2001 Toyota Prius

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 PRIUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 28, 2000, THROUGH MAY 30, 2003. THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY LOOSEN, RESULTING IN REDUCED ELECTRIC STEERING ASSISTANCE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN.

Risk. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, PARTICULARLY WHEN AN OPERATOR IS ACTIVELY INTENDING TO STEER THE VEHICLE, MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUTS IN THE STEERING LINKAGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER MOLDING OF THE RESIN BODY OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENOR INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, ENGINE OIL MAY PENETRATE THE SEAL AND ENTER THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY ATTACHED TO THE LOCKING TAB OF THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR.

Risk. ENGINE OIL INSIDE THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE EXPANSION DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE AND COULD DEFORM THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE CONNECTOR MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL CONTACT CAN OCCUR IN THE TORQUE SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER ASSIST OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR BOX. THE TORQUE SENSOR COULD SEND IMPROPER ELECTRICAL SIGNALS.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING ICON WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE CENTER PANEL, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE HIGHER THAN NORMAL STEERING EFFORT DEPENDING UPON VEHICLE SPEED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.

I WAS GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE OFF RAMP, WHEN THE 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS DID A UNWANTED LEFT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL, I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CORRECT THE CAR ANGLE, BUT HE STEERING FORCE WAS TOO STRONG FOR ME TO CORRECT BACK TO STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE LEFT FRONT CAR THE CONCRETE BARRIER, AND THE CAR TURN 360 DEGREE AROUND. THE REAR RIGHT BUMPER HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. LUCKY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME.

STEERING RECALL I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO IT AND IT SAYS ONLINE IT'S GOOD FOR 10 YEARS AFTER RECALL DATE.

THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN IN A PARKING LOT AND RAMMED ITSELF INTO THE WALL DEPLOYING AIRBAGS. MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AND WAS SENT TO THE E.R. SHE WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED FIRST IN REVERSE HITTING A WALL AND THEN SWITCHED IN DRIVE ON IT'S OWN WITH HIGH ACCELERATION RUNNING INTO THE OPPOSITE WALL WHICH DEPLOYED THE BAGS. AFTER READING ONLINE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATION SURGING IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WELL ONE DAY, THE CAR STOPPED WORKING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD NO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE PEDAL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES, AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUSES AND THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT KEEP REPLACING THE PEDAL CAUSE THATS THE CODE IT IS THROWING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE AS I CAN AND DO LOSE ACCELERATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT DOESNT SEEM TO MATTER HOW FAST IM GOING OR THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM, AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMAND. THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST INSTANCE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT OR MAKE RECORD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN AAND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TITUS-WILL TOYOTA, 3506 S SPRAGUE AVE, TACOMA, WA 98409). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

PS WARNING LIGHT DISPLAY, CAR WILL NOT START. PARKED IN HOME DRIVE WAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,620.

THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING 65+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BECAME DANGEROUSLY UNRESPONSIVE, LUCKILY WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND WERE ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS EXPECTING INFORMATION FROM THE ACCELERATOR, AND WHEN IT DOESN'T RECEIVE IT, EITHER THE GAS ENGINE, OR THE ELECTRIC ENGINE, OR BOTH ENGINES FAIL TO OPERATE. TOYOTA HAS SERVICE BULLETIN 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS UNKNOWN OR OTHER SERVICE BULLETIN 117006 ACTION NUMBER: 635861 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 117006... REPORT DATE: SEP 12, 2002 COMPONENT: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.... SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MASTER, HYBRID AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1120. ,,, P1120 TOYOTA DESCRIPTION ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS MOUNTED ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT HAS THE 2 SENSORS TO DETECTS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION AND A MALFUNCTION OF THE ACCELERATOR POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS CONNECTED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY THE ACCELERATOR WIRE. THE ECM JUDGES THE CURRENT OPENING ANGLE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THESE SENSOR SIGNAL INPUTS AND IT CONTROLS THE THROTTLE MOTOR BASED ON THESE SIGNALS. IF THE THE P1120 CODE IS STORED, THE ECM SHUTS DOWN THE POWER FOR THE THROTTLE MOTOR AND THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS FULLY CLOSED BY THE RETURN SPRING. HOWEVER, THE OPENING ANGLE OF THE THROTTLE VALVE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THROUGH THE THROTTLE CABLE. I HAV

