Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10329411May 8, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004. THE SKID LIGHT COMES ON EVERYTIME I HIT AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE FEELING LIKE I'M DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND ICY ROAD. ON THE WAY HOME WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKE, VSC, TRAC, AND ABS CAME ON. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME IT WAS THE WHEEL SENSOR, THAT MY REAR RIGHT TIRE IS NOT BEING SENSED, BUT THE REST WERE. IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD; AND WITH FURTHER DIAGNOSIS, THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER ASSEMBLY. I FELT ROBBED BY SPENDING MONEY ON THE WHEEL SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED WHEN ALL THE WHILE IT WAS THE SKID CONTROL ECM WAS THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329422May 8, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS REGARDING A MOMENTARY BRAKE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR HITTING A POTHOLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD EVERYTHING FROM "IT IS JUST HOW ABS WORKS" TO "YOU NEED TO HIT THE BRAKE HARDER WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP" (I.E. RATHER THAN A SLOW AND CAREFUL STOP, A QUICK AND SHARP STOP). THERE ARE TOO MANY INCIDENTS TO NAME BUT ONE THAT OCCURS ROUTINELY IS ABOUT 30 YARDS AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN LEADING INTO THE PARKING LOT AT MY PLACE EMPLOYMENT. I NOW HAVE TO COAST VERY CAREFULLY AND PREPARE MYSELF FOR BRAKE FAILURE. SHOULD THERE BE CARS AROUND, THIS BECOMES A DANGEROUS MATTER. AGAIN, THIS HAPPENS ROUTINELY AND NONE OF MY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329123May 6, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
I HAD BEEN PULLED OVER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS FOR FAULTY TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEN MY CHILDREN TOLD ME OF THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT FOR NO REASON. I DID NOT BELIEVE THEM TILL THE WENT OUT ON ME. AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS AND SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, ON 09/10/2009 I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH A "MONICA" FROM THE NHTSA IN DC. I HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING TO THIS DATE AND I AM AFRAID OF A SERIOUS CRASH WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT KNOWING WHY. I ALSO HAVE A CHECK LIGHT THAT HAS BEEN ON SINCE BEFORE MY WARRANTY WENT OUT AND NO ONE WANTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HATE THIS CAR, IT SCARES ME AND THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES AND I HAVE TO DATE ONLY RECEIVED ONE RECALL AND THAT IS ON THE MATS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328332May 1, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL JUST STOP WORKING. IT BEGAN WITH THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, SOMETIMES IT IS BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES COME BACK ON IF THEY ARE TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON, SOMETIMES THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS SAID THAT IT COULD BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT UNIT (NOT JUST THE BULB) AT OVER $300 EACH OR POSSIBLY THE COMPUTER CONTROL BOARD AT OVER $1000. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE. BECAUSE IT IS NOW AFFECTING BOTH HEADLIGHTS, THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326593April 20, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY FOR YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 427 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326401April 19, 2010
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
48 MPH TRAVELING NORTH ON OR 217; WITHOUT CAUSE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON ABS WARNING LIGHT ON VSC WARNING LIGHT ON AUDIBLE ALARM STEADY TONE THEN TRY TO STOP: BRAKE PEDAL UP HIGH, BRAKE PEDAL UNRESPONSIVE AND HARD TO PRESS, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF ON ALLEN EXIT; BRAKES STILL UNRESPONSIVE, PRESSED MAXIMUM FORCE ON BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES LOCKED UP THE WHEELS SKIDDING AND BURNING RUBBER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326440April 19, 2010
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
[XXX] , A RESIDENT OF WANTAGH, NY, WAS DRIVING ON THE WANTAGH STATE PARKWAY WHEN SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THEN EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF HER 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED AFTER SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, [XXX] STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MOREOVER, THE SEATBELT IN THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE IN THAT IT BECAME UNFASTENED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS A VIN# [XXX] AND WAS PURCHASED AT ATLANTIC TOYOTA IN LONG ISLAND. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325388April 13, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2005 TOYOTA PRIUS--EXPERIENCES BRAKING AND HANDLING FAILURES WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN OR WET SURFACES. WHEN WE ARE BRAKING AND HIT A POTHOLE, GRAVEL, RAILROAD TRACKS OR WET SURFACES, THE CAR FEELS AS IF WE ARE LOSING CONTROL OF IT, AND BRAKING SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY STOP. THE "SKID DANGER" LIGHT COMES ON, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME WE BRAKE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. ALSO, AT IDLE (IE. STOPLIGHTS), THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY LURCH FORWARD SLIGHTLY, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE TRANSFERS FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS. WE WERE TOLD EARLY IN OUR OWNERSHIP THAT THIS IS NORMAL "DIESELING". THESE HAVE BEEN ON-GOING PROBLEMS, SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 (NEW), THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE "IMAGINING" UNTIL HEARING ALL OF THE REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS.TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THE PRIUS BRAKING ISSUES ONLY AFFECT THE 2010 PRIUS, BUT WE SEE IT FIRSTHAND ON AN ON-GOING BASIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325181April 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A PAVED AND GRASSY SURFACE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE DESTROYING THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND 3 INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10324381April 7, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH MINIMAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SUDDENLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED IN A STUCK POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324245April 6, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE *GR THE CONSUMER STATED SHE DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT, MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN, AND THEN A SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED HER WAS AN ELEVATED MEDIAN BETWEEN PARKING ROWS AND THE FACT THAT SHE WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THE VEHICLE BEING AT THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE SHE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323734April 5, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT LEAST ONCE IN AN HOUR OF DRIVING. TURNING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND BACK ON RESTORES IT TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323567April 3, 2010
