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.
When ambient temperature is cold, sometimes dashboard lights and speedometer do not come on when the car is started. Car runs but with no instrument panel. Sometimes when the car is in this state the car cannot be turned off by pressing the start button. Car can only be turned off by pressing and holding the start button down for several seconds, and even this does not always work. This problem has been getting worse over time. Toyota dealership refuses to investigate the problem, but it is documented in their warranty repair T-sb-0172-09 combination meter intermittent display bulletin. Instead, the dealership tries to sell us a new car!
Hid headlights go off intermittently while driving. Headlights can be reset by turning headlight switch to off and back on again. A search of the NHTSA and other websites demonstrate that this same problem is widespread for several year models of Prius autos. The dealer estimates to replace the headlight bulbs is about $1000 per headlight, making this a serious problem because people will seek lower cost remedies which are not safe. Toyota thus far has not officially recognized or attempted to address this issue. Since a total loss of lighting can occur at anytime with serious consequences, a recall should be performed to correct this issue before fatalities occur.
The driver's side hid headlight, intermittently, unpredictably and inexplicably shuts off. It will occasionally return to service on its own, but usually requires a cycling of the light's power switch before full function is restored. After which, the length of time before the light shuts off again varies from a few seconds to not at all. After researching this issue, it seems to be a rather systemic problem with the 2004-2009 Prius. Obviously, the situation this condition creates is unsafe at best, can place me personally in an unexpected illegal position - and (should both lights go out together, as some have reported) could quite possibly be life threatening. For the safety of the driving public, I would strongly urge NHTSA to investigate this issue. Toyota must take responsibility for their design flaw, and engineer a resolution to this problem.
The dashboard computer in my 2004 Prius malfunctions. The energy monitor does not show any of the arrows or current gas mileage. I can't access any of the menus: Climate, audio, etc. This means that I can not turn on the defrost heat in the morning when the windshield is frozen. Sometimes the telephone menu is inaccessible. The stereo skips and turns itself off. Within a few minutes of turning on the car, the computer will right itself and start working. But sometimes the computer will spontaneously malfunction in the middle of driving the car. There is no way to tell what causes the malfunctions and there's no way to know when it will happen.
The multifunctional display (mfd) failed following dealer replacement of the 12V battery. The dealer is now recommended $5,000 replacement of the mfd. Mfd failure in the Prius seems to be an increasing event based on on-line chatter on blogs. This appears to be a basic design flaw in the Prius mfd system that causes loss of communication between the radio and climate control systems. It also causes the display to be totally ineffective for display of key hybrid engine performance.
- Murrieta, CA, USA
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Toyota Prius 2004 generation 2, speedometer intermittent display problems. The dashboard lights go off and on very frequently for no reason. No display of speed and fuel gauge and also the odometer.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the touch screen module which included the temperature gauge, the fuel gauge, the odometer, etc failed. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who informed him that the display screen was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure was approximately 120,000.
Multi function display (mfd) failure in 2004 Prius. This failure it intermittent and causes the radio to turn off, prevents the use of climate/radio controls located in/on the mfd unit, prevents one from knowing whether the battery is charging. The steering wheel controls seem to work for the climate control (though one cannot see the temperature setting) but the audio system is useless without the mfd unit working properly. This is a $3000 (not including labor) repair... and that is for a used refurbished part! totally unacceptable if you ask me. Because this is a known problem impacting thousands of Prius owners, Toyota should be forced to replace these defective units with new units at no cost to the owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the headlights would shut off independently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised that the headlights would need to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that the center console on the dashboard failed. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000 and the current mileage was approximately 113,000.
2004 Toyota Prius. Consumer asserts that vehicle accident was caused by a computer malfunction the consumer stated prior to the accident, on one occasion, the vehicle bolted and jerked slightly as she stopped the vehicle. When she attempted to take off, the vehicle responded sluggishly and then accelerated quickly. The day of the accident, as the consumer approached the stop sign, the vehicle started bucking and jerking violently. After she pulled off from the stop sign, she crashed into a large SUV. The consumer stated she saw the SUV pass, so she purposely waited so she could make a left turn, but ended causing severe damage to her vehicle.
My multi function display has failed on me for the past three years. This is a very common problem for Toyota Prius owners. This means I have had no navigation, air condition/heating, radio/cd and more due to this defective device. There is no physical damage to the screen, and these screens seem to fail only a few years after manufactured. It appears to be the same exact solder joint breaking in every single case too from what I have read online. I can't justify buying a brand new screen, especially since I have spent so much on this one to begin with.
S10 appropriate handling re Toyota vehicles recall, owner of a 2004 Toyota Prius experienced sudden unintended acceleration. The consumer stated as he was driving, he approached a slower moving vehicle, but when he attempted to apply the brake, the vehicle instead accelerated. As he hit the brake harder, the vehicle accelerated even more. The consumer had to avoid an accident by crossing over the double yellow line into oncoming traffic. The consumer managed to avoid an accident and quickly moved back over to the correct side of the road. The consumer stated the gas pedal was not stuck as Toyota is claiming there is a quick fix and placing the blame on the accelerator pedal. Prior to the incident, the consumer stated as he was waiting in a line, with his foot firmly on the brake, the engine seemed to suddenly rev up and the vehicle lurched forward but did not move due to his foot being firmly on the brake. The consumer also stated on several occasions when he hit the brake the radio and air condition would come on. The dealer claimed there was nothing wrong and that the consumer must have hit the radio and climate control buttons on the steering wheel. The consumer believed that the braking system influences the electronics or computer and causes the acceleration of the vehicle.