I HAVE STARTED HAVING AN INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING ISSUE. AS I AM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE AND I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THEN THE ERROR CLEARS AND SAYS THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES LASTS LONGER. I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING UNIT IN THE PAST. I BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL SERVICE DONE, BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED WHY MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH MY PRIUS. *TR

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, SHOP SAID IT WAS THE TURBO BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BREAKS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BREAKS PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SALVAGE LOT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

2001 PRIUS WAS PARKED IN GARAGE ~6HRS, FIRE STARTED AND SMOLDERED, APPARENTLY USING UP OXYGEN INSIDE THE CAR. I WENT IN THE GARAGE FOR SOMETHING ELSE, NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO TURN THEM OFF. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, ACRID SMOKE POURED OUT, AND THE FIRE WAS GIVEN FRESH OXYGEN, AND IT TOOK OFF. WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM HEAT, LEFT FRONT DASH MELTED. FIRE DEPT PUT OUT THE FIRE QUICKLY, BUT THE CAR IS RUINED AND THE CAUSE UNKNOWN. THANKFULLY NO DAMAGE TO GARAGE, HOUSE OR PEOPLE. I HAD SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL HOURS BEFORE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING OUTSIDE, SO THE FIRE HAD BEEN SMOLDERING FOR SOME TIME. LIGHTS APPARENTLY WENT ON BECAUSE THE FIRE/HEAT HAD SHORTED SOMETHING. *TR

A RENTER FROM RELAYRIDES.COM WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKILY HE DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY GET THE CAR TO STOP WITH THE BARE LITTLE BRAKES LEFT. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER LEFT, EVEN WITH PUMPING. *TR

CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL MY FOOT HIT THE BRAKE. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MCGEE TOYOTA AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS A $600.+ REPAIR. WITHIN THE YEAR THE NEWS REPORTED ABNORMAL ACCELERATION WITH THE PRIUS LINE AND I QUICKLY CONTACTED TOYOTA MANAGEMENT. THEY DENIED MY CLAIM SAYING THAT THESE INCIDENCES WERE AS A RESULT OF FLOOR MATS? I REPORTED IT TO [XXX](MA) REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE (THIS WAS OVER TWO YEARS AGO). I RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT YOUR AGENCY AND DECIDED TO FILE A REPORT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

IF THE PRIUS ENGINE DOES NOT START IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE COMPUTER TELLS IT TO, THE COMPUTER STOPS TRYING TO START IT AND LEAVES YOU WITH ONLY THE BATTERY POWER...VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS IN FAST TRAFFIC OR ON AN ON-RAMP. IT CAN BE RESTARTED IF ONE PULLS OFF THE ROAD AND SHUTS OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTS IT. AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENTS AND ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE OCCASIONAL NON-STARTS, IT TURNED OUT THAT THE AIR INTAKE FLAP IN THE ENGINE CAN GET DIRTY AND STICK, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SOMETIMES TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART. (THIS WAS INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED AS A COMPUTER PROBLEM, HOWEVER THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE.) BESIDES MAKING THE FLAP CLEANING PART OF MAINTENANCE, THE COMPUTER SHOULD ALSO BE FIXED SO THAT IT WILL ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, SINCE THINGS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY (SUCH AS SLOSHING FROM LOW GAS.) I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM ON NEWER PRIUSES, HOWEVER AS MORE OF THEM HAVE HIGH MILEAGE, THIS CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE MORE OF A PROBLEM. *TR

