Toyota Prius Complaints (2010)

2,829 consumer complaints on file.

#10515332June 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I'M A OWNER OF A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. I ALMOST CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR, DUE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD PAVEMENT TO AVOID THE CAR ACCIDENT. I HAD MULTIPLE TIMES NEAR MISS CAR ACCIDENTS BEFORE REPORTING THIS ISSUE. DUE TO THE VERY POOR BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKE RESPONSE IS VERY POOR. IN A QUICK REACTION FOR BRAKING, THIS CAR'S BRAKES WILL NOT STOP IN TIME TO AVOID ACCIDENT. AFTER A RECENT CLOSE CAR ACCIDENT 6/3/2013, I HAVE TO GIVE A LOT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN MY CAR AND OTHER CARS FOR BRAKING IN TIME TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT. AS A BUYER PURCHASING A NEW CAR, THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR SAFETY FOR A FAMILY OWNED CAR. I PURCHASE THIS CAR FOR A FUEL GAS SAVING CAR, BUT IT'S SCARY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. DUE TO VERY POOR BRAKE SYSTEM IN THIS 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. TOYOTA COMPANY NEEDS TO RECALL THE BRAKING SYSTEMS FOR ALL 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. IT'S NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AND FIX FOR BETTER BRAKING QUALITY. I WANT TO SELL MY 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS, DUE TO THIS ISSUE OF BRAKING, BUT I CAN'T SELL THIS CAR DUE TO I STILL HAVE TO PAY OFF MY AUTO LOAN. MY FAMILY FEARS FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHER TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS OUT THERE. PLEASE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] 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
#10515341June 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,001 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514615June 1, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR. THEY CONTINUALLY BURN OUT, OR, GO OUT AND THAN COME BACK ON WHEN HEADLIGHT IS 'TAPPED' LIGHTLY. DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP(S) HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES AND PROBLEM RECURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514440May 31, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE OIL CHANGE COVER FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE COVER IS BENEATH THE CAR'S ENGINE NEAREST THE PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE. THE PANEL HAD SHOWN WEAR AND IT LOOKED LIKE A PLASTIC FASTENER FAILED. THE PANEL WAS ABLE TO BE RECOVERED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514271May 30, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE PEDAL AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514119May 29, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE VEHICLE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF LOSING BRAKE PRESSURE OVER BUMPS. THIS CAN BE DUPLICATED EASILY AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAS YET TO RECTIFY. SIMPLY DRIVE OVER A BUMP SUCH AS A BREAK IN CONCRETE ON A BRIDGE, POTHOLE, ETC. AND HOLD ON TIGHT. THIS CAN RESULT IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY AS OCCUPANTS EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE WHICH CAN INDUCE PANIC AND COLLISION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514172May 29, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OUR 2010 PRIUS SUFFERED A NEAR TOTAL POWER FAILURE ON 5/10/13 WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED WARNING, LOST POWER DECELERATING FROM ABOUT 35 MPH TO ABOUT 4 MPH IN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS. EVERY IDIOT LIGHT CAME ON AT ONCE ON THE DASH PANEL AND A "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" NOTICE CAME UP ON THE ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET AND NOT THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SAFELY OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR A TOW. OUR PRIUS HAS APPROX. 44000 MILES ON IT, IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALER, NOT MISTREATED IN ANY WAY AND GAVE NO ADVANCED WARNING INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. THE CAR LOST ALMOST TOTAL POWER, LIMPED ABOUT 50 FEET PAST PARKED CARS AND JUST DIED AT THE CURB AFTER I PUT IT IN PARK. IT WOULD LIGHT UP ACROSS THE DASH, BUT NEVER START THE ENGINE. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR ABOUT 36 MONTHS. AS THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, I AM GREATLY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND HAVING THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN, ESPECIALLY TO HER AT HIGH SPEED, MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY INSTALLED A NEW 12V BATTERY AND EVENTUALLY THE MAIN FIX, A INVERTER/CONVERTER. THE CAR NOW RUNS LIKE DAY ONE. HOWEVER, HOW DO WE TRUST THIS CAR IN THE FUTURE IF IT DID NOT GIVE ANY WARNING OF IMMINENT PROPULSION FAILURE ? I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THEIR PROVIDING SOME KIND OF ADVANCED WARNING TO GET THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND KEEP IT RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1 - 5 MINUTES. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513921May 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
IN THE PAST (STARTING AT 2,800 MILES) AND REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER (HUNTINGTON TOYOTA), TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE NHTSA, WHENEVER THE CAR WENT OVER A ROUGH ROAD SERVICE WHILE BRAKING AT ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WOULD CUT OUT AND GIVE THE SENSATION OF THE CAR SURGING FORWARD REQUIRING MUCH GREATER BRAKING EFFORT TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE BRAKES WOULD RESET AFTER A FULL STOP AND THEY WOULD ACT NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME BRAKING WAS DONE ON A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. TOYOTA CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THE PRIUS ABS SYSTEM, EVEN AFTER THE FIRMWARE UPGRADE WAS APPLIED. THIS TIME THE BRAKES DID NOT RESET AFTER A FULL STOP AND EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. THERE WAS NO REGENERATIVE BRAKING AVAILABLE. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHO HAS HAD IT FOR MORE THAN A WEEK, AND IS REPLACING MAJOR BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT WITHOUT THE WARRANTY THESE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER $4500. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING AND DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH MAY BE FINALLY RESOLVED AFTER ALL OF THE BRAKE COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS. AS AN ASIDE, THE BRAKE PADS SHOW SIGNIFICANT AND UNUSUAL WEAR BECAUSE THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING DID NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513604May 26, 2013
