Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10414692July 22, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON WARNING OF A POSSIBLE MISALIGNMENT OF THE HID HEADLAMPS ON 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THIS COULD LEAD TO BLINDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF THE LAMPS ARE MISALIGNED. TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED THAT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, REPAIRS WOULD COST ~$600 FOR A NEW HEADLIGHT LEVELING SENSOR (LOAD LEVELING SENSOR) AND INSTALLATION. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413905July 21, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STOP ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO KEEP THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHTS FIXTURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413508July 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
(1). I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKES. THE 2005 PRIUS SLOWED, BUT DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AND I TRAVELED 3 CAR LENGTHS BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. (2). LOSS OF POWER ASSIST HAD PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED WHILE BACKING UP, BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST FAILURE GOING FORWARD. (3). TOTAL LOSS(TOTALED,, $7,000 DAMAGE). THE 2005 PRIUS IS NOW AT AN AUTOMOBILE RECYCLING YARD. )4) I NOTIFIED TOYOTA. BUT I HAD TO CALL THEM BACK SEVERAL TIMES, AND AFTER 15 DAYS, SOMEONE FINALLY ANSWERED, INSTEAD OF ME GETTING THEIR VOICE MAIL. IF THE POWER BRAKES HAD FAILED AT AN INTERSECTION, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL CRASH. *KB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413183July 17, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. REQUIRED THAT I SWITCH LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON TO GET THE LIGHT TO WORK AGAIN. I HAD THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT REPLACED AND THREE WEEKS LATER THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT FOLLOWED THE SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS. I PURCHASED A NEW HEADLIGHT AND HAD TWO DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS REPLACE IT AND THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL NOT WORK. I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE LAST MECHANIC NEXT WEEK. VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN WHILE OPERATING THE CAR AT NIGHT AND ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING THAT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WANTS $300+ TO REPLACE THEIR OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412415July 15, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SENSOR FAILED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO BLIND THE DRIVERS OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410293July 2, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2005 (01/01/05) MANUFACTURE DATE PRIUS. I DON'T REMEMBER THE TRIM PACKAGE. I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL CYCLING THE LIGHT OFF AND ON WOULD RESUME OPERATION. ONE WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT BOTH HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN CYCLING THEM OFF AND ON RESUMED OPERATION. I WAS ISSUED A WARNING WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK BY THE POLICE AND DEMONSTRATED THIS FACT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME BOTH HEADLIGHTS NEEDED REPLACED AND CHARGED ME 607.25 TO REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411085June 30, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING NORTH ON I75 AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE GAS GAUGE HAD 3 BARS ILLUMINATED. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT AND THE RED TRIANGLE WITH THE EXCLAMATION POINT CAME ON. I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE TO RELATIVE SAFETY ON THE SIDE TO INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO SAID THE CAR RAN OUT GAS! THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE "FUEL REGISTER UNIT WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." HOW WAS THAT POSSIBLE? THE CHARGE? OVER $1200! ACCORDING TO TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP, REPEATED UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR WILL, BY DESIGN, CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE ECU CODE ID BOX WHICH CAN COST $1200 - $1800 TO REPLACE. THIS "DESIGN" IS APPARENTLY IN THE NAME OF ANTI-THEFT PROTECTION. (WHY NOT JUST IMMOBILIZE THE CAR INSTEAD OF PARTIAL SELF-DESTRUCTION?) EVEN GIVEN THE HIGH EXTENT AND DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF GAS GAUGE DISPLAY MALFUNCTIONS AND MANY OTHER RELATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, TOYOTA CORPORATE WOULD OFFER NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, NO REIMBURSEMENT OF ANY PORTION OF THE REPAIR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE CAR HAS LOST ALL POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. THAT TIME, 08/09/10, THE WATER PUMP FAILED. SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410154June 30, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW WERE DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. A JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HIT THEM HEAD ON GOING 32-35 MPH. MY S-N-L WAS DRIVING SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP SIGN AND SAW THE JEEP COMING AT THEM ON THEIR SIDE OF THE ROAD SO HE WAS BRAKING HOPING THE JEEP WOULD EITHER STOP OR SWERVE AROUND THEM. THE DRIVER OF THE JEEP DIDN'T EVEN BRAKE. HIT THEM HEAD ON MORE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PUSHING THEM BACK ABOUT 10-15 FT. THE JEEPS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAGS ON MY PRIUS DIDN'T. THE DAMAGE TO THE JEEP WAS A SCREWED UP BUMPER AND A BENT LICENSE PLATE. THE DAMAGE TO MY TOYOTA PRIUS WAS TOTALED. ENGINE FLATTENED AND PUSHED IN OVER A FOOT ALMOST UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF CAR. PASSENGER DOOR COULDN'T OPEN UNTIL FIREFIGHTERS PRIED IT OPEN. CALLED TOYOTA, FILED A CLAIM ON DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. MY RESPONSE WAS THEY WEREN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH(ONLY OVER 30 MPH) FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY, THEY WEREN'T HIT HARD ENOUGH AND THE DASHBOARD MUST NOT HAVE LOOSENED FROM THE CAR OR ELSE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE BLUNT OF IT. BODY FLEW FORWARD (SHE HAD A SEATBELT ON) HAND HIT DASHBOARD, KNEES HIT GLOVE COMPARTMENT SO HARD THAT IT POPPED OPEN. HOW BAD DOES AN ACCIDENT HAVE TO BE FOR AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. WE PAY FOR SAFETY. THE DRIVER THAT CAUSED THIS WAS DRUNK, WIFE DRUNK AND THEY HAD A 3 YR OLD IN THE CAR AT 10:45 IN THE MORNING. THEY HAD NO INJURIES, THEIR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FORGOT TO MENTION DAUGHTERS SISTER-IN-LAW IN SEAT BEHIND HER, WHIPLASH, BRUISES ON LEGS AND BACK IS TWEAKED, BUT THEY WEREN'T HIT HARD ENOUGH. TOYOTA USE TO BE GREAT ON SAFETY AND NOW THEY ARE REALLY BAD AND WON'T FESS UP TO ERRORS. SEARCH TOYOTA AIRBAG DEFECTS AND SEE ALL THE OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE PROBABLY HUNDREDS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10407520June 20, 2011
STEERING
STEERING FAILURE ON 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. 2007- SERVICE CAMPAIGN 60C PERFORMED ON THIS PRIUS TO INSPECT/REPLACE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND COMPONENTS. MAY 6, 2011- NOTICED WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEN DRIVING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. MAY 20, 2011 - TOOK PRIUS IN TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR: 1] SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE,(OIL/LUBE, ALIGN FRONT SUSPENSION, CLEAN/ADJUST BRAKES, ETC), 2] SNOW TIRE CHANGE-OUT 3] REQUESTED INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEM WITH STEERING WOBBLE. ITEMS 1 AND 2 WERE COMPLETED. ON ITEM 3, DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND STATED IT COULD BE RELATED TO SNOW TIRES OUT OF BALANCE. MAY 26, 2011-COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE TURNING SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AT ABOUT 15 MPH ON A SMOOTH CITY STREET. THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF TIMES TO LEFT AND RIGHT WITH NO EFFECT ON THE WHEELS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. MAY 28, 2011 -DEALER COMPLETED REPAIRS. THE INVOICE SAYS THEY REPLACED: 1 04005-72147 SHAFT KIT, STEERING 1 84306-0E010 CABLE SUB-ASSY SPIR, AND PERFORMED ALIGN FRONT SUSPENSION FOR A TOTAL COST OF $798.22. THE SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THE SPLINES AT THE END OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WERE WORN AND THAT THE TECHNICIAN HAD ONLY SEEN THIS ONCE OR TWICE BEFORE. A COMPLAINT REGARDING SAFETY AND COST HAS BEEN FILED WITH "TOYOTA HELP" (TOYOTA USA). TOYOTA STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT SUPPLY ANY INFORMATION ABOUT INCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE ON OTHER PRIUSES. NEITHER THE SAFETY NOR THE COST COMPLAINT HAS BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. REPORTED JUNE 20, 2011 *INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405440June 7, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE ABS, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND THEN WHEN DECELERATING HE NOTICED THAT THE ABS STARTING TO