Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10384453February 25, 2011
POWER TRAIN
WE OWN TWO 2005 TOYOTA PRUIS. WE BOUGHT THE FIRST AT SUNRISE TOYOTA AND SIX MONTHS LATER WE BOUGHT THE SECOND AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA. THE FORMER PRUIS (CAR #1) HAD 96,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE LEVER TO CHANGE THE GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE MODE INTO NEUTRAL REPEATEDLY. FORTUNATELY WE WERE STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED. ON THE LATTER PRIUS (CAR # 2), WITH 64,000 MILES, WE HAD NOT USED THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, WENT INTO THE CAR STARTED THE ENGINE ALLOWING IT TO RUN FOR FEW MINUTES AS IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT. LIKE THE FORMER PRIUS (CAR #1) THE LEVER KEPT MOVING FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION CONSISTENTLY. I WENT TO SUNRISE TOYOTA WITH CAR #1. THEY REPAIRED IT WITHOUT CHARGE AS I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY INSURANCE ON THAT CAR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THEM ABOUT CAR # 2) THEY SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE THE REPAIR, REPAIR IT AND THEN CHARGE ME. I RETURNED HOME TO CALL TOYOTA CORPORATION SAYING THAT I BOUGHT TWO PRIUS' MONTHS APART BUT THE SAME YEAR CAR, FROM TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BOTH CARS JUST A FEW WEEKS APART. I MENTIONED MY CONCERN THAT THE CAR MIGHT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I ASKED IF OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WHAT IF ANY ASSISTANCE THEY COULD GIVE. THEY STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT BE RECALLING THE CARS AT THIS TIME. I AGAIN STRESSED MY SAFETY CONCERNS. THEY AGAIN STATED THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS CLOSE TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. MY SAFETY CONCERNS REMAIN AS FAR AS DRIVING THIS CAR FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS WHO OWN A PRIUS. I WAS TOLD BY THE COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP THAT MY PROBLEM IS SPECIFIC BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN BUY 2 CARS , SAME MAKE AND YEAR AT DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384419February 24, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM PASSENGER HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS ALL THE WAY OFF THEN BACK ON AGAIN THE LIGHT WILL WORK AGAIN FOR A WHILE. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY POLICE TWICE SO FAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382722February 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INCIDENT = ON 1/19/11 MY 2005 PRIUS BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS. I PULLED OVER CHECKED THE CAR BUT SAW NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SHAKING. I THEN STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE. THE SHAKING STARTED AGAIN LIKE AN UNBALANCED WASHER. I TOOK THE CAR TO HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA. TOYOTA CHECKED THE CAR AND INDICATED THAT 2 SPARK PLUGS HAD GONE BAD AND THAT 2 IGNITION COILS HAD SHORTED OUT. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE HAD CARBON DEPOSITS AND NEEDED EXTENSIVE CLEANING. I HAVE DONE ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TO TOYOTA SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S OFFICES TO VOICE SAFETY CONCERNS. WERE THERE ANY OTHER SIMILAR REPORTED INCIDENTS AND DO THEY CONSIDER ANY SAFETY ISSUES. DIDN'T GET A CLEAR ANSWER AT ALL FROM THEM. TOYOTA ONCE AGAIN IS IN DENIAL WITH PRIUS PROBLEMS. DAMAGE RESULTING = COST WAS $989.81. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE REPAIRS. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE OFFERED ME $348.10 OFF THE TOTAL WORK. ITS NOT JUST A MONEY ISSUE ITS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381750February 13, 2011
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT RANDOM, THE CAR DOES NOT START. THERE IS NOTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. MY NEIGHBOR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SO DID A FRIEND OF MINE. AAA TOLD ME THAT IN THE WINTER THE CAR IS PARTICULARLY PRONE TO HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382313February 10, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT LEVEL SWITCH FAILURE (WATER-RUST IN SWITCH) IS CAUSING REAL DANGER. WHEN LOCATED IN UP WHILE IN DIM - ONCOMING TRAFFIC IMPAIRED. WHEN LEVEL SWITCH ENDS DOWN, THE LINE OF SIGHT IS ONLY SEVERAL FEET IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. A SHORTER PERSON (WIFE) IS UNABLE TO SEE ANY LIGHTED ROAD. DRIVING REALLY BECOMES BAD WITH THE BRIGHT SWITCHED ON. ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECOMES IMPAIRED CAUSING DANGER. THE WIFE ACTUALLY REFUSES TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. JUST UNABLE TO SEE PROPERLY. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO CONTACT DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA WITH THIS SITUATION. SERVICE GARAGES WANT JUST UNDER $ 500.00 TO CORRECT PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BECAUSE OF QUALITY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE DRIVING DANGER. THE ACTUAL SWITCH SHOULD BE PURCHASED MUCH LOWER COST. THE VALUE OF SWITCH ALONE WITHOUT THE BRACKETS.WE FEEL THE DANGER ON HIGHWAY TO BE A REAL CONCERN. I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHER 05 PRIUS OWNERS AND EACH HAS EXPRESS THE PROBLEM. MOST HAVE JUST HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381238February 9, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 MODEL HAD REPEATED AND TOTAL FAILURES WHEN THE 12 VOLT SLI BATTERY WAS LOW, OR IN COLD WEATHER. THE DESIGNING LOGIC IS VERY BAD: WHEN THE SLI BATTERY FAILS, THE BACK DOORS AND TRUNK COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED, SO I COULD NOT GET MY JUMPER CABLES OUT SINCE ALL ELECTRICAL CONTROLS FAILED. THE CAR COULD NOT BE TOWED FROM BEHIND WHEN PARKED, NOT TO DAMAGE THE SYNERGY DRIVE (APPARENTLY). I WAS TOLD TO BUY A TRICKLE CHARGER SINCE THE SLI BATTERY DIED A FEW TIMES WHILE THE PRIUS WAS GARAGED FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. THE TOYOTA SLI BATTERY IS SPECIALIZED, SMALL AND THE CONTACTS ARE TOO SMALL TO GRAB WITH NORMAL JUMPER CABLES. THERE ARE TOO MANY SINGLE POINT FAILURES INITIATED BY A DISCHARGED BATTERY. WHEN MY REMOTE KEY BATTERY DIED, I WAS TOTALLY LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR. MECHANICAL BACKUP OPTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR ALL THESE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382149February 9, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EITHER OR BOTH HIGH-INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR 2006-2009 PRIUS VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO THE LAWSUIT, THE HEADLIGHTS PREMATURELY FAIL BY FLICKERING OR TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY, OFTEN REQUIRING COSTLY REPAIRS. ALTHOUGH TOYOTA HAS DENIED THESE CLAIMS, GIRARD GIBBS LLP IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PARTIES REACHED A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT THAT HAS BEEN GRANTED PRELIMINARY COURT APPROVAL. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SETTLEMENT WILL PROVIDE: ' A FREE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR HID HEADLIGHT BULB AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS (THROUGH THE EARLIER OF 5 YEARS AND 50,000 MILES); AND ' CASH REIMBURSEMENTS TO MANY CLASS MEMBERS WHO PAID FOR HEADLIGHT REPAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CLASS. HOWEVER, AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE IS IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE SUIT. THE REPAIR COST ME $593.75. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ASKED THEM TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND MY VEHICLE YEAR IS NOT PART OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLES IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 05/04/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381109February 8, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381137February 8, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF/ON. EVENTUALLY BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAD THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH THEM TURNING PINK IN COLOR AND BACK TO WHITE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE PRIUS INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES THE HID ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS (ECUS) WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BUT THE HID LIGHT BULBS ARE COSTING $350 TO REPLACE. I SEE THAT TOYOTA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY OF THE LIGHT BULBS TO A FIVE YEAR/50,000 FOR THE 2006-2009 PRIUS STARTING FEB 9TH 2011, TOMORROW. THE MECHANICS SAY THESE BULBS SHOULD LAST OVER A 100,000 MILES BUT THE ECUS ARE MAKING THEM GO BAD EARLY. I HAD A "WONDERFUL" CONVERSATION WITH TOYOTA EXTRA CARE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HE BASICALLY TOLD ME ANYTHING THAT ANYTHING THAT BREAKS THAT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (HEADLIGHTS) BECAUSE AN ITEM THAT IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY(ECU), IS NOT COVERED. AND THEN HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THIS BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT CAME FIRST, CHICKEN OR THE EGG. I WAS HOPING TO GET INTO MORE IN-DEPTH EVOLUTION DISCUSSION WITH HIM, BUT I RAN OUT OF TIME AND PATIENCE. I STILL LOVE OUR PRIUS, 78000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380053February 3, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380708February 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
