2007 Toyota Prius complaints

THE HEAD LIGHTS TURN OFF, WHILE DRIVING, WHEN TURNED OFF, AND ON AGAIN IT COMES BACK ON. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE WE ARE OVER 50000 MILES. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS HIGH INTENSITY HEAD LIGHTS, AND THE WHOLE COMPONENT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A BETTER VERSION. THEY WANT TO CHARGE US 450 DOLLARS FOR REPLACING THE LIGHT BULB, WHICH ACCORDING TO RESEARCH WILL STOP WORKING AGAIN, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. PLEASE HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THIS LIGHT SYSTEM AND REPLACE IT WITH A BETTER SYSTEM. ITS A GREAT HAZARD WHEN YOUR LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

THE RUBBER COVER TO THE EXTERNAL TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS EITHER GOOEY TO THE TOUCH IN WARM WEATHER OR FROZEN SOLID AND IMMOVABLE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE, AT TIMES, DUE TO THE INFLEXIBILITY OF THE RUBBER I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK AND, THUS, ACCESS THE SPARE, ANY OF MY REPAIR TOOLS, OUR EARTHQUAKE KIT, FLARES, JUMPERS, ETC. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK. TOYOTA NEEDS A RECALL OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AS THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS EXORBITANT, QUOTED TO ME AS $352. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 2 MPH AND MADE A STOP AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS ALSO AN ACCOMPANYING BEEP THAT SOUNDED AS THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO COVER 30 PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND TURNING THEM BACK ON RELIGHTS THE HEADLIGHT ONLY FOR IT TO HAPPEN ANOTHER 10 TO 15MIN LATER ON AVERAGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, WENT OVER A DIVIDER, AND CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLES FRONT BUMPER WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *TR UPDATED 06/25/13 *LJ

MY HEADLIGHT PROBLEM HAS GONE ON FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE LIGHTS ON NUMEROUS SERVICE CALLS AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE BULB WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $300 BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE RIGHT LIGHT GOES OUT . IT COMES BACK ON IF I TURN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF, HOWEVER I DO NOT ALWAYS REALIZE THE LIGHT IS OUT. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND GIVEN WORK ORDERS TO GET MY LIGHT FIXED. I AM TIRED OF THIS PROBLEM AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REAR HATCH DOOR SEAL FAILED AND ALLOWED WATER TO PENETRATE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I TRIED THE BRIGHTS WITH NO EFFECT. I HAD TO TURN THEM OFF AND TURN THEM BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. *TR

THE PLASTIC WELD PROCESS OR OTHER TYPE OF GLUING PROCESS USED TO MAKE THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE AND BACK UP LIGHT LENSE ASSEMBLIES OR HOUSINGS FAILS. ALL FOUR, TWO FRONT AND TWO REAR, EXTERIOR COMBINATION LIGHT LENSE ASSEMBLIES SUFFER THIS PREMATURE AND SERIOUS FAILURE. WHEN THESE EXTERIOR LENSES BEGIN TO FAIL THEY ALLOW WATER INTRUSION FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWS MOISTURE TO PENETRATE INTO AREAS OF THE LENSE ASSEMBLY WHICH SUPPORT ALL OF THE LIGHT BULBS USED TO WARN OR SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS OR PEDESTRIANS. AT A VERY MINIMUM THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN PREMATURE BULB FAILURE FOR ALL OF THE SIGNALING SYSTEMS SPECIFIED ABOVE. RESEARCHING YOUR SITE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU MANY TIMES AND TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. IS ALSO AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE AWARE OF IS THE MOST SERIOUS CONCERN RESULTING FROM THIS PROBLEM; IF THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) REAR LENSE SUFFERS THIS PROBLEM AND BEGINS LEAKING, THE WATER RUNS OR DRAINS DIRECTLY INTO THE INTERIOR 12VDC STARTER BATTERY WELL. THIS BATTERY WELL IS AS DEEP, OR DEEPER THAN THE FACTORY INSTALLED 12VDC STARTER BATTERY IS TALL AND CAN RESULT IN WATER OVERTOPPING THE BATTERY. THIS CAUSES SHORTING/GROUNDING ACROSS THE POSITIVE/NEGATIVE 12VDC STARTER BATTERY TERMINALS. THIS PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND CUTS OFF POWER TO ALL 12VDC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS. IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE 12VDC STARTER BATTERY AND

