Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10319704March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A GRASSY FIELD TO PARK THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE AUTOMATIC IGNITION OFF BUTTON FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 5/3/10 *CN A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FIED. UPDATED 05/17/10.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10319840March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHILE COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS IN A STUCK POSITION UNABLE TO RELEASE. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED; HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A MOMENT. THE VEHICLE RESTATED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. ALSO, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,943.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319923March 15, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 PRIUS HEAD LIGHT FAILURE. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAD NEW HEADLIGHT PUT IN (1-2009 & 1 IN 2010). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319922March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DONE THE AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THESE WERE BOTH LONG BEFORE RECENT REPORTS IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON ROUTE 84 BETWEEN THE WHITE PLAINS AND CARMEL EXITS. MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO BETWEEN 80 -85 MPH. I WAS IN SOME TRAFFIC AND FLASHED MY LIGHTS AT OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PASSING LANE BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP! WHEN I REGAINED CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD ME BRING THE CAR RIGHT IN AND THEN TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. I HAD TWO WITNESSES MY 16 AND 19 YEAR OLD CHILDREN. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE ACCELERATION HAPPENED AGAIN WITH MY 49 YEAR OLD FINANCE IN THE CAR. IT WAS AN IN TOWN ACCELERATION ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE (HOOKER AVENUE). AGAIN, I REGAINED CONTROL IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT PARTIALLY WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO STOP. AGAIN, I HAD IT CHECKED AT THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN, THEY PUT IT DOWN AS BRAKE RELATED INSTEAD OF ACCELERATION, THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS FINE. I CALLED THEM AFTER THIS 2008 TOYOTA INCIDENT AND THEY ARE SAYING THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ON MY MODEL. IT DOES! THEY RAN ANOTHER CHECK THIS MORNING AND AGAIN NOTHING WRONG. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319962March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AS EXPECTED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN THE MORNING. AND THEN ON THE WAY HOME I ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE OR SINCE. I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME THAT WOULD MAKE MY TIMING BE SO OFF THAT I WOULD HIT ANOTHER CAR! I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY "BRAKE FADE". I DISAGREED AND STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR RECENTLY WHILE THE BRAKING/ACCELERATION CONCERNS ARE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320024March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PARKING MY CAR HEAD IN FIRST, IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT, I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE SPACE, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND DEPRESSED THE PARK BUTTON, I THEN BEGAN TO REACH FOR THE POWER BUTTON WHEN THE CAR UNCONTROLLABLY LUNGED FORWARD GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, HITTING A CHAIN LINK FENCE POLE AND COMING TO A STOP DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE BRAKE, OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT, ON OCCASION SINCE THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE ACCIDENTALLY TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND FELT A SURGE OF SPEED BUT THE CAR WAS SLOWED/STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKE. IT'S SO EASY TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WITHOUT KNOWING IT AND I WONDER IF IT COULD BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO SOME OF THE PRIUS PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319610March 15, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OUR OFFICE OWNS A TOYOTA PRIUS THAT I DRIVE OCCASIONAL TO WORK ASSIGNMENTS. I TOOK THE CAR ON A TRIP TO SEE A WORK PROJECT BUT STOPPED TO PICK UP ANOTHER EMPLOYEE BEFORE HEADING TO THE SITE. WHEN I PULLED UP TO PICK UP THE EMPLOYEE THE PRIUS'S ENTIRE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WENT BLANK. I PULLED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TRIED TO TURN IT OFF. THE "KEY" WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE RECEIVER. I REALIZED THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING SO I TRIED REPEATEDLY TO TURN IT OFF BY PRESSING ON THE POWER BUTTON. THE OTHER EMPLOYEE SHOWED UP SO WE DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY OFFICE (2 BLOCKS) GOT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I DROVE THE PRIUS TO THE OFFICE SERVICE GARAGE. THE GARAGE STAFF COULDN'T TURN OFF THE CAR EITHER. SO I LEFT IT THERE. LATER THE GARAGE CALLED TO SAY THE CAR WAS READY. I ASKED THEM WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SAY IT JUST HAD TO BE RE-BOOTED BY HOLDING DOWN THE POWER BUTTON FOR 10 SECONDS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING KILLED DRIVING TOYOTA PRODUCTS AND TOYOTA SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE COMPUTER I THOUGHT I SHOULD WRITE AND TELL YOU IT IS THE COMPUTER! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE DETAILS OR PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION YOU CAN E-MAIL ME . I CAN FILL IN A LOT OF DETAILS WHEN I GET BACK TO THE OFFICE. I USED 1/12/2010 TO GET THROUGH THIS FORM BUT I CAN CHECK THE DATE WHEN I GET INTO THE OFFICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319559March 14, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TOYOTA PRIUS VIN=[XXX] PASSENGER HID HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. STOPPED, SHUT OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED AND HEADLIGHT REENERGIZED, BUT FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AFTER A FEW MINUTES. MILES ON CAR 35,499. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319591March 14, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION I WENT TO GO THROUGH THE YELLOW HOWEVER THERE WAS A POLICE CAR BESIDE ME SO I THOUGHT BETTER STOP AND WAIT. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES ONLY TO FIND MY CAR SKIDDED FORWARD. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR, I COULD ONLY SLOW IT DOWN WITH THE BRAKES. MY FASTEST SPEED WAS 60KM/H. I TURNED THE CAR THROUGH THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO A PARKING LOT AND IN THE MIDDLE OF IT I JUST TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON IT SKIDDED FORWARD AGAIN AND WHEN I CHECKED THE BATTERY IT WAS EMPTY. I SAT THERE FOR A WHILE AND EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON WITHOUT IT ACCELERATING. I REMOVED THE MATS AFTER THE MAT RECALL IN THIS VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA PRIUS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE ACCELERATOR RECALL LIST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319454March 13, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLAMP HAS GONE OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE...DEALERSHIP IN ASHEVILLE ONLY SAYS ITS PAST THE 36,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. GOING TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP CHECK OUT THE LIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG. SAW ALL THE COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER OWNERS AND THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS OR A LEMON LAW PUT ON IT SO TOYOTA WILL HANDLE THE COSTS. I AM JUST WONDERING HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. THE LIGHT ALONE IS ABOUT $150.00 EACH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319138March 12, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN WE DRIVE OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES FAIL FOR APPROX. A SECOND AND A HALF OR SO. AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. IT IS A VERY UNSETTLING FEELING. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319189March 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SLOWLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A SHOPPING CART. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER SHOPPING CART AND THEN INTO A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND FOUND NO FAULT IN THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CODE INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS "DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY." THE CONTACT VERIFIED THAT NEITHER HE NOR THE OTHER DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HAD EVER OPERATED THE VEHICLE IN SUCH A MANNER. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,210 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNDER 11,000. UPDATED 5/6/10 *CN UPDATED 05/24/10
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319340March 12, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE MALFUNCTION - 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. DRIVING 50-55 M/H ON NORTH 280 NEAR MILLBRAE, CA IN HEAVY RAIN. VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE REVVED 3 TIMES IN SUCCESSION (SOUNDED LIKE: VROOM, VROOM, VROOM) WHILE ACCELERATING TO 65 M/H. ALL THIS TIME I WAS STEPPING ON THE BREAKS. ACCELERATION EVENTUALLY STOPPED WENT BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN DALY CITY BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THIS MALFUNCTION ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318823March 11, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER AN ICY OR BUMPY ROAD SURFACE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING INSTEAD OF DECREASING IN SPEED. THE DRIVER HAD TO CONTINUE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO DECREASE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON AT LEAST 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318954March 11, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER READING ABOUT THE RUN A WAY PRIUS IN SAN DIEGO MONDAY, I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY PRIUS IN NEUTRAL. NEUTRAL DOES NOT EXIST OR DOES NOT WORK. WHILE ACCELERATING ONE CANNOT PUT THE PRIUS IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A CONCERN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE REP SAID THAT PRIUS' ARE A BREED ALL THERE OWN AND PRETTY MUCH AGREED THAT THE NEUTRAL DID NOT WORK. PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318957March 11, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO A SHARP CURVE; APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN DURING BRAKING. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND ONTO THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 3,222. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319048March 11, 2010
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A WATER LEAK IN THE TRUNK IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD CONTRIBUTED TO WATER LEAKAGE WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318453March 10, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SURGING SOUND FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED BRIEF ACCELERATION, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,334.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318464March 10, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 31 DECEMBER 2009 MY 08 PRIUS WAS SLOWED DOWN PRIOR TO TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY, WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND A POWERPOLE. THE FLOOR MAT, THAT ACCORDING TO TOYOTA IS SUPPOSED TO CAUSE THIS, WAS PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE PEGS IN THE FLOOR, AND IN PROPER PLACE EVEN AFTER THE CRASH RECENTLY, ON 6 APRIL, 2010, I AGAIN EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION WHEN GOING ABOUT 5/10 MILES PER HOUR. IT LASTED ABOUT FOUR SECONDS AND DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318767March 10, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PREMATURE FAILURE OF HID LIGHT BULB ON 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT . THEN BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WILL COST 250.00 TO REPLACE IT.I UNDERSTAND THIS A REALLY COMMON FAILURE ON PRIUS WITH HID LIGHT BULBS AND IT HAPPENS ALOT.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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