Toyota Prius Complaints (2010)

2,829 consumer complaints on file.

#10676375January 19, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH LOW BEAMS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME AT NIGHT. HIGH BEAMS OPERATIONAL. BULBS HAD BEEN REPLACED A MONTH AGO. A QUICK SEARCH FINDS MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. IT SHOULDN'T BE THE BULBS. MAKES FOR VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10676486January 19, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2010 PRIUS HAS HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MAIN HEADLAMPS BLOWING, BECOMING INOPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVELY LEAVING ME WITH DIMINISHED VISIBILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3 MONTHS SINCE MARCH 2014. EITHER ONE OR BOTH HEADLAMPS WILL BLOW. THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND IS COVERED UNDER A TOYOTA/NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN (TSP-0204-12). IN MY CASE, I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, FROM A TOYOTA DEALER WITH THE TOYOTA CERTIFIED CAR WARRANTY, BUT THIS FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS IS APPARENTLY NOT COVERED. JUDGING BY THE PERCENTAGE OF COMPLAINTS IN THE SAFERCAR.GOV DATABASE FOR THIS MODEL, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN TYPICAL. IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY AND I ENDED UP DRIVING 150 MILES WITH A BLOWN HEADLAMP, UNSAFE FOR ME AND UNSAFE FOR THOSE WHOM I SHARED THE ROAD WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672365January 14, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM WORK ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT NIGHT WHEN MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS BOTH WENT OUT. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. THIS IS THE 4TH SET OF HEADLIGHTS IN A YEAR THAT WE HAVE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672459January 14, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FRONT BUMPER IS SO LOW THAT I HAVE TO GO OVER BUMPS AND DIPS VERY SLOWLY, WHEN TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY I'M VERY AFRAID I'LL GET HIT FROM BEHIND BY CARS GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION BECAUSE I HAVE TO ENTER THE DRIVEWAY SO SLOWLY. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS. MY BUMPER HAS DAMAGE FROM DRAGGING WHEN GOING THRU A DIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10671153January 8, 2015
SEAT BELTS
THE REAR SEAT BELTS SHOULDER STRAP LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE CHOCKING OR STRANGLING CHILD IN CAR SEAT. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO LOOSEN UP IS TO PUSH THE RELEASE LATCH , UNBUCKELING CHILD AND RETRACTING SEAT BELT ALL THE WAY,THEN REATTACHING SEAT BELT AND HOPE IT WILL NOT HURT MY GRANDSON AGAIN . FREEMAN TOYOTA IN HURST TX SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10663789December 12, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE PEDAL LOSES PRESSURE WHILE BRAKING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD. PRESSURE RETURNS AFTER BUMPS ARE PASSED. RECALL ISSUED AND SOFTWARE FIX PROVIDED BY DEALER IN MARCH 2010. SOFTWARE FIX DIDN'T HELP. SIMILAR CONDITION HAS PERSISTED SINCE THEN. BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW. MILEAGE AND DATE WHEN FIRST NOTICED CONDITION ARE ESTIMATES. AFTER SOFTWARE FIX, NOTICED CONDITION AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662450December 5, 2014
AIR BAGS
PICTURE OF AIRBAG IN RED ON DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660942November 25, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE {\9IPM). THIS WARRANTY IS EXTENDED FOR 15 YEARS. IN THE EVENT THIS DESCRIBED CONDITION IN THE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OCCUR,AND, IF VERIFIED, AN APPROPRIATE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED. HOWEVER TOYOTA FURTHER STATES, "THE WARNING LIGHTS AND STORED HYBRID SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) CAN BE TRIGGERED DUE TO CONDITIONS DETECTED NOT SPECIFIC TO THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY AND ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS. THESE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS MAY REQUIRE DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF THE CONDITION IS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT, YOU MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC FEES AND ANY OTHER REPAIRS YOU MAY "DECIDE" TO HAVE PERFORMED. ANY AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CAN DETERMINE IF A CONDITION IS COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, LARRY MILLER TOYOTA, HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED COSTLY INSPECTIONS TO BE PERFORMED FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY COOLANT SYSTEM, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED BY A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR ANY OTHER QUALIFIED ENGINEERING PERSON AT TOYOTA. NOW TOYOTA IS ASKING THE OWNERS TO TRUST THEIR DEALER'S IF WHAT THE DEALER'S ARE DECIDING NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED. THE TOYOTA DEALERS DO NOT ENGINEER, TEST NOR MANUFACTURE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA CORPORATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE NOT THE DEALER. WHAT SPECIFICALLY MAY CAUSE THE DTCS TO BE TRIGGERED TO SIMULATE A PROBLEM WITH THE IPM? WHAT ARE THESE CONDITIONS, ARE THEY A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK AND, HOW CAN I AS A CONSUMER, BE 100% CONFIDENT THAT IF A DTC CONDITION OCCURS IN MY VEHICLE WHAT EXACTLY IS THE CAUSE. II THE DEALER IS LEFT TO DECIDE, WILL I BE TREATED FAIRLY. TOYOTA IS THE CAR MANUFACTURER NOT THEIR DEALERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660409November 24, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