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED NOT LONG AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM, INCLUDING STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REPAIR MAY BE RELATED TO THE PINION SHAFT PROBLEM THAT WAS JUST RECENTLY IDENTIFIED UNDER A RECALL. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. *JB UPDATED 12/28/11. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM, AS SHE DID IN 2006 WITH THE VEHICLE LOOSING POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE TORQUE SENSOR AND RECOMMENDED A REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR AND THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY, IF THE PROBLEM RETURNED AGAIN. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT, THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM DID RESUME AGAIN, AND IT CONTINUES TO GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. UPDATED 04/16/14*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V304000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE BEFORE PERFORMING REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE, THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

PRIUS, 2001 BOTH REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES REPLACED AFTER BEARING FAILURES WITH UNDER 90K MILES ON MY CAR, OWNED NEW SINCE JUNE 2001. THERE ARE NOT OPTIONS TO REPLACE THE FAILED BEARINGS, JUST THE COMPLETE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES THE ATTACHED ABS SENSOR. FAILED ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN RETAINED AND ARE AVAILABLE. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT MY 2002 PRIUS, AS WELL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING INTO A FREEWAY OUR 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PS AND EXCLAMATION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. MY WIFE PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE ERROR CLEARED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE PREVIOUS OWNER DONE ALL THE SERVICE AND REPAIR. AS I PULLED INTO THE SERVICE AREA THE VIOLENT SHAKING HAPPENED AGAIN. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THE THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE POWER ASSIST STEERING UNIT DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL THE SERVICE GUY BECAME DEFENSIVE AND SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL AND WARRANTY IS EXPIRED SO IT IS A CHARGEABLE REPAIR. I REVIEWED THE RECALL NOTICE AND WARNINGS BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE BUT THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AND COST $4000 TO REPAIR. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR PROCESS IF SOME VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED WHILE OTHERS HAVE TO BE PAID FOR BY OWNERS. *TR

STEERING WHEEL, UNCONTROLLABLE SHUDDER, WILL LITERALLY RIP ITSELF OUT OF YOUR HAND OR GRIP. USUALLY HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST OF THE DAY WHEN IT'S RELATIVELY COLD. WHILE SLOWLY MOVING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY, IN AN UN CONTROLLABLE MANNER. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING WILL JUST ERROR OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET DURING THE DAY, LOOSING ALL POWER STEERING AS WELL. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 PRIUS. I BOUGHT IT IN 2003. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES WOBBLES WHEN I BACK UP AND TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAS BEEN CONSISTENT SINCE 2003. THIS WINTER, WHEN THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY COLD, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY SEVERAL TIMES, WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING FORWARD TWICE, AND NOW THE WARNING LIGHT FOR POWER STEERING IS ON. I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TOMORROW, JAN 21 2011. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE WOBBLING STEERING WHEEL WHILE BACKING UP SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I AM ALSO SEEING THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ON THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE, AND MY DEALER DENIES ANY RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO CONTROL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN DOING SO, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE STEERING WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V285000 (STEERING: GEAR BOX -OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205,000.

PREMATURE WEAR AND CROWNING OF TIRES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF REAR AXLE. CAN ONLY BE CORRECTED BY AFTER MARKET PLASTIC SHIMS INSTALLED AT AN EXPENSE OF APPROXIMATELY $500 OR OVER INFLATE TIRES TO 50 PSI AND LOOSE ROAD TRACTION OR INFLATE TIRES TO TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS FOR PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO TOE OUT DEFECT. *TR

MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS STEERING 'GROANS' WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED FAR LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS DEFECT OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN WARM WEATHER AND AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EASY TO TURN TO THE LEFT AND SHE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE IN ORDER TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED OF A STEERING RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V285000, STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

