2005 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST 5 YEARS MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS ABS SYSTEM HAD RELEASED THE BRAKES FOR UNCOMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF TIME (0.5-1.0 SECONDS) WHEN COMING TO A STOP OVER SLIGHTLY BUMPY ROAD. IF I DIDN'T KEEP GOOD DISTANCE I COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE BRAKING FAILURES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD BEFORE THE BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ACCORDINGING TO REMEDY ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V039000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,039.

ACCIDENT IN RALEIGH N.C. ON US-1. HEADING NORTH ON US-1 AND MAKING LEFT ACROSS 3-LANES OF SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC BROADSIDED ANOTHER VEHICLE , CAUSING IT TO TURN OVER. I WAS DRIVING A 2005 PRIUS. AFTER MUCH INTENSE THOUGHT AS TO WHY I DID NOT SEE THE OTHER VEHICLE AFTER I OBSERVED ALL LANES TO BE CLEAR I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING IN THE 3RD LANE FURTHER SET FROM ME MUST HAVE BEEN HIDDEN BEHIND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OF THE PRIUS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS VERY SLOPED ,AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR SET LOW, ESPECIALLY FOR A TALL PERSON SUCH AS MYSELF. LOOKING TOWARD THE RIGHT PUT THE MIRROR AT AN EVEN LOWER LEVEL THAT TENDED S TO HIDE A PORTION OF THE LANE. THIS COULD BE A REAL TRAGIC PROBLEM IF NOT KNOWN TO THE DRIVER THAT THIS WAS A POSSIBILITY IN A SIMILAR SITUATION. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE OVER DRIVE SYSTEM ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. IMMEDIATELY, THE OVERDRIVE CONTROL SWITCH WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. UPDATED 12/18/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS NOT CAUSED BY FLOOR MATS, BECAUSE SHE INSTALLED RUBBER MATS SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/22/09

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING UNFAMILIAR NOISES WHILE PARKED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE NOISE CONTINUED IN INTERVALS. THE SERVICE BRAKE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY (PART NUMBER 4450047090) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,600. THE YEAR BEFORE, THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN MAY OF 2007. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,799 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 32,016. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF THE TIRE SHOWED UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERNS. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 10/07/08. *JB

I LOVE MY PRIUS BUT A DIFFERENT STORY HERE, I THINK. I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 40 THOUSAND MILES ON IT (3 YEARS AGO) THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND IT WAS NOT RELATED TO A FLOOR MAT. I WAS ACCELERATING GETTING UP TO THE 55MPH SPEED LIMIT WHILE ALSO CLIMBING A HILL GOING OUT OF TOWN INTO THE MOUNTAINS. WHEN I CRESTED THE HILL AND LET UP OFF THE GAS IT JUST KEPT GOING. IT WAS QUITE LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED ON A STRAIGHTAWAY JUST BEFORE THE MOUNTAIN CURVES AND DROP OFFS. AS A LIFELONG PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH EXPERIENCE OPERATING JUST ABOUT ANYTHING MY FIRST LEARNED REACTION WAS TO DIG MY HEELS IN AND PULL THE FLOOR MAT BACK, IT'S HAPPENED TO ME IN OTHER VEHICLES. I GLANCED DOWN AND THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS AT THE PEDAL. MY SEVERELY DISABLED SON WAS WITH ME. AUTOMATICALLY, I STARTED KICKING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER SEVERAL KICKS IT SLOWED. NO PROBLEM SINCE. NEVER REPORTED THE INCIDENT. JUST FIGURED A WEIRD GLITCH. HAD NOT TRIED BRAKES YET, NOR NEUTRAL, IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAR, A BIT SCARED TO TRY TO TURN IT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD ALREADY SPOTTED A DECENT PLACE TO DITCH THE CAR WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE. I HAD REACHED 75 TO 80 MPH WHEN KICKING THE PEDAL STOPPED IT. IT'S A COMPUTER THING. *TR

