MyCarTSB

2005 Toyota Prius Electrical Problems

151 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

151
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2015Dec 2005
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (151)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2022

Your ABS, VSC, and brake warning lights came on while driving, and your brakes felt hard to push and unresponsive. After replacing the ABS speed sensors, the lights briefly went away, but then returned along with a constant alarm sound. When this happened, your brake system failed and required extreme force and repeated pumping to stop the vehicle, nearly causing an accident on the highway. The shop identified a faulty ABS control module/actuator as the root cause. Fixing this will likely require replacing the ABS control module or actuator unit.

NHTSA #: 11458514
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2025

Your left turn signal stopped working while driving, and your four-way flashers also failed to function. Your dealer diagnosed the problem as a computer failure but couldn't identify which part needed replacement or what software update was required. The vehicle wasn't repaired, and Toyota provided no assistance even though you found a reference to a similar recall that didn't apply to your car.

NHTSA #: 11698556
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2023

Your car's red warning triangle and engine repair light keep turning on while you're driving. Your mechanic identified a recall issue related to the water pump that was issued in 2004 for your vehicle. The fix will likely involve having the water pump replaced as part of the recall repair at a Toyota dealership.

NHTSA #: 11521924
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2022

Your instrument panel stops working when you start your Prius. The dashboard gauges and warning lights become inoperable, making it difficult to monitor your vehicle's status while driving. A dealer was unable to identify the cause of the problem. The issue may require diagnostic testing and replacement of electrical components in the instrument cluster.

NHTSA #: 11457000
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2021

Your instrument cluster (dashboard display) stopped working and won't show your speed, mileage, fuel level, or engine performance. The problem persisted even after restarting the vehicle, leaving you unable to monitor critical driving information. This is a safety concern since you can't see your speed or fuel level while driving. Fixing this typically involves troubleshooting the instrument cluster circuit, replacing a fuse, or repairing the cluster itself.

NHTSA #: 11439482
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2019

MY VEHICLE WILL NOT GO BUT ABOUT 30 OR 40 MAYBE 50 ON HIGHWAY AFTER VERY SLOW EXELARATION I'M ALMOST KILLED EVERY TIME I GET ON THE HIGHWAY HIGHWAY AND REG STREETS TO EXCEARATE IT VERY VERY SLOW TO START THEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND KILL IT START OVER NOT USING HET OR AIR NOW IT JUST WON'T START HAVE NOT HAD IT CHECKED CAN'T AFFORD IT

NHTSA #: 11280513
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2019

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING SYSTEM QUIT TURNING ON IN JULY 2019. I COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST OR HOW SLOW I WAS DRIVING. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON SEP 23 2019 AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE ON THE ROAD OUTSIDE MY HOUSE

NHTSA #: 11258444
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2019

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2005 PRIUS. YOU PRESS THE BUTTON TO START THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTS BUT NOTHING DISPLAYS. YOU CANNOT SEE YOUR FUEL GAUGE, SO I RAN OUT OF GAS AND ALMOST WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE WHILE WALKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. YOU CANNOT SEE YOUR SPEEDOMETER SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FOLLOW SPEED LIMITS. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND EVEN ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION ZTV TO COVER IT, BUT THEY DID NOT INFORM ME ABOUT THE EXTENSION IN 2013/14. NOW THAT EXTENSION HAS EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR MY CAR. MY TECHNICIAN AT AUTOMOTIVE PERFECTION DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT ACCEPT HIS DIAGNOSIS AND SPARTAN TOYOTA CHARGED ME $132.45 TO MAKE THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THEY THEN TOLD ME A NEW METER WOULD COST ME $696.06 INSTALLED AND REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST 2012.

NHTSA #: 11242195
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS THAN USUAL AND TOOK LONGER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA OF VERO BEACH (1075 US-1, VERO BEACH, FL 32962) DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA #: 11218080
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD REMAIN ON WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS USED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GETTEL TOYOTA OF LAKEWOOD (5959 E STATE RD 64, BRADENTON, FL 34208, (941)-567-1080) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA #: 11183130
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2019

THE COMBINATION METER WHICH CONTAINS THE SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HAS BEEN GOING DEAD FREQUENTLY (DOES NOT LIGHT UP WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED) FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT USED TO BE 1-2 TIMES A MONTH, BUT RECENTLY IT OCCURS A FEW TIMES A WEEK. THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY, BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW THE SPEED OR TO KNOW HOW MUCH GAS REMAINS IN THE TANK. EVEN WHEN THE METER STARTS TO WORK AGAIN, THE GAS READING IS NOT ACCURATE. IT IS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE TO TELL IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT, BECAUSE THE SCREEN IS BLACK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY TOYOTA BUT THEY NO LONGER OFFER REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ADDRESS ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. EVEN THE SEPARATE TOUCH SCREEN WHICH CONTAINS DIAGNOSTICS TESTS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS BLACK, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11179987
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Dec 2018

COMBINATION METER INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON, SOMETIMES THE DASH METER WORKS, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST BLACK AND CONTINUES THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF, IT WILL NOT TURN OFF, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE ARE NO DASH LIGHTS AT ALL TO INDICATE FUEL AMOUNT, ODOMETER READING, DOOR OPEN SIGNAL, CHECK ENGINE, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND SO ON. THE SPEED BEING DRIVEN IS NOT SHOWING EITHER WHICH IS ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CRUISE CONTROL ALSO DOES NOT FUNCTION, THE CENTER TOUCHSCREEN DOES NOT DISPLAY HYBRID MOTOR INFORMATION OR MPG. THE BEEPING WHEN BACKING UP DOES NOT FUNCTION. ALSO THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN WHILE CAR IS RUNNING WHICH IS ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS NOT AVAILABLE. THE ODOMETER IS NOT RECORDING MILEAGE DURING THESE TIMES WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DO PROPER MAINTENANCE THAT GOES BY MILEAGE, SUCH AS OIL CHANGES.

NHTSA #: 11160849
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2018

THE HEADLIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT. I WILL TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON, IT WILL COME BACK ON. THEN SHUTS OFF AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE SWITCHING IT OFF AND ON, OFF AND ON. TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT WAS IN AUGUST 2018 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE ESTIMATE TOTAL WAS $318.62 FOR ONE HEADLIGHT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WANTS NO LIABILITY OR RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR NIGHT DRIVING AS THE HEADLIGHT WILL JUST SUDDENLY SHUT OFF.

NHTSA #: 11156797
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Jun 2018

I STARTED THE CAR AND THE SPEED INDICATOR DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LIGHTBULB OR SOMETHING THAT THAT HAD GONE OUT SINCE THE CAR DROVE LIKE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR BUT IT DIDN'T TURN OFF. I CALLED THE CAMPUS CAR SERVICE, BY THE TIME THEY GOT TO ME (ABOUT 30 MINUTES) THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE WHERE TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT HIGH MILAGE PRIUS' WERE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL ENDED IN 2013. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A KNOW ISSUE IS NO LONGER BEING FIXED WHEN THEY CLEARLY STATED THAT IT AFFECTS HIGH MILEAGE CARS. SO PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO'S CARS HAVEN'T REACHED A 'HIGH MILEAGE" DURING THEIR RECALL PERIOD ARE BASICALLY TOLD TO GUESS HOW FAST THE CAR IS TRAVELING?

NHTSA #: 11103337
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER WAS NOT GOING OVER 300,000 MILES AND WAS STUCK AT 299,999. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ODOMETER CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NEEDING MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER (IRA TOYOTA OF DANVERS, 99 ANDOVER ST, DANVERS, MA 01923) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT DUE TO A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 299,999.

NHTSA #: 11084977
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2018

THE COMBINATION METER ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS IS NOT WORKING. SO MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL GO OUT OR GO DARK AND MY CAR WILL KEEP RUNNING

NHTSA #: 11080917
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2017

LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY ,

NHTSA #: 11053479
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2017

HEADLIGHT GOES OUT REPEATEDLY. HEADLIGHT WORKS AGAIN AFTER HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN. STARTED WITH THE SAME ONE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. NOW THE OTHER. SOMETIMES BOTH GO OUT, INCLUDING AT NIGHT. EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHTS MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THEY WORK FOR A WHILE LONGER. LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA #: 11044017
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2017

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE PRONE TO TURNING TO OFF RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES ONE SIDE, OTHER TIMES BOTH SIDES. AFTER TURNING THEM ON/OFF AT THE STEERING COLUMN THEY WILL COME BACK ON FOR A WHILE THEN THE ISSUE STARTS OVER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WITH THE VEHICLE EITHER MOVING OR IN THE STATIONARY MODE. NO HEADLIGHTS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. SO FAR, TOYOTA REFUSES TO HONOR A FIX!

NHTSA #: 11033271
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2017

TOYOTA PRIUS COMBINATION METER NOT WORKING FOR 2 DAYS WHEN I REPEATLY TURN IT ON AND TURN IT OFF....THEN WORKS ONE DAY THEN IS NOT WORKING NOW---I CAN'T SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HOW FAST I AM DRIVING AND THEN I CAN NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES....VERY UNSAFE. AND I JUST HAD THE CAR SERVICED FOR A MESSED UP BATTERY. THIS IS A USED CAR THAT I BOUGHT TO REPLACE THE 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT WAS REARENDED IN DEC 2016 THEN THE DEALER SOLD ME A JUNK CAR IN APRIL 2017 NOW HAVING TO FIX ALL THESE PROBLEMS. I WILL SELL THIS CAR AS A PIECE OF JUNK TO THE JUNK YARD AS STRAP METAL BECAUSE THAT WHAT IT IS. VERY UNSAFE AND THE NHTSA IS ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. STARTED ON 08/22/2017 & 08/23/2017 & 08/25/2017 I CAN'T SEE THE PANEL.

NHTSA #: 11019580
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2017

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TURN SWITCH OFF AND ON AND COMES ON AGAIN. HAVE HAD BULB REPLACED X2 AND NOW TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THAT TOYOTA HAS A BULLETIN ABOUT IT. NOTE TO THE TUNE OF $500 TO FIX. IN RESEARCHING THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. IT'S A HAZARD AT NIGHT OR IN RAIN OR INCLEMENT WEATHER AND EVIDENTLY SOMETHING TOYOTA HAS HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT ENOUGH TO PUT OUT A BULLETIN. VEHICLE IN MOTION, HIGHWAY MILES. I BELIEVE SOME SORT OF SHORT BUT CERTAINLY NOT MECHANIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE JANUARY 2017. TWO NEW BULBS PLUS LABOR AND NOW TOLD WIRING MECHANISM. HELP. IF TOYOTA KNOWS A PROBLEM, ADDRESS IT IN A RECALL.