POWER STEERING REPEATEDLY FAILS ON 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS REQUIRING THAT VEHICLE BE STOPPED AND RESTARTED TO CLEAR FAILURE. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING ON ROADS AT ALL SPEEDS AND IN CURVES. OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE DRIVEN MORE THAN 500 MILES CONTINUOUSLY. POWER STEERING STILL FAILING AS OF 7/29/2010. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX DESPITE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE. REQUEST NHTSA ISSUE NATIONWIDE RECALL FOR ALL 2001-2002 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH SIMILAR POWER STEERING PROBLEM AS FAILURE OF POWER STEERING UNIT IS EXTREME HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT DETECTED TOXIC LEVELS OF MERCURY INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MERCURY PROBLEM WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A SPECIFIC TYPE OF METAL CONTENT IN THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY A PHYSICIAN THAT A CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF MERCURY WAS IN HIS BODY WHICH RESULTED TO SUCH SYMPTOMS AS FATIGUE, ITCHY SKIN, HAIR LOSS AND A TINGLY SENSATION WITHIN THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS FOR LEVELS OF MERCURY. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ABOUT TWELVE TIMES WHILE DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A PRIOR OWNER FOR THE RECALL 00V285000 (STEERING: GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 109,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/21/10*JB

MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS CONSISTENTLY WORE OUT THE FRONT TIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF THE TREAD, NOT EASILY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. THE TIRES WORE DOWN TO THE CORDS IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IN TIME TO AVOID IT. MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THESE CARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA BUT THE COMPLAINT FELL ON DEAF EARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. IMMEDIATELY, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WOULD VIBRATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES UNDER VARIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THEY WERE UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH ANY FURTHER REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 118,000.

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY EARLY AM, STILL DARK, GAS ENGINE FAILED, ECU FAILURE SHOWN ON SCREEN. ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS GOING AT MAXIMUM WITH NO "GAS" PEDAL APPLIED. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF. 300V BATT ALREADY FULLY DISCHARGED WHEN IT GOT TO THE DEALER. THEY CHARGED IT AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN BEFORE SELLING IN 2006. 2001 PRIUS. LATER ON HAD TWO BAD RACK & PINION, THE 2ND ONE FAILED A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT ON A LONG FREEWAY TRIP AT MILE 300. VERY HARD TO STEER EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOYOTA REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

ON TWO OCCASIONS, I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BY MISTAKE. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I DIDN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD BELIEVE MY STORY BECAUSE OF THE AUDI 5000 INCIDENTS. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN TOYOTA BEGAN ITS RECALLS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "HYBRID" (EXCLAMATION MARK) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ON TWENTY SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE ENGINE STARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 4/5/10 *CN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATD 06/14/10.*JB

MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VIOLENTLY THIS SYMPTOM HAS BEEN HAPPENED TO MY 2001 PRIUS SINCE 2008. I HAD BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT TOYOTA FOR A REPLACEMENT BUT NO FEEDBACK. LATELY THE SYMPTOM GETTING WORSE UNTIL NOW. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN I START UP THE CAR. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR DURING COLD WEATHER. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE STEERING IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE WHEN THE SHAKING HAPPENS. THIS SHAKING HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. IF I LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING IT SEEMS TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SHAKING. *TR

DRIVING MY 2001 PRIUS DOWN RT 95 IN CT. SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE - ELECTRIC DRIVE ONLY, NO GAS POWER. I MADE TO THE EXIT IN WESPORT AND FOUND A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OPEN. THE DIAGNOSIS, VIA CODES, WAS FAILED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. RESETTING THE COMPUTER AND RESTARTING THE CAR A FEW TIMES ALLOWED IT TO WORK ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET HOME. I HAVE STILL NOT REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR. LATELY THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME I START THE CAR...THE ENGINE STALLS IMMEDIATELY OR LOSES POWER DOWN THE ROAD. RESTARTING 2 OR 3 TIMES "FIXES" THE PROBLEM MOST OF THE TIME. MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON, AND CALLED "BIG HAND SYNDROME" AMONG 1ST GENERATION PRIUS OWNERS, AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPAIR IS THE COMMON FIX. I BELIEVE THE 2001-2003 PRIUS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE TOYOTA ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. *TR

