This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Sudden warning light indicating headlight leveling failure. Occurs intermittently under various circumstances. Consequences: Headlights either aimed too high blinding oncoming drivers or slanted downward making car impossible to drive at night. Part has not been replaced and car is not driven at night. Old part still available. There was a technical service bulletin in early 2006 indicating that the headlight leveling sensor was not watertight and prone to failure due to water entering the system and corroding the electrical contacts. Toyota improved the integrity of the unit and sold it using the same part number with the added suffix "G". while Toyota will cover the replacement cost of the sensor under the 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty there is no coverage for vehicles out of warranty. A recall was never issued. Again, this is only a problem that occurs with the hid headlight system in the earlier generation II Prius (2004 - 2005). Service bulletin:00406 NHTSA item number:10019992 my car is out of warranty and I was unaware that there was a problem with the system when it could have been remedied while the car was under warranty. Mileage at failure 72,000. This is a safety issue and a recall should be issued ! cost of part $370 + tax. Labor is another $210 + tax.
At around 10pm this Friday night I was driving home on the country road 3 miles from my house. It is a 2 lane road with no street lamps. I was traveling at 50mph and coming around a gentle curve when all of a sudden every light in the car went out...headlights, taillights, dashboard, hazards, even the navigation system display. A month ago I had my car in for its safety inspection and 150K mileage service and was told the car was "fine" but I've had intermittent issues with the hid lamp on the driver side going out. When this happens if I cycle the light switch off then back on again it fixes the issue. When all my lights went out on Friday, I was only able to avoid driving off the road and getting in an accident because it was a road I am very familiar with and knew where the turn was coming up. I was able to slow my car to a stop. After sitting in the dark a minute (the engine was still running just fine) I was worried a car might come down the road behind me and not see me and hit me. I then decided to try cycling the light switch off and on because that had worked for the headlamp issue. I cycled it once but the lights remained off, but after the second time I cycled the light switch all the lights in the car came back on and I was able to drive home. I took the car to Toyota of warrenton and told them what happened. They "ran a diagnostic" and checked the vehicle but said they couldn't duplicate the issue and then sent me home. I am now afraid to drive my car at night in case this happens again.
2005 Toyota Prius. Consumer states vehicle loss steering, brakes, cruise control on the highway, when applying brake at a full stop vibration is felt the power steering, brake and ABS light illuminated. The consumer stated he noticed when the problem occurred, he was using his bluetooth headset.
I drove a 2005 Toyota Prius VIN#[xxx] until 5/13/2010. At around 10am I was driving on the hwy in the lft lane. With cruise control on going 75mph. I had a gps on and navigating. And I had my blue tooth earpiece on. Then all at the same time my blue tooth shut down. My gps shut down. And every warning lite came up in the car. Even the display that usually shows how the hybrid systems works was blinking problem!! problem!! so I let off the gas and started to move to the rt side of the road. Thats when I realized that I had no power steering. There was an exit coming up so I let the car slow down to about 50mph. As I started to exit I put my ft on the brakes. Thats when I noticed that the pedal was very stiff and vibrating. I was coming to a blind intersection and I had the red lite. So I pushed on my brakes. Instantly I could hear screaching tires. So I looked in my side mirror. And to my suprise im looking at a large amount of smoke coming from me! my rear tires had locked up and my front tires werent doing anything. So I started fishtail back and forth like I had my ebrake on. I put all my wt on the pedal cause the intersection was really getting close. And without power steering it was very hard to keep the car from crashing. I came to a stop just before the light. Then drove my car to the nearest dealer at in berkeley ca at 10mph. I told them everything. Even about my blue tooth and garmin. They got me a rental car then 4day later they said if I give them $2000 for a part and $1000 in labor it might fix it but there not sure cause they never saw this problem before. And they werent going to pay for my rental cause the part was out of warrenty after 36000miles. I have had every svc done at Toyota. And if theres a computer pt that Toyota knows can brake easily. Which they do. Thats why its only warrenty to 36000miles. It shouldnt result in the loss of your brakes and power steering. Very dangerous!! I could of died. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I had been pulled over on several occassions for faulty tail lights. This has been ongoing since I bought the car. Then my children told me of the front head lights going out for no reason. I did not believe them till the went out on me. After taking it to several Toyota dealers and said that there is nothing wrong, on 09/10/2009 I filed a complaint with a "monica" from the NHTSA in DC. I have yet to hear anything to this date and I am afraid of a serious crash when the lights go out without knowing why. I also have a check light that has been on since before my warranty went out and no one wants to correct the problem. I hate this car, it scares me and there are other issues and I have to date only received one recall and that is on the mats.