NHTSA #: 11011293
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2017

THE PRIUS ODOMETER STOPPED AT 299999 AND WON'T RECORD MORE MILEAGE. HOWEVER, THE TRIP ODOMETER CONTINUES TO REGISTER MILES, SO IT SEEMS CLEAR THE MECHANISMS ARE WORKING TO COLLECT MILES. THE PROBLEM THIS CAUSES IS THAT SOME STATES VIEW THIS FAILURE TO MOVE ON OR RESET AT 000000 AS AN INSPECTION FAILURE. SHOULD NOT BE A DESIGNED FAILURE, AS PREVIOUS COMLAINT INDICATED SINCE THIS IS A DIGITAL READOUT.

NHTSA #: 11004731
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2017

CAR HEADLIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA #: 11002981
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: May 2017

DURING CHARGING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DURING THE PROCESS DISTROYING VEHICLE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY

NHTSA #: 10991701
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2017

CLOCK CABLE FAILED.. CAUSED THE AIRBAG, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO NOT WORK..

NHTSA #: 10972196
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2017

LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING, AT FIRST 1 SIDE OR THE OTHER, ACOUPLE TIMES BOTH WENT OFF WITH THE LAST TIME ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION AND I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR.

NHTSA #: 10969374
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2017

MY FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. NOW IT DOESN'T TURN ON AT ALL. I REPLACED THE BULB AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND HAVE ALSO FIILED COMPLAINTS BECAUSE TOYOTA DOESN'T ASSEMBLE OR RUN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS PROPERLY.

NHTSA #: 10956966
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2017

DASHBOARDS LIGHTS WERE OFF. COULD NOT SEE SPEED OR GAS GAUGE AT NIGHT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA #: 10955561
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOR THE REPAIR. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY PANEL WENT BLANK. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF TWICE AND HAD TO BE LEFT RUNNING DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMBINATION METER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH A LOANER AS THE DEALER FURTHER TESTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING THE DEALER'S REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10928341
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2016

TAKATA RECALL IM HAVING A PROBLEM IN HEADLIGHT OF MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 THE DRIVER SIDE ALWAYS MISSED UP AND ONCE I TURN IT OFF AND ON IT WORKS FOR A WHILE THEN SAME PROBLEM I BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE MANY TIME I HAVE CHANGED THE LIGHT BUT SAME PROBLEM ITS ALSO DANGEROUS SOMETIMES WHEN IM DRIVING IN A CURVE WHERE IS NO LIGHT AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF I FOUND MY SELF IN THE SHOULDER THAT REALLY WEIRD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10919083
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER GAUGE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE GAUGE REMAINED AT 299,000 MILES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ODOMETER GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGE WAS DESIGNED TO STOP AT 299,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ODOMETER GAUGE FAILING TO WORK AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 299,000.

NHTSA #: 10864830
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE HYBRID BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED AND CAUSED THE RPMS TO REV AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO THE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA #: 10861259
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2016

DASH GOES COMPLETELY BLANK WHILE IN MOTION AND CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF

NHTSA #: 10837300
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2016

DIGITAL DASHBOARD SOMETIMES IS COMPLETELY BLANK FOR EXTENDED PERIODS SO THAT I CAN'T SEE MY SPEED, FUEL LEVELS, ODOMETER, AND OTHER INFO. WHEN I START UP IT HAPPENS AND CONTINUES THE WHOLE TIME I AM DRIVING. IT IS CAUSING OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE HYDROLIC BRAKING SOMETIMES AS WELL WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA #: 10820021
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2015

THE CAR KEPT SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHEN WANTING TO DRIVE. PARKING BUTTON DIDN'T WORK.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA #: 10789827
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE COMBINATION METER WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES TO STOP FUNCTIONING. IN ADDITION. THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT COMBINATION METER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10782829
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2015

OUR DAUGHTER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS A PART CALLED THE COMBINATION METER. HE ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS RECALLED AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY TOYOTA. HE PROVIDED ME WITH A PHONE NUMBER FOR THE TOYOTA CORPORATIONS RECALL DEPARTMENT. I TELEPHONED TOYOTA AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT I WAS MISINFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND THAT THE PART WAS NOT RECALLED, BUT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED ON THE PART IN 2012. I ASKED WHY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT WASN'T A SAFET MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE IF THIS PART FAILS. BY SURFING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. IF MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE HOME, PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AS SHE USUALLY DOES. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE IS A HYBRID AND WHEN THE BATTERY POWER WAS DEPLETED, THE GASOLINE ENGINE WOULD HAVE KICKED ON. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A DANGER, DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING TO ANY OCCUPANTS WITHIN THE HOUSE. ADDITIONALLY, IF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS WHEN THIS PART FAILS, THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION. WHEN THIS PART FAILS THE DASH GOES COMPLETELY BLACK, THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WORKING. THE DRIVER IS ALSO UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANY OTHER GAUGES IN THE DASH. DUE TO RECENT DEATHS, DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CAUSED BY VEHICLES NOT TURNING OFF. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS NEGLIGENT FOR NOT TAKING MY CONCERNS MORE SERIOUSLY. TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART, THEY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2012.

NHTSA #: 10765186
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED 2-3 DROPS OF WATER ENTERING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE WINDOW WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND BY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. AS A RESULT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FAILED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE OR THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED A WARRANTY TO COVER THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMITATION BY 4,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10750176
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA #: 10749889
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2015

JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR. THERE IS A PUNGENT ODOR IN CAR RESULTING IN DIZZINESS AND NAUSEOUS AND IT LEAVES A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR ON THE HAIR AND CLOTHING FOR HOURS AFTER BEING IN THE VEHICLE. IT IS A STRONG, PLASTICS ODOR. I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE. THERE WAS ONE POST THAT EXPLAINED VERY CLEARLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS. TOYOTA HAS IGNORED THE PROBLEM BUT IT CAN CAUSE PHYSICAL HARM DUE TO THE TOXINS IN THE AIR AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 10723561
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2015

I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING TROUBLES WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AGO (JAN. 2014) WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM A CAR DEALER IN TYSONS CORNER VA. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WITHIN DAYS OF NOTICING THE LIGHT KEPT GOING OUT AND ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE ISSUE SINCE I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY DID SO AND SAID THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY A FAULTY LIGHT AND REPLACED IT. IT IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND THE SAME LIGHT IS GOING OUT AGAIN. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND TURN ON ALL OF THE CAR LIGHTS TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT, THEY TURN ON, BUT ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, THE RIGHT PASSENGER LIGHT GOES OUT. BECAUSE OF THE SHAPE OF THE CAR, YOU CANNOT TELL THAT IT IS OUT. THE ONLY REASON I KNEW IT WAS OUT AGAIN WAS BECAUSE I GOT PULLED OVER AND GIVEN A TICKET. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND I HAVE READ A NUMBER OF SIMILAR OCCURRENCES ONLINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAVE SAID (AFTER LOOKING ONLINE) THAT THE ISSUE IS THE "HEADLIGHT LIGHT CONTROL ECU SUB-ASSEMBLY". BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RISK THIS POSSES TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD, NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF THE SINGLE ITEM TO REPAIR IT, TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATIONS TO THOSE HAVING THIS TROUBLE. NORMAL WARE AND TARE ON THE VEHICLE IS REASONABLE, SUCH AS BURT OUT LIGHTBULBS BUT SYSTEMS LIKE THIS THAT WORK FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN SUDDENLY DO NOT IS NOT SAFE.

NHTSA #: 10716047
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AS A MEANS OF FUEL EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION WHILE I AM IN COLLEGE. I BEGAN EXPERIENCING HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE UNDER RECALL AND WOULD BE REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING AGAIN AND WENT OUT AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHT COMES ON INITIALLY BEFORE FLICKERING (SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY) AND GOING OUT AGAIN. I SUSPECT THAT IT IS A POWER SUPPLY ISSUE AND NOT A HEADLIGHT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10693448
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF (FAILED). STOPPED VEHICLE AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND TURNED LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON. LIGHTS FUNCTIONED OK. ONE WEEK LATER, SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10692849
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2015

LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF INSTANCES WHERE BOTH LIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10692385
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2015

DRIVING AFTER DARK, TEMP 12 F, DASHBOARD LIGHT WENT BLACK ON AREA BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. UPON ARRIVING AT DESTINATION, VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT TURNED OFF. CAR WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER. I SUGGESTED THIS PROBLEM MAY BE ON A RECALL FOR THE MULTI SYSTEM LIGHT IN THE DASH. AFTER 2 HOURS TOYOTA DID NOT ADDRESS THE "RECALL" ISSUE AND DIAGNOSED LOOSE BATTER CABLE. CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. NEXT MORNING THE CAR STARTED AND DASHBOARD LIGHTING CAME ON AS PER USUAL. END OF DAY WHEN TEMP DROPPED DASHBOARD WENT BLACK AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF AT END DESTINATION. TOYOTA DEALER WAS CALLED IMMEDIATELY (SUNDAY) LEFT MESSAGE. CALLED AGAIN NEXT MORNING AFTER 10AM NO CALL RECEIVED FROM DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10671760
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2015

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF HEADLIGHT (LEFT AND RIGHT, THOUGH NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY). PROBLEM CAN BE TEMPORARILY CORRECTED BY TURNING HEADLIGHTS OFF, THEN ON. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING (TWICE WITHIN A ONE HOUR DRIVE) AND WHEN THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN STARTED. FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10670298
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Dec 2014

CAR WHEN IN PARK OR STOPPED (AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT) WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ABOUT A SECOND AFTER I TRY TO PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT BEGAN HAPPENING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. IT ALSO BEGAN HAPPENING AT STOPLIGHTS AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO A FAST HIGHWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT LAST WEEK. IT TAKES UP TO 10 ATTEMPTS TO KEEP IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE NOW FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN OR FOR HOW LONG IT WILL HAPPEN. OTHER THAN THIS, MY CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAS NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE, AND FROM WHAT A LOT OF OTHER PRIUS DRIVERS SAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY (SEE BELOW FOR LINKS TO FORUMS WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE). THIS FIX COSTS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND IT SEEMS COMMON IN THE 2004-2009 PRIUS. IT HAS A TSB OUT ON IT (SEE LINK BELOW), SO THE ISSUE IS KNOWN?BUT THIS PART SHOULD BE ISSUED A RECALL FOR THOSE HAVING ISSUES!! IT IS A DANGEROUS AND NOT-UNCOMMON DEFECT, AND I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR NOW! HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/62-PRIUS-FORUM/343977-08-PRIUS-WON-T-STAY-GEAR.HTML HTTP://WWW.JUSTANSWER.COM/TOYOTA/6WCTJ-TOYOTA-PRIUS-PRIUS-2008-WILL-NOT-STAY-REVERSE-DRIVE.HTML HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/2008-PRIUS-SHIFTS-BACK-TO-NEUTRAL-WONT-STAY-IN-DRIVE-REVPOSTED-WED-AUG-12-2009-7-04-AM.67254/#AXZZ3MFYFAU2J. *TR

