Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10304870February 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABOUT ONCE A MONTH THE BRAKES PARTIALLY FAIL THEN I PRESS THE BRAKES HARDER AND THEY REENGAGE FULLY. THIS HAPPENS AFTER I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES FOR 5-10 SECONDS WHEN I AM TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS NEVER LED TO AN ACCIDENT. I'M PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304923February 3, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. GIVEN THE ALREADY MANY COMPLAINTS, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY COMMENTS ON THIS PRIUS. FIRST THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF THIS CAR. SECOND, I HAD THE HEADLIGHT FAILURES THAT THESE CARS HAVE. I HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED IN THIS CAR. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. MANY TIMES I HAD TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND MANY, MANY PRIUS'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT NOT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE ON MY PART. LAST POINT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS THAT THIS 2008 PRIUS HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUES WITH BRAKES AND STOPPING THAT THE 2010 DOES ACCORDING THE ACCOUNTS I HAVE READ. FOR EXAMPLE, I WENT OVER A RAILROAD TRACK RECENTLY WHICH WHEN IT HITS AN UNEVEN SURFACE IT IS VERY HARD TO STOP! I ALMOST HIT A CAR THAT WAS TURNING JUST PAST THESE TRACKS BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD "GRIP" TO THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS ALSO WITH EVEN A SMALL CLUSTER OF SMALL POT HOLES. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE IN MY OPINION. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE HEADLIGHTS ALONE DID NOT MAKE A RECALL. IT IS AN ONGOING UNSAFE SITUATION. THE CAR NOT STOPPING HOWEVER IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND NOT JUST LIMITED TO THE 2010 PRIUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303849February 2, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND STOPPED. WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MOVED UP (I WAS ABOUT 2 OR 3 CAR LINKS BEHIND THEM) I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD , I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS LIKE IN SLOW MOTION, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THEN TURNED IT OFF AFTER THE CRASH. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT IT CAUSED THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO ALMOST FALL OFF IN THE STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I WAS NOT GIVEN A TICKET BY THE POLICE. I TOLD ALL THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INS. COMPANY AND WE REQUESTED AN INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES. AFTER THE BODY REPAIR ON MY CAR IWAS COMPLETED, THE DEALERSHIP DID A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES, TEST DROVE IT AND SAID IT MET WITH THEIR SPECS. AND THAT THE PADS WERE STILL WITHIN THE PROPER THICKNESS ON THE BRAKES. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302912January 28, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE HID BULBS DID NOT LAST OVER A YEAR. *TW
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302941January 28, 2010
EQUIPMENT
2008 PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS FAILING. STARTING AT AROUND 48,000 MILES. CAN'T THEY MAKE A HEADLIGHT FOR ABOUT $20 INSTEAD OF EVEN THE $150 THAT THEY WANT JUST FOR THE BULB. TOYOTA SHOULD AT LEAST OFFER FREE LABOR TO REPLACE THE BULB. CAN'T BELIEVE THEY CAN'T MAKE A CHEAPER BULB THAT SHOULD LAST ABOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. *TW
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302975January 28, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE WERE STOPPED AT A NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION. AS WE BEGAN TO LET OFF OF THE BRAKE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT ON THE ACCELERATION. BEFORE WE TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO BEGIN THE TURN, THE CAR HAD SPED ACROSS THE 35 FOOT STREET, JUMPED A 6 1/2 INCH CURB, WENT THROUGH A FENCE, ACROSS ANOTHER STREET, AND WAS STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A SECOND FENCE. THE TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM BEING STOPPED AT THE CORNER UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE SECOND FENCE WAS 81 FEET. THE STREETS WERE DRY AND THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD. HOWEVER, DUE TO PREVIOUS RAINS, THE GRASS AREAS WERE MOIST. THERE ARE NO TIRE MARKS IN THE GRASS FROM THE CURB UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET BEFORE THE STOPPING POINT. THE FRONT LIFT OF THE PRIUS IS AROUND 7 1/2 INCHES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM TO GO OVER A 6 1/2 INCH CURB IN JUST 35 FEET. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE ON JAN. 7 AND REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED FOR ACCELERATOR ISSUES. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA WHOM, UPON THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ACCELERATION MALFUNCTION. THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AT A BODY SHOP WITH INITIAL DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT OVER $6000. WE HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AS WELL AS THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND MEASUREMENTS OF DISTANCES TRAVELED. IN 2009, WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA CONCERNING FLOOR MAT ISSUES WITH OUR PRIUS. WE INSPECTED OUR FACTORY-INSTALLED FLOOR MATS, AS INSTRUCTED BY THE RECALL LETTER, AND WERE AWAITING THEIR 2ND NOTIFICATION WHEN THE "CAMPAIGN REMEDY" BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS A LOCKING MECHANISM AND COULD HAVE, IN NO WAY, OBSTRUCTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND READY NEXT WEEK. HOWEVER, WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE? *TW *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303036January 28, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLAMPS THAT FLICKER AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE. THE COST TO REPLACE IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE. THE OWNERS MANUAL INCORRECTLY DEPICT HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT. GENERALLY THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR AND NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE.*CW
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302577January 27, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS FAILING AFTER 45K MILES OR 750 HOURS. INIITIALLY IT WAS JUST THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT WOULD JUST TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, NOW IT IS BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. IF THEY ARE TURNED OFF, YOU CAN THEN TURN THEM BOTH BACK ON BUT THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THEY WILL SHUT OFF AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FOOT THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT LIGHTS AND LABOR. I HAVE DONE SOME FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. HID LAMPS HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 2000 SERVICE HOURS. THESE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT TO 50% OF THE AVERAGE SERVICE LIFE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I REPLACE THESE ITEMS OUT OF POCKET THAT I WILL AGAIN HAVE TO REPLACE THEM IN TWO YEARS. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302435January 26, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT ITS HAD BRAKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALWAYS JUST ASSUMED THE CAR WAS USELESS IN BAD WEATHER BECAUSE THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF RAIN OR SNOW SEEMED TO PREVENT ME FROM BRAKING. I WOULD BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN AND IF THE CAR NOTICED A TIRE SLIDE EVEN AN INCH IT WOULD SEEM TO ACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE BREAK WOULD RELEASE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS SOME SORT OF HORRIBLY DESIGNED SAFETY DEVICE TO PREVENT HYDROPLANNING. BUT I'VE BEEN PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO WHEN MY BRAKES RELEASE AND IT'S ANYTIME I SLOW DOWN AND HIT A POT HOLE, OR SLOW DOWN FOR A DIP. THE MOMENT THE TIRES LOSE ANY CONTACT/FRICTION ON THE ROAD THE BRAKES STOP WORKING. SO FAR IT'S BEEN MOST DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING ONTO SIDE STREETS OR INTO PARKING LOTS WITH A BUMP OR DIP. IF A CAR IS COMING OUT OF THE SAME DRIVEWAY I'M SLOWING TO ENTER I HAVE TO "PUMP" MY BRAKES WHEN I TURN SO I DON'T HIT THE OTHER CAR. IT'S MUCH WORSE IN ANY SNOW/RAIN. IT'S ALMOST AS THOUGH WHEN I BEGIN TO SLIDE A LITTLE AND THE BRAKE RELEASES IT ACTUALLY ACCELERATES. THE BRAKES GIVE OUT ON A DAILY BASIS, THIS IS NOT RARE OR INSIGNIFICANT. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A MANUFACTURING ERROR WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IT'S JUST SO CONSISTENTLY FAULTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302083January 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLIGHT - MY PRIUS HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY. SINCE THEN THE LOW AND HIGH BEAMS GO ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE BULB WAS FINE AND IT WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTIRCAL THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I JUST DRIVE WITH IT AND KEEP TRYING TO SHAKE THE WIRES AND DETERMINE WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. NOW (A MONTH LATTER) I GET A LETTER FROM TOYOTA TELLING ME IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BULB ALL ALONG. THE SOLUTION IS TO AVOID USING MY HEADLIGHTS (THAT WAS THE SUGGESTION IN THE LETTER, ONLY USE THEM WHEN REQUIRED BY LAW) AND IF I HAVE TO USE THEM ALLOW THEM TO COOL BEFORE I TURN THEM ON AGAIN! WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS FOR SUGGESTING NOT USING YOUR HEADLIGHTS! I'M STILL UNDER WARRENTY, BUT WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY ~$200 EACH TIME THIS PROBLEM BULB BURNS OUT - UNLESS I FOLLOW TOYOTA'S ADVICE AND SKIP USING THEM AT ALL :). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302099January 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE 2008 PRIUS TOYOTA THAT 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THE DASHBOARD IS NOT LIT UP. AFTER 20 MINUTES THE CAR LIGHTS UP AGAIN AND I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF. FEARFUL THAT I CANNOT TURN CAR OFF EVER, THEN WHAT? I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY DENY HEARING ABOUT THIS BEFORE BUT PRIUS CHAT FORUM HAS SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS COLD WEATHER RELATED AND FOR SOME THE "COMBINATION METER" WAS THE PROBLEM. IT COSTS $800 TO REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301693January 21, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY & UNEXPLAINABLY ACCELERATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300404January 20, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2008. HE STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR HID HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS BUT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT FENDER IN ORDER TO REACH THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE TYPE OF FAILURE AS DESCRIBED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE AND HIS SAFETY AT NIGHT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR SPEED DESCRIBED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300111January 17, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS AND 36,800 MILES. ONE OR BOTH LIGHTS TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY USUALLY ON WET OR DAMP DAYS. NIGHTTIME DRIVING IS FRIGHTENING JUST WAITING FOR THE LIGHTS TO SUDDENLY GO OFF. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED SAFETY RELATED DEFECT YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299986January 16, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WOULD LIKE MY NAME ADDED TO THE FORMAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHTS. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MANY CASES ON FILE. I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS AND FIND IT DEPLORABLE THAT THE OWNERS HAVE TO PAY SUCH HIGH PRICES TO HAVE OUR HEADLIGHTS FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY WARRANTY RECALL. IT IS TRULY UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE PUSH FOR A RECALL. IN THESE HARD TIMES, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A VEHICLE. WHEN YOU BUY A CAR, YOU EXPECT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF ALL THINGS (ESPECIALLY ON A 2008 VEHICLE) WOULD ACTUALLY WORK. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299124January 12, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF AND ON. DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL STRANGER POINTED IT OUT. I WOULD TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON AND THE LIGHT WOULD TURNS ON AGAIN. I TRIED TO USE THE HIGH BEAM BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ROAD AND THEN BOTH LIGHTS WENT OFF.IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ITS NIGHT AND YOUR FAR FROM HOME. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS ON CAR TO INDICATE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. I AM AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS AT $150 EACH PLUS $100 EACH FOR INSTALLATION - TOTALING $500+. THE CAR HAS 66K MILES. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT HAVING ANY HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299533January 12, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, IT'LL WORK FOR SOME TIME AND THEN TURN OFF AGAIN. DEALER MENTIONS THAT THEY WILL NEED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WILL CHARGE ABOUT $200 FOR THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298642January 7, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY AND THEN TURNING THEM BACK ON WILL SOMETIME SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL WORK FOR A WHILE. DRIVING VISIBILITY IS GREATLY AFFECTED. SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, I NEVER ACTUALLY KNOW WHEN BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. AND, TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING IS NOT REALLY A SAFE THING TO DO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298313January 5, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT @29,000 MILES. WAS ABLE TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. 6 MONTHS LATER @44,000 MILES, LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. ITS TERRIBLE THAT A HID LIGHTBULB COSTS $150 AND NOT INCLUDING LABOR! IN THIS ECONOMY, WE DON'T HAVE $200 LAYING AROUND TO REPLACE THE BULB. ON TOP OF THAT, YOU GET PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE AND YOU GET A TICKET AND YOU ARE FORCED TO REPLACE THE BULB WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. THESE HIGH PRICED BULBS SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR NOT REPLACE THEM EVERY 6 MONTHS OR SO. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA RECALL THESE LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298178January 4, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER FRONT HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT. BY SWITCHING THE LIGHT CONTROL OFF AND ON, THEN THE HEADLAMPS COME ON FOR 10 - 30 SECONDS AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED ON. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK THE PRIUS INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HID MECHANISM AND THE LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY IS UP, BUT I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. EVEN WITH THAT, THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING $300 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WILL ASK FOR THE OLD PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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