2009 Toyota Prius complaints

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS - DELAYED BRAKING HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO HARD BRAKING. IT ONLY LAST ABOUT A SECOND BUT IS VERY UNLIKE ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN. I HAD PASSED IT OFF AS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD BUT THEN I HEARD OTHERS DESCRIBE IT ON THE TV AND I SAID THAT HAPPENED TO ME TOO!" AS A SAFETY ENGINEER IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, IT DOES SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE DELAY FROM SWITCHING FROM REGULAR BRAKING TO HYDRAULIC BRAKING...SOMETIMES IT SEEMS TO SWITCH IN A WEIRD WAY. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A PARKING RAMP AND DAMAGED THE BUMPER OF HER VEHICLE.THERE WERE NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD CONTACT IF THE FAILURE HAPPEN AGAIN TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 5,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 13,000.

WHILE CROSSING A SMALL BRIDGE OVER AN EXPRESSWAY, APPLYING BRAKES AT THE POINT OF BUMPY TRANSITION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE SECOND. THIS CAUSED A SUDDEN PANIC, BUT NO OTHER EFFECTS. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AT THE EXACT SAME BRIDGE TRANSITION AND BUMP OVER THE COURSE OF 8 MONTHS. THERE ARE NO RECOGNIZABLE SIDE EFFECTS. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER, NOR TO THE COMPANY. *TR

I RECENTLY READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE HTTP://MONEY.CNN.COM/2010/02/03/AUTOS/PRIUS_COMPLAINTS/INDEX.HTM AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN MY 2009 PRIUS. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 4/09 AND IT OCCURS CONSISTENTLY WHEN I AM EXITING MY WORKPLACE. I DESCEND A FAIRLY STEEP PAVED ROAD AND WHEN I HIT A SPECIFIC BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT, MY CAR ACCELERATES FOR A SPLIT SECOND. THIS IS A REGULARLY REPEATABLE OCCURRENCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROX 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS REAR ENDED BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP ACCELERATING SO THE DRIVER SWERVED AND HIT A SIGN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AT THE SCENE, BUT AFTER 3 PEOPLE IN THE OTHER VEHICLE REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE BODY REPAIRS WERE DONE AND THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. HE WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. UPDATED 03/12/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/30/10

AT ALL SPEEDS BELOW 15MPH, THE PRIUS' ELECTRICAL BRAKING SYSTEM "PULSES" THE BRAKES RESULTING IN A DECELERATION THAT IS NOT SMOOTH. THE EFFECT IS SIMILAR TO THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. BUT...THE TRANSMISSION EFFECT CAN BE ELIMINATED SINCE THE BRAKE PULSING EFFECT REMAINS AFTER THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE LOCAL ALBUQUERQUE PRIUS DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS PULSING IS "NORMAL" FOR THE PRIUS. ON SLIPPERY PAVEMENT, THIS EFFECT COULD BE DEADLY. THE BRAKING SHOULD BE SMOOTH THROUGHOUT THE BRAKING CYCLE. IT IS NOT. DISREGARD DATE - THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING CAR ON LOS ANGELES FREEWAY DURING A GENTLE RAIN. I WAS GOING SLOW AND A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME AND WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. TOOK CAR TO HAMER TOYOTA IN MISSION HILLS AND THEY TESTED THE CAR AND SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. TODAY'S HEADLINES THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM MAKES ME ALL THE MORE CONCERNED. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, AND THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I FELT THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ONE TIME I EVEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT FROM GOING INTO MY GARAGE WALL. I HAVE HAD IT INTO MY DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANY PROBLEM AND THAT "IT IS JUST THE WAY THE CAR WORKS" .*TR

2009 PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE IN LESS THAN 1" SNOW COVERED ROAD. CAR SLID TO STOP WITH NO BRAKE CONTROL. PEDESTRIAN IN ROAD UNINJURED BECAUSE THEY MOVED OUT OF CAR PATH!! SECOND TIME NO BRAKE CONTROL IN SNOW. CAR HAD BEEN RECENTLY INSPECTED WITH NO BRAKE FINDINGS. WILL NO LONGER DRIVE CAR IN SNOW UNTIL REMEDIED. *TR