NHTSA #: 10667912
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2014

ON START UP THE COMBINATION METER FAILED TO OPERATE. SINCE THE COMBINATION METER PRESENTS BULK OF THE CRITICAL VEHICLE INFORMATION IT PRESENT A HAZARD TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A KNOWN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WAS FIRST OBSERVED ON MY 2005 PRIUS APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CAN CLEAR ITSELF. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED I BROUGHT IT TO THE SUN TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, 3001 U.S. 19 HOLIDAY, FL (727) 478-0070 FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE PERSONAL NOTICED THE PROBLEM, RECYCLED THE POWER ON THE VEHICLE, THEN THE PROBLEM CLEARED ITSELF. THEY SAID AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT HARD FAILS. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD IT INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AND CORRECT ITSELF. I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT A WARRANTY EXTENSION HAD BEEN ISSUED BY TOYOTA MOTOR SALE, USA WHICH WOULD COVER REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. I EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN ON 11/18/2014. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO SUN TOYOTA. THEY EXAMINED THE PROBLEM, I POINTED OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOW OUTSIDE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO CLEARWATER TOYOTA, 21799 US HIGHWAY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33765 (727) 799-1234, AND THEY TOO SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AS A LAST RECOURSE I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER. THEY ASSIGNED A CASE TO ME BUT THEY TOO SAID THE PROBLEM IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10660813
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2014

MY LEFT HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHT GOES BACK ON WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT PRIUS OWNERS ARE REGULARLY EXPERIENCING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10658721
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2014

THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT MULTIPLE TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF- THEN BACK ON--IT WILL COME BACK ON--ONLY TILL IT GOES OUT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10653517
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2014

TODAY, WHEN OUR 2005 PRIUS WAS TURNED ON, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER, AND ALL OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS, DID NOT ILLUMINATE. ADDITIONALLY,THE PRIUS WOULD NOT TURN OFF BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE DASH. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE COMBINATION METER DISPLAY THAT CONTROLS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, INCLUDING ALL OF THE SAFETY WARNING LIGHTS, THAT PROMPTED TOYOTA TO ISSUE A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT, COVERING THIS DEFECT EITHER FOR 9 YEARS FROM THE DATE THE CAR WAS FIRST PUT INTO SERVICE OR UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, WHICHEVER IS LONGER. AS IT TURNS OUT, MY PRIUS IS OUTSIDE THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION BY THREE DAYS. I CALLED THE NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD, BECAUSE THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION, NO FURTHER EXTENSIONS CAN BE GRANTED AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT. I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS DUE TO THE FACT THE MODULE IN QUESTION IS NOT USER-AFFECTED OR SERVICEABLE IN ANY WAY. IF ITS ENGINEERING AND/OR MANUFACTURING IS SUCH THAT IT ONLY LASTS 9 YEARS, AND IT IS CRUCIAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE CAR, AND THE DISPLAY OF SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS THAT REFLECT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM, BRAKING SYSTEM, HYBRID SYSTEM, ETC. I HAVE AN ISSUE BECAUSE THIS ELECTRONIC DEVICE MAKES THE CAR INOPERABLE AND MANY PEOPLE WITH TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES, FROM MODEL YEARS 2004-2009 ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T NON-SERVICEABLE, CRITICAL PARTS TO THE OPERATION OF A CAR, THAT DISPLAY THE STATUS OF SAFETY-RELATED SYSTEMS, LAST MORE THAN 9 YEARS? THERE WILL BE CONSUMERS WHO OPT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYWAY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURIES AND DEATH, DEPENDING ON THE STATUS OF THEIR SAFETY-RELATED SYSTEMS, WHICH THEY HAVE NO WAY OF BEING ABLE TO SEE WHEN THIS DEFECT APPEARS IN THEIR CARS, AT THE TIME OF A CRASH OR NEED TO BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10640955
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2014

HYBRID BATTERY EXPLODED IN CAR, I THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOT AT ME OR BOMB WENT OFF IN CAR. LATER I REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I COULDN'T GET A HOLD OF TOYOTA OR REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA, I TOOK BATTERY OUT SO THERE WOULDN'T BE A FIRE. WHEN I OPENED CASING UP I SAW THE DAMAGE WHERE A CELL OR TWO EXPLODED INSIDE HYBRID BATTERY PACK. WHEN I FINALLY GOT TO TALK TO SOMEONE FROM TOYOTA 4 DAYS LATER AND TOLD THEM I REMOVED THE PACK SO IT WOULDN'T START A FIRE IN CAR AND FOR THE AUTHORITIES TO INSPECT BATTERY, THEY STARTED YELLING AT ME FOR DRIVING THE CAR AND REMOVING THE BATTERY. I SAID THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. IT HAS AFFECTED ME, MY CHILD AND DOGS HEARING AS A RESULT AND NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA. I WAS SCARED AND FRIGHTENED BY TOYOTA'S RESPONSE AND THE CALL BACK AFTER I YELLED AT THE AND HUNG UP. I GOT A CALL BACK FROM THEM WHERE I WAS THREATENED BY A MAN. I THOUGHT TOYOTA CARED ABOUT CUSTOMERS, NOT TO THREATEN THEM, AND TO TAMPER WITH EVIDENCE AND HIDE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10630672
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2014

I WENT FROM A STATIONARY DRIVING POSITION, TO DRIVING OFF AT 20 MPH DOWN A 3 LANE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY A FEW SECONDS AFTER, ALL THESE LIGHTS CAME ON: FLASHING WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS, ABS LIGHT AND A LOUD BEEPING NOISE. I HAD NO POWER, NO BRAKES?.. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME OR CLOSE BEHIND AND I COULD VEER INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TOTALLY. AND THEN TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, AND ALL THE SAME LIGHTS AND BEEPING NOISE STARTED AGAIN. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA IN SANTA MONICA. THERE WAS NO MANAGER ON SITE. ONE OF THE SERVICE GUYS SAID HE WOULD HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME A TEMPORARY RENTAL OR SUBSTITUTE CAR - THEY SAID THEY WOULD GIVE ME A RIDE TO A RENTAL PLACE! THIS IS 11 A.M. THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP IS STILL NOT THERE. THE ASSOCIATE CALLED ME AND SAID I COULD PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED !! I HAVE CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE, WHO SAY THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME IN "A DAY OR SO". ASIDE FROM MY LIFE AND OTHERS LIVES, BEING PUT IN TOTAL JEOPARDY BY MY CARS' FAILURE, I THINK THE LACK OF URGENCY ON THIS MATTER IS APPALLING. THERE MAY BE OTHER PRIUS CARS THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME FAILURE, AND PEOPLE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10628441
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2014

IN 2007, WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 WITH 13,298 MILES. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR EVER SINCE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 81,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENT ON JUNE 30, 2014, I WAS DRIVING THE 2005 PRIUS SLOWLY (10-15 MPH) ALONG A ROADWAY LOCATED IN A TECUMSEH, MI CITY PARK: AS THE CAR APPROACHED A LOCAL STREET, I BRAKED FOR A STOP BEFORE MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN. AS I ENGAGED THE BRAKE, THE ABS SYSTEM RED LIGHT APPEARED, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT AND THE RELATED BUZZER WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. AS I BRAKED, MY RIGHT FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I DROVE THE PRIUS VERY SLOWLY OVER THE TWO MILES HOME, USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AS NEEDED. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE RIDING WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WITNESSED THE INCIDENT. ON JULY 1, 2014, I CONTACTED AAA AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP IN ANN ARBOR, MI ' 30 MILES AWAY. AFTER A WEEK, AT THE REPAIR SHOP I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE FACILITY. OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE MONTHS, I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER CURIOUS PROBLEM THAT MAY BE BRAKE RELATED. WHEN BRAKING ON BUMPY ROADS (WE HAVE HORRIBLE POT HOLES ON MANY MAJOR STREETS AND ROADS) OR CURB CUTS, THE CAR ACCELERATES EVER SO BRIEFLY. THE FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL IS VERY DISTURBING. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE NOTED ABOVE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS BRAKE FAILURE. HOWEVER, I HAD JUST RETURNED HOME FROM BUSINESS IN A NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY 35 MILES AWAY. I OFTEN DRIVE BACKCOUNTRY COUNTY ROADS WITH POSTED SPEEDS OF 55 MPH. IF I HAD EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE FAILURE THEN, I MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10609883
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2014

BOTH OF MY PRIUS HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. FLICKING THEM OFF AND THEN BACK ON BROUGHT THEM ON AGAIN, BUT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME SINCE THEN. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOYOTA IS UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. THE COMPANY WANTS TO REPLACE THE BULBS, BUT THIS DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. REPLACING THE BULBS OR ADJACENT PARTS CAN COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, WHICH IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. IT SEEMS THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10597093
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: May 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, A LEG GASH AND A PULLED MUSCLE IN THE BACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. BOTH THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLAT SURFACE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE KEY FAILED TO EXIT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA #: 10593350
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Mar 2014

ON 2/27/14 THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT IN OUR VEHICLE LIT UP CAUSING US TO REVIEW THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE SERVICE. PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0042-11, THIS ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SCANNER CODE B1826. ACCORDING TO THE TSB, THE DESIGN/MATERIAL FAULT CAN OCCUR IN 2004-2009 PRIUSES. THE FAULT, ACCORDING TO A TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISOR, RESULTS IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION, "AN UPDATED WIRE HARNESS MUST BE INSTALLED." THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DESIGN FAULT IS $2,500. AND UP DEPENDING ON IF ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE WIRING HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED AT ONCE WE PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT EXPRESSED OUR VIEW TO THE TOYOTA PERSONNEL THAT THE DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY TOYOTA. WE FEEL THAT THIS DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. CALLS TO THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10573627
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2014

AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME HEADLIGHT FLICKERS THEN GOES OUT. HAVE TO TURN OFF THEN ON, ONLY TO LAST A SHORT TIME. BRAND NEW BULBS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10560145
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2013

THE DASHBOARD SCREEN GOES BLANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT, WHAT GEAR I'M IN, HOW MUCH MILEAGE IS ON THE VEHICLE, WHETHER OR NOT THE LIGHTS ARE ON, ETC. TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE NOTICE ABOUT IT, BUT MY VEHICLE IS JUST 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WHILE IT WAS IN WARRANTY. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10556333
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2013

THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AND NOT COME BACK ON DURING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 65MPH A HEADLIGHT ( RANDOMLY LEFT OR RIGHT) WOULD SHUT OFF AT NIGHT). I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF TO REACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHT!!! THE HEADLIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON ONCE THE SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN, BUT SEVERAL MILES DOWN THE ROAD, A HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN!!! THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! WE BROUGHT IT TO A TOYOTA GARAGE, AND WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE HEADLIGHTS BUT NOT FOR OUR 2005 VEHICLE. WE PAID $476.00 TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS!! HOW CAN HEADLIGHTS BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND BE COVERED FOR CERTAIN YEARS ONLY??? WITH THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT APPEARS THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM FOR 2005 MODELS TOO!!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS??? THUS OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10552191
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2013

I HAD JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND WHEN I WAS LEAVING I STARTED THE CAR BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON. I DROVE ON AND STILL NOTHING. WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE THAT MY BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO DEPRESS AND RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE SAME MESSAGE. I COULDN'T MOVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO GET TOYOTA INVOLVED BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THREE COMPUTERS ARE FRIED. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD SUCH WONDERFUL REVIEWS (YES THIS WAS SOME YEARS AGO) HOW DO COMPUTERS JUST "UP AND FRY" WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I AM HOPEFUL THAT TOYOTA WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND STEP UP AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. ALSO, WHATEVER THEY COULD DO FOR ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED SINCE I WAS A DIE HARD PRIUS FAN.....UNTIL NOW??? *JB

NHTSA #: 10541903
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2013

DIGITAL DASHBOARD DISPLAY IS, FROM TIME TO TIME, SO DIM AS TO BE ALMOST INVISIBLE. SOMETIMES IT APPEARS TO BE ABOUT 90% OF BRIGHTNESS, OTHER TIMES AT ABOUT 5% OR LESS. THIS MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ SUCH INFORMATION AS SPEED, WARNING LIGHTS, ETC. WHEN IT IS VISIBLE, IT IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION, TAKING CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT. TOYOTA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY TOYOTA DEALER REFUSES TO PERFORM THE REPAIR, CLAIMING THAT AS LONG AS THEY CAN SEE THE DISPLAY AT ANY LEVEL, REGARDLESS OF HOW DIM, THERE IS NOT A CORRECTABLE PROBLEM.SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, THEY MAY NOT SEE IT AT ITS WORST. *TR

NHTSA #: 10534130
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2013

BOTH HID HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I CAN TOGGLE THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON AND ONE OR BOTH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THEN WENT OUT AGAIN WITHIN A FEW SECONDS TO A MINUTE, OVER AND OVER. MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF CAR IS NOT MOVING AT ALL OR GOING 70 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE 15 MILES HOME AT NIGHT WITHOUT INCIDENT. WENT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THEY SAY ALL THAT IS WRONG IS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNED OUT. ESTIMATE TO REPLACE BOTH IS $474.31. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD BURN OUT AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. AND IF THEY ARE BURNED OUT THEN WHY DO THEY COME BACK ON AND OFF. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR 2006-2009 MODELS. I ALSO FOUND THAT YOU HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2005 MODEL YET YOU HAVE NOT CONSIDERED THIS A SAFETY MATTER. I DISAGREE. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HELP ME, I WANT MY COMPLAINT INCLUDED IN YOUR DATABASE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10521198
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2013

THE LEFT HEADLIGHT UNEXPECTEDLY GOES OUT. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON, BUT SOON REPEATS GOING OUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10505929
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2013

ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS THE HID LIGHTS WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA PARTS. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THEY STARTED TO GO OFF AND ON AT RANDOM. THE DEALER REPLACED THEM WITH AFTERMARKET HID BULBS. AFTER ABOUT 18 MONTHS ONE OF THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON AT RANDOM. THE DEALER NO LONGER CARRIES AFTERMARKET HID BULBS. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD INSTALL THE TOYOTA BULBS WHICH HAVE ISSUES OR I COULD GET AFTERMARKET BULBS AND THEY WOULD INSTALL THEM. WELL THE NEW D2R HID SYLVANIA BULBS WERE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. WITHIN 2 WEEKS ONE OF THE NEW BULBS WENT OFF AND ON AT RANDOM. NOW A WEEK LATER THE OTHER NEW HID BULB IS DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE READ THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. WHEN WILL THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BE ADDRESSED????? *TR

NHTSA #: 10507319
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2013

THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY NO LONGER SHOWS THE VEHICLE SPEED AND OTHER SPECS SUCH AS FUEL GAUGE, WARNING LIGHTS, AND SUCH. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES COULDN'T TURN OFF, AND IT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO PRESS AND HOLD THE POWER BUTTON FOR MORE THAN 5 SECONDS IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. DRIVING IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS I NOT EVEN SURE IF THE CAR IS EVEN "READY" OR NOT, AND WHAT GEAR (D, N, R) IT IS IN. TOYOTA IS CHARGING ME 400 FOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE BULLETIN STATED THAT THIS IS CAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. MY SISTER WHO OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS (16X,XXX) DID RECEIVE THE NOTICE OF RECALL FOR THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY, BUT I DIDN'T ANY NOTICE AT ALL. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! *TR

NHTSA #: 10502602
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2013

DASHBOARD INFORMATION SUDDENLY TURNS BLANK -- NO FUEL LEVEL, SPEED, ETC. , BUT HEADLIGHTS WORK (ALTHOUGH NO INDICATOR ON INSTRUMENT PANEL) AS WELL AS TURN SIGNALS, AIR-CONDITIONING, AND RADIO. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER THINKING THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A FUSE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE RARELY SEEN THIS, IT'S A PROBLEM WITH A COMPONENT BEHIND THE POWER SWITCH. THE PART IS IN SHORT SUPPLY AND MAY TAKE AS LONG AS FOUR WEEKS TO ARRIVE. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WILL BE PAYING FOR THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR IN THE INTERIM. THE SERVICE FROM THE DEALER IS SUPERIOR AND...I LOVE MY PRIUS.. *TR

NHTSA #: 10502260
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2013

THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT WE CANNOT NAME THE SPECIFIC TIME. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A LIGHT BULB, HOWEVER, WE LEARNED THAT IT CAN BE REACTIVATED BY BRIEFLY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES DURING ONE TRIP OR NOT AT ALL. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FEW TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT IT COULD COST 400-800+ TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, WHICH WE BELIEVE TO BE EXCESSIVE SO FOR NOW WE ARE TOLERATING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10499804
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2013

FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT. I CAN GET IT TO GO BACK ON IF I TURN SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON BUT IT MAY FAIL AGAIN WITHIN 10 OR 80 MINUTES. REPLACED BULB, BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BULB BUT REPLACING IT HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10497683
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2013

SINCE ABOUT THE FALL OF LAST YEAR OR SO, WE'VE BEEN NOTICING THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE RIGHT WENT OUT AND THEN CAME BACK ON. THEN ANOTHER TIME THE LEFT WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON. I'VE READ ABOUT THIS OCCURRING ON MANY OTHER PRIUS' AND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT? ANYWAY, I NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THIS FIXED AS IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10493535
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2013

THE HEADLAMPS REPEATEDLY BURN OUT, WHICH REPAIR PEOPLE HAVE SAID INDICATES AN UNDERLYING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ONE OF THE HEADLAMPS FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN JUST OVER A YEAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10492214
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2012

HEADLIGHTS (ONE OR BOTH) WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON WILL TURN THEM BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10487160
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2012

MY 22-YEAR-OLD SON HAD A SCARY INCIDENT IN WHICH OUR 2005 PRIUS STALLED SPONTANEOUSLY ON THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY (VALHALLA, NY) WITH SEVERAL DASHBOARD WARNINGS LIGHTING UP. THE HYBRID SHIFTED TO BATTERY MODE IN TRAFFIC. LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF HIGHWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. WE'RE VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CAR NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AND BECAUSE, ON AN INTERNET SEARCH, WE SEE THE FAILURE WAS PRECISELY LIKE THE ONE DESCRIBED IN NHTSA REPORT THAT RESULTED IN A TOYOTA ACTION TO SERVICE MANY CARS IN 2005: HTTP://J.MP/NHTSAPRIUS05PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10484011
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2012

I AM SURE THAT YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE. ON OCT 25TH 2012, I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AFTER WORK. I TOOK THE BAG CONTAINED THE KEY AND LEFT IN THE FAMILY ROOM WHICH IS ABOUT 40 FEET AWAY FROM GARAGE. AFTER THE DINNER, I WENT TO GARAGE TO THROW TRASH. I SMELLED GAS AND HEARD MUSIC AND CAR ENGINE WAS ON. SUDDENLY, IT REMINDS ME, IN THE MORNING WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR AND LEFT, THE CAR STARTED BY ITSELF AND ALL ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS RE-SET. I SPECIFICALLY PAID ATTENTION TO TURNING OFF THE CAR AND LOCKING THE DOOR IN THE EVENING BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MORNING. THE CAR WAS TURNED ON BY ITSELF AGAIN AND HAD BEEN RUNNING IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE THAN 2.5 HRS BASED ON THE CLOCK RE-SET INFORMATION. I COULD NOT TURN IT OFF AND THE CAR SHOWED ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE CAR. OF COURSE, SINCE THE KEY WAS IN THE FAMILY ROOM AT THAT TIME. I BROUGHT THE KEY IN THE CAR AND STILL COULD NOT TURN IT OFF. I TRIED TO INSERT THE KEY AND STILL NO LUCK. I CALLED AAA AND THEY SENT A TECHNICIAN AND A TOLL TRUCK TO MY HOUSE. HE COULD NOT TURN OFF EITHER INITIALLY AND EVENTUALLY TURNED IT OFF AFTER MOVE THE WHEEL, STEP ON BREAKS REALLY HARD AND SHOOK THE CAR. I SENT THE CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER RIGHT AWAY. THE SERVICE CENTER COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY ISSUE AND TOYOTA REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I WAS SCARED AND ALSO GLAD THAT I WENT GARAGE TO THROW GARBAGE TODAY. OTHERWISE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN! WE HAVE FURNACE WITH IGNITER LIGHT ON IN THE GARAGE. THE HOUSE CAN BE ON FIRE WITH A REASON NO ONE WILL EXPECT AND BELIEVE! THE CARBON MONOXIDE COULD FILLED THE GARAGE AND EMERGE IN THE HOUSE! I CALLED IN THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER (CASE # [XXX]) AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. WHAT IS REALLY UPSET ME IS THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10477962
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS OCCURRED ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS: (1) CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, (2) ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, (3) PROBLEM LIGHT CAME ON, (4) BATTERY WENT RED, (5) CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE/DRIVE ANY FURTHER. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BACK AND THE BATTERY RECHARGED ITSELF TO GREEN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVING THIS PROBLEM "FIXED", THE EXACT SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES, AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER AND THEN 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT. THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 40 MPH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10476570
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2012