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WE HAD A TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID GAS/ELECTRIC CAR THE FIRST THAT CAME INTO THE USA. THE CAR WOULD REACH A CERTAIN MILEAGE AND THE COMPUTER WHICH CONTROLLED EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WOULD GO BAD. WE WOULD GET A FEW MILES FROM HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT WORK. IT WOULD SHUT OFF. WE WOULD HAVE TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THAN THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 35 MILES AN HOUR OR LESS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND GO HOME. ON ONE TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, WHEN WE GOT TO COLORADO THE SCREEN SAID THE GO TO A SERVICE DEALER. WE HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN NORTHGLENN COLORADO AND WENT TO THE DEALER . WE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SO MANY TIMES. THEY WOULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER AND ALL THE PARTS, EVEN THE GAS TANK. THE CAR WOULD ALSO LOCK YOU INSIDE AND YOU COULD NOT GET OUT. THE COMPUTER AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN OF THIS MODEL ARE ALL BAD. THEY REACH A CERTAIN MILEAGE AND BAD. THEY WERE DOING ALL THE RECALLS FROM OUR CAR. THEY PROMISED US A NEW PRIUS SIGNATURE TOYOTA IN BENTON HARBOR MI, AND NEVER GOT IT. FINALLY IN 2005 THEY SAID THEY WOULD TRADE OUR PRIUS CAR FOR ANOTHER CAR COROLLA, BUT THEY CHARGED US $8,000.00 MORE. PLEASE HELP US GET OUR MONEY BACK. NO LAWYER WILL TAKE IT SINCE COMES FROM JAPAN. WE HAD TRIED EVERYTHING AND COULD GET NO HELP. WROTE TOYOTA AND NEVER GOT THEM TO REPLY TO US. TRIED THEIR MEDIATION AND THEY HELD THE PAPERS UNTIL THE TIME RAN OUT THAN SENT US A PAPER SAYING NOT VALID ANY MORE. HELP US GET OUR MONEY BACK. LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT PRIUS CARS ARE

WHEN I AM BRAKING AND GO OVER A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND I IMMEDIATELY HAVE TO LET UP ON THE BRAKE AND REAPPLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL THE LATEST RECALLS FOR TOYOTA. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MY 2001 PRIUS. YES I SAID 2001. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST 9 YEARS. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE RECENT REPORTS OF NEWER VEHICLES HAVING THIS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS 9 YEARS OLD. *TR

TOYOTA HAS ANNOUNCED A RECALL OF THE NEWEST GENERATION OF PRIUS CARS TO INSTALL SOFTWARE TO REPAIR A BRAKING PROBLEM. I AM THE OWNER OF A FIRST GENERATION (2001) PRIUS. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD THAT BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR BUMPY OR AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY FAIL TO ENGAGE AND IT IS AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO BRAKES. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN WILLING TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I THINK THAT ALL MODELS OF PRIUS HAVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE BRAKING/CHARGING SYSTEM INHERENT IN THE CAR'S DESIGN. SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, EARLIER MODELS OF THE PRIUS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS WELL.

MY 2001 (YES, THAT IS 2001) PRIUS HAS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS BEHIND THE RECALL OF THE 2010 PRIUS: "MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE OR BUMP." MOMENTARY = LESS THAN A SECOND. *CN

I HAVE A 2001 PRIUS THAT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING, SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED WITH THE 2010 MODEL. AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP OR POTHOLE THE BRAKING IS MOMENTARILY LOST, BUT THEN RESUMES WITHIN 1-2 SECONDS. IN ~ 2003 I HAD A VERY LOW SPEED COLLISION FROM THIS (ABOUT $1000 DAMAGE TO THE HOOD SHEET METAL), BUT HAVE NOW LEARNED TO COMPENSATE FOR IT (BASICALLY APPLY BRAKES HARD AND WAIT FOR BRAKING TO RESUME AFTER THE PAUSE). I HAD REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL EVALUATIONS, INCLUDING AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND WAS TOLD THAT NO PROBLEM COULD BE IDENTIFIED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE IT IS REMARKABLY SIMILAR TO WHAT IT PURPORTED TO BE A NEW PROBLEM WITH THE 2010 PRIUS. IT IS NOT NEW. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD FIND OTHER INFORMATION USEFUL. *TR

