Toyota Prius Complaints (2005)

1,051 consumer complaints on file.

#10173547November 15, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
OUR 2005 PRIUS DEVELOPED A MASSIVE GASOLINE LEAK, WHICH MADE IT AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. WE DROVE IT HOME, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE CAR'S PLASTIC FUEL LINES THAT HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY RODENTS. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED BY NEW PLASTIC ONES. HOWEVER, WE LIVE IN THE COUNTRY, WHERE SQUIRRELS AND MICE ABOUND, SO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE ARE NO METAL FUEL LINES AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE; WE CONSIDER THESE PLASTIC, EXPOSED FUEL LINES A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172695November 6, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN THE RAIN WITH LEAVES ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND IMPACTED A 20 INCH TREE, ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE HEADLIGHT AND BUMPER, TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE FRONT END, SUSTAINED THE IMPACT. AS THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE 38 YEAR OLD DRIVER RECEIVED A SMALL LACERATION TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD, WHERE IMPACT WAS MADE WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND A SMALL CUT TO THE RIGHT CHEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GET AN ESTIMATE, AND THEN CALL BACK. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE INSURER REMOVED THE BUMPER, A TECHNICIAN WOULD NO LONGER BE SENT TO INVESTIGATE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10171164October 18, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE CAR'S PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD WAS CRACKED, MOST LIKELY SINCE THE DAY OF MANUFACTURING. THE CAR SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES. THE CAR ROLLED THREE TIMES AT 75 MPH. WIFE HAS MEMORY PROBLEMS AS WELL AS SOME PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. TOYOTA SAID THAT THE CAR HAVING LOST THE PASSENGERS SIDE TIE ROD WOULD HAVE REMAINED CONTROLLABLE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AND I THINK TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10170334October 10, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IN ORDER FOR OUR VEHICLE TO PASS INSPECTION. TIRES ARE RATED AT 50,000. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS BECAUSE OUR REAR WHEELS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT YET THEY HAD NO WAY OF ALIGNING THE REAR WHEELS SO NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT PAY ABOVE MSRP FOR TWO NEW TIRES. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE WENT TO A LOCAL TIRE STORE FOR TWO MORE AS WE WERE TRAVELING AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169596September 29, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VISIBILITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS LIMITED. THE LOW BEAM ONLY EXTENDED A SHORT RANGE BETWEEN 30-35 FEET. THE HIGH BEAM ONLY EXTENDED 50-75 FEET. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168043September 12, 2006
STEERING
TOTAL FAILURE OF STEERING. STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN FREELY LIKE A TOY CAR. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING PARALLEL PARKING, SO THE SPEED AT THE TIME WAS SLOW AND NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE RESULTED. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN DEATH HAD THE TIMING OF THE FAILURE BEEN DIFFERENT. STEERING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED UNDER EXISTING RECALL APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO. I HAVEN'T HAD TOYOTA LOOK AT THE PROBLEM YET, HOPING THAT A 3RD PARTY INVESTIGATION WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL IN SAVING LIVES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167771September 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2005 PRIUS STALLED AT 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY, COULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO BE TOWED 150 MILES TO DEALERSHIP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166654August 27, 2006
TIRES
PRIUS TIRE WEAR - GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES HAVE WORN TO THE POINT OF "RECOMMENDED" REPLACEMENT AT 20000 MILES. TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER & DEALER CLAIM THAT PRIUS TIRES "WEAR FASTER THAN MOST CARS"... I HAVE NOT HEARD OF A 50,000 MILE TIRE LASTING ONLY 20,000 MILES - TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO INVESTIGATE WHY THE PRIUS RUINS TIRES SO QUICKLY. CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALSO IS TAKING COMPLAINTS ON PRIUS TIRE WEAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166544August 25, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY, AND THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MOST OF DAMAGE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A SPECIALIST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ERROR AS INDICATED IN RECALL # 06V096000, REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THEM TIME AND OPERATED CORRECTLY. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10164919August 8, 2006
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BECAME SO LOOSE IT WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE, PULLED OFF OF THE FREEWAY I WAS DRIVING ON ONTO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NO FLAT, PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT INTO A GARAGE. MY HUSBAND, WHOM I CALLED BY CELL, TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A LOOSE WHEEL PROBABLY. THE GARAGE MECHANIC RAISED THE CAR IN THE AIR AND THE WHEEL WAS READY TO FALL OFF. HE CHECKED OVER THE WHEEL, ETC, RE-TIGHTENED THE WHEEL, AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE WHEELS WERE LOOSE, BUT NONE THIS BADLY. THE LAST TIME THE WHEELS WERE OFF WAS IN APRIL AND HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED AFTER THAT FOR TIGHTNESS. AS I LOOKED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SAYS TO CHECK THEM EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE IN BOLD PRINT AND POINTED OUT TO EVERY NEW OWNER THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING THE TIGHTNESS, IF THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY! IT SCARED ME A LOT AND I AM NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR NOW. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH EMPHASIS! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163406July 25, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS OBSERVED TO BE OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE PARK BUTTON WAS ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF GEAR. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BELIVES THE PARKING GEAR IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DASHBOARD. IT ONLY TAKES LITTLE PRESSURE TO PUSH THE PARK SELECTOR. UPDATED 08/08/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162961July 20, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