MY PRIUS DASH KEEPS GOING BLACK, THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF . ALSO HAD IT IN PARK ENGINE REVVED AND STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY. I JUMPED IN AND IT WOULDN'T SHUT OFF I HAD TO RIP THE KEY OUT. THE REAR TAILLIGHTS GO OUT ALL THE TIME. THE DOORS AND HATCH LOCKS WON'T UNLOCK HALF THE TIME. I HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT IN BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10473291
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2012

THE HID HEADLIGHTS FAIL AND TURN-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS LEADS TO DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS IS RELATED TO A HID HEADLIGHT LEVELING SENSOR FAILURE. TOYOTA REPORTS THIS ISSUE IN THEIR "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" NUMBER EL004-06, DATED 28TH APRIL 2006. TOYOTA RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM IN THE OEM PART AND IS PROVIDING REPLACEMENT ONLY ON FAILED PARTS UNDER 36MONTHS, 36,000 MILES WARRANTY. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS "SAFETY ISSUE" PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND HENCE IS NOT REPLACED BY TOYOTA. NEVERTHELESS, TOYOTA HAS GENERATED A CUSTOMER PROGRAM TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE MODULE IN 2006-2009 MODELS EVEN IF NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. MY 2005 MODEL EXPERIENCES THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THIS SAFETY ISSUE. FURTHERMORE, THE 2006-2009 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER THE "CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MY 2005; HOWEVER MY 2005 MODEL IS NOT COVERED. PLEASE DO THE NEEDFUL TO INCLUDE 2005 MODEL PRIUS (WITH HID HEADLIGHTS) IN THE SAFETY ISSUES ADDRESSED IN 2006-2009 MODELS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA #: 10453200
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2011

THE RIGHT, PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AND BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. IT WILL GO OFF AGAIN AND I WILL HAVE TO PERFORM THE SAME PROCEDURE TO GET IT TO COME ON AGAIN. *KB THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY DURING ANY GIVEN TRIP.

NHTSA #: 10441657
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2011

HEADLAMP WOULD GO OUT AT RANDOM INTERVALS. ALWAYS CAME ON WHEN FIRST SWITCHED ON BUT WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. WOULD REPRODUCIBLY COME BACK ON WHEN THE SWITCHED WAS FLIPPED TO OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. WOULD THEN GO OFF AGAIN AT LATER TIME. NO WAY TO TELL WHETHER OPERATIONAL WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10434033
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2011

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS WHICH HAS SELF LEVELING FEATURE. HAVE NOTICED FOR A WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHINING LOW, CAN'T SEE SUFFICIENTLY AHEAD OF CAR. HEADLIGHTS CAN NOT BE MANUALLY ADJUSTED. FOUND ONLINE SEVERAL REPORTS INDICATING THE CONTROL MODULE THAT SENDS THE LEVELING MESSAGE TO CONTROL THE HEADLIGHTS WHICH IS MOUNTED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE FAILS WHEN WATER ENTERS THE DEVICE AND CORRODES THE UNIT. POOR CONTRUCTION OF THIS UNIT LEAD TO WATER INFILTRATION AND HAS RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO THE POOR HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE. TOYOTA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THEY HAVE NOT ANSWERED IF A RECALL IS WARRENTED EVEN THOUGH APPARENTLY THE MALFUNCIONING UNIT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO STOP WATER INFILTRATION NOR WILL THEY PROVIDE THE NECESSARY REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGING FOR IT. *TT

NHTSA #: 10433030
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2011

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO CHILDREN ON THE 405 NORTH FREEWAY JUST SOUTH OF THE 10 FREEWAY AT 9PM IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2005. I HAD ISSUES WITH ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ALREADY. IT WOULD FLICKER AND THEN TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING. LAST SUNDAY, HOWEVER, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED, INCLUDING ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS, AS I WAS SPEEDING DOWN ON OF THE BUSIEST FREEWAYS IN THE COUNTRY AT NIGHTTIME. IT WAS PRETTY TERRIFYING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10430228
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2011

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE UP, NO SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY IS ILLUMINATED. THE DISPLAY FOR THE VEHICLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS (MILES PER GALLON/ENERGY USE) STILL WORKS. ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY, THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR DOES NOT WORK. I TRIED TO ADJUST THE INSIDE LIGHT DISPLAY TO SEE IF THE LIGHT LEVEL WAS TURNED OFF. THIS WAS NOT PROBLEM. I TURNED THE LIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND STILL NO SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY. UPON TRYING TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, IT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BY DISCONNECTING THE CAR BATTERY IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR HATCH BACK AREA. NOTE THAT BECAUSE THE REAR HATCH BACK DOOR DOES NOT WORK, ALL THE VEHICLE PARTS WHICH LEADS TO THE REAR BATTERY HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT FROM THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. ONE PARTICULAR TIME I DISCONNECTED THE CAR BATTERY ON THE BLACK PORTION OF THE BATTERY,AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. TOYOTA WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. HOWEVER, ONE DAY WHEN IT WAS NOT WORKING, I BROUGHT IT IN TO THEM. THEY LATER CLAIMED THAT IT WAS A "COLD START" PROBLEM TO THE COMPUTER THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY (BESIDES OTHER THINGS, REAR HATCH BACK DOOR, CRUISE CONTROL, ETC.). TOYOTA CLAIMED THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, AND IT WAS NOT A RECALLED PART. THIS PARTICULAR PART (COMPUTER) NORMALLY HAPPENS ONLY IN THE STATES THAT ARE VERY COLD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10430062
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2011

GAUGE CLUSTER ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS IS COMPLETELY DEAD. I CANNOT SEE ANY INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED, TEMP, FUEL, ETC. ALSO, THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN I PUSH THE ON/OFF BUTTON. DEALER SAYS THAT IT WILL COST $1000 TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. I AM VERY CONCERNED, AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10419274
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2011

PASSENGER FRONT HID HEADLIGHT WAS INTERMEDIATELY OPERATIONAL FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. TOYOTA DEALER QUOTED $350+ FOR PART AND $150+ FOR LABOR, PER HEADLIGHT. ACCORDING TO OTHER PRIUS OWNERS AND INTERNET ARTICLES, THIS ISSUE IS APPARENT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT; BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT IN ORDER TO PREVENT A RECALL. UNWILLING TO PAID FOR TOYOTA'S MISTAKES, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT FOR SOME TIME. UNTIL RECENTLY STOPPED BY POLICE AND ISSUED A TRAFFIC VIOLATION WARNING. FOR SAFETY REASONS AND TO PREVENT FUTURE VIOLATIONS , REPLACED THE BURNT HID BULB ($50+ FROM AMAZON.COM) PERSONALLY (FOLLOWED PROPER PROCEDURES). A WEEK LATER, THAT SAME BULB WENT OUT. MORE EVIDENT INDICATING THE ISSUE IS NOT WITH THE BULB; BUT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO PAID FOR THEIR OWN MISTAKES. SHAME ON TOYOTA!!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10415147
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Apr 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE RADIO WAS IN USE, IT WOULD NOT TRANSMIT A CLEAR RECEPTION. THE RADIO DEFECT OCCURRED ON THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14. UPDATED 05/26/11

NHTSA #: 10396690
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Feb 2011

AT RANDOM, THE CAR DOES NOT START. THERE IS NOTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. MY NEIGHBOR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SO DID A FRIEND OF MINE. AAA TOLD ME THAT IN THE WINTER THE CAR IS PARTICULARLY PRONE TO HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10381750
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2011

MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 MODEL HAD REPEATED AND TOTAL FAILURES WHEN THE 12 VOLT SLI BATTERY WAS LOW, OR IN COLD WEATHER. THE DESIGNING LOGIC IS VERY BAD: WHEN THE SLI BATTERY FAILS, THE BACK DOORS AND TRUNK COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED, SO I COULD NOT GET MY JUMPER CABLES OUT SINCE ALL ELECTRICAL CONTROLS FAILED. THE CAR COULD NOT BE TOWED FROM BEHIND WHEN PARKED, NOT TO DAMAGE THE SYNERGY DRIVE (APPARENTLY). I WAS TOLD TO BUY A TRICKLE CHARGER SINCE THE SLI BATTERY DIED A FEW TIMES WHILE THE PRIUS WAS GARAGED FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. THE TOYOTA SLI BATTERY IS SPECIALIZED, SMALL AND THE CONTACTS ARE TOO SMALL TO GRAB WITH NORMAL JUMPER CABLES. THERE ARE TOO MANY SINGLE POINT FAILURES INITIATED BY A DISCHARGED BATTERY. WHEN MY REMOTE KEY BATTERY DIED, I WAS TOTALLY LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR. MECHANICAL BACKUP OPTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR ALL THESE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10381238
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2011

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF/ON. EVENTUALLY BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAD THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH THEM TURNING PINK IN COLOR AND BACK TO WHITE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE PRIUS INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES THE HID ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS (ECUS) WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BUT THE HID LIGHT BULBS ARE COSTING $350 TO REPLACE. I SEE THAT TOYOTA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY OF THE LIGHT BULBS TO A FIVE YEAR/50,000 FOR THE 2006-2009 PRIUS STARTING FEB 9TH 2011, TOMORROW. THE MECHANICS SAY THESE BULBS SHOULD LAST OVER A 100,000 MILES BUT THE ECUS ARE MAKING THEM GO BAD EARLY. I HAD A "WONDERFUL" CONVERSATION WITH TOYOTA EXTRA CARE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HE BASICALLY TOLD ME ANYTHING THAT ANYTHING THAT BREAKS THAT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (HEADLIGHTS) BECAUSE AN ITEM THAT IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY(ECU), IS NOT COVERED. AND THEN HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THIS BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT CAME FIRST, CHICKEN OR THE EGG. I WAS HOPING TO GET INTO MORE IN-DEPTH EVOLUTION DISCUSSION WITH HIM, BUT I RAN OUT OF TIME AND PATIENCE. I STILL LOVE OUR PRIUS, 78000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10381137
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2010

WE ARE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE HEADLIGHTS (ONE OR BOTH) GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS ON THE PRIUS. TOYOTA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DIRECTED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10369618
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2010

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, REPEATED HEADLIGHT FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN ISSUED THREE POLICE SUMMONSES FOR HEADLIGHT FAILURE AND HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS. I REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS THREE WEEKS AGO AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10362410
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2010

