Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10442901January 9, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF WHEN IT BEGAN TO DRIVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD AND DROVE BEHIND A BUILDING BEFORE CRASHING INTO BUSHES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION WHEN SHE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF WHILE SHIFTED IN THE PARK POSITION. UPON LOCATING THE CRASHED VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SHIFTED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442296January 3, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN EARLY 2009 AND A TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS (ONE HAD STOPPED WORKING AND DEALER STATED THE OTHER HAD ISSUES). PROBLEM RECURRED LATE 2011, WITH EITHER LIGHT SOMETIMES NOT WORKING, BUT THEN RE-LIGHTING BY ITSELF. USUALLY, TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON MANUALLY WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE FOR A TIME. ALSO, BOTH OF THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES STOP WORKING. USUALLY, IF I TAKE THE COVER OFF FROM THE INSIDE AND TURN THE LIGHT SOCKET (WHERE IT SNAPS INTO THE PLASTIC MOLDING) THE LIGHT WILL TURN BACK ON. UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T TELL HOW OFTEN I AM DRIVING WITH ONE OR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING, AS I DON'T LOOK AT THE BACK OF THE CAR OFTEN. I HAVE FOUND THEM NON-FUNCTIONING 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, AND EACH TIME THE BULB WAS FINE AND BEGAN WORKING WHEN I TURNED THE SOCKET BACK AND FORTH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441782December 30, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MY HID HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL AT 30K. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT ONE. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE ONE OR THE OTHER HEADLIGHT GOING OUT AND WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON. THE LATEST EVENT WAS 30 DEC 2011. I WAS AT THE DEALER TRYING TO PRICE A BULB AND VERIFIED THE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER THE BULB STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I SAW THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED BUT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND RESOLVE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED ON A DARK WINDING ROAD. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441680December 29, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID BULBS TURN OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. THE COST WAS OVER $700 TO REPLACE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441287December 27, 2011
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO LATCH. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS HAD LITTLE TO NO USE SO, OVERUSE IS NOT AN ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10440255December 17, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IN EARLY 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FAUB OR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO POWAY TOYOTA (POWAY, CA) AND THEY STATED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED, WHICH THEY REPLACED AT MY COST. BY THE SUMMER OF 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED. I MUST USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND REACH OVER TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WHILE PASSENGERS WAIT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR PASSENGERS TO WAIT TO ENTER VEHICLE. TO HAVE ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS FAIL WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE CAR CONSTRUCTION, INDICATES TO ME THERE COULD BE A DEFECT WITH THIS PART OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS. I REQUEST YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439335December 11, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL SPORADICALLY GO OUT. SHUTTING OFF AND TURNING BACK ON WORKS, BUT THE LIGHT DIMS AND THEN GOES OFF COMPLETELY. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN THIS WAY, BUT IT IS A RECENT OCCURRENCE. IT HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS PARKED OR IN MOTION- NO CERTAIN SPEED CAUSES IT TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438566December 5, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID, STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TOYOTA 2008 PRIUS TRUNK HATCH RELEASE RUBBER PIECE MELTED. 2008 MODEL WAS ONLY 2.5 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER SAYS $197.00 FOR THIS PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438473December 3, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I NORMALLY GET ABOUT 450 MILES OUT OF ONE 11.9 GALLON TANK. RECENTLY, I DISCOVERED MY FUEL GAUGE LIGHT GOING OFF AT 300 MILES. WHEN I FILLED UP MY TANK IT ONLY TOOK 7 GALLONS, LEAVING 5 GALLONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE TANK. AFTER FILLING IT UP, FUEL GAUGE LIGHT WENT OFF JUST BELOW 300 MILES. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE I ASKED ABOUT IT THINKING THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY FUEL SENSOR. I WAS ADVISED BY THE CLERK THAT IT WAS THE BLADDER, AND TO JUST KEEP IT FULL-THATS ALL. HE GAVE OTHER ADVISE LIKE MAKE SURE THE TIRE PRESSURE ON MY TIRES WERE GOOD (THEY WERE ROTATED AND CHECKED A WEEK PRIOR TO THIS), AND TO CHECK MY AIR FILTER. NOW I AM CONFUSED, AND DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN MY TANK. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 3 1/2 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM TILL NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438067December 2, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN AUGUST 2011, A PRINCETON, NJ, POLICE OFFICE STOPPED ME TO REPORT THAT MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2011, I PAID LAWRENCE TOYOTA $281.84 TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT. LATER THAT MONTH, WHEN I DROVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT LIGHT WAS NOT SHINGING AGAINST THE GARAGE DOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW THE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. EARLY IN OCTOBER, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, INCLUDING BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK THE CAR HOME, I NOTICE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS FAILED RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICE THE LIGHT WOULD NOT BE UNIFORM ALONG THE PAVEMENT. WHEN TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, ONE LIGHT WOULD REFLECT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE BODY SHOP, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF SPONTANEOUSLY. THEY REPLACED BOTH LIGHTS AND THE "MODULATOR" THAT GOVERNS THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEY TOOK THE CAR TO FREEHOLD TOYOTA WHO "ADJUSTED" THE LIGHTS AND MODULATOR. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE BODY SHOP, I LIGHT WAS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED; REFLECTING OFF TREE BRANCHES WELL ABOVE THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER, I DROVE THE CAR TO A STORE AND NOTICED THE RIGHT LIGHT WAS NOT SHINING AGAINST THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. A PERSON THE CAR THAT PULLED IN BEFORE ME COMMENTED THAT THE LEFT LEADLIGHT WAS AIMED SO HIGH THAT IT BLINDED HIM, MAKING HIS REARVIEW MIRROR UNUSABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437418November 27, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PRIUS 2008 HEADLIGHTS TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ONE CAN NEVER BE SURE WHEN OR HOW IF FAILS. AT TIMES IT WORKS FINE THEN IT DOES NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437303November 26, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR HATCHBACK LOCKING/UNLOCKING BUTTON GUMMY AND INABILITY TO UNLOCK TRUCK MANUALLY AND ELECTRICALLY. UNABLE TO ACCESS TRUNK WHERE EMERGENCY/SAFETY EQUIPMENT LOCATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437355November 26, 2011
STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
WE BOUGHT OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS IN NOV 2007. AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK, BUT HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR THE PAST YEAR. WE CAN BARELY OPEN THE REAR HATCHBACK NOW. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. WE LIVE IN VIRGINIA THOUGH. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, WE EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON OUR HANDS FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK. I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436117November 16, 2011
AIR BAGS
PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, MY 2008 PRIUS WAS T-BONED BY A 1994 VAN (TRAVELING 35MPH ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER). THE VAN STRUCK THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER DOOR, CRUSHING THE DOOR AND DOOR FRAME. THE REAR DOOR IS ALSO DAMAGED AN UNABLE TO BE OPENED. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER BROKE THE WINDOW WITH HER HEAD AND REQUIRED STAPLES, FRONT PASSENGER ARM WAS SMASHED BY THE DOOR, DRIVER HAS WHIPLASH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE CAR DEPLOYED. THE VAN'S TWO FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10434924November 8, 2011
STRUCTURE
AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN LOUISIANA. WE ALSO LIVE IN LOUISIANA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/GEN-II-PRIUS-CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/71647-2007-PRIUS-TRUNK-HATCH-RELEASE-RUBBER-PIECE-MELTED-5.HTML THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433377November 1, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FLICKER, NOR WAS THERE ANY GRADUAL FLICKERING DIMMING OF THE LIGHTS. ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE, ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE OPERATIONAL AND NO REPAIR WAS MADE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING AND THAT THE HID HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES EXHIBIT AN ERRATIC BEHAVIOR WHEN THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. THE CONSUMER AGREED TO LET THE DEALER REPLACE THE HID BULBS AT A COST OF $ 555.32. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430206October 14, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429278October 10, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, THE AUDIO DISPLAY UNIT (TOUCH SCREEN,) WHICH ALSO CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON JANUARY 5, 2008. THE SAME UNIT FAILED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 30, 2011 . THE TOUCH SCREEN IS UNRESPONSIVE, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IT TO CONTROL AIR CONDITIONING, AUDIO AND OTHER INFORMATION FUNCTIONS. THE TOYOTA DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR EXAMINED THE PART, CONFIRMED THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE AND INFORMED ME THAT A REPLACEMENT WILL COST OVER $7,000 (SEVEN THOUSAND) WHICH IS ABOUT HALF OF THE CURRENT BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR. IT IS THEREFORE NOT ECONOMICAL TO REPAIR IT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT WHILE THE CAR HAS A 3 YEARS/30000 WARRANTY, THE DEFECTIVE PART IN QUESTION HAS ONLY ONE YEAR WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS DECEPTIVE, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S TSB EL002-05, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427985September 30, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMP WENT OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS DOING THE SAME THING ONLY A COUPLE MONTHS LATER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427914September 29, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT TROUBLE WITH HEADLIGHTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR GOING OUT SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN AND THEY COME BACK ON. I HAVE NOW HAD AN INSTANT WHERE BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS QUITE SCARY WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR WITH LIMITED STREET LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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