2002 Toyota Prius complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND HIS POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED. A NHTSA RECALL WAS ESTABLISHED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V285000). REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V285000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)) FOR A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR

2002 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH TRANS AXLE MALFUNCTIONS. SHE STATES HER VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WERE OUT OF GAS WHEN SHE HAD A FULL TANK, AND THE RED WATER TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE DRIVE BELT AND TENSIONER WERE REPLACED. *JB

2002 PRIUS SEAT BELT PROBLEMS MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CUSTOMER STATES THE SEAT BELT HAD TORN OR BEEN CUT ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. CONSUMER STATES IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO USER ERROR OR BECAUSE THEIR DOG CHEWED ON THE SEAT BELT. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER A SECOND TIME. *JB

2002 TOYOTA PRIUS REAR ALIGNMENT CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE REAR TIRES CANNOT BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE**CC UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE ON THE DATE OF DELIVER THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SWAYING OF THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND THE REAR TIRES WERE BE SEVERELY WORN. THE DEALER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIX THE DEFECT BUT TO NO AVAIL, THE TIRES WOULD DETERIORATING EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER EVERY 3,000 MILES TO INSPECT THE TIRES. THAT TASK WAS DONE UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 2006 UNTIL THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED YET AGAIN TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER IN FEBRUARY WHO INFORMED HIM THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT CAUSING THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRIED TO CONTACT THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM TO PURSUE THE DEALER OR TAKE IT TO A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. DURING THIS FAILURE THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR DIMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER SENSOR PROVIDED ABNORMAL READINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.*AK

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY CAR CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AT A COST TO ME OF $1100. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACE, AND ALSO THE ECM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75000 MILES. *NM

"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISED NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS (85,000 MILES) AND WOULD COST $ 2,000.00 USD. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED! *JB

INCIDENT: CAR ENGINE ON 2002 PRIUS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING AND DYING AFTER HAVING BEEN STARTED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE "ENGINE CONTROL UNIT" WAS SHOWING AN ERROR AND DUE TO A MANUFACTURING OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM, COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA RELEASED A REPORT ON TOYOTA PRIUS 2002 RECALL LAST JULY 06 AND TOYOTA WILL RECALL THIS BY AUG 06, BUT THERE NOT DOING IT. VEHICLE SAFETY DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES RECEIVED DURING JULY ... ... 34,771 MY 2001-2002 ECHO AND PRIUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. ... WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING ... THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY AUGUST 2006. ... TOYOTA AND DEALERSHIP ARE TRIED TO GET AWAY FROM THIS ISSUE TO MY CAR PRIUS 2002. AT THE DEALER THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR $10,000 TO FIX THIS AND NOT GUARANTEEING THAT WILL SOLVE THE STALLING PROBLEM THAT WAS LAST OCT 06. DEALERSHIP ARE NOT TRAIN TO DIAGNOSE PRIUS CAR BUT THEY SELLING FOR IT. PROOF THEY WANT ME TO PAY $600 JUST TO DIAGNOSE FOR SPECIALIST TECHNICIAN. NOW THEY (TOYOTA) TRYING TO GET AWAY TO FIX STALLING PROBLEM TO MY PRIUS 2002. PLEASE HELP, AS I'M OLD NOW GOING BROKE. *NM

2002 PRIUS HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TIRES HAVING TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. *TS THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACED 6 TIRES AND HAS HAD 3 TIRES REPAIRED. THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE ARE SPECIAL TIRE AND CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED AT A TOYOTA DEALER. *NM

POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR STEERING CAN SOMETIMES VIBRATE VIGOROUSLY, THEN WARNING LIGHT CAN COME ON SOMETIMES POWER STEERING WORKS FOR A WILE THEN FAIL OTHER TIMES IT FAILS IMMEDIATELY MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. *JB

