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.
Vehicles low beam lights on driver and passenger side extremely dim for more than six months of driving and when stationary. High beam lights working properly on driver and passenger lights as well as parking and brake lights. All interior lights work properly. I press car's ignition button while pressing down on brake and the car's indicator symbols flash to the display but do not disappear. When it does this I cannot release the car from park mode leaving me unable to use reverse or drive. Dealer examined car to explain that bulbs working properly however the housing for the low beam lights need replacing
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The contact took the vehicle to red macombs Toyota (13526 interstate 10 frontage rd, san antonio, tx 78249) where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer to verify the cause of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Consumer stated as of July 2017 left instrument cluster not displaying which includes gas meter and speedometer. Battery in the front had to be replaced, left panel still doesn't display. Updated 7/20/18
Water leaking from engine cowel getting into ignition coils which is causing engine to shudder and stop sometimes too. Seems to be a known Toyota issue yet not being rectified by manufacturer. Seals seem to allow water to get into the ignition coils hence the issue. Vehicle is stationary when first observed then shuddering and misfiring occurring as vehicle is being driven also leading to loss of power as its being driven which is quite dangerous on highways.
Both front driver and passenger door motors have went out. Thus happened last year and after further reading it is a common problem with all them. We only have 65,000 miles on this car.
- Edmond, OK, USA
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I was driving on the freeway at about 70 mph when the "check hybrid system" light came on and the car lost all power and ability to accelerate. It completely began to descend in speed and within 2 minutes came to a complete shut down. I could have easily been rear ended had I not moved to the side of the freeway as quickly as I did.
The spiral cable assembly in the steering wheel has created a short circuit and now the horn no longer works. I am concerned this is a similar problem as other 2010 Toyota experienced and had this same part recalled in 2014 to ensure the airbag would go off appropriately if needed.
Airbag warning light illuminates. Toyota service techie's diagnostic showed a disconnected spiral cable. Techie explained that the spiral cable has electrical connections to the driver's airbag module and the driver's air bag would not deploy in an accident. He said I should install a new cable spiral assembly kit (aka "clock spring"), part # 8430747020 at a cost of nearly $1000, including over $700 for the part. I did some research. Part # 8430747020 was installed in many Toyota vehicles, and has been recalled for the same problem in the corolla, matrix, highlander, Tacoma, rav4, and yaris. See safety recall E0M (E1M) April 2015, update 5/12/14. The Prius is not mentioned in the recall, although my car has the same exact problem with the identical part, and the Toyota service supervisor agrees it is the same problem and part. I explained this to the service technician and supervisor, who called Toyota, and Toyota offered to cover 50% of the cost of the part, and none of the labor cost. I asked whether they could do the same fix in my car as they do on the recalled vehicles, namely installing part # 04004-07122, and they declined. See technical instructions for safety recall E0M spiral cable replacement. Toyota should be recalling my car and fixing this problem at their expense, not just reducing the cost of the part. Second, they should not be replacing this defective part with the same defective part. They should do a fix that will last. I assume the fix they've done on all other vehicles, with part # 04004-07122, would work for my Prius. They refuse. Fyi- the airbag light has been on and off for years, and seen by Toyota during that period. This particular problem was diagnosed May 1, 2017. They believe the previous airbag warning lights were unrelated to this particular issue.
I've had two Toyota Prius in my lifetime, a 2005 and a 2010 Toyota Prius, both have had the same issue where the engine would eat up all of my oil, I would have an oil change done and less than 2 weeks later I would have to check the oil gauge rod and find that the oil levels were below the bottom line, almost empty! the engine would be burning oil at such an alarming rate that I would repeatedly bring the vehicle to Toyota for oil changes. I'm very unsatisfied with my Toyota priuses. My car is currently at 166,384 miles and the engine cylinder has now given way and also the hybrid battery. I've gone only to Toyota dealerships to have pristine consecutive service and no third party repair facilities have provided service. I am located in souther California in san diego. I have spoken to many other Toyota Prius owners and if you do a google search online as of (04/10/17) "Toyota Prius engine oil consumption" you'll find many forums with "excessive consumption" from many other users. Once you reach past the 140,000 mile mark, your car is pretty much done. Consider buying a new one. Toyota priuses and their engineers have to come up with a way to satisfy current and future Prius owners as many of us will find that there will be many problems and issues down the road.
Speedometer and gas meter electronic display no longer works. It stopped once it was in motion and has not turned back on. Took to dealership and it is not a fuse. Entire digital display panel would have to be replaced. There was a recall for this exact issue up until the 2009 Toyota Prius models. Car was reviewed at red mccombs Toyota, san antonio tx I10-w.
