Page 3 of 11 · complaints 101–150 of 502

2009 Toyota Prius complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 2018162,000 milesTX

PRIUS DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH BRAKE LIGHT, ABS AND VSC LIGHT. RAN DIAGNOSTIC CODES AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP- SAID VEHICLE WAS PART OF BRAKE ACTUATOR MANUFACTURER MALFUNCTION. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT RESOLVE ISSUE DESPITE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY BECAUSE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING WELL. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WONT DO ANYTHING.

Engine
Filed Jan 26, 201880,000 milesCA

I KEEP GETTING THE CODE P 1121. I HAVE REPLACED MY ENGINE COOLANT VALVE SENSOR UNIT THREE TIMES AND EVERY SINGLE TIME AFTER DRIVING FOR A WEEK THE CHICKENS AND LIGHT COMES ON AND IT THROWS THE CODE AGAIN. I AM CURRENTLY AT THE POINT WHERE THERE IS EITHER NO HEAT OR IT TAKES AT LEAST HALF HOUR OR MORE TO BLOW HOT AIR. IF IT BLOWS HOT AIR IT ONLY CAN BE ON A LOW FAN SETTING. I HAVE USED TWO DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS. BUT UNFORTUNATELY EVERY TIME I REPLACED IT SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS IN THE PAST AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. BUT IT IS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. AND I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON VEHICLE YEARS PRIOR TO MINE.

Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2018100,700 milesCO

MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS 100,700 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR IT'S LAST OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED THAT ONLY A LITTLE OVER A QUART OF OIL DRAINED FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. AFTER REPLACING THE ENGINE OIL IT STILL LOOKED DIRTY. THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE CAUSED BY A PISTON DESIGN FLAW AND DOES NOT HAVE A CHEAP SOLUTION OTHER THAN ADDING OIL AT EACH GAS FILL UP. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE MAY STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING, PARTICULARLY IF TRAVELING ON A LONG TRIP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON A LONG TRIP.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 11, 201897,000 milesNC

THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT DUE TO POWER SURGE. LEFT - RIGHT - LEFT - RIGHT - LEFT - RIGHT NOW LEFT AGAIN!!! EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT IT LAST FEB 2017.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2018132,000 milesTN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS ON A VERY COLD DAY (ROUGHLY 10 TO 20 DEGREES F). THE RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, ALONG WITH THE ABS, VCS AND YELLOW "!" LIGHTS. THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY SOFT FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 5-10 MINUTES OF OPERATION. I WOULD PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO (IT WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR) AND THE BRAKES WOULD SEEMS TO BE ENGAGING AT ABOUT 30%-50% OF THEIR NORMAL STOPPING POWER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMED UP, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT AWAY AND THE BRAKES BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON ANOTHER VERY COLD DAY (AGAIN PROBABLY ABOUT 10 DEGREES). SHE STATED THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED LIGHTS STAYED ON FOR HER ENTIRE COMMUTE (LESS THAN 10 MINUTES) BUT THAT WHEN SHE ARRIVED TO WORK, HER BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. SHE DESCRIBED THAT SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE FULLY ENGAGING. SHE STATED THAT SHE NEARLY HIT A WALL AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT AT HER WORK. I HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES LISTED ON PRIUS FORUMS ONLINE. PERHAPS IT IS A ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM AS OPPOSED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE 25 DEGREES.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 4, 2018100,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SECURELY PARKED FOR SIX WEEKS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AWAY. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE AT THE SCENE, BUT NO REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 28, 2017CA

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ALL THE TIME. I'VE REPLACED THE BALLASTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS 5 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. 1 MONTH AFTER NEW HEADLIGHTS AND NEW BALLASTS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BACK OUT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THIS CAR. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF AND IT WILL WORK FOR A BIT.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 23, 2017215,000 milesCA

MY HEADLIGHT PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF TURNING ON. THIS KEEPS ME FROM DRIVING AT NIGHT. MY COMPUTER CONTROLS ON MY DASH BOARD THAT WORKS THE AC. AND DISPLAYS THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAR DOES NOT WORK. MY ABS BREAK LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS HAS AFFECTED MY BREAKING SYSTEM ON MY CAR. ALL OF THESE ITEMS I HAVE MENTIONED ALL OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 22, 2017198,000 milesSC