KICK IN WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE COMPUTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED ON THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THEY WILL ESCALATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400365May 10, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATING *TGW IT WAS DETERMINED THE WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396808April 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WERE DRIVING A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, WHEN THE BRAKES SUDDENLY STARTED BEHAVING ERRATICALLY, WOULD NOT DEPRESS WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. ALL ABS /VSC LIGHTS CAME ON, DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP (GLENDALE, CA TOYOTA). THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKES HAD SHORT CIRCUITED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ($2500 PART), SUBSEQUENTLY THEY SAID THAT THE SKID CONTROL ECU WAS ALSO GONE AND HAD TO BE FIXED. THIS WAS ANOTHER $1500 PART. ON READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR AND COMMON ISSUE, DOES NOT APPEAR THAT TOYOTA IS ADDRESSING OR EVEN REVIEWING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SINGLE OWNER CAR, ALL MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOLLOWED AND WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396690April 18, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE RADIO WAS IN USE, IT WOULD NOT TRANSMIT A CLEAR RECEPTION. THE RADIO DEFECT OCCURRED ON THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14. UPDATED 05/26/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396306April 9, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GENERALLY SPEAKING, THOUSANDS OF PRIUS OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR RADIO RECEPTION TO TOYOTA TO NO AVAIL (I HAVE WRITTEN THE CEO 2-3 TIMES ALREADY AND HAD PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL AS AN EXCHANGE OF EMAILS) ONLY TO BE TOLD TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP - WHICH HAS NO WAY OF ASSISTING WITH THIS PROBLEM). POKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A "GROUNDING" PROBLEM - WHICH HAS NOW BEEN FIXED I UNDERSTAND IN SUBSEQUENT MODELS. THIS POINTS TO THE FACT THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM. I CONTEND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO HEAR YOUR RADIO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY - ESPECIALLY IN A RURAL AREA SUCH AS OURS (OLYMPIC PENINSULA) WHERE HEARING EMERGENCY WARNINGS WHILE DRIVING COULD BE CONSIDERED LIFE AND DEATH IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. AS YOU WILL SEE IN THIS WEBSITE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT: HTTP://WWW.SOULTEK.COM/BLOG/2005/11/TOYOTA-PRIUS-HYBRID-CAR-RADIO-PROBLEMS.HTML FOR MORE INFO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395286April 8, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
BODY SHEET METAL FATIGUE - CRACK NEAR TOP OF BODY DIRECTLY ABOVE THE REAR RIGHT-SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394848April 2, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NOTE: THE DATE ABOVE DOES NOT REFLECT FIRST DATE OF OCCURANCE. THIS IS THE EVENT DATE THAT LED TO TOYOTA ADMITTING SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. PLEASE READ NARRATIVE: ON THREE OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS DIED WHILE BEING PARKED AT WORK AND AT HOME. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR DIED IN MY GARAGE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPED IT SEEMED FINE. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON NOR WERE ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICES PLUGGED INTO THE ACCESSORIES. WHEN IT STARTED UP THE CAR STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE MOVED TO A LEVEL SURFACE. IT WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. ANOTHER TIME THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, DYING AT WORK IN THE AIRPORT EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT. THE CAR REQUIRED BEING JUMP STARTED AND AGAIN IT GAVE THE SAME MESSAGE. A CO-WORKER STATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD THE CAR ALARM GO OFF AT ONE POINT ABOUT AN HOUR PRIOR TO SHIFT CHANGE. BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND THE REPORT WAS NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. MOST RECENTLY ON 3/27/2011 THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS TIME WHEN JUMP STARTING THE BATTERY THE CARS ENGINE STARTED AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT ME WITH LIGHTS AND ALARM SOUNDING. I WAS UNABLE TO SHUT DOWN THE ALARM AND WENT INTO THE CAR AND PRESSED THE POWER BUTTON TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. WHEN I