Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10276224July 9, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HID HEADLIGHT AUTOMATIC LEVELING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO GO TO FIXED DOWNWARD POSITION. AS A RESULT, HEADLIGHTS DON'T SAFELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273761June 14, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT HEADLIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON IF THEY ARE TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT WENT OFF AT THE SAME TIME BUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES FROM EACH OTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273526June 11, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN FAILING WITHOUT WARNING OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TWO FRONT HEADLIGHTS FAILED. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN HE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HID BULBS WERE FAILING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $575 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273287June 10, 2009
SUSPENSION
I RECENTLY HAD A MICHELIN TIRE SEPARATE ON THE REAR OF MY 05 TOYOTA PRIUS. TIRE WARE HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM. I DISCARDED THE ORIGINAL TIRES AT 40K MILES, THEY WERE TOO CUPPED TO ROTATE AND TOO DANGEROUS TO USE. THERE WAS A LOT OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE, AT LEAST HALF, BUT CUPPING GAVE INTOLERABLE VIBRATION. I HAD MICHELIN TIRES INSTALLED AND HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED. THE ALIGNMENT WAS NOT PERFECT BUT WAS WITHIN SPEC. THE MICHELIN SEPARATED ABOUT 40K MILES LATER AND WAS REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED. THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED A TOTAL LOSS OF TREAD IN ONE LINE AT A DIAGONAL ACROSS THE TIRE TREAD. LUCKILY I HAD GONE IN FOR ROTATION WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE EXTREME TIRE WARE CAUSES NOISE AND VIBRATION. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALERSHIP THROUGHOUT MY OWNERSHIP OF THE PRIUS WHICH I BOUGH NEW. I HAVE REQUESTED TECHNICAL BULLETINS BUT NONE HAVE EVER BEEN AVAILABLE. THE DEALER HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PRIUS HAS A PROBLEM BUT IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN ONLINE COMPUTER SITES. THE DEALER JUST KEEPS SUGGESTING THAT I ROTATE THE TIRES MORE FREQUENTLY. WITH MY PAST CARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A CUPPING PROBLEM EVEN WITH ROTATION AND WITH THE PRIUS SINCE IT IS WITHIN ALIGNMENT SPEC, IT SHOULD NOT WEAR TIRES LIKE IT DOES. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT ROTATE AND CHANGE TIRES FREQUENTLY ON THE PRIUS IS LOOKING FOR A BLOWOUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272526June 1, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. CAN TURN LIGHT SWITCH OFF/ON AND IT WILL RELIGHT FOR A WHILE. BEGAN HAVING PROBLEM AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES. DEALER SAID IT'S A BULB FOR $350. I DECLINED TO HAVE IT REPLACED. NOW THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ALSO GOES OUT,. TURNING SWITCH OFF/ON WILL RELIGHT FOR A TIME. MIGHT HAVE TO TURN OFF/ON 4 OR 5 TIMES IN A 6 MILE TRIP. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT A FILAMENT MIGHT BE BROKEN AND MAKING INTERMITTENT CONNECTION. THESE ARE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMPS - I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE FILAMENTS. I AM CURRENTLY SEARCHING ON LINE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FIX THIS MYSELF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269768May 23, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005 PRIUS GOES OUT. IF I TURN OFF THE HEAD LIGHT COMPLETELY AND WAIT A WHILE AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON, IT COMES BACK. IT REPEATS THIS ISSUE CONSTANTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269762May 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, 19,300 MILES AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AS USUAL WITH ENGINE POWER CUT IN THE OWNER'S DRIVEWAY. A FEW MINUTES LATER, SMOKE WAS NOTICED INSIDE THE CAR WITH FLAMES SHOWING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS FIRST NOTICED. THE MAIN DAMAGE IS IN THE REAR LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) OF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE CARGO COMPARTMENT COMPLETELY DESTROYED, TIRE COMPLETELY MELTED, ALL PLASTIC IN THE AREA MELTED, DOOR BLACKENED, THE REAR BENCH DESTROYED, THE CEILING CARPET DESTROYED AND BIG HEAT MARKS ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MODIFIED AS A "PLUG-IN HYBRID" WHICH HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT OF FIRE. THE EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE WAS MODERATE, AROUND 70-75 DEGREES. *TR UPDATED 06/05/09*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269417May 19, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL STOP WORKING FOR NO REASON. IT IS INTERMITTENT. IF I TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN THEM ON, IT WILL WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE, THEN GO OFF AGAIN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFELY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268920May 16, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM ATTACHING A LINK TO A STORY IN THE HOUSTON PRESS ABOUT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF TOYOTA PRIUS AUTOMOBILES. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS STORY DESERVES INVESTIGATION, AND AS A TOYOTA PRIUS OWNER, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THIS POTENTIALLY TRAGIC ISSUE AND RESOLVE IT BEFORE A FATALITY RESULTS. HTTP://WWW.HOUSTONPRESS.COM/2009-04-23/NEWS/WILD-RIDES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268829May 15, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ACTION #PE09019 EXCLUDES MODEL YEAR 2005. THIS YEAR IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE HID HEADLAMP FAILURE PROBLEM, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE. I ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT AND YOU MAY IGNORE THE DATE AND OTHER INFO IN THIS COMMENT. I JUST WANT TO SEE 2005 ADDED TO THE INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268871May 15, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2005 PRIUS- HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM NOTICED AT 90,000 MILES WHILE CAR WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY- DEALER WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ALWAYS WORKED IN THE SHOP. AT OVER 100,000 DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM BUT TOYOTA COMPANY WOULD PAY FOR ONLY 1/2 THE COST (COST TO REPLACE BULBS AND LABOR IS $1,000!). NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE OF HEADLAMPS NOT WORKING, BUT THE COST IS ROBBERY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268279May 9, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268281May 9, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266441April 22, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH PRIUS AND THAT REPAIR COSTS ARE SIGNIFICANT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE - HEADLIGHTS TURNING THEMSELVES OFF WHILE DRIVING.... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265558April 16, 2009
