2009 Toyota Prius complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SLIGHT ROAD BUMP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LIFTED INTO THE AIR. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, FOUR TIMES IN ABOUT A MILE - INCLUDING ONCE ON A VERY BUSY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER. THE ELECTRICAL ERROR BOARD LIT UP, THE TRANSMISSION REVERTED TO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, IT WENT INTO DRIVE BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT WHILE BEFORE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND IT STALLED AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POST OFFICE BUILDING AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, SHOULDER, NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREMELY STRONG BATTERY ACID ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND CLEANED THE ENTIRE UPHOLSTERY IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER THE ODOR PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE INSTEAD ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. THE PASSENGER DID SUSTAIN SOME MINOR CUTS AND A MINOR HIT TO THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 15,000.

I WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 OR 9 CAR LENGTHS FROM A VEHICLE THAT SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER, SO I STOOD UP ON MY BRAKES AT ABOUT 30 -35 MPH. THE CARS BRAKES DID NOT GRAB FOR ABOUT A SECOND, THEN STARTED TO GRAB RIGHT BEFORE IMPACTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY LASTED FOR A MOMENT BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

HEADLIGHT AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK AT START UP, AFTER A WHILE THE HIGHBEAMS DID WORK SO CAR COULD BE DRIVING HOME. LATER THAT EVENING EVERYTHING WORKED FINE AT STARTUP. *TR

I WAS GLIDING INTO A COMMERCIAL PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR IN THE SECOND BEFORE I MOVED MY FOOT ONTO THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY, THE ACCELERATOR PUSHED DOWN BY ITSELF, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD TOWARDS THE TRUCK IN THE SPACE IN FRONT OF MINE. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. END OF INCIDENT. NO MAT WAS IN THE WAY. I HAD TAKEN PART IN THE RECALL. *TR

ONE WEEK AFTER BEING AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS ROUTINE OIL/VEHICLE CHECK-UP (55,000-60,000), MY RED BRAKE LIGHT, THE YELLOW WARNING SIGN AND THE ABS LIGHTS COME UP ON MY DASHBOARD. TOWED IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP SINCE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THEY FOUND I NEEDED TO CHANGE MY BRAKE ACTUATOR AND THE SOLENOID THAT IS STUCK. ACCORDING TO WHAT I'VE READ, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN PERIOD PARAGRAPH BUT IF IT DOES IT WOULD BE ON A MUCH OLDER VEHICLE WITH A LOT MORE MILES WITH A STOP AND GO HISTORY. ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE PART. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY GAVE ME THE GO AROUND ABOUT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. I NEED HELP. ALSO THERE IS A REFLECTIVE LINE OF LIGHT THAT SHINES ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDOW FROM MY DASHBOARD. *TR

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT *TGW ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

RE: 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. APPROX. 23K MILES. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN - ALL SYSTEMS AND ALL INFORMATION DISPLAYS. IN SPITE OF COMPROMISED STEERING AND BRAKING WE WERE ABLE TO STOP CAR. CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO TURN ON HAZARD SIGNAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER JUST INFORMED US THAT THE CAUSE WAS A WATER PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO GO INTO A "SAFE" MODE SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR TIME FOR THE DRIVER TO FIND A SAFE RESPONSE. UPON QUESTIONING, THE DEALER ALSO SAID THIS WOULD ALSO HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHICH IN OUR OPINION, COULD POSE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR THE OPERATOR BUT FOR THOSE VEHICLES AROUND HIM. FURTHER WHEN ASKED, THE DEALER SAID IT DID NOT KNOW IF THE FAILURE OF ANY OTHER COMPONENTS WOULD CAUSE A SIMILAR SHUT-DOWN. OBVIOUSLY, TOYOTA'S DEFINITION OF "SAFE" MODE IS 180 DEGREES OFF AND THIS IS A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A TRAGEDY (IF IT HASN'T ALREADY DONE SO). *TR

THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN DAYS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED WHERE CHECKED AND JUMPED. I WAS TOLD TO NOT LET THE CAR SIT IDLE. TODAY I CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY AT 800-331-4221. I WAS GIVEN CASE # 1108121588. REPRESENTATIVES WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CHECKED WITH TOYOTA TECHNICIANS FOR THE 2009 PRIUS. APPARENTLY, THE CAR SHOULD NOT SET FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS, (7 DAYS AT THE OUTSIDE) WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. CONCERN: DEALER AND TOYOTA DO NOT MENTION THIS SERIOUS FLAW. AS A SOLE FEMALE DRIVER IN THE HOUSEHOLD, I WOULD NO HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR GIVEN THIS VERY PERTINENT INFORMATION. IT MEANS THAT SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS TAKING THIS CAR TO THE AIRPORT FOR A TRIP IS NOT A PRUDENT POSSIBILITY. TRYING TO DO A PERSONAL PART TO USE LESS GAS AND LESSEN EMISSIONS COMES WITH A SERIOUS AND NOT STATED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES ARE FAULTY. THE BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY ON SLIPPERY ROADS AND ON A DECLINE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER IN 10/2010 AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I CHANGED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE CAR IN 2/2011 AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 5/24/11 AND AGAIN THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THEY MENTIONED "ABS SYSTEM" AND IMPLIED THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING THE ABS SYSTEM KICKING IN. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND THUS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. BUT, I DO NOTICE THE PROBLEM MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 6-MONTH OLD 2009 PRIUS ONE SUMMER DAY ON A DRY, PAVED, SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD INCLINE WHEN THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURRED. AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES, MY CAR JUMPED FORWARD FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND A GOLD LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS BRIEFLY VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERIPHERAL VISION. BECAUSE I WAS FAMILIAR WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS, I THINK THAT I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THOUGH I MAY HAVE REFLEXIVELY RELEASED IT IN MY STARTLE. AT ANY RATE THE CAR STOPPED A FEW FEET LATER. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO COLLISION, LARGELY DUE, I BELIEVE, TO MY HABIT OF COASTING TO A STOP WHEN PRACTICAL. HOWEVER, THIS WAS A BIT UNNERVING, AND ALSO SINCE IT WAS DURING THE PERIOD OF CONCERN ABOUT TOYOTA PRIUS' UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, I MADE A POINT OF REPORTING IT TO MY CAR DEALER. I COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHICH DASH LIGHT HAD FLASHED FOR A SECOND. THE DEALER'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY AN UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH, THERE HAD BEEN BOTH A SHALLOW POTHOLE AND A BIT OF GRAVEL WHERE THE STOPPING PROBLEM OCCURRED. HOWEVER, I TAKE ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S BLAMING ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHEN CLEARLY THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR CANNOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY EVEN DURING VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HASN'T RECURRED BECAUSE I AVOIDED THE POTHOLE AFTERWARD AND NEVER HAVE TO STOP ON A DIME, POTHOLE OR NO. I HAVE HAD CARS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS) AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM WITH THEM. THE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BLADDER FUEL TANK PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BLADDER FUEL TANK UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA PAID FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUES TO BE INACCURATE AND THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO PUT NO MORE THAN SIX GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. UPDATED 06/30/11