POWERED THE ENGINE BACK UP THE CAR ALARM WAS AGAIN SOUNDING AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WERE ILLUMINATED. POWERED IT DOWN AND UP AGAIN AND THIS TIME NO AUDIBLE ALARM BUT THE EXCLAMATION MARK IN THE TRIANGLE WAS ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE MESSAGE ABOUT THE PARKING BRAKE. I POWERED IT DOWN AND UP ONE LAST TIME AND, WITH THE MESSAGE STILL ILLUMINATED, DROVE OFF. THE MESSAGE SHUT DOWN WHEN I GOT TO THE SECURITY GATE. TOYOTA TESTED THE VEHICLE ON 4/1/2011 AND REPORTED THAT C1300 AND C2300 FAULTS WERE FOUND (ECU AND ABS ACTUATOR). AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, COST WILL BE ABOUT $3,000.00. (MORE INFO EXISTS BUT NO ROOM HERE)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393236March 25, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE JOLTED AND SPRINTED FORWARD ON ITS OWN WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT *TGW
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392168March 18, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
STARTING IN LATE WINTER, EARLY SPRING OF 2010, WE NOTICED INTERMITTENT OCCASIONAL FAILURE OF ONE OR THE OTHER OF OUR HID HEADLAMPS ON OUR 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS (WHICH WE WERE TOLD BY THE TOYOTA SALESMAN WERE LIFETIME HEADLIGHTS). THIS SITUATION COULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECTIFIED BY QUICKLY TURNING OFF AND ON AGAIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AT THE STEERING WHEEL STALK. THEN, ON JULY 24, 2010, WHILE ON A REMOTE AND STEEP WINDING MOUNTAIN PASS ROAD IN CALIFORNIA, (SONORA PASS ROAD) IN PITCH DARK, BOTH HEADLAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND COULD NOT BE RECTIFIED WITH A QUICK FLICK OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF AND ON. I BRAKED HEAVILY, KEEPING IN MY MIND A VISION OF THE CURVE IN THE ROAD I HAD JUST SEEN AHEAD OF ME. BRAKING HEAVILY AND TRYING TO STEER IN THE DARK, I PUT THE FLASHERS ON SO I WOULDN'T BE REAR-ENDED. THIS ENDED UP BEING A FORTUITOUS DECISION, BECAUSE IT WAS SO DARK THAT THE MOMENTARY FLASHES OF THE FORWARD FLASHERS ALLOWED ME TO SEE JUST ENOUGH ROAD IN BRIEF SNIPPETS SO THAT I COULD STEER MY VEHICLE SAFELY AROUND THE CURVE AND GET IT OFF THE ROAD. I FIGURED OUT THAT WITH BOTH LAMPS OUT, A MUCH SLOWER OFF/ON AGAIN CYCLE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD BRING THEM BACK ON, AND I LIMPED THE VEHICLE HOME. HAVING DRIVEN OVER A MILLION MILES IN MY ADULT LIFE, LUCKILY I HAD THE EXPERIENCE AND THE CALM TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION WITHOUT CATASTROPHIC RESULT. HAD MY WIFE OR MY DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING, WE CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE GONE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY THE FOLLOWING DAY I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER; END RESULT OF WHICH THEY WANT ME TO PAY NEARLY $900 TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE HEADLAMPS. I CALLED TOYOTA, AND UPON INITIAL CONTACT, WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR US. NEEDLESS TO SAY IN THIS ECONOMY, WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY, AND WE HAVE BEEN RELEGATED TO DRIVING OUR PRIUS MOSTLY DAYTIMES, AND CERTAINLY NOT ON MOUNTAIN PASS ROADS AT NIGHT. READING ONLINE TOYOTA FORUMS, I AM VERY OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390051March 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011 MORNING BETWEEN 5:40 ' 5:45 A.M. EST AT WORK DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT TOWARDS PARKING GARAGE, DUE TO BAD WEATHER ROAD LINES WERE NOT VISIBLE AND MY CAR END UP INTO A CONCRETE BLOCK. I WAS IN SHOCK FOR A WHILE, FRONT BUMPER, RADIATOR, BOTH FRONT LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD AND ALL FLUID HOLDING BROKE AND ENGINE CAVED IN. I HAVE NECK SOFT TISSUE INJURIOUS IN MY NECK. PAIN LOWER NECK AND UPPER NECK WHERE SCALP AND NECK MEET. MY 2005 PRIUS HAD DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND FRONT SIDE AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON SIDE, BUT NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED, BUT MY CAR GOT TOTAL. I BOUGHT BRAND NEW FULLY LOADED PRIUS, AND I WAS THINKING MY CAR IS VERY SAFE. DEFINITELY IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE SPEED LIMIT IS 55, I AM SURE I WAS DEAD IN THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389614March 9, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHTS UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER THE CONTACT ABRUPTLY JOLTED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BUT NOT RECENTLY. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,500. UPDATED 4/4/11 *CN UPDATED 04/06/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Prius