I PURCHASED 2002 PRIUS IN JUNE, 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2005 POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY BETWEEN TUCSON AND PHOENIX. DEALER SAID THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD COST $1450.00 TO REPLACE. TOOK TO MY OWN MECHANIC (AUTHORIZED PRIUS MECHANIC) WHO CONFIRMED THE DEALERS ASSESSMENT AND ALSO TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT PROVIDE PARTS TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING SO ENTIRE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED. PROBLEM DISAPPEARED FOR ABOUT 1 YR. THEN IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING FROM TUCSON TO LAS CRUCES. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN BACKING UP OR TURNING WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. BATTERY ALSO FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE NM AND HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY AT A COST OF $140 WITH ONLY A ONE YEAR WARRANTY AND NO ONE EXCEPT TOYOTA SELLS THE BATTERY. AFTER DISCUSSING PROBLEMS WITH MY MECHANIC I CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE POWER STEERING COLUMN - THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT (ONLY 59K). I OWN A 1975 CELICA THAT HAS 265K MILES AND IT HAS NEVER NEEDED ANY STEERING COLUMN WORK - HOW COME A CAR 30 YEARS LATER NEEDS ONE AFTER ONLY 59K? I USED TO THINK TOYOTA MADE A GOOD PRODUCT AND STOOD BY THEIR CARS, BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG. THE 2002 PRIUS IN NOT A ROAD-WORTHY CAR AND THE SAVINGS IN GASOLINE CONSUMPTION DOES NOT COME ANYWHERE CLOSE TO PAYING FOR A $1450 REPAIR ON AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. I DO NOT FEEL

BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON FREQUENTLY. DEALERSHIP REPORTS BRAKE ACCUMULATOR BOOSTER ASSEMBLY LEAKING. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER, ACCUMULATOR ASSEMBLY. *JB

STEERING IN CAR LOCKS UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE ISSUE SEEMS CONSISTENT WITH THE 2001 RECALL ITEMS. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO OFFER ASSISTANCE WITHOUT CHARGING AND CLAIMS STEERING TO NOT BE COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *JB

A YEAR AGO, I HAD MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS SHIPPED TO ITALY WHILE I WAS ON SABBATICAL. STARTING IN OCTOBER (2005), I STARTED REPORTING TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE STEERING WAS STIFF WHEN RETURNING THE WHEEL STRAIGHT AHEAD ON SHARP TURNS OR WHEN MOVING OUT OF TIGHT PLACES WHERE I HAD PARKED. I RETURNED TO THE US FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER, BUT RETURNED IN JUNE, AND FOUND THE SAME INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME DAMAGE TO THE CAR DURING SHIPPING. THIS PAST SUNDAY (JULY 9, 2006), HOWEVER, I HAD A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT THAT MIGHT HAVE SENT MY WIFE AND ME OFF THE SMALL COUNTRY ROAD WE WERE TRAVELING ON ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM OUR HOME HERE SOUTH OF FLORENCE IN THE CHIANTI REGION. I HAD BEEN ON A STEADY DOWNHILL STRETCH WHICH THEN REVERSED TO IN AN S-CURVE ON AN INCLINE. I TURNED NORMALLY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE S-CURVE WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE SOLID IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD POSITION AND I HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FORWARD MOTION OF THE CAR OR GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A RAVINE. I WAS PROBABLY TRAVELING UNDER 15-20 MPH, BECAUSE THE CURVES WERE SO SHARP AND I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL. TO GET OFF THE ROAD, I STOPPED AND STARTED THE PRIUS A COUPLE OF TIMES TO SEE IF THIS WERE AN ELECTRICAL-COMPUTER FAULT AS THE STEERING SYSTEM IN THIS CAR HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES (MORE ABOUT THIS LATER). ON ABOUT THE THIRD TRY, I WAS ABLE WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE TO MOVE THE WHEEL OFF CENTER AND NORMAL STEERING WAS RESTORED. BECAUSE

CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBER) 10162367 THE STEERING WAS EACH TIME FROZEN IN THE CENTER POSITION WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE EARLIER PROBLEM WAS NOT DEMONSTRABLE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING IN OCTOBER 26, 2005 AND MARCH 2, 2006 (DURING A ONE WEEK VISIT), BUT BECAUSE I HAD MORE TIME IN JULY, I HAD SCHEDULED A TOTAL INSPECTION FOR THE STEERING MECHANISM ON TUESDAY, JULY 11TH. AFTER THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, HOWEVER, I HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO BI AUTO TOYOTA IN FLORENCE FOR REPAIR. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TOWING CHARGE WAS MORE THAN $200, I HAD NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS CAR COULD BE DRIVEN SAFELY TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SCATOLA GUIDA, A PART WITH A PRICE-TAG OF 2840 EUROS (APPROXIMATELY $3500). WHEN I CALLED BACK TO MY TOYOTA DEALER IN PITTSBURGH, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST EXPENSIVE STEERING PART THAT COULD BE PURCHASED WAS THE STEERING RACK WHICH WAS ABOUT $1100. HOWEVER, THE BELLS AND WHISTLES WENT OFF WHEN BI AUTO PROVIDED THE PART NUMBER 44200-47060. THIS SAME PART WAS REPLACED BY ROHRICH TOYOTA IN PITTSBURGH ON MAY 14, 2004, AT 26,539 MILES. REPLACEMENT WAS SOON FOLLOWED WITH A WARRANTY EXTENSION. SIMILAR EXPERIENCES TO MINE ARE DOCUMENTED AT HTTP://WWW.PRIUSONLINE.COM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=539&HIGHLIGHT=, BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO ONE HAS REPORTED THIS SECOND INCIDENT TWO YEARS AND 20,000 MIL

CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBERS) 10162367-68 EARLIER THAT DAY WE HAD DRIVEN MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND GRANDDAUGHTER TO FUMICINO AIRPORT IN ROME AND THEN RETURNED HOME. WE COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT A CATASTROPHE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THAT FREEZING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAD OCCURRED AT AUTOSTRADA SPEEDS. IN THE MEANTIME, BI AUTO IN FLORENCE HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE PART (NO 44200-47060) MUST BE DELIVERED FROM JAPAN AND WILL TAKE A MINIMUM OF 10 DAYS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXPEDITE SERVICE, I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA (REF # 200607110691) TO SEE IF THE PART MAY BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE AND SHIPPED SOONER FROM THE US. THEIR ANSWER WAS NO. FURTHER, THEY INDICATED THAT SINCE THE PRIUS WAS OUTSIDE THE US, THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THUS THE $3500 REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. I WILL NOW CONTACT MY US DEALER (I BOUGHT A SECOND PRIUS IN 2004, WHICH IS STILL IN THE US) TO SEE IF THEY WILL INTERCEDE ON MY BEHALF. BUT WHAT'S ESPECIALLY TROUBLING IS EVEN IF THIS REPLACEMENT PERFORMED IS WHETHER (1) TOYOTA HAS MADE ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE REPLACEMENT PART TO ELIMINATE THE FAILURE (APPARENTLY THE 2004 REPLACEMENT WAS INEFFECTIVE), (2) FOR HOW MANY MILES MIGHT THIS NEW REPLACEMENT PART LAST, AND (3) WILL THERE BE ANY WARNING, SUCH AS THE STIFFNESS IN TURNING, THAT WILL PRECEDE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SUCH AS THIS FREEZING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. FOR THE ONLINE FORM, I HAVE PROVIDED MY US CONTACT NUMBERS. HOWEVER, UNTIL AUGUST 6T