PARKING BRAKE
THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT IN MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS CAME ON AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON TOO. I CHECKED TO MAKE SHURE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED AND IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS ONLY GIVING ME AN AVERAGE OF 32 MPG, PREVIOUSLY I WAS GETTING AND AVERAGE OF 48 MPG, THE BATTERY ALSO SEEMS TO BE DRAINING ITS ENERGY FASTER THAN USUAL. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE PENSKE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN DOWNEY, CA. 90241, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL THAT TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING ON SOME CARS, THEREFORE IF I WANTED THEM TO INSPECT THE CAR TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM THEY WOULD NEED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE INSPECTION PLUS WHATEVER REPAIRS ARE NEEDED. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF ALL THE BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING WITH THEIR CARS, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST INSPECT THE CAR FOR FREE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. I FELT THE CAR WAS GETTING A BIT SLUGUISH AFTER THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN NOTICED THE MPG STARTED TO GO DOWN. RIGHT NOW THE CAR ONLY GIVES ME AN AVERAGE OF 32 MPG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323641April 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2005 PRIUS NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT WATER PUMP UNTIL NOW. 69,000 MILES. WENT TO START THE CARE AND WHILE IN NEUTRAL IDLEING THE BRAKE PEDAL PUMPED UP AND DOWN AND THE PS LIGHT CAME ON. THE RED TRIANGLE DANGER MESSAGE CAME ON. I DID NOT DRIVE IT BUT TOYOTA TOLD ME TO TOW IT IN. THEY SAY THE COMPUTER IS SHOT AND NEEDS A NEW SKID CONTROL ECU. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322985March 31, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2005 PRIUS HEADLIGHTS ARE BRAND NEW AND THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DETECT WHETHER IT IS THE HIB HEADLIGHTS OR THE ECU TO GIVES IT POWER. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WILL COST ME A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO GET BOTH DONE. THE LIGHTS GO OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND PRESENT A HAZARD IN DARKNESS AND INCLIMATE WEATHER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322761March 30, 2010
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HAVING JUST STARTED THE CAR AND ENROUTE TO MY DESTINATION, I WAS ON A CITY STREET FOLLOWING A LARGE LANDSCAPE TRUCK TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH.. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, I PERCEIVED THE TRUCK WAS GRADUALLY SLOWING. IN ANTICIPATION OF MAKING A STOP, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE TRUCK'S DRIVER APPLIED HIS BRAKES, I ALSO APPLIED MY BRAKES INTENDING TO COME TO A GENTLE STOP BY LIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL 'SOFTENED' AND MY PRIUS CONTINUED TO COAST WITH NO BRAKING AT ALL. SINCE THE TRUCK'S SIZE AND WIDTH OBSCURED SIGHT OF ANY ON-COMING TRAFFIC, I COULDN'T TURN OUT OF MY LANE AND AS A RESULT REAR- ENDED THE TRUCK. SINCE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR INJURIES, A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED; HOWEVER, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE AGENT AND WAS AUTHORIZED TO DRIVE TO AN APPROVED BODY SHOP. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 19TH 2010 WITH MY TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK MY CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PADS/SHOES, BRAKING FLUID WERE FOUND TO BE FINE, BUT NO ANALYSIS OF THE COMPUTER BRAKING SYSTEM WAS DISCUSSED. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISER, THE BRAKING FAILURE COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED AND THEIR MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING MECHANICAL THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I AM DISSATISFIED WITH TOYOTA'S SERVICE ADVISER'S DISMISSIVE POSITION REGARDING MY BRAKE'S FAILURE. DESPITE THEIR INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THE SERVICE ADVISER INSISTS THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT OFFERS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM. IN THE PAST I'VE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA SERVICE ABOUT THE INTERMITTENT 'FLOATY' FEELING I EXPERIENCE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. NO EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS EVER OFFERED TO ME, AND INDEED, THE BRAKES FINALLY FAILED. SINCE NO ONE AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IS WILLING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE SATISFACTORILY, I FIND IT NECESSARY TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322796March 30, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,079. UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/04/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322864March 30, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, I WAS ON I-95 IN FT. LAUDERDALE, JUST EXITING: I TOUCHED THE BRAKES TO SLOW -- AND THEY FIRMLY LOCKED. I TOUCHED THEM AGAIN AND, FORTUNATELY THEY WORKED NORMALLY. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STILL ON I-95, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA, AT THEIR NYC HEADQUARTERS, WHEN THEIR OTHER PROBLEMS BECAME PUBLIC. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN, HOWEVER, I NO LONGER TAKE ANY PASSENGERS, AND I DRIVE MUCH MORE CAUTIOUSLY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322918March 30, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS ARBITRARILY LOST BRAKING ABILITY AS I APPROACHED A RAMP TO ENTER ANOTHER HIGHWAY. MANY LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING THE RED TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SKID CONTROL UNIT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART AT A COST OF $2200. IS THIS UNIT A SAFETY THREAT?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322928March 30, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HAVE LEFT AND RIGHT HID HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY, THEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT WITH NO WARNING. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM, THERE ARE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS LINKED TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFTEY RECALL ON ALL TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE ELECTRONICS COST MORE THAN $1,000 TO REPLACE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Prius