2005 Toyota Prius complaints

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. ONE OF MY HID HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT AFTER ONLY 35,000 MILES, JUST 3 MONTHS AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOYOTA CLAIMS ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT HID HEADLIGHTS LAST LONGER THAN HALOGEN BULBS, BUT BY E-MAIL SAID THAT THEY HAD NOT DETERMINED LIFE EXPECTANCY OF PARTS IN MY VEHICLE. LOOKING AT THE MANY PRIUS CHAT ROOMS ON THE WEB, THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM. AS THE REPLACEMENT PART ALONE (A SINGLE BULB) RUNS $350, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THE BULB SO SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. *TR

SPONTANEOUS FAILURE OF REGENERATIVE AND POWER BRAKING SYSTEMS ON PRIUS, RESULTING IN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT BRAKING AND LONG STOPPING DISTANCE; THE 2 OCCURRENCES HAPPENED AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 30MPH SO I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COME TO A STOP, BUT AT A HIGHER SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND IN ONE CASE, THE BRAKES WERE NOT EVEN BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. THE PROBLEM, BRAKE, ABS, AND PS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, AND THERE IS AN AUDIBLE ALARM. THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS AFTER THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT BUT AFTER A SECOND INCIDENT THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. *TR

WHEN CAR WAS NEW, I WAS TOLD A WARNING LIGHT WOULD APPEAR FOR LOW FUEL. I RAN THE CAR DRY (WITH ONE BAR SHOWING) AND NO WARNING EVER APPEARED.. THE CAR RAN DRY IN A BAD SECTION OF TOWN AT NIGHT... SUBSEQUENTLY I FOUND THE FUEL GAUGE TO BE GROSSLY INACCURATE. 3 GALLONS WAS REQUIRED TO MOVE THE GAUGE OFF THE LOWEST SETTING ALTHOUGH THE TANK ONLY HOLD 11 GALLONS...WITH HIGH GAS PRICES, ONE CANNOT SHOP WITH A ONE BAR FUEL SETTING (E) SINCE YOU MAY HAVE 4 GALLONS LEFT IN THE TANK..THE FUEL GAUGE IS ESSENTIALLY WORTHLESS. *TR

ON 3/1/08 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHEREBY I BROADSIDED A PUBLIC BUS AT AN APPROXIMATE ANGLE OF 45 DEGREES. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR FROM THE CENTER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED AND NEITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT I, THE DRIVER, INCURRED WHIP LASH INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT AS THE SEATBELT ON THAT SIDE DID NOT WORK EITHER. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED AND THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY BUT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS NOT RESTRAINED FROM HITTING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. AS TO THE AIRBAGS, THEY CLAIM THAT, DESPITE KNOWING THE CAR WAS DOING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH UPON IMPACT, THAT DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE COLLISION THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS TRUE. DOES THE LAW ALLOW FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS NOT TO DEPLOY IN SUCH ACCIDENTS OR ARE THEY JUST STONE WALLING US? ANY INFO YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. JOHN E. REARDON *TR

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HID DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. DEALER WANTS >$600 TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT. PROBLEM WELL DOCUMENTED AS RECURRENT ISSUE FOR PRIUS WITH HID HEADLAMPS. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA ASAP. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO LOSE HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS ALSO OUTRAGEOUS TO EXPECT CONSUMERS TO PAY $600 TO REPLACE A LIGHT BULB AND NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 45-55 MPH, SHE SWERVED ACROSS THE ROAD THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IN ADDITION, SHE CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER TREES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED NUMEROUS INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000. UPDATED 04/21/08 *BF

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS RIGHT HID HEADLAMP FLICKERS AND SOMETIMES TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WILL NOT COVER EXTENSIVE REPAIR COST. FROM INTERNET INFORMATION THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS QUIT SIMULTANEOUSLY. *TR

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT SOUTER'S IN BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, NOT HONORING THE RECALL NOTICE ON 2004-2006 TOYOTA PRIUS STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACEMENT. I TOOK IT IN WHEN I GOT THE FIRST NOTICE AND SINCE I HAVE TO USE HAND CONTROLS TO DRIVE I HAVE THESE CONTROLS INSTALLED IN THIS PRIUS. SOUTAR'S SAID THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE DEFECT UNLESS THE CONTROLS WERE REMOVED. OR THEY WOULD CALL A TECHNICIAN TO COME UP FROM LA TO REMOVE THE CONTROLS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. IT WOULD HAVE COST TOO MUCH. THEY SAID THEY WERE SORRY. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH TRIM PACKAGE #9, INCLUDING HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS - THE ONLY ONES AVAILABLE IN THE ONLY VEHICLE AVAILABLE TO ME, SO THESE WERE NOT AN OPTIONAL PURCHASE. I WAS CONFIDENT IN THE EXPECTED LONG SERVICE LIFE OF HID BULBS BUT HAD ONE FAIL AT 41,000 MILES IN A PATTERN VERY SIMILAR TO OTHERS DESCRIBED ONLINE - INTERMITTENT DIFFICULTY GETTING ONE HEADLIGHT TO TURN ON, FOLLOWED BY DIMMING AND A PINK TINT IN THE LIGHT, AND FINALLY COMPLETE FAILURE. DESPITE THE HISTORY OF PRIUSES HAVING EARLY HID FAILURE, THE DEALER WAS ONLY ABLE TO SUGGEST THAT I PAY FOR A BULB REPLACEMENT, FOR ABOUT $350. GIVEN THAT HID LIGHTING SYSTEMS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MUCH LONGER LIVED THAN THIS, I MUST SUSPECT THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN THE PRIUS'S HID ELECTRONICS THAT IS CAUSING BULBS AND/OR OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE HID LIGHTING CHAIN TO FAIL MUCH SOONER THAN EVER EXPECTED, IF NOT UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR

I WAS HEADED SOUTH ON 22ND STREET CROSSING 7TH AVENUE SOUTH INTERSECTION. WOMAN RAN A REDLIGHT. I STRUCK HER CAR. I HAVE A 2005 PRIUS. THE FRONT END WENT DOWN AS IT WAS DESIGN, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A TOYOTA PRIUS THAT WAS HEADED EAST BOUND INTO AN INTERSECTION IN JOLIET ILLINOIS WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF THE CAR THAT I WAS IN. THE RESULTING FRONT END COLLISION FAILED TO TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE. AS A RESULT I HAVE A PERMANENT INJURY TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER THAT LEAVES ME WITH LIMITED MOBILITY IN MY RIGHT ARM. TWO OTHER PEOPLE WERE ALSO INJURED IN THE RESULTING CRASH. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY AT RANDOM TIMES. IT WILL TURN ON AGAIN IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON, BUT IT WILL INEVITABLY TURN OFF AFTER 1 TO 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER-TRAINED "MASTER MECHANIC" RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CLAIMS THAT THE "HID ECU" (HID ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, PART NUMBER 8110747150) IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MUST BE REPLACED. IT COSTS $320 IN LABOR TO ACCESS THE HID ECU UNDER THE DASHBOARD, AND $286.99 FOR THE NEW COMPUTER. THERE ARE DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HID LIGHTS TURNING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON VARIOUS PRIUS BULLETIN BOARDS ON LINE, YET TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER CLAIMS TO HAVE NO RECORDS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN. HEADLIGHTS FAILING AT RANDOM DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR

HID HEADLAMPS GO OUT RANDOMLY AND INDIVIDUALLY, BUT CAN BE RELIT BY CYCLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF. DEALER IS REPLACING BOTH HID LAMP AND CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH SIDES; SAYS REPLACING JUST LAMP OR CONTROLLER WILL NOT PERMANENTLY SOLVE PROBLEM. CRASH DANGER DUE TO LAMPS GOING OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *CN

ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD TO ME AT AN INTERSECTION. I STRUCK THE OTHER CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF NOR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK INTO PLACE TO HOLD THE PASSENGERS IN A RESTRAINED POSITION. *TR

TOYOTA SIENNA ...AT APPROX 36K MILES MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF. BULBS WERE REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE ECU UNIT TO THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED AND WORKED FINE FOR A YEAR. NOW AT 59K THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DOING THE SAME. I AM TOLD AGAIN TO REPLACE THE BULBS(300$) EACH. THE BULBS COME ON BUT JUST GO OUT ON THERE OWN WITHOUT HITTING A BUMP . IT VARIES WHICH LIGHT I WILL HAVE AND I HAVE LOST BOTH WHILE TRAVELING. I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING BULBS THIS WEE....HOPE IT WORKS. *TR

AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES, FUEL INJECTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED... $1,000.00. *TR

"BLIND SPOT" ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WINDOW IN 2005 PRIUS. *TR

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

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER, THEY NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DISTORTED. THE PLATING ON THE INTERNAL PART OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OVERHEATING. THERE IS NO WAY TO RELEASE THIS HEAT AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A POSSIBLE FIRE MAY OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAINS ON AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, BUT OCCURS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. HE SPOKE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 10/31/07. *JB

THE TRACTION CONTROL ON MY 2005 PRIUS IS DANGEROUS. THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM (WWW.PRIUSCHAT.COM) . TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THE CAR HITS EVEN A SMALL PATCH OF WATER AND THE TIRES SLIP, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN FOR WAY TOO LONG. SO, WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY FROM A STOP, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE TIRES HAPPEN TO SPIN, THE CAR JUST COASTS FOR WAY TOO LONG. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY ONTO A FREEWAY FROM A STOP, WHICH I HAVE TO DO FREQUENTLY. MY ENTRANCE ONTO THE 101 IN HOLLYWOOD REQUIRES THIS TYPE OF ACCELERATION, AND I DREAD IT EVERY TIME I DO IT. I OWN A 2005 PRIUS. DO A SEARCH ON WWW.PRIUSCHAT.COM USING THE TERM "TRACTION CONTROL" TO SEE MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS IS THE FIRST COMPLAINT I HAVE EVER FILED, AND I REALLY HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. *JB

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS HID LAMP BURN OUT. REPLACE OF LAMP IS APPROX. $400.00 EACH.