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCATION OF THE GEAR SHIFTER ALLOWED THE GEARS TO BE SHIFTED BY ACCIDENT. THE GEARS WERE CHANGED ACCIDENTALLY FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT. THE LACK OF A LOCKING MECHANISM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE SLIPPED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE BY ACCIDENT AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , WHO DETERMINED FUEL TANK RUPTURED. EXPENSIVE REPAIR WERE MADE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR STALLED AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 37 MPH. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005 THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE COOLANT SENSOR IN THE TRANSAXLE. THE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 23, 2005 THE PROBLEM STOPPED. PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE AFOREMENTIONED PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK UPDATED 12/2705. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON THEN GOING OFF. TOOK TO DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WHILE THERE THEY NOTICED TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN. TOLD ME I NEEDED 4 NEW TIRES AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 27,008 MILES. PURCHASED 4 175/65R14 RE 92 EXTRA LOAD TIRES. LEFT AFTER PAYING FOR REPAIRS INCLUDING AN OIL CHANGE OF $557.61 N AUGUST 3, 2004. OCTOBER 8, 2005 HAD TWO NEARLY FLAT FRONT TIRES. HAVE HAD TO PUT AIR INTO TIRES SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS - EVEN TOOK CAR TO AUTO GARAGE THAT CHANGED TIRES FROM WINTER TO SUMMER THINKING THEY PUT THEM ON WRONG. OCT. 12, 2005 STARTED HEARING A HUMMING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT TIRE. TOOK TO AUTO GARAGE ON OCT 15, 2005 TO BE TOLD THAT ONCE AGAIN TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN DUE TO NEEDING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND FRONT LEFT TIRE NEEDED A BALL BEARING. INSIDE WALL OF TIRES IS WORN OFF AND DANGER OF TIRE BLOW-OUT. REAR TIRES ALSO SHOW SIGNS OF PREMATURE WEAR ON INSIDE WALL AND SHOULD BE REPLACED SOON. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 44,804. I ALSO PUT ON WINTER TIRES EVERY AUTUMN ONTO THE FRONT. GARAGE TECHNICIAN SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH BURNING THROUGH 2 SETS OF 4 TIRES WITHIN 45,000 MILES AND I SHOULD CONTACT DEALER. *JB

CONSUMER VEHICLE HAS IN BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS SINCE APRIL 05. CONSUMER FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. *TS THE CONSUMER DID NOT STATE WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE. *JB

I HAD JUST LEFT ONE AREA OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS TRAVELING TO ANOTHER AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (5 TO 15 MPH) SO MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS RUNNING UNDER ELECTRICAL POWER. I TURNED RIGHT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN TWO SUVS, COASTING IN WITH MY FOOT OVER THE BREAK PEDAL. WHEN I WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD JUMPING THE CURB AND STOPPING ONLY WHEN IT HIT A STONE PILLAR. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN (AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF MY 13 YEAR OLD SON WAS ALRIGHT, I SAW THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY NO PEDESTRIAN WAS IN THE WALKWAY, AND I DID NOT HIT THE SUV TO MY RIGHT OR LEFT. HOWEVER, THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WAS NOT A RESULT OF PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS IN APRIL 2002 AND WITHIN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AT 65+ MPH AND THE GAS ENGINE WOULD NOT WORK, I HAD TO DRIVE ON THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR. IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE TOYOTA DEALER IN CARLSBAD, CA. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS REPORTED IN THE PRESS TODAY.

MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS HAD MULTIPLE AUTOMATIC FAILURES SINCE IT'S PURCHACE. YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED AND IT SHUTS STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IN MA., ON THE ROAD IN NM, ON THE HIGHWAY IN NM AND ON THE HIGHWAY IN TX. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERS IN MA, NM, AND TX AND THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. MY CAR SLOWS DOWN TO 40 MPH GOING UP HILL WHICH IS ALSO A DANGER WHEN YOU ARE IN A 60 MPH ZONE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN POOR AROUND 30 MILES PER GALLON. MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACEDUT THEY ALWAYS SAY IT IS IN MY HEAD THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I PICKED IT UP FROM A DEALER IN NM AND DROVE IT LESS THAN 2 MILES AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AND I AGAIN WAS ALMOST KILLED. THEY MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO PUSH IT OUT INTO THE ROAD AFTER HE PULLED OUT SOME PARTS I REFUSED TO PAY FOR AS I WANTED TO WAIT A DAY UNTIL I COULD TALK TO THE TOYOTA 1 800 COMPLAINT LINE. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING AND HAS TAUGHT THEIR MECHANICS TO BE CONDECENDING AND RUDE TO FEMALE CONSUMERS.

