Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10823897February 3, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS AND INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF AND ON. ABOUT A WEEK AGO BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X IN THE PAST WEEK AND HALF. LUCKILY WE TURN THEM OFF THEN ON AND THEY HAVE COME BACK ON EACH TIME. WE HAVE HAD THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT FIXED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES ALSO. I JUST HEARD ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD WHICH IS WHY I AM JUST NOW PURSUING THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10823355January 31, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. I TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. HOWEVER, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. ONE TIME BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF AT THE SAME TIME. I'M REPORTING THIS BECAUSE IT IS AN ISSUE THAT MANY PRIUS DRIVER'S HAVE HAD SO SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES AND SEEMS TO BE A PERMANENT PROBLEM NOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10821563January 21, 2016
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS RIDING IN PASSENGER SEAT. PRECISION TOYOTA TOLD ME THE WEIGHT LIMIT IS 80 POUNDS TO TURN ON THE AIRBAG. MY WIFE IS BETWEEN 90 AND 95 POUNDS AND SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG WILL SAY ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL SAY OFF. I HAD A 2015 PRIUS V FOR THE LAST WEEK AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT TURNING ON WHEN MY WIFE IS PRESENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN, THEN THE PASSENGER WILL BE DEAD BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DID NOT WORK. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR, ONE OF THE MANAGER TOLD ME THE AIRBAG WILL NOT BE ACTIVE UNTIL THE PASSENGER IS 150 POUNDS OR MORE. TWO PEOPLE IN THE SAME DEALERSHIP GAVE ME DIFFERENT NUMBER FOR WHEN THE AIRBAG WILL ACTUALLY WORK AND SAVE THE PASSENGERS LIFE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2008 AND IS STILL THE SAME IN THE 2015 PRIUS V MODEL THAT I HAD THIS PAST WEEK. PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP YOU TO GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOT BEING TURNED ON WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THANKS [XXX], EMAIL: [XXX] CELL PHONE [XXX]. EVERY TIME WE DRIVE AROUND TOWN, PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL BE ON SOMETIMES AND OFF OTHER TIMES. THIS IS ALWAYS HAPPENING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. TOYOTA WANTED $ 129.00 TO TEST. THEY DID TEST AND SAID THAT IT IS WORKING PER DESIGN. THIS DESIGN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. 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
#10820723January 17, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS TOURING MODEL HAVE NUMEROUS CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEMS. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY AND RANDOMLY AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO COMPLETE BLACKNESS ON WINDY COUNTRY ROADS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES SWERVE TO AVOID ME AS I HAVE SWERVED TO AVOID CARS, TREES, CURBS, POLES ETC. FURTHERMORE, THE LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM CAUSING FURTHER DRIVING DIFFICULTY AND DANGER WITH EVEN WORSE PERFORMANCE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. I HAVE BECOME VERY ANXIOUS AND THE LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF DISTRACT AND WORRY OTHER DRIVERS. IT IS SO BAD THAT I RISK MY LIFE BY DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819159January 9, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY JUST AFTER DARK, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT DRIVER INTERACTION. HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS STILL ON, UNTOUCHED. VISIBILITY OUTWARD AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES SEEING ME (BLACK PRIUS AT NIGHT WITHOUT LIGHTS) SEVERELY IMPAIRED, COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PULLED OVER AND TURNED HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF, THEN BACK ON; LIGHTS CAME ON BRIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY DIMMED, APPARENTLY NORMAL. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMBER OF SIMILAR (ESCALATING) OCCURRENCES BY OTHERS, WITHOUT A RECALL YET BY TOYOTA. AFTER PULLING OVER AND STOPPING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10817733January 4, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSTANT HEADLIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT - SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE - WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A HEADLIGHT BULB WILL GO OUT; FIRST ON ONE SIDE THEN THE OTHER SIDE. BULB REPLACEMENT HAS OCCURRED EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. WHAT HAPPENS IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME??? I LOOSE TIME FROM WORK TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENTS DONE. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10817354January 1, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS TURN OFF SPORADICALLY SOMETIMES ONE SOMETIMES BOTH VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THEY BOTH TURNED OFF SO I NEED TO GET AHOLD OF SOMEBODY AND SEE WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED MY NAME IS [XXX] AND THE PHONE NUMBER TO REACH ME AT IS [XXX]. THE LIGHTS TURN OFF IN ALL WEATHER ON COUNTRY ROADS OF THE FREE WAY. 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
#10816241December 26, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS MONTH, WHEN LEAVING FOR A TRIP, I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP WAS OUT. I PLANNED ON REPLACING IT WHEN I RETURNED. UPON RETURNING, THE HEADLAMP HAS MYSTERIOUSLY COME BACK ON. I RESEARCHED INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR AND FOUND OUT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I'M NOW NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM IS THE HEADLAMP OR SOME CIRCUIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10811934December 23, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR SWITCH THAT ALLOWS LIFT GATE TO BE OPEN, FAILS. RUBBER BREAKS DOWN AND BECOMES LIKE GLUE, MAKING IT HARD FOR INDIVIDUAL OPENING LIFT GATE TO REMOVE HAND AS NORMALLY EXPECTED, INDUCING STRAIN ON INDIVIDUAL BACK AND CREATING UNEXPECTED TWISTING MOTION CAUSING INJURY AND DAMAGING TRIM ON CAR. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED RECALL IN JAPAN BUT NOT US [HTTPS://TOYOTA.JP/RECALL/KAISYU/121107.HTML] [NOT SURE OF EXACT DATE, THIS IS SECOND REPORT TOYOTA CLAIM 1512-2317-10]
