2005 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. I CHANGED THE BULB AND A MONTH LATER THE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY BLAMED IT ON THE BULB, I TRIED TO RETURN THE BULB TO THE STORE AND THEY TESTED IT AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK WITH THE BULB SO IT HAD TO BE THE HEADLIGHTS. I'M ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. THE SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAGE COMPLETELY FAILED. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS TOLD MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! THIS IS TOO MUCH HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF IT OUT OF POCKET.

48 MPH TRAVELING NORTH ON OR 217; WITHOUT CAUSE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON ABS WARNING LIGHT ON VSC WARNING LIGHT ON AUDIBLE ALARM STEADY TONE THEN TRY TO STOP: BRAKE PEDAL UP HIGH, BRAKE PEDAL UNRESPONSIVE AND HARD TO PRESS, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF ON ALLEN EXIT; BRAKES STILL UNRESPONSIVE, PRESSED MAXIMUM FORCE ON BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES LOCKED UP THE WHEELS SKIDDING AND BURNING RUBBER. *TR

2005 PRIUS DRIVER'S HID LIGHTBULB FAILED WITH LESS THAN 80,,000 MILES. COST TO REPLACE BULB QUOTED AT $400 PLUS $300 FOR LABOR. *TR

NORMAL USE OF HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMP/BULBS LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING. WIRE HARNESS MENTIONED BY DEALERSHIP, COST TO REPLACE IS PROHIBITIVE. BULBS SHOULD NOT BE 'FLICKERING' IF THE CAPSULE SIMPLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG THIS MODEL YEAR PRIUS AS WELL AS BEFORE AND AFTER 2005. *TR

OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY 2005 PRIUS HAS DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THE HEADLIGHT IN QUESTION IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. TURNING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON RESOLVES THE ISSUE, THUS THE BULB IS NOT THE ISSUE. THIS DEFECT MAKES THE VEHICLE LESS SAFE TO OPERATE AND HOLDS ME CIVILLY RESPONSIBLE FOR "FIX IT" DAMAGES. THE "FIX" FOR THIS DEFECT IS A REPLACEMENT SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT IS NOT A FAILURE OF OBSOLESCENCE. I WILL CHEERFULLY ACCEPT THE BULB ENDING LIFE, BUT FOR THE SENSORS, SWITCHES, AND COMPUTING BEHIND THE HEADLAMP SWITCH TO HAVE THIS LEVEL OF DEPENDABILITY IS NOT MY PROBLEM TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A PAVED AND GRASSY SURFACE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE DESTROYING THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND 3 INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

2005 PRIUS NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT WATER PUMP UNTIL NOW. 69,000 MILES. WENT TO START THE CARE AND WHILE IN NEUTRAL IDLEING THE BRAKE PEDAL PUMPED UP AND DOWN AND THE PS LIGHT CAME ON. THE RED TRIANGLE DANGER MESSAGE CAME ON. I DID NOT DRIVE IT BUT TOYOTA TOLD ME TO TOW IT IN. THEY SAY THE COMPUTER IS SHOT AND NEEDS A NEW SKID CONTROL ECU. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH MINIMAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SUDDENLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED IN A STUCK POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,800.

I HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS REGARDING A MOMENTARY BRAKE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR HITTING A POTHOLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD EVERYTHING FROM "IT IS JUST HOW ABS WORKS" TO "YOU NEED TO HIT THE BRAKE HARDER WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP" (I.E. RATHER THAN A SLOW AND CAREFUL STOP, A QUICK AND SHARP STOP). THERE ARE TOO MANY INCIDENTS TO NAME BUT ONE THAT OCCURS ROUTINELY IS ABOUT 30 YARDS AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN LEADING INTO THE PARKING LOT AT MY PLACE EMPLOYMENT. I NOW HAVE TO COAST VERY CAREFULLY AND PREPARE MYSELF FOR BRAKE FAILURE. SHOULD THERE BE CARS AROUND, THIS BECOMES A DANGEROUS MATTER. AGAIN, THIS HAPPENS ROUTINELY AND NONE OF MY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HANDLING OF RECALL REPAIRS. *TGW

THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT IN MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS CAME ON AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON TOO. I CHECKED TO MAKE SHURE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED AND IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS ONLY GIVING ME AN AVERAGE OF 32 MPG, PREVIOUSLY I WAS GETTING AND AVERAGE OF 48 MPG, THE BATTERY ALSO SEEMS TO BE DRAINING ITS ENERGY FASTER THAN USUAL. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE PENSKE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN DOWNEY, CA. 90241, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL THAT TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING ON SOME CARS, THEREFORE IF I WANTED THEM TO INSPECT THE CAR TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM THEY WOULD NEED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE INSPECTION PLUS WHATEVER REPAIRS ARE NEEDED. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF ALL THE BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING WITH THEIR CARS, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST INSPECT THE CAR FOR FREE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. I FELT THE CAR WAS GETTING A BIT SLUGUISH AFTER THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN NOTICED THE MPG STARTED TO GO DOWN. RIGHT NOW THE CAR ONLY GIVES ME AN AVERAGE OF 32 MPG.

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES AND CAR ACCELERATES WHEN ENCOUNTERING SUDDEN BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS WHEN HITTING BUMPS WHILE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. I HAVE INFORMED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS AND THEY NEVER REPLIED. THE AFFECTED CAR IS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 65,000 MILES. PURCHASED CPO IN AUGUST OF 2009 FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. THIS ISSUE IS A REPEAT OCCURANCE. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE IN EXCESS OF 20 TIMES SINCE I'VE ASSUMED THIS CAR AND NOTICED PRIOR TO THE MASSIVE RECALL NOISE IN THE MEDIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS A PROBLEM WHEN I HIT A BUMP WHEN I AM APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES MOMENTARLY STOP FUNTIONING. I NEVER THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT THINKING I HIT A SLICK SPOT. I WAS TALKING TO ANOTHR 2005 PRIUS OWNER TODAY WHO TOLD ME HE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE NEWER PRIUS. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW IT IS HAPPENING WITH THE 2005 MODEL AS WELL.

MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS ARBITRARILY LOST BRAKING ABILITY AS I APPROACHED A RAMP TO ENTER ANOTHER HIGHWAY. MANY LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING THE RED TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SKID CONTROL UNIT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART AT A COST OF $2200. IS THIS UNIT A SAFETY THREAT?

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED $818 FOR THE HEADLIGHT AND THE ONBOARD COMPUTER THAT COMES WITH IT. I DON'T YET KNOW WHAT THE LABOR CHARGE WILL BE.

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND SUDDENLY REALIZED I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT, I COULD SEE THE REFLECTION OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON IN THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BUT WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AGAIN. I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND THEY WORKED, BUT THE REGULAR LIGHTS HAD BECOME TOO DIM TO SEE ANYTHING. I JUST REPLACED ONE OF THE BULBS TWO MONTHS AGO BECAUSE IT WAS OUT, BUT NOW THEY ARE BOTH WORKING BUT TOO DIM TO BE USEFUL. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THE BULBS NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT ONE OF THEM IS BARELY TWO MONTHS OLD. I ASKED A NON-TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT A BULB PROBLEM IF THE BULBS WORK, BUT A WIRING OR BATTERY PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PAY TO FIX THE WRONG PROBLEM, SINCE I JUST REPLACED A HEADLAMP THAT CAN'T BE THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO HIS DRIVEWAY TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATLEY ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM PROCEEDING ANY FURTHER. THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND FACE AREA. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE WAS AWAITING A REPLY, TO DATE. TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, HE NOTICED HIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V388000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE UPON A VISUAL INSPECTION. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE OWNER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN UPDATED 06/17/10*JB