THE COMBINATION METER WENT OUT ON MY PRIUS. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEED OR ANY OTHER SAFETY LIGHTS. THE MOST ALARMING ISSUE WAS WHEN OUR VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION WE WERE UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE PUSH BUTTON 'START.' THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN ON RESERVE EVEN AFTER THE BATTERY TERMINALS WERE DISCONNECTED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TOYOTA HAD ALREADY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART TO NINE YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF USE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, OUR CAR WAS NINE YEARS AND ONE MONTH. THE SCARIEST ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR DRIVER IS UNABLE TO TELL THEIR SPEED AND THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR ALSO IS EXTREMELY DARK (AT NIGHT) WHEN THE DASHBOARD IS NOT DISPLAYING AND CAUSES ISSUES WITH VISABILITY.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2017111,000 milesUT

DISPLAY FOR ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY.THE 'COMBINATION METER' (A.K.A. 'INSTRUMENT PANEL' OR 'CLUSTER', THE THING YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN FRONT OF YOU) IS BAD. THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROL HOW IT 'POWERS UP', AND THEY FAIL. LACKING THE ABILITY TO POWER UP, THE DISPLAY GOES BLACK. JOE MYERS QUOTED US $1156 FOR REPAIR, AND ONE WEEK REPAIR TIME. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT REPAIR PART IS FIXED PART SO THAT PROBLEM WILL NO LONGER OCCUR. WE MUST DRIVE THE VEHICLE TILL WE REPLACE IT. NO OFFER WAS MADE TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR IF 07 PRIUS WENT INTO SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT CLUSTER. IT IS REALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT KNOWING SPEED THAT CAR IS TRAVELING. AND WE WOULD NOT KNOW GAS LEVEL. WHO WANTS TO RUN OUT OF FUEL? VERY UNSAFE. WHY ISN'T TOYOTA OWNING UP TO THIS DEFICIENCY? SHOULDN'T IT BE A RECALL REPAIR? WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIRS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 14, 201790,000 milesOH

THERE IS A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR MY 2009 PRIUS WHICH EXPIRES IN MARCH OF 2018 FOR THE COMBINATION METER KNOWN AS CSP ZTV. I TEXT MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID ITS WARRANTED. THE FIRST DEALER I TOOK IT TO REFUSED TO REPLACE IT 2 DAYS AGO SAYING IT EXPIRED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT DIDN'T AFTER I READ THE DATE IT STARTED BEING IN SERVICE AND SHE SAID IT IS IN PLACE UNTIL MARCH.THE 2ND DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE CONDITIONS. I CAN NOT TELL THE WEATHER TO FREEZE I AM NOT GOD BUT THEY ARE PLAYING GOD WITH MY MONEY AND MY LIFE TO SAVE THEIR MONEY AND THEIR JOBS. I WANTED REPAIR DONE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN BUT THEY ARE REFUSING. I COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AND BE KILLED BECAUSE OF FAULTY METER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T READ DISPLAY OR GET A SPEEDING TICKET. THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM CAN VERIFY THIS IS THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ARE NOT A TOYOTA DEALER. WHAT IF WE HAVE A MILD WINTER AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THIS YEAR BUT HAPPENS FALL OF 2019 THEN I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND ITS THEIR FAULT NOT MINE THIS IS LAWLESSNESS BECAUSE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO KEEP FROM PAYING FOR THEIR ERROR. THIS IS STEALING. HOW CAN I GET A REMEDY TO THIS? THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DO A RECALL INSTEAD OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING IT IS NOT RIGHT TO DO TO CONSUMER. IT IS STATIONARY FOR DISPLAY LIGHTS BUT YOU DON' T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL TURN ON AND RESTARTING CAR DOES NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN YOU CAN'T LEAVE CAR THERE BECAUSE LIGHTS AREN'T ON IF CAR DOESN'T SHUT OFF THIS A DILEMMA AND TOW TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2017190,000 milesCA

TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE BREAK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY IN 2004-2009 MODEL YEAR PRIUS VEHICLES, AND HAVE ISSUED A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ZG1" TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS PART. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTION IN THIS PART, BUT TOYOTA IS UNWILLING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARING ON THE DASH. THE BREAKS FEEL LIKE THEY WILL FAIL AT ANY MOMENT, POSING A CLEAR SAFTETY CONCERN. I WAS LITERALLY TOLD THAT MY WIFE IS TO DRIVE OFF THE LOT, WITH FAILING BREAKS, HOPING THEY FAIL EVEN FURTHER SO THAT WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR, BUT NOT SO MUCH THAT THEY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 13, 201760,000 milesOH

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN IT GETS BELOW 30 THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD GO OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND REMAIN OFF WHILE DRIVING AND YOU CAN'T SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE DRIVING OR ANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR WARNING LIGHTS TO KNOW IF YOU NEED GAS, TIRES ARE LOW, ETC. I TOOK INTO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON IT BUT I DO NOT SEE IT LISTED.

Engine
Filed Aug 25, 2017130,000 milesAZ

ONCE MY CAR GOT PAST 100,000 MILES, THE NON-SPECIFIC WARNING LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND THE WORD "PROBLEM!" WOULD COME ON THE SCREEN. MANUAL SAYS TO ASK DEALER WHAT THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM IS. CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER KEPT SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW. TURNS OUT AFTER MY OWN PERSISTENCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION. NOT BURNING; NOT LEAKING. JUST HIGH CONSUMPTION. TAKE CAR FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND IT SEEMS TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT KEEPS PRESSING ME TO GET A NEW ENGINE, RATHER THAN OFFERING ANY INTERMEDIATE SOLUTIONS. COULD HAVE TOLD ME THOUSANDS OF MILES AGO TO AT LEAST KEEP ADDING OIL, BUT THEY NEVER BOTHERED. I NOW KNOW AFTER ABOUT A YEAR THAT I HAVE TO START ADDING A LOT OF OIL JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE OIL IS CHANGED AND FILLED. IF I WAIT UNTIL REGULAR MAINTENANCE INTERVAL, ALL OIL WILL BE GONE. ENGINE WOULD HAVE BROKEN DOWN IF I DIDN'T PERSIST IN FIGURING OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. WENT THROUGH 3 REGULAR SERVICE APPOINTMENTS BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON MY OWN. PROBLEM WAS AT ITS WORST WHEN BRAKING, BUT LIGHT CAME ON AT OTHER TIMES AS WELL. I HAVE YESTERDAY'S DATE HERE ON THE COMPLAINT, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT A YEAR.

Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2017CA

EMGINE COOLANT SENSOR IS MESSED UP. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR 2004 TO 2007 OR 8 BY TOYOTA. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AND THE SAME PARTS USED UP TO 2009 BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE BY TOYOTA

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 8, 201798,000 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING, MY HEADLAMPS WILL FLICKER AND THEN GO OUT. SOMETIMES THIS COULD TAKE 5 MINUTES, SOMETIMES THIS COULD TAKE 20. WHEN FLICK THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, THEY RESET FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, BECAUSE THEY'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. MY VEHICLE BEGAN DOING THIS AT 98,000 MILES AND CONTINUE TO DO THIS AT 130,000 MILES. I'VE READ ON FORUMS THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME THINGS.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 201730,000 milesMI

IF MY CAR SITS IN THE SUN, ON OCCASION THE AUDIO CONTROLS - AM/FM, VOLUME, POWER, TRACK SELECTOR, ETC. FAIL TO FUNCTION (THEY ARE UNRESPONSIVE). IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THEN BACK ON, THEY WORK. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, PER SE. MY CONCERN IS NOT THE AUDIO PORTION NOT WORKING, BUT THE SYSTEM DESIGN AND QUALITY OF COMPONENTS. WERE THESE SAME COMPONENTS USED ELSEWHERE IN THE CAR? I'VE ONLY SEEN THIS HAPPEN WHEN MY CAR HAS BECOME HOT SITTING (NOT RUNNING) DUE TO THE WEATHER. USUALLY WHEN I PARKED FACING WEST AND THE SUN HAS BEEN HITTING THE FRONT OF THE CAR ALL DAY AND I LEAVE FROM WORK. THIS HASN'T HAPPENED IN THE PAST 2-3 YEARS BECAUSE I'VE KEPT MY CAR OUT OF THE SUN WHEN PARKING. IT OCCURRED BETWEEN 2012 AN 2014. I DO NOT HAVE AN EXACT DATE OF WHEN IT OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH YOUR FORM FORCES ME TO SPECIFY ONE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 18, 201776,000 milesWI

OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THE PAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE REPLACED 3 HEADLIGHTS, DUE TO BROKEN/FAULTY SEALS THAT ALLOW MOISTURE INTO THE HOUSING, AND BURNING OUT THE BALLAST WHICH IN MY OPINION IS A DESIGN FLAW AS THE BALLAST RESTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I CURRENTLY AM DEALING WITH A RIGHT HEADLIGHT THAT GOES OUT AND I NEED TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON FOR THE LIGHT TO RETURN BRIEFLY. THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY IS ABOUT $250 PLUS LABOR COSTS OF INSTALLATION.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 10, 2017140,000 milesFL

LIGHTS FLICKERING GOING OUT

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 30, 2017MN

THE 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING HEAD LIGHT PROBLEMS. WHAT HAPPENED IS WHEN THE HEADLIGHT ARE TURNED ON THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF SOMETIMES IT'S THE LEFT ONE SOMETIMES THE RIGHT ONE SOMETIMES BOTH THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF YOU'RE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON A CITY STREET OR NOT IN-MOTION. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAPPENS ANYTIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON IT IS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN YOUR HEADLIGHTS TURN COMPLETELY OFF ON A REGULAR BASIS YOU LOSE VISIBILITY. AND CONSIDERING 90% OF THE TIME WHEN YOUR HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON IT'S NIGHT TIME EVEN WORSE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF AND THAT WILL SOMETIMES MAKE THEM TURN ON AGAIN THE THEN BEHOLD THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF AGAIN LIKE I SAID THIS HAPPENS TO ME AT LEAST 10 TIMES EVERY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE YOU WILL FIND COUNTLESS PRIUS OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME YET TOYOTA HAS NOT PUT A RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 13, 201795,000 milesTX

THE HEADLIGHT JUST GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. ONCE YOU TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN ON THEY COME BACK ON FOR A SHORT TIME. THE DEALER IS WANTING $1,400 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 28, 201745,000 milesIL

HEADLIGHTS FAIL WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE WOULD GO OUT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD GOT OUT AND MOST RECENTLY BOTH LIGHTS HAVE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 10, 201770,000 milesCA

TRAVELING 101 NORTH TOWARD VENTURA, ON THE TOP OF THE DOWN HILL GRADE JUST SOUTH OF THE CAMIRILLO SPRINGS EXIT. ALL LIGHTS ON PANEL CAME ON. ESTIMATE 65 MPH, APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW WITH TRAFFIC FLOW. NO BRAKES,NO WARNING.SEMI TRACKER TRAILERS ALSO SLOWING. TOOK EXIT BOTTOM OF HILL WITH FLASHES ON, WENT THRU STOP SIGN AS MY SPEED AT APPROX 45-48MPH. WENT THRU SECOND STOP SIGN MADE SHARP LEFT PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE ON... THIS IS A GARAGE CAR SERVICED BY DEALER ONLY, 3RD TIME FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM! NEVER WHILE DRIVING.... THIS WAS NEAR FATAL! THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OF THE MANUFACTURE, NEVER REPAIRED CORRECTLY! HAVE 3 COPIES OF REPAIRS FOR THE ELECTRICAL STARTING 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CAR...HELP.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2017150,000 milesCA

MY HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. SOME TIMES IT'S ONLY ONE, OTHER TIMES IT'S BOTH. IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON THEY WORK AGAIN FOR A SHORT TIME. THIS IS VERY SCARY TO HAVE HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 31, 2017136,545 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY OPENING THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE OPENED, THE PANEL ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PANEL WAS HANGING WITH ALL THE WIRES STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD NO LONGER ACCESS THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PANEL NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,545.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 30, 2017186,000 milesNY