- Eure, NC, USA
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2005 Prius no problems except water pump until now. 69,000 miles. Went to start the care and while in neutral idleing the brake pedal pumped up and down and the ps light came on. The red triangle danger message came on. I did not drive it but Toyota told me to tow it in. They say the computer is shot and needs a new skid control ECU. I was not in an accident
My 2005 Prius headlights are brand new and the lights go on and off. I went to the dealer and he told me that they could not detect whether it is the hib headlights or the ECU to gives it power. They told me that it will cost me a thousand dollars to get both done. The lights go off in the middle of driving and present a hazard in darkness and inclimate weather.
My 2005 Toyota Prius have left and right hid headlight problems. The passenger side headlight goes out intermittently, then both headlights goes out with no warning. This is an expensive problem, there are major safety concerns linked to the sudden loss of headlights. There should be a saftey recall on all Toyota Prius headlight assembly. The headlights and the electronics cost more than $1,000 to replace.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. While the contact was driving approximately 20 mph the brake light, anti-lock brake system and stability control warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure occurred one time. An authorized dealer and manufacturer were notified; and the contact was displeased with the lack of response. The failure and current mileages were 61,800. Updated 05/10/10 the consumer stated Toyota has taken care of the problem free of charge. Updated 05/12/10.
I have reviewed my service records and it is quite clear that I have had problems with the "electrical" system in my car since April 2006 @ 3,370 miles. This was also the same time it began to accelerate from a stopped position for the first time, when I noticed that the braking system began to "feel" different, when the car began "slipping" on perfectly dry roads, and when my steering wheel would lock up. I find it difficult to believe that the failure of my brakes and my intermittent acceleration issues are not somehow related to the cars "computer" system and not mechanical issues. I have filed complaints with Toyota for these issues (cases # 200807100210, 200811030088). I experienced my first braking issue on 27-Jun-2008 (25,133 miles). While I was able to bring the car to a stop eventually, the slowing of my car was a very gradual process requiring heavy pressure on the brake with minimal braking response. I went to the Toyota dealership. The dtc code at the time was C1247 with "code 179" stored, there was "no brake assist." The dealership reset the memory and reinitialized the linear solenoid valve and calibration. The brakes were reported to have returned to "normal." On 09-Jul-2008 (25,551 miles), I returned to the dealership because my brakes failed again. This time my brake failure resulted in a car accident (the person I hit stated at the time of the accident he had whiplash but he never contacted me afterwards). Toyota replaced the skid control ECU and rechecked operation reassuring me once again that the brakes had returned to "normal." On 03-Nov-2008 (29,575 miles) as I was driving over 65 on a major highway my brakes again failed (dtc C1247, code 179). Toyota case #08300402. At this point the repair shop replaced the brake stroke sensor. I am concerned because my car had an acceleration issue on 13-Feb-2010 and I find it to be "slipping" again on dry roads. Similar problems to those I had before my brakes failed. Please help. Updated IVOQ 04/02/10 updated 04/08/10.
Driving at night and the head lamps on Toyota Prius malfunctioned; not aware that they were off. I was on a dark winding road, heavy rain showers. Was alerted by another motorist that my lights were off. Got out of car, tapped the dome, one came on... I was able to drive home. Happened unexpectedly, no warning. Very concern with my safety. They could have been an accident. Checked with other Prius owners. Found out, it's a widespread issue with the Prius. Toyota is aware of the problem and needs to address it before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. Overall the car is fine but this headlamp issue needs to be addressed from a safety perspective. There are no deaths /injury in my case but prevention is the key. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The vehicle was parked all day until the driver pushed the power button and there was no power in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for diagnostic and testing. It took the dealer two weeks to perform a diagnostic test on the vehicle. The technical support team had to replace the power E.C.U. the contact was concerned that the vehicle would continue to lose power. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The current mileage was approximately 98,000 miles.