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

2005 PRIUS TOTALED. WHEEL SUDDENLY JERKED TO RIGHT AND PULLED VEHICLE OFF ROAD. NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS, AS NOTHING HIT, POLICE REPORT TAKEN BY HIGHWAY PATROL, WITNESSES FROM BOTH DIRECTION TO PHYSICAL ACCIDENT. NO ONE HURT. VEHICLE CONSIDERED TOTAL. INSURANCE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR TO CHECK IT OUT. CASE ALSO FILED WITH TOYOTA, WHO IS SENDING PERSON TO CHECK OUT VEHICLE. ALSO, COMPLAINT ON THIS WEDSITE, AS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IN AND GET BULLETIN ON RECALL RELATED TO FAULTY STEERING FOR PRIUS.*AK

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

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

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

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

MARCH 2, 2007 5:01 PM ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 IT RAINED AND MY CAR HAD BEEN IN THE PARKING LOT ALL MORNING DURING THE RAIN. I DROVE IT FROM WORK TO A BUS STOP WITH CLIENTS IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, THE CAR SLOWED AND AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKES GRABBED AND ALL OCCUPANTS WERE JOLTED FORWARD. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE WET FROM RAIN. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH TOYOTA I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA TEAM LEADER AT MY DEALER. BEFORE TEST DRIVING THE CAR, HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE IT INSIDE AND PULL THE TIRES AND INSPECT THE BRAKES. I WAS THEN ADVISED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE REAR BRAKES (DRUM) WERE FILLED WITH BRAKE DUST. I FIND IT INCONSISTENT THAT THE LARGE ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST DID NOT EXIST ABOUT 8,000 MILES AGO WHEN THE GRABBING CONDITION FIRST PRESENTED AFTER I HAD DRIVEN WITHOUT THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 21,000 MILES. (CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 30,000 MILES.) I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT THE "LARGE ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST" WAS NOT FOUND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BY MORRISTOWN TOYOTA ON 2/16/07 WHEN THE WARRANTY WORK WAS DONE AND THE BRAKE ISSUE WAS PRESENTED. AFTER LEAVING MORRISTOWN TOYOTA I PHONED MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO BUILDUP OF DUST AT ANY TIME THE BRAKES WERE PULLED. I WATCHED HIM PERFORM BOTH SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER AND 500 MILES AGO (I HAVE THE NEXT CHANGE STICKER IN MY CAR SET FOR 5,000 MILES AND ONLY 500 MILES HAVE ELAPSED SINCE THE LAST CHANGE). I CHANGE THE OIL E

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

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

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

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AIMED HIGH AND TOYOTA SAYS THEY CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED LOWER. ON COMING CARS FLASH HIGH BEAM WHEN TOYOTA HEADLIGHTS ARE ON LOW BEAM SETTING. *JB

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

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

ON DECEMBER 14TH, 2006, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYTOTA PRIUS FROM BERKELEY, CA TO MONTEREY, CA. AT 18 MILES OUTSIDE OF MONTEREY. CA, AND WHILE STILL ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, A CONTINUOUS LOUD AND HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZER WENT ON AND THE PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ON THE PANEL. I PULLED OFF A FREEWAY EXIT NEAR CASTROVILLE, CA AND STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW INTO THE EXIT, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK UNTIL I STOMPED ON THEM WITH MUCH PRESSURE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON. I DROVE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY TO MONTEREY, CA AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, WHEN I DROVE INTO TOWN ONCE AGAIN THE BUZZER AND RED BRAKE LIGHTS WENT ON.I PULLED OVER TO THE CURB AND HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SEASIDE CA. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND I WAS SHOWN A TEST FORM INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION LISTED AS CM1300. THE CONCLUSION OF THE MECHANIC WAS THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A REPLACEMENT PART MAY BE NEEDED WHICH WOULD TAKE A FEW DAYS AND THAT THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO MY USE OF SKID CONTROL AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTIONS THAT I EXPERIENCED. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND THAT I SHOULD STOP EVERY 15 MILES TO STOP AND REBOOT THE CAR AGAIN TO PREVENT THE MALFUNCTION FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AGAIN THAT I SHOULD STOMP ON THE BRAKE REALLY HARD AND THE SKID CONTROL WOULD SOMEHOW BE ACTIVATED. I MADE IT HOME

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

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

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

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

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

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IN ORDER FOR OUR VEHICLE TO PASS INSPECTION. TIRES ARE RATED AT 50,000. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS BECAUSE OUR REAR WHEELS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT YET THEY HAD NO WAY OF ALIGNING THE REAR WHEELS SO NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT PAY ABOVE MSRP FOR TWO NEW TIRES. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE WENT TO A LOCAL TIRE STORE FOR TWO MORE AS WE WERE TRAVELING AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES.

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

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

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

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

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

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