2004 Toyota Prius complaints

1) THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS, 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND APPROX 76K MILES ON IT. IT HAS ONLY BEEN USED FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS. 2) BOTH REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS TORE WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THE RIGHT SIDE COMPLETELY AND THE LEFT SIDE IS APPROXIMATELY 90% TORN. THE ONLY PERSON TO USE THE REAR SEATS, ON A FAIRLY REGULAR BASIS, IS MY 14 YEAR OLD SON. TWO WEEKS AGO HE GOT INTO THE RIGHT SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE BELT WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. LAST WEEK HE GOT INTO THE LEFT SIDE AND MENTIONED THAT IT WAS ALSO TORN. AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY SEAT HE CAN NOW USE IS THE MIDDLE "LAP ONLY" BELT. IN LOOKING AT THE BELTS, IT APPEARS THAT THE TEAR IS AT THE PLACE WHERE THE BELT PASSES THROUGH THE PLASTIC SHROUD COVERING THE RETRACTING MECHANISM. 3) TALKED WITH THE TOYOTA SERVICE REP YESTERDAY. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. BUT,SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY IT WOULD COST APPROX $550.00 USD TO FIX. *NM

PRIUS STALLED WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP LIGHT. ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD WERE ILLUMINATED INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ONLY ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEMS WAS OPERATIONAL. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. UPON RESTART, ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 MILES AWAY. STORED ERROR CODE P0A7A WAS IDENTIFIED - BULLETIN EG029-05. "FALSE M.I.L. "ON" CONDITION. AN UPDATED CONTROL ECU WAS INSTALLED, COVERED BY WARRANTY. *JB

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING.**CC THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, THE VEHICLE STARTED, HOWEVER WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE, THE ENGINE RACED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD RAPIDLY, EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD ABOUT 25 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES TO HIS KNEE. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER EACH TIME WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM EITHER THE ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP-STARTED AND TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR.

TOUCH SCREEN ON 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS IS DEFECTIVE AND FAILS TO WORK WHICH LEAVES ME WITH NO HEAT AT TIMES AND INABILITY TO SEE IF MY BATTERY IS OPERATING PROPERLY, THIS IS AN ONGOING TOYOTA PROBLEM WITH COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE WEB BY PRIUS OWNERS. *JB

MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS ELECTRICAL DISPLAY (TOUCH SCREEN) HAS 'SHORTED OUT' WITH A LOUD TICKING NOISE THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SPRINGFIELD, VA TOYOTA SHOP TWICE, AND IT IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN. THE SCREEN GOES DARK, AND THEN THERE IS NO ACCESS TO THE DEFROSTER, GPS, ETC. THEY ALL BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL. *JB

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THEY HAVE GOTTEN MORE SEVERE AFTER THE TOYOTA DEALER UPLOADED NEW CODE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX A RECALL. PROBLEMS INCLUDE LOSS OF DISPLAY, LOSS OF CONTROL OF CLIMATE SYSTEM, RADIO TURNS ITSELF OFF, AND OCCASIONALLY THERE IS LOSS OF POWER AT LOW SPEEDS WHICH IS SOMETIMES FIXED BY A REBOOT OF THE CAR. AFTER THE LAST LOSS OF POWER, THE CAR THEN RESPONDED BY THE GAS ENGINE REVVING VERY HIGH AND NOT RESPONDING TO THE GAS PEDAL - YET THE CAR WAS NOT TRAVELING ANY FASTER. *NM

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 2004 PRIUS TRANSMISSION. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN LOW GEAR ON A HILL. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, HOWEVER WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. *JB