Multifunction touch screen display (mfd) malfunction disables the windshield defogger. One must wipe the windshield by hand. If the windshield fogs while driving on a narrow and winding road or busy highway, the driver and passengers are at high risk. There is a website that shows what the problem is and how to fix it (techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/mfd/). a multi-pin connector has a faulty pin. The soldering cracks over time resulting in a loose connection. Toyota does not provide an affordable solution. They offer to remove the two computer units from behind the mfd and replace them for approximately $3,000, rather than simply re-soldering the connector pin. I cannot afford to repair this, and Toyota has not offered any viable solutions. This affects all early type 2 priuses.
Regarding my 2004 Toyota Prius: The 'multi-information display, I.e., computer display, does not function frequently, at which time a message saying the air conditioner is disconnected. Simultaneously, when this message appears, the radio instantly turns off. When this occurs access to the computer is impossible, controls of the air conditioner system are unavailable except through those on the steering wheel which continue to function. The computer function later randomly is restored for brief to long periods but remains subject to random failure again. This failure has existed for years. Dealerships refused to take responsibility for repair or replacement of the equipment. This defect is a major distraction to safe operation of the vehicle. For example, during computer shutdown periods, it is impossible to alter air conditioner fan speed during freezing ambient weather.
2004 Toyota Prius with computer problem. Started getting an error message that air conditioner wasn't working. Then the computer would not give the gas mileage. Then the temp wouldn't show. Then couldn't use the radio (it would come one but you couldn't see what the station was), now it is all blank. It does not work at all. Then it works for 5 minutes about once a quarter. Can't control air/heat, radio, can't see mileage, can't see the temp. Took it to dealer and they said that it would cost hundreds of dollars to diagnose it. Read on Toyota board online that this is common problem that Toyota does not stand behind. I have owned Toyota since 1980S and have 5 now (kids, work, adults). I am satisfied with all but the 2004. I have a 2005 Prius also but no problems (so far).
I own a 2004 Toyota Prius. Just last week the touch screen that controls the heating / air conditioning, the radio, the current mpg information and condition of the ni-metal hydride battery and the gas engine interconnections, began to fail. Sometimes it works for a while, then it stops for some time then it might or might start working again before I get where I am going. It is extremely intermittent in its correct operation. I have read on the internet that many other 2004 and early 2005 Prius owners have encountered this problem, but that Toyota is refusing to issue a recall. The new part is very expensive (~$4,000). Refurbished parts are not readily available for the Prius, I suppose because it is a relative new model to Toyota. I wanted to report this to you, in the hopes that you might have some way of letting toyotal know that one more owner is having this problem. I did not know if you can force a manufacturer to issue a recall when a certain number of owners complain, or if this is only the case where safety is involved. Regards, dale w. howard
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. While driving between 40-45 mph the gasoline motor would fail, and then cause the vehicle to stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. The battery was replaced first, and then the fuel system was flushed. The second repair corrected the problem, but the problem of the vehicle locking in park was not addressed. The current mileage was 32,100. The failure mileage was 31,999. Updated 01/12/10 all of the alarm lights on the dashboard had illuminated when accelerating. When the consumer stopped the vehicle and switched to park, he was unable to shift the vehicle into neutral. After about 15 minutes, the consumer was able to shift to neutral. The instrumental panel did not display a clear explanation that the internal combustion engine was not starting and that the vehicle was running on the battery only. Updated 01/15/10.
Failure of dashboard multi-display, along with all its functions, including nav, climate, radio, fault notifications. And bluetooth phone operation. On the latter, the phone will connect, but not operate, making this a safety issue. There is a tsb on this issue. Display was replaced by dealer under extended warranty. Replacement took about 4 weeks to arrive. Dealer said Toyota was switching to a "out-of-warranty exchange" policy for this repair, meaning that the owner would have to put up with a big hole in the dashboard with loose connectors while the unit was being repaired.
The information screen on '04 and '05 Toyota priuses fails. Toyota has known about this for some time (their technical service bulletin el 005-02). Not only is it no longer possible to fully control the sound system and the heating/cooling controls, but the nav system no longer operates. And most important from a safety point of view, the warning that sounds and shows when a door is opened and the transmission is still engaged (something easy to do in a Prius) no longer operates. Nor does a message show when the system detects something wrong with the engine management system. Nor does the low fuel message show. I have two friends with early 2004 priuses and both of them have had the same problem. The cost of a fix for this defective part is over $800!
I am having the same problem described here: The multi-function display (mfd) failed. (cross reference NHTSA complaint #10173892). This is a known design defect (cross reference analysis on web: techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/mfd/compare.html and techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/mfd/). Toyota issued a technical service bulletin (either el-002-04 or el-002-05 - conflicting info on this) on Jan 10, 2005. When the mfd fails, one cannot control the amount of airflow to the windshield (defroster). This presented me with visibility problems during the morning commute. As such, I consider it a safety issue. Toyota has been aware of this for 3 years, given the date of their tsb. The root cause appears to be an undersized solder pad on one of the electronic cards of the mfd. This results in a cracking of the solder joint. Because my problem was intermittent, coming and going on a frequent basis, I presume it was a micro crack. This does not help when the windshield is fogging over. All of the various error messages that were displayed on the mfd were consistent with the information on the above referenced web url's. the problem is with the release F of the electronic card assembly and was corrected with release G. there are pictorial comparisons between the two releases on one of the web url's. given that this has an impact on visibility during the winter months, I am shocked that Toyota chose to sit on this problem. The supplier of this part to Toyota is fujitsu.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pine Grove, CA, USA