THERE WERE THREE ONE-CAR CRASHES IN MY 2005 PRIUS, THE FIRST ON 1 MAY 2007, THE SECOND ON 16 NOV 2009, AND THE THIRD ON 1 DEC 2009. ALL WERE IN FORSYTH COUNTY, NC. THE FIRST WAS AN INEXPLICABLE CRASH INTO THE EXIT GATE FROM MY COMMUNITY; THE SECOND AND THIRD CRASHES WERE SUDDEN, UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATIONS INTO BRICK WALLS WHILE TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IN DESIGNATED, MARKED PARKING SPACES. THE FIRST CRASH CAUSED PERSONAL INJURY AND WAS REPORTED TO THE LOCAL POLICE. THE SECOND AND THIRD CRASHES WERE NOT. ALL THREE CRASHES CAUSED SIGNIFICANT VEHICLE DAMAGE. I BECAME AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY LONGER, AND SO I TRADED IT IN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ON 1 DEC 2009 FOR A NEW 2010 PRIUS. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE LIABILITY CLAIM DEPT OF TOYOTA, ASKING FOR COMPENSATION, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY, AS OF THIS DATE (17FEB10). THE DATA BELOW REFERS TO THE FIRST CRASH. *TR

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN IN HER GATED HER COMMUNITY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE BRICK COLUMN WHICH SUPPORTED THE GATE. SHE SUFFERED A SEVERE INJURY TO HER BOTTOM LIP WHEN HER FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AS WELL AS CONTUSIONS TO HER LEG AND OTHER BRUISING. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL NOVEMBER 16, 2009. AS SHE SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A WALL. SHE RECEIVED SOME BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT HOLDING HER INTO PLACE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKING DELAY ON BUMPY/WET ROADS SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT 04/16/2007 ON RT 70 IN BRICK, NJ. *TR

UNPROTECTED A/C CONDENSER ON TOYOTA PRIUS VERY VULNERABLE TO MINOR ROAD DEBRIS ALLOWING ESCAPE OF POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT AC FLUID. *TR

WE OWN 2 TOYOTA PRIUSES. ONE IS A 2003 (THE OLDER STYLE) AND A 2005. IN 2004, I WAS DRIVING THE 2003 ON THE FREEWAY. A PANEL TRUCK WAS TO MY RIGHT. IT STARTED TO COME INTO MY LANE SO I SWERVED TO AVOID GETTING HIT. THE CAR STARTED TO SKID AND SLIDE. THE CAR FIRST FISHTAILED, THEN WENT TO THE HARD RIGHT (I THINK) , THE LEFT AND THEN I LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE CAR DID A 180 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP, I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR AROUND AND CONTINUE DOWN THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF SO I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THIS PRECARIOUS POSITION. I ALSO LUCKED OUT B/C THE FREEWAY WAS NOT BUSY AND THE OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO AVOID ME. YESTERDAY, OUR ENTIRE FAMILY WAS IN THE 2005 PRIUS. WE WERE ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. WE WERE IN THE FAST LANE. A POLICE CAR CAME UP BEHIND US WITH LIGHTS FLASHING. BY THE TIME MY HUSBAND SAW HIM FAST APPROACHING, THERE WAS NO WHERE TO GO. THERE WAS A CAR TO OUR RIGHT. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO GO ONTO THE SHOULDER (PROBABLY HIT SOME GRAVEL) AND THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS VERY SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND FISHTAILING , THEN I THINK WE WENT TO THE RIGHT, THEN LEFT AND THEN SLAMMED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND INJURIES WERE EXTREMELY MINOR (BUMPS AND BRUISES). I AM CONCERNED B/C BOTH CARS QUICKLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHEN SUDDEN MOVES WERE EXECUTED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR DO THIS BEFORE. I HOPE IT IS JUST A COINCIDENCE BECAUSE WE LOVE THESE CARS. *JB