MY 2005 PRIUS' RIGHT HEADLIGHT (HID) TURNS OFF. AFTER TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, IT LIGHTS UP AGAIN. IT'S VERY STRANGE BECAUSE IF THE BULB WAS DEAD, IT WOULDN'T COME BACK ON. JUST RECENTLY, SOMEONE MADE ME AWARE OF THE ISSUE. BUT, WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN GOING ON. THERE IS NO PATTERN OR UNIQUE INCIDENT THAT CAUSES THE BULB TO TURN OFF AND ON. IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES ON TRIP BETWEEN 2-4 MILES (SOMETIMES MORE THAN 2 OR 3 TIMES ON A SHORT TRIP). SINCE I BECAME AWARE OF THE ISSUE, I DON'T TAKE THE CAR ON LONG TRIPS. MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAID "DEAD BULBS DON'T TURN ON AND OFF, THEY JUST STAY OFF." SOMETIMES MY BULB WILL STAY ON FOR 10-20 MINUTES, THEN GO OUT. DOESN'T SOUND BROKEN TO ME. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE BALLAST COULD HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT THAT COSTS SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX (NOT TO MENTION REPLACING ONE BULB IS LIKE 200 DOLLARS).. *TR

NHTSA #: 10361492
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2010

WE PURCHASED A TOYOTA 2005 PRIUS IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR. IT HAD 92,000 MILES ON IT BUT WAS IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION. JUST THIS WEEK OCTOBER 15 THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND ONE DAY LATER WENT OUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10360851
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2010

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVING DISPLAY WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING.*TR

NHTSA #: 10360415
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2010

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 $370.00 + TAX. LABOR IS ANOTHER 210.00 + TAX. *TR

NHTSA #: 10346404
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10344293
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2010

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOSS STEERING, BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN APPLYING BRAKE AT A FULL STOP VIBRATION IS FELT *TGW THE POWER STEERING, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, HE WAS USING HIS BLUETOOTH HEADSET. *JB

NHTSA #: 10340051
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Filed: May 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10329123
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2010

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.

NHTSA #: 10322985
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Filed: Mar 2010

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.

NHTSA #: 10322928
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2010

TL*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 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA HAS TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB

NHTSA #: 10322079
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10320133
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO READY MODE TO START THE ENGINE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE AND ALL THE THE SYMBOLS ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA #: 10317147
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2010

TL*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.

NHTSA #: 10316338
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Feb 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10312345
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10311432
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2010

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 TOYOTAS 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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10310110
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Feb 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10306256
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2010

THE ODOMETER ON TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 STOP WORKING. FOR PRIUS MODEL, IT IS CALLED THE COMBINATION METER. THIS IS BECAUSE THIS METER IS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION W/ THE START/STOP BUTTON AND ON BOARD COMPUTER TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE/NEUTRAL/REVERSED OR PARK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10301751
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2009

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10288745
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jul 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE EXPLODED AND BURNED. THE BATTERY COULD BE THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. THE FIRE BURNED THE GARAGE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. BOTH A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. REPORT NUMBER 0907135396 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

NHTSA #: 10278414
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2008

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. THE FOURTH TIME. THE LIGHTS CAME ON USING THE HI-BEAM ONLY. NUMEROUS INCIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE HAS BEEN PULLED OVER FOR THIS. I HAVE REPLACED THESE MYSELF. HOWEVER, THIS LAST TIME IT IS NOT THE BULB. IT IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE FORUM. COSTS HAVE BEEN FROM $300 - 2K. SOME DEALERSHIPS ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHERS DON'T. THIS IS A SAFETY AND EXPENSE ISSUE. DRIVING HOME IS VERY DIFFICULT AT NIGHT AND USING THE HI-BEAM IS BLINDING TO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND AGAINST THE LAW IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10253301
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2008

LEFT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT IN PRIUS. TURN OFF THEN BACK ON TO RESET BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ONE NIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK IT RESET ONCE I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10250535
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE VEHICLE HAS EMITTED AN ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WHICH STICKS TO THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING AND HAIR. THE ODOR HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY TOYOTA AS AN ODOR THAT ORIGINATES FROM THE REAR BATTERY WHICH IS FOUND UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THE ODOR IS TRIGGERED BY EXTREME HEAT AND WHILE PULLING HEAVY LOADS. THE CONTACT LIVES IN ARIZONA SO THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECTED TO EXTREME HEAT. TOYOTA STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS NON-TOXIC AND THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE CHEMICAL MAY BE TOXIC AND FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA #: 10244631
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2008

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I PURCHASED IT IN MARCH 2005. LAST WEEK, MY MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY (MFD) CEASED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE MFD INITIALIZED TO THE MPG SCREEN BUT HAD UNUSUAL COLORS. I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE DISPLAY SCREEN BY SELECTING THE AUDIO, CLIMATE, DISPLAY, AND INFO BUTTONS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE SCREEN WOULD GO BLANK AND THEN SHOW THE ?PRIUS HYBRID? INITIALIZING SCREEN AND THEN RETURN TO THE MPG SCREEN. AS I WAS NEARING MY 80K SERVICE, I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEY DIAGNOSED THE MFD AS BEING UNSERVICEABLE THAT NEXT SATURDAY. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MADE THE COMMENT THAT IT WAS COMMON FOR THE MFD TO GO BAD. TO REPLACE THE MFD WITH A NEW ONE, IT IS $4,000.00 PLUS INSTALLATION. THAT IS 19% OF THE COST OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW! I BEGAN RESEARCHING AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON 10 JANUARY 2005 TITLE: MULTI-DISPLAY FUNCTIONS ARE INOPERATIVE; TSB# EL002-05 WHICH IDENTIFIED ISSUES WITH THE MFD. ALSO IN BROWSING THE WEB SPECIFICALLY WWW.PRIUSCHAT.COM AND HTTP://AUTOS.GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/PRIUS-2G/ AND SAW THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ONE ELECTRONICALLY GIFTED PERSON DISASSEMBLED HIS MFD AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS IMPROPER SOLDERING ON THE CIRCUIT CARD (SEE HTTP://TECHNO-FANDOM.ORG/~HOBBIT/CARS/MFD/COMPARE.HTML ). IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WERE NOT DISCLOSING IT HOPING THAT THE FAULTY MFD?S WOULD NOT BE DISCOVERED UNTIL THE VEHICLES EXCEEDED THE 3 YEAR 36,000 WARRANTY. I KNOW I AM OUTSIDE THE MILEAGE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, I AM JUST PASSED THE 3 YEAR WINDOW. I PURCHASED AND USE MY CAR AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE DRIVING ALMOST 100 MILES PER DAY. AS A MAINTENANCE OFFICER IN THE US ARMY, I KNOW THERE ARE COMPONENTS THAT ARE MILEAGE DEPENDENT (ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, DIFFERENTIALS) BUT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE BUILT TO LAST THE MAJORITY OF VEHICLES LIFE, NOT JUST UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10235664
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2008

FIVE NO STARTING CONCERNS AFTER TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10230229
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2008

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS RIGHT HID HEADLAMP FLICKERS AND SOMETIMES TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WILL NOT COVER EXTENSIVE REPAIR COST. FROM INTERNET INFORMATION THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS QUIT SIMULTANEOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10219579
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER, THEY NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DISTORTED. THE PLATING ON THE INTERNAL PART OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OVERHEATING. THERE IS NO WAY TO RELEASE THIS HEAT AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A POSSIBLE FIRE MAY OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

NHTSA #: 10207429
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAINS ON AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, BUT OCCURS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. HE SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 10/31/07. *JB

NHTSA #: 10204300
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2006

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

NHTSA #: 10162961
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2006

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

NHTSA #: 10156631
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CONSOLE SHOWED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON ENGINE POWER OR ELECTRICAL POWER. SINCE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT OPERATED ON ELECTRICAL POWER AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 10150734
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2006

MY 2005 PRIUS HAD ENGINE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED, AND THE COMPUTER RESET. I SOON AFTER LEARNED OF A RECALL, AND NOW I AM TOLD THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I THINK IT IS UNSAFE, AND I WANT THE COMPUTER PROBLEM REMEDIED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10149190
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2006

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH PULLED OFF AND WENT THROUGH A SMALL TOWN. AFTER COMING TO A STOP LIGHT STARTED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND THE RED TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THEN THE SMALL CAR WITH EXCLAMATION MARK CAME ON THE LCD SCREEN. THE CAR DIDN'T STALL NOR LOOSE POWER, BUT I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID. IT STATED TO CONTACT THE DEALER. HAD THE CAR TOWED. TRIED TO POWER OFF AND ON TWICE BUT THE ICONS STILL REMAINED, AND ON THE LCD STATED A PROBLEM EXISTED. ALSO, IT SEEMED T WHEN I POWERING ON/OFF THE ENGINE DID NOT KICK IN AS USUAL. HOWEVER, I AM NOT SURE , IF I LEFT THE CAR POWERED ON LONG ENOUGH BECAUSE IT USUALLY TOOK 20-30 SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE KICKED IN.*AK

NHTSA #: 10148380
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: Dec 2005

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I GOT MY CAR 8-23-2005 AND ON 10-13-2005 I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE INTERSECTIONS WAS JUST AFTER A TRAFFIC CIRCLE, SIGNS WAS MISSING, IT WAS RAINING, DUSK AND THE PERSON WHO HIT ME DID NOT HAVE HER LIGHTS ON AND WAS DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS. MY CAR STOPPED, AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. IT WAS TOWED. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS SENT TO A REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THEY GOT MY CAR, BUT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, TOWED IT TO A TOYOTA SHOP. IT SAT THERE FOR 10 DAYS, UNTIL I CALLED, THEN IT WAS SENT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. IT TOOK 6 MORE WEEKS FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED. ONE DELAY WAS IN GETTING THE SEAT-BELT, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH THE SEAT, BUT DID NOT. IT HAD TO BE SHIPPED FROM JAPAN (I WAS TOLD). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, 9 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TWO WEEKS LATER, I AM TOLD THAT A WIRING HARNESS WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS TO BE SHIPPED FROM JAPAN, AND THE EXPECTED DATE OF ARRIVAL IS 1-11-2006. MEANWHILE, I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR FOR NEARLY 3 MONTHS. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR 30 DAYS OF A RENTAL CAR (I WAITED A WEEK TO GET THE RENTAL CAR), THEN I PAID FOR ANOTHER 4 WEEKS. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA 2 TIMES ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I HAVE A "SPECIAL" CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE CARD. THIS CARD ONLY SEEMS TO BE GOOD FOR PURCHASES, AND NOT FOR ACTUAL ASSISTANCE. I THINK PRIUS OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THEIR CARS CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED AT A FEW LOCATIONS, AND MOST DEALERSHIPS CAN NOT REPAIR THEM PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, I THINK THE CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT BLINDS POT, AS I AM FREQUENTLY SURPRISED BY OTHER CARS SUDDENLY APPEARING. *JB

