Toyota Prius Complaints (2007)

2,004 consumer complaints on file.

#10568275March 10, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR, THE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY PANEL ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS GONE COMPLETELY DARK I.E, INOPERATIVE WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. THIS PANEL DISPLAYS THE VEHICLE SPEED, GAS GAUGE AND VARIOUS STATUS & WARNING LIGHTS. THE CAR STILL IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN EVEN THOUGH THE DISPLAY PANEL DOES NOT WORK, WHICH IS A HAZARD. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT. LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME I NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR LIGHT WAS LIT. HOWEVER NO DOOR WAS OPEN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED, I OPEN AND CLOSED EVERY DOOR INCLUDING THE REAR HATCH. THE DOOR LIGHT REMAINED LIT. I THEN HIT THE POWER BUTTON TO POWER THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE INTERIOR DOOR LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE DISPLAY PANEL CAME ON, RESOLVING THE ISSUE. I'VE TRIED TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BY OPENING A DOOR AND POWERING UP THE CAR WITHOUT SUCCESS. THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER FACTOR INVOLVED THAT CAUSES THE DISPLAY TO FAIL TO OPERATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567999March 9, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE DISPLAY SCREEN IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH IN COMPLETELY BLACK. IT WON'T TURN ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567279March 4, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FAILED COMPONENT IS THE RUBBER COVER ON THE TRUNK/HATCH SWITCH. HEAT HAS SPLIT THE COVER COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH. HEAT HAS MADE THE RUBBER A STICKY MESS. THIS HAS MADE THE TRUNK/HATCH DIFFICULT TO OPEN, IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE. REPAIRS FOR THIS MISTAKE MADE BY TOYOTA WILL COST $65 FOR THE PART AND AS MUCH AS $150 FOR LABOR. SOME DEALERS APPARENTLY HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS IN SOME AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. I'M AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE RUBBER COVER IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE MADE GOOD BY TOYOTA. IF, IN AN EMERGENCY ONE IS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE HATCH FOR EQUIPMENT; CABLES, EXTINGUISHER, SPARE TIRE, FLARES, ETC., THIS COULD BE SEEN AS A SERIOUS THREAT TO INJURY OR WORSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566973March 4, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
DURING THE SUMMER OF 2011, WE NOTICED THE TRUNK LATCH MECHANISM TO BE STICKY AND MELTING, LEAVING BLACK STUFF ON OUR HANDS. WE LIVE IN SOUTHWEST OHIO, SO TEMPERATURES ARE USUALLY IN THE 80S-90S IN THE PEAK OF SUMMER. AT TIMES, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE TRUNK LATCH NOT TO WORK, AND WE COULDN'T OPEN THE TRUNK. DURING THE FALL MONTHS, THINGS IMPROVED, AND IT WASN'T AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE. ONCE THE COLDER WINTER MONTHS BEGAN, THE TRUNK LATCH BEGAN TO STICK AND WOULDN'T OPEN WHEN IT WAS COLD. I CAN RECALL SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK UNSUCCESSFULLY. AGAIN, THINGS IMPROVED ONCE TEMPERATURES WARMED UP IN SPRING. THE WHOLE CYCLE STARTED AGAIN IN THE SUMMER AND REPEATED OVER AND OVER. OVER TIME, THE PART THAT THE LATCH IS CONNECTED TO BEGAN TO FEEL LOOSE. I ASKED ABOUT IT DURING MY ROUTINE 80K MILE SERVICE, AND THEY SAID THAT THE WHOLE PART WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, NOT JUST THE LATCH. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, APPARENTLY IT WAS NOT COVERED AND WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT AT THAT TIME. WELL, THIS FEBRUARY, THE TRUNK LATCH WAS ONCE AGAIN MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NOT OPEN WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS. AT ONE LOCATION, I TRIED OPENING THE TRUNK, SQUEEZING THE MELTED BUTTON, AND THE ENTIRE PART THAT THE SWITCH IS ATTACHED TO (INCLUDING THE PUSH BUTTON LOCK, THE BACK-UP CAMERA, ETC.) BROKE OFF OF THE CAR. I AM 30SOMETHING WOMAN WITH AVERAGE STRENGTH, AND I DON'T FEEL I WAS BEING OVERLY AGGRESSIVE ON TRYING TO OPEN THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO THE PART NOT FUNCTIONING AND OVER TIME, THE CONNECTIONS WERE JUST TOO WEAK. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES OF THE SAME AGE. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REFUND THE $312.03 I HAD TO SPEND TO REPAIR A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566187February 26, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TODAY (AND MANY OTHER DAYS) ONE OR BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS AND/OR TAILLIGHTS HAVE EXTINGUISHED COMPLETELY ON THEIR OWN WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY FRIGHTENING WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS EXTINGUISH WHERE WE LIVE (OUT IN THE COUNTRY WHERE STREETLIGHTS DO NOT EXIST). ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER ON THE WAY TO WORK BY VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS (LOCAL POLICE, SHERIFF, HIGHWAY PATROL) DUE TO MY HEADLIGHTS AND/OR TAILLIGHTS BEING OUT. TURNING THEM OFF AND THEN ON, OR TAPPING THE TAILLIGHT WITH MY HAND (OBVIOUSLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE DRIVING) SOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME. EVERY DAY, AT LEAST 5 OF MY COWORKERS INFORM ME THAT I HAVE A HEADLIGHT AND/OR TAILLIGHT BULB WHICH NEEDS REPLACING. I DRIVE THIS CAR AS A COMMUTER TO WORK AND TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN. IT CONCERNS ME GREATLY THAT TOYOTA IGNORES THIS PROBLEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565886February 25, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES GO OUT OR FAIL TO STAY LITE---TURNING THEM OFF AND BACK ON SEEMS TO CORRECT ISSUE FOR MY 2007 PRIUS,SO FAR. THERE IS A SERVICE NOTICE ISSUED BUT WE NEED A REQUIRED RECALL TO MAKE DEALERS CORRECT ISSUE FOR FREE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565597February 24, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, BOTH HEADLIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNED OFF, WITHOUT WARNING. SOME PANIC,BUT, TURNED LIGHT SWITCH OFF/ON (PURE LUCK ON MY PART) AND LIGHTS AGAIN CAME ON -- PROBABLY WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT OR GOING OFF THE ROAD. NO EMERGENCY PULL-OFF LANE, OR AREA WAS AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565526February 23, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BULBS TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO REASON. I ALREADY REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I MADE MY RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 PRIUS. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565439February 22, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE OWN A TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WE SIMPLY GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN WE TURNED IT ON WE REALIZED IT WAS NOT WORKING. AFTER WE HAD IT FIXED ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER WE GOT PULLED OVER AND GIVEN A WARNING TO GET IT FIXED. WE DID SO AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH NO SOLUTION. SINCE OUR LAST TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED US TO GO TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BUT THERE TELLING US THAT IS SIMPLY A BAD HEADLIGHT AND IT WILL COST ABOUT 200 TO FIX IT. I SHOWED THEM WHERE IN 8 MONTHS IT WAS CHANGED 3 TIMES AND THEY SIMPLY SAID IT MUST BE HUMAN ERROR BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564593February 16, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP GOES OFF OUT AFTER 10-15 MINUTES OF BEING ON. ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ALLOW IT TO REST IT WILL BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564203February 13, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE RUBBER TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED INCREASINGLY OVER TIME. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, OPENING THE TRUNK LEAVES MY HAND COVERED IN TAR-LIKE GOO AND THE SENSOR IS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. IN WINTER, THE LATCH DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED WHATSOEVER. IN ADDITION TO BEING INCREDIBLY ANNOYING, THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS A POSSIBLE EGRESS POINT SHOULD THE CAR EVER BECOME WEDGED. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564279February 13, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
FOR A LONG TIME MY PRIUS HAS HAD PAUSES IN ACCELERATION OCCASIONALLY WHEN LEAVING A STOPPED POSITION. YOU PRESS ON THE GAS AND THERE IS A COUPLE OF SECOND PAUSE BEFORE IT ACCELERATES. YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE TIME TO GO, WITH THE PAUSE IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO PULL OUT. I CALL IT STALLING OUT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR PRIUS THAT BEGAN ON JANUARY 17,2013. IT STATES: THE CORRODED WIRE MAY BREAK AND THE WATER PUMP COULD STOP. IT COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN COIL WIRES AND A POSSIBLE OPEN FUSE, CREATING A STALL LIKE CONDITION. THE REMEDY IS THAT TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AT NO CHARGE. I HAVE THE STALL LIKE CONDITION AND DURING MY LAST SERVICE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HE TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND THE RECALL. THEY RESPONDED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD OFFER ME NO ASSISTANCE IN THE $500 PAYMENT FOR THE WATER PUMP. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEMS LISTED IN THE RECALL AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563207February 6, 2014
STRUCTURE
I CANNOT OPEN MY HATCHBACK IN COLD WEATHER. THE RUBBER PIECE IS VERY HARD IN COLD WEATHER NOT ALLOWING ME TO ENGAGE MECHANISM FOR OPENING HATCHBACK. IF IT WAS MADE OF A PLIABLE MATERIAL IN COLD WEATHER I THINK IT WOULD OPEN. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563170February 5, 2014
STRUCTURE
