Page 2 of 22 · complaints 51–100 of 1,051

2005 Toyota Prius complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2019140,000 milesMI

BRAKE ACTUATOR WENT BAD. TOYOTA DID A LIMITED VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE MANDATORY. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS PART FAILS. ONLY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL FIX THIS AND THE COST IS $2,000-$3,000. THE COST IS GREATER THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE THIS CREATING A SITUATION WHERE OWNERS BYPASS THE REPAIR AND STILL DRIVE. PLEASE LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF REFUNDS THAT TOYOTA OFFERED AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS MADE REGARDING THIS ISSUE-THIS SHOULD INDICATE HOW WIDESPREAD THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY IS.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 20199,999,999 milesMI

MY ABS ACTUATOR WENT BAD. THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE. THE CAR NOW HAS NO POWER ASSISTED BRAKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AND I WANTED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST. GIVEN THE DANGER THAT A FAILING ABS SYSTEM POSES I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT NHTSA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IF IT'S COMMON, THEN THE GEN 2 PRIUSES NEED TO BE RECALLED.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Feb 28, 2019104,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD REMAIN ON WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS USED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GETTEL TOYOTA OF LAKEWOOD (5959 E STATE RD 64, BRADENTON, FL 34208, (941)-567-1080) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 14, 2019117,000 milesHI

THE COMBINATION METER WHICH CONTAINS THE SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HAS BEEN GOING DEAD FREQUENTLY (DOES NOT LIGHT UP WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED) FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT USED TO BE 1-2 TIMES A MONTH, BUT RECENTLY IT OCCURS A FEW TIMES A WEEK. THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY, BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT KNOW THE SPEED OR TO KNOW HOW MUCH GAS REMAINS IN THE TANK. EVEN WHEN THE METER STARTS TO WORK AGAIN, THE GAS READING IS NOT ACCURATE. IT IS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE TO TELL IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT, BECAUSE THE SCREEN IS BLACK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY TOYOTA BUT THEY NO LONGER OFFER REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ADDRESS ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. EVEN THE SEPARATE TOUCH SCREEN WHICH CONTAINS DIAGNOSTICS TESTS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS BLACK, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 23, 2019210,000 milesOR

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT, FOLLOWED BY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. BOTH WILL RETURN ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN, ONLY TO OCCUR AGAIN WITHIN 10 MINUTES. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST 10 DAYS.

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 2019130,000 milesMN

WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD REVERT BACK TO NEUTRAL UNLESS I HELD DOWN THE GEAR SHIFT IN POSITION. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I HAD THE CAR IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS. PARKING (USING THE BUTTON ON THE PRIUS) WAS ALSO DIFFICULT, AND I HAD TO TRY MULTIPLE TIMES TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AS IT CONTINUALLY WANTED TO GO BACK TO NEUTRAL.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 19, 2018204,000 milesVA

HEADLAMPS RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, BUT USUALLY ONLY ONE AT A TIME. LAST NIGHT (12/18/18), BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD AS IT WAS POORLY LIT. WHEN LAMPS DO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, TURNING THEM OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES WILL USUALLY GET THE IT TO COME BACK ON. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD AND A RECALL IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 19, 2018260,500 milesFL

THE ABS ACTUATOR/PUMP HAS FAILED. BRAKES LOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR CITY ROADWAY. AUDIO ALARM WITH WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKE, ABS, & VSC.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2018170,100 milesAL

BRAKE ACTUATOR PUMP RUNS CONSTANTLY AND SOUNDS LIKE A BARKING SEAL WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. HIGH-PITCHED WARNING BEEP AND LACK OF NORMAL BRAKING ABILITY FOR THE FIRST 30 SECONDS AFTER START-UP. BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ACTIVE ON THE DASH.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 2018280,000 milesOH

TAKARA RECALL - CURRENTLY HAVE AN AIRBAG LIGHT ONON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. BRAKE ACTUATOR RECALL - THE 'BRAKE' LIGHT, VSC, ABS, AND BRAKE SYMBOL LIGHTS ARE ALL ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST, BUT THE RECALL SAID IF I WASN'T EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES TO IGNORE THE RECALL. THAT RECALL EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2017. AS THIS AFFECTS THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR, I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 16, 2018280,000 milesOH

I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL INVOLVING THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. HOWEVER, IF I WASN'T EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, I COULD IGNORE THE RECALL. THAT RECALL EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2017. IN JULY OF 2018, THE 'BRAKE' LIGHT, VSC, ABS, AND BRAKE SYMBOL ILLUMINATED INDICATING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST TOYOTA REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AS IT AFFECTS THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE.