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SQUIRRELS WERE ABLE CHEW THROUGH THE WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE SQUIRRELS HAD ALSO CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC RADIATOR COVER AND SUPPORT PANEL FOR THE FAN AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE DAMAGES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COVER FOR THE UNDER THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE SQUIRRELS OR RODENTS FROM ENTERING AND DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,091 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,373.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET 10KW KIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WITH THE 10KW PLUGGED IN WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE STANDARD HYBRID VEHICLE TO BECOME AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT THE FIRE HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE 10KW WAS AN AFTER MARKET PART, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,126.

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (EVERY BULB, NOT JUST THE MAIN HIGH-INTENSITY BULB) WENT OUT. WIGGLING THE CONNECTOR AT THE BACK OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHEN THE HEADLAMP GETS IN THIS CONDITION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN GET THE ASSEMBLY BACK IN WORKING CONDITION BY TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS! WHEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN, IT WAS SLIGHTLY FLICKERING AT FIRST AND NOW SEEMS DIMMER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT. I HAVE ALSO HAD CONNECTOR-RELATED ISSUES ON THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, WHERE THEY GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF DOES NOT WORK TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE TO MANUALLY TIGHTEN THE CONNECTOR AT THE BACK OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO GET THE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SHORT ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PISTON ROD WAS BENT DUE TO BAD FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,500.

GOOD DAY, I AM A 19 YEAR POLICE VETERAN FOR A MEDIUM SIZE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN ALASKA. I WANTED TO PASS ALONG ON OBSERVATION THAT MYSELF AND OTHER OFFICERS ARE SEEING IN THE FIELD. SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE NOTED THAT WITH THE INCREASE IN ICY CONDITIONS AND INCREASED VEHICLE COLLISIONS, THAT MANY OF THE SMALLER VEHICLES SUCH AS SUBARU'S AND TOYOTA PRIUS ARE NOT HAVING THEIR AIRBAGS ACTIVATED. WE HAVE SEEN ABOUT A HALF DOZEN WRECKS WHERE THE COLLISION HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO SLAM INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIMILAR AND THE BUMPER DOESN'T TOUCH THE REAR OF THE STANDING VEHICLE CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, HOWEVER, THE HOOD/ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS CRUMPLED. ADDITIONALLY, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ARE ALSO NOT DEPLOYING ON ANGLED IMPACTS. I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER OBSERVATIONS OF THIS BUT WANTED AWARENESS IN CASE THERE IS A TREND IN DESIGN OR SENSORS. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS BASE WITH 42K MILES. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAITING IN THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT 1 OR 2 INCHES AND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SHATTER A LIGHT POST. THIS SEEMS A DANGEROUS FLAW. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY; AFTER SPEAKING WITH A REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL FOR A PRIUS AND IS PART OF THE RECHARGING DESIGN OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I WAS ADVISED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER POSSIBLE. THIS SEEMS DANGEROUS. *TR

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, CAR HAS HAD A BAD FUEL GAUGE , DROVE OFF THE LOT NEW AND HAVE HAD FUEL TANK REPLACED ONCE. FUEL GAUGE FAILED AGAIN THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR, TOLD ME IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, I AM RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND I CAN NOT USE THIS NEW CAR ON A LONG TRIP. I DO NOT KNOW AND I AM GUESSING ON HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE. THIS IS UNSAFE AND UNCALLED FOR. RUNNING OUT OF GLASS ON FREEWAY AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

I OWN A PRIUS 2009. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A TRUCK RUN A RED LIGHT, BROADSIDED A VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION. THIS VEHICLE SPUN AND HIT THE RIGHT FRONT PART OF MY CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED ABOUT 2 MIN AFTER THE HIT, BUT THE AIRBAG WAS TORN AND THE INFLATION GAS LEAKED INTO THE CABIN. THE PASSENGER BAG WAS NOT DEPLOYED. I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND WAS NOT INJURED. I HAVE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. *TR

BRAKING ