2006 Toyota Prius complaints

I AM WRITING TO YOU ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN JULY 2008, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER - I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WAS COVERED. NOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS ONCE AGAIN FAILED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IN 2008 IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE WARRANTY IT WAS GOING TO COST ME WELL OVER $1,000. THE FAILURE OF THIS ACTUATOR HAPPENING TWICE IS UNBELIEVABLE. I'VE NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS. *TR

UPON PURCHASE OF VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR LOT, I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE WORK AT TIMES BUT AT OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD BE VERY DIM TO NON-EXISTENT. TURNING THE LIGHT ON AND OFF WOULD SEEM TO TEMPORARILY FIX THIS PROBLEM. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE THROUGH THE INTERNET, IT WAS REVILED THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG PRIUS OWNERS IN MODEL YEARS 2006-2009 WHERE TOYOTA CHOOSE TO USE HID LIGHT BULBS. NOT ONLY WAS THIS COMMON, BUT FOR SOME OWNERS, THE ISSUE APPEAR TO RE-OCCUR AND THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF HID BULBS APPEARS TO BE VERY LOW AND INFERIOR TO VIRTUALLY ANY OTHER TYPE OF BULB. FORTUNATELY, THE DEALER EXTENDED A HELPING HAND AND PROVIDED THE LABOR TO INSTALL THESE HARD TO GET TO BULBS. DUE TO POOR DESIGN, THE LIGHTS ARE VERY HARD TO GET TO WITHOUT TAKING THE BUMPER OFF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LIFE EXPECTANCY AND DESIGN THAT TOYOTA CHOSE IN THIS MODEL OF PRIUS. *TR

CPSC#I1230059. 2006 TOYOTA PRUIS COMPUTER ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER STATED THE HID HEAD LAMPS AND ASSOCIATED CONTROLLER COMPUTER USED ON THE TOYOTA PRUIS HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT MAKES THEM ITERMITTENTLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, QUIT WORKING. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 45F OR SO. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY COOLANT FLOW CONTROL VALVE THAT WAS RESULTING IN CODE P1121. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE COOLANT CAN LEAK OUT, AND RECOMMENDED IT BE FIXED ASAP AT A COST OF NEARLY $1000. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FOR PRIUS'S AND AN ONLINE SEARCH SHOWED THAT TOYOTA DID COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY (EXTENSION) FOR SOME MODEL YEARS UP TO 35K MILES. I WROTE TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES TO ASK IF THEY WOULD COVER OR ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST, AND IF THERE WAS A HIDDEN RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THIS ISSUE, AND THEY RESPONDED THAT I SHOULD JUST TRY TO NEGOTIATE A BETTER PRICE WITH THE DEALER. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THIS, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

MULTIPLE HID HEADLIGHT FAILURES STARTED APPEARING AFTER 5.5 YEARS AND 110000 MILES. DEALER WANTED $500 PER BULB (FRONTIER TOYOTA) TO REPLACE THE BULBS WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING BULB CHANGING PROCEDURES I FOUND THE FRONT END DOES NOT REQUIRE REMOVAL IF YOU HAVE SMALL ENOUGH HANDS AND SOME PATIENCE. I PURCHASED 2 NEW AFTERMARKET HID BULBS FOR $55 AND REPLACED THE "OLD" BULBS. THE NEW BULBS LASTED ABOUT 3 COMMUTES BEFORE ONE, THEN THE OTHER STARTED TURNING OFF ON ME. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS ACT THE SAME AS BEFORE, HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURNING OFF AFTER 2-5 MINUTES ON THE DARK ROAD. RE-CYCLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BRINGS THEM BACK TO LIFE FOR ANOTHER 3-5 MINUTES. NOW I AM FACED WITH REPLACING ONE OR BOTH BALLAST UNITS THAT DRIVE THE BULBS. THIS WILL REQUIRED REMOVING BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO ACCESS THE BALLAST BOXES WHICH ARE MOUNTED TO THE SIDES OF THE ASSEMBLIES FACING OUTWARD TOWARDS THE FENDERS ! THIS WILL REQUIRE BUMPER FACIA REMOVAL TO REMOVE THE LIGHT ASSYS. LOVELY & EXPENSIVE. IF AFTER REPLACING BOTH BALLAST ASSEMBLIES DOESN'T WORK, I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S ECU, OR BRAIN ! ANOTHER EXPENSIVE CHECKLIST ITEM. GOOD THING I AM CAPABLE OF DOING THIS MYSELF AS I CAN SAVE THE GREEDY LABOR CHARGES, BUT ITS NOT RIGHT THAT TOYOTA GETS OFF SCOTT FREE. THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL PRIUS' NO MATTER THE MILEAGE OR AGE. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFETY MATTER AND THE LATEST OLIVE BRANCH FROM THE JUDGE WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A WRIST SLAP. *TR