I TURNED LEFT INTO DRIVEWAY OF A HOME- DRIVEWAY HAS AN INCLINE. I TURNED OFF POWER AND TWO CHILDREN EXITED CAR. ONE PASSENGER RETURNED WITHIN FIVE MIN AND SAT IN FRONT. I PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE. BRAKE FELT "LOCKED" WITH NO GIVE. I PRESSED POWER BUTTON WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, AND PLACED GEAR IN REVERSE. I LET FOOT OFF BRAKE TO ROLL SLOWLY OUT OF DRIVEWAY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE TO SLOW EXIT, MY FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR--NO POWER. I NOTICE GEAR WAS NEUTRAL. POWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. CAR WAS ROLLING CLOSER TOWARD A BUSY FOUR LANE STREET. I NOTICED THE POWER BUTTON LIGHT COLOR WAS RED, AND THE FOLLOWING YELLOW WARNING INDICATORS WERE LIT: BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT. I DEPRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I TOLD MY 14 Y/O PASSENGER TO EXIT THE CAR AND WHEN SHE DID THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THE ABOVE LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. THE BRAKE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS TO THE FLOOR. I AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE POWER WITHOUT SUCCESS. I EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH MY SMART ENTRY KEY IN HAND AND AS EXPECTED LOUD BUZZING NOISE CAME ON. I THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE REFERENCE NUMBER IS 269-568-6678. I CALLED BACK LATER TO CHANGE THE REFERENCE NUMBER TO 269-492-2066. I HAD ASKED FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL, BUT THE POLICE DID NOT SHOW. ON 9/6 A.M., JIM AT METRO TOYOTA SERVICE, KALAMAZOO, MI CALLED & I DESCRIBED THE ABOVE TO HIM. AT 1530 ON 9/6/06, I DESCRIBED MY EXPE

WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAR SOMETIMES GOES INTO REVERSE INSTEAD. DEALER CONFIRMED PROBLEM AND OFFERED TO REPLACE SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR $50 DEDUCTIBLE ON EXTENDED WARRANTY. WILL TRY TO OBTAIN OLD PART. *NM

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS I PURCHASED USED LAST FEB (06). STARTING THE CAR DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY BRING UP THE DASH DISPLAY. IT REMAINS BLANK, HOWEVER I CAN SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE POWER STEERING IS OFF AS WELL. I RESTART AND RESTART AND EVENTUALLY THE DASH WILL POP ON. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT. NOT AT ONCE THOUGH. THE RED TRIANGLE WITH THE ! IN BETWEEN IS ALWAYS PRESENT BUT SOMETIMES IT IS JOINED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. *JB

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHT AND SLIP INDICATOR CAME ON, THEN VEHICLE RESUMES FULL POWER. *KB ***NAR*** *JB

THE PRIUS USES A LEVER AND GATE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR. ON MY PRIUS, THE LEVER STUCK IN THE GATE POSITION AND DID NOT RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. I PUSHED THE "PARK" BUTTON AND BEGAN TO EXIT THE CAR. IT ROLLED FORWARD IN GEAR AND I HAD TO JUMP BACK IN AND JAM ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID INJURING SOMEONE. THIS DEFECT IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS. IF THE SELECTOR LEVER DOES NOT RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER A GEAR IS SELECTED, THE PARK FUNCTION IS DISABLED AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD. *JB

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. *NM

TAIL LIGHTS ON MY '04 PRIUS ARE SLOWLY MELTING , AND AS A RESULT, THE DECORATIVE BLACK PLASTIC INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY IS OBSCURING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO THE POINT THAT THEY ARE BARELY VISIBLE. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THESE SOON; TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO IT, SAYING I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THE CONTACT WAS T-BONED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED VARIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. UPDATED 06/23/06. *JB ALSO SEE ODINO 10164732.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH, THE MASTER WARNING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE OPERATING AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED OPERATION FOR ABOUT A MILE BEFORE EVENTUALLY STALLING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, BUT REMAINED IN ELECTRIC MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY AWAITING INSPECTION. *AK CONTACT REQUESTED TO DELETE THE COMPLAINT FROM THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WAS A MISTAKE. *AK

2004 PRIUS HYBRID ABS AND OTHER DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED . PROBLEM WAS FIXED PER MECHANIC, 15 DAYS LATER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *TS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING. EACH TIME BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED; THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MANUALLY ACTIVATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY USING THE EXIT RAMP. WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED, THE PARK BUTTON OPTION WAS PRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THERE WAS NO FURTHER ACCELERATION OR GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IS AWAITING INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED, WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL BECAME SOFT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED

HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY AIM DOWNWARD IN MY 2004 PRIUS EQUIPPED WITH THE HIGH INTENSITY ARC HEADLIGHTS. THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS, NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON DECEMBER 6 2005, A RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED FOR THE ENGINE. IN JANUARY, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS DEFECT RECURRED IN BOTH FEBRUARY AND MARCH. THE DEALER WAS CONSULTED AFTER THE SECOND RECURRENCE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 3/29/2006 - THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE WEATHER IS 10 DEGREES AND BELOW, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT ILLUMINATE OR PROVIDE READINGS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT IN DRIVING CONDITIONS BECAUSE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE READ. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AGAIN IN FRIGID WEATHER OF 10 AND BELOW. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE WEATHER WAS WARMER AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REPLIED THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE.