BRIGHAM PHYSICIAN KILLED IN CAR CRASH TOP INTERNIST WAS LOVED BY PATIENTS, HOSPITAL'S STAFF SHE WAS A MOTHER, WIFE, DOCTOR, AND SUPERVISOR. GLOBE STAFF / APRIL 23, 2009 EMAIL| PRINT| SINGLE PAGE| YAHOO! BUZZ| SHARETHISTEXT SIZE ' + THE POPULAR MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR PHYSICIANS' GROUP AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL DIED TUESDAY AFTER SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CAR CRASH NEAR HER HOME IN NEEDHAM. POLICE AND RELATIVES SAID IT APPEARED THAT AN INTERNIST WHO FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS SERVED AS MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF BRIGHAM INTERNAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATES, CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC SHORTLY BEFORE 6 P.M. AS SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN HER 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS ON GREENDALE AVENUE. THE 60-YEAR-OLD RELATIVELY SMALL HYBRID CAR COLLIDED WITH A TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE WOMAN WHO WAS DRIVING THE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE AND HER TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED INJURIES THAT WERE NOT LIFE-THREATENING, POLICE SAID. THEIR NAMES WERE NOT RELEASED. INVESTIGATORS SAID IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT SPEED OR ALCOHOL PLAYED A ROLE IN THE CRASH, BUT POLICE SAID THEY ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER SHE WAS USING HER BLACKBERRY AT THE TIME. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD IS 40 MILES PER HOUR. THEY ALSO SAID IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE THREE IN THE SEQUOIA WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. *TR

ACCELERATION OF 2009 PRIUS WHEN BRAKING AND HIT A POTHOLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID . OCCASIONALLY WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE THE CAR DOES NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN BRAKING. I NOW HIT THE BRAKES ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, SO I WONT GO INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT YET. *TR

WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND AT HIS MOTHER'S ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE, I PUT MY 2009 PRIUS IN PARK MODE. DECIDING TO RETURN TO THE BLDG ENTRANCE, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE (OUT OF PARKING MODE) AND LET IT GO AT ITS OWN SPEED. MY FOOT NEVER TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ABOUT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO REENTER THE ENTRANCE AREA, WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. I THEN SAW A WOMAN IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, ABOUT A FOOT FROM ME STANDING ON THE CURB IN FRONT OF THE BLDG'S GLASS FAADE. I TURNED THE WHEEL JUST MISSING HER AS WELL AS THE BLDG. FRANTICALLY PRESSING THE BRAKES WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING MORE, I ALMOST WENT ON TO A BUSY ST. ACROSS FROM A MALL. SOMEHOW I SAVED MYSELF & OTHERS BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RT, REENTERING THE PROPERTY VIA A CURB CUT FOR WHEELCHAIRS, ETC. I MISSED HITTING A POLE BUT RAN OVER 2 TREES, WHICH THE CAR SEVERED & WHICH ABRUPTLY STOPPED THE CAR, JUST BEFORE HITTING A BRICK WALL. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT NIGHT, IN THE DARK, IN REVERSE.THE POLICEMAN & THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WERE INCREDULOUS HOW THE CAR GOT INTO THAT SPACE. IT WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKES WERE PRONOUNCED "PERFECT". SO MY HUSBAND INSISTED I BE CHECKED OUT. WHILE RELATING THE INCIDENT TO THE DOCTOR, THE DR. GOOGLED "PRIUS BRAKE/ACCELERATION PROBLEMS" & FOUND MANY & PRINTED 1 OF A 2009 PRIUS WHERE THE DRIVER ENCOUNTERED 3 SUCH OCCURRENCES "DUE TO A COMBINATION OF MYSTERIOUS ACCELERATION AND LOSS