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92 TIRES. TIRES REPLACED ON MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS MAY 2004 AT 23,555 MILES. SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED THAT ORIGINAL TIRES WERE UNSAFE AND CONTINUED USE COULD RESULT IN A BLOW OUT. CURRENTLY, THE SECOND SET OF TIRES ARE AGAIN WORN (44,000 MILES) AND UNSAFE. *AK

2002 PRIUS HAS PROBLEMS WITH GAS TANK LINING DECAYING.*MR THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE RESTRICTED OR BLOCKED FUEL FROM GOING TO THE ENGINE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE TRUNK WHERE THE BATTERY WAS LOCATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK THE HYBRID BATTERY PACK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, THE COMPUTER SHOWED MULTIPLE CODES, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

CONSUMER HAS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT NOW HAS 16000 MILES ON IT. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES. ALREADY THE FRONT TIRES THREADS ARE LITERALLY COMING APART. THERE WAS NO RESULTING INJURY. *NM *JB

MODEL: TOYOTA PRIUS 2002 PURCHASE FROM : PUTNAM TOYOTA, CERTIFIED UNIT, JUNE 2004 FAILURE TYPE : TIRE BURST ON SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE, TWICE IN 5 MONTHS. FAILURE ROOT CAUSE : DRIVE OVER PARKING CURB, AT LESS THAN 2 MPH. FAILURE LOGIC : WHY THE TIRE BURST IN SUCH A MANNER, ESPECIALLY TOYOTA CLAIM, THIS IS A SPECIAL DESIGN OVERLOAD PRESSURE TIRE. PART REPLACE/SERVICE: BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACE AT CAPITOL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. COST PER INCIDENT: TIRE =$79.00, LABOR = $60.81, TIRE ONLY AVAILABLE AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. CONCERN: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I DRIVE 60 MPH ON FREEWAY, AND HIT A BUMPER UNEVEN PATH ON THE HIGHWAY, WOULD IT BURST AS WELL ! *JB

THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT CHUNKS ERE MISSING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. MANUFACTURER OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT.*AK

COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE FOR LEAKAGE OF REAR SHOCKS ON 2002 PRIUS. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

MY HUSBAND NEEDED TO TAKE HIS CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS FOLLOWING HIM. WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION AND HE PARKED HIS CAR IN A PARKING SPACE. I HAD OUR DOG IN MY CAR AND DECIDED TO PARK THE CAR IN A SHADED PARKING SPACE. AS I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING SPACE, MY CAR FELTLIKE IT WAS ACCERLERATING EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE AIRBAGS THEN EXPLODED AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIRBAGS BURNED MY ARM AND THE NOISE FROM THE BAGS FRIGHTENED MY DOG AND HE JUMPED FROM THE CAR. I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT ONE OR TWO MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. TOYOTA INSISTS I HIT A WALL. I HAVE A WITNESS TO SUPPORT MY SIDE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT STATING I WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 1400RPM. THAT WOULD MEAN I WAS GOING 55MPH WHILE ENTERING THE PARKING SPACE.THEE SEEMS TO SOME DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR, BUT IT OCCURED SOME MONTHS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THE PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED AND THEY ATTENDED TO A BURN ON MY RIGHT ARM, IT WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH FOR ME TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL .

JUST WANTED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL DEFECT WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR, WHICH AFFECTS THE POWER STEERING. I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED THIS IN MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 43,000+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE.*AK \ BASICALLY, THERE ARE NO PRECEDING SYMPTOMS BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILS. UPON FAILURE, THE PRIUS CENTRAL COLOR TOUCHSCREEN LCD DISPLAY SHOWS THREE ICONS, WITH THE "PS" ICON IN RED. YOU WILL ALSO SEE AN EXCLAMATION POINT ICON LIT ON THE GREEN LCD DISPLAY NEXT TO THE SPEEDOMETER. AT WHICH POINT, YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THE CAR WILL BE HARD TO STEER. \ WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE MAY BE A TEMPORARY FIX, WHICH WORKED FOR ME. PULL OVER TO A SAFE AREA AND TURN OFF THE CAR. WAIT 30 SECONDS, AND THEN TURN ON THE CAR. YOU HAVE EFFECTIVELY REBOOTED THE PRIUS COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR, AND THE POWER STEERING SHOULD RETURN FOR THE TIME BEING. \ THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST OFFICIAL TOYOTA SERVICE SHOP (AKA DEALERSHIP) AND HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THEY SHOULD SEE CODE "C1513 TORQUE SENSOR ABNORMAL" IN THE PRIUS' MEMORY BANKS. THEN SIT DOWN FOR THE PRICE TAG: $3159 - $4,160 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK, SINCE THE SENSOR IS INTEGRATED IN THE RACK ITSELF. THIS INCLUDES THE LABOR OF ABOUT $261. \ IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO ACCEPT ANY "COST COVERAGE OFFER" FROM THE SERVICE SHOP UNTIL YOU CALL THE TOYOTA CONSUMER SUPPORT LINE AT 1-800-331-4331. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SERVICE QUOTE FROM THE SHOP, THEN CALL THE SUPPORT LINE AND COMPLAIN.

I NOTICED ROAD NOISE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A TIRE NOISE. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF MY HOME STATE - I TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED BY A LOCAL TIRE CENTER.HE GUY LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND IMMEDIATELY POINTED OUT THE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES - COULD FEEL THAT THE STEEL BELT WAS ALMOST EXPOSED. I HAD JUST MADE A 1000 MILE TRIP AND FEEL LUCKY THAT THE TIRES DIDN'T BLOW. AT THE TIRE DEALERSHIP, THEY WONDERED WHETHER THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS - THEY HAD ANOTHER PRIUS IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. WHEN HE TRIED TO ADJUST THE REAR ALIGNMENT, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESET IT TO THE RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS. THE SAME WAS TRUE OF THE OTHER PRIUS THAT HE HAD IN THE SHOP. SO OF COURSE I SHOULD EXPECT THE NEW TIRES TO HAVE UNEVEN WEAR. NOW I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. AT LEAST I'M AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PRIUS OWNERS THAT ARE IN DANGER?? THIS CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW - THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!! I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE RECOMMENDED TIME BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. NO ONE EVER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT OR ANY OTHER KIND OF TIRE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE REGARDING THE TIRES, I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I WILL BE GOING TO MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP & I KNOW THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF THE NEW TIRES BUT THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE PRIUS OWNERS AWARE OF

IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR HANDLED WELL AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND PUT ON THE SPARE. WHEN REPLACING THE TIRE I FOUND THAT I HAD TO PURCHASE A "SUPER HEAVY DUTY" TIRE BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF MY CAR. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED TO THE SPECIFICATIONS IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL (35LBS). IN APRIL I HAD A SECOND BLOW-OUT AND REPLACED THE TIRE AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AT THAT TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA FOUND THAT INFLATING THE TIRES TO 45LBS SEEMED TO BE WORKING BETTER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND INFLATED THEM TO THE RECOMMENDED 45LBS. IF TOYOTA HAD NOTIFIED ME AS AN OWNER THAT THE MANUAL WAS NOT CORRECT AND THAT THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFLATED TO 45LBS I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TWICE AS MUCH USAGE OUT OF MY TIRES AND I WOULD NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO BLOWOUTS AND A WHELL REALIGNMENT COST. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, NOTICE TO OWNERS AND A RPLACEMENT OF TIRES AT TOYOTA'S COST.*AK