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

I HAVE BEEN ROUTINELY BRINGING MY 2005 PRIUS TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EVERY 5K MILES ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM REPORTED TO ME. (ONE TIME THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE RELOADED.) ON THE EVENING OF THE INCIDENT THAT I AM REPORTING, I HAD TRAVELED ON THE MASS TURNPIKE AND RTE 495 (~38 MI) HOME FROM WORK (~9:30 PM) AND SUCCESSFULLY SLOWED AND STOPPED MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS AS NEEDED. AS I GOT INTO ON LOCAL ROADS, I SUDDENLY LOST MY BRAKING ABILITY. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOWLY AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP. THERE WAS A REALLY SHRILL ALARM AND A RED LIGHT SHOWING ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKE PROBLEM)--I'LL SAY. I TESTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY BRAKING POWER SO THAT I COULD GET THE CAR HOME. IF YOU PRESSED THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR--THERE WAS SOME RESIDUAL SLOWING--SO I CREPT HOME. AAA TOWED MY CAR TO TOYOTA THE NEXT DAY AND TOYOTA ULTIMATELY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A COMPUTER PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE 1 89540-47130 COMPUTER ASSEMBLY, SKID. ASIDE FROM THE COST ($2250), ITS THE POSSIBILITY THAT I COULD HAVE LOST MY BRAKES ON EITHER OF THE TWO HIGHWAYS THAT I TAKE ON THE WAY HOME, EXIT RAMPS, TOLL BOOTHS, AND THAT I OR SOME OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT, REALLY UPSETS ME. AND HOW DO I KNOW THAT THIS WILL NOT FAIL AGAIN? REGULAR SERVICE DOES NOT CHECK COMPUTER STATUS. I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO COMPUTER PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA AND ALSO WHAT TOYOTA INCLUDES IN REGULAR SERVICE. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THIS BEFORE, AND THAT MAY BE TRUE: I HAVE A 5 YR OLD PRIUS WITH MORE THAN 110K MILES ON IT AND I'LL BET THAT IS A LOT OF MILEAGE FOR A PRIUS. AS MORE PEOPLE DRIVE PRIUS'S FOR LONGER TIMES AND ACCRUE HIGHER MILEAGE, I WOULD BET THAT TOYOTA WILL SEE A LOT MORE OF THESE INCIDENTS. I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD BE PROACTIVE AND DEAL WITH THIS BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT. *TR

I DROVE A 2005 PRIUS AND WAS BEHIND A SEMI-TRAILER. WHEN I ACCELERATED TO GO, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD CRUSHING INTO THE SEMI'S TRAILER. I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REACT BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE DISTANCE, HOWEVER THE BRAKES WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE ACCELERATION POWER. THE PRIUS RAN INTO THE SEMI FOR A GOOD 25 SECONDS WHILE I TRIED TO BRAKE AND I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. THERE WERE 3 OTHER PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR DURING THE INCIDENT. *TR

LTR TO ADMINISTRATOR RE 3/9/2010 ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS IN HARRISON, NY, REQUESTING THAT NHTSA IMMEDIATELY ASSUME CONTROL OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND WORK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITY'S. *TGW THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY DOWN A WINDING DRIVEWAY, CROSSED A TWO-LANE ROAD AND SHOULDER, THEN CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE AND A KNEE INJURY TO THE CONSUMER. *JB

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO MAXIMUM SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STATES HE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE ACCELERATED FROM 25 MPH TO ABOUT 45-50 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE BRAKING ACTION DID, IN THIS CASE CAUSE THE ACCELERATION TO STOP AT THAT POINT. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AND THE INCIDENT HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. THE FLOOR MATS HAD BEEN REMOVED WEEKS BEFORE.

1. NOTICED THAT THE LEFT HEADLAMP IS HAVING INTERMITTENT DIFFICULTY STAYING ON THIS PAST WEEK. 2.ONCE THE HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED ON, THE LEFT HEADLAMP STARTS TO DIM AND THE LIGHT APPEARS TO HAVE A PINK TINT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES (3 ' 7) THE LEFT HEADLAMP GOES COMPLETELY OUT. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN STARTS THE CYCLE ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS OUT. HAVING TO DRIVE WITH ONLY 1 FUNCTIONAL HEADLAMP IS A SAFETY CONCERN. 3.THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WANTS $375.79 FOR ONE HID LIGHT BULB. MILEAGE IS 67575 I CANNOT AFFORD THE LIGHT BULB NOR THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS REQUIRED FOR THE LABOR COSTS TO REPLACE IT. *TR

OUR 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE NEWS. WHEN YOU ARE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT LURCHES FORWARD. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING AS A "LURCH" OR "SKIDDING" SENSATION WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE MOMENTARY SPLIT SECOND FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. THESE BRAKES ARE ALSO EXTREMELY TOUCHY WHEN IT RAINS. THEY GRAB AS IF YOU HAD SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. IT IS HARD TO DEAL WITH AND WE HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO AVOID THE PROBLEM BY SOMEHOW ALTERING OUR BRAKING. I MENTIONED THESE TWO PROBLEMS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEN AGAIN WHEN ALL THIS WAS ON THE NEWS. THEY SAID THEY'D HAD NO COMPLAINTS AND DISMISSED MY CONCERNS. HOWEVER, WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE THERE ARE OTHER 2005 PRIUS OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE FOR THE CAR TO DO THIS. I THINK THE EARLIER PRIUS MODELS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND FIXED. *TR

I'M CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS (NON-HID BULBS) AS THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 35K MILES. I'VE REPLACED THEM WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER'S BULBS, DIFFERING MODELS, AND EVEN OEM BULBS, BUT THEY KEEP GOING OUT. THE FIRST TIME THEY ACTUALLY WENT OUT WITH BOTH HEADLIGHTS TOGETHER AT EXACTLY 100,000 MILES. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS PLANNED OBSOLENCE OR SOMETHING ELSE, BUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IS FAR FROM SAFE. GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ALMOST $300 PER BULB CHANGE, THIS IS GETTING PRETTY RIDICULOUS, AND I'M NOT THRILLED ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF GETTING TICKETS DUE TO BULBS BURNING OUT EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. ASIDE FROM THE INCONVENIENCE AND COST, I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR

LAST EVENING 3/3 MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS EXPERIENCED A STUCK GAS PEDAL CAUSING ME TO GO IN AND OUT A DITCH THEN ACROSS THE ROAD AND HIT A SIGN PRIOR TO MY FINALLY BEING ABLE TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL. SINCE NEITHER TOYOTA TOTAL CARE/ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE OR THE TOYOTA OF BOWIE DEALERSHIP WOULD TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PLACED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY USAA. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE EXTREMELY UNHELPFUL SAYING I HAD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AS THEY WERE NOT TOYOTA BUT AN INDEPENDENT DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOT WANT TO LOOK AT IT SINCE IT LOOKED FINE ON ONE SIDE BUT THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE CAR IS THERE WAITING FOR MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO LOOK AT IT. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT I NEEDED TO COMPLAIN TO NHTSA.GOV SINCE THERE'S NOTHING WRONG -- WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT THEY SAID THIS. I JUST HAD THE CAR IN THE 90K AND THEN FOR ELECTRONICS PROBLEM SINCE OVER 7 TIMES IF YOU DROVE THE CAR THEN SHUT IT OFF THEN TRY TO RESTART IT 5 MINUTES LATER ALL THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON BUT YOU COULDN'T START THE ENGINE OR DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE ELECTRONICS UNFROZE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY AND THE REMOTE BUT I DISAGREE SINCE THEY SAID TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OFF BEFORE YOU TURN IT OFF. I ASK WHY AND THEY JUST SAID THAT?S HOW TOYOTA SAYS TO DO IT. TODAY ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THEY ASKED WAS IF THE DEFROSTER WAS ON OR OTHER ELECTRONICS. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE I AM EXTREMELY UPSET!!! TO ASK ME TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IT DOES IT AGAIN WAS AN EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO MY SITUATION. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS [XXX] WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN/BUMPY ROAD (EVEN FREEWAY LANE DIVIDER BUMPS), SKID LIGHT COME ON AND BRAKING FORCE IS REDUCED. HAS HAPPENED AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. NO ISSUE ON SMOOTH ROADS. HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES, OVER SEVERAL YEARS, HAVE NEVER HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED. LAST OCCURED 3/3/2010. *TR

