2006 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

TOYOTA PRIUS TRACTION CONTROL IN THE MODEL INCLUDING 2006 HAS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DESIGN FLAW. IT SHUTS DOWN ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS WHEN IT DETECTS SLIPPAGE, ESPECIALLY IN FRESH SNOW. IF SOMEONE WERE COMING AT YOU ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD, YOU'RE AT RISK OF HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND BEING PARALYZED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A SITTING ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATE PROVED FUTILE. THEIR CORPORATE LINE WAS THAT THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THEY WERE RESISTANT TO ACCEPTING THAT "OPERATING THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO" WAS THE PROBLEM. THE PRIUS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN REDESIGNED ON THE 2010 MODEL WITH A TRACTION CONTROL OVERRIDE SWITCH DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE AND FROM MECHANICS WHO I SPOKE WITH THAT WORK AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS. NONETHELESS, THERE IS NO WARNING GIVEN TO CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASE THIS CAR AND I HAVE SEEN REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS THAT RESULT OF TRACTION CONTROL SHUTTING DOWN ALL POWER AT THE PRECISE MOMENT WHEN YOU NEED THE ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF AN ONCOMING CAR TO AVOID A COLLISION. IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT A COSTLY RECALL THAN ABOUT PASSENGER SAFETY. MY REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CORPORATION TO RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINTS AND ACT RESPONSIBLY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM HAVE PROVED FUTILE. AT LEAST IT SEEMS THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT WITH THE IMMORALITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO ACT RESPONSIBLY THAT PLAGUES SO MANY CORPORATIONS AFRAID OF LOSING MONEY, THEY CONTINUE TO PUT LIVES AT RISK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. HE STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. OCCASIONALLY, HE WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY TURN THEM BACK ON; HOWEVER, AN IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASED THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. HE WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN THAT THE FAILURE IS COMMON AMONG HIS MODEL TYPE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE NOR HAS THE VEHICLE BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLES IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46000.

GOODYEAR LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING ON TOYOTA PRIUS (2006). TIRE HAD LESS THAN 14,000 MILES AND THE CAR WAS ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD. TIRE WAS EXAMINED BY A TOYOTA DEALER (TO WHICH THE CAR HAD BEEN TOWED) WHO DID NOT FIND EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE DUE ROAD HAZARD. *JB

INSUFFICIENT BRAKING WHEN A POT HOLE OR A PUDDLE IS HIT. ALSO THE CAR "SLIPS" WHEN DRIVING OVER WET SURFACES. *TR

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH HID HEAD LIGHTS. BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT HEAD LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT INDIVIDUALLY (NOT AT THE SAME TIME) DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN BY TURNING LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN THE HEAD LIGHTS WORK. ON A DIFFERENT TRIP, EITHER HEAD LIGHT MAY STOP WORKING AGAIN. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ON EVERY TRIP, AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS (I.E., TURN THE LIGHTS "ON" AND BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WORK, AND THEN AFTER SOME PERIOD OF TIME ONE OF THE HEAD LIGHTS STOPS WORKING). THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE LAST MONTH. *TR

INTERMITTENT AND FREQUENT FAILURE OF HID HEADLIGHTS IN 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. ONE LIGHT OR THE OTHER AND SOMETIMES BOTH WILL GO OUT. TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH FROM ON TO OFF AND BACK ON WILL RELIGHT THE BULB BUT AT LOWER BRIGHTNESS. FREQUENTLY MUST DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES AS THE BULB MAY STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES TO 1/2 HOUR. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DESIGN / FAULTY COMPONENTS IN HID CONTROL / POWER MODULE. *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I TURN THE SWITCH OFF THEN ON THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON AGAIN BUT FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, INTERMITTENTLY AND AT NIGHT IT CAN BE DANGEROUS. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ONLY THE 2006 PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS AND ONLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AS OF THIS DATE I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I AM GOING TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THIS WEEK. *TR