Steering
Filed Dec 11, 2018119,000 milesSC

THE STEERING ON MY 2005 PRIUS WITH ROUGHLY 119,000 MILES FAILED. FORTUNATELY IT WAS AT A LOW SPEED AND ON A SIDE STREET BUT WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR, IT COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD IF ON A MAIN ROAD OR AT A HIGHER SPEED! THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE CAUSE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. TOYOTA STATED THERE IS NO RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE CAR AND IT WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A PRIOR RECALL FOR STEERING ISSUES. WHEN IT FAILED, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL.*DT*JB

Electrical System
Filed Dec 11, 2018225,000 milesCA

COMBINATION METER INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON, SOMETIMES THE DASH METER WORKS, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST BLACK AND CONTINUES THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF, IT WILL NOT TURN OFF, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE ARE NO DASH LIGHTS AT ALL TO INDICATE FUEL AMOUNT, ODOMETER READING, DOOR OPEN SIGNAL, CHECK ENGINE, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND SO ON. THE SPEED BEING DRIVEN IS NOT SHOWING EITHER WHICH IS ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CRUISE CONTROL ALSO DOES NOT FUNCTION, THE CENTER TOUCHSCREEN DOES NOT DISPLAY HYBRID MOTOR INFORMATION OR MPG. THE BEEPING WHEN BACKING UP DOES NOT FUNCTION. ALSO THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN WHILE CAR IS RUNNING WHICH IS ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS NOT AVAILABLE. THE ODOMETER IS NOT RECORDING MILEAGE DURING THESE TIMES WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DO PROPER MAINTENANCE THAT GOES BY MILEAGE, SUCH AS OIL CHANGES.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 7, 2018155,000 milesFL

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. AFTER DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 5 MINUTES AN ALARM WENT OFF AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ON THIS CAR HAS BEGUN TO FAIL. THIS IS COMMON ON THE 2004 - 2009 PRIUS. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. OVER $3000 AT THE DEALER. THE ALARM CAN BE RESET AND THE CAR DRIVEN AGAIN LEADING TO A DANGEROUS BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING

Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 2018258,687 milesCA

THE HEADLIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT. I WILL TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON, IT WILL COME BACK ON. THEN SHUTS OFF AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE SWITCHING IT OFF AND ON, OFF AND ON. TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT WAS IN AUGUST 2018 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE ESTIMATE TOTAL WAS $318.62 FOR ONE HEADLIGHT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WANTS NO LIABILITY OR RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR NIGHT DRIVING AS THE HEADLIGHT WILL JUST SUDDENLY SHUT OFF.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 2018190,000 milesTX

ABS ACTUATOR WENT OUT

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 16, 201890,000 milesCA

EVERY TIME I'D TRY TO SHIFT MY CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT WOULD SHIFT BACK INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN, MAKING DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2018200,000 milesCA

THE ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MADE BRAKING VERY DIFFICULT. A CAR STOPPED AND WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKE, THERE WAS NO POWER BRAKE. MY POWER BRAKES JUST FAILED AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT ENDED IN 2017, BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. LIVES ARE AT STAKE!!