MY COMPANY PROVIDES FOR ME A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND IT HAS BEEN MY PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 36,000 MILES. I'VE NOTICED BRAKING ISSUES EVER SINCE I GOT IT BRAND NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE BRAKES NORMALLY WORK EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. THIS CAR STOPS EXTREMELY WELL UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IF WHILE BRAKING, I HIT ANY TYPE OF BUMP OR HOLE OR ANY RUMBLE STRIPS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES JUST GO AWAY. SOMETIMES IT EVEN FEELS LIKE THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT! AGAIN, THIS ONLY HAPPENS IF I HIT A POTHOLE, BUMP, ETC. IT HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT I'VE THOUGHT OF SETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT OF RUNNING OVER A WHOLE ROW OF RUMBLE STRIPS JUST TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD STOP AT ALL. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CAR WON'T BEGIN TO STOP UNTIL IT'S ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT AGAIN AFTER THE BUMPY PART. IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE PRIUS HAS EXCELLENT STOPPING POWER, IN MY OPINION. ANYWAY, THAT'S ABOUT IT. I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. *TR

TOYOTA PRIUS YR/MDL 2009/1224 A I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING CHECKED WITH TOYOTA OF HICKORY WHERE I PURCHASED THE PRIUS AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO ALLOW THE BATTERY TO HEAT UP BEFORE TRYING TO PLACE IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. MY PRIUS WILL GO INTO N, IT WILL LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS AND NOT GO INTO GEAR OR START. I HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR DURING THIS PAST SUMMER WITHOUT AIR AND I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO CUT THE CAR ON AND OFF BEFORE IT WOULD GO INTO GEAR. THIS IS VERY HORRIFIC TO SAY THE LEAST. I WAS AT LAKE NORMAN TOYOTA YESTERDAY AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT. YET NO ONE OFFERED TO TAKE THIS CAR IN AND CHECK FOR PROBLEMS. FROM THE DAY I DROVE OFF THE LOT UNTIL NOW THIS HYBRID GAS/ELEC SEDAN HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. *TW *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE "ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH VARIOUS COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMPTION MPG SCREEN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER. WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AN EXCESSIVE DECREASE IN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE FM AND AM RADIO SELECTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VIN WAS REJECTED AND WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FORM.

NOVEMBER OF 2008 I BOUGHT A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCED 4 INCIDENTS WHERE THE ACCELERATOR BECAME PARTIALLY DEPRESSED CAUSING AN UNPROVOKED ACCELERATION, THE MOST RECENT BEING ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR THE VERY NEXT DAY (1/25/10) AND REPORTED ALL 4 INCIDENTS. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I WAS GIVEN AN 800 NUMBER TO CALL TO REPORT MY CONCERNS. I RECEIVED AN AUTOMATED REPLY TELLING ME TO CALL BACK AT ANOTHER TIME. I HAVE BEEN CALLING BACK BUT TO NO AVAIL. I LIVE IN THE HIGH DESERT WHERE IT SOMETIMES SNOWS AND THE HIGHWAY CAN GET ICY DURING THE WINTER. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER MOTORISTS IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY PRIUS DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. I AM RETIRED AND LIVE ON A MODEST INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. IN THE INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED THE STICKING OF THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE FLOOR MAT OR ANY OTHER ACCESSORIES. *TR

FUEL BLADDER SEEMS TO HAVE COLLAPSED. WHEN I AM SHOWING 1/4 TANK LEFT I CAN ONLY PUT 6 GALLONS IN THE TANK. *TR

2009 PRIUS PURCHASED MAY 15, 2009 HAS 4,675 MILES ON IT. ACCELERATION/SURGING FORWARD OR NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATING AT OTHER TIMES. I DO NOT HAVE THE FLOOR MATS MENTIONED IN THE RECENT RECALL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER POSSIBLE ISSUES WITH SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION AND PROBLEMS CONTROLLING VEHICLE . HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS "BAD GAS" OR MY DRIVING HABITS. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER FOR THEM TO TRY AND REPAIR IT. DEALER STILL CLAIMS THEY CANNOT "REPLICATE THE PROBLEM" THEREFORE THERE IS NO PROBLEM. CAR MILEAGE NOW DOWN TO LESS THAN 17 MPG. LACKS HEAT OR HEAT DOES NOT PROPERLY FUNCTION. HAVE HAD 5 INSTANCES OF SURGE /ACCELERATION "INCIDENTS. SOME WHEN GOING UP HILL AND HAD TROUBLE GAINING POWER THEN WHEN I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD RAPIDLY;MAYBE TO 60 OR MORE MILE PER HOUR AT AN EXIT RAMP. HAD TO KEEP BRAKING IN ORDER TO STOP. OTHER TIMES ONLY LEAVING DRIVEWAY..WENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND CAR HESITATED THEN "SURGED" FORWARD RAPIDLY BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE APPROXIMATELY 20 FT AHEAD. THIS HAD HAPPENED THREE TIMES LIKE THIS & TWICE WHEN GOING UP HILLS WHERE I LOST POWER AND THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND I HAD TROUBLE STOPPING IT. VERY FRIGHTENING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALER TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT..EVEN WHEN I HAVE CONTACTED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE DRIVEN THERE TO SPEAK WITH THEM ABOUT THIS. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. NOW THE MIL