ON THREE OCCASIONS MY 2004 PRIUS HAS STARTED WITHOUT PUSHING THE "START" BUTTON. ON 11/19/05 TWO PEOPLE HAD GOTTEN INTO THE BACK SEAT AND CLOSED THE DOORS. I WAS STANDING BEHIND THE CAR. IT WAS AT NIGHT. AS I SLAMMED THE HATCH BACK DOOR SHUT I COULD SEE THE DISPLAY PANEL LIGHT UP IN THE DARK AND HEAR THE CAR START. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR I ONLY HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT. THE DEALER SAID THIS WASN'T POSSIBLE. *NM

WHEN TRYING TO STOP ABRUPTLY CONSUMER BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. *TS *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ARE SHOULDERING ON VEHICLE. THE EDGES OF THE TIRE ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ARE WEARING OUT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED IN JANUARY 2005 BY TOYOTA. NOW ,IN DECEMBER 2005, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. HE SPOKE TO TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT WARRANTY TIRES, AND HE SHOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH GOODYEAR. HOWEVER, GOODYEAR CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. FAILURE TO SEAL THE CABIN AND UNDER DASH AREAS FROM OPEN ACCESS ALLOWED SMALL RODENTS TO ENTER THE OUTSIDE AIR VENT LEADING TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER, CAUSED WIRING AND TUBING DAMAGES. *TS UPDATED 11/29/2005 -A FOUL ODOR COULD ALSO BE SMEELE INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RODENTS LIVING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *NM

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN NORMAL CITY STREET TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, BRAKES PULSED SLOWLY SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN FAILED. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAR CRASHED INTO REAR-END OF CAR AHEAD. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS FAILED. THE ABS AND VSC LIGHTS FLICKERED WHILE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND ALL FOUR TIRES LOCKED. THE LIGHTS CAME ON LAST WEEK WHEN THE FUEL WAS LOW IN THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WAS STILL NOT WORKING. HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TOWING EXPENSE. *SC

THE BLACK PLASTIC MATERIAL INSIDE THE CAR IS GETTING WHITE SPLOTCHES ON IT. IF YOU EVEN PUT YOUR ARM AGAINST IT OR YOUR HAND LITTLE BLOTCHES APPEAR THAT DO NOT COME OFF. THIS IS OCCURRING ON THE DASH AND ON THE SIDES OF THE CAR. *NM

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY GAS ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH TURNED ON. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR REPAIR. I HAD ASKED THE MANUFACTURE TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE HAD ANY RECALL OR TSB AND THEY SAID "NO". THEN IF THAT'S THE CASE WHY AM I HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE WITH THIS CAR? I THINK TOYOTA DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND DOES NOT KNOW HOT TO FIX IT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO GET T THE SHOULD SAFELY.*JB

DT: TOTAL BREAKDOWN OF CONSUMER'S WIFE 2004 PRIUS ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2005 IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE MERGING INTO THE INTERSTATE. A LOSS OF GAS ENGINE POWER WITH FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION/ENGINE TO START, RESULTED IN ONLY ELECTRIC MOTOR PROPULSION AND BREAKDOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE BATTERY QUICKLY WENT TO SINGLE PINK BAR LEVEL WITHIN A 1/2 MILE. MULTIPLE MIL LAMPS LIT UP. BEGAN TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM A STOP SPEED OF 30 OR 40 MPH AND SLOWLY ACCELERATED INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH ALL OF ITS DEBRIS , ETC. THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIRS AT SAN JOSE'S CAPITOL TOYOTA ON 9/2/05. THE DEALER FIXED THE CAR. BUT THE CONSUMER CONTACTED A TOYOTA PRIES ADVISOR WHO STATED IF THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS CHARACTERISTIC THAT WOULD PREVENT THE ROADWAY FAILURE THEN WHY WAS IT NOT EXECUTED DURING PRIOR SERVICES ON 3/9/05, 5/26/05 AND 6/09/05. THIS INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS RELIABLE AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER, AN ACCOMPLISHED ENGINEER, SAID TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT SOFTWARE BUGS. A SOFTWARE BUG DID NOT IMPAIR OPERATION UNTIL THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WAS REACHED. ALL PRIES HAD THIS POTENTIAL BUG THAT CONTAMINATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECHO). *AK *JB