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10811952December 23, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE LATCH HANDLE ON THE HATCHBACK HAS "MELTED" FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. THE HANDLE HAS BECOME GOOEY AND LEAVES A BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE HATCHBACK. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, THE HANDLE IS HARDER TO USE, MAKING IT MORE TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10811663December 22, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH RIGHT HEADLIGHT ON 2008 PRIUS STARTING IN 2013 BUT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. FINALLY REPLACED THE BULB 10/14 AND SPENT $200 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE BULBS. I'M FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE SAME HEADLIGHT WENT OUT JUST NINE MONTHS LATER!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10811347December 20, 2015
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING MY PRIUS UP MAUNA KEA SUMMIT ACCESS ROAD ON THE BIG ISLAND (HAWAII) TODAY WHEN THE POWER STALLED. I WAS ALREADY AT THE VISITOR CENTER (ELV. 9,000 FT) SO I STEERED OFF THE ROAD, SAT FOR AWHILE, THEN STARTED UP THE CAR. IT STARTED UP BUT THE POWER SEEMED OFF AND ON. I TURNED AROUND AND HEADED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ACCESS ROAD, I HAD NO POWER AND A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK CAME ON. OF COURSE I WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, 40 MILES FROM ANY HOMES, SO I COASTED 43 MILES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN UNTIL I REACHED HILO TOWN AND STEERED INTO A GAS STATION. I ASKED THE OWNER IF I COULD LEAVE THE PRIUS THERE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. SHE SAID I HAD TO MOVE MY PRIUS INTO A PARKING STALL. I THOUGHT MAYBE WE COULD PUSH IT INTO THE STALL. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND THE POWER CAME ON, JUST LIKE THAT. BUT THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION MARK DIDN'T GO AWAY. I MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME, WHICH WAS ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY. THE PRIUS SEEMS TO BE DRIVING FINE NOW, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT, BUT I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10811096December 18, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS ARE TOTALLY UNRELIABLE, HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW I FIND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - AND THERE SHOULD BE ONE AGAIN. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THE BULBS OR THE HEADLIGHT MECHANISM IS FLAWED. THE LIGHTS FLICKER, GO OUT (BOTH OR EACH) UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WHILE DRIVING - THIS IS TERRIFYING. TURNS OUT IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND NHTSA HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT FULLY. MOST RECENT WAS AT THE DEALER 12/17/2015, FLICKERING, GOING OUT, AND NOT PROPERLY GOING TO BRIGHTS. THE BULBS COST $188/EACH. RIDICULOUS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808957December 8, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT TURNS ON, THEN FLICKERS AND THEN GOES OUT . I HAVE BEEN STOPPED TWICE. REPLACED RELAY ($75.00) NO DIFFERANCE . .THIS HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE CAR BEFORE EVEN PUTTING IN GEAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808224December 3, 2015
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
YOKAHAMA AVID TIRE(185-65-RL15, CCLY 84P 2013X3 ,84P 3613X1) ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT ON AUG. 12, 2015 FORCING ME ONTO THE SHOULDER. IT WAS 4;00 PM AND THE ROAD WAS CROWDED. IF THE LEFT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH ANOTHER BRAND. AND SINCE I HAVE NO STORAGE, THE TIRE DEALER DISPOSED OF THE TIRE. ON AUGUST 20, I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BECAUSE I NOTICED A QUARTER SIZED BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THAT BUBBLE AND COPIES OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE BILLS. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INSTALLED 12/19/2013 AT THE AUTO DEALER. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD 32,228 MILES. WHEN THE FIRST TIRE BLEW THE SPEEDOMETER READ 38,992 MILES ( 6,644 MILES), THE SECOND TIRE WAS REPLACED AFTER BEING DRIVEN ANOTHER 50 MILES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AND ALSO DISPOSED OF. THE REMAINING YOKAHAMA TIRES WERE PLACED ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH A YOKAHAMA REPRESENTATIVE WHO SAID I NEEDED THE TIRES TO PROCEED WITH AN INVESTIGATION. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE I COULD DO.. SINCE THIS TIRE DEFECT COULD HAVE HAD DISASTEROUS CONSEQUENCES. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE SAFETY OF YOKAHAMA TIRES. ANY ACTION YOU CAN TAKE ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.ANY FURTHER INFORMATION INCLUDING THE PHOTO AND RECEIPTS I WILL BE PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU AT YOUR REQUEST. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10806426November 24, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, GO OUT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. BY QUICKLY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THEY HAVE THUS-FAR TURNED BACK ON. THEY WILL REMAIN ON FOR UP TO TEN MINUTES. THE TURNING OFF HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OT NOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10806312November 23, 2015
AIR BAGS
HIT - T-BONED. DRIVERS SIDE - FRONT QUARTER PANEL -KNOCKED OUT- CAR TOTALED- FOUR AIR BAGS IN FRONT- NOT ONE WENT OFF- WANT TO KNOW WHY ???? CAR WAS IN MOTION. .....UPDATED12/07/15*BF; UPDATED 04/27/18*JB *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10795321November 22, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE OCTOBER AND THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT TWICE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10790298November 13, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT AND AFFECTED THE HEADLIGHT CONCEALMENT DEVICES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10789731November 11, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WHILE SETTING STILL AND WHILE DRIVING. ON A TEN MILE TRIP THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT 6 - 10 TIMES. TURNING THE LIGHT OFF AND BACK ON MAKES THE LIGHT TO BURN AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE FOR THIS. WHEN I STOP I ,TURN THE HEADLAMPS OFF, WHEN THEY TELL ME WHY I WAS PULLED OVER FOR I PLAY DUMB AND THEY INSTRUCT ME TO TURN ON MY LIGHTS AND DIM THEM OR PUT ON HIGH BEAM. THEY ARE LEFT SCRATCHING THERE HEAD AND I'M ON MY WAY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT NIGHT. ALSO HAPPENS SETTING STILL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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