ON DEC 11, 2009, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET IN CAMBRIDGE, MA (I HAD A COWORKER IN THE CAR) AND WE WERE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CRAWLED UP TO APPROACH THE LIGHT AFTER SEVERAL CARS HAD GONE THROUGH-THEN STOPPED @ THE RED LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP THERE WAS NO RESPONSE, SO I PRESSED DOWN HARDER-STILL NO RESPONSE. I THEN BEGAN TO PUMP MY BRAKES TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT BUT THERE WAS STILL NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IF THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAD NOT FAILED I WOULD HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH RESPONSE TIME AND DISTANCE TO STOP BUT MY CAR KEPT @ A STEADY SPEED AND ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND $1800 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I'VE HAD OTHER INSTANCE WHERE I'VE HIT POTHOLES IN THE PAST WHILE SLOWING DOWN- AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD STOP MOMENTARILY FROM WORKING. I WORK IN THE BOSTON AREA- WHERE I'M CONSTANTLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I'VE EXPERIENCED 2 PREVIOUS TIMES SLIGHT BRAKE DELAY-WHICH I'VE COMPENSATED FOR AND GIVE MYSELF MORE ROOM BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IN ADDITION THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE 4MONTHS AGO WHERE I WAS COMING TO A STOP- AND I HEARD ONE OF THE MOTORS (I'M ASSUMING THE ELECTRIC B/C IT CHARGES AS YOU STOP) REV UP AND MY CAR JILTED FORWARD- AS IF I HAD STEPPED ON THE GAS BUT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME. THAT WAS THE ONLY INSTANCE OF THAT. I'VE HAD MY CAR SINCE APRIL 2009 AND WHEN T

I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID (GAS/ELECTRIC) ON MARCH 31, 2009. THE CAR WORKED GREAT, BUT WITH ONLY 490 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I DID A ROUTINE SHUT DOWN OF THE CAR ON MAY 20, 2009 WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE. DURING THIS EVENT, I SHUT THE CAR OFF USING THE PROCEDURE TAUGHT TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP SALESMAN, WHICH WAS THE SAME PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE USER MANUAL. HOWEVER, AT THIS SHUT DOWN, A VERY DRAMATIC POWER SURGE WENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM, JOLTING THE ENGINES IN THEIR MOTOR MOUNTS (I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD SQUEAL WHEN THE ENGINES, BOTH GAS AND ELECTRIC, JOLTED TO A STOP, WHICH I ASSUME WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS TAKING THE FORCE OF THE POWER SURGE), AND MOVING THE CAR VIOLENTLY FORWARD STOPPING WITH THE TRANSMISSION LOCK AND BRAKE WHICH I HAD SET). THIS WAS A VERY UNPLEASANT AND UN-NATURAL EVENT. FOLLOWING THIS EVENT, THE CAR DID START AND OPERATE THROUGH ITS FUNCTIONS, BUT THE DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY. WHAT HAD BEEN A SMOOTH OPERATING SYNERGY DRIVE SYSTEM WAS NOW SLIGHTLY GRABBY BOTH IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION, AND I EXPERIENCED HARD 'CLUNK' SHIFTS WHEN DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY EVERY 15TH GAS ENGINE SHUT DOWN, THE GAS ENGINE WOULD 'DIESEL' AND HAVE A DISTURBING LONG CYCLING SHUT DOWN VIBRATING AND JOLTING THE CAR IN AN ALARMING FASHION WHICH IS NOT SAFE. ON JUNE 2, 2009, I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO MY TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WAS TOLD THE CAR "CAN'T DO THAT" AND WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING WRONG. ON JULY 8, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPROACH AN INTERSECTION AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. CONSEQUENTLY THE DRIVER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THAT VEHICLE TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FRONT BUMPER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,485. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,023. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SELECTOR WAS ACTIVATED. THE DRIVER'S HAND SLIGHTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFTER IN WHICH THE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK REGARDING THE POOR MANUFACTURER DESIGN. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS MOVED INTO THE PROPER GEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