BACKING UP IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT OF AN APARTMENT IN SUNNYVALE THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 20 APROX 22:00 HRS. AT 2 MPH OR LESS AN IMPACT WAS FELT TO REAR OF BUMPER FROM A STATIONARY OBJECT. VISIBILITY WAS POOR. AN AUTO BODY SHOP DETERMINED BUMPER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND NOT REPAIRABLE. PICTURES AVAILABLE. I FEEL BUMPER STANDARD SPELLED OUT BY NHTSA IS NOT MET BY 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660478November 24, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL WHICH IS 2.2 MILES AWAY, CAME BACK HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE BAY. BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAR GAVE OFF "HEATER SMELL" AND THE HEATER WAS TURNED OFF. MY WIFE CAME UP AND GOT ME UP, I WENT DOWN MAYBE 2 MINUTES AWAY AND FOUND THE CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN FIRE. FIRE SPREAD TO THE PORTION OF THE GARAGE BEFORE IT WAS PUT OF BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660372November 23, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. AS I BRAKE AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR SURGES AHEAD AS THOUGH YOUR FOOT IS ON THE ACCELERATOR. SOMETIMES IT WAS SO SUBTLE, YOU WONDERED IF IT REALLY HAPPENED. TODAY (11/23/14) THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO MISTAKING IT. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD A COUPLE OF FEET AS I WAS SLOWING TO TURN LEFT. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME, I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM FROM BEHIND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660290November 22, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS GOING UP THE ON RAMP TO I -75 EXIT 341 IN FLORIDA WHEN I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. CARS WERE COMING AT ME AT 70 MPH AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY WIFE AND I. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM OF CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT COMING ON AND LOSING ALL POWER. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED A SAP TO PREVENT SO EONE FROM BEING KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660016November 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS OVER A MANHOLE COVER AND THE CAR SKIDDED OVER IT LIKE I WAS BRAKING ON A PATCH OF ICE. AS SOON AS I WAS PAST THE COVER THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE CAR. I NOTICED THIS OCCURRING EVERY TIME I WOULD BRAKE ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE WHERE THERE WAS SPACE BETWEEN ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES AND PAVEMENT. I HAD BOUGHT THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE FOR MY SON 11 MONTHS LATER AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE TEST DRIVING IT. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE SALESMAN ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE WAY THE ABS WORKS AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL. ON 11/20/2014 WHILE CHECKING THE AIRBAG RECALL LIST I NOTICED A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING, RECALL ANNOUNCED 2/9/2010, NHTSA REF # 10V03900 SO I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-331-4331 AND WAS TOLD THAT NEITHER CARS' VIN# SHOWED IN THE RECALL SO IT COULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND I WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THEY REFERRED ME TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THE FIX WHICH WAS (REPROGRAMMING OF ABS CONTROL UNIT MODULE) WOULD NOT COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTIES OF EITHER CARS. I SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS OF A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH HAD A RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT THE DEALERS' FAULT AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659780November 20, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN A SMELL OF SMOKE WAS DETECTED. UPON STOPPING, SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN 3 MINUTES THE VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE, EXTENDING TO THE ROLL UP GARAGE DOOR. THE FIRE BURNED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PASSENGER AREA, GARAGE DOOR AND SIDING BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651793November 1, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH WITH HEAT ON AND ALL A SUDDEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ALL LIGHTS IN DASH BOARD CAME ONE WITH CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM SIGN AND ENGINE LOST POWER AND CAME TO COMPLETE STOP I PULLED OVER AND WAITED FEW MINUTES AFTER IT WAS FINE BUT WHEN EVER I TURN HEAT OR AC ON IT DOES THE SAME I DID MY RESEARCH IT LOOK LIKE INVERTER ISSUE OR THEY HAVE SOME CODE IN THERE SOFTWARE BECAUSE WE BOUGHT 2 CAR PRETTY MUCH SAME TIME AND BOTH HAS SAME PROBLEM SAME TIME AND THIS YEAR BOTH CARS HAD HYBRID BATTERY ISSUE WITH BOTH CAR SAME TIME TOYOTA SEND LETTERS TO 2013 AND 2014 PRIUS OWNER IF THEY EXPERIENCE SAME ISSUE ITS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WE HAVE SAME ISSUE BUT THEY DIDN'T ADDRESS IT MEANS THEY KNOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651381October 30, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
