE WITH MY DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE IT FOR UNDER $400. I NORMALLY PARK MY VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR TO REPLACE. THIS CONCERNS ME AS I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE MY TRUNK WITH THE RUBBER PIECE GONE, SINCE IT PROTECTS IT FROM THE WATER, DUST AND DEBRIS. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ALSO ALLOW ME TO USE THE TRUNK, LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR, AND IS PART OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND BRAKING SYSTEM. WITH THE KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT ALREADY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRIUS, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH POTENTIAL ISSUES THAT COULD ARISE FROM THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND LOSING ACCESS TO THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT (EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, SPARE TIRE, JACK) THAT ARE ALL LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. IF THERE WAS EVER A NEED TO EXIT FROM THE TRUNK, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE ONCE THE LATCH HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS IT HAS OCCURRED TO COUNTLESS PEOPLE WHO ALL OWN 07-08 PRIUSES, AS WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO BE ABLE TO USE OUR TRUNK HANDLES WITHOUT BEING COVERED IN BLACK GOO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523649July 8, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE HATCHBACK RELEASE IS MELTING. IT IS ALL GOOEY WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS WHAT TYPE OF CHEMICAL IS GETTING ON MY HANDS? IS IT TOXIC? THE SECOND IS SAFETY. I HAVE READ OVER TIME YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK. THIS WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE IF YOU HAD A FLAT TIRE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM,BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. I ALSO SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THIS SITE. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST 210.00 PLUS TAX FOR A REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522065June 27, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT HID HEADLIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF, THEN TURNS OFF. IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A BIT, BUT THEN WILL EVENTUALLY FLICKER OUT AGAIN. ALSO, THE BULB IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AND REPLACE, AND TOYOTA REPORTEDLY CHARGES A LOT TO REPLACE AND INSTALL THESE BULBS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521815June 26, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE IS CONDENSATION IN DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. TOYOTA AND ALSO THEIR EXTRA CARE PLATINUM POLICY ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM. TOYOTA DEALER SAID "IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR PRIUS" , BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR SEALING, THEY SAY THE ENTIRE HOUSING NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, MOISTURE IS A DANGER TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! THEY SAY, TOTAL PRICE AROUND $600. WHY SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND ALSO BE IN DANGER IF LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHEN DRIVING. I AM A 67 YEAR OLD FEMALE KEEP MY CAR IN PERFECT ORDER AND IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME IF ANY LIGHT FAILURE WAS TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521547June 24, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THERE HAS BEEN A CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM MY BRAKES. IM NOT SURE WHEN IT BEGAN I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE RECENTLY MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS OR INDICATOR LIGHTS HAVE COME ON I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ACTUATOR PUMP WHICH WOULD COST AROUND 3000DOLLARS TO REPLACEAFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THIS ACTUALLY A PUMP IS DEFECTIVE ON A LOT OF THESE CARS THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10521328June 18, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT,I TURN MY LIGHTS OFF THAN ON AGAIN THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AGAIN. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519924June 15, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHT WILL TURN OFF, I WILL TURN THE SWITCH AND THEY COME BACK ON BUT DON'T STAY ON, I HAVE BEEN USING THE HIGH BEAMS BUT NOW THEY WILL NOT WORK. THE REGULAR BEAMS ARE STAYING ON A LITTLE LONGER BUT HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING, TURN THE SWITCH AND ON AGAIN, THE DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $1100, AND NOW REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS AT $350 IS A BIT MUCH. I DO A LOT OF DRIVING DURING DAWN HOURS AND NIGHT. WHY IS TOYOTA NOT COVER THE COST OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY OF THE PRIUS FROM 2005 TO 2008 IT SHOULD BE A RECALL TO HAVE THE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED ON ALL HID LIGHTS D2R. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519759June 14, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE FINE, WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. WHEN DOING SO THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT TURNED BACK ON. APPROXIMATELY 7-10 MINUTES LATER THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN. AGAIN I FLIPPED THE SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES OVER A 32 MINUTE DRIVE. WHEN I GOT HOME, I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THEY WERE BOTH WORKING. AS I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519656June 13, 2013
POWER TRAIN