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A MOVING COLLISION THAT TOTALED THE DRIVERS FRONT END AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE INJURED BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I SUSPECT THAT THE CARS STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING AROUND A SHARP CURVE. THE CAR HAS LOST STEERING ONE TIME BEFORE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR*DT*JB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 11, 201779,000 milesUT

WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND AT OTHER TIMES THE RIGHT OR BOTH OF THEM WILL GO OUT. IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN OFF AND THEN BACK ON IT WILL TURN THEM ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS. I WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER AND THEY LET ME OFF WITH A WARNING TO FIX IT. IT TURNS OFF EVEN WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHEN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 11, 2017152,000 milesCO

I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF A COMBINATION METER IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2007 PRIUS. THIS HAPPENED ON STARTUP. THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO THE DISPLAY SCREEN. AS MENTIONED IN THEIR WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN NO: POL 12-05 DATED 10/12/12 A FAILURE CAN RESULT IN THE SCREEN GOING DARK. IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE NIGHT THIS CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BOTH BECAUSE OF THE UNEXPECTED AND IMMEDIATE DISTRACTION AND THE LOSS OF CRITICAL VISUAL INFORMATION. THEIR WARRANTY BULLETIN DOES NOT SEEM TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE MATTER. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS ITEM SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. MY 2009 PRIUS IS ONE OF THOSE MENTIONED IN THEIR BULLETIN. THOUGH I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE, I BECAME AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH THE RECENT EVENT THAT MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED. NEITHER I NOR MY DAUGHTER HAS RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA. I AM A FAN OF THE PRIUS AS IS MY DAUGHTER, BUT THIS ISSUE IS TOO SERIOUS TO SIMPLY IGNORE. IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED WITH TOYOTA.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 29, 201670,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH WAS MELTED TO THE HATCH LEVER LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 4, 201672,000 milesCA

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THEN TURN THEM ON, THE HEADLIGHT TURNS BACK ON FOR A WHILE. THEN AFTER A WHILE THE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF AGAIN. THIS DEFECT WAS A NHTSA RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER SAID THE WARRANTY AND RECALL HAS EXPIRED. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER $500 TO FIX THIS DEFECT. NHTSA NEEDS TO EXTEND THE RECALL AND WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENT DEATHS AND INJURY RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. YOU CAN SEE THE DEFECT DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS: TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHT FAILURE. PLEASE ISSUE AN ORDER FOR DEALERS TO RECALL AND EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO FIX THIS HEADLIGHT DEFECT AT NO COST TO OWNERS !! *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 29, 2016IL

RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OFF RANDOMLY ALL THE TIME WHEN DRIVING IN CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS, I HAVE TO TURN LIGHTS OFF AND TURN THEM ON AGAIN UNTIL IT GOES OFF AGAIN, CHANGED BULB DID NOT HELP. THIS IS HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. *TR

Seats
Filed Oct 14, 201692,000 milesCA

PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. REPORTED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER PROBLEM PERSISTS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE SEAT SENSOR PROBLEM FOR WHICH A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR SOME 2009 PRIUS MODELS (13V014000). OUR PRIUS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. PERHAPS THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 9, 2016174,000 milesCA

DRIVER WENT TO PARK AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND! IN FACT THE VEHICLE WENT FROM 2-5MPH TO APPROX 30+ & KEPT PICKING UP SPEED AND WENT INTO STOREFRONT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND IT WENT EQUALLY FAST BACK INTO A PARKED CAR WHERE IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. HUGELY FRIGHTENING AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 22, 201691,757 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,757. UPDATED 05/31/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE LIGHT BULB. UPDATED 08/30/2017*JS