THE HID HEADLAMPS, FLICKER, GO-OUT AT WILL, SOMETIMES ITS JUST ONE HEAD LIGHT OTHER TIME ITS BOTH AT THE SAME TIME!!!! TOYOTA HAS FIXED IT BUT AFTER MAYBE A MONTH IT WENT BACK TO DO THE SAME EXACT THING! THIS IS DANGEROUS!! AND APPARENTLY HAPPENS VERY VERY OFTEN TO ALOT OF OTHER 2006 TO 2009 TOYOTA OWNERS. *TR

1. HEADLIGHT OR HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY 2. OCCURS REGULARLY ON MY CAR. OTHER OWNERS REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND SAY IT IS A $1000 REPAIR THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS DIM, OR SHUTOFF ON THEIR OWN. I WILL OFTEN BE DRIVING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT OR NO HEADLIGHTS AND NOT BE AWARE OF IT. BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING WHEN I DROVE OFF. DUE TO THE DIMMING FEATURE, I CANNOT EASILY TELL IF THEY ARE OFF OR DIMMED UNTIL SOMEONE TELLS ME. THEN I TURN OFF AND ON MY HEADLIGHTS AND IT WORKS FOR A WHILE. 3. I AM TOLD IT IS A $1000 TOYOTA REPAIR, THAT IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. I THINK IT OCCURRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I WAS NOT AWARE OF WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING UNTIL AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR

I EXPERIENCE MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE OR BUMP WITH AN EARLIER MODEL TOYOTA PRIUS. MY PRIUS IS A 2006 MODEL (2ND WAVE). THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I GO OVER ONE PARTICULAR SPOT IN MY USUAL COMMUTE, AND ANY OTHER SPOT WHERE THE ROAD IS ROUGH. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 PRIUS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING PROBLEM THAT IS REPORTED FOR THE 2010 PRIUS FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR (SINCE 2006). OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKES WILL FAIL FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND WHEN BRAKING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE (TRAIN TRACKS ETC). BY NOW I AM USED TO THE PROBLEM THOUGH IT DOES SEEM TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY OVER TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CONFINED TO THE 2010 MODEL. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW, BUT THIS IS A FREQUENTLY RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. IF I HIT A POTHOLE WHILE I AM BRAKING, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES SLIP FOR A SECOND AND I LOSE MY ABILITY TO BRAKE WHILE THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. A SECOND LATER EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL. THE VSA LIGHT FLASHES CONCURRENTLY WITH THE INCIDENT. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED, IT REALLY SCARED ME, AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I MAKE SURE TO LEAVE MORE THAN THE NORMAL SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN CASE THIS HAPPENS. I JUST ASSUMED THIS WAS SOMETHING THE CAR DID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO, BUT NOW THAT THE 2010 PRIUS RECALL HAS BEEN PUBLICIZED, THE ISSUE BEING DESCRIBED THERE SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD. *TR

MY HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. I ALERTED THE DEALER WHEN PURCHASING THE CAR. THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED REPLACED. THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THIS WAS COMMON PROBLEM, NOR DID THEY OFFER TO CORRECT IT. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE. NO NOTIFICATION WAS GIVEN TO CONSUMER. *TR

2 BRAKE PROBLEMS: (1) BRAKES DO NOT WORK WELL ON SNOW. I HAVE SLID THROUGH 3 STOP SIGNS SINCE PURCHASED CAR IN 2006. BRAKE APPLIED BUT NO OR VERY SLOW RESPONSE. I TRY TO AVOID DRIVING DURING SNOWSTORMS AS A RESULT. (2) WHEN BRAKING ON WET OR UNEVEN (BROKEN PAVEMENT, POTHOLES, MANHOLE COVERS, ETC.) ROADWAY, YELLOW LIGHT BLINKS ON DASH AND CAR MOMENTARILY -- FOR 1/2 OR 1 SECOND -- DOES NOT RESPOND TO BRAKE PEDAL. CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS FLYING, LIKE YOU ARE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONE DOZEN TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. *JB

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE - CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES FORWARD WHEN BRAKING AND RUNNING OVER A DISCONTINUITY IN THE ROAD OR WET PAVEMENT. *TR