NHTSA #: 10146623
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2005

AFTER TOYOTA'S RECALLING 75,000 PRIUS IN U.S., I TOOK MY 2005 PRIUS INTO TORRANCE TOYOTA(310-325-75000) TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE"GLITCH"REPAIRED. MICHAEL GALLAGHER(SERVICE ADVISOR) TOLD ME THERE IS ADDITIONAL GLITCHES AND NOW MY CAR IS INOPERABLE AND HE HAS BEEN ASK

NHTSA #: 10141700
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2005

APPEARS TO BE A TEMPORARY ENGINE STALL AT 68 MILES PER HOUR IN CARPOOL LANE, WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT DISAPPEARED RIGHT AWAY AND THE CAR WAS FINE AGAIN. BUT LOTS OF CAR VIBRATIONS AND JOLTING FELT AT THE TIME. *JB

NHTSA #: 10140577
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2005

WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, I GOT A RED TRIANGLE WITH ! INSIDE THAT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE CAR WAS PUT AUTOMATICALLY IN PARK. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE ACCESSORIES STILL WORKED, JUST NO ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA #: 10136269
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2005

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MINUTES / 65 MPH WHEN VEHICLE LOST POWER/STALLED. ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED BY LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE. VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF ACCELERATING AND STALLING. *AK *NM

NHTSA #: 10124806
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2005

DT: VEHICLE STALLED/DIED AND LOST POWER. THIS HAPPENED ON 08.15/2005. *AK *MR

NHTSA #: 10135847
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2005

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS STALLING AT 35-40 MPH.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO BAD PROGRAMMING AT THE FACTORY. THE COMPUTER WA RESET PER TSB EG047-04. *NM

NHTSA #: 10136678
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2005

1 )STALL ON 5/26/05 @1:30 PM AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH + - WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER FEW MINTS I ABLE TO START & GOT THE ENGINE , & RESTARTED & ALSO RE STARTED AC & GOT GOGOING. SAME DAY @ 4:30 PM AC WAS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY BLANK @ SPEED OF 62 MPH + -, PULLED OF TO SHOULDER TURNED OFF ING. 2) SAME THING ON 8/31/05 11:30 AM @ SPEED OF 55 MPH FIRST AC WENT & WITH IN LESS THAN A MILE ENGINE WENT COMPLETELY, DID NOT START IN FIRST FEW MINUTES, AFTER WAITING 10 OR SO MINUTES ENGINE STARTED & AC STARTED. DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR CHECK UP , WAS GIVEN HARD TIME BY SERVICE REP, WILL NOT TAKE IN WITHOUT APPOINTMENT & REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE OR A LONER CAR. WHEN I TOLD HIM " YOU WANT ME TO GET KILLED OUT IN TRAFFIC" HE REPLIED " NOTHING I CAN DO TO HELP YOU I AM DOING MY JOB WHAT I AM TOLD" I ASKED WANT SEE MANAGER HE REPLIED " HE IS ON VACATION NO ONE IS TAKING HIS PLACE" I WAS VERY UPSET & ANGRY WITH HIS REPLY & ATTITUDE IN THE END HE ADDED " GO GET A LAWYER" I LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH APPOINTMENT ON 9/2/05 3:PM AND THEN.......................! WENT TO SEE SALES PERSON & SHE WAS VERY HUMBLE & HELP FULL , SHE SET ME UP WITH LONER- RENTAL CAR AT NO CHARGE & I LEFT MY CAR PRIUS 2005 WITH DEALER SHIP FOR FULL CHECK UP. AS OF NOW CAR IS @ DEALERSHIP. BHATIA PS: BLUE TEAM SERVICE REP. *NM

NHTSA #: 10135109
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2005

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 23915 MILES ON IT. DRIVING TO WORK WEST ON I-90 DURING RUSH HOUR ENGINE STOPPED DEAD. I-90 IS 8 LANES OF TRAFFIC IN SPOKANE, WA. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM WAS A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. ECU HAD TO BE RE-PROGRAMED. CAUSE FOUND BY DEALER: FOUND CODE P3191 & POAOF CODES. FOUND TBS #EG047-04. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR, TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN COVERING THIS PROBLEM BUT STATED THERE WERE TOO FEW FAILURES TO WARANT A RECALL. BEING ON AN INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR WITH TRAFFIC DOING 70+ MPH AND HAVING AN ENGINE FAILURE COULD CREATE A LIFE THREATING SITUATION VERY QUICKLY. THE LAST THING I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR IS IF THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN? HIS RESPONSE, "IT SHOULDN'T." THAT'S REASSURING.

NHTSA #: 10134136
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2005

DT: THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED AND DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD COME ON BEFORE AND REMAINED ON AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED. *SC

NHTSA #: 10129477
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2005

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, NEW NOV. 2004, CURRENT MILEAGE 11,100 MILES, INCIDENT AUG. 13, 2005, 9:10 PM. DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES AT A STEADY RATE OF 45 MPH ON RTE. 78, 11/12 TANK OF GAS, NO AIR CONDITIONING OR RADIO ON. AUTO HESTITATED. DASHBOARD SYMBOLS INDICATED PROBLEM: BRAKE FAILURE, CHECK ENGINE, HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. ANOTHER SYMBOL WAS ON COMPUTER SCREEN - CAR WITH LINE DRAWN VERTICALLY THROUGH IT. BATTERY USAGE INDICATOR WAS DISAPPEARING. THIS ALL OCCURED WITHIN MINUTE OR LESS. PULLED INTO A NOCO GASOLINE STATION. PUT CAR IN PARK BUT COULDN'T GET THE POWER OFF THAT KEPT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, HORN ON. COULDN'T RESTART MY CAR. I COULD ONLY PUT MY CAR INTO NUETRAL OR PARK. AUTO TOWED TO THE CLOSED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. DASHBOARD LIGHTS REMAINED ON. UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR TO LOCK THE DOOR MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEYLESS SYSTEM. SUNDAY, CHECKED THE CARAND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE OFF BUT I STILL COULDN'T START THE CAR OR LOCK THE DOORS. MONDAY, EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM TO SERVICE MANAGER. THIS IS WHAT WAS DONE: NEW BATTERY INSTALLED. NO REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECU BECAUSE THE COMPUTER MEMORY WAS GONE DUE TO THIS FAILURE. MANAGER DID NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEANT ABOUT REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER ALTHOUGH SAID RECEIVED ALL SERVICE BULLETINS FROM TOYOTA. ASKED FOR A COPY OF THE WORK ORDER FOR MY RECORDS BUT HE SAID HE HAD TO STILL FIGURE OUT HOURS AND SO WOULD SEND ME A COPY AT A LATER DATE. . HE EXPLAINED THE REPLACED BATTERY COMMUNICATED WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND WAS SURE THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE POWER FAILURE. I HAD HOPED THE ECU WOULD HAVE BEEN REPROGRAMED. IT WASN'T. SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 40A OR 40 D ARE UNKNOWN TO ME. MY VEHICLE HAS SHOWN NO PROBLEMS DURING THE LAST FIVE DAYS. CAN I GET MY COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED? IS IT NECESSARY? RECALL GOING TO BE ISSUED? I'M NOT SAFE!

NHTSA #: 10133623
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2005

NEW VEHICLE HAD MASTER FAULT, CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS AT ODO READING 50, "REPAIRED" FAULTED AGAIN. REPLACEMENT PARTS INCLUDE CAM SENSORS, COMPUTER BOARDS, WIRING HARNESS AND NOW "MASTER COMPUTER BOARD". *NM

NHTSA #: 10132945
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2005

CONSUMER'S TOYOTA PRIUS LOST POWER SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.*MR *NM

NHTSA #: 10131307
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER.

NHTSA #: 10129421
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Jul 2005

DT: WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARK. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT 68 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 MINUTES THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD ONE BEEP, THEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *SC *JB

NHTSA #: 10124907
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AND PUT HIS LIFE AT RISK. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CONSUMER BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM TOYOTA, AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THAT WHEN CALLING THEM. *AK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT VEHICLE'S CONSUMER COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON GAS BY A FLASHING GREEN LIGHT, AND THE COMPUTER WAS INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING ITS POWER FROM BOTH THE GAS AND ELECTRIC ENGINES. THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM DID NOT RECOGNIZE ANY COMMANDS. PRIOR INCIDENTS THE CAR DIESELED AT STOP LIGHTS SOMETIMES FOR MINUTE AND CONSUMER GOT 28MPG IN THE CITY, WHERE THE GAS ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING EVEN ON DOWNHILL STRETCHES AND WHEN STOPPED.*SB *NM

NHTSA #: 10124554
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

DT: A. HOW LONG AND AT WHAT SPEED WAS THE CONSUMER DRIVING BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER? APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES: 35 MPH. B. WAS THE CONSUMER ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR DRIVING AT A STEADY- STATE WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER? ACCELERATING C. AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, WAS THE DRIVER ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE? IF SO, HOW LONG AND AT WHAT SPEED? NO D.DID ANY WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR BEFORE AND/OR AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED? YES IF SO, DESCRIBE THE LIGHTS THAT WERE LIT. ENGINE INDICATOR AND EXCLAMATION MARK E. DID THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STALL AND COME TO A STOP? HOW LONG DID THIS OCCUR AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT? NO; IMMEDIATLEY F. WAS THE DRIVER ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE RIGHT AFTER IT STALLED? IF SO, HOW LONG DID IT TAKE (# OF ATTEMPTS AND/ OR TIME '' EX: 3-4 TIMES OR 2-3 MINUTES)? NO G. WAS THE DRIVER ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER LETTING IT SIT AWHILE? IF SO, HOW LONG WAS THIS AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED? NO H. WAS THE VEHICLE TOWED? NO I. WHAT DID THE DEALER SAY WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE? THE WIRING WOULD PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE J. DID THE DEALER REPROGRAM THE ECU (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT) OR ANY SOFTWARE? DON''T KNOW K. HAS THE VEHICLE HAD SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 40A OR 40 D PERFORMED ON IT PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT? (NOTE: THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING HIS OR HER VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. CAMPAIGN 40A OR 40D ADDRESSED SOFTWARE ISSUES WITH THE PRIUS HYBRID VEHICLE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT.) NO L. HAS THE VEHICLE HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPAIR?CONTACT STATES HE HAS EXPERIENCED POWER FAILURE IN HIS 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET.