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR OCCASIONALLY UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES WHEN HITTING A BUMP FOR MAYBE A SECOND. DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS AS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL. HAPPENS MAYBE ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513331May 23, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN MY BUMPER BOTTOM BECAME PARTIALLY DETACHED. IT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND PUT ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS, DRIVING SLOWLY ON THE FREEWAY UNTIL I COULD PULL OFF SAFELY. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I INSPECTED MY CAR AND SAW A LARGE BLACK BUMPER PIECE DRAGGING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS 1 MILE FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, SO I DROVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS AS IT IS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND AND MANY CUSTOMERS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BUMPER. IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY TOYOTA PRIUS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT HITS THE PARKING LOT SEPARATIONS BECAUSE IT IS LOW. I MUST STOP BEFORE THE PARKING LOT SEPARATION IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS. IT IS STRANGE THAT THE TOYOTA WOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE SO LOW AS TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. EVEN MORE ALARMING IS THAT MY BUMPER BOTTOM SUDDENLY FELL OFF, WITHOUT WARNING. THIS SEEMS LIKE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND POOR DESIGN THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512889May 20, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER LEFT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP SLOWLY. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE BRAKE BOOSTER / MASTER CYLINDER. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS AIR IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR ALMOST $2900 TO FIX THE BRAKES. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE BUT WAS REFUSED. SEARCHING ONLINE FOUND OTHERS WITH SAME FAILURE. IN PARTICULAR, THERE WAS A PERSON WITH 43K MILES WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE, AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO HELP HIM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FULLY AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ANY ASSISTANCE. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE BRAKE BOOSTER BUT I WILL KEEP THE OLD ONE IN CASE YOU NEED IT FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION. I HAD SIMILAR ISSUE ON MY 2004 LEXUS RX330 AND THERE WAS EVENTUALLY A RECALL FOR IT. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR TO HAVE THIS KIND OF A SAFETY FAILURE. MY WIFE AND KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512218May 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
FIRST INCIDENT: APRIL 15, 2013 I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM MY NIGHT SHIFT WORK AS A REGISTERED NURSE. I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE WHEN I FELT THE BRAKE WAS FAILING. IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS DRIVING SLOW TO MAKE A TURN WHEN I FELT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT TO A PARKING LOT NEARBY BY USING THE FOOT BRAKE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I HEARD SQUEAKING NOISES FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BRAKES. I WAS RELIEVED THAT I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. ACTION AFTER THE 1ST INCIDENT: APRIL 24, 2010. WE TOWED THE CAR TO DCH TOYOTA FREEHOLD, AND IT TOOK ABOUT 5 DAYS TO REPAIR THE BRAKES SO THEY GAVE US A LOANER CAR WHICH WE TRULY APPRECIATE. BUT WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR, THE BRAKES WERE FIXED BUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE IS STILL PRESENT, AND OUR WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE AND TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEIR TECHNICIANS TESTED MY CAR AND DEEMED IT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THEY WOULD NEVER RELEASE MY CAR UNLESS THEY KNOW IT IS SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. SECOND INCIDENT: APRIL 29, 2013, I LOST THE BRAKES AGAIN WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AROUND 7:00 PM. I REALLY GOT VERY SCARED BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH TRAFFIC AT THAT TIME. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PARK MY CAR SLOWLY TO THE CURB WITHOUT HITTING ANYBODY ELSE BY USING THE FOOT BREAK. ACTION AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT: SAME NIGHT, WE TOWED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, AND AFTER A WEEK OF WAITING, THEY FINALLY CAME BACK TO US SPECIFYING THAT THE WHOLE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE PAD ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST MORE THAN 4K FOR PARTS ALONE. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT ASSIST US, SINCE WE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511180May 8, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 01 MAY 2013, I WAS DRIVING MY TWO DAUGHTERS HOME FROM SCHOOL AND THE BRAKES ON MY 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY STIFF AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. I BEGAN TO PANIC BECAUSE WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP HILL. I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND SUDDENLY, THE PEDAL GAVE WAY AND THE CAR CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. I WAS LUCKILY WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF MY HOUSE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $5500. I'M SHOCKED. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD. AFTER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2010 PRIUS. WHAT I FIND MOST DISTURBING IS THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, THAT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. PRIOR TO OWNING MY PRIUS, I WAS A LOYAL TOYOTA BUYER. I HAVE HAD CONSISTENT ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES, EVEN AFTER THE RECALL. IF TOYOTA DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, I DON'T INTEND TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510855May 6, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE I WAS BRAKING TO STOP AT THE RED LIGHT, THE CAR ACCELERATED. I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL TO HIT THE CURB TO PREVENT CROSSING THE RED LIGHT. IT HAPPENED TO ME COUPLE OF TIMES. THEN I REALIZE IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN I AM DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACE OR OVER BUMPS. IT IS REALLY SCARY. I ALMOST HIT A CAR SEATTLE DOWNTOWN GOING DOWN THE HIT BECAUSE MY CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF STOPPING. I TOOK IT THE CAR DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID THAT I MIGHT GET IN A BIG ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509903April 29, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE TRAVELING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. SURGE LASTS FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS UNTIL BRAKING RESUMES. VEHICLE BEHAVIOR CAN BE EASILY REPLICATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509271April 23, 2013
ENGINE
I HAVE A 2010 PRIUS VIN:[XXX] WITH 37,000 MILES. THE CAR EXPERIENCES RANDOM LOSSES OF POWER DURING WHICH THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND DOES NOT ACTIVATE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUMP THE ACCELERATOR. ONCE I TURN OFF AND PUSH AGAIN THE START BUTTON, THE ENGINE STARTS UP WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM AND I CAN CONTINUE ON MY WAY. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 5 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 2012. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER (CALDWELL TOYOTA, NJ) WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED AND THEY TOLD ME THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DID NOT RECORD ANY MALFUNCTION. I AM GETTING WORRIED SINCE SOME OF THE POWER LOSSES HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH AND I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WHETHER YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PROCEED [XXX] 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
#10508627April 17, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP BEGAN RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON. WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH INDICATED BRAKE FAILURE AND ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. AFTER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/ANTI-LOCK ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THE REPAIR TOOK TWO WEEKS AND COST $3000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508217April 15, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO GO ON. BOTH FUNCTIONED THE DAY BEFORE. HIGH BEAM LIGHTS STILL FUNCTIONED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVE HOME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505917April 11, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND A MAN STEPPED OFF THE CURB RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME (NOT IN A CROSSWALK). I HIT MY BRAKES, AND HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR ACCELERATED AND FELT AS IF IT WAS SHUDDERING, IT WAS NOT BRAKING AT ALL EVEN THOUGH I MASHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I WAS FORCED TO SWERVE TO MISS THE MAN, WHICH I THANKFULLY DID. AFTER THAT I GOT MOVING AGAIN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY WORKED FINE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK I TRIED IT AGAIN BY FINDING SOME POTHOLES IN THE PARKING LOT. @ 15 MPH THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ONLY WHEN I WAS HITTING THE POTHOLES WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. I WENT TO TOYOTA.COM AND FOUND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE FEB 2010. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN NOV 2010; I THEN CALLED MY SERVICE DEALER AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I TOLD HIM I FOUND THE INFO AT THE PRESSROOM.TOYOTA.COM WEBSITE. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO LET ME KNOW I SHOULD NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING I READ IN THE INTERNET AND OFFERED TO LET ME BRING IT IN AND HE WILL LOOK AT IT. I AM LEAVING WORK EARLY TODAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507199April 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
IN THE MORNING I STARTED MY CAR AND THE ABS LIGHT AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STARTED BEEPING. I REVERSED MY CAR SLIGHTLY TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND NOTICED MY BRAKES WERE NOT BEING RESPONSIVE. I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND CALLED THE WONDRIES TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM MY BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND MY ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. DESPITE MY HAVING INFORMED THEM OF MY BRAKE FAILURE, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I REVERSED OUT OF MY GARAGE, SHIFTED THE CAR INTO DRIVE, AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL WITH CAUTION. I DID NOT PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE HILL DUE TO GRAVITY AND REACHED A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AT WHICH TIME I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN, AND IT CONTINUED MOVING DOWN THE HILL. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 1/4 OF A MILE, I TURNED RIGHT INTO A SMALL STREET WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE IN ORDER TO STOP THE MOMENTUM. MY CAR SLOWED AND I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I CALLED MY BROTHER FOR HELP. WHEN HE ARRIVED, I TURNED THE CAR ON TO SHOW HIM THE FLASHING ABS WARNING. IT FLASHED FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 15 SECONDS BEFORE SUDDENLY STOPPING. MY BRAKES THEN BEGAN FUNCTIONING AGAIN THOUGH THEY FELT SPONGY WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON IT. I TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND DROVE SLOWLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN A REPRESENTATIVE CAME BY, I TURNED ON THE CAR AND SHE PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE TO FEEL THEM. THE ABS LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON AGAIN AND SHE SAID THE BRAKE PRESSURE DID NOT FEEL RIGHT AND THERE WAS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. AFTER IT WAS ASSESSED I WAS INFORMED I NEEDED A NEW ABS ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND AN ACCUMULATOR PUMP FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER. TOTAL COST WAS ESTIMATED AS $4600. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Prius