Toyota Prius Complaints (2012)

449 consumer complaints on file.

#10883057July 6, 2016
STEERING
THERE WAS A RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WHENEVER DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT SLOWER SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS, OFTEN FELT TRAMSMITTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON TAKING IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS FREE PLAY IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, WHICH THEY SAID, COULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10882813July 5, 2016
SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVING TO A GET TOGETHER THE BACK SEAT MIDDLE PASSENGER RESTRAINT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE LOCKING CLIP THAT HOLDS SEAT BELT OVER PASSENGERS LAP. MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. IT WILL NOT CLIP TOGETHER ANYMORE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AGO AND IT HAD NO PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10875560June 21, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
AFTER TOYOTA POWER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE RECALL INSTALLED "POWER MANAGEMENT UPGRADE" SOFTWARE IN MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION /START OF HYBRID/GASOLINE ENGINE. AFTER PRESSING IGNITION, I HAD TO WAIT 15 TO 20 MINUTES AND PRESS START BUTTON ON/OFF REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE GASOLINE ENGINE IGNITE BUT HYBRID FAILED TO START. IT IS NOT NORMAL BECAUSE A PRIUS HYBRID ENGINE STARTS FIRST NOT THE GASOLINE ENGINE. TOYOTA HAS DISABLED SOME IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS IN ITS POWER MANAGEMENT RECALL SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT AFFECTS THE HYBRID ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND FAILURE TO START. I DRIVE MY PRIUS 3-4 TIMES A MONTH AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL SOFTWARE UPGRADE BECAUSE PRIUS OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY SAYS THAT THE BATTERY WITH BE DISCONNECTED BY BATTERY SAVING FUNCTION WHEN YOUR CAR IS PARKED FOR LONG TIME, SEVERAL DAYS, WEEKS. IN FACT, WHEN YOUR CAR IS PARKED FOR JUST DAYS, TOYOTA POWER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE (RECALL) IS DRAINING THE CAR BATTERY AND RECONFIGURING THE RELAYS TO POWER UP THE GASOLINE ENGINE. TOYOTA OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THAT WHEN YOU ARE PARKED, "POWER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE DISCONNECTS THE AUXILIARY BATTERY FROM THE HYBRID SYSTEM." HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECALL, NOT ONLY AUXILIARY BATTERY IS NOT DISCONNECTED BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF "ACTIVITY" IN HYBRID ENGINE THAT DRAINS THE BATTERIES. I CALLED THE TOYOTA SERVICE AND THEY NOW SAY YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR ON A CHARGER ALL THE TIME WHEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. OF COURSE , IT IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM TO KEEP THE CAR ON A CHARGER ALL THE TIME WHEN PARKED FOR DAYS BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS HOUSED IN THE CABIN AND THE VENTILATION DOES NOT EXIST UNLESS YOU PARK YOUR CAR OUTDOORS. AT THE SAME TIME TOYOTA RECOMMENDS KEEPING THE CAR ON A CHARGER , IT ALSO WARNS OF EXPLOSION CAUSED BY CHARGING THE BATTERIES IN A GARAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10875625June 21, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE CRASH SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10870942May 26, 2016
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EMITTED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860857April 22, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING THE 2012 PRIUS ON A DOWNHILL PARKWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM CAME ON. WITHIN 10 SECOND, THE VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST POWER. IT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THERE WAS NO BACK UP FAIL-SAFE/LIMP HOME MODE. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS GLIDING DOWNHILL BY GRAVITY AND EVENTUALLY WAS STEERED INTO A DRIVEWAY. THEN IT REFUSED TO GO ON READY OR DRIVE MODE. ON THIS SATURDAY AFTERNOON THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING WEEK. IT TOOK THE MECHANIC TWO DAYS TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS THAT A FUSE ON THE MAIN DRIVE BATTERY HAD BLOWN. ANOTHER DAY WAS SPENT WAITING FOR THE PART. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS EVENT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA USA. AN AGENT NAMED MICHAEL WAS COURTEOUS ENOUGH TO LISTENED TO ME AND GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER 1604142245. TO ANYONE WITH COMMON SENSE, THIS TOTAL LACK OF AN EMERGENCY ALTERNATIVE PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR EVEN A CHEAP CAR IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT EVEN COME UP WITH A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FUSE TO BLOW. WAS IT OVER HEATING? WAS THERE A SHORT IN SOME INTERNAL BATTERY CELLS? THIS PAST WEEK, I NOTICED THAT THE CHARGING PART OF THE OPERATION NO LONGER CAN FULLY CHARGE THE BATTERY TO THE FORMER 11.9 MILE RANGE. IT ONLY CHARGES UP TO 9.8 MILES. THIS IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF 2 MILES OF CHARGE. I SUSPECT THAT SOME LITHIUM CELLS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AFTER THE INCIDENT. I ALSO SUSPECT THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER ISSUES AS WELL SUCH AS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE INVERTER MODULE RELATED TO A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS OF PRIUS DURING MY SEARCH FOR AN ANSWER. I NEED ASSURANCE FROM SOMEONE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOW SAFE TO DRIVE. BESIDES THE CASE NUMBER FROM MY COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA USA, AAA HAS RECORD OF MY RECENT TOWINGS ON 04/09/16 AND ON 04/12/16.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10838647February 26, 2016
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A BEEPING NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FOREARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.......UPDATED 04/01/16 *BF *JS CONSUMER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS STALLS WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS. UPDATED 6/7/18*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10838650February 26, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10816911December 29, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS APPROXIMATELY EVERY THREE WEEKS. I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED 5 SETS SINCE OWNING THE CAR IN JUNE 2015. I CURRENTLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10810066December 14, 2015
AIR BAGS
WIFE IN ACCIDENT WITH SIDE IMPACT AND FRONT IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH RAN OFF OF A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER SIDE IMPACT WITH OAK TREE THEN FRONT IMPACT WITH ANOTHER OAK TREE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE TOTALED. EMT AND CHP COMMENTED THAT UNUSUAL THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS AMAZED AS WELL!....UPDATED 12/30/15 *BF; UPDATED 05/11/18*JB *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10809808December 12, 2015
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WIND SHIELD WIPER SWITCH QUIT WORKING AT 62,500 MILE.THE WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED(74,000 MILES). BOTH PARTS BROKE WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE,DURING RAIN STORMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10806773November 25, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR JUST COMPLETELY FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS RARELY BEEN USED (MY CAR IS A 2012 WITH HIGH MILES AND MOST OF THE TIME I TRAVEL ALONE). THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A DISTRACTION OR CRASH. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER TOYOTA MODELS / YEARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10779130October 1, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE TURNED RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TRASH DUMPSTER. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S COLLISION CENTER WHO REPAIRED THE BODY DAMAGES AND WAS TO SEND A THIRD PARTY TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10778889September 30, 2015
SEAT BELTS, SEATS
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO CAR CRASH WHEN A CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER. IT HAPPENED SO QUICK THAT SHE NEVER HAD TIME TO HIT HER BRAKES. SHE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH IN A 35 MPH ZONE ON A TWO LANE ROAD. I WOULD THINK THAT AT THAT SPEED IF ALL HER SAFETY EQUIPMENT WORKED SHE WOULD NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. HER SEAT BELT FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT LATCH TO FAIL AND SHE ENDED UP JAMMED INTO THE BOTTOM AND UNDER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. SHE SUFFERED A BLOW TO HER CHEST AND INJURIES TO HER KNEES, LOWER LEGS AND FOOT. SHE HAD SURGERY ON HER RIGHT KNEE SO WE COULD GET HER ON HER FEET AGAIN AND IS AWAITING SURGERY ON HER RIGHT SHOULDER. SHE HAD A PRE EXISTING HEART CONDITION THAT WAS RAISED TO EMERGENCY STATUS AFTER THE BLOW TO HER CHEST AND SHE HAD SURGERY FOR THAT AND THEY FOUND A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER HEART AND ZAPPED IT. THERE IS ONLY A 2% CHANCE IT WILL EVER RETURN. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAILED SEAT BELT AND SEAT. THE SEAT BELT IS IN THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION AND LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE RELEASED EVEN BY YANKING ON IT. I AM WRITING THIS REPORT SO THIS SITUATION CAN BE CHECKED AND IF FOUND FAULTY CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE ANY ONE ELSE GOES THROUGH WHAT MY WIFE IS GOING THROUGH.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10775337September 23, 2015