3/1/2010 HID BULB OUT ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS 2005, TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $450 TO REPLACE THE BULB. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR, TO BE TOLD THAT SOMETHING SO SIMPLE WAS COSTING SO MUCH. WHEN I USED TO DO THIS MY SELF. I ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CAR ACCELERATING AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST. THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NOTIFICATION TO BRING IT IN FOR THE RUG REPLACEMENT. I CALLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ACCELERATION ON MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS WRONG. I HAVE BEEN DRIVER SINCE MY TEENS (OVER 30 YRS NOW) AND SHOULD KNOW WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR, I AM THE ONE DRIVING IT. THIS INCIDENT ABOUT THE CAR ACCELERATING HAPPEN A FEW TIMES DURING LAST SUMMER AND THE FALL SEASON I NEVER NOTED THE DATES DOWN. *TR

HAVING JUST STARTED THE CAR AND ENROUTE TO MY DESTINATION, I WAS ON A CITY STREET FOLLOWING A LARGE LANDSCAPE TRUCK TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH.. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK'S BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON, I PERCEIVED THE TRUCK WAS GRADUALLY SLOWING. IN ANTICIPATION OF MAKING A STOP, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE TRUCK'S DRIVER APPLIED HIS BRAKES, I ALSO APPLIED MY BRAKES INTENDING TO COME TO A GENTLE STOP BY LIGHTLY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL 'SOFTENED' AND MY PRIUS CONTINUED TO COAST WITH NO BRAKING AT ALL. SINCE THE TRUCK'S SIZE AND WIDTH OBSCURED SIGHT OF ANY ON-COMING TRAFFIC, I COULDN'T TURN OUT OF MY LANE AND AS A RESULT REAR- ENDED THE TRUCK. SINCE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR INJURIES, A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED; HOWEVER, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE AGENT AND WAS AUTHORIZED TO DRIVE TO AN APPROVED BODY SHOP. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 19TH 2010 WITH MY TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK MY CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PADS/SHOES, BRAKING FLUID WERE FOUND TO BE FINE, BUT NO ANALYSIS OF THE COMPUTER BRAKING SYSTEM WAS DISCUSSED. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISER, THE BRAKING FAILURE COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED AND THEIR MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING MECHANICAL THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I AM DISSATISFIED WITH TOYOTA'S SERVICE ADVISER'S DISMISSIVE POSITION REGARDING MY BRAKE'S FAILURE. DESPITE THEIR INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, THE SERVICE ADVISER INSISTS THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT OFFERS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM. IN THE PAST I'VE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA SERVICE ABOUT THE INTERMITTENT 'FLOATY' FEELING I EXPERIENCE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. NO EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS EVER OFFERED TO ME, AND INDEED, THE BRAKES FINALLY FAILED. SINCE NO ONE AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IS WILLING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE SATISFACTORILY, I FIND IT NECESSARY TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT LEAST ONCE IN AN HOUR OF DRIVING. TURNING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND BACK ON RESTORES IT TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

1 - MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I RECEIVED A TICKET THAT I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES MENTIONED THAT OTHER CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE EASY FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. 2 - SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2005 PRIUS IN 2004, WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT FOR THE STABILITY COMES ON AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK FOR A SECOND OR TWO. I HAD ASKED WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I GUESS WE KNOW BETTER NOW. 3 - SOMETIMES THE TWO FRONT TIRES LOSE TRACTION AND MAKE A NOISE WHILE SPINNING, BEFORE THE CAR MOVES. 4 - IF MY CAR WAS UNDER THE "CARPET" RECALL, WHY IS IT THAT IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE GAS PEDAL? 5 - TWO OF MY LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING. ONE IS THE FRONT PASSENGER AN ONE IN THE BACK. *TR

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.