MY PRIUS HAS ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, ETC. I HAVE COMPLAINED FROM DAY ONE AND ALWAYS BEEN TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. BY 2008 THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING WELL AT TIMES AND THE PEDAL WOULD GO ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES AND NOT AT OTHERS. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THIS AND TOLD ME THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. IN FEB 2008 THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN SAID THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AND THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS SINCE WITH THE PEDAL GOING ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES AND NOT AT OTHERS. IF I HIT POTHOLES OR AM ON REALLY ROUGH STREETS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND I LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW SECONDS WITH THE INABILITY TO BRAKE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPEATABLE SAID THERE ARE NO ISSUES WHEN THEY CHECK THE CAR. THIS WEEK, ON MONDAY, THE BATTERY DIED AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REPLACEMENT. AS ALWAYS, I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND NOW THEY SAY THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR THAT COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY NOW (BUT WAS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED) THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY PUT ME IN A RENTAL CAR FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS SINCE THEY SAID MY CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. TODAY THEY DECIDED THEY WEREN'T PAYING FOR T

AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY & COMES BACK ON AFTER TURNING HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER THREE TIMES & RECEIVED A WARNING TICKET. DEALER SERVICE CONVINCED US THAT IT WAS THE BULB & THAT THE COST OF BULB REPLACEMENT WAS ENTIRELY OURS EVEN THOUGH HEADLIGHTS WERE COVERED TO 100,000 MILES. THIS OF COURSE, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT CONTINUES. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD ON POORLY LIT ROADS & DURING REDUCED VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. DEALER OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH SECOND GENERATION PRIUS AND THERE IS A LOT OF INTERNET CHATTER FROM AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHOWING INTERMITTENT ON/OFF. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY. THEY START WORKING AGAIN AFTER SWITCHING THEM OFF AND THEN BACK ON. HOWEVER, THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE EVERY FEW MINUTES. *TR

ONE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF AFTER 1-2 MIN OF STAYING ON. SWITCHING IT OFF AND THEN ON BRINGS IT ON. THE CYCLE REPEATS. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT ANY OPERATION. WHEN HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AND ON, IT WILL GO BACK WORKING FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT TURNS OFF AGAIN. *TR

"!", ABS, AND VSC LIGHTS COME ON AND BRAKES STOP WORKING - WHILE DRIVING. MUST COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF VEHICLE, AND RESTART. THEN BRAKES WORK FOR A WHILE UNTIL PROBLEM RECURS. REPLACED BRAKE STROKE SENSOR. FIXED PROBLEM FOR 17 MONTHS - 20,000 MILES. AGAIN, BRAKES FAIL WHILE DRIVING. GETTING CODE DTC 1247 - FAULT IN STROKE SENSOR. TOLD PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE A PART THAT FAILS EVERY 20,000 MILES RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF, USUALLY ONE AT A TIME, BUT ONCE, BOTH WENT OFF AT THE SAME TIME AT NIGHT. IF I TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON, THEY WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN SAME THING HAPPENS. THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. *TT

HEADLIGHT BULBS INTERMITTENTLY ON AND OFF STARTING AROUND 48,000 MILES AND THEN 52,000 MILES FOR OTHER BULB. I CAN USUALLY GET THE LIGHT TO TURN BACK ON BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS FULLY OFF AND THEN ON. DRIVER SIDE BULB DIED FIRST, PASSENGER BULB SHORTLY THEREAFTER. TOYOTA REPLACED THE 1ST BULB UNDER OUR 5 YEAR WARRANTY BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE OTHER BULB AT 5 YRS 3 MONTHS & 52K MILES. *TR