STEERING
I WAS BACKING UP FROM A PARKED POSITION, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO PROCEED FORWARD AND HEARD AND FELT A CRUNCH. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND HAD TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT GOING IN THE DIRECTION I STEERED. I SOON REALIZED THAT I HAD LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. I HAD IT TOWED AND MY LOCAL MECHANIC EVALUATED THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY DEFECT. THINKING THAT MY CAR MAY NOT BE THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED THE INTERNET. I FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAD A RECALL PUBLISHED 6/2006 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. I AM THE 3RD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT IT FROM A REPUTABLE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WITH THE LOGO "CERTIFIED USED" ON THE SALES RECEIPT. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AFTER THE RECALL NOTICE HAD BEEN PUBLISHED. IT APPEARS THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS BEFORE "CERTIFYING" THIS VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT AT HIGH SPEEDS FOR ME, MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE DRIVING BY ME AT THE WRONG TIME. I WILL SUBMIT A SECOND COMPLAINT IF THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR TOYOTA DOES NOT HANDLE THIS APPROPRIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263905April 1, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 2/27/09, MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS' BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS GOING DOWNHILL IN AN HIGHLY TRANSITED URBAN ROAD (RTE 123 IN VA, CLOSE TO TYSONS CORNER). THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO RED. THE 2 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MY CAR ACCELERATED INITIALLY, AND THEN NOTHING. BRAKES ARE MEANT TO WORK. ALWAYS. I KEPT PUMPING THE PEDAL HOPING TO ENGAGE THE BREAKS, BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE. WHAT STOPPED ME WAS THE REAR OF A BMW X5. THANKFULLY I WAS THE ONLY INJURED PARTY, AND MY INJURIES ARE MOSTLY MUSCULAR. I COULD HAVE DIED OR I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. IN JANUARY, I HAD TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALL THE ALERT LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD SPORADICALLY GO OFF. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND CLAIMED THAT THE SECONDARY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK AND ON 2/23/09 THE ISSUE RESTARTED. I WAS DUE TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. I CALLED A LAWYER TO SEE IF I HAD A CASE, AND WAS TOLD NO. I AM STILL RESEARCHING THE ISSUE BECAUSE SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FUTURE TRAGEDIES SHOULD BE AVOIDED. IF ANYONE HAS STARTED A CLASS ACTION SUIT, PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW AS I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN YOU. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10262649March 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FADES THEN GOES OUT. TURNING THE SWITCH OFF/ON WILL TURN THE HEADLIGHT ON AGAIN 'BUT STILL IT GOES OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261695March 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
60 K INSPECTION BY STATE LICENSED SERVICE- TOYOTA. AT 62K WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALER, WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE PREVIOUS INSPECTION (NOT A DEALER).DEALER FAILED TO BURP ENGINE CAUSING AIR IN SYSTEM. PERSONALLY ADDED ANTIFREEZE. 2) HEADLIGHT ARE NOW LOCKED IN THE LOWER ELEVATION CAUSING THE DIMS TO BE APPROX 30 FEET IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. OUTRUN LIGHTED AREA VERY RAPIDLY. BELIEVE TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION 3)SMART KEY (S) QUIT AT SAME TIME. 4) SECOND SET TIRES NEEDING REPLACEMENT JUST OVER 25K MILES 5) AT TIMES THE ENGINE BATTERY JUST GOES DEAD. ALL HAPPENED JUST OVER 60K MILES. DEALER WILL LOOK AT ITEMS FOR A SERVICE CHARGE AND IF PROBLEMS THE SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM COST. I WAS INFORMED THAT NONE OF THE ITEMS ARE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS PAST THE 60K. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE WATER PUMP CONDITION HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE 60K BY THE BUILD UP OF ANTIFREEZE ON OLD PUMP WHICH I PLAN ON SENDING TO TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261574March 11, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAIL LIGHT AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA CHARGED BY $450.00 TO REPLACE THE FIRST BULB THAT I PURCHASED 4 WEEKS LATER FROM NAPA AUTO PARTS FOR $93.00. FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND THAT THERE ARE NO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FOUR WEEKS BEFORE SECOND HEADLIGHT AND LICENSE PLATE BULB WENT OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260399March 2, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS (PKG 6) WITH APPR. 18,000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, BY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STARTED TO GO OUT (GOING OFF AND ON) UNTIL IT FINALLY WENT OUT COMPLETELY. ON FEBRUARY 27, 2009, I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER (LONGO TOYOTA IN EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA), WHO TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO SPEND $358 (PARTS AND LABOR) FOR JUST THE ONE HEADLIGHT. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER AND THE TOYOTA SALES REP, TOYOTA AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS WITH ME PAYING FOR THE LABOR OF THE REPLACEMENT. THE TOTAL COST TO ME FOR THE LABOR WAS $201.76. IF TOYOTA HADN'T AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BULBS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF POCKET $716.14 (PARTS AND LABOR). AS IT WAS, I STILL HAD TO PAY $201.76 FOR THE LABOR. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3-1/2 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE IT'S HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. I ALSO UNDERSTAND FROM TALKING TO THE SERVICE REP AND DOING FURTHER RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN IN MUCH YOUNGER PRIUS'. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED FURTHER BY THE NHTSA AND A DETERMINATION MADE ON WHETHER THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT PROBLEM ON PRIUS'. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota Prius