SINCE TWO YEARS OLD THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE OCCASIONALLY FLICKERED, AND THE PASS. SIDE HAS GONE OUT. TURNING THEM OFF MOMENTARILY AND BACK ON SOLVED THE PROBLEM. LATELY IT'S GOTTEN WORSE, AND I FINALLY HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE THE PASS. SIDE BULB. THE NEW BULB ($85) WAS WORSE AND NOW I'M TOLD THE "BALLAST" NEEDS REPLACEMENT FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. OF COURSE THE SAFETY ISSUE AT NIGHT IS PRIMARY, BUT TOYOTA WAS DERELICT IN THEIR DUTY NOT TO ADVISE CUSTOMERS OF THIS HIGHLY UNUSUAL, POTENTIAL COST WHEN SELLING ME THE CAR. I'VE NEVER PAID MORE THAN $15 FOR A HEADLIGHT AND HAVE ALWAYS REPLACED THEM MYSELF. ALSO, THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS AN EASY REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC HAD TO PARTIALLY REMOVE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THAT WAS ANOTHER MISREPRESENTATION. *TR

I EXPERIENCED A SCARY SITUATION WITH MY 2007 PRIUS TODAY. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND DSC LIGHT AND (!) LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A LOUD BUZZING NOISE IN THE CABIN. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND IT WAS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS AROUND BECAUSE I FELT HAD I NEEDED TO STOP ON A DIME, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. I LOOKED AROUND ONLINE TO FIND IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THERE ARE PLENTY OF CASES WHERE THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN FAILURE HAS OCCURRED UNDER 2007 ABS TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE MODULE COMPLAINTS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT ME - I NEED HELP! *TR

REAR DOOR OPENER !! RUBBER MELTED AND BLOCK DOOR OPENER (LOCK UNLOCK SYSTEM) . *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW WITH MY PRIUS 2007 WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CAR STUTTERS WHEN IT CHANGES FROM HYBRID TO GAS. SERVICED ONLY BY TOYOTA. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL I ASKED THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM . THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND CALLED IN A SPECIALIST AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS TYPICAL WEAR ON A CAR THIS OLD (5 YEARS, 59,000 MILES). THIS WAS FROM A REPAIR SPECIALIST SENT FROM TOYOTA WHEN THE REGULAR SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DRIVE ON HIGHWAY S EVERYDAY TO WORK AND HOME AND I AM A NERVOUS WRECK, WORRYING THAT THE CAR WILL JUST COME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS WHEN I GO THRU A CAR WASH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GETS MOISTURE INSIDE. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE DEPT AT TOYOTA I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT. THIS WAS WAY BEFORE IT HAD FALLEN OUT OF WARRANTY (36,000) BUT OF COURSE THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT IT WAS COVERED, IN FACT THEY TOLD ME WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE! NOW THE BULB IS ALSO FLICKERING ON AND OFF IN THIS SAME HEADLIGHT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA QUOTED ME $270.00 TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB. THE REASON I WAS GIVEN WAS THAT THEY HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER TO CHANGE AN $11.00 BULB AT AUTOZONE. WE WERE TOLD THAT IF MY HAND WAS SMALL ENOUGH I COULD TRY TO DO IT MYSELF. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE, AND WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA WAS DISCOUNTING THE BULB, IT NORMALLY S

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 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. I LIVE IN LOUISIANA . TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $600, 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 LOUISIANA, 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 TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INS

PASSENGER (RIGHT) HEADLIGHT NOT WORKING. IT COULD BE "TURNED ON" BY SWITCHING LIGHT SWITCH OFF, THEN ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. BRIGHT LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, EVEN WITH TURNING SWITCH OFF, THEN ON. LOW BEAMS DID WORK AND FAILED LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE TURNED BACK ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. PASSENGER BULB WENT OUT DURING INSPECTION AND HIGH BEAMS WERE BOTH WORKING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED WITH A COST OF $500! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE LIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST TIME WAS IN 2009.