I'VE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. TRAFFIC STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND I WAS BEHIND A CEMENT TRUCK. I SLOWED TO A COMPLETE STOP ABOUT 5 FT. BEHIND THIS TRUCK. ALL OF SUDDEN I NOTICED MY CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. I STOOD ON MY BRAKE AND COULDN'T STOP THE PRIUS. IT CONTACTED THE CEMENT TRUCK CAUSING A DENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND A CRACK WINDSHIELD. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED AS TRAFFIC BEGAN TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT, HE BEGAN BRAKING FROM ABOUT 25 MPH WHICH SEEMED NORMAL. HE CONTINUED TO GRADUALLY SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 5 TO 10 FEET, THE CONSUMER ESTIMATED HIS SPEED WAS ABOUT 3-5 MPH. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FELT HARD, NOT SPONGY AND NOT PULSATING. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING COMPLETELY. UPDATED 01/10/07.*JB

BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON A RANDOM BASIS WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAY OCCUR 30 - 50 TIMES IN 5 MILE TRIP.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS FOR $500 PER PIECE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE ROADWAYS WERE SLIPPER THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE TRACTION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ONLY THE 2010 MODELS HAD A SWITCH THAT WOULD DISENGAGE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 12/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/21/09

THE TOYOTA PRIUS WAS HIT HEAD-ON, CAUSING ABOUT $8,000 IN DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

FAILURE OF AIRBAG ON 2006 PRIUS TO DEPLOY AFTER REAR ENDING A CAR A 25 MPH. CAR WAS TOTALED AND CHEST AND HEAD SWELLING OCCURRED DUE TO HITTING STEERING WHEEL. CALLS TO TOYOTA FIRST INDICATED THAT AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RELEASED DUE TO "INTERNAL COMPARTMENT OF CAR NOT BEING VIOLATED." AFTER AIR BAG ENGINEER EXAMINED PICTURES, SUBSEQUENT CALLS INDICATED THAT AIR BAG COULD NOT HAVE BEEN RELEASED AS SENSORS WERE NOT ACTIVATED AS CAR BUMPERS ON CAR HIT WERE HIGHER THAN PRIUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS PURCHASED FEBRUARY 2006. WHEN UTILIZING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, THE ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY AND RACE. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS CANCELED, THE ACCELERATION WOULD CEASE. HE STATED THE FLOOR MATS DID NOT CAUSE RAPID ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS UTILIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED TO DISCONTINUE USAGE OF THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 15,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/24/09

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRACTION CONTROL MECHANISM. HE LIVES ON A STEEP HILL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL IS DESIGNED TO KEEP THE FRONT WHEELS FROM SPINNING WHEN IT DETECTS SLIPPAGE. HE EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY DRIVING UPHILL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE TIRES STOPPED SPINNING AND HE LOST CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED IN ORDER FOR IT TO PROPERLY OPERATE AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD-LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. DURING THE FIRST INSPECTION THE HEAD-LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. AT THE SECOND INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT A REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. HE STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT A WARNING WHILE STILL HAVING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET SINCE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000. UPDATED 03/09/10. *LJ UPDATED 05/13/10.*JB

HIT FROM THE SIDE, SPUN, THEN CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A POWER POLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. EVEN THOUGH EQUIPPED WITH THE FULL CURTAIN AIRBAGS, THEY DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE FRONT AIRBAG. DUE TO NO AIRBAGS MY HEAD HIT THE SIDE DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES AND STEERING WHEEL. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. STILL HAVE CUTS ON HEAD, FACE SWELLING, BLACK EYE, NECK INJURY AND DIZZINESS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED ONE HEADLIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THE BULB HAS NOT BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR TWO YEARS. CURRENTLY, THE ISSUE HAS RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 5/7/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER THE HEADLIGHT FAILS, IT CAN BE RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB

IN 10/06, I HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE BRAKES AND STEERING OF MY 2006 PRIUS CEASED TO FUNCTION BRIEFLY, AS I TRIED TO BRAKE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY TOYOTA DEALER SHORTLY AFTER -- THEY CHECKED IT BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. THE DAY IN QUESTION WAS DRIZZLY AND THE ROADS WET. IT WAS DAYTIME, AND I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN BOSTON, APPROACHING THE FOREST HILLS INTERSECTION. THERE WERE TROLLEY TRACKS IN THE ROAD (SINCE REMOVED), WHICH I TRY TO AVOID, SINCE I KNOW THEY CAN BE SLIPPERY. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, GOING ABOUT 20 MPH, I PUT MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION OR FROZE UP, SO THAT I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR OR KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THUS THE CAR KEPT GOING, VEERING TO THE RIGHT, WITH ONE WHEEL BANGING INTO AND UP ONTO A CURB, BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. THE WHOLE THING TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SAT THERE IN DISBELIEF, SINCE I'D EXPERIENCED NOTHING LIKE THIS IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS CLOSE BY, SO I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND I HAD BEEN GOING SLOW ENOUGH SO THAT NEITHER I NOR MY TWO BOYS WERE HURT. I HAVE COME TO KNOW THE CAR BETTER, AND HAVE LEARNED THAT OFTEN WHEN THE ROAD IS SLIPPERY OR ROUGH, YELLOW WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH, AND THE BRAKES WILL SEEM BRIEFLY LESS CRISP. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WET CONDITIONS AND THE TROLLEY TRACKS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT CONTRIBUTED TO WHAT HAPPENED. HOWEVER, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCE OF THE 2006 INCIDENT. I'M NOT A CAR EXPERT, BUT IT FELT TO ME LIKE THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC SYSTEM HAD SEIZED UP, NOT LIKE THERE WAS SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM. IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A BRIEF BUT COMPLETE SEVERING OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MY ACTIONS WITH MY FEET AND HANDS AND HOW THE CAR BEHAVED. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH DRY ROAD AND GENTLY AND STEADILY BRAKING, THE BRAKING CEASES FOR A SECOND, RESULTING IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE A SURGE FORWARD, BUT IT MIGHT BE A CESSATION OF THE DECELERATION THAT RESULTS FROM THE BRAKING. FEELS LIKE A CAR IS PUSHING MY CAR FROM BEHIND. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 OR 15 TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED, BUT IT'S SCARY. I NEVER REPORTED IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER SINCE I KNEW I COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *TR

IN SEPT 2006, MY LEFT HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. IT CAN BE RESTORED BY CYCLING THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON. TOYOTA AT FIRST SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FREQUENCY INCREASED, AND FINALLY, THEY (1) ASKED ME IF I HAD HAD ANY ACCIDENTS (NO), THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE BULB WAS DEFECTIVE. IT COSTS ~$1,000.00 TO REPLACE IT. I DIDN'T AT THE TIME, BUT EVENTUALLY THE SHERIFF CAUGHT ME AND I HAD TO FIX IT. IT WAS OK FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW THE RIGHT SIDE LAMP IS ALSO DOING THE SAME THING, AND OCCASIONALLY, BOTH LAMPS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. . I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER $1000 LIGHT BULB. THIS IS REALLY GETTING TO BE A *)#*. AND, IT'S UNSAFE. (I SPEND 5 HOURS A DAY IN THE COMMUTE, AND EVENTUALLY IT'S GOING TO GET ME KILLED). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ACTIVATE THE HEAD-LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEAD-LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $700.00. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. AFTER THE REPAIR IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS 95,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO INCREASE BRAKING PRESSURE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14000.

THE HID HEADLAMPS OF MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, SIMULTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF. TURNING THEM OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN RESTORES THEM. TOYOTA'S ANSWER WAS TO REPLACE THE BULBS AS THEY WILL REPORTEDLY DO THIS WHEN THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OF EXPIRING. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BULBS, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, IN FACT IT WORSE THAN EVER, RENDERING MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE AFTER DAYLIGHT HOURS. I REPLACED BOTH BULBS WITH HIGH QUALITY OEM BULBS, AND THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THE CAR AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF MORE THAN 10 TIMES DURING A 13 MILE TRIP. PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR FINDING FROM THIS CASE: PE09019 AS THESE CARS AGE, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REPORTING BOTH HEADLAMPS SHUTTING OFF - WITH THE ONLY SOLUTION BEING TURNING THEM OFF/ON. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE SUN VISORS WERE TOO SMALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST AND REFLECT THE SUN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED OVER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHICH WOULD BE REFERRED TO THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND COULD BE REMEDIED IN FUTURE MODELS.