NHTSA #: 10126446
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

I DID NOT HAVE A FAILURE, BUT I HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT I THINK WOULD BE HELPFUL TO YOU AND TOYOTA. MY EXPERIENCE WAS ACCIDENTLY HITTING MY RIGHT KNEE LIGHTLY UPWARD AGAINST THE LEVER THAT IS USED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, PARK, REFERSE AND BATTERY. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS SHIFTING MY WEIGHT SLIGHTLY TO GET MORE COMFORTABLE AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING SEVERAL HOURS. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, LOOKING AT THE DASHBOARD, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS IN THE "B" MODE WHICH I GUESS IS CALLED BATTERY. I SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE WITH NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER MY THINKING IS THAT IF SOMEONE DID WHAT I DID (IN THE WAY OF ACCIDENTLY TAPPING THE SHIFT LEVER WITH THEIR KNEE) AND DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE CAR HAD SHIFTED TO BATTERY, AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME (X HOURS OR MINUTES) THE BATTERIES THAT DRIVE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/ENGINE WOULD RUN DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WOULD STOP RUNNING AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED BECAUSE THE BATTERIES WERE SO RUN DOWN. ALSO THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AGAIN BECAUSE THE BATTERIES RUNNING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WERE NOT ASSISTING IN THE DRIVE OF THE CAR AS DESIGNED. I NOTICED A NOTE ON A WEB SITE THIS EVENING THAT INDICATED THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN WHEN THE BATTERIES WERE BELOW A 20% CHARGE. IF THIS IS CORRECT, IT WOULD FIT IN WITH MY THEORY. THE SHIFT LEVER NEEDS TO BE HARDER TO MOVE SO THAT ACCIDENTAL CHANGES SUCH AS I EXPERIENCED WOULD BE PREVENTED. IF THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE, MAYBE A CHEAPER WAY TO FIX TGHE PROBLEM WOULD BE FOR AN ALARM LIGHT OR AUDIBLE SIGNAL TO GO ON WHEN THE BATTERY PROPULSION HAD BEEN GOING ON TOO LONG UNASSISTED BY THE GASOLINE MOTOR. MAYBE I'M ALL WET, BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULDN'T HURT TO LET YOU KNOW MY THOUGHTS.

NHTSA #: 10124219
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

WAS DRIVING HOME (APPROX 35 MPH) WHEN MASTER WARNING LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN ON GASOLINE POWER AND BATTERY QUICKY RAN DOWN SO CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED IT WAS A "COMPUTER PROBLEM"

NHTSA #: 10124071
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS AT ABOUT 40 MPHIN LEFT LANE ON ROUTE 158 IN KITTY HAWK, NC, THE ACCELARATORL QUIT WORKING, BUT NEITHER ENGINE QUIT. WAS ABLE TO LET CAR GO INTO SHOPPING CENTER LOT (THIS WAS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MY 8 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR). ELECTIRC ENGINE PROVIDED THE POWER WITH OUT ACCELERATOR ASSISTANCE. HAD CAR TOWED TO ELIXABETH CITY TOYOTA DEALER. MECHANIC TOOK TWO DAYS TO FIND A WASY TO GET ACCELERATOR WORKING. HE SAID THATIN CONJUNTION WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE ENGINEERSOVER TELEPHONE HE RAN TESTS AND MANY ERRORS SHOWED UP NOT RELATED TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEMS SOUNDED TO ME LIKE IT WAS IN THE COMPUTER'S SYSTEM. MECHANIC WAS EVENTUALLY TOLD TO SHUT DOWN ALL COMPUTERS AND RE-BOOT THEM ONE BY ONE. I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE CAUSE AND HE SAID NONE WAS DISCOVERED. CAR HAS NOT REPEASTED PROBLEM, BUT I REMAIN CONCERNED. RELATED THIS PROBLEM TO MY PURCAHSE DEALER (LUSTINE TOYOTA IN WOODBRIDGE VA) ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESSS THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN - THIS IS NOT REASSURING. AND I AAPEARED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT THEY DID OR WAS WILLING TO ADMIT. I EVEN GAVE THEM A COPY OF AN ARTILCE (THE JAPAN TIMES - 5/16/2005) THAT I FOUND ON THE WEB REFERRED TO A WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT SAID THA TTOYOTA CORP HAD SENT LETTERS TO PRIUS OWNERS TELLING THEM TO TAKE THIER CARS IN FOR A SOFTWARE UPGRADE COMPUTER. NO LETTER WA SEVER SENT TO ME! AND DEALER DID NOT REACT TO LETTER.

NHTSA #: 10123884
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

OUR PRIUS HYBRID CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. WE COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE OUR CAR REPROGRAMED.

NHTSA #: 10124023
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2005

1) I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ABOUT A NAVIGATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. 2)AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, IN LESS THAN 2 MILES, THE CAR ENGINE STALLED AS I WAS DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. 3) MY CAR HAS THE SMARTKEY SYSTEM, SO AT THE TIME, THE KEY WAS NOT INSERTED. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS OCCURRED AGAIN AFEW DAYS LATER, AND THE CAR WAS RESTARTED ONLY AFTER INSERTING THE KAY.

NHTSA #: 10123850
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Jun 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. HE STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING EVERY WARNING LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLASH, THEN THE CAR DIED. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AGAIN AND IT DONE THE SAME THING. AFTER THIS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE CALLED TOYOTA ,THEY SENT SOMEONE WITH GAS BECAUSE THE ADD FUEL LIGHT WAS FLASHING, AND THEY PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. IT STILL WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND COULD NOT GET IT TO START. SOMEONE KEPT PRESSING BUTTONS AND GOT THE CAR TO START, THEN, IT STARTED EVERY TIME. THE NEXT TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS IT WENT FROM THREE QUARTERS TANK TO GAS DOWN TO EMPTY INSTANTLY. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. HE CALLED TOYOTA BACK, AND THEY WOULD TOW HIM TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. INSTEAD HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID CHECKED THE FUEL LINES AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. TOYOTA DENIED ALL PROBLEMS WITH THE CARS, THE INDIVIDUAL WHO TOWED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HE DECIDED TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DID NOT FEEL SAFE. IT HAD SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS, HIGH BEAMS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES, AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN OCCASIONALLY. THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON MAY 1, 2005 ,AND HE TRADED THE VEHICLE IN ON MAY 16, 2005 . IT WAS IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES.*AK

NHTSA #: 10123866
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2005

WHILE CAR WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH, IT WENT FROM "DRIVE" TO "PARK". IT STOPPED ABRUPTLY. COULD NOT GET CAR BACK IN DRIVE EXCEPT MOMENTARILY. THE CAR'S ELECTRIC SYSTEM CYCLED ON AND OFF ON A 16 TO 20 SECOND PERIOD. THAT IS, IT WOULD BE ON AND IN PARK AND THEN SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY EVERY 18 SECONDS. IT CONTINUTED DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN I STOPPED MONORITING IT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. WHEN IT WAS EXAMINED ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER THE INCIDENT, IT WORKED FINE AND THERE WAS NO COMPUTER FEEDBACK ON THE PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED OR WHAT TO DO. THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING GLITCH IF IT OCCURED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD PUT ALL CARS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ON THE SIDELINES UNTIL THEY FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEN COME UP WITH A FIX. BECAUSE OF THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF INJURIES, NHTSA SHOULD START AN INVESTIGATION AND START PUSHING TOYOTA TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

NHTSA #: 10121402
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: May 2005

CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON MULTI-LANE CITY ARTERIAL IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. TO TRY TO QUICKLY AVOID AN OBSTRUCTING VEHICLE AHEAD, DRIVER RAPIDLY DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO FULLEST EXTENT WHILE STEERING. CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND ROLLED TO A STOP. TWO GENERAL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. REPEATEDLY DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRODUCED NO MOTION OR OTHER RESULT. AFTER ENGAGING EMERGENCY FLASHERS, ONLY WAY TO REGAIN ENGINE POWER WAS TO SHUT OFF IGNITION, WHICH REQUIRED ENGAGING PARKING CIRCUIT AND DEPRESSING POWER ON/OFF BUTTON, THEN AFTER SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETE, AGAIN PRESSING POWER ON/OFF BUTTON AND WAITING FOR HYBRID SYSTEM TO ENERGIZE. WARNING LIGHTS AGAIN CAME ON BUT CAR NOW RESPONDED TO ACCELERATOR AND DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO PARKING LANE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN THE EIGHT MONTHS OF OWNING THIS NEW CAR THAT SUCH A SUDDEN SHUTDOWN OCCURRED. AFTER THE FIRST TWO TIMES IN LATE NOVEMBER-EARLY DECEMBER 2004, CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS RETURNED TO OWNERS REPORTED AS FIXED BY REPLACING FAULTY ACCELERATOR SENSOR.

NHTSA #: 10121635
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2005

ON MARCH 26,2005, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TEMPLE. SUDDENLY, MY CAR LOSE POWER. ALL PANEL LIGHTS LIGHTED UP. I PUSHED THE GAS PADDLE, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I TURNED OFF THE POWER THEN TURNED BACK ON, BUT I CAN ONLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ALL PANEL LIGHTS STAY ON. I USE MY INSURANCE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY CAR TO WONDERIE TOYOTA. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER. THE CAR WORKS AFTER REPROGRAM AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ON APRIL 6,2005 IN THE MORNING, I TURN ON THE POWER. ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS STAY ON AND I CAN'T SHIFT. I CAN ONLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I GOT OFF THE CAR AND OPEN THE CAR HOOD. I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING. I REMOVED MY HAND WHICH HOLDING THE HOOD SO THE HOOD DROP HARD ON TO THE CAR. I WENT BACK IN THE CAR. THE CAR START COULD RUN AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF THE HOOD DROP HARD ON THE CAR HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT OR NOT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO WONDERIE TOYOTA, THE SERVICE REPRESENTIVE DID NOT WANT TO TAKE MY CAR IN. I TOLD HIM THAT I WON'T TAKE MY CAR BACK WITHOUT CHECKING. I READ THE COMMENTS ON THE RECEIPT AFTER I PICK UP MY CAR. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. HE DID NOT DO ANYHTING.

NHTSA #: 10121330
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2005

DT CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING. *TT *EH

NHTSA #: 10121039
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2005

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT DEAD. THE BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR WENT TO ZERO, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND WITH THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON WAS ABLE TO GET IT FIRST HOME, THEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN "UPGRADE" TO ITS SOFTWARE AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECU. ( AT NO CHARGE TO ME AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). IF AN UPGRADE WAS AVAILABLE AND REQUIRED, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED SO THAT I AND MY WIFE WERE NOT PUT AT RISK. *NM

NHTSA #: 10118235

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