Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10306812February 5, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2008 PRIUS AND I HAVE THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM AS MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED. THE BRAKE SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK ON A BUMPY ROAD EDGE AND WHEN IT OCCURS THE ORANGE LIGHT THAT INDICATES UNSTABLE CONDITION TURNS ON. IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN IT IS RAINING. FOURSOME REASON, IT WORKS WELL IN A HEAVY RAIN BUT DOESN'T WORK ON A ROAD UNDER "LIGHT" RAINING CONDITION. WHENEVER IT HAPPENS, THE CAR SLOWS DOWN BUT DOESN'T STOP AND I FEEL IT'S SLIDING ON THE ROAD SURFACE. I HAVEN'T CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306814February 5, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 PRIUS, 2006 LEXUS 400H MOMENTARY BRAKE LOSS. I BELIEVE THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKE ISSUE GOES WELL BEYOND 2010 PRIUS MODELS. I THINK THE MOMENTARY (SPLIT SECOND) DELAY IN BRAKING HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, INFREQUENTLY, PERHAPS IN THE B SHIFT POSITION EXCLUSIVELY (NOT CERTAIN ON THIS IN THE LEXUS) AND USUALLY ON SLIPPERY SURFACES AND/OR COLD WEATHER AND USUALLY WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE FEELING I GOT IN MY PRIUS AND MY WIFE IN HER LEXUS WAS NOT AN ACCELERATION FEELING BUT A GOING INTO NEUTRAL FEELING. IT KIND OF FELT LIKE THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED BUT MORE FROM THE COASTING EFFECT THAN ANYTHING TO DUE WITH AN ACCELERATOR. I WOULD LOOK AT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AS IT RELATES TO REGENERATIVE BRAKING WITH A DASH OF SPEED THROWN IN. GOOD LUCK. I STILL FEEL THE CARS ARE SAFE. DATE BELOW NOT REAL-JUST PLACEHOLDER -TODAY'S DATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306174February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES UNTIL I HAD MY PRIUS. I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IF I GO OVER UNEVEN GROUND LIKE A POTHOLE, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD A BIT FOR ABOUT A SECOND. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE PRIUS, BUT AFTER SEEING ALL OF THESE REPORTS, I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT SINCE MY CAR IS OLDER THAN THE ONES MENTIONED IN THE NEWS REPORTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305102February 4, 2010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING, IF A POTHOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT, THE CAR SEEMINGLY JERKS FORWARD/ACCELERATES FOR A SPLIT SECOND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305123February 4, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AND APPROACHING A RIGHT TURN NEAR MY HOME I APPLY THE BRAKES AND OFTEN RUNOVER THE SAME UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE ROAD. THAT TRIGGERS MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS' TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO BLINK ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES AND MY BRAKES SEEM TO STOP APPLYING PRESSURE AT THAT POINT WHILE MY CAR'S SPEED INCREASES FOR 1-2 SECONDS THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE BRAKES WORK FINE. I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES WITH TOYOTA CARS AND WANT TO MAKE SURE MY FAMILY IS SAFE. HENCE, TELLING MY SMALL STORY BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND I CAN'T CONTROL IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305163February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHENEVER I DRIVE MY 2008 PRIUS OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE BRAKE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND THE BRAKES APPEAR MOMENTARILY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, IN PART BECAUSE I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER. BUT, I WORRY THAT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305168February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 PRIUS ABS TAKES MUCH LONGER TO RESUME BRAKING AFTER LOSING TRACTION OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR OTHER BUMPS THAN DID MY THREE PREVIOUS ABS-EQUIPPED CARS (FROM 1987 AND 2001 WITH BOSCH ABS). CAR TRAVELS TENS OF FEET AT 30 MPH WITH NO APPARENT BRAKING BEFORE BRAKING RETURNS. DON'T BELIEVE REGENERATIVE BRAKING FORCES BAD ABS PERFORMANCE -- THERE'S AN AMPLE SOURCE OF ACCUMULATED HIGH PRESSURE FLUID AVAILABLE FOR THE FRICTION BRAKES THAT IS QUITE INSTANTANEOUS IF EVER YOU STAMP ON THE PEDAL ENOUGH TO TRIGGER "BRAKE ASSIST". IF TOYOTA CAN'T MAKE REGEN COMPATIBLE WITH GOOD ABS, ASK THEM TO REVERT TO THE HYDRAULICS. PLEASE UPDATE FMVSS NO. 135 TO DISALLOW THIS KIND OF ABS PERFORMANCE. IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THERE IS NO SINGLE INCIDENT DATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305215February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 PRIUS BRAKE ACCELERATION. I PULLED SLOWLY INTO MY REGULAR PARKING SPOT AT WORK . MY PRIUS ALL OF A SUDDEN SPED UP AND I COULDN'T STOP IT BEFORE THE CAR HIT THE UTILITY BOX ON THE SIDE OF OUR OFFICE. I HAVE PICTURES AND A WITNESS. I INFORMED MY INSURANCE "ALLSTATE" WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO PUBLIC ATTENTION BUT BECAUSE I HAD MOVED AND NO LONGER HAVE ALLSTATE, THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND AS OF THIS DATE, THEY HAVE NOT COMMENTED. I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT, THEREFORE I ASSUMED IT MUST HAVE BEEN. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND NOW REALIZE I WAS NOT AT FAULT. THE ACCIDENT IS ON MY RECORD FOR THREE YEARS AND MY PRIUS HAD TO HAVE A NEW BUMPER WHICH CAUSES IT TO NO LONGER HAVE FULL RESALE VALUE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305234February 4, 2010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. BRAKES FAIL/INOPERATIVE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS AND/OR POTHOLES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ABS OR THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGES WHEN THERE IS NO NEED. THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF INCIDENT THAT IS BEING REPORTED IN NEWER PRIUS MODELS AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305178February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 PRIUS ON VERY SLUSHY ROADS CAN MOMENTARILY "LOSE" ITS BRAKES WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO THE WET AND INEFFECTIVE FRICTION BRAKES AT ABOUT 6 MPH. THE FRICTION BRAKES THEN DRY QUICKLY AND WORK. CONSIDER REQUIRING AUTOMATIC INTERMITTENT LIGHT FRICTION BRAKE APPLICATION DURING REGENERATIVE BRAKING SO THAT THE FRICTION BRAKES ARE READY TO TAKE OVER WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THERE IS NO SINGLE INCIDENT DATE; IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305191February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR VERY BUMPY, ROUGH OR POT HOLED ROAD, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DEAD FOR A VERY SHORT INSTANT. IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO BRAKE PEDAL AT ALL. YOUR NOT SURE IF YOU LOST YOUR BRAKES OR WHAT. IT IS LIKE IT SKIPS A BEAT OR SOMETHING. IT MUST BE WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE TRADITIONAL BRAKING MODE VERSUS RE-GEN MODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES OVER 2 YEARS. NO ACCIDENT. IT JUST MAKES YOU STOP SLOWER/LONGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305250February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PRIUS BRAKE PROBLEMS - ON 4-24-08 I BROUGHT MY PRUIS INTO TOYOTA TO REPLACE A BRAKE ACTUATOR. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT MY DASH BOARD LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. IT TOOK TOYOTA ABOUT 4 WEEKS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IS THIS RELATED TO THE BRAKE PROBLEMS RELEASED RECENTLY OR A NEW PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305273February 4, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS IN JUNE 2008 AND HAD SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE AUTO. CURRENTLY, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY FLICKER AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT DOES NOT STAY LIT. INITIALLY, TOYOTA SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR APPROX 19 MONTHS, I HAVE EXCEEDED THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY. THEY WANTED ALMOST $300 TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB! I COMPLAINED AND WAS TOLD TO CALL THEIR 800 NUMBER BY A REPAIR TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DID. MEANWHILE, THE DEALER OFFERED TO DO THE JOB FOR 1/2 PRICE. I SAID THAT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK ABOUT IT AND WAS THEN CONTACTED BY TOYOTA OF N.A. CONCERNING MY CALL MADE TO THEM. THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DEALER OFFER AND ASKED IF I WAS HAPPY WITH THAT OFFER. I TOLD THEM THAT I BELIEVED THE REPAIR S/B DONE FOR FREE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THE 1/2 PRICE OFFER 'COULD' BE RETRACTED IF I WASN'T HAPPY WITH IT. TOYOTA WASN'T GOING TO WASTE "GOOD WILL" MONEY ON A CUSTOMER THAT STILL WASN'T HAPPY WITH THEIR OFFER. I INDICATED AT THAT TIME THAT I WANTED TO THINK ABOUT IT BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE OFFER HAD BEEN RETRACTED DUE TO A CALL FROM TOYOTA N.A.. I NEVER INDICATED TO THEM THAT I WASN'T GOING TO TAKE THE OFFER BUT I DO BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON 2006 ' 2009 PRIUS CARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT! I ALSO HAVE DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF A PRIUS CAR WITH DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS THAT HAVE FAILED TWICE IN THE 1ST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WITH AS LITTLE AS 45,000 MILES ON THE CAR! THAT PRIUS IS ON IT THIRD SET OF HEADLIGHTS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305283February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS - THE CAR HAD STRANGE ACCELERATION ISSUES AND WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING OVER POTHOLES WHEN THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH. THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE WHEN THE ROADS WERE DRY, EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE. I SAW ONE, APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND MY CAR LURCHED SIDEWAYS, TO THE RIGHT. I THOUGHT MY AXLE HAD BROKEN. I GOT OUT AND SAW THAT I HAD HIT THE CAR THAT WAS PARKED ALONG THE STREET, BUT HAD NOT CAUSED ANY DAMAGE TO IT. MY TIRE RODS AND AXLE WERE BROKEN AND DAMAGE TO MY STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND. I THOUGHT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE SIDEWAYS WHEN I BRAKED. THE DEALERSHIP HOOKED THE CAR UP TO THE COMPUTER AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ANY FAILURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305290February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. A FIRE ENGINE ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AHEAD OF ME WITHOUT WARNING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY, BUT THEY LOCKED UP AND I SLID ON ICE. I COULD NOT STOP AND HIT THE FIRE ENGINE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND I WAS FOUND AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10305322February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I HAVE READ NEWS REPORTS ABOUT THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKING ISSUES. AS AN OWNER OF A 2008 PRIUS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED NEAR IDENTICAL BEHAVIOR. WHEN BRAKING, IF THE CAR HITS A POTHOLE OR A BUMP, I MOMENTARILY (MAYBE 1/2 -1 SECOND OF TIME) LOSE ALL BRAKING POWER BEFORE BRAKING THEN RESUMES. AFTER THIS 'HICCUP' THE ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BLINKS 3-4 TIMES. THE ISSUE HAS NEVER RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, HOWEVER I HAVE CHANGED MY DRIVING HABITS TO ENSURE I HAVE EXTRA ROOM TO STOP AS THE ISSUE IS BOTH RECURRING AND QUITE FREQUENT (THERE IS ONE OFFRAMP ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WITH A SMALL BUMP THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE 35-50% OF THE TIME). I KNOW THAT THE CURRENT STORY IS THAT THE 2010 PRIUS HAS A 'REDESIGNED' BRAKING SYSTEM, SO PRIOR MODELS AND GENERATIONS ARE SUPPOSEDLY NOT AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM THE NHTSA IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING. MY EXPERIENCE, HOWEVER, LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD AND DOES IN FACT IMPACT EARLIER GENERATION PRIUS CARS, POSSIBLY IN A PORTION OF THE BRAKING CONTROL SYSTEM COMMON TO BOTH THE OLDER AND NEWER PRIUS MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305326February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY, MY BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD, MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS CAR JUMPED FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE, AND MY CAR HIT A PARKED CAR. I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE PARKED VEHICLE; ONLY MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR. I ADVISED MY DEALERSHIP OF THE INCIDENT, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD INSPECT THE BRAKES, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO REGARDING THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305256February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A CHANGE IN DECELERATION AS YOU ARE BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE SPEED IS 10-15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SWITCHES FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKING THERE IS A LAG AND THE SENSATION THAT THE VEHICLE IS SPEEDING UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305299February 4, 2010
VISIBILITY
FAILURE OF CAR TO BRAKE WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROAD OR POT HOLES AND GLARE FROM SPEEDOMETER ACROSS FIELD OF VISION IN WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305312February 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS; IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BRAKING AS WHAT YOU DESCRIBE IN THE 2010 MODELS. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, OR POTHOLE, THE BRAKES KIND OF 'RELEASE' MOMENTARILY. THEY DO GRAB AGAIN WITHIN A HALF-SECOND, OR SO. BUT IT IS VERY UNNERVING. I COULD SEE HOW IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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