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS CUT OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER MOTORIST REAR ENDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB

CONSUMERS 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HAD TWO BATTERY FAILURES. *TS THE FIRST BATTERY FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOR 5 WEEKS. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED FOR 14 DAYS. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING TO BE STARTED FOR 10 DAYS OR MORE. THE CONSUMER STATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER THE INFORMATION WAS NEVER RELAYED TO THE CONSUMER. *JB

MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2004 VIN [XXX] ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED ON THE FREEWAY. I STILL CAN'T RESTART THE ENGINE. AS OF 10/17/05 DEALER STILL CAN'T FIND THE REASON. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS PURCHASED ON MARCH 2ND 2004. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AFTER ACQUIRING MY VEHICLE I WAS MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN I EXPERIENCED AND ICE ENGINE FAILURE. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD USING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR. SUBSEQUENTLY I REBOOTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE PRIUS TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR SIX DAYS AND APPARENTLY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND PERFORMED A SOFTWARE FIX. RECENTLY, ON SEPTEMBER 8TH 2005 I EXPERIENCED A 2ND OCCURRENCE OF THE ICE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. THIS SCENARIO OCCURRED WHILE PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT. AGAIN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I REBOOTED THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP COMPLETED A TSB EG047-04 FOR RECALIBRATING THE ENGINE ECU. NOTE, I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PRIOR TSB'S FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THE ENGINE PROBLEM. *JB

MY WIFE WAS COASTING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE APPARENTLY EXPERIENCED A POWER SURGE CAUSING THE CAR TO SHOOT FORWARD VIOLENTLY GOING THROUGH A FENCE AND OVER A TWO FOOT RETAINING WALL, ACROSS A DRIVEWAY AND CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR. WHETHER IT WAS THE GAS ENGINE OR ELECTRIC DRIVE IS NOT CLEAR. OUR DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OBSERVED THAT MY WIFE'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME. BOTH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER RECEIVED NECK INJURIES REQUIRING TREATMENT. *NM

TOYOTA PRIUS OWNED BY OUR AGENCY HAS HAD THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEM 3 SEPARATE TIMES. *NM

DT: VEHICLE STALLED /DIED. AND LOST POWER DUE TO THROTTLE FAILURE. *AK

DT: THE CALLER SAID WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO DID NOT KNOW YET WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT BETWEEN 40-55 WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. I TRIED TO RESTART IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THERE IS A ONE-WEEK WAIT ON ITS REPAIR. THIS HAPPENED APPROX. 240 MILES FROM HOME. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. PRIUS 2004. *NM

DT: 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 24 AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING 60-65 MPH. *AK. THE VEHICLE STALL AGAIN ON AUGUST 29TH, 2005 WHILE BEING DRIVEN DRIVING 40 MPH. THE MILEAGE WAS 24480. THE CONSUMER CONTACT GM AND DEMANDED A NEW VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER BOUGHT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BACK. *NM