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WITH HEAD ON IMPACT WITH CONCRETE MEDIAN. PRIUS WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, SENDING IT INTO THREE, 360 DEGREE SPINS ENDING WITH HEAD FIRST IMPACT INTO MEDIAN. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAGS CHECKED BY INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTOR. INSPECTOR SAID THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE IMPACTED AND SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS IF THEY WERE WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN AT 25 MPH WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. ..UPDATED 01/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE REPLICATION AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. ON A RECENT RAINY DAY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT EACH BRAKE APPLICATION AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT APPLY FOR 1-2 SECONDS. EFFECTIVELY, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKES. THE ABS RELATED BRAKE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR ON BUMPY ROADS AT LOW SPEEDS WITH DRY PAVEMENT. UPDATED 01/11/12

DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY FAILED. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER BUT WAS WORKING THEN AND DEALER REFUSED TO DOCUMENT. THIS SAME THING OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILING AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER RESULTING IN DANGEROUSLY POOR VISIBILITY. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND CONTINUING WITH A FAILURE JUST DAYS AGO. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SAYING THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS TOO HIGH. PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHEN MILEAGE WAS CONSIDERABLY UNDER 45000. FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHT WENT OUT! AT FIRST I THOUGHT I JUST BLEW A LAMP. BUT MUCH TO MY SURPRISE WHEN I WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING. I CHECKED THE CONNECTION BEHIND THE HEADLAMP TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS TIGHT AND THERE WAS NO LOOSE OR DAMAGED WIRES- EVERYTHING WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, I FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY STATING THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM- HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OUT WITHOUT ANY KIND OF RHYME OR REASON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT- I NEED ALL THE LIGHT I CAN GET! WHAT IF I WAS PULLED OVER AND GIVEN A CITATION BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, AND IT'S NOT EVEN MY FAULT! I SEE THAT TOYOTA RECALLED PRIUS MODELS FROM 06-09 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT WHY NOT THE 05'S!? WE'RE HAVING THIS PROBLEM TOO! WHETHER THIS IS A BALAST ISSUE OR A HID CONTROLLER ISSUE HEADLAMPS SHOULD NOT RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND THEN BACK ON FOR NO REASON. SAFETY! *TR

HID HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. LIGHTS WILL WORK AGAIN IF TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. LIGHTS WILL GO OUT AGAIN WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. *TR

COMBINATION METER FAILED, THERE WAS NO DASH DISPLAY, NO SPEED DISPLAY, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT OUT OF TOWN SO WE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO OUR REGULAR TOYOTA DEALER,OURISMAN FAIRFAX TOYOTA, FAIRFAX, VA, AND LEFT IT THERE. *TR

WE HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS FOR YEARS. ONE LIGHT WILL JUST GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. USUALLY, JUST TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON WILL CAUSE THE HEADLIGHT THAT IS OUT TO COME BACK ON. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IN JULY OF 2008, WE FINALLY DECIDED TO FIX THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT AFTER BEING STOPPED BY POLICE MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CHARGED US $427.99 TO CHANGE ONE HID BULB!!! I WROTE TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA TO COMPLAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED A "GOODWILL REIMBURSEMENT" FROM THEM FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF $427.99! NOW WE HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY POLICE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OUR PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR A WHILE NOW. AFTER BEING STOPPED BY POLICE WHILE OUT OF STATE LAST WEEK, WE DECIDED TO CALL TO SEE IF TOYOTA WAS FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SETTLED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PRICE TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB WOULD NOW BE $254.85! SINCE THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT, WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN MADE TO RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THE PROBLEM? *TT

I HAVE DRIVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, PACKAGE 7 WITH HID HEADLAMPS. I HAVE NOTICED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT MY HEADLAMPS INCONSISTENTLY FAIL. SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON AND SWITCH ON MY HEADLAMPS, ONLY ONE OR THE OTHER SIDE WILL ILLUMINATE. OTHER TIMES, BOTH HEADLAMP SIDES WILL TURN ON, BUT AFTER SOME TIME, ONE OR BOTH WILL TURN OFF. ALL OF THIS WITH THE DASH INDICATOR SHOWING THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE REMEDIED THIS PROBLEM BY FLIPPING THE ON-OFF SWITCH TO RE-ILLUMINATE THE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, IN THE COURSE OF A DRIVE THEY WILL FAIL AGAIN AND I PERIODICALLY HAVE TO FLIP THE ON-OFF HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO HAVE MY LIGHTS WORK. I DO FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE AND AM UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN DARK PLACES. *KB