WHEN BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING STOP SIGN HAVING SLOWED TO ~10 MPH, I ENCOUNTERED A BUMPY SECTION OF ROAD. THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY RELEASED FOR ~1 SEC CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD BEFORE THEY (BRAKES) KICKED IN AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5-10 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM THE TOYOTA DEALER IN 4/2013. MY COMPLAINT MIRRORS THOSE THAT RESULTED IN THE RECALL BELOW BUT MY TOYOTA DEALER SAYS, BASED ON MY VIN THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: FEB 09, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V039000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, AIR ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL VEHICLE MAKEMODELMODEL YEAR(S) LEXUSHS2010 TOYOTAPRIUS2010 DETAILS 17 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS MANUFACTURER: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. SUMMARY: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS AND LEXUS HS250H PASSENGER VEHICLES. CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED INCONSISTENT BRAKE FEEL AFTER ABS ACTUATION DURING SLOW AND STEADY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES ON ROUGH OR SLICK ROAD SURFACES. STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED COMPARED WITH A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION FOR A GIVEN PEDAL FORCE. CONSEQUENCE: VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES MAY INCREASE RELATIVE TO A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REWRITE THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2010, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651443October 30, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME FROM A SIDE STREET, CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES, BRUISES AND LACERATIONS TO THE RIGHT HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR....UPDATED 11/13/14 *BF UPDATED 4/29/2015 *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10651521October 30, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I DO NOT HAVE THE NEED TO DO MUCH NIGHT DRIVING. LAST SATURDAY, WHILE RETURNING FROM A FAMILY VISIT, NIGHT HAD APPROACHED. THE DIM LIGHTS WERE NEXT TO WORTHLESS. THE CARS APPROACHING ME FROM BEHIND LIT MY PATH. I HAD VISITED TOYOTA A FEW WEEKS BACK AND THEY ADVISED ME THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS LOOSE. I TIGHTENED IT, BUT THAT NIGHT, THE ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS LACKING. I RETURNED TO TOYOTA TODAY AND THEY TELL ME THESE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A "PROJECTOR" THAT IS BAD...BOTH SIDES! THERE IS NO RECALL OR MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT COVERS THE REPLACEMENT. THEY WILL GLADLY REPLACE THESE FOR $852.00. I HAVE REGARDED TOYOTA AS A TOP CONTENDER IN CAR MANUFACTURING. I AM TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED AND APPALLED THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT COVERED BY TOYOTA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650434October 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
THIS IS RELATED TO REPORT RECEIPT DATE: FEB 09, 2010 (I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN MAY, 2013). NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V039000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN THE CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AT THE TIME THAT THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE RECALL LIST - IT DOES EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THIS CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION...THE BRAKES RELEASE WHEN BRAKING OVER BUMPS OR SLIPPERY SURFACES. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, AND THEY WERE 'WORKING AS DESIGNED'. I CALLED TOYOTA TODAY AFTER READING MORE ABOUT THIS RECALL, AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE TO SERVICE AND GIVE THEM A RIDE TO SHOW THEM HOW IT HAPPENS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE? ARE YOU STILL GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651209October 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING ON ROUGH ROADS THE BRAKES WILL RELEASE, CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT). THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TEST DROVE IT, BRAKING OVER ROUGH ROAD. THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKING FINE. IT IS STILL RELEASING WHEN BRAKING ON ROUGH PATCHES FOR ME. I AM ALWAYS MINDFUL TO LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR AHEAD OF ME IN CASE I HIT A ROUGH PATCH. I PLAN ON TAKING MY CAR BACK TO TOYOTA WITH A PRINTOUT FROM THIS SITE SHOWING IT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM AND THAT OTHERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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