I HAVE PURCHASED A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND BELIEVE IT HAS A SERIOUS WINDOW DESIGN PROBLEM. OTHER AUTOMOBILES AND TRUCKS I HAVE OWNED WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAVE HAD AN AUTOMATIC DOWN FEATURE ON THE DRIVERS WINDOW. IE- ONCE DRIVER STARTED WINDOW DOWN HE COULD RELEASE PRESSURE ON SWITCH AND THE WINDOW WOULD CONTINUE ITS DOWN TRAVEL TO THE BOTTOM. ON MY NEW TOYOTA THE DRIVERS WINDOW WILL ALSO CONTINUE GOING UP TO THE FULL UP POSITION AFTER SWITCH IS RELEASED. I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT THINKING THE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY SO THE DRIVER COULD GET HIS HANDS BACK ON THE STEERING WHEEL RAPIDLY. THEY SAID IT PROBABLY HAD A STOP IF SOMETHING GOT STUCK IN THE WINDOW - LIKE A BABY'S HEAD. I HAVE TRIED TO HOLD MY WINDOW DOWN AFTER RELEASING THE SWITCH AND I CANNOT STOP ITS UPWARD TRAVEL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE WINDOW IS TO FIND THE SWITCH AGAIN AND DEPRESS THE SWITCH TO THE LOWER WINDOW POSITION. I FEEL THE WINDOW HAS THE POTENTIAL TO KILL OR MAIM ANYONE THAT GETS CAUGHT BY THE WINDOW. I FEEL THIS IS AN URGENT THREAT. THANK YOU. *NM

WITH ONLY 12K MILES ON THIS CAR THE SIDE WALL OF THE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRE BUBBLED WAY OUT. TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO IT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING BUT I DID NOT. *JB

I OWN A 2006 PRIUS AND USUALLY HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK OR FROM WORK BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP OR AFTER IT GOES DOWN. I DO NOT KEEP MY HEADLIGHTS PERPETUALLY ON WHILE DRIVING. AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES (WEEKS AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDS) MY LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS OFF, BUT I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH QUICKLY OFF AND ON AND THE LIGHT WORKS AGAIN FOR A WHILE LONGER, THEN IT GOES OFF AGAIN. I TAKE IT IN AND THE DEALER SAYS $646 TO REPLACE ONE, AND OTHER WILL NEED IT TOO, SO $936 FOR BOTH. DEALER SAYS THE BUMPER HAS TO BE DROPPED DOWN TO GET TO THE LIGHTS, THAT IS THE BIGGEST EXPENSE. WHEN I DRIVE IT HOME RIGHT FROM THE DEALER THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT TOO, WITH THE SAME QUICK OFF/ON TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. SOME DAYS I CAN TURN IT ON ONCE AND DRIVE 52 MILE TO WORK WITHOUT THEM GOING OFF, OTHER DAYS ONE OR THE OTHER CUT OFF 5-10 TIMES OR FLICKER FOR A FEW MINUTES. MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS SAY THEY DRIVE THEIR NEW EXPENSIVE CARS WITH HEADLIGHTS PERPETUALLY ON WITH THE SAME TYPE OF HEADLIGHT, AND HAVE NO PROBLEM OR NO EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT COSTS. I FELL THAT THE SHORTLIVED HEADLAMP IS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND BIZARRE PROCESS TO DROP THE BUMPER TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