BOUGHT THE THE 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS NEW. THE HID HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THEY NEED REPLACED AGAIN. TOYOTA HELPED WITH THE FIRST REPLACEMENT. EACH BULB STARTED OUT AT $300.00 A PIECE, TOYOTA HAS SINCE LOWERED THE COST TO $150.00 EACH PLUS LABOR. THE DESIGN REQUIRES THE FRONT BUMPER TO BE REMOVED TO INSTALL THE LAMPS. TO DO THIS IS AT LEAST ANOTHER $100.00 LABOR. LOOKING AT THE INTERNET, I AM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO HAPPEN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT 4 A.M. ON A BACK ROAD, BOTH HID HEADLAMPS FAILED. TRYING TO USE HIGH BEAMS DIDN'T WORK. ONLY TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON WOULD GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE HEADLAMPS, NO EXCEPTIONS OR LIMITS ON TIME/MILEAGE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IF YOU CHECK THE WEB, TOYOTA KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. TALKING TO TOYOTA THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM. REALLY? BASIC SAFETY ON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. THIS WASN'T A ONE LIGHT FAILED AND THEN MONTHS LATER ANOTHER FAILED. THEY BOTH QUIT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. I GUESS SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. THEIR WEBSITE SPEWS HOW COMMITTED THEY ARE TO SAFETY. SURE, AS LONG AS THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY THOUSANDS FOR IT (THE COST OF THIS REPAIR CAN BE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS), THEY ARE COMMITTED. IF THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW...WELL...THEN THEY AREN'T SO HELPFUL. APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECURRING THEME WITH TOYOTA AND THEY NEED TO BE FINED HEAVILY AND FORCED TO FIX THIS. TAKE ACTION NOW BEFORE SOMEONE DIES, PLEASE! *TR

THE STANDARD ENGINE WATER PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 10/1/11 AT 32553 MI. THE ELECTRIC HYBRID WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL ON 04/02/11 AT 30222 MI. *TR

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. LETTER FROM RE ONSTAR FMV DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SYSTEM LIGHT FAILED TO LIGHT, EXCEPT WHEN ONE WAS TALKING TO THE ONSTAR ADVISOR. THEN IT FLASHED GREEN ON AND OFF AS ADVERTISED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS ON AND PRESUMABLY READY FOR USE, THE GREEN LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. SO FAR, THE CONSUMER WAS TO CONNECT TO THE ONSTAR ADVISOR WHEN THE LIGHT WAS OFF. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED SEVERAL ANSWER AS TO WHY THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AS ADVERTISED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MAY NOT WORK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM ONSTAR STATING THE PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING, WAS DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL BATTERY THAT REQUIRED A CONNECTION BEFORE USE. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED 10/19/11. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONSTAR DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. UPDATED 08/15/12.*JB UPDATED 09/06/12. *JB UPDATED 09/18/12 *JB UPDATED 02/11/13. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED A DEFECT MANIFESTED ITSELF BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF INFORMATION ON THE CENTER CONSOLE DISPLAY AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE DIGITAL INFORMATION DISPLAYED ABOVE THE DASHBOARD. THE INFORMATION INCLUDED THE SPEED, ETC. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN DEFECT OCCURRED, THE POWER BUTTON BECAME INOPERATIVE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE INABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE POWER OFF OR REMOVE THE ELECTRONIC KEY. UPDATED 06/22/15.*JB UPDATED 07/08/15. *JB

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA CASE # PE09019. THE NHTSA CLOSED THIS CASE AS A NON-SAFETY, NON-RECALL CASE, BECAUSE ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WAS FAILING, GIVING THE DRIVER TIME TO GET TO A SERVICE CENTER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS DEGENERATIVE...THOUGH NO CASES OF DUAL-HEADLIGHT FAILURE HAD BEEN SEEN BY THE NHTSA AT THE TIME, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CASES REPORTED ON PRIUS OWNER WEBSITES. ALL ARE CASES THAT BEGAN WITH ONE INTERMITTENT LIGHT AND PROGRESSED TO BOTH. I WOULD LIKE MY CASE RECORDED BY THE NHTSA AND INCLUDED IN ANY FUTURE CLASS-ACTION SUIT THAT I MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR. I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. THEY BEGAN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY IN 2009, WHEN MY CAR HAD APP. 35,000 MILES LOGGED. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE OPEN NHTSA CASE, OR OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT TOYOTA SETTLED BY EXTENDING WARRANTIES AND/OR REIMBURSING REPAIRS. I GOT 1 WARNING TICKET FOR WHICH I ATTEMPTED TO GET THEM FIXED, BUT THIS TIME AND OTHER TIMES I WENT FOR SERVICE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT EVIDENT (NO LOOSE WIRES, BULBS WORKED FINE, ETC.) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. LAST WEEK BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS DID THE PARKING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. FORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AND I QUICKLY TOGGLED THE CONTROL STICK TO RESET THE LIGHTS, AND THOUGHT I'D RECOVERED DIM HEADLIGHTS AND DROVE HOME, WHERE I DISCOVERED THAT I HAD DRIVEN OVER 200 MILES WITH ONLY MY PARKING LIGHTS ON. THE NEXT DAY, TH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THERE WERE NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT AND REAR END HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,900. UPDATED 10/14/11 *BF UPDATED 11/07/11