I AM UNABLE TO OPEN MY REAR HOOD LATCH. THERE IS A COVERING ON THE LATCH THAT IS STICKY, GOOEY AND IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN MANIPULATE AND USE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB (SEE, FOR EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.MEYERSONSTRATEGY.COM/2013/09/TOYOTAS-STICKY-2007-PRIUS-HATCH-PROBLEM.HTML). IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. GIVEN THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA INSTALLED A FAULTY LATCH AND SHOULD REPLACE THE LATCH AT NO CHARGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562925February 4, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SINCE 2008, THE HEADLAMPS ON MY CAR HAVE BEEN GOING IN AND OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ONE OF THE LIGHTS IN 2008, BUT IT HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM. SOMETIMES ONE LIGHT GOES OUT, WHILE OTHER TIMES THEY BOTH GO OUT AND IT CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS. THEY WILL USUALLY COME BACK ON WHEN TURNED ON AND OFF, BUT IT'S STILL DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 70MPH AT NIGHT IF BOTH LIGHTS FLICKER OFF. A QUOTE OF APPROXIMATELY $500 WAS GIVEN TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA HASN'T BEEN VERY FORTHCOMING WITH SUPPORT, KNOWING THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTED ISSUES WITH THE HID LIGHT AND IT'S THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT ON WEBSITES REGARDING THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562054January 29, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2007 TOYOTA PRIUS REAR HATCH HANDLE FAILURE. RUBBER COVER MELTS INTO ELECTRIC SWITCH MAKING IT INOPERABLE.THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS FIRST DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST) OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS/YEARS. IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. THE MALFUNCTIONING HANDLE STARTED TO GET LOOSE UNTIL EVENTUALLY IF JUST FALL OFF AND IT'S JUST HANGING BY THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. I HAD TO TAPE IT UNTIL IT GETS FIXED I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE TRUNK IS THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS THE SPARE, ANY OF MY REPAIR TOOLS, EMERGENCY KIT, FLARES, JUMPERS, ETC. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK. TOYOTA NEEDS A RECALL OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AS THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS EXORBITANT, QUOTED TO ME OVER $200 FOR THE PART ALONE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WON'T FIXED THEIR FAULTY PARTS UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO. IT'S SAD THAT IT MIGHT TAKE SOME INJURIES OR DEATH FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562050January 29, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY CRUISE CONTROL LEVER BROKE OFF RIGHT AT THE BASE. THERE'S NOTHING BUT THE WIRES KEEPING IT ON. I HAD TO TAPE IT TO THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT WOULDN'T MAKE NOISES FROM FLOPPING AROUND WHEN I MADE TURNS.I HAVE NEVER USED EXCESSIVE FORCE, AND MY HANDS AREN'T ALL THAT STRONG. THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED REGULARLY AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IN A WAY TO WITHSTAND REGULAR USE. HOWEVER, IT'S OBVIOUS TOYOTA USED FAULTY CHEAP PARTS HERE THAT DON'T WITHSTAND THE INTENDED USE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HERE AND ON OTHER WEBSITES REGARDING THIS ISSUE AFFECTING NUMEROUS CARS SO IT'S NOT A RAMDON BUT RATHER COMMEN ISSUE. TOYOTA SHOULD OFFER A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM TO REPLACE THIS PART FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562075January 29, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED DURING THE WINTER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE IT FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562130January 29, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH PITCH SCREECHING SOUND AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD NO BRAKES. THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ERROR IN THE MOTHER BOARD THAT THEY REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 3/12/14*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561633January 27, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE BACK LATCH OF MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 HAS DEGRADED. IN THE PAST I HAVE RARELY USED THE TRUNK OF MY CAR AND THEREFORE DID NOT REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW ALMOST 9 MONTHS PREGNANT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO (AROUND NOVEMBER 2013) I TRIED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. WHILE IT WAS DIFFICULT, AFTER A LOT OF PRESSING AND MANEUVERING I WAS ABLE TO OPEN IT. MOST RECENTLY FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS, I AM COMPLETELY UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. NOW THAT THE TRUNK IS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO BE OPENED, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY NEWBORN THAT WILL BE RIDING IN THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO POTENTIALLY REMOVE MY BABY OUT OF THE CAR IS A MUST. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I AM REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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