THE PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE 06. IF I AM ON A WET ROAD OR A GRAVEL ROAD, IT SEEMS THAT WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKES, THEY NOT ONLY FAIL BUT THE CAR LURCHES. WHEN THIS OCCURS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD GOES OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER ABOUT IT 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A BRAKE FAILURE BUT WAS JUST THE WAY THE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BRAKES WORKED AND THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. I WAS INVOLVED IN A 6 CAR PILEUP ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO, IN WHICH I WAS THE 2ND CAR IN LINE. THE LIGHT WENT OFF DURING THE ACCIDENT ITSELF AND I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE WRECK, NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF ALL OF THIS. IT FELT ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME. I JUST ASSUMED THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PUSHING ME FORWARD, BUT NO AT FAULT PARTY COULD EVER BE DETERMINED. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN TODAY ASKING (SINCE MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) IF THIS COULD BE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS NOW ACKNOWLEDGED AND WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL A RECALL OCCURRED, TOYOTA CORPORATE HAD NOT INFORMED THEM OF A FIX SO NOTHING COULD OR WOULD BE DONE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE, AS I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE I AM PAYING A LOT (FOR MY INCOME ANYWAY) AND IT IS SO UNSAFE. I CARRY MY NEWBORN AROUND IN THIS THING! NOT ONLY ARE THE BRAKES A CONCERN TO ME BUT THE PRIUS IS ALSO PART OF THE FLOORMAT RECALL SO YOU COUPLE THE TWO ISSUES WITH BRAKE AND ACCELERATION AND YOU ARE ASKING FOR EXTREME RISK WHEN DRIVING. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE CAR I AM PAYING SO MUCH FOR IS SO RISKY TO DRIVE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THE CAR AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR HAVE AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE PROBLEM - THEY GO "OFF" AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR

BRAKE FAILURE IN PRIUS 2006 MODEL. CAR DID NOT STOP NEAR A SIGNAL LIGHT, AND WOULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR INFRONT OF MINE. FINALLY ENDED UP DRIVING INTO ANOTHER LANE FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION TRAFFIC. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT CAR DID NOT STOP FOR 15 FT NEAR A STOP SIGN, WHERE THERE WAS A LITTLE SNOW UNTIL ABS ACTED. IN BOTH CASES WE GOT LUCKY. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED NOT ONLY FOR 2010 MODEL PRIUS BUT ALSO FOR PREVIOUS MODELS. *TR

ON 8/16/06 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON THE ROAD I GOT A WARNING SOUND AND LIGHT (TRIANGLE) ON MY DASH AND A HEADLIGHT LEVELING INDICATOR ON THE MONITOR. I HAD 61,000 MILES (OF COURSE 1,000 MILES OVER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY). I CALLED THE DEALER TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THAT I COULD GET IT LOOKED AT ON MY NEXT VISIT IN EARLY SEPT. THEY INDICATED IT SHOULD BE OK SO I DID. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS IT TURNS OUT THE AUTO HEADLIGHT LEVEL HAD SHORTED OUT (NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS) AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ABOUT $650 TO REPLACE. I HAD TO REPLACE TO GET A SAFETY INSPECTION AND THIS WARNING ALSO IMPACTED OTHER AUTOMATED CHECKOUT FEATURES WITH THE SYSTEM. THIS COULD BE LUCK OF THE DRAW BUT I DID SOME WEB CHECKING AND SEVERAL FOLKS HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM SO I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS DOCUMENTED AND HOPEFULLY IN LINE FOR A RECALL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. ALSO, THE GAS AND MILEAGE GAUGE WERE UNRELIABLE. THE LAST STALLING FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WHICH WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE GAS AND MILEAGE GAUGE WERE UNRELIABLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURED. THE PROBLEMS PERSIST.

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECIRCULATION GAS VALVE HAD A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLE DID NOT NO HAVE AUTOMATIC RECIRCULATION, HAD TO PRESS A BUTTON. THE CONTACT STATED SHE GOT A CAR FULL OF EXHAUST FROM OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER ,AND SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS ZERO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46000.8AK