ONE OF OUR HID HEADLAMPS TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT IS OFF, AND SOMETIMES IT IS ON, NO WAY TO PREDICT. WE HAD THE LIGHT BULB REPLACED BY OUR LOCAL MECHANIC WITH AN AFTER-MARKET PRODUCT, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. SO WE WENT TO THE DEALER, WHO ALSO REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB (MUCH MORE EXPENSIVELY), BUT IT STILL TURNED OFF WHENEVER. NOW THE INTERMITTENT TURN-OFF HAS STARTED TO OCCUR ON THE OTHER SIDE. SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BOTH BEEN OUT AT THE SAME TIME, BUT IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHY IT IS DOING THIS, AND CAN ONLY SUGGEST THAT WE REPLACE THE LIGHTBULB AGAIN. IT IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO US TO KEEP REPLACING $150-$300 LIGHTBULBS. WE NEED TO KNOW THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, WHETHER IT IS IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, OR SOME OTHER PART THAT CONTROLS THE LIGHT. IN SUMMARY, A PRODUCT THAT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED HAS A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. AND ALSO, THE DEALER/MAKER SHOULD KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH ON OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY, RUBBERY, GOOEY SUBSTANCE. IT'S LIKE A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. WHEN OPENING THE HATCH, IT IS SOFT AND GETS UNDER MY FINGERNAILS. I BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED A COUPLE YEARS AGO, BUT IT'S BEEN WORSE THIS YEAR WITH THE TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPS. MY DEALER, LOU FUSZ TOYOTA (IN MISSOURI) SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, BUT WHEN I RESEARCH IT ON-LINE, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $250 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE, AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 4 YEAR MARK. I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 4 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. WE ALSO LIVE IN FLORIDA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS(200.00), AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN FLORIDA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 2 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, STARTED TO BE STICKY. NOW, AFTER NEARLY 5 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICE THAT IT HAS MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS WHICH HAS SPREAD OVER A MUCH LARGER AREA. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME (IT TAKES 2-3 DAYS TO REMOVE THE STAIN COMPLETELY FROM FINGERS/NAILS), WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED WHEN I NOTICED THE STICKY FEEL. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTH. WE LIVE IN MOBILE, ALABAMA. IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS FAULTY MATERIAL, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK. I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 0

IN ADDITION TO MY COMPLAINT, ODI ID #10400072, WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON, THE LIGHTING IN MY CONSOLE LOSES IT BRIGHTNESS--ALOT. DURING THE DAYTIME, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER AND ALL OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED ON MY CONSOLE... THIS INCLUDES THE BUILT-IN GPS/INFO SCREEN. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW THAT TOYOTA CREATED AND APPROVED FOR SALE HERE IN THE U.S. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA IS NOT HELD FULLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE VERY SERIOUS FLAWS AND ARE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THESE VERY SERIOUS FLAWS AT NO COST THE THE INNOCENT CONSUMER THAT ARE VICTIMS FOR PURCHASING THESE VEHICLES FULLY TRUSTING THAT TOYOTA FULLY BACKED UP THEIR VEHICLES AND REPUTATION. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO REQUIRE TOYOTA TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO RECTIFY THESE VERY OBVIOUS FLAWS IN THEIR VEHICLES? A DEATH AS A RESULT OF AN INNOCENT DRIVER AND HIS FAMILY TRUSTING THE TOYOTA BRAND NAME? I SURE HOPE NOT.

MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMPY SURFACE, OVER SMALL POTHOLES, ROUGH PATCHES ETC., THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AT THE SAME TIME MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF UNTIL THE ROAD SMOOTHS OUT.