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2018CT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED FOUR TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WARRANTED REPAIR HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2018215,000 milesPA

HEADLIGHT FAILURE.....WHILE DRIVING. I START OUT WITH MY LIGHTS ON, AND RANDOMLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE HEADLIGHT, OR THE OTHER, WILL GO OUT, OR BOTH WILL GO OUT. I REPLACED THE BULBS, HAVE HAD MECHANICS GO OVER THE CAR......BEFORE I JOINED A PRIUS CHAT AND LEARNED THIS IS A "KNOWN ISSUE".....BUT STILL NO RECALL? I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER BY VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS! ..........BELOW IT ASKS FOR A DATE ON THE INCIDENT...IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2018115,000 milesTX

ABS LIGHTS STAY ON; TOOK TO DEALER. TOLD ACTUATOR PROBLEM AND BRAKES COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME BUT OUT OF WARRANTY AND NEVER RECALLED DESPITE KNOWN PROBLEM. COST OF REPAIRS NEARLY EXCEEDS AUTO VALUE. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY AS YET.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2018132,000 milesFL

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DECREASED AND BRAKE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY WITH A HARD JERK AND THE ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AFTERWARDS.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 9, 2018130,000 milesWA

ABS SYSTEM FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ALONE ON RURAL BUT HEAVILY TRAVELED STREETS. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED. WITH A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE HOW IS IT THAT TOYOTA HAS PLAYED THIS BET AND WON? 130,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. TOYOTA NEVER INFORMED ME OF THIS ISSUE THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN FAILURE - NOT UNCOMMON. WHY HASN'T THIS ORGANIZATION (NHTSA) ACTED ON A KNOWN BRAKE FAILURE ISSUE??? TOYOTA QUIETLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES WITHOUT INFORMING THE OWNERS OF THE SAFETY ISSUE - THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON MY VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE AN UNSAFE/UNUSABLE VEHICLE AND TOYOTA WANTS $2,500 TO REPAIR IT - MORE THAN WHAT THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WORTH. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THE NHTSA HAS FALLEN SHORT ON THIS PROBLEM AND REALLY SHOULD GET INVOLVED LIKE THEY DID WITH THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED OUT OF FOUR ACCIDENTS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE NUMBER COULD EASILY BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT AND SIMPLY UNREPORTED OR UNDER-REPORTED, OR UNDIAGNOSED. UNBELIEVABLE!!! A KNOWN BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WITH NO ACTION OTHER THAN A MINOR EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY - IS THAT ALL THAT TOYOTA CAN DO? IS THAT ALL THE NHTSA CAN DO?

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 2018114,600 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION TOYOTA ARAPAHOE (10531 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112, (303) 578-6111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1808071132. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,600. *TT ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON 8/11/18 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR ON 8/24/18 UPDATED 10/2/18*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 201887,000 milesHI

THE 2005 TOYOTA HAS A KNOWN BRAKE ACTUATOR PROBLEM. TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB/EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH ENDED IN DEC 2017, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS AND DID NOT DO A RECALL. IT IS EXPENSIVE AND ONLY THE DEALERS CAN DO THE WORK. OWNERS ARE LEFT WITH THE DILEMMA OF SPENDING ABOUT 2/3 THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT SAFE TO USE, LOSE A LOT OF MONEY BY JUNKING THE VEHICLE, OR CONTINUING TO USE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 2018230,000 milesKY

TOYOTA HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILURE. THERE WAS NO NOTICE SENT TO LET OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES KNOW THAT THEIR VEHICLE COULD BE SUBJECT TO THESE FAILURES. MY VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL REVEALED THIS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH. VEHICLE STILL OPERATIONAL, BUT COULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO APPLY BRAKES AT ANY TIME.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 3, 2018170,121 milesNC

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, IT TAKES TURNING THEM ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES TO TURN THEM BACK ON. IT IS RANDOM, SOMETIMES PASSENGER SIDE, SOMETIMES DRIVERS SIDE, SOMETIMES BOTH. TOYOTA SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH 2006 - 2009 PRIUS, MINE IS 2005, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON, LEAVING ME WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AS I'M DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL EARLY IN THE MORNING IN THE DARK, GOING 65MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY SAVING TO GET FIXED(CAR WAS A GIFT). I CALLED TOYOTA FOR AN ESTIMATE ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $85 FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHICH CLEARLY THEY ARE AWARE OF AND SOMEHOW SKIRTED OUT OF A RECALL OR ANY LIABILITY FOR ALL MODELS.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 22, 2018140,000 milesCA