TAIL GATE LIFTERS FAILED TO COMPLETELY LIFT THE TAIL GATE. NOT NOTICING THE TAIL GATE WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN NORMAL, THE DRIVER, WHILE STANDING ON THE GROUND TO REMOVE GROCERIES FROM THE BACK, LEANED INTO BACK OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE TOP OF HER HEAD ON THE TAIL GATE, SUSTAINING A CONCUSSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED NAUSEA, HEADACHES AND DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, LEAVING HER UNABLE TO COMPLETE HER NORMAL TASKS FOR THE DAY. THE SYMPTOMS LASTED 2 DAYS. DRIVER'S HUSBAND CAME OUT AND IMMEDIATELY CONFIRMED THAT TAILGATE HAD FAILED TO OPEN COMPLETELY AND HE DETERMINED IT WAS NO LONGER OPENING COMPLETELY, REPRESENTING A PARTIAL BUT DANGEROUS FAILURE OF THE LIFTING MECHANISM. THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 PM; THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48 DEGREES. WHAT MAKES IT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS AND PERNICIOUS IS THAT THE MECHANISM THAT USED TO OPEN THE TAIL GATE ALL THE WAY UP, PROVIDING AMPLE HEAD CLEARANCE, WAS NOW LEAVING THE TAIL GATE OPEN BUT WITH REDUCED HEADROOM. THE MECHANISM THAT USED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT HEAD CLEARANCE SO ONE COULD STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND LEAN INTO THE REAR WAS NOW ONLY PARTIALLY OPENING THE TAIL GATE, TO A POINT LOW ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CONCUSSION BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH TO BE NOTICEABLE. THE CHANGE FROM HAVING AMPLE HEADROOM TO NOT HAVING ENOUGH HEADROOM CREATED A TRAP. *TR

THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHENEVER THE DONUT TIRE IS BEING USED ON THE VEHICLE AS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR A FLAT TIRE - THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO USED THEM BOTH TIMES ON THE FRONT TIRES, ONCE ON THE LEFT TIRE AND THE SECOND OCCASION, MOST RECENT ON THE LEFT. APPARENTLY, THE DONUT TIRE BECAUSE OF ITS SMALLER DIAMETER CAUSES THE CAR'S SLIP DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE (SURMISED BY THE ICON I SEE ON THE DASH WHEN THIS OCCURS), OFTEN FOR PERIODS OF HALF THE DRIVING TIME - WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THAT THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE CHAIN, THE CAR CANNOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN SPEED - IT ESSENTIALLY COASTS OR SLOWS. THIS OCCURS EVEN WHEN/IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO TRY TO FEED POWER TO THE WHEELS - THE ENGINE IS UNRESPONSIVE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE POWER IS RESTORED, AND THEN THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY NOT TO HAVE. USE OF A DONUT TIRE IS THE ONLY OPTION OPEN TO TEMPORARILY REPLACING A FLAT TIRE. I THINK THAT THIS SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO USE OF THE DONUT TIRE (WHICH IS MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLIED) IS A DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS. A DRIVER MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED TO PREVENT AND/OR REMEDY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, BRAKE & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. TOOK IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER (RICE TOYOTA, GREENSBORO, NC). I WORK 79 MILES FROM HOME. I CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER, A SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AS LONG AS THE WARNING LIGHTS WEREN'T FLASHING.DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATED THE HYBRID CONVERTER/INVERTER WAS BAD, THEY CLEARED WARNING LIGHTS, WHICH STAYED OFF. THEY SAID IT MAY HAVE BEEN A "GLITCH", IF WARNING LIGHTS RETURNED, BRING IT BACK. THEY RETURNED ON 3/1/13 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I LOST POWER WHILE ON I-540, PULLED OVER ONTO SHOULDER, TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED IT, GOT BACK ONTO I-540 & EXITED AT NEAREST EXIT. LOST POWER AGAIN. PULLED OVER, WENT THRU STOP/START PROCESS, DROVE 3 MILES TO WORK. DROVE HOME WITH WARNING LIGHTS BUT NO POWER LOSSES. TOOK IT TO RICE TOYOTA NEXT MORNING. THIS OCCURRED BARELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED, GALLING TO SAY THE LEAST, AS THIS PART "IS" THE HYBRID SYSTEM PER THE SERVICE REP. HAVE YOU RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMPONENT? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED; THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE ANTI SKID WAS ACTIVATED IT WOULD NOT RESPOND DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CONSUMER STATED AT FOWARD SPEED OF 0 MPH THE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED, ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE THAT HAD 1 INCH OF SNOW AND AN INCLINE OF APPROXIMATELY 15 DEGREES. THE ANTI SKID LIGHT BLINKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FOWARD UP THE INCLINE. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURED IN THE DEALER'S PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSTATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER SWITCH TO SNOW TIRES. UPDATED 06/04/2013 *JS

HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHT ALSO GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN AT NIGHT AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. I CAN TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THE LIGHTS WILL WORK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THAN THE EPISODE IS REPEATED. *TR

THE STEERING FAILED ON MY PRIUS ABOUT 45 DEGREES INTO A RIGHT TURN ON SATURDAY, 9 FEB 2013. I HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND MY CAR LOST STEERING COMPLETELY AND IMMEDIATELY. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE OF A CAR THAT WAS WAITING AT THE STOP SIGN TO MY RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR "FEELING" ACCOMPANYING THE STEERING LOSS (I.E. IT DIDN'T "GRAB" OR "LOCK"). THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SUDDENLY NO LONGER HAD ANY EFFECT ON THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO INVESTIGATED FOUND THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE SUB-ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WHICH THEY CLAIM IS NOT RELATED TO ANY CURRENT RECALL. THIS DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" ISSUE, BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. AFTER MY DASH WENT BLACK MY KEY WILL NOT RELEASE AND MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF . THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED ASAP! *TR

THE DASH BOARD DID NOT DISPLAY WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR. ONLY THE BLINKERS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH. THE GAS GAUGE AND THE SPEEDODOMETER DO NOT SHOW, IT IS BLACK. AND MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT SEAMS TO ME THAT THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE GAUGES ALL FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED INCIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITH NO WARNING. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE IS NO INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY WHICH IS DIGITAL. THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITHOUT MAKING NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS.THIS HAS SOMETIMES TAKEN UP TO 10 MIN.. THEN FOR WHATEVER REASONS AFTER SEVERAL HOURS THE MENTIONED MALFUNCTIONS STOP AND EVERYTHING WORKS CORRECTLY.I AM VERY CONCERNED THE DASH DISPLAY SHOWING SPEED AND OTHER NECESSARY INFORMATION WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.BEING ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IMMEDIATELY IS ALSO IMPORTANT.THIS VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED BY TOYOTA WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE READ BUT NOT CONFIRMED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE MENTIONED PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIUS. THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HOPE NHTSA WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 WITH AROUND 51000 MILES ON IT AND THE HEADLIGHT KEPT GOING OFF , I COULD TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED ABOUT A RECALL AND THEY KNEW NOTHING SO I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS A DEFECT BUT NOT A RECALL AND TOYOTA WOULD PAY FOR IT UP TO 50000 MILES WHICH MY CAR HAD ALREADY SURPASSED. TO REPLACE THE BULB WAS OVER 300 DOLLARS AND HAVING JUST BOUGHT A CERTIFIED VEHICLE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SHE'LL OUT THE KIND OF MONEY,I STILL HAVE NOT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BUT NOW IT'S COMPLETELY OUT, AND WILL NEED REPLACED BEFORE INSPECTION. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR A NEW BULB SINCE THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE DEFECT. *TR

HID HEADLIGHTS ON 07 PRIUS STOP WORKING WHILE CAR IS OPERATING. NOW WITH 111,000 MILES BOTH LIGHTS ARE TURNING OFF RANDOMLY. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD 36,000 MILES. VERY CONCERNING ISSUE. *TR

THE BACK LATCH COVERING HAS A VINYL(?) COVERING WHICH HAS BECOME STICKY AND THE LATCH ITSELF IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN, RESULTING IN CONTINUED ATTEMPTS. IT IS A HINDRANCE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TRUNK AREA AND THUS ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE IF NEEDED. *TR