WHILE INVESTIGATING THE PRIUS FOR ACCELERATOR ISSUES, I THINK YOU SHOULD ALSO FOLLOW-UP ON THE WELL KNOWN POWER STEERING ISSUE WITH THE '01 AND '02 MODELS. THERE ARE LIKELY STILL HUNDREDS OF THESE VEHICLES STILL ON THE ROAD. WORSE, EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED BY A FACTORY RECALL (NHTSA ASSIGNED RECALL NO. 00V-285) TOYOTA PLACED A 5 YEAR LIMIT ON THE WARRANTY SERVICE. WHAT IS WORSE, ONCE THE RECALL REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN PERFORMED, TOYOTA WILL NO LONGER PERFORM FURTHER REPLACEMENTS AT THEIR COST. IF THE FAILURE SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN, AS IT DID FOR ME AS A THIRD OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT (AT OVER $1,300 USD). AT THIS POINT TO MY BEST KNOWLEDGE ANY CURRENT OWNER OF AN '01 PRIUS OR CERTAIN MODELS OF THE '02 PRIUS ARE GAMBLING THAT AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY RELATED COMPONENT OF THE CAR SUCH AS THE ELECTRIC ASSIST POWER STEERING WILL NOT FAIL. IT REMAINS COMPLETELY UNCLEAR TO ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT POWER STEERING ASSIST UNITS ON THESE MODELS ARE ANY MORE HEALTHY AND IMMUNE TO THE PROBLEM THAT WERE THE ORIGINAL UNITS THAT WERE SUBJECT TO RECALL, SINCE MINE FAILED ON ME AFTER HAVING BEEN REPLACED. AS FURTHER EVIDENCE I CITE THE OPERATION FLOW CHART I IN THE SSC Y05 TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION UPDATE FROM YOUR OWN WEBSITE AT WHICH SHOWS THAT EVEN FOR VEHICLES THAT FELL WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME PERIOD, TOYOTA FELT THAT IF THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE ONCE, IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN. HTTP://NHTHQNWWS112.ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/DOCSERVLET/ARTEMIS/PUBLIC/RECALLS/2000/

ON 12/21/06 THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AS I TRIED TO STOP FOR A LIGHT. HAD TO USE THE PARK BRAKE TO STOP. PRIOR TO THIS MY WIFE COMPLAIN SEVERAL TIME THAT THE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND WENT DOWN. WE COMPLAIN SEVERAL TIME ABOUT THAT AND THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON, ANSWER WE CAN NOT FINE ANYTHING. ON 01/10/07 THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT GO AWAY THEY REPLACED THE MASTER BRAKE CYL. NOT FIX THEY REPLACED ABS ACTUATOR ASSY FIX 12/10/09 BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS ON, BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS, PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2002. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, I HAVE NOTICED IT TEMPORARILY LOSES BRAKING AFTER DRIVING RELATIVELY SLOWLY -- 5 TO 20 MPH -- OVER A POTHOLE THAT HITS JUST ONE WHEEL. IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2002 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE WAY THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WORKED. I NOW KNOW THAT IF THERE IS A POTHOLE NEAR WHERE I WANT TO COME TO A STOP, I MAY HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN REAPPLY THE BRAKE WHEN GOING SLOW OR JUST PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN THAT OFTEN, BUT IT DOES RECUR; WHILE I HAVE INDICATED A DATE IN ANOTHER FIELD OF THIS REPORT, IT IS TODAY'S DATE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS RECURRENT, ALTHOUGH PROBABLY NOT MORE OFTEN THAN A FEW TIMES PER YEAR, AND I CANNOT SAY WHEN IT LAST HAPPENED WITH ANY PRECISION. I AM NOW REPORTING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I NOTICED AN ARTICLE IN THE NY TIMES REGARDING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

I OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN AUGUST 2009 AT ABOUT 113,000 MILES IT LOST BRAKE. THERE WAS A VERY VERY LITTLE BIT BRAKE. IF YOU WANT TO STOP IN 50 FEET IT WOULD STOP IN ABOUT 200 FEET. SINCE IT WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE I TRADED IT IN AND BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IT WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED THE ABS, BRAKE AND BIG CAUTION SIGN LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ALSO A CONTINUOUS SHARP AND ANNOYING BEEP STARTED. ON MY WAY HOME AFTER I MADE A DEAL TO TRADE IN THE PRIUS, THE BEEP WENT AWAY, BUT THE LIGHTS STILL ON, AND THE BRAKE STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE NEXT DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST 2009 WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN ALL THE LIGHTS ALSO WENT AWAY AND THE CAR BECAME PERFECTLY NORMAL. I DROVE THE CAR ONLY ABOUT 30 MILES, WHICH WAS TO THE NEW CAR DEALER AND BACK, SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED IN AUGUST. I HAD ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON IN FEBRUARY 2008. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WERE WORKING A LITTLE SLOW WITH A DIFFERENT FEELING. TO REPAIR THIS ONE DEALER ASKED $2500 AND ANOTHER DEALER REPAIRED IT FOR $400. THEY SAID THEY FOUND A BROKEN WIRE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. NOW I SUSPECT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM ALSO. THE BRAKE PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE REPORTING MAY EXIST IN MANY MORE VEHICLES THAN REPORTED. THE CARS MAY BE GETTING TOO MUCH ELECTRONICS THAN NEEDED. TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS NOT GOOD. *TR

I SAW THAT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING TOYOTA LOOK INTO THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT IN NEWER MODEL PRIUSES. "THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OR TEMPORARILY LOST BRAKING AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER UNEVEN SURFACE. THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM." MY 2001 PRIUS HAS THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. IN ADDITION THE CAR HAD THE HYBRID BATTERIES CATCH ON FIRE , THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAIL, THE ECU FOR THE BRAKES FAIL, THE POWER STEERING FAIL, THE BRAKE PUMP LEAK, THE COMPUTER FAIL (WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO IMPROPERLY SHIFT GEARS). THESE ISSUES WERE ALL FIXED FOR FREE BY TOYOTA EXCEPT THE ECU FOR THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PUMP WHICH WERE FIXED, BUT AT MY EXPENSE. NO INJURIES OCCURED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON INTERSTATE, GOT WARNING TRIANGLE AND LOW MAIN BATTERY INFORMATION. IMMEDIATELY, CAR BEGAN TO SPEED-UP ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED VERY HARD BRAKING TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT LANE WITH TRAFFIC ON MY RIGHT. CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT I MANAGED TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND GET ONTO THE RIGHT LANE, WHERE THERE WAS AN EXIT FROM THE INTERSTATE. I MADE THE EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATION. I THEN DROVE THE ROUGH RUNNING CAR TO THE MY DEALER OFF THAT EXIT. THEY REPLACED THE MAIN BATTERY, AND EVERYTHING IS NOW FINE. I FEEL THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT HURT! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. HE STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. HE HAD TO STOP AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AT EACH FAILURE IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING TO RESET ITSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V285000, STEERING GEAR BOX, OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 105,256.

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. SPORADICALLY, THE STEERING WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. MECHANICS CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS PAST WEEKEND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WHEN ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING. IT CAME BACK ON WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR SO IT MAY BE A COMPUTER GLITCH. THE SHAKING IS GETTING WORSE. *TR