Electrical System
Filed Sep 12, 2016120,000 milesCA

MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. ORIGINALLY, PROBLEM ONLY APPEARED IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMBINATION METER FAILURE DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS. COMBINATION METER HAS BEEN REPLACED BY TOYOTA PER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY PROBLEM PERSISTS. ON COLD STARTS IN THE MORNING THE UNIT DOES NOT FUNCTION. LATER IN THE DAY, AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE, THE UNIT WILL OCCASIONALLY START TO WORK BUT MIGHT GO ON/OFF AND RESET ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. ALL NAVIGATION MEMORY IS STILL THERE, INCLUDING AC SETTINGS BUT PHONE SETTINGS ARE WIPED OUT. THIS MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY IS THE PRIMARY CONTROL FOR AC AND HEATER, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, TELEPHONE/BLUETOOTH, AUDIO, DIAGNOSTICS/MAINTENANCE, ETC. TOYOTA HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE UNIT IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER (FUJITSU) FOR REPAIR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THIS UNIT ON GEN 2 PRIUSES 2004-2009. THERE SHOULD BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT JUST LIKE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE COMBINATION METER.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 7, 201666,000 milesIN

HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED AT NIGHT ON 8/31/16 WHEN CAR PARKED ON STREET AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. DEALER REPORTED NOT THE BULBS AND RAN DIAGNOSTICS, TELLING ME IT WAS THE THE 'BODY ECU' . I PAID $703.86 FOR A NEW ECU ON 9/1/16 WHICH WAS PUT IN TODAY, 9/7/16, AND DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. CAR REMAINS WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 25, 201674,000 milesMO

ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, THEN THE NEXT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AFTER DARK AND REALIZED THAT BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAD GONE OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TURNED SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON (I ALSO PUT FOG LAMPS ON) AND THEY WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN THEY EACH DIMMED AND WENT OUT. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT AND AM UNABLE TO CHANGE THE LIGHTS MYSELF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE COST QUOTED WAS NEARLY $600 TO REPLACE THE HID HEADLAMPS BECAUSE THE BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE BULBS. THE DEALER SEEMED UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE UNTIL I MENTIONED THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2011 AGAINST TOYOTA FOR THIS VERY ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 5, 2016TN

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST SOME YEARS AND I HAVE ASKED TO DEALER TO CHECK ON IT FOR 1 HOUR (CUZ OF COST OF LABOR) AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO... I DO NOT SEE A RECALL LETTER ON THIS???

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 27, 201668,602 milesNY

FIRST THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, AND THEN BACK ON AFTER A DAY OR TWO. THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT DID THE SAME THING. I NEVER KNOW UNTIL I START UP THE CAR WHETHER OR NOT I AM GOING TO HAVE BOTH HEADLIGHTS WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 24, 201682,307 milesNC

TAKATA RECALL THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS NOT WORKING.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 21, 201696,000 milesIL

RIGHT HEADLIGHT FLICKERS OUT ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES AFTER TURNING IT ON. BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND ON, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. BUT IF FAILS AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, BUT ALSO HAPPENS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF.

Power Train
Filed Apr 7, 2016103,000 milesVA

THIS CAR CUTS OFF POWER TO SAVE THE POWERTRAIN FROM DAMAGE, THAT IS WHAT TOYOTA TOLD ME. YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC BECAUSE YOU CAN LOSE POWER FOR 2-3 SECONDS IF THE CARS COMPUTER SENSES ANY WHEEL SPIN. THE WAY I SEE IT THIS IS A MACHINE THAT WAS DESIGNED BY THE ENGINEERS TO SAVE ITSELF FROM DAMAGE, THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER IS OF NO CONCERN TO THE COMPUTER PROGRAM. YOU MUST ALWAYS!!! BE AWARE WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR THAT IT CAN AND WILL CUT ALL POWER WHEN YOU ENTER TRAFFIC. THE BEST WAY TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND STAY ALIVE IS TO MAKE SURE ANY APPROACHING VEHICLES ARE MUCH FARTHER AWAY THAN YOU WOULD CONSIDER NORMAL IF YOU WERE DRIVING ANY OTHER CAR. IMAGINE IN THE FUTURE THAT A FIREFIGHTING ROBOT RUNS INTO A BURNING BUILDING TO SAVE YOU, THE ROBOT PICKS YOU UP AND STARTS TO EXIT THE BUILDING. THE ROBOTS COMPUTER SENSES THAT IT IS GETTING TOO HOT FOR ITS DESIGN PARAMETERS SO IT DROPS YOU ON THE FLOOR AND RUNS OUT OF THE BUILDING TO SAVE ITSELF, THAT ANALOGY BASICALLY DESCRIBES THE 2009 PRIUS , ITS COMPUTER SAVES ITSELF WITHOUT THOUGHT THAT YOU ARE LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER. TOYOTA TOLD ME AGAIN THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT HANDLE THE POWER FROM THE MOTOR SO THEY MADE THE COMPUTER CUT POWER IF WHEEL SPIN WAS DETECTED. MY MAJOR COMPLAINT IS THE LENGTH OF TIME THE POWER IS CUT 2-3 SECONDS WHICH IS A VERY VERY LONG TIME WHEN YOU ARE ENTERING TRAFFIC.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 26, 201647,560 milesTX