WHEN BRAKING QUICKLY USUALLY ON ROUGH SURFACES, WET ROADS, SLOPES BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAIL AS IF NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR GIVING ME AN ADRENALINE RUSH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR 4 YEARS THINKING IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF PRIUS. JUNE 30TH 2011, I STEERED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WAS PARKING ON THE FIRST SPOT AT THE RIGHT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTRY TO PARKING LOT AT THE SPEED OF 5 MPH. APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY TO CURB I WITHDREW MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT ON THE BRAKES SLOWLY. I WAS EXPECTING THE CAR TO HALT PRIOR TO THE CURB LINE AS USUAL. BUT IT DID NOT STOP ON THE CONTRARY IT ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND RIGHT ON THE FENCE. THE FENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET FROM CURB; BEFORE IT WENT ON FENCE I LOOKED AT MY FEET AND MADE SURE IT WAS ON THE BRAKES AS COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND YES I AM 100% SURE IT WAS ON BRAKES. I ALSO APPLIED PARKING BRAKES AND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE POWER, WHEN IT STOPPED OVER THE FENCE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DEALER AS THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AT 32,431 MILES. THE DEALER DID HEALTH CHECK SCAN TWICE TAKING 6 HOURS FOR EACH SCAN. AFTER FIRST SCAN I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD FRONT SPEED SENSORS CODES AND A LOW OR ABNORMAL HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE. AND ADVISED TO DETECT SENSORS IN DETAILS AND REPLACE THEM AT NEXT APPOINTMENT. SECOND DAY AFTER THE MANAGER DID ANOTHER HEALTH CHECK FOR 6 HOURS, I DON'T KNOW WHY ANOTHER SCAN; AND REPORTED CODES FOR LOW BATTERY AND SPEED SENSORS AND ECU

LIKE MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS, I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE HEADLAMP PROBLEMS AFTER ABOUT 4 OTHERWISE VERY SATISFACTORY YEARS OF DRIVING MY 2006 PRIUS. ONE OF THE LAMPS (THE RIGHT SO FAR) GOES OFF IRREGULARLY DURING OPERATION, AND I CAN'T TELL WHEN IT HAS GONE. THIS CONDITION CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE (1) IN THE DARK A "ONE-EYED" CAR COULD BE LOOMING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ONE VISIBLE LIGHT, AND (2) TO REDUCE THE RISK (I THINK!) I ROUTINELY DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS ON WHICH BLINDS ON-COMING DRIVERS. BLOGS ON THIS SUBJECT MAKE A FIX SOUND TOO UNCERTAIN AND EXPENSIVE TO ENTRUST TO A DEALER OR DO MYSELF. NHTSA SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB AND THE HEADLIGHT FAILED THREE MORE TIMES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

EVER SINCE I GOT MY 2006 PRIUS, THE BRAKES HAVE BRIEFLY STOPPED WORKING WHEN I TRY TO STOP QUICKLY OR ON A HILL WHEN IT IS WET OR ICY OUTSIDE. ON FEBRUARY 24, IT WAS VERY ICY, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WHEN I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY WHEN I STARTED GOING DOWNHILL, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO STEER OR PUSH DOWN THE BRAKES AND I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, BUT THEY ONLY TESTED IT WHEN IT WAS DRY OUTSIDE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WHEN IT WAS DRY. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD INCREASED TROUBLE STOPPING AT STOPLIGHTS WHEN IT IS WET. THE WHOLE CAR SEEMS TO LOCK UP AND I SLIDE TOWARD THE LIGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGE. I AM TRADING THE CAR IN, AS I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR.

PRIUS UNDER ENGINE DUST COVER KEEPS TEARING AWAY FROM BOLTS ON BODY. PART REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME. CAR LOW TO GROUND. COMES IN CONTACT WITH PARKING BUMPERS, ETC. TOYOTA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. A DESIGN FLAW WITH FRONT EDGE OF COVER EXPOSED TO LOW LYING OBJECTS CAUSING IT TO BE PUSHED BACK FROM ANCHOR BOLTS. CAN BE EASILY RESOLVED BY DESIGNING COVER TO FIT INSIDE LIP OF FRAME RATHER THAN OUTSIDE. *TR

TOYOTA 2006 PRIUS. BOTH HID HEAD LAMPS INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF, BUT USUALLY NOT AT THE SAME TIME. CURRENTLY HAVE 75K MI ON CAR. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN CAR HAD APPROX 55K MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE BODY DAMAGES REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 07/26/11*LJ

