Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10508599April 17, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. TURNING THEM OFF AND ON WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, RANDOMLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505982April 11, 2013
STRUCTURE
THE MATERIAL IN THE TRUNK DOOR HANDLE IS DISSOLVING AND OR DISINTEGRATING. AT TIMES THIS APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF A DELAY IN OPENING THE TRUNK. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY A DELAY IN REACHING ITEMS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY THAT ARE STORED IN THE TRUNK MAY OCCUR. I HAD MENTIONED THIS DEFECT TO TOYOTA DEALERS IN PRIOR YEARS AND MY COMPLAINT WAS IN MY OPINION RELEGATED TO THE "UNIMPORTANT BUCKET". I RECENTLY RESEARCHED THE DEFECT ON THE INTERNET AND OBSERVED WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. IN A RECENT VISIT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I AGAIN PRESENTED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THE DOCUMENTATION I OBSERVED ON THE INTERNET AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE REPAIR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE IF I WANTED THE REPAIR. THE CHARGE IMO WAS EXCESSIVE FOR SOMETHING THAT IMO WAS A BUILT IN DEFECT AND DESERVES A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505085April 3, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AROUND JUNE 2012, HE NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND COME BACK ON. HE WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND PAID $ 203.60 TO HAVE THE BULB REPLACED. SOON AFTER, THE NEW BULB EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AND ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2012,THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB AGAIN AT NO CHARGE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH THE SECOND REPLACEMENT BULB AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT TOYOTA WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT REPLACED THE BULB AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY THE LEFT HEADLIGHT BALLAST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE PURCHASING DEALER, TO GET THEIR OPINION ON REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT BALLAST, AND HE WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS IN LITIGATION AND AS A RESULT, TOYOTA COULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. ON DECEMBER 27, 2012, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALLAST AT A COST OF $331.24. RECENTLY, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED NOT TO REPLACE ANYTHING ELSE, UNTIL HE HEARD FROM TOYOTA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503628March 19, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL BECAME HARD AND REQUIRED ADDITIONAL FORCE TO BE DEPRESSED. THE ABS AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503366March 17, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. HEADLIGHTS MUST BE CYCLED OFF, THEN ON TO MAKE THEM WORK AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502690March 13, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH DIDN'T COME ON SO I COULD SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAD. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S DUE TO COLD WEATHER. AFTER 15 MINUTES, THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. TOYOTA SUGGESTED I COULD GET THE ISSUE FIXED FOR $1500 BUT IT WOULDN'T BE EASY TO GET THE PART. COULD TAKE 30 DAYS OR MORE AND MAY NOT 100% SOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502447March 12, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
MY CAR HAD HESITATION ISSUES SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. IT WOULD BOG DOWN, AND ALMOST DIE IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD LOSE SPEED ON THE HWY/ROAD & NEARLY GET HIT. PREVIOUSLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE GAS TANK BECAUSE ITS "BLADDER" WAS BAD @ 54,057 MILES ON 08/05/2011. THE FACTORY SPLIT THE COST ON THIS REPAIR (WHICH APPEARS TO OCCUR MORE THAN THEY ARE ADMITTING). THE PERFORMANCE IMPROVED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FUNNY NOISES COMING FROM MY VEHICLE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT POWER ON AT TIMES. OTHER TIMES, IT WOULD FREEZE OR POWER OFF. THE MAINTENANCE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND THEN TURN OFF. INFREQUENTLY, AIR WOULD COME THROUGH THE BACKSEAT VENTS LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO. FREQUENTLY, I WOULD SMELL UNUSUAL SMELLS AFTER STOPPING MY CAR. MY CAR ATE UP THE INSIDE OF A NEW SET OF TIRES VERY QUICKLY DESPITE BEING PROPERLY ALIGNED. THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR WAS CUTTING ON AND OFF AT TIMES AND MAKING FUNNY NOISES. MANY TIMES WHEN IT WOULD CUT OFF, I COULD OPEN AND SLAM THE HOOD AND THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR WOULD ENGAGE, AS IF THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IT. WHEN THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR QUIT ALTOGETHER, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE MOWER HAD GONE OUT. THERE WAS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE HV ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AS WELL AS A FACTORY RECALL. INTERESTINGLY, THE DEALER DISCOVERED TAT THE ENGINE MOTOR WATER PUMP WAS ALSO LEAKING. WHAT A COINCIDENCE! NOW THAT ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, MY CAR APPEARS TO WORK NORMAL AGAIN LIKE IT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502261March 10, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. FUNCTION DOES NOT SEEM TO BE BASED ON TIME, WEATHER, OR SPEED. IT POSES A SAFETY THREAT WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPETITIVELY CHANGED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501126March 3, 2013
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER OF THE MILITARY, I MOVE FREQUENTLY. MY MAILING ADDRESS WAS AT ADDRESS "A", THEN I MOVED TO ADDRESS "B" NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO. SINCE THE MOVE, I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL MAILINGS AT ADDRESS "B" FROM TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS (SPAM MAIL, FLYERS, ETC.) AND FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION (PENDING RECALL NOTICES). I RECENTLY RECEIVED AT ADDRESS "B" A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION THAT THERE WAS AN UPCOMING RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S STEERING SHAFT AND WATER PUMP. THE ACTUAL RECALL NOTICE, WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECEIVE REPAIRS AT TOYOTA'S EXPENSE, WAS JUST MAILED LAST WEEK TO ADDRESS "A". I STILL LIVE AT ADDRESS "B" AND NEVER CHANGED MY ADDRESS BACK TO "A". FORTUNATELY, THE CURRENT RESIDENT OF ADDRESS "A" FORWARDED THE RECALL NOTICE TO ME, AT PERSONAL EXPENSE. IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE HOW TOYOTA COULD ACCIDENTALLY REVERT TO AN EARLIER ADDRESS ONLY FOR THE MAILING NOTICE THAT COSTS TOYOTA TIME AND MONEY. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA WEBSITE TO UPDATE OR VERIFY THE ADDRESS THEY HAVE ON FILE FOR AN OWNER. BEFORE AN OWNER CAN ACCESS THAT INFORMATION, THE OWNER MUST READ THROUGH A LENGTHY "TERMS AND CONDITIONS" AGREEMENT AND PROVIDE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS SO THAT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TOYOTA CAN SEND "OFFERS". I'M NOT INTERESTED IN ADDITIONAL "OFFERS" FROM TOYOTA, NOR PERMITTING AN OPEN MARKETING AGREEMENT WITH THEM. I WOULD ONLY LIKE MY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501129March 3, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY OF 2012 MY HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF. IF I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF, AND THEN ON AGAIN, THEY WOULD TURN BACK ON. HOWEVER, SINCE THIS FIRST OCCURRENCE, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF. ONE WILL NO LONGER TURN BACK ON. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB ($300) AND THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THE HEADLIGHT COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ($1800). TO DATE, I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES FOR DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I AM TERRIFIED THAT THE SAFETY OF MY TWO BOYS, ALONG WITH MYSELF IS AT STAKE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. THIS IS NOT O.K. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500638February 27, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500540February 26, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS I STARTED MY PRIUS BY USING THE ELECTRIC START BUTTON WITHOUT THE KEY. THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS BUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT LIGHT UP. ONCE I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. IT TAKE APPROX. 1 HR OF RUNNING BEFORE IT WILL TURN OFF. MY DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BUT AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, DISCOVERED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP COMMUNICATING WITH THE START BUTTON WAS THE ISSUE. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR 4 TO 6 WEEKS AND THEY WILL NOT RELEASE MY CAR TO ME SINCE THEY CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY INDICATED ITS PART OF A RECALL ISSUE..NEVER HEARD OF IT! HUMMM. NO COST FOR THE FIX SINCE IT IS PART OF THE RECALL AND TOYOTA HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499496February 20, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AS I WAS DRIVING, ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT BULB, BUT THE NEXT TIME I TURNED MY CAR ON, THE BULB WAS NO LONGER OUT. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I NOTICED THE LIGHTS WENT OUT MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. MANY TIMES, BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY. IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON AGAIN, BOTH LIGHT WORK. HOWEVER, IT IS TEMPORARY AND AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES, ONE OR BOTH OF THE LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN. IT IS CREATING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS BECAUSE IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499322February 19, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, I CAN TURN THE HEADLIGHTS BACK ON BY TURNING SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS YEARS 2006-2009. WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL? WHEN GETTING AN ESTIMATE TO FIX IS UP TO A $1,000. I FEEL LIKE TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR DEAD FROM AN ACCIDENT PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498170February 14, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK ON BY TURNING BOTH HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON. SINCE THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT HEADLIGHT JUST RANDOMLY GO OUT AND HAVE TO TURN OFF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AND BACK ON TO RESET IT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS(MAYBE ABOUT 5 OR 6) I HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND BEEN IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. JUST LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED TO MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING, ON THE FREEWAY, AND WAS VERY SCARY. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HAD MY LIGHTS ON DURING A DARK OVERCAST DAY FOR SAFETY AND A DEPUTY PULLED ME OVER BECAUSE ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF. TOLD THE OFFICER THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH PRIUS(AND REPORTED BY MANY) AND THAT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO RESPOND. HE SHOOK HIS HEAD AND SAID HE'LL REMEMBER THAT WHEN PULLING OVER OTHER PRIUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496612February 6, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD HER HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED CAUSING THEM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND STORED UNTIL IT COULD BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 3/22/13 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496204February 2, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I ONLY CAN PUT 4 GALLONS OF GAS IN MY PRIUS. TOYOTA SAY IT IS OK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495209January 30, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNLESS A PARTICULAR WARNING LIGHT WAS CLEARED BY DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SPEEDS EXCEEDED 50 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE ENGINE PLUG-IN BATTERY ADD-ON KIT THAT HE PERSONALLY INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LOW BATTERY INDICATOR PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THE ADD-ON WAS REMOVED, THE FAILURE CEASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 02/12/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HIS COMPLAINT WAS AGAINST THE MAKERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF THE PHEV CONVERSION KIT, HE HAD INSTALLED IN HIS VEHICLE. THE BATTERY KIT WAS USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL BATTERY POWER TO THE BUILT IN BATTERY OF THE HYBRID. THE CONSUMER STATED OCCASIONALLY, THE PHEV KIT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 45 -65 MPH. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE WAS A WARNING BEEP AND THE GENERAL WARNING TRIANGLE WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE IT HAPPENED, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE, UNTIL THE GENERAL WARNING TRIANGLE WAS CLEARED. HE HAD TO CLEAR IT, BY DISCONNECTING THE 12 VOLT BATTERY FOR A MINUTE AND THE RE-CONNECTING THE 12 VOLT BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN FOR A THIRD TIME, HE REMOVED THE PHEV BATTERY KIT. UPDATED 02/13/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494606January 24, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS MORNING WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. I DROVE SEVEN MILES TO TOP OFF THE GAS(I COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH I HAD BECAUSE OF THE DASH BEING OFF.)I THEN COULD NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I DROVE FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR AND MY DASH LIGHTS JUST CAME ON. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THE DASH LIGHTS ARE FINE NOW. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. I SEE ON LINE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494446January 23, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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