LEFT HEADLIGHT STARTED SPORADICALLY FLICKERING IN APRIL 2014, THEN RIGHT HEADLIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND GOING OUT IN AUGUST 2014. BOUGHT REPLACEMENT BULBS, WHICH WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS, NOW BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AS THEY JUST SUDDENLY GO OUT WITH NO NOTICE. HAVE DISCUSSED WITH MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A "BALLAST" PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 PRIUS AND A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT EXISTED, BUT SINCE MY CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF THE 5 YEARS 50K MILES COVERAGE THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND $1200.00 PER LIGHT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS A DEFECT!!!

Electrical System
Filed Feb 29, 2016WA

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES LEFT, SOMETIMES RIGHT, SOMETIMES BOTH. INCONSISTENT AND NOTICE ONLY AT NIGHT. CAN'T FIX AND CAN'T FIND SOLUTION. HEADLIGHTS DON'T NEED TO BE REPLACED - THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH CAR WIRING OR OTHER. I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2009 AND ONLY HAD PROBLEM LAST SIX MONTHS OR SO - PROBABLY STARTING 1/2016. CAR HAS APPROX. 65K MILES ON IT. VERY UNSAFE - ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT IN CITY WHEN I CAN'T FOLLOW ANOTHER CAR AND I CAN'T TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON OR NOT!

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 21, 201660,000 milesCA

SOMETIMES ONE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF. WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF, THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 12, 201642,000 milesMT

I BECAME AWARE THE PAST FEW MONTHS THAT MY RIGHT HID HEADLIGHT WAS GOING OFF AND ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I WAS FIRST ALERTED TO IT BY OTHER CARS FLASHING ME. THEN TIME WOULD GO BY AND IT SEEMED TO WORK. YET, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. ONE TIME THE LEFT LIGHT WENT OUT AS WELL, AND I WAS WITHOUT EITHER LIGHT. BUT GENERALLY IT IS JUST THE RIGHT LIGHT. IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON, THEN BOTH LIGHTS WORK, AGAIN USUALLY UNTIL I GET HOME, I AM AWARE THAT THESE EXPENSIVE BULBS (MORE THAN $600 FOR BOTH) ARE THE COMMON SOLUTION, BUT I KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAD THE REPLACEMENT BULBS GO OUT, AS WELL ,AFTER A FEW MONTHS. SO IT MUST BE THE CIRCUIT. I WILL TRY TO LIMIT MY DRIVING TO DAY TIME, AND TO BE DILIGENT TO REMEMBER TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SUDDEN LIGHT FAILURE AND SWITCH,THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF. MY MEMORY ISN'T AS SHARP AS IT ONCE WAS, BEING AN ELDERLY RETIRED PERSON. THIS MAKES ME QUITE NERVOUS ESPECIALLY ON ICY ROADS IN AN AREA THAT DARKENS EARLY. SUGGESTED REPAIRS ARE CURRENTLY ABOVE MY MEANS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING THIS. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 14, 201565,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A MOVEMENT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 10, 2015130,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DIM INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Nov 10, 201580,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 2, 2015PA

ONE OF MY TWO HID HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I CAN TURN LIGHT OFF AND THEY MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES LIGHT FLICKERS AND DOES NOT ACHIEVE FULL BRIGHTNESS. CAN BE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. BOTH BULBS WERE REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2013, PASSENGER SIDE IN APRIL OF 2014 AND NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE NEEDS REPLACEMENT.

Reading these

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

Full record for the 2009 Toyota Prius → · Every Prius year → · How the figures are calculated →