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A QUIET RURAL ROAD THE TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES, TIME 11:40PM, WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND DRY. THERE WERE NO TREE OVERHANGS. THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERED IN ITS ENTIRETY. MY PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT WAS NOT INJURED. NO FOREIGN OBJECT WAS FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE, AND NONE WAS FOUND A DAY AND A HALF LATER ON THE ROAD. MARKS ON THE DOOR EXTERIOR SHOWED SOME MOVING OBJECTS, BUT THEY INDICATE MULTIPLE OBJECTS FALLING DOWNWARDS, AND MAY BE MARKS FROM THE GLASS FALLING.*AK WHILE THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED FROM A COLLISION WITH SOME OBJECT, THAT CERTAINLY WASN'T OUR IMPRESSION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I WONDER WHETHER THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN ANNELAING DEFECT WITHIN THE GLASS.

MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS ACCELERATED EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WASN'T DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE BURNED OFF THE CAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A GAS STATION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO PEOPLE, BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED BY THE IMPACT AND A FIRE. THE SIDE OF THE GAS STATION WAS DAMAGED. *TR

MARCH 2, 2007 5:01 PM ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 IT RAINED AND MY CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT ALL MORNING DURING THE RAIN. I DROVE IT FROM WORK TO A BUS STOP WITH CLIENTS IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, THE CAR SLOWED AND AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKES GRABBED AND ALL OCCUPANTS WERE JOLTED FORWARD. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE WET FROM RAIN. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH TOYOTA I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA TEAM LEADER AT MY DEALER. BEFORE TEST DRIVING THE CAR, HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE IT INSIDE AND PULL THE TIRES AND INSPECT THE BRAKES. I WAS THEN ADVISED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE REAR BRAKES (DRUM) WERE FILLED WITH BRAKE DUST. I FIND IT INCONSISTENT THAT THE LARGE ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST DID NOT EXIST ABOUT 8,000 MILES AGO WHEN THE GRABBING CONDITION FIRST PRESENTED AFTER I HAD DRIVEN WITHOUT THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 21,000 MILES. (CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 30,000 MILES.) I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT THE "LARGE ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST" WAS NOT FOUND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BY MORRISTOWN TOYOTA ON 2/16/07 WHEN THE WARRANTY WORK WAS DONE AND THE BRAKE ISSUE WAS PRESENTED. AFTER LEAVING MORRISTOWN TOYOTA I PHONED MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO BUILDUP OF DUST AT ANY TIME THE BRAKES WERE PULLED. I WATCHED HIM PERFORM BOTH SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER AND 500 MILES AGO (I HAVE THE NEXT CHANGE STICKER IN MY CAR SET FOR 5,000 MILES AND ONLY 500 MILES HAVE ELAPSED SINCE THE LAST CHANGE). I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY TIME THE COMPUTER INDICATES THAT THE CAR IS DUE FOR SERVICE AND, SINCE SEPTEMBER, IT WAS DURING THOSE OIL CHANGES THAT THE MECHANIC WOULD PULL THE WHEELS, CHECK THE BRAKES, CLEAN THE BRAKES (IN SEPTEMBER) AND ROTATE THE TIRES. I BELIEVE THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REAR DRUMS SUDDENLY BEING FILLED WITH BRAKE DUST (WHICH, BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED ON FEBRUARY 16TH BY MORRISTOWN TOYOTA, WAS GENERATED IN 2 WEEKS). *JB

2005 AND 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKING PROBLEMS. I HAVE A 2005 AND A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. ON BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH ARE BEING DESCRIBED IN THE NEWS ABOUT THE 2010 PRIUS MODEL. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE POTENTIAL IS CERTAINLY THERE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I AM MOVING FORWARD, HAVE THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED, AND I HIT A POT HOLE OR SPEED BUMP. THE WHEELS MOMENTARILY SPEED UP, SO I REACT BY PRESSING HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND THE WHEELS SLOW DOWN. *TW