I STARTED THE CAR AND THE SPEED INDICATOR DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LIGHTBULB OR SOMETHING THAT THAT HAD GONE OUT SINCE THE CAR DROVE LIKE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR BUT IT DIDN'T TURN OFF. I CALLED THE CAMPUS CAR SERVICE, BY THE TIME THEY GOT TO ME (ABOUT 30 MINUTES) THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE WHERE TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT HIGH MILAGE PRIUS' WERE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL ENDED IN 2013. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A KNOW ISSUE IS NO LONGER BEING FIXED WHEN THEY CLEARLY STATED THAT IT AFFECTS HIGH MILEAGE CARS. SO PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO'S CARS HAVEN'T REACHED A 'HIGH MILEAGE" DURING THEIR RECALL PERIOD ARE BASICALLY TOLD TO GUESS HOW FAST THE CAR IS TRAVELING?

Service Brakes
Filed May 30, 2018SC

BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILURE. NEVER RECALLED , YET TOYOTA ISSUED EXTENDED WARANTEE INSTEAD, SO WHEN BUYING A USED PRIUS, AS NEW OWNER DID NOT KNOW OF SERIOUS PROBLEM

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 16, 2018170,000 milesCA

HEADLIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. USUALLY THEY WORK FINE, BUT EVERY SO OFTEN SINCE MY FRIEND FIRST TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WERE OUT LAST WEEK, THEY DON'T TURN ON WHETHER THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT. IT CAN HAPPEN TO ONE OR BOTH LIGHTS AT A TIME, AND IS UNPREDICTABLE, MAKING ME AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC'S TODAY, BUT THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING AND HE COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE BULBS ARE FINE, AS LONG AS THEY ARE ABLE TO TURN ON, AND THE MECHANIC AGREED THE BULBS DO NOT NEED REPLACEMENT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 10, 2018138,000 milesWV

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY WILL COME BACK ON WHEN SWITCHED OFF AND THEN ON..

Service Brakes
Filed May 8, 2018169,000 milesGA

WARNING SYMBOLS (ABS, VSC, ORANGE EXCLAMATION SIGN, BRAKE) SHOWED UP ON THE DASH AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MAKE A CRUNCHING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WHICH IS A $2,500+ REPAIR. THEY MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES WERE IN DANGER OF FAILING AND THE CAR WOULD BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 13, 2018299,999 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER WAS NOT GOING OVER 300,000 MILES AND WAS STUCK AT 299,999. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ODOMETER CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NEEDING MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER (IRA TOYOTA OF DANVERS, 99 ANDOVER ST, DANVERS, MA 01923) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT DUE TO A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 299,999.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 2018NH

THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER STOPS AT 299,999 KM OR MILES AND WON'T ROLL OVER TO 300,000 KM OR MILES WHY WON'T IT ROLL OVER TO 300,000 MILES I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHERS ARE AFFECT IT, SUCH AS THE MATRIX AND COROLLAS.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 5, 2018TX

ABS ACTUATOR PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA PRIUS AND TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECTS DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THIS IS IS NOT JUST A DEFECTS, IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSU WHICH COULD LEAD TO DEATH IN THE EFFECT OF TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM.

Engine
Filed Apr 3, 2018CO

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RED AND WHITE SERVICE LIGHT INDICATOR. *LD THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT AN AD TO HAVE TO THE VEHICLE BE AT NO COST. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 2, 2018224,000 milesTX

THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK DUE TO A BAD BRAKE AVIATOR PUMP. THANKFULLY IT HAPPENED BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 29, 2018104,000 milesFL