LAST WEEK I WENT OUT DRIVING WITH A FRIEND, I WAS DELIVERING MEALS ON WHEELS TO VARIOUS HOMES IN MY AREA. AT ONE HOUSE I BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP AND SHIFTED INTO PARK AND LEFT THE MOTOR RUNNING. I THEN GOT OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, WENT AND OPENED THE BACK DOOR, TOOK OUT THE NECESSARY MEALS, CLOSED THE DOOR AND THEN WENT INTO THE HOUSE FOR THE DELIVERY. IN THE MEANTIME, MY FRIEND SAT IN THE PARKED CAR AND AFTER A VERY FEW MINUTES GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK AT SOMETHING IN THE NEIGHBORING GARDEN. OUT OF THE CORNER OF HER EYE SHE SAW THE CAR CREEPING FORWARD. SHE RUSHED TO THE CAR AND TRIED TO STOP IT BUT COULDN'T AND SO BEGAN TO SCREAM MY NAME? JUST AT THAT TIME I FINISHED MY DELIVERY CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS NOT PARKED WHERE I LEFT IT AND HEARD HER SCREAMS. I RAN TO THE DRIVEWAY AND SAW THE CAR MOVING FORWARD. I RAN AFTER IT, MANAGED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND PUSHED THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE MOTOR. THIS STOPPED THE CAR JUST IN TIME BEFORE RUNNING EITHER INTO A TREE, INTO ANOTHER CAR OR OFF THE DRIVEWAY DOWN A CLIFF. WE WERE, OBVIOUSLY VERY SHAKEN UP BY THE INCIDENT. NO ONE KNOWS WHY OR HOW THE CAR WENT OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE. BOTH MY FRIEND AND I ARE SURE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I LEFT IT AND WHEN SHE LEFT IT. IT SEEMS TO HAVE SUDDENLY SHIFTED. I HAVE GONE BACK TO THAT SITE TO CHECK IF THERE WAS IN INCLINE OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE CAR TO MOVE. THE GROUND WAS FLAT, DRY AND NOTHING WAS THERE TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS INCIDENT. I AM WRITING THIS TO SEE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE PRIUS. IS IT SOMETHING I MUST BE AWARE OF? IS THERE SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN? AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE NOTED AND MADE A RECORD OF BY THE COMPANY AND THE BOARD OF TRANSPORTATION. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516184June 11, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
MELT DOWN OF HATCHBACK RELEASE HANDLE. VERY HARD TO OPEN HATCHBACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515077June 4, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ALL LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT BLACK, FRONT, BACK EVERYTHING. I WAS GOING 50 MPH ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD SECTION OUT OF THE CURVES WHEN EVERYTHING WENT BLACK. IT WAS NIGHT-TIME AT ABOUT 9:30 PM SO VERY DARK. I WENT INTO SHOCK IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON BRAKES, JUST GLAD NO ONE IN BACK OF ME AND CAREFULLY TRIED TO FEEL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A ROAD WITH ALOT OF 18 WHEELERS AS IT IS A MAJOR ROUTE. ALSO VERY CURVY, AND I WAS LUCKY NOT TO GET KILLED!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513636May 27, 2013
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK, STRUCTURE
THE PLASTIC PART ON THE REAR LATCH FOR THE TOYOTA PRIUS IS NOW LIKE GUM. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL TOYOTA LATCHES AND IT COSTS ABOUT $280.00 TO FIX. I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512791May 20, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING , TURNED THEM OFF AND BACK ON AND WORKED FOR ABOUT 25 MILES AND DID IT AGAIN THIS TIME I HAD THE FOG LIGHTS ON AND IT WASN'T AS BAD BUT AGAIN TURNED THEM OFF AND THEN BACK ON WORKED TILL I GOT HOME .. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512687May 19, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE. HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. USUALLY, IF LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, HEADLIGHT WILL COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHT WILL TURN ON, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES (3 OR 4) SINCE I HAVE NOTICED THE FAILURE TWO MONTHS AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510634May 4, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY LATE NIGHT.. IT WAS EXTREMELY DARK BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT MANY OTHER CARS AROUND AT THE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509208April 22, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED A USED 2008 PRIUS WITH APPROX 30,000 MILES. SINCE PURCHASE FROM A DEALERSHIP, IT ONLY GIVES AT BEST 41.9MPG, 2ND.. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START IT ON 4 OCCASIONS DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY AND THE FLUID DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD. ON THE MOST RECENT OCCASION WITH 35,000 MILES..... A WEEK AGO I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT. I GOT IT JUMP STARTED AGAIN, I NOTICED A CRITICAL LIGHT CAME ON (A TRIANGLE AND ! SIGN IN RED). I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH THEY SAY DOES NOT COVER IT AND SO HAD TO PAY $395.71. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE WHO OFFERED $300 CREDIT TOWARDS ANY SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEPT INFORMED ME THIS BATTERY HAS A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. 3.. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED A LACK OF TRACTION AFTER GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS ON THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS ON ANY SURFACE WHEN DRIVING AT 25MPG OR FASTER... FEELS LIKE IT KIND OF GOES FASTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508847April 19, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT CONSTANTLY WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO MECHANICS WHO CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BULB ITSELF AND HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE HIDS WIRING. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVING THE IDENTICAL ISSUE AND THEY ARE URGING FOR A RECALL. I AM ALSO URGING FOR A RECALL. THERE WAS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IN REGARDS TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA HAS CREATED A KNOWINGLY FAULTY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND CAN'T RECALL IT. THOSE WHO SUED TOYOTA HAVE GOTTEN THEIRS FIXED, DOES IT REALLY HAVE TO GO THAT FAR FOR THE REST OF US? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508691April 18, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY PRIUS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AT NIGHT. THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS 10 OR MORE TIMES AN HOUR FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A BIKE RIDER BECAUSE THEY SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND I COULDN'T SEE THE PERSON CROSSING THE STREET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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