On September 10, 2016, while we are driving back to indianapolis from Chicago, the left dash screen became dysfunctional and went completely blank. There is no indication of the speed, the amount of gas in the tank, and the condition of the engine. We did not feel safe at all on the way home.on September 13, 2016, we took our vehicle to butler Toyota where we purchased it for a checkup. After the diagnostic, the service department advised me that the combination meter was out completely. This combination meter must be replaced to restore the reading on the dash board. They told me that this unit is not under warranty, and I must pay $1,698.42 (tax not included) for this replacement (see attached). This combination meter is a critical safety tool to monitor the driving mechanisms, the condition of vehicle, and when the driver should refill their fuel tank. To resolve the problem, I would appreciate your consideration of this work as a faulty product and should be replaced without cost to the customer. Enclosed is a copy of service from butler Toyota.
My low beam headlights became noticeably more dim -- dangerously so as I began to need to use high beams to see anything beyond 30' in front of me. This began in 2012. Then my low beam lights began to go out -- one side, then the other. We replaced them ourselves with high quality replacements (after we found out it would cost over $200 for labor and headlamp at our dealer). We were told by the dealer that the problem was only ours -- they had "never heard of it before." Over the past three years, we have replaced 6 headlamps! today was the 6th replacement and we had it done at the dealers where we were told, again, that this is a problem that they have never heard of before. Several times, I have had to drive home from work at night in the dark with no low beams (both went out) and use my high beams while cars heading toward me flashed their lights because of the blinding effect of using highbeams. Please help!!
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system fried the inverter and shut down the entire system. The contact stated that the software was an ongoing issue and overheated the inverter, which caused the engine to shut off and the vehicle to completely stop. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 01/04/17 the consumer requested a response and/or status report. Updated 7/7/17
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the radio, turn signals, interior lights and dashboard lights functioned intermittently independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the wiring harness in the vehicle was coated with soy and that an animal chewed on it causing the failure. The technician diagnosed that the entire wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,413. Updated 09/22/16 updated 10/05/16.
I have driven people for a living for over 30 years. I bought a Prius because of fuel costs. A month ago while transporting passengers, my power brakes go out and my dash lights up with ABS, brake, & traction control warning lights. I take it to the Toyota dealer who charges me $111 to tell me I have a brake problem and that it will cost $4418 to fix it. Code # C1391; they recommend replacing the master cylinder; and booster pump assembly saying there is an abnormal leak down of the brake accumulator. This is insane. I cannot afford to fix it and must continue to work to live; therefore driving about 200 miles/day with hydraulic only brakes. My research indicates there was a major recall for this exact problem on the 2010 model. The dealership and Toyota corporate both say my vehicle was not part of the recall. I feel as though it should be since, obviously, the problem has not been solved. I am not alone, as many owners on priuschat have the same problem. This is a major safety concern to not only myself, other vehicles or pedestrians, but also my passengers. An expanded recall is necessary and warranted. Anything you can do will help and make us all safer..
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While attempting to start the vehicle, it stalled. While driving various speeds, a clanking noise was heard before the vehicle stalled. The check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic control unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V053000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Low beam headlamp bulbs fail repeatedly in less than 6 months. This happens regardless of bulb brand or model. I have had these professionally installed at multiple shops. Happens on both sides, but the latest is on driver side.
June 2, 2016 two years ago my original headlights finally burned out. Since that time I have been replacing bulbs about every 3 to 4 months, with the last bulbs lasting only 2 months. Once one of the low beams bulbs burns out the other bulb burns out almost immediately. I have joined the Prius chat forum and have learned that this is a very common and ongoing complaint. It seems Toyota has elected to ignore this problem. The bulb on the passenger side is most difficult to replace, with me having to move the windshield reservoir out of the way. I am guessing this started about 2 years ago.
On 05/25/2016 at about 9am, while in motion at a rate of speed approx 25 mph on a street during construction (don't know if the bumpy road had anything to do with it), the change oil soon light appeared and seconds later all the lights on the dash came on with the message to check the "check hybrid system". I tried to stop the vehicle and it kept accelerating. I pressed on the breaks really hard and the traction control light kept flashing on and off like crazy but it barely had any impact. Although the vehicle slowed, it did not come to a full stop. I ended up hitting the vehicle in front of me. Thank god it was a truck and as able to stop the car from moving further or I could of ended up in the middle of an intersection. After the collision, the car would not stop although the park button was pressed and light was on. I even tried turning off the vehicle and the vehicle stayed on and in drive. I ended up in the hospital and don't know how it eventually got turned off but that was very frightening. I had my children in the car. On impact, the seat belts did not even tighten.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Monterey, CA, USA