WE HAVE TWO 2005 TOYOTA PRIUSES WHICH HAVE EXHIBITED IDENTICAL STALLING AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL STALL OR NOT OPERATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW US TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR PERIODICALLY. ONE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS WE NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE, AND ANOTHER WAS NOT SURE AND SAID THERE BEST "GUESS" WAS TO REFRESH THE ECU AND HYBRID CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE , HOWEVER AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE BELIEVE IT TO BE A COMBINATION OF A SOFTWARE GLITCH ATTRIBUTED TO A LEAK IN WATERPROOFING A GASKET NEAR AN ECU. THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION ALMOST A YEAR AGO WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ALL THEY DID WAS SIMPLY "FLASH" OR REFRESH THE MEMORY AND DID NOT ACTUALLY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PRIUS' HYBRID-RELATED COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE HYBRID CONTROL MODULE ARE COVERED FOR 8 YEARS/100,000 MILES. WE ALSO MENTIONED TO THE DEALER THE UNUSUAL AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON BOTH VEHICLES, SOME OF THE TIRES HAD NO TREAD AND WERE ALREADY BALD AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES. I AM WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE STEERING OR TRACTION CONTROL ISSUES PREVALENT WITH THIS MODEL. *TR

IN 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, EVEN SLIGHT WHEEL SLIPPAGE ENGAGES THE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND CUTS POWER TO THE WHEELS. WHEN IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY INTO TRAFFIC, ACCELERATION CUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND LEAVES ONE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. EVEN IF I BACK OFF THE ACCELERATOR IT TAKES SEVERAL MOMENTS FOR THE VSC TO CUT OUT BEFORE ACCELERATION CAN RESUME. THE VSC CANNOT BE TURNED OFF AS IT CAN IN MOST OTHER CARS. IT IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ENTERING A HIGHLY TRAVELED HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. TOYOTA PROVIDES NO WARNING RE: THIS DANGEROUS FEATURE. I BELIEVE IT CAUSES ACCIDENTS.*JB

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WILL LOCK THE DRIVE WHEELS LEAVING YOU STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD/TURN. THE ACCELERATOR CAN BE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR - ENGINE RACING - I HAVE HAD TO SIT FOR 30-45 SECONDS BEFORE SYSTEM RELEASED THE DRIVE WHEELS. *TR

EVERY TIME OUR 2005 PRIUS IS OPERATED IN RAIN SNOW SLUSH THE REAR BRAKES ARE SO GRABBY THAT IT MAKES THE CAR UNSTABLE. ON DRY DAYS BRAKES ARE FINE WHEN YOU START OUT ON WET DAYS THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACT NORMAL AS TIME GOES ON THEY GET MORE AND MORE GRABBY TO WHERE IT IS UNSAFE. *NM

1) DAILY USE OF THE LIFTGATE. 2) INTERMITTANT FAILURE OF SHOCK SYSTEM. THE LIFTGATE CAME DOWN ON MY HEAD AFTER I HAD OPENED THE LIFTGATE AND REACHED INSIDE TO OBTAIN GROCERIES. 3)MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE SHOCKS UNLESS THERE WAS COMPLETE FAILURE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE ONLY TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE DEALER. WHERE AFTER THEY DISCUSSED THE ISSUE THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS WITHOUT ADMITTING THAT THE PART FAILED. THE SHOCKS WILL BE REPLACED 9/13/2007. *JB

ACTION #PE09019 EXCLUDES MODEL YEAR 2005. THIS YEAR IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE HID HEADLAMP FAILURE PROBLEM, INCLUDING MY VEHICLE. I ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT AND YOU MAY IGNORE THE DATE AND OTHER INFO IN THIS COMMENT. I JUST WANT TO SEE 2005 ADDED TO THE INVESTIGATION AND POTENTIAL RECALL. *TR