WE WERE TRAVELING ALONG A FAMILIAR COUNTRY ROAD ON A WARM SUNNY DAY. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT A RURAL STORE THERE WAS ONLY ONE OTHER CUSTOMER THERE. I SLOWLY EASED INTO THE DESIGNATED PARKING AREA WHICH WAS SITUATED ABOUT 17 INCHES ABOVE THE LAWN BELOW. I WAS PROBABLY TRAVELING LESS THAN ONE MILE AN HOUR. WHEN I BRAKED, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND PROPELLED ITSELF OVER THE BLOCKS AND RAILROAD TIES THAT ARE FOUND IN FRONT OF PARKING SPACES, AND WE LITERALLY FLEW ABOUT 7 FEET OUT AND DOWN ONTO THE GRASS STOPPING JUST A FEW FEET FROM A TREE AND A FENCE. WHILE IN THE AIR, ALL I HAD TIME TO DO WAS PUT MY FOOT DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE DURING THE 5 SECONDS THIS WAS HAPPENING. OUR FIRST REACTION WAS THAT I MIGHT HAVE HIT THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE, AND THOUGH I FOUND THIS INCONCEIVABLE BECAUSE I HAD NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE AND BECAUSE THE TWO PEDALS ARE SO DIFFERENT, I COULD NOT CONSIDER ANOTHER EXPLANATION. HOWEVER, AS TIME PASSED, WE CAME TO THE REALIZATION THAT THIS COULD NOT BEEN THE CASE BECAUSE EVEN IF I HAD PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BY MISTAKE I WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE "FLOORED" IT TO GET THAT KIND OF ACCELERATION IN SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE, AND EVEN MISTAKING IT FOR THE BRAKE I WOULDN'T HAVE "FLOORED" THE BRAKE BECAUSE I WAS ONLY ABOUT 18 INCHES FROM WHERE I WAS TO STOP. EVEN UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PRIUS JUST DOES NOT HAVE THIS IMMEDIATE KIND OF ACCELERATION WE EXPERIENCED. I CANNOT HELP BUT THINK ABOUT THIS EVENT OCCURRING AS I STOPPED AT A CROSSWALK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AUTOMOBILE THAT I LOVED DRIVING FOR 5 YEARS, AND NOW I WILL NOT DRIVE AGAIN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379633January 31, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
NOV 15 2010 THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE FOR 5000 MILES CHECK. THE DEALERSHIP DECLARED THAT THE BRAKES AND COOLANT FLOW VALVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND STATED THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UPON AGREEING FOR REPAIRS THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND IT WILL TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR PARTS TO ARRIVE. 15 DEC 2010 THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR STATED REPAIRS ($2000), SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY BRAKING FAILURES AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH AND AT STOPS ON A DOWNGRADE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS AGAIN IN 16 JAN 2011. THE CAR STILLS HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURES, THE LIGHTS TO THE PARKING BRAKES, ABS BRAKES, VBC LIGHTS AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE STILL ON SINCE THE REPAIRS. WHILE REPLACING THE TIRES FIRESTONE ON 30 JAN 2011 FOUND THE CODE 1247 ON THE ECU BY THEIR TECHNICIAN. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ARE STILL ON AT ALL TIMES. AFTER LEAVING FIRESTONE, THE CAR SURGE FORWARD WHILE STOP ON A DOWNGRADE WHILE THE BRAKE DEPRESS, I FELT THE PRESSURE RELEASE THUS I DEPRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKES PETAL UNTIL IT WAS ON THE FLOOR, I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I WILL TAKE THE CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME 31 JAN 2011. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379590January 30, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID HEADLIGHT FAILED. HIGH COST TO REPLACE ($250). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379407January 28, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY VIOLENT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT TWO SPARK PLUGS HAD FAILED, TWO OF THE IGNITION COILS HAD SHORTED OUT AND THAT CARBON WAS BUILT UP ON THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION COILS AND CLEANED THE CARBON FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,646 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,746. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379413January 28, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNING AN ABNORMAL PINK COLOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE GOING TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,695.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379505January 28, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME THOUGHT THAT MY CAR LIGHTS DID NOT LIGHT UP THE ROAD SO WELL, ESPECIALLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HOWEVER, WHEN I WOULD THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE I WOULD GET INTO THE CAR, I TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. THEY WORKED AND SEEM TO BE PRETTY BRIGHT. THEY ARE THE NEW TYPE OF LIGHTS. THIS WENT ON FOR A WHILE. HOWEVER, ONE DAY, I DROVE UP TO MY HOUSE AND NOTICED THAT MY PASSENGER-SIDE HEAD LIGHT DID NOT SEEM TO REFLECT ON MY MAILBOX POST AS I THOUGHT IT SHOULD. I HAD TURNED THE LIGHTS OUT. BUT I TURNED THEM BACK ON, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THEY WERE ON. THEN ONE DAY, I WAS BEHIND A SUV. I SAW MY CAR'S REFLECTION AND THE PASSENGER LIGHT WAS OUT. I GOT HOME DID NOT TURN OFF THE CAR OR LIGHTS. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECK. THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEAD LIGHT WAS OUT. I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE TIME THAT IT TOOK FOR ME TO DISCOVER THIS ACTUALLY TOOK OVER A YEAR. I RECALLED THAT SOMEONE HAD HIT MY CAR ON THAT SIDE (MINOR) BUT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. SO, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE PLACE IT WAS REPAIRED. THROUGH MY INSURANCE, I HAVE A LIFE-TIME GUARANTEE ON ALL REPAIRS. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT. ABOUT 10 DAYS LATER I AM BEHIND A CAR AND I NOTICE THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT IS AGAIN OUT. I CHECKED THE WEB AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO MY CAR. I CAN NOT SAY HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS SINCE YOU BASICALLY HAVE TO BE OUTSIDE THE CAR. I DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN MY CAR LIGHTS DO NOT SEEM TO BE LIGHTING UP THE ROAD AS THEY SHOULD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379328January 27, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