2007 PRIUS TRUNK HATCH RELEASE RUBBER PIECE MELTED AND I HAD TO REPLACED IT WITH MY OWN MONEY IN TOYOTA DEALER. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2007 PRIUS GOES OUT CONSTANTLY ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT TIME THERE WHICH CAUSES TOTAL DARKNESS AND BLINDNESS. WHEN I FLIP THE SWITCH THEY WILL COME BACK ON FOR A WHILE. I KNOW YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL YOU SHOULD MAKE TOYOTA RECALL THESE CARS. THE DEALER WILL CHARGE 300.00 PER HEADLIGHT TO REPLACE THE BULB BUT WE KNOW THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULDN'T COME BACK ON IF IT WAS THE LIGHT.. PLEASE PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! ITS TERRIFYING AND VERY DANGEROUS. THE LIABILITY FOR YOU AND TOYOTA WILL BE GREAT SHOULD FATALITIES OCCUR. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE RUBBER REAR HATCH RELEASE BUTTON (WIDE RUBBER PIECE WHICH ACTIVATES AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH) FIRST BECAME STICKY AND BLACK RUBBER WOULD STICK YOU YOUR HAND. THEN THE RUBBER PIECE HARDENED AND BECAME SO HARD (AND CRACKED) THAT THE REAR HATCH RELEASE DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN ADDITION TO MAKING THE TRUNK UNUSABLE. TOYOTA OWNERS OF THIS MODEL YEAR FREQUENTLY REPORT THIS PROBLEM IN ALL CLIMATES, TOYOTA CLEARLY HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RUBBER MATERIAL THEY USED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND SHOULD PERFORM THESE REPAIRS FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ONE OF THE REAR TIRES SEIZED. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TIRE RETUNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKE ACTUATOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 4/15/13 *CN UPDATED 05/16/2013 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOVLED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER. UPDATED 05/16/2013 *JS

RECEIVED ANOTHER INSPECTION TICKET FOR NO HEADLIGHT. THIS HAPPENS ON THIS CAR APPROXIMATELY EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO, WHERE ONE HEADLIGHT JUST STOPS WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 30 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. SOMETIMES YOU CAN JUST GO OUT AND BANG ON THE HEADLIGHT AREA AND IT COMES ON, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T AND YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULB. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO REPLACE A PRIUS HEADLIGHT BULB? ANYWHERE FROM $600 TO $1000 AT A DEALER, ACCORDING TO INTERNET SOURCES. LUCKILY I CAN GO TO A PARTS PLACE AND PICK ONE UP FOR ABOUT $17.00 AND DO IT MYSELF, BUT THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL PRIUS'. *TR

APPROX 12/19/12 I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY 2007 PRIUS. WHEN I HIT THE POWER BUTTON THE CAR STARTED UP, HOWEVER THE DASHBOARD LITES DID NOT WORK (SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, HEAT, A/C, ETC). I TURNED THE MANUAL CONTROL WHEEL ON THE DASHBOARD BACK & FORTH, THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THE LITES STILL DID NOT WORK. I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE FORWARD, THINKING ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE LITES WOULD COME BACK ON, HOWEVER THAT DID NOT WORK EITHER. I PULLED THE CAR BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PUT IT IN PARK AND HIT THE POWER BUTTON, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I HELD THE POWER BUTTON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I SAT IN IT (IN 32 DEGREE WEATHER) FOR ABOUT 20 MIN. AND IT SHUT DOWN ON ITS ON. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA & LEFT IT THERE ALL DAY LONG. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY IT HAD MALFUNCTIONED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT GOOD AND ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE ALL GOOD. I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ON 01/13/13 AND ON TODAY, 01/20/13. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY VIOLATION THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE AND I JUST WANT MY COMPLAINT DOCUMENTED IN THE EVENT SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF THIS SITUATION. THANKS... *TR

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AT NIGHT ON 01/14/12. PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT, GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME INFORMED ME MY HEADLIGHTS WERE OFF; HOWEVER WERE TURNED ON PER INSIDE PANEL. IN PREVIOUS REPORTS, I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT ONE HEAD LIGHT WAS OFF, NEVER BOTH. IT APPEARS THAT IF A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD IS HIT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF/ON. I COMMUTE 2 HOURS DAILY (MON-FRI). THERE IS A RURAL AREA THAT I DRIVE WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. NO HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THEN DEACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT STARTED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY STARTED TO FLICKERED OFF. THIS ISSUE HAS NOT GONE AWAY SINCE IT STARTED. HAD HUSBAND CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION. NO LOOSE CONNECTIONS. WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WERE OTHER PRIUS OWNERS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE OTHERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES! THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM EXCEPT TO TURN THE LIGHT ONTO THE OFF POSITION THEN TURN THEM ON AGAIN. THEY DO GO BACK ON BUT CAN SHUT OFF OR WINK OFF AT ANY TIME. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING, AND MY CONCERN IS THAT MY TWIN TEENAGERS WILL BE USING THE CAR AT NIGHT FOR WORK, ERRANDS, ETC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. UPON RETURNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK, ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE WHILE OCCUPIED WITH THE CONTACT'S CHILD. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