HI. I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS THAT HAS HAD 5 SEPARATE EPISODES OF ACCELERATOR STICKING. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 11-09. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS OCT 09. NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR. IT HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN, AT 55+ MPH, I ACCELERATE RAPIDLY TO PASS ANOTHER CAR. THE ACCELERATOR FELT LIKE IT HAD REMAINED DEPRESSED WITH CONTINUED SPEED ACCELERATION. THIS DID NOT RESPOND TO PUSHING DOWN ON OR PULLING UP ON THE ACCELERATOR, OR TO DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE EPISODES LASTED LESS THAN 10 SECONDS AND RESOLVED SPONTANEOUSLY. I WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHY THE ACCELERATION SUDDENLY STOPPED, BUT WHEN IT FINALLY DID STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED OVER 70+ MPH. I PUSHED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE CAR DURING THE EPISODES, WITH ONLY MINIMAL SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER YET, AS EVERYTHING IN THE MEDIA INDICATES THAT THEY DENY ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARE AND HAVE HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE EVENTS EXCEPT THE CAR MATS. *TR

I HAVE WRITTEN TOYOTA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND. I OWN A 2009 PRIUS. FIRST,NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS VERY POOR AND SENDS YOU TO WRONG ADDRESSES. ON AUG 17,2009,THE FUEL GAUGE WAS AT ONE BAR AND A RED TRIANGLE CAME ON DASH AND CAR STARTED PULLING AND DRAGGING. I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD ON THE SHOULDER AND TRIED TO RESTART CAR. IT STARTED AGAIN AND THEN IT PULLED AND DRAGGED AND I GOT BACK ON THE SHOULDER. IT WOULD NOT MOVE.I TRIED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BUT IT WOULD ONLY STAY IN PARK. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AND THEN THE TOW TRUCK HAD TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT LEAVE PARK. AS I WAITED FOR 2 HOURS FOR THE TOW TRUCK,THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS I TURNED ON AND THEN THEY ONLY WOULD BLINK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT WAS MY LEFT SIDE THAT WAS EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC. I WAS LATER TOLD THAT THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. THIS DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE NONFUNCTIONAL HAZARD LIGHT SYSTEM,THE VEHICLE BEING FROZEN IN PARK AND THE PULLING AND DRAGGING ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS THE GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING? I HAVE WRITTEN TOYOTA MANY TIMES AND COMPLETED SURVEYS EXPLAINING THESE CONCERNS AND THEY FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR RESPOND. I THINK A SAFETY ISSUE IS RAISED. *TR

HEADLAMP FAILURE ON 2006 HID TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FORCEFULLY SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON A SEPARATE OCCASION FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 2/26/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AT TIMES UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. IT WOULD ALSO LURCH WHILE IN PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE 2 INCIDENTS WHERE HER FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED 2 MINOR ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ELECTRICAL AND BRAKE WORK. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE WHEN STARTED INTERMITTENTLY. UPDATED 08/24/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE STRUCK A CURB WHICH DAMAGED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4000.