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS - SLIPPING BRAKES - MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OVER THE YEARS, ONE TODAY WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS CAR SLOWED, BRAKES SLIPPED DURING TRANSITION FROM REGENERATIVE TO MECHANICAL. CAR'S NOSE PASSED ABOUT 1 FOOT BEYOND WHITE LINE DEMARCATING INTERSECTION. NO CRASH OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR OCCUPANTS - THIS TIME. WHY IS TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE RECALL LIMITED TO 2010 YEAR MODEL WHEN THESE EVENTS ARE OCCURRING IN EARLIER YEAR MODELS? I HAVE SUBMITTED TWO REQUESTS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR

2005 PRIUS BRAKES FAIL TEMPORARY WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPY SURFACE. IT OCCURS WEEKLY. NO CONSEQUENCES YET. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH ON A BUMPY ROAD THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND THE BRAKE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

VEHICLE: 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, CURRENTLY NOT COVERED BY BRAKE RECALL. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, I EXPERIENCE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY - THERE IS ONE PARTICULAR POT HOLE THAT ALWAYS CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN, SO IT HAPPENS AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED, AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL TOYOTA DIRECTLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 6-28-09, TWO DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND HAPPENED AGAIN AS RECENTLY AS THIS MORNING. *TR

MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES DIDN'T ENGAGE WHEN I PRESSED ON THEM IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I WAS BEHIND A UTILITY TRUCK WITH A CONCRETE POST HANGING ABOUT 10 FEET OFF THE BACK OF IT (PROPERLY MARKED), AND I GAVE MYSELF ROOM BEHIND THE TRUCK AND WAS AWARE OF THE POLE HANGING OFF OF THE TRUCK. TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING, AND I WAS GOING BETWEEN 5-15MPH, AND THEN THE TRUCK BRAKED AND I BRAKED BUT MY BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND UNTIL THE CONCRETE POLE HAD COME THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD AND ROOF, INCHES FROM MY HEAD. MY ENGINE/FRONT OF CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED BUT MY INSURANCE ADJUSTOR HAS ESTIMATED DAMAGES AT A MINIMUM OF $4,000-$4,500 FOR THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF, NOT INCLUDING POSSIBLE DASH REPLACEMENT FROM THE SHATTERED GLASS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE TO MOVE OFF OF THE ROAD, BUT FAILED TO TURN BACK ON WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO TOYOTA AND AM WAITING FOR A CASE MANAGER TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME. I WAS MIRACULOUSLY NOT CUT, MAIMED, OR DECAPITATED, BUT HAVE SUSTAINED SHOULDER, BACK, NECK, AND ARM INJURIES AND AM SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR AND AWAITING X-RAY RESULTS. I ALSO HAVE BRUISING FROM MY KNEE HITTING THE DASH BOARD. MY MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATE BASED ON AN OIL CHANGE RECEIPT I FOUND FROM LAST MONTH. *TR

THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND REAR RIGHT TAILLIGHT RANDOMLY TURN OFF. I HAVE SEEN NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN IT GOES OUT, BUT IT WILL STAY OUT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. 95% OF THE TIME, THIS RESOLVES THE PROBLEM. *TR

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL I'VE NOTICED AT LEAST TWICE THAT AFTER FILLING UP MY CAR WITH GASOLINE THAT THE GAUGE REFLECTING GASOLINE STATUS DOES NOT RESET CORRECTLY, E.G., IT TANK WAS HALF FULL, FILLING UP DOES NOT CAUSE IT TO RESET TO "FULL". I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS DUE TO SOME TYPE OF ELECTRONICS ERROR. IN OVER 50 YEARS OF DRIVING I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT DIDN'T CORRECTLY RESET TO "FULL" UPON "FILLING UP". LAST INCIDENT DATE WAS IN FEBRUARY 2010. PRIOR OCCASION WAS APPROXIMATELY 5-6 MONTHS EARLIER. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY DAMAGE. FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, I'VE BEEN NOTICING A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER. USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW ABOUT 40 DEGREES F), THE GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, I'LL PUT IT IN DRIVE, RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFT, AND IT IMMEDIATELY REVERTS TO NEUTRAL. SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. TO GO ANYWHERE, I HAVE TO HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT IN THE GEAR I NEED. SOMETIMES, IF I HOLD IT IN DRIVE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, IT FINALLY STAYS IN DRIVE WHEN I RELEASE IT. SO FAR IT HASN'T JUMPED GEARS WHILE DRIVING - ONLY WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY AND HE SAID HE'S SEEN SEVERAL CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SAID I HAVE TO GET THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM REPLACED, WHICH COSTS ~$700. I'M NERVOUS THAT IF I DON'T GET IT REPLACED, THE GEARS COULD JUMP WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