I AM HAVING EXTREME PROBLEMS WITH MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH XENON HEADLIGHTS SYSTEM. THEY TURN ON AN OFF RANDOMLY. MOST OF THE TIME ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT IS ON BUT THEY COME AND GO. SOMETIMES THEY GO OUT ALTOGETHER WHEN I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SCARY WHEN MY TODDLER IS IN THE CAR. I CAN TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND THEY WILL STAY ON FOR A WHILE BUT INEVITABLY GO OUT AGAIN. I THINK THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS AS THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL YET. I READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF PRIUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD NOT MIND PAYING TO REPLACE THE BULBS IF THEY WERE BURNT OUT BUT THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE ONE EVENING, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FLICKERED AND WENT OUT. I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON THEN THEY WENT BACK ON. EVER SINCE THIS THE LIGHTS(DRIVER SIDE) GO OFF AND USUALLY COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF. NO RESOLUTION TO THIS AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA SINCE I APPEAR TO NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT, CAN TURN LIGHTS OFF & THEN BACK ON, AND HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. THIS PARTICULAR LIGHT HAD SAME PROBLEM ORIGINALLY UNDER WARRANTY (APPROX 32000 MILES) AND WAS REPLACED AT DEALER, BUT HAS BEEN GOING OUT AGAIN OVER THE PAST YEAR PLUS. RIGHT NOW I AM APPROACHING 85000 MILES. BASED ON MY READING, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS IT SEEMS CHRONIC AND PREVALENT IN THE PRIUS. *TR

HEADLIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENT ON BOTH SIDES. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. IT ISN'T THE BULB THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN THE FOD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT REILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR MORE TIMES SINCE THEN AND HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE LOCAL POLICE BECAUSE OF IT. BECAUSE OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA THAT I AM IN AND THE FOD IS PREVALENT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THIS POSES AN EXTREME DANGER TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHERS AROUND ME. *TR

LIGHTS GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. DANGEROUS, INCONVENIENT, AND ILLEGAL. *TR

2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE THROTTLE MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK OPEN, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE SPIRAL CABLE. *JB

NON-HID HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENS DAILY! VERY RANDOM. SOMETIMES THEY BLINK, SOMETIMES THEY JUST GO OUT ALTOGETHER. THESE ARE NOT HID! WE HAVE HAD NEW HEADLIGHTS PUT IN BY TOYOTA AND THEY ALSO REPLACED THE RELAYS - BUT THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. WE CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE, BUT BECAUSE THE DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG - THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THAT THERE IS NO DIAGNOSIS, SO THEREFORE NO ISSUE THEY CAN ADDRESS. WE NEED HELP. THIS IS A MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE. NOW TOYOTA WANTS TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER - BUT IT WILL COST US OVER $1,000 AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT WILL WORK. IF IT DOESN'T WORK, THEY SAID THEY WILL REPLACE A SECOND AND THEN THIRD COMPUTER IN THE CAR, BUT THAT MIGHT NOT WORK EITHER. FROM WHAT WE'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE, OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS DONE AND THE HEADLIGHTS STILL DO NOT WORK. TO THOSE OUT THERE CONSIDERING A PRIUS FROM THIS YEAR, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE PURCHASE! WE WISH WE HAD KNOWN. NHTSA NEEDS TO REOPEN THE CLASS ACTION CASE AND INCLUDE THOSE WITHOUT HID HEADLIGHTS. WE ARE BEGGING YOU FOR OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR HAVE INTERMITTENTLY WORKED SINCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 30,000 MILES. THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN OFF. USUALLY ONE AT A TIME BUT SOMETIMES BOTH GO OUT. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FIXES THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. I READ THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BULBS GOING BAD BUT I CAN ATTEST THAT IT IS A CLEAR DEFECT. REPLACED THE BULBS AND IT STILL HAPPENS PERIODICALLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE HEADLIGHTS EVENTUALLY STOPPED FLICKERING AND WOULD COMPLETELY FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.