2002 NEW TOYOTA PRIUS DELIVERED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES. THESE TIRES HAVE FAILED AFTER 12,000 MILES. THEN CHANGED TIRES (ALL 4) WHICH FAILED AT 10,000 MILES. TOYOTA CORPORATE SAYS ITS NOT THEIR CONCERN. DEALER TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT SAFE TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES EVERY 10,000 MILES. TOYOTA CORPORATE RECOMMENDS THESE TIRES AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.*AK

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I HAD A BLOW OUT ON MY LEFT REAR TIRE. THOSE THINGS HAPPEN- SO I REPLACED THE TIRE, GLAD THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE. TWO WEEKS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE LEFT FRONT. WHN I WENT TO THE DEALER I WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE TIRES INFLATED TO 45LBS THOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL (ON MY 2002 PRIUS) ADVISED INFLATING TO ONLY 35LBS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY FOUND THAT 45LBS ALLOWED BETTER WEAR AND AVOIDED THE BLOW-OUTS. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED OF THIS AND GIVEN REPLACEMENT TIRES WITH AN ADJUSTMENT FOR WEAR. I WAS OUTRAGED THAT TOYOTA HAD THIS INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALLY SAT ON IT. ON THE 2004 PRIUS (WHICH WE ALSO OWN) THE TIRE IS LARGER AND THUS THE "PROBLEM" HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY TOYOTA...EXCEPT THAT OWNERS OF 2002 PRIUS'S ARE DRIVING AROUND ON TIRE THAT LITERALLY BLOW UP.

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND RETURNING BACK TO IT LATER VEHICLE STARTED UP, BUT THEN STALLED. AFTER STALLING VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, GAS TANK AND STEERING LINKS HAD BEEN REPLACED. *AK *LA

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE OF CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE TIRE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T WANT TO CLAIM LIABILITY, SO THEY WERE BLAMING THE CRACKS ON ROAD HAZARDS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ALL TIRES HAD ABNORMAL WEAR. AT THE TIME OF BLOWOUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SEE THE METAL BELT THROUGH THE SIDEWALL. *AK *SC

SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY (RACK AND PINION) IS FAILING. CAR SHAKES WHEN TURNING. IT FAILED ON 2 PRIUS OUT OF 5 I HAVE HAD. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS.*MR CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES SEVEN TIMES TO DATE. PROBLEMS WITH THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL. MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. *PH

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE FIRST FAILURE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS JULY 2,2003 AT 20624 MILES. NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PUT ON THE REAR. THE OLD TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE FRONT. THE FRONT TIRES FAILED SEP 27 2003. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TIRES WORE OUT BADLY ON THE INSIDE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TIRE SIZE P175/65R14XL. THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN STARTED. NO PROBLEM FOUND. *AK *TT *JB

2002 TOYOTA PRIUS HAVE HAD FIVE TIRES REPLACED ON THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE 28,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WEAR UNEVEN, AND THE SIDEWALLS BREAK DOWN TO CAUSE FLAT. THE TREAD COMES OFF IN CHUNKS. STEEL WIRES SHOWING. EVERY TIRE HAS HAD A DIFFERENT THING HAPPEN TO IT. I HAVE 3 TIRES REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN ONE DAY. THE 1ST TIRE WENT FLAT FROM THE SIDEWALL BRAKING DOWN AND BEING WEAK. THE ONE I HAD REPLACED ON 8-28-03 WAS WEARING UNEVENLY AND JUST HAD THE CAR IN FOR MAINT. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND I WOULD HOPE FOR A RECALL. *AK

STEERING RACK FAILURE, RELATED TO TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE. REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IS BEGINNING TO FAIL A SECOND TIME WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. *AK

TWO FRONT TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER SAYS THE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM IS TO ROTATE THE TIRES AND KEEP THE APPROPRIATE TIRE PRESSURE. *AK