WE KEPT HEARING A SOUND WHICH APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND SOUNDED LIKE A LIGHT HORN OR ALARM SOUND. IT SEEMED TO BE CONNECTED WITH BRAKING AND YET AT OTHER TIMES MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE SOUND WOULD OCCUR OVER AND OVER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BRAKE ACTUATOR AND HAS INFORMED US THAT IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $2500 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE. IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A 2005 PRIUS. *JB

ON DECEMBER 14TH, 2006, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYTOTA PRIUS FROM BERKELEY, CA TO MONTEREY, CA. AT 18 MILES OUTSIDE OF MONTEREY. CA, AND WHILE STILL ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, A CONTINUOUS LOUD AND HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZER WENT ON AND THE PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ON THE PANEL. I PULLED OFF A FREEWAY EXIT NEAR CASTROVILLE, CA AND STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW INTO THE EXIT, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK UNTIL I STOMPED ON THEM WITH MUCH PRESSURE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON. I DROVE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY TO MONTEREY, CA AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, WHEN I DROVE INTO TOWN ONCE AGAIN THE BUZZER AND RED BRAKE LIGHTS WENT ON.I PULLED OVER TO THE CURB AND HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SEASIDE CA. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND I WAS SHOWN A TEST FORM INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION LISTED AS CM1300. THE CONCLUSION OF THE MECHANIC WAS THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A REPLACEMENT PART MAY BE NEEDED WHICH WOULD TAKE A FEW DAYS AND THAT THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO MY USE OF SKID CONTROL AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTIONS THAT I EXPERIENCED. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND THAT I SHOULD STOP EVERY 15 MILES TO STOP AND REBOOT THE CAR AGAIN TO PREVENT THE MALFUNCTION FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AGAIN THAT I SHOULD STOMP ON THE BRAKE REALLY HARD AND THE SKID CONTROL WOULD SOMEHOW BE ACTIVATED. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY AND DROVE AS ADVISED TO. I TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING TO BERKELEY, TOYOTA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TEST DRIVE AND THEIR TESTING SHOWED NO MALFUNCTION AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR HOME, BUT THE MALFUNCTION MIGHT OCCUR AGAIN. I FIND THIS AN UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE. I AM EXTREMELY FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION TO WHY THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED IN A VERY DANGEROUS WAY WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO USE MY BRAKES!! *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 18000 MILES COMPLAINED ABOUT A A MASSIVE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12-4-06, UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, SHE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHICH FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A CRASH. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER., SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT KEPT TURNING ON WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HER BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAD THE REGIONAL TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE CHECK THE VEHICLE, WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AS WELL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. *AK