WE HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT THE DEALER WANTS $900.00 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS COST $150.00 EACH AND THE REST OF THE LABOR CHARGE IS DO TO THE DESIGN OF THE CAR WHICH REQUIRES THE FRONT BUMPER TO BE REMOVED TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB. THIS IS NOT ONLY A BAD DESIGN, BUT A RIP OFF FOR THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. *TR

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT FOR OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF, THEN BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHT BEGINS TO WORK AGAIN. THIS IS A REGULAR DAILY OCCURRENCE AND HAS CAUSED US TO AVOID USING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE HEADLIGHT CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED IN 2008, WHEN WE FIRST HAD THE ISSUE, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED. TOYOTA HAS SAID THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE PARTS AND HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

I HAVE TWO SMART KEYS FOR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. ONE OF THEM LOSE SMART FUNCTION AND REMOTE FUNCTION. WHEN A BUTTON IS PRESSED, RED LIGHT IS NOT ON AT ALL. I HAVE TESTED FOB BATTERY AND IT IS OK. I BELIEVE THAT THE SMART KEY IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I DROVE IN PITCH BLACK DARKNESS UNTIL I COULD STOP THE CAR. THEN I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE LIGHTS WERE OVERHEATING AND THEN FAILING. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. WHEN FIRST TURNED ON, IT GLOWS AND AFTER AWHILE IT GOES OUT. WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS OUT AND BACK ON, IT GLOWS AGAIN; BUT FOR ONLY A VERY SHORT TIME. IT REFUSES TO STAY ON WHEN NEEDED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER OR NIGHT DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST! IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I AM PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR THIS DEFECT. I'VE SEEN THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER 2006 PRIUS OWNERS AND I FEEL IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS MALFUNCTION/DEFECT MYSELF. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP WITH IN REQUIRING TOYOTA TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND DEFINITELY SAFETY-RELATED SITUATION/DEFECT/MALFUNCTION. I HOPE WE WON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOME PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT BEFORE APPROPRIATE ACTION IS TAKEN TO RESOLVE IT.

MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THEIR HID HEADLIGHTS. WHILE DRIVING ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF. A QUICK TEMPORARY FIX WILL BE TO FLICK THE LIGHTS OFF THEN ON AGAIN WHICH ACTUALLY DETERIORATE THE HID BULB LEADING TO SHORTENED LIFE SPAN. HOWEVER YOU REALLY HAVE NO CHOICE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZE THEY'RE BOTH OFF. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS OTHER DRIVERS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR CAR. REPLACED THE BULBS AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE EXISTS A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT GIRARDGIBBS.COM, AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ECU. THEY ONLY ADDRESSED THIS CONCERN TO ME AFTER I BROUGHT THEM INFORMATION ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IN THE PAST THEY'VE ONLY BEEN EITHER SAYING THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM OR THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE BULB. I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THESE ARE MY THIRD PAIR OF BULBS AND ITS DEFINITELY NOT THE BULBS AS THE PROBLEM PERSISTS JUST DAYS AFTER THE NEW BULBS ARE INSTALLED. I FOUND OUT THAT THE SETTLEMENT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 5 YEARS AND 50,000 MILES HOWEVER MY CAR FALLS OUTSIDE THE MILEAGE RANGE. THEY WON'T PAY FOR THE ECU BECAUSE THE DEALERS HAVE NEVER SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED THE ECU AS BEING THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RANGE EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NUMEROUS TIMES I WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LIGHTS WITHIN THAT RANGE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE ECU FOR 2006-2009 PRIUS MODELS. IT IS NOT THE BULBS. *TR

INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE. PULLED OVER ON 03/01/2010 BY A SHERIFF DEPUTY WITH A WARNING THAT ONE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. FIVE MINUTES LATER AFTER A STOP, HEADLIGHT WORKED FINE. VARIOUS TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ONLY TO COME BACK ON LATER.

WITHIN 6 MONTHS I HAD A HEADLIGHT FROM MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS GO OUT FROM BOTH SIDES. COST $300+ TO FIX EACH ONE. *TR

COMBINATION METER OF 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THANKFULLY, PRIUSCHAT MEMBERS HAVE POSTED SIMILAR ISSUES. MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE COMBINATION METER. I SENT BOARD TO COMPANY IN CA TO RE-DO THE SOLDERS AND UPDATE THE TRANSISTOR ON THE CHIP. *TR