ON OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT SHORTLY AFTER TURNING IT ON I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRING CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET TOYOTA TO RESOLVE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

NOXIOUS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. SMELLS LIKE BURNING PLASTIC / METAL. FUMES BURN EYES AND PERMEATE CLOTHING, CAUSE LIGHT-HEADEDNESS. DLR HAS TRIED 3X TO REPAIR, CAN NOT IDENTIFY SOURCE. DLR'S SVC MGR CONFIRMS IT IS NOT A NORMAL ODOR FOR THIS VEHICLE, AGREES FUMES GIVE HEADACHE. MFR'S TECH DEPT CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL, DESPITE NOT HAVING EXAMINED VEHICLE. (MFR IS WILLING TO SEND FIELD SVC TECH IN APPX 1 MONTH, WILL NOT PROVIDE LOANER OR OTHERWISE ACCOMMODATE ME IN THE INTERIM.) MFR SUGGESTED IT IS A PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUE AND THAT I "SHOULD CONSIDER IF VEHICLE IS RIGHT FOR ME." *TR

I WAS FIRST IN LINE AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I ACCELERATED AGGRESSIVELY IN ORDER TO CHANGE LANES AS I PULLED AWAY. WHEN I WAS ACROSS THE INTERSECTION I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHOCKED I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE ACCELERATION. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME SO I PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE POWER BUTTON AND THE CAR STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE MAT. THEY WERE NOT NEAR THE GAS PEDAL. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT SEEMED FINE. I TOOK ALL SIDE STREETS TO GET HOME AND STAYED AWAY FROM ALL CARS AND PEOPLE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO TOYOTA THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MY CAR WAS A PRIUS 2009 PACKAGE #3 WITH 7500 MILES ON IT. UNTIL THAT DAY, IT DROVE PERFECTLY AND I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT. I WON'T DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. *TR

I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME NOW ALLOT OF TOYOTA PRIUS CARS DRIVING IN DARK CONDITIONS WITH NO HEADLIGHTS ON. THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NO HEADLIGHTS. THIS WOULD SUGGEST TO ME THAT THERE IS A MANUAL HEADLIGHT SWITCH OR ELSE DIFFERENT PARAMETERS FOR THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS. AS FOR THE REASON, I BELIEVE TO CONSERVE POWER ON THE ELECTRIC BATTERIES. IF THE DRIVER IS IN CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS THIS CONTROL SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY. IT IS RARE IN THIS DAY AND AGE FOR A MANUAL HEADLAMP SWITCH EVEN ON THE MOST BASIC CARS, SO I BELIEVE TOYOTA WAS FULLY AWARE OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND WHAT THE DRIVERS WERE LIKELY TO DO. BUT YET TOYOTA MADE SURE THEY WERE LEGALLY COVERED WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS. AFTER ALL IF THE DRIVER HITS A CAR OR PEDESTRIAN ITS THE DRIVERS FAULT BUT IF TOYOTA PRIUS CARS SUDDENLY START GETTING REAR ENDED, ITS TOYOTA'S FAULT. IF THE HEADLAMP IS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE DRIVER WHY THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING WHEN THEY COME ON? I WOULD SUGGEST AGAIN TO CONSERVE POWER AND MAKE THEIR CARS GO FARTHER ON ELECTRIC POWER AT THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY. I AM WRITING THIS PRIMARILY FROM A PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW BECAUSE I AM A RUNNER AND HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF SEMI CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE AND ONE CLOSER CALL BECAUSE THEY ARE SO QUIET. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I NOTICED IT AROUND MAY 2009, AND REPORTED IT DURING MY MAY PRE-PAID TOYOTA SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE., WHICH WAS THE LAST ONE FOR MY PLAN. TOYOTA SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT IS NOTED ON MY TOYOTA PAPERWORK. *TR

I OWN A TOYOTA PRIUS. ON JUNE 22, THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO ACT UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS THEY CLAIMED IT WAS FIXED. THEY REPLACED ALMOST EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL. I THEN TOOK IT BACK LESS THAN A MONTH LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND JUST TO NEVER LET MY TANK GO BELOW 1/4. TO ME, THIS IS A DANGER. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY GAS TANK OR WHEN I MAY RUN OUT OF GAS. I THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS, YET TOYOTA DOES NOTHING TO FIX THIS. EVERY FEW DAYS I HAVE TO STOP AND GET GAS BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. I AM DRIVING AROUND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN EVER THE CONTACT WORE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED DIM LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,400. UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN UPDATED 09/18/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN EVER THE CONTACT WORE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED DIM LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,400. UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO ADD FUEL. THE DEALER HAS PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH SEVERAL OPTIONS TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM WHICH INCLUDED TURNING THE NOZZLE SIDEWAYS AND TAKING THE NOZZLE OUT FROM TIME TO TIME WHILE ADDING FUEL. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THESE TECHNIQUES ARE DIFFICULT TO PERFORM. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE SAFETY RISK IS HIGHER SINCE THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF GAS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320. UPDATED 09/08/09 *BF UPDATED 09/29/09.*JB