ENGINE
STARTING IN SPRING 2013 AND CONTINUING DURING THE REST OF THE SPRING, SUMMER AND EARLY FALL IN THE HOTTEST MONTHS, AFTER PARKING MY PRIUS C OUTSIDE, IT ALWAYS HAD ISSUES STARTING, WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. I WILL PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, START THE CAR, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL USUALLY NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND START IT AGAIN AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE IT STARTS NORMALLY AS IT DOES WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOLER AND/OR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A COUPLE OF TIMES, I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE, BUT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AS IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ON. THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, LEAVING ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNLESS THEY CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND VISEO, BUT THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO THEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED RE: THIS MATTER AS MY FIRST DOES NOT SEEM TO APPEAR HERE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10749388August 18, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OR NO BRAKING POWER IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION. THIS WAS LIKELY CAUSE BY A DELAY SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKES.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10733546July 13, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OVER THE LAST NINE MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS 6 TIMES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT USING TOYOTA CERTIFIED BULB AND I PAID OVER $150 TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACE THE BULBS. AFTER I HAD THE CERTIFIED BULBS INSTALLED, A BULB WENT OUT AGAIN. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW WIRING FOR A COST IN EXCESS OF $250.00. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TSB-0204-12 WAS ISSUED FOR FOR 2010-11 PRIUS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE 2012 PRIUS HAVE THE EXACT SAME WIRING HARNESS, BUT THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT GOING TO FIX THAT PROBLEM FOR TEH 2012 MODELS AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST MYSELF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10726702June 22, 2015
SEATS
I AM 5'3". THE HEADREST OF MY CAR IS DESIGNED TO ANGLE FORWARD AT THE TOP. THIS PUSHED MY HEAD DOWN AT A 15* ANGLE. IT IS PAINFUL TO DRIVE. I WILL HAVE TOREMOVE THE HEADREST COMPLETELY, LOSING ANY PROTECTION IN ANY ACCIDENT AND LOSING THE SUPPORT IT SHOUD GIVE MY HEAD NOW. I UNDERSTAND THIS DESIGN IS MANDATED BY YOUR AGENCY AND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE 5'0" TO 5'4" HEIGHT RANGE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE AVERAGE HEIGHT FOR AMERICAN WOMEN IS 5'5" YOUR REGULATION DISCOMFORTS AND/OR ENDANGERS HALF OF THE WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY. CHANGE THE REGULATION. ALLOW, OR REQUIRE, HEADRESTS THAT CAN SWIVEL TO CHANGE THE ANGLE OF ALIGNMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717858May 21, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HILL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CAR SLID BACK AND I BRAKED. THE PANEL LIGHT AFFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN DRIVE. YET THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AT ALL. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE IN NEUTRAL. I PUT THE BLINKERS ON AND THE CARS BEHIND ME PASSED. THE PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO WERE ON ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. IT WORKED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD CHECK. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR TO VARIOUS HILL TOPS AND STOPPED. THE PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT ITSELF. IS THIS CAR SAFE TO DRIVE? IS THERE A WAY TO EVALUATE THE TRANSMISSION?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10682480February 10, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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