OUR 2005 PRIUS SHUT DOWN ON 07/15/06 WHILE MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO GET HOME THAT EVENING. SHE WAS 200 MILES FROM THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER. THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED FROM ALAMOSA TO PUEBLO. A COMPLETE CAR SHUTDOWN IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A WOMAN IN A DESOLATE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. TOYOTA FAILED TO COMPLETELY REIMBURSE ALL MY COST. MY WIFE HAD TO STAY IN A MOTEL THAT NIGHT AND I INCURRED THE COST OF GETTING HER HOME AND THEN DRIVING FROM DENVER AGAIN TO RETRIEVE THE CAR. ALONG WITH THE SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYATAS' REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE ALL MY COSTS, HAS LEFT ME TOTALLY APPALLED WITH TOYOTA. THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR I AM BEING TOLD IS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162428July 14, 2006
STEERING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL AND THE RECALL PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THEREFORE, AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 29, 2006 FOR THE REMEDY REPAIR. ON THAT DATE, THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED AT THE DEALER (ABOUT 65 MILES AWAY). WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR HAD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE THE PART WAS STILL UNAVAILALBE AND WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEPT WILL FOLLOW UP TO RESCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT LATER THAT DAY. THE CONTACT WAITED 6 HOURS AND STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. THE SHAFT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL IS NOW BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WILL NOW HAVE TO BE DRIVEN WITH A BROKEN SHAFT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159914June 15, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ONLY WAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WAS BY RIDING THE BRAKES. I FINALLY SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES AND TURNED IT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE WHEELS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158696May 31, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONSULTED AND DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - THE FUEL TANK IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS FLEXIBLE. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER FILLS THE VEHICLE, THE TANK ACCEPTS 2-4 GALLONS LESS THAN DESIGNED. IF THE CONSUMER SLOW THE FUEL PUMP TO ALLOW THE ADDITIONAL GALLONS IN THE STOP MECHANISM DOES NOT ACTIVATE CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO OVERFLOW. THE CONSUMER RECEIVES 100-150 MILES LESS PER GALLON. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158344May 26, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MY BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL RELEASED TO THE FLOOR. TOYOTA OF VISALIA SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT COMPUTER SHOWED CODES C1357 AND DETAIL CODE 28. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE CASE OF BRAKE FAILURE, OR DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I REQUESTED THEY REPLACE COMPONENTS THAT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCIDENT, GIVEN THE CATASTROPHIC POSSIBILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH BRAKE FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS, THEY REFUSED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156680May 3, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A TREAD SEPARATION PROBLEM ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE TIRE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION THE TIRE DEALER DETERMINED THE TREAD SEPARATION WAS RELATED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. BUT, THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER TYPE OF IMPACT. THE TIRES HAD BEEN REGULARLY ROTATED EVERY FIVE THOUSAND MILES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A LIKE TIRE BY THE TIRE DEALER. THE FAILED TIRE WAS A GOOD YEAR, INTEGRITY, P185/65/R15.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156589May 2, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS ON APRIL 7TH WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 25MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED WAS ON APRIL 21ST WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 5-15 MPH. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. ONCE PULLED OVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. AFTERWARDS, IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE STALLING OCCURRED 3-5 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE INVERTER. ON APRIL 23RD WHILE DRIVING THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR. THE CONTACT ALERTED THE DEALERSHIP BY PHONE WHO EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND IT WAS OKAY TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BLOW OUT HOT AND COLD AIR AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AGAIN WHICH EXPLAINED IT WAS OKAY TO CONTINUE DRIVING. SHORTLY AFTER IT BEGAN TO RAIN, THE WIPERS WERE TURNED ON, AND THE DASH LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR INSPECTION ON MONDAY MAY 8TH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156631May 2, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE 2005 PRIUS WE OWN WILL NOT START AT SCATTERED TIMES (AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME AND THEN STOPPING AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF). THE SCREEN ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS UP PARTIALLY AND NOT ALWAYS THE SAME ON REPEATED TRIES. OTHER STRANGE ELECTRICAL EVENTS OCCUR SUCH AS THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS GOING DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AFTER TRYING TO START IT UNSUCCESSFULLY. THE CAR WILL START AT SOME TIME - UP TO 20 MINUTES AFTER LETTING CAR SIT. THESE EVENTS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE THAT OCCURRED IN DAYS PRIOR TO THE MARCH 29,2005 WHEN THE CAR STALLED AT 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINAS AND WAS SERVICED WITH WHAT BECAME A RECALL LATER FOR PRIUS'S. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEMS OCCURRED ON MARCH 17TH AND MAY 1, 2006. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO LUSTINE TOYOTA IN WOODBRIDGE, VA AND THEY HAVE TESTED THE CAR AND SAY THAT EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT OK AND THEIR IS NO SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA. THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE CAR AGAIN TODAY. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD CONTINUE AND PLACE US IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION EITHER FROM ANOTHER STALLING INCIDENT OR LEAVING US IN A DANGEROUS PLACE WITH A CAR THAT WILL NOT START. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156141April 26, 2006
TIRES:SIDEWALL
BULGES HAVE APPEARED IN THE SIDEWALLS OF TWO OF THE FOUR GOODYEAR POTENZA TIRES ON OUR 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS. THE TIRES WERE MAINTAINED BY HAVING THEM ROTATED AND PRESSURE CHECKED AT 5,000-MILE INTERVALS BY THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY ON PAVED STREETS AND ROADS. CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 13,000. I HAVE ELECTED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES WITH MICHELINS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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