THIS IS A REQUEST IN ORDER FOR THE US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO BEGIN SAFETY AND DEFECT INSPECTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING AUTOMOTIVE DEALERS: TOYOTA, HONDA, MITISHIBISHI. *TR

WE OWN A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND WE'RE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIUS'S STEERING WHILE OPERATING THE CAR OVER 60 MPH. THE CAR WANTS TO SHIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY MOVING THE WHEEL , ATTEMPTING TO STEER THE CAR STRAIGHT . DURING ANY CROSS WINDS THE PROBLEM IS WORST. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND BOTH INDICATED, "THE CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED." INVESTIGATING MY CAR PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED PRIUSCHAT.COM . THERE I FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF DIFFERENT YEAR PRIUSES WITH THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

HI THERE, I RENTED A NEW 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AS I WAS DRIVING IN ONE OF THE INSIDE STREETS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT EVEN THOUGH I WAS DRIVING WITH A LOW SPEED OF 15-20 MPH I REAR ENDED A CAR THAT SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES ALL OF A SUDDEN. I SLAMMED HARD ON MY BRAKES AND IT SKIDDED A LITTLE AND HIT THE VAN REAR END BUMPER AHEAD OF ME. THE ACCIDENT DID A QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY RENTAL PRIUS. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO HERTZ AND THEY SWAPPED THE CAR; I TOLD HERTZ TO CHECK THE BRAKES THOROUGHLY; BECAUSE THERE IS A DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEED. PLEASE HELP. EVEN THOUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE DAMAGE; I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION OF LOW SPEED AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EITHER ONE HEAD LIGHT WILL GO OUT OR ON SOME OCCASIONS BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON THEY WILL COME BACK ON. *TR

I AM WRITING TO LET YOU KNOW OF A PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING WITH A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT I PURCHASED NEW JUST ONE WEEK AGO AND WHICH STILL HAS LESS THAN 500 MILES ON IT. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I WAS APPROACHING A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, IN TOWN WHERE MY SPEED HAD BEEN ONLY ABOUT 15 MPH. WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, JUST PRIOR TO A FULL STOP, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PRESSING HARD, AND THE BRAKE EVENTUALLY OVERRODE THE ACCELERATOR AND STOPPED. LOOKING AT THE DASH I SAW THAT THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT FLASHED ON BRIEFLY. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, NO RAIN, NO SLICK SURFACE. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME, SO NO DAMAGE TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE. ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENED THIS MORNING IN MY GARAGE. I GOT INTO THE PRIUS, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUSHED THE POWER BUTTON, AND THEN A MOMENT LATER, STILL IN PARK, I FELT A SURGE. THE CAR DID NOT LUNGE FORWARD, BUT I STRONGLY FELT THE REVVING AND SURGE OF POWER, AND THE CAR LIFTED FROM THE POWER. THESE INCIDENTS CAUSED ME TO SEARCH THE WEB FOR SIMILAR EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS, AND I HAVE FOUND MANY, SOME WITH SEVERE CONSEQUENCES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT IN HINDSIGHT I REALIZE THAT TWO OTHER THINGS I HAVE NOTICED ABOUT THE BRAKES MIGHT BE IMPORTANT TO RELATE. I SOMETIMES HEAR A SLIGHT GRINDING DISK SOUND WHEN I BRAKE, AND I HAVE ON A FEW OCCASIONS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES ARE SKIPPING AND THE ABS ENGAGING, AS IF I WERE ON A SLIPPERY OR GRAVELED SURFACE. YET THAT WAS NEVER THE CASE; THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND TAR WAS IN GO

MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OLD. AS I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT, I COULD FEEL THE CAR STILL ACCELERATING WHILE I HAD ALREADY MOVED MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE. BRAKING AS HARD AS I CAN I REALIZED MY CAR WASN'T RESPONDING AT ALL. THE CAR CLIMBED ON TO THE CURB INTO THE GRASS, HIT A LIGHT POLE, TILTED TO ITS RIGHT SIDE (I WAS PARKING TO MY RIGHT) AND FELL DOWN ON ITS SIDE. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT WONT TURN OFF. THE WHEELS WERE STILL ACCELERATING AS I WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT, CALLED OUT FOR HELP AND GOT OUT THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. I CALLED 911. POLICE HELPED ME TURN OFF THE VEHICLE; UNTIL THAT TIME, THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS 2ND GENERATION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS AT VERY LOW SPEED (LIKE IN MY CASE, WHILE PARKING) OR WHEN ITS FLOORED ALL THE WAY. THIS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED. THE CAR IS WITH GEICO, MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR

PRIUS BLADDER TANK IS A BAD AND FLAWED DESIGN LEAVING THE CONSUMER WITH INACCURATE TANK AND MILEAGE READINGS. *TR

HI THERE, I HAVE A NEW 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT AT THE GARAGE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR STARTED ALL OF A SUDDEN MOVING VERY SMOOTHLY WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE REGARDLESS OF MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT. IT WAS HITTING THE WALL IN FRONT OF IT A COUPLE OF TIMES UNTIL I MANAGED TO POWER DOWN THE CAR. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER TO CHECK BRAKES THOROUGHLY. THEY DID AND TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE WITH THE BRAKES. PERSONALLY I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKES HAVE MIND OF THEIR OWN AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THEY WILL NOT FAIL ON ME IN TRAFFIC SINCE I AM A MOTHER, I HAVE A 1-YEAR OLD BOY. HIS SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ME. RIGHT AFTER MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IT HAD TO STAY AT A DEALER FOR A WEEK SINCE THERE WAS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, I BELIEVE WITH DOORS. BOTH THAT FACT AND NOW THE BRAKE FAILURE MAKE ME WONDER IF MY CAR IS A LEMON. PLEASE HELP TO SORT THIS OUT. THANK YOU! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GARAGE DOOR AND THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE BODY DAMAGE, NOT FOR THE BRAKES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,200.

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN IT "SHOULD" HAVE HAD 3 GALLONS LEFT (BASED ON STATED FUEL CAPACITY OF 11.9 GALLONS, AND ON FUEL GAUGE). APPARENTLY THE FUEL BLADDER DOES NOT CONTAIN A RELIABLE AMOUNT OF GAS WHEN FILLED, AND THE GAS GAUGE WARNING (WHICH THE MANUAL SAYS GOES ON WITH ABOUT 3 GALLONS LEFT) MAY NOT COME ON UNTIL LESS THAN A HALF A GALLON REMAINS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRUIS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITONS, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A LIGHTLY SNOW COVERED ROAD SURFACE, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CRASHED ONTO THE CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 480. FOUR DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMERS WAS HEADING DOWN A GENTLE INCLINE TOWARD A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION SHORTLY AFTER A LIGHT SNOWFALL, THE STREET WAS WET, BUT THERE WAS NO ICE ON THE ROAD. AS SHE BRAKED TO SLOW DOWN, SHE NOTICED THERE WAS NO DECELERATION AND CONTINUED TO PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER CARS, SHE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT INTO A CURB AND CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, AXLE AND UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER IMPLIED THE SHE MUST HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES INCORRECTLY AND WAS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO ABS. A FEW MONTHS LATER ON ANOTHER WET RAINY DAY, THERE WAS A SIMILAR INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE. UPDATED 04/15/10.*JB

FUEL TANK CAPACITY DANGEROUSLY VARIABLE IN TOYOTA PRIUS. OUR 2009 PRIUS ROUTINELY IS UNABLE TO FILL TO FULL CAPACITY OF 11.9 GALLONS. WORSE IS COLD TEMPERATURES. WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS ISSUE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. HAVE SINCE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE FUEL BLADDER FROM CONSUMER CHAT FORUMS, BUT TOYOTA NEEDS TO DISCLOSE THE RANGE OF FUEL CAPACITY IN THEIR MANUALS, OR IMPROVE THE DESIGN TO *TR