LOW-SPEED BRAKE FAILURE: ACCELERATED LIGHTLY AWAY FROM TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO APPROXIMATELY 5-7 MPH, TRAFFIC THEN SLOWED, APPLIED BRAKES NORMALLY WITH NO NOTICEABLE DECELERATION OR PEDAL RESISTANCE. REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND THEN REAPPLIED BRAKES VERY HARD, PEDAL AGAIN OFFERED LITTLE RESISTANCE, NO NOTICEABLE DECELERATION. ROADWAY SURFACE DRY, FREE FROM DIRT/GRAVEL, SMOOTH WITH SLIGHT DOWNGRADE, TEMPERATURE BELIEVED TO BE SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING. IMPACTED CAR AHEAD AT LOW SPEED ' NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THIS CAR (EST. $750), ADDITIONAL MINOR DAMAGE TO TWO CARS AHEAD. AFTER CRASH, SHUT CAR OFF. AFTER RESTARTING CAR, BRAKES APPEARED TO WORK NORMALLY. UPON INSPECTION FOUND NO FAULT CODES PRESENT, NO WARNING LIGHTS, BRAKE PADS HAD SUBSTANTIAL MATERIAL REMAINING, BRAKE FLUID LEVEL NORMAL, TIRES WITH SUBSTANTIAL TREAD DEPTH. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS SINCE NEW, ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH. . CAR WAS FULLY WARM, HAD BEEN DRIVEN 14 MILES SINCE START. CAR HAD BEEN OPERATED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS FOR LAST 5-6 MILES BEFORE TRAFFIC SIGNAL. BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE ALONG THIS FREQUENTLY TRAVELED ROUTE, HYBRID STORAGE BATTERY WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY FULL FROM ENERGY STORED DURING DECELERATION FROM FREEWAY SPEED ON EXIT RAMP, THUS HYBRID SYSTEM WOULD BE UNABLE TO DELIVER REGENERATIVE BRAKING AT TIME OF BAKE FAILURE/CRASH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378874January 26, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE ENTERING HIGHWAY. CHARGED FOR ECM UPDATE WHEN PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN. CNN REPORTED, "A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IS CAUSING SOME TOYOTA PRIUS GAS-ELECTRIC HYBRID CARS TO STALL OR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS." A TOYOTA PRESS RELEASE STATES: "TOYOTA MOTOR SALES (TMS), U.S.A., INC., WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN INVOLVING CERTAIN 2004 AND EARLY 2005 MODEL YEAR PRIUS SOLD IN THE U.S. ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, AN ISSUE WITH THE PROGRAM LOGIC IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM MAY CAUSE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE: MASTER, HYBRID SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, AND BRAKE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER A "FAIL-SAFE" MODE WHICH ALLOWS LIMITED OPERATION VIA THE ELECTRIC MOTOR. HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICALLY-POWERED BRAKE AND STEERING OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS. THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL ALSO PROVIDE ENOUGH POWER TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO RESTART THE GASOLINE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON. APPROXIMATELY 75,000 2004 AND 2005 MODEL YEAR PRIUS VEHICLES MAY BE AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION. TOYOTA IS PROACTIVELY CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN IN THE INTEREST OF ITS CUSTOMERS." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378464January 24, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHILCE OFF. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE INTRUSION IN THE TRANS AXLE; THE DEALER REMOVED THE TRANS AXLE AND WATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE HIM WITH A REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,270 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,063. UPDATED 3/7/11 *CN UPDATED 07/01/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377114January 18, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HAD CAR SINCE NEW IN 2005. BOUGHT AN EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT THAT WAS PREPAID. THE CAR HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED INTERVALS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION REGARDING ALL HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS. THE LIGHTS FAIL FREQUENTLY,ESPECIALLY ALL REAR LIGHTS WITH NO WARNING. MANY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE A HUGE HEADACHE. TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE BULBS COST ABOUT $250-$300. IF THERE IS MORE THAN JUST A BULB REPLACEMENT, THE COST COULD GO AS HIGH AS $1000+. THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Prius