MY ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWO DAYS AGO ALONG WITH ANOTHER BRAKE LIGHT. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING SO IT WAS SCARY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SHOWED TWO CODES - C1256 AND C1391. THESE WERE PART OF A BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH EXPIRED ON 12/31/2017. SINCE MINE WENT OUT AFTER THE EXPIRATION, I AM STUCK WITH A $2,500 REPAIR. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE WHICH HAD NO COMPASSION AND SAID "GOOD LUCK". I EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS CLEARLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD LEAD TO MY BRAKES NOT WORKING AT ALL OR LOCKING. SINCE THIS IS AN ADMITTED TOYOTA FAULT, I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE SOME SORT OF HELP. I WAS WRONG. IT IS SCARY TO THINK HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL NOW BE AT RISK OF HURTING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED WHO WON'T BE ABLE TO PAY FOR SUCH A HIGH COST REPAIR SO THEY WILL JUST DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE DEFECT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. A MASSIVE SAFETY CONCERN.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 22, 2018145,000 milesMO

THE COMBINATION METER ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS IS NOT WORKING. SO MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL GO OUT OR GO DARK AND MY CAR WILL KEEP RUNNING

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 2018203,000 milesFL

BRAKE ACTUATOR PROBLEM ON MY 2005 PRIUS. I HAVE THIS VEHICLE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR SINCE OCTOBER AND HAS ALWAYS MADE THIS NOISE FROM THE FRONT LIKE A PUMP RUNNING. THE CAR ITSELF DID NOT HAVE AN ISSUE UNTIL RECENTLY THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKES STARTED ACTING UP. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT THAT EXPIRED IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR. I HAD CALLED A LOCAL DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY KIND OF RECALLS AND THEY SAID NONE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS PART IS A KNOWN PART THAT FAILS AND WHEN IT DOES IT COULD END UP MAKING THE CAR LIKE A RUN AWAY TRAIN WITH NO BRAKES DEPENDING ON YOUR SPEED. I TRIED CONTACTING TOYOTA TODAY BUT GOT PRETTY MUCH NO WHERE THEY ARE SAYING THAT I NEED TO BRING IT TO THEM AND PAY THEM 3,000 DOLLARS. THE REPAIR IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BE MADE BY ANYONE ELSE WITHOUT A SPECIAL SCAN TOOL THE CARS BRAKES WILL SOMETIMES GO AWAY COMPLETELY AND THE PEDAL BECOMES STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BRAKE. IF THERE IS ANY OTHER INFO NEEDED PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 14, 2018150,000 milesNM

THE HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE RANDOMLY GOES OUT. IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON IT MAY COME BACK ON. NEW LAMPS HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2018230,000 milesFL

ABS FAILURE. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF KNOWN ISSUE WHEN THEY OFFERED THE GZ1 WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 7, 2018205,000 milesWA

THE HID HEADLIGHTS WORK UPON START UP THEN SHUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. REPLACING THE BULB DOES NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE HEADLIGHTS DONT STAY LIT DURING NIGHTTIME HOURS.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 7, 2018OR

THE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT, AND IT WILL COME ON AGAIN IF YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND TURN THEM BACK ON AGAIN. THIS WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES IN AN EVENING, AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN.

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 2018193,000 milesCA

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THEIR INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THEY HAVE NEVER COMPLETELY RESOLVED THE RECALL ISSUE, AS IT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY.*DT CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE, SINCE RECALL WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. ALSO, CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET A RECALL HISTORY, SHOWS THAT SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.*JB

Electrical System
Filed Dec 8, 2017145,000 milesIL

LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY ,

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 15, 2017101,000 milesGA

DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF HEADLIGHTS AND TURN THEM BACK ON TO MAKE THEM WORK. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. IT HAPPENS STANDING STILL AND DRIVING.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 2017274,000 milesNY

HEADLIGHT GOES OUT REPEATEDLY. HEADLIGHT WORKS AGAIN AFTER HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN. STARTED WITH THE SAME ONE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. NOW THE OTHER. SOMETIMES BOTH GO OUT, INCLUDING AT NIGHT. EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHTS MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THEY WORK FOR A WHILE LONGER. LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN DRIVING.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 201793,000 milesNY

CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD CROSSING. HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS ON ROUGH SURFACE OR CROSSING RR TRACKS. WILL NOT STOP.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 19, 2017130,000 milesWA

THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT FAILED. THIS WAS A COSTLY REPAIR AND A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS.

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2005 Toyota Prius → · Every Prius year → · How the figures are calculated →