Toyota Prius Complaints (2008)

1,497 consumer complaints on file.

#10293511November 25, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON VEHICLE FAILED TO RETURN TO NON ACCELERATING POSITION AFTER ACCELERATING ON FREEWAY. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHILE BRAKING. I HAD TO WEDGE MY FOOT UNDERNEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO LIFT IT TO THE FULL UPWARD POSITION. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING SHARPLY, AND HAS NOT OCCURRED WITH GENTLE ACCELERATION. I HAVE AVOIDED ANY SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THIS VEHICLE , FOR FEAR OF A RECURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WHILE THIS WAS OCCURRING, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING OPERATED WITHOUT FOOT CONTACT, AS I COULD FEEL THE PEDAL DEPRESS UNDERNEATH MY RESTING FOOT. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN COMMERCIALLY FOR 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293371November 24, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. DURING ROUTINE SERVICE, A TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES EXHIBITED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. THE REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER HE SPECULATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAUSED THE TREAD TO ABNORMALLY WEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,325. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,400. UPDATED 3/8/10 *CN UPDATED 06/11/10. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293189November 23, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I OWN A 2008 PRIUS PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE THE HID HEADLIGHTS. THE CAR HAS 49,000 MILES. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND WILL COME BACK ON SOMETIME ON THEIR OWN OR BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I DO NOT THINK IT IS THE BULBS THAT ARE BAD DUE TO THE COME BACK ON. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF PRIUS OWNERS AND THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES THAT DEALERS ARE CHARGING TO REPLACE THE BULBS JUST FOR IT TO RECUR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293313November 23, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE BODY LURCHES FORWARD WHEN GAS ENGINE STARTS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS FROM COLD, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND THE GAS ENGINE STARTS. WE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THIS, BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY SO OFTEN, NOT SURE WHAT LEADS UP TO IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293100November 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THE DRIVER SIDE HID BULB BURNT OUT ON 11/19/2009. I NORMALLY DRIVE MY CAR TO AND FROM WORK. I PROMPTLY CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 11/20/2009 AND I ASKED THE FEMALE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE IF THE HID WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN JANUARY OF 2008. SHE SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW IF IT WOULD BE COVERED; I WOULD HAVE TO COME IN AND SEE. AT 11/21/2009 7:30 AM, I ROLL INTO TOYOTA'S DEALERSHIP AND ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS REPLIED TO ME THAT THE BULBS WERE ONLY COVERED UP TO 36,000 MILES EVEN WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. HE WAS RUDE AND I PROMPTLY LEFT TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293106November 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHTS: THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. IF THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. THIS OCCURS WITH BOTH LOW- AND HIGH-BEAM OPERATION. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND VERY DANGEROUS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THE LIGHTS WORKED FINE FOR THEM AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT. THEY CHECKED THE CONNECTIONS THINKING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD AN OCCASION DRIVING TO WORK ALONG A VERY DARK RURAL SECTION OF OPEN ROAD WHERE THERE ARE LARGE HERDS OF DEER AND ELK OFTEN JUMPING THE FENCE AND WANDERING CLOSE TO THE ROAD. ON ONE OCCASION MY LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN WHILE ALSO TRYING TO SLOW DOWN WITHOUT CAUSING AN INCIDENT. UPON THE LIGHTS COMING BACK ON I IMMEDIATELY SAW SEVERAL DEER THAT HAD WANDERED OUT OF THE GROWTH BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INTO MY PATH NO MORE THAN A 100FT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO AVOID THEM. WITHOUT ADEQUATE LIGHTING IF I HAD TRIED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A CONTROLLED MANNER I WOULD HAVE LIKELY DRIVEN RIGHT INTO THE DEER. THIS CAUSED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. I AM NOW FURIOUS AT THE QUOTED COST TO REPLACE THE BULBS. BUT, I HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO SHELL OUT THE MONEY TO REPLACE THEM. I'M EVEN MORE FURIOUS THAT TOYOTA SEEMS TO BE IGNORING THE PROBLEM IN THE HOPE IT WILL GO AWAY. I REGARD THIS AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS WITH A RECALL TO FIX THE OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE PRIUS LIGHTING SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM DETRACTS FROM AN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292446November 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
OFF AND ON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS 2008 PRIUS 15 MONTHS OLD, 22,800 MILES. RANDOMLY GO OFF MAKING DRIVING AT NIGHT HAZARDOUS. REPLACEMENT PRICE OVER 500 DOLLARS! NO ACCIDENT YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292514November 17, 2009
SEATS
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, OPTION PACKAGE 6 MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE LEATHER BUCKET FRONT SEATS, 27,000. MILES. DRIVERS SEAT MANUAL RECLINE MECHANISM FAILS TO CONSISTENTLY POSITIVELY LOCK INTO POSITION AND REQUIRES DRIVER TO REACH AROUND AND PULL ON SEAT BACK TO POSITIVELY LOCK (CLICK) THE RECLINE MECHANISM IN POSITION. ST CHARLES TOYOTA (ILLINIOS) REFUSES TO REPAIR THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATE, "THEY ALL DO THAT". IF A REAR END COLLISION WHERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE DRIVER SEAT IS NOT POSITIVELY LOCKED, INJURY TO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS (CHILDREN) WOULD LIKELY OCCUR DUE TO THE DRIVER SEAT BACK BEING THRUST INTO THEM BY THE ACCELERATION OF THE IMPACT. DRIVER WOULD LIKELY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SEAT BACK FAILING INTO THE REARWARD RECLINE POSITION.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292365November 16, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I DRIVE MY CAR AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF. I CAN SWITCH THE LIGHT ON AND OFF AND IT WILL COME ON FOR A FEW MINUTES TO A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN GO BACK OFF. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. REPLACED THE BULB AND CHECK THE FUSES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292212November 15, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLAMP KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED BOTH HID HEADLAMPS AS TOYOTA CORPORATE TOLD ME TO DO AND PROBLEM CONSISTS. SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH CHILDREN IN CAR AND BUSY PEDESTRIANS ON DARK ROADS WITH STROLLERS AND BABIES NOT COUNTING DEER OR OTHER ANIMALS. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO RECALL ISSUE. IM TIRED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292108November 13, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRUIS. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH , THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION, HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER THERE WERE SMALL FLAMES INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER FRONT WHEELS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,368. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MATS WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 12/08/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291422November 9, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN APRIL OF 2008, 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, I WAS PULLING INTO A SPOT IN THE PARKING STRUCTURE AT WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE GUNNED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, WENT OVER THE BUMPER GUARD IN THE SPOT, AND WAS STOPPED BY THE CONCRETE OVERHANG, WHICH TOTALLY CRUNCHED THE HOOD. AT THE TIME, I SAID TO MYSELF, "WHY AREN'T THE BRAKES WORKING?" I THINK THIS PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE GAS PEDAL PROBLEMS CURRENTLY BEING REPORTED CONCERNING THE TOYOTAS. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291434November 9, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSES ALL POWER WHEN TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291515November 9, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NEEDING MAXIMUM ACCELERATION TO AVOID BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND, I THRUST THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR IN MY '08 PRIUS. SAFELY AVOIDING A POSSIBLE COLLISION, MY AUTO CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION AND COULD NOT BE BUDGED EITHER BY HAND OR BY REPEATED STOMPING TO RELEASE IT. I MADE SURE THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT INTERFERING WITH THE ACCELERATOR, WHICH IT WASN'T. I BRAKED HARD AND TURNED OFF THE 4 LANE STREET TO THE RIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN IT RELEASED AS RAPIDLY AS IT BEGAN. I REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA AT MY NEXT OIL SERVICE - BUT THEY HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT. I HAVE SINCE REFRAINED MAXIMUM ACCELERATION - BUT AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY AUTO. NOW THAT I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS NO DIRECT MECHANICAL CONNECTION TO TO INVESTIGATE OR CORRECT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, BUT INSTEAD AN ELECTRONIC ONE, ("FLY BY WIRE" LIKE THE NEW COMMERCIAL JETS), I AM EVEN MORE ON EDGE. THANK GOD, THE PRIUS IS UNDERPOWERED. IN A MORE POWERFUL AUTO, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE OVERPOWERED THE BRAKES AND LED TO A POSSIBLE DISASTER. ELECTRONICS MALFUNCTION SPORADICALLY! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!!*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291385November 8, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
A RECALL IS NECESSARY ON THIS PRIUS HEADLIGHT ISSUE. THEY ARE CONTINUING TO FAIL RIGHT AND LEFT AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE RIPPING PEOPLE OFF TO THE TUNE OF OVER $300 TO CHANGE A HEADLAMP. THEY FAIL AT LESS THEN 16K MILES EITHER TOTALLY OR BY INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291387November 8, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER'S SIDE HID HEADLIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED, BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAMS, WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH ONLY PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHTS BUT WAS CONCERNED THEY MIGHT FAIL AS WELL. CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD; DEALER COVERED REPLACEMENT UNDER STANDARD TOYOTA PRIUS WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291088November 5, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FLOOR MAT. I ALSO HAD A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A COLLISION THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE 2008 PRIUS WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM BUT THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE IT. THE 2004 PRIUS WAS TOTALED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10291140November 5, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID HEADLIGHTS ON 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BEGAN TO DIM SUDDENLY AND STAY DIM. FLASHING LIGHTS ON AND OFF TEMPORARILY BRIGHTEN THE LIGHTS BUT THEY BECOME DIM AGAIN. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290924November 4, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 2008 PRIUS BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF, AND ULTIMATELY WOULD FLICKER OFF AT NIGHT LEAVING US WITH NO LIGHTS. IF WE TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN TURN OFF AGAIN. THE CAR WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH BULBS AT A COST TO US OF OVER 600 DOLLARS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH LIGHTS, THE NEXT DAY THE PASSENGER HID HEADLIGHT WAS ALREADY OUT AGAIN, SO WE TOOK THE CAR BACK, AND THEY SAID THE BRAND NEW BULB MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM, IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE HID LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290766November 3, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING MY EMPLOYER'S 2008 (OR 2009) TOYOTA PRIUS SEVERAL TIMES IN SUMMER OF 2009, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO PASS, AND THE PEDAL STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL SEPARATE TIMES DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009. THE CAR WAS SENT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, HOWEVER IT STUCK SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AFTER REPAIR? THIS PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH FLOORMATS. THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER DRIVERS AT WORK OF THIS SAME CAR TOO. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH 40 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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