DT: 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE BATTERY WAS NOT HOLDING A CHARGE. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 2 OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT: TOTAL BREAKDOWN OF WIFE'S 2004 PRIUS ON SEPTEMBER 2 IN FINE WEATHER ONE IN SAN JOSE. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SUDDEN AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER WHILE MERGING INTO THE INTERSTATE. LOSS OF GAS/ENGINE POWER WITH FAILURE OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION WITH ENGINE TO START, RESULTED IN ONLY ELECTRIC MOTOR PROPULSION AND BREAKDOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE BATTERY QUICKLY WENT TO SINGLE PINK BAR LEVEL WITHIN A 1/2 MILES. MULTIPLE MIL LAMPS LIT UP AND STAYED ON. BEGAN TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM A STOP SPEED OF 30 OR 40 MPH AND SLOWLY ACCELERATED INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE (UGH) BREAKDOWN LANE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH ALL OF ITS DEBRIS, ETC. THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIR, SAN JOSE INVOICE NUMBER TOCS190787 DTD 9/2/05 APPLIED EG047-04 ON CAR. THE DEALER REPAIRS SEEMED TO HAVE FIXED THE CAR. CONTACTED A TOYOTA PRIUS ADVISOR WITH THREE CONCERNS: IF THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS CHARACTERISTIC THAT WOULD PREVENT THE ROADWAY FAILURE THEN WHY WAS IT NOT EXECUTED DURING PRIOR SERVICES 3-9-05, 5-26-05 & 6-09-05 AT THIS SAME DEALER. WHAT LED ONE TO BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS NOT RELIABLE AFTER THIS REPAIR. THE CONSUMER, AN ACCOMPLISHED ENGINEER, A KNEW ABOUT SOFTWARE BUGS. A SOFTWARE BUG DID NOT IMPAIR OPERATION UNTIL THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WAS REACHED. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT ALL PRIUS HAD THIS POTENTIAL BUG THAT CONTAMINATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). ECU. *AK

PER CONSUMER CALL WITH C. ROSE (ODI) ON 9/29/05 JULY 2004: SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND WENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WITHOUT STEPPING ON BRAKE AND STARTED TO PULL FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED/ CUT OFF. COULD RESTART ALL TIMES. JULY 6, 2004: STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 10-20 MPH FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL; GAS ENGINE STALLED, BUT SHE HAD ELECTRIC POWER, BUT SAID NEUTRAL; THINKS STEPPED ON BRAKE AND PUSHED POWER (STARTER) BUTTON 1-2 TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT FULL SPEED. JULY 13, 2005: HAPPENED 2 TIMES - DRIVING ON A CROWDED CITY STREET AT A MAX OF 30 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HER STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR (PANEL SHOWED NEUTRAL); ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE NO MORE THAN 5-10 MPH. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY LESS THAN 1/2 MILE. TURNED IT OFF AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART RIGHT AWAY. DROVE FOR ANOTHER MINUTE AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SO SHE PULLED OVER, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND RESTARTED IT RIGHT AWAY. DID NOT HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS THAT DAY. JULY 23, 2005: ON THE FREEWAY GOING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY DEALER. SHE WAS ACCELERATING FROM 45 TO 65 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DECREASE SPEED. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (BELIEVES IT GOT DOWN TO NO MORE THAN 20 MPH). SHE STEPPED ON BRAKE AND RESTARTED. NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE FULLY CUT OFF. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPEN

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT STATED THE PEDAL HIT A STOP BEFORE LOCKING THE WHEELS TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID CHECK BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL, BUT S IT WAS A NORMAL BRAKING PROCEDURE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE PRESSED THE BRAKES,THERE WAS A MINIMUM BRAKING CAPABILITY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT STOP IT. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE, AND DID FEEL THIS WAS A PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM.*AK

DT: TOYOTA 2004 PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20-45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. *AK THE STALLING WAS DUE TO A INVERTER/CONVERTER FAILURE. *JB

NOTHING SPECIAL OR EXTRAORDINARY LED UP TO THIS FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 7:00AM. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 70 DEGREES AND THE CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE EVERY EVENING. IN THE MIDDLE OF ACCELERATION (I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH), THE CAR STALLED AND THE "RED TRIANGLE OF DEATH" CAME UP ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM ALSO PROVIDED THE WORD "PROBLEM" AND A LITTLE, RED CAR SYMBOL WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX UNDER BATTERY POWER ONLY. I THEN SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAITED A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. THE ENGINE DID KICK BACK IN AFTER THIS, BUT THE WARNING SYMBOL (LITTLE, RED CAR) ON THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DIDN'T GO AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD TO "RECALIBRATE THE ENGINE COMPUTER." THE CAR IS NOW RUNNING AS NORMAL. THE CAR IS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. MY WORRY WITH THIS IS WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ACROSS KANSAS, WHILE 80 MILES AWAY FROM ANYONE TO HELP YOU? THE BATTERY POWER SURELY WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH TO GET YOU TO SAFETY. THIS IS A PROBLEM INHERENT IN THE SOFTWARE OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR ALL OWNERS.