FAILURE OF HID HEADLIGHTS. STARTING AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT STARTING GOING OUT ON OCCASION, I FIGURED OUT I COULD TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON AND IT WOULD RESET. OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH HID'S ALL HAVE ON AUTO SENSORS ON THE HEADLIGHTS SO ONE CAN'T TURN THEM OFF, NOT SO ON THE PRIUS. I FIND THAT INTERESTING, BECAUSE IF ONE CAN TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON, ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO "EASILY" AND QUICKLY REMEDY THE SITUATION OF NOT HAVING HEADLIGHTS. SEEMS TO ME THAT TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE CAR WAS EVEN IN THE MARKET. THE PROBLEM GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE NEXT 3000 MILES, AT TIMES MY PASSENGER SIDE WOULD GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME LEAVING ME WITH NO HEADLIGHTS, THAT'S BOTH DANGEROUS FOR ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I WAS GOING ON A NIGHT DRIVE FROM ST CLOUD MINNESOTA THROUGH MONTANA IN WINTER SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ST CLOUD MN TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME SINCE THE LIGHT/S WASN'T OUT AT THE TIME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAD TO DRIVE I-94 IN THE SNOW, WIND, AND ICE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT! I GOT BACK AFTER THE TRIP WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHT ON FOR ABOUT 50 MILES JUST TO SHOW THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER A LOT OF NOISE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE "REPAIRS" (OVER $400). BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM DIDN'T APPEAR WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT THEY COULDN'T FIX THAT. WHEN I WENT BACK THE DEALERSHIP AFTER I GOT PULLED OVER FOR NOT HAVE HEADLIGHTS THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY MANUFACTURES ORIGINAL WARRANTY WAS UP I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $450 IT WAS GOING TO COST, AND MY EXTENDED PLATINUM COVERAGE WOULD NOT COVER IT EITHER. THE "FIX" ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ONLY LASTED TO ABOUT 28,000 MILES WHICH WAS ABOUT 5,000 MILES AFTER THE "FIX". EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH OR WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS (IT'S HARD TO TELL AT NIGHT IN A CITY!) THERE IS SO MANY REASONS WHY THIS DEFECT IS AGAINST THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY! *TR

FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2006, WHILE IN PARK/STATIONARY, IT'S NORMAL FOR A PRIUS TO SHUT OFF THEIR GAS ENGINE WHILE IN IDLE.. HOWEVER, WHEN THE GAS ENGINE COMES BACK ON TO HELP CHARGE THE BATTERY WHILE IN IDLE, IT CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD 1-2 INCHES. ONE TIME THIS BUMPED A PERSON CROSSING THE STREET THAT WALKED NEAR MY IDLING CAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. SO THE DATE BELOW SHOULD HAVE AN OPTION FOR EVERYDAY.

WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF AND THEN TURNS OFF COMPLETELY A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN.

ON OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS WE HAVE HAD 3 CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURES INVOLVING THE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRE WHICH CAME ON THE CAR. THE FAILURES HAVE ALL BEEN ON I-40 AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RESULTING IN A MINOR LOSS OF CONTROL. EACH TIME WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. TIRES JUST DISINTEGRATE AT SIDE WALLS. PRESSURES ARE CHECKED REGULARLY BY HUSBAND WHO IS A FFA LICENSED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC. TOYOTA AND GOODYEAR DENY ANY LIKE PROBLEMS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH,MERGING WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 90 MPH EVEN WHEN PRESSURE WAS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT DISENGAGE. WITH CONTINUED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. UPON INSPECTION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL AGAINST THE FLOORBOARD. AFTER TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR A FEW TIMES WITH A FOOT, THE PEDAL RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT TRY TO REPRODUCE THE OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM

IF YOU USE THE BRAKES AND HAPPEN TO GO OVER A BUMP, POTHOLE, SLIPPERY SPOT, ETC., THE BRAKES STOP FUNCTIONING FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006. BECAUSE IT IS A HYBRID, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SOMETHING PECULIAR TO THE CAR (THE DATE GIVEN IS AN ESTIMATE ONLY). HOWEVER, WHEN THEY MENTIONED THE BRAKE FIX FOR THE 2010 PRIUS, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE THE SAME AS I WAS EXPERIENCING. I TOLD THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FIX WOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR MY MODEL BECAUSE THE COMPUTERS ARE DIFFERENT AND THEY HAD GOTTEN NO INFORMATION REGARDING EARLIER CARS, ONLY 2010S. I MIGHT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE WHEEL GOING OVER THE PROBLEM SPOT IN THE ROAD NOT FUNCTIONING, BUT THE OTHER THREE SHOULD NOT STOP WORKING, AND THAT IS EXACTLY HOW IT FEELS. I HAVE SINCE HEARD OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON WITH AN EARLIER MODEL THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.