CONTINUATION TO INCIDENT# 10310144, THE PROBLEM SHOWED UP AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE BAY. THE SERVICE TECHNICAL PEOPLE SAW THAT BUT STILL WANTED A SEPARATE DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $57 TO TELL ME THE REAL ISSUE. I AM SURE THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE. *TR

MY 2005 PRIUS SHOWS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE "CAUTION: THE TRANSMISSION P LOCK MECHANISM IS ABNORMAL. PARK YOUR CAR AT A FLAT PLACE, AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE COMPLETELY". IF I TURN OFF THE POWER AND TURN IT ON EVERYTHING IS OK. DEALER WANTS 57 USD TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG. *TR

IF THE CAR DRIVES OVER AN UNLEVEL SURFACE (E.G. STEEL PLATE, MANHOLE COVER, TRANSITION FROM ASPHALT TO CEMENT ROAD) AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE CAR ACCELERATES MOMENTARILY. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, BUT IS MORE RANDOM. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER (RUSSEL TOYOTA IN BALTIMORE MD 21228) WHO KEEPS SAYING THIS IS NORMAL AND EXPECTED FOR PRIUSES. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES IN MY OTHER CARS, IT NEVER ACCELERATES. THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT I CONTACT TOYOTA, BUT HAVE REQUESTED THAT I NOT REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD BEEN HAVING A RECURRING FAILURE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS WHERE THEY WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE IN HIS MODEL VEHICLE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHILE BRAKING, MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS SOMETIMES SURGES FORWARD INSTEAD OF SLOWING. THIS USUALLY OCCURS ON ROUGH OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. IT HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN 10 AND 20 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR TO CORRECT PROBLEM. A MECHANIC FRIEND THINKS THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE CURRENT RECALL SITUATION WITH THE 2010 PRIUS, AND SUGGESTED I REPORT IT. *TR

MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS FEELS LIKE IT "JUMPS" OR ACCELERATES WHEN I AM BRAKING ON BUMPY ROADS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN, AND ONLY FOR A SECOND. IT HAS HAPPENED RARELY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CARE, BUT IT HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT ONE INTERSECTION, AND SO I AM ESPECIALLY CAREFUL THERE. I THOUGHT THAT I WAS IMAGINING IT, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED IN ANOTHER PLACE. *TR

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BRAKE ISSUE. WHEN BRAKING OVER POTHOLE OR BUMP, I MOMENTARILY LOOSE ALL BRAKE. THE BRAKE COMES BACK ABOUT 1 SEC LATER. THIS HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED, I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT I AM ONLY TOLD THAT I NEED TO 'GET USED TO IT'. *TR

WE HAVE A 2005 PRIUS HYBRID. IT HAS, EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED IT, OCCASIONALLY ACCELERATED WHEN WE HAVE PUT ON BRAKES. IT STOPS AFTER A SECOND OR TWO, AND HAS NEVER CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, THOUGH IT IS SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS. I BELIEVE THE ONLY RECALL THAT APPLIES TO THIS MODEL YEAR IS THE FLOOR MAT PROBLEM, WHICH IS NOT THE ISSUE. WHAT I'VE READ IS THAT THE OLDER PRIUS'S DON'T HAVE THE BRAKING/ACCELERATION PROBLEM. BUT OURS CERTAINLY DOES. WE LOVE THE CAR OTHERWISE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOME ACTION WE SHOULD TAKE REGARDING THIS, AND IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED IT. *TR

CAR SEIZING UP IN 2005 PRIUS WHEN I GO OVER LARGE BUMPS IN THE ROAD-- HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM CONTINUOUSLY OVER PAST 2 1/2 YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2007 WITH 19,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE 2010 PRIUS AND A VERY LARGE RECALL IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM IN MY 2005.

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2005 PRIUS. IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING FROM A NORMAL SPEED, THE CAR WILL BRIEFLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSES ADDITIONAL BRAKING PRESSURE TO BE NEEDED AND PRECISE STEERING. MANY PRIUS OWNERS SINCE 2004 HAVE INDICATED THIS PROBLEM. *TR