The problem is engine surging when I am braking. The regenerative brakes seem to send power to the motor that the computer does not handle properly and the engine surges, making it difficult for me to slow the car down to make turns or to stop. The car feels out of control. This problem seems to be random. I have contacted the Toyota dealer several times about the problem over the years since I purchased the car in January of 2005. They said they had received no other complaints of a similar problem. It happens more frequently in the summer than in the winter. I talked to the service manager at my Toyota dealer last month and he again said that there were no other complaints of a similar problem and that it might be the fault of the ethanol in the gasoline. I think it is a problem of the electronics and that the shield protecting the electronics is not capable of protecting against electro-magnetic problems in the area or in my car.
In March of '09 I drove my car to a local shopping center. When I returned to my car 10 minutes or so later, I tried to start the engine by pushing on the start button. The entire dashboard display lighted up, including all of the warning lights, but the car wouldn't start and I wasn't able to turn to turn off. I am not sure if the engine actually came on. I also wasn't able to put the car in gear.. at some point, all the display lights, including the gear shift box, started flashing.. after trying for about 5 minutes, I called my Toyota I10 dealer in indio, ca who said he had never heard of this happening. While talking to him I kept pushing buttons and finally, I was able to turn the car off and then back on and everything worked from that point on. I was not told by the Toyota technician to bring the car in and I didn't. the second time it happened on 4/3/09 the same problem happened again. The car was parked in my garage and when I went to start the car, all of the above happened again, but I believe I was able to turn off the ignition. I called aaa, they jumped my 12V battery, and I immediately drove the car to my Toyota dealer. They recharged the battery and said that the battery tested high after the recharging. That battery did not have to replaced until 10/22/09. I have another complaint which may or my not be connected to this complaint, . on approximately 1/6/10 while driving my car the lights displaying my speed and fuel gauge went out. I thought it might be a blown fuse so had that checked. The fuse had not been blown. I continued to drive the car for about another week or so before calling to make an appointment with my Toyota dealer for the next day. On that day, 1/20/10 I called I drive my car to do several errands, one of which was quite near the area when I first had the trouble with the car starting. In this case, as I was leaving the area, my display lights came on and I have not had any trouble with them since.
I have a 2005 Toyota Prius. It has never been in an accident or had any damage. For the past couple years, I've been noticing a problem with the gear shifter. Usually in cold weather (below about 40 degrees F), the gear shifter does not change gears. For example, I'll put it in drive, release the gear shift, and it immediately reverts to neutral. Same thing happens when I put it in reverse. To go anywhere, I have to hold the gear shift in the gear I need. Sometimes, if I hold it in drive for about a minute, it finally stays in drive when I release it. So far it hasn't jumped gears while driving - only when I first turn the car on. I took the car to the dealer today and he said he's seen several cars with the same problem, and said I have to get the entire gear shift mechanism replaced, which costs ~$700. I'm nervous that if I don't get it replaced, the gears could jump while driving and cause a safety hazard.
My 2005 Toyota Prius has a problem with the headlights going out, it started in December 2009 and as of today they go out about every 5-10 minutes... I called Toyota customer service and they implied there was no wide spread problem with the headlights on the 2005 Prius... I have an associated press article in front of me that says (the Prius is a highly computerized car and has had many problems in the past... in 2005 Toyota repaired 75,000 Prius that had a software problem that caused the car to stall and the Prius also has had problems with the headlights going out since 2001 ) is there a fix that they would not tell me about... thanks.
In my 2005 Toyota Prius, one or both of the headlights spontaneously go out while driving. If you turn them off using the switch and then turn them on, the re-illuminate so the bulbs are not burned out.
I own a 2005 Toyota Prius, and the headlights have both gone out. They are supposed to last 10 years. For a while, when I turned off the headlights and turned them back on, they would work. However, they do go out when I am on the road quite often. I have been quoted by the dealership that replacing a single lightbulb will cost over $400 including parts and labor. This is a safety issue because I drive to work in the early in the morning and late at night, and my headlights do not function reliably. I have heard this complaint from other Prius owners, who are otherwise happy with their vehicles. For a lightbulb that is supposed to last 10 years, this is definitely a faulty and dangerous part issue.
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. Updated 06/05/09
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Peru, NY, USA