MY FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON NOVEMBER 24, 2006 WHEN A NAIL PENETRATED THE TREAD AREA. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I CHANGED TO THE PONY SPARE. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY DUE TO A WOEFULLY INADEQUATE JACK SUPPLIED BY TOYOTA WITH MY 2005 PRIUS. THE JACK BENT WHILE TRYING TO LIFT THE AUTOMOBILE. LIFTING THE CAR WAS ATTEMPTED THREE TIMES BY SLIGHTLY REPOSITIONING THE BASE OF THE JACK. IT WAS FINALLY NECESSARY TO BRACE THE JACK WITH PIECES OF WOOD IN ORDER TO LIFT THE AUTOMOBILE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE DAMAGED TIRE. THE PONY SPARE HAD TO BE DEFLATED TO GET IT INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO APPLY THE LUG NUTS DUE TO THE INABILITY OF THE JACK TO LIFT THE CAR FOR ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. LUCKILY I HAD AN ELECTRIC AIR PUMP ON BOARD TO RE-INFLATE THE PONY SPARE. THE ENTIRE OPERATION TOOK 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES. SEVERAL POINTS SHOULD BE MADE. I AM NOT AN IDIOT. I HAVE CHANGED FLATS PREVIOUSLY. THE JACK WAS NEW AS SUPPLIED WITH THE PRIUS PURCHASED IN LATE 2004; IT HAD NEVER BEEN USED. THE TIRE CHANGE OCCURRED ON AN ALMOST COMPLETELY FLAT SURFACE. THE BASE OF THE JACK WAS RESTING ON CEMENT. THE WEATHER WAS GOOD; NO ICE, SNOW, WIND OR RAIN. MY LIGHTING WAS GOOD. I LIFTED THE PRIUS WHERE INDICATED. I HAD BLOCKED THE REAR TIRES WITH BRICKS PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO LIFT THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT LOADED WITH ADDITIONAL WEIGHT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE JACK THAT WAS SUPPLIED WITH THE PRIUS. AS A CONSUMER, ONE WOULD NOT THINK OF INSPECTING SUCH BASIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO DECIDING ON AN AUTOMOBILE. THE AUTOMOBILE COULD HAVE EASILY SLIPPED FROM THE JACK DURING THE TIRE CHANGING OPERATION. SEVERE INJURY COULD OCCUR TO THE INDIVIDUAL(S) OR THE VEHICLE ITSELF. MY FATHER RECENTLY BOUGHT A PRIUS AT MY SUGGESTION PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I NOW FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY KNOWING HOW INADEQUATE THE JACK IS THAT IS SUPPLIED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/18/2006 -*NM

OUR 2005 PRIUS DEVELOPED A MASSIVE GASOLINE LEAK, WHICH MADE IT AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. WE DROVE IT HOME, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE CAR'S PLASTIC FUEL LINES THAT HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY RODENTS. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED BY NEW PLASTIC ONES. HOWEVER, WE LIVE IN THE COUNTRY, WHERE SQUIRRELS AND MICE ABOUND, SO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE ARE NO METAL FUEL LINES AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE; WE CONSIDER THESE PLASTIC, EXPOSED FUEL LINES A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2006. EVER SINCE I'VE OWNED MY 2005 PRIUS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT MOST OFTEN HAPPENS ON A PARTICULAR STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I NEED TO STOP BEFORE ENTERING A MAIN THOROUGHFARE. THERE IS A VERY SLIGHT DECLINE JUST BEFORE THE ROAD TERMINATES AT AN INTERSECTION. I'M ALWAYS TRAVELING AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED (15-20 MPH), COASTING AND NOT DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE WHEN IT OCCURS. JUST AT THE POINT WHERE I BEGIN TO BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGES FORWARD AND ACCELERATES. I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKES, AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S STILL GOING FORWARD, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON. THIS FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS DURING THE WINTER FOLLOWING PURCHASE OF MY CAR. INITIALLY I THOUGHT THAT THE CAR PERFORMED POORLY IN SNOW BECAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS COMING ON. BUT THEN AFTER THAT FIRST WINTER PASSED AND THE ROADS WERE COMPLETELY DRY, IT HAPPENED AS WELL AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN REGULARLY. FORTUNATELY IT ALWAYS HAPPENS UNDER THESE VERY PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN I'M NOT TRAVELING FAST, OTHERWISE I FEAR NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PLOWING INTO A MAIN STREET, OR HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, OR WORSE HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN THE RAIN WITH LEAVES ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND IMPACTED A 20 INCH TREE, ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE HEADLIGHT AND BUMPER, TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE FRONT END, SUSTAINED THE IMPACT. AS THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE 38 YEAR OLD DRIVER RECEIVED A SMALL LACERATION TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD, WHERE IMPACT WAS MADE WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND A SMALL CUT TO THE RIGHT CHEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GET AN ESTIMATE, AND THEN CALL BACK. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE INSURER REMOVED THE BUMPER, A TECHNICIAN WOULD NO LONGER BE SENT TO INVESTIGATE.

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.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VISIBILITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS LIMITED. THE LOW BEAM ONLY EXTENDED A SHORT RANGE BETWEEN 30-35 FEET. THE HIGH BEAM ONLY EXTENDED 50-75 FEET. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

TOTAL FAILURE OF STEERING. STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN FREELY LIKE A TOY CAR. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING PARALLEL PARKING, SO THE SPEED AT THE TIME WAS SLOW AND NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE RESULTED. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN DEATH HAD THE TIMING OF THE FAILURE BEEN DIFFERENT. STEERING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED UNDER EXISTING RECALL APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO. I HAVEN'T HAD TOYOTA LOOK AT THE PROBLEM YET, HOPING THAT A 3RD PARTY INVESTIGATION WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL IN SAVING LIVES. *NM

2005 PRIUS STALLED AT 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY, COULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO BE TOWED 150 MILES TO DEALERSHIP. *NM

ABS SERVICE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE BUCKS - DRIVER HESITATED TO DRIVE CAR FEW MILES TO DEALERSHIP. "ABS CODE C1247 STROLESENSOR MALFUNCTION PERFORMED LINEAR INT AND CALIBRATE. IF CONDITION RECURS ABS ECU MAY BE FAULTY" - (9/7/06) "ABS LIGHT COMES ON. CODE #C1247...INTERNAL OPEN CIRCUIT IN SKID CONTROL COMPUTER, REPLACED COMPUTER. - (3/20/07) ABS LIGHT ON. DIAGNOSED BRAKE PEDAL STROKE SENSOR INTERNALLY SHORTED CODE #C1247. REPLACED SENSOR. (4/23/07) . THE PRECEDING WAS TAKEN FROM THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT'S NOTES ON THEIR SERVICE SHEETS. AFTER THE THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SOLVED -- OBVIOUSLY AN ELECTRONIC PART THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

PRIUS TIRE WEAR - GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES HAVE WORN TO THE POINT OF "RECOMMENDED" REPLACEMENT AT 20000 MILES. TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER & DEALER CLAIM THAT PRIUS TIRES "WEAR FASTER THAN MOST CARS"... I HAVE NOT HEARD OF A 50,000 MILE TIRE LASTING ONLY 20,000 MILES - TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO INVESTIGATE WHY THE PRIUS RUINS TIRES SO QUICKLY. CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALSO IS TAKING COMPLAINTS ON PRIUS TIRE WEAR. *JB

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, 10 MONTHS OLD, 14,000 MILES. MY WIFE EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE COASTING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WITH FEET OFF PEDALS. VEHICLE SURGED TO 90 MPH EVEN THOUGH SHE APPLIED BOTH REGULAR AND EMERGENCY BRAKE DURING ACCELERATION. SHE CHECKED BOTH FEET ON BRAKES NOT OBSTRUCTED. SHE EXITED INTERSTATE AND CAREENED THROUGH SMALL TOWN EVENTUALLY DITCHING VEHICLE THROUGH FOREST, ENDING UP IN A RIVER AFTER SOMERSAULTING END OVER END 3 TIMES, CLIPPING OFF TREES 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. STATE PATROL INVESTIGATION CONCLUDES ACCELERATOR CAUSED ACCIDENT. NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH TOYOTA BEGINNING DAY OF ACCIDENT. NO ACTION BY TOYOTA AS OF MARCH 2007. *JB **12/10/09 CW ** UPDATED 12/14/09

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BECAME SO LOOSE IT WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE, PULLED OFF OF THE FREEWAY I WAS DRIVING ON ONTO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NO FLAT, PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT INTO A GARAGE. MY HUSBAND, WHOM I CALLED BY CELL, TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A LOOSE WHEEL PROBABLY. THE GARAGE MECHANIC RAISED THE CAR IN THE AIR AND THE WHEEL WAS READY TO FALL OFF. HE CHECKED OVER THE WHEEL, ETC, RE-TIGHTENED THE WHEEL, AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE WHEELS WERE LOOSE, BUT NONE THIS BADLY. THE LAST TIME THE WHEELS WERE OFF WAS IN APRIL AND HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED AFTER THAT FOR TIGHTNESS. AS I LOOKED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SAYS TO CHECK THEM EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE IN BOLD PRINT AND POINTED OUT TO EVERY NEW OWNER THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING THE TIGHTNESS, IF THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY! IT SCARED ME A LOT AND I AM NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR NOW. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH EMPHASIS! *JB

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A POSSIBLE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DEFECT LAST SPRING, ABOUT THE TIME I BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FOR 8 WEEKS. WHEN I THEN CALLED MY DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE NECESSARY PARTS WERE BACK-ORDERED. I KEPT CHECKING. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 2007, MUCH LONGER THAN IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY, AND THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MOST OF DAMAGE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A SPECIALIST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ERROR AS INDICATED IN RECALL # 06V096000, REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THEM TIME AND OPERATED CORRECTLY. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS OBSERVED TO BE OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE PARK BUTTON WAS ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF GEAR. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BELIVES THE PARKING GEAR IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DASHBOARD. IT ONLY TAKES LITTLE PRESSURE TO PUSH THE PARK SELECTOR. UPDATED 08/08/06. *JB

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

UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURRED TWICE IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 CAR. BOTH TIMES I WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY GOING SLOWLY INTO THE GARAGE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED. THIS WAS WHEN IT WAS FAIRLY NEW AND I DID NOT REPORT IT THINKING I HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG. NOW THAT ALL THE NEWS HAS COME OUT ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS I REALIZE IT WASN'T ME. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL AND THE RECALL PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THEREFORE, AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 29, 2006 FOR THE REMEDY REPAIR. ON THAT DATE, THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED AT THE DEALER (ABOUT 65 MILES AWAY). WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR HAD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE THE PART WAS STILL UNAVAILALBE AND WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEPT WILL FOLLOW UP TO RESCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT LATER THAT DAY. THE CONTACT WAITED 6 HOURS AND STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT. THE SHAFT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL IS NOW BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WILL NOW HAVE TO BE DRIVEN WITH A BROKEN SHAFT.

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ONLY WAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WAS BY RIDING THE BRAKES. I FINALLY SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES AND TURNED IT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE WHEELS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *NM

THE CAR'S PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD WAS CRACKED, MOST LIKELY SINCE THE DAY OF MANUFACTURING. THE CAR SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES. THE CAR ROLLED THREE TIMES AT 75 MPH. WIFE HAS MEMORY PROBLEMS AS WELL AS SOME PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. TOYOTA SAID THAT THE CAR HAVING LOST THE PASSENGERS SIDE TIE ROD WOULD HAVE REMAINED CONTROLLABLE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AND I THINK TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT. *NM

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED HIM TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN THE SKID CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING IN LOW GEAR; TRAVELING UNEVEN ROADS OR GRAVEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

DT*: THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONSULTED AND DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - THE FUEL TANK IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS FLEXIBLE. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER FILLS THE VEHICLE, THE TANK ACCEPTS 2-4 GALLONS LESS THAN DESIGNED. IF THE CONSUMER SLOW THE FUEL PUMP TO ALLOW THE ADDITIONAL GALLONS IN THE STOP MECHANISM DOES NOT ACTIVATE CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO OVERFLOW. THE CONSUMER RECEIVES 100-150 MILES LESS PER GALLON. *NM

WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MY BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL RELEASED TO THE FLOOR. TOYOTA OF VISALIA SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT COMPUTER SHOWED CODES C1357 AND DETAIL CODE 28. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE CASE OF BRAKE FAILURE, OR DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I REQUESTED THEY REPLACE COMPONENTS THAT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCIDENT, GIVEN THE CATASTROPHIC POSSIBILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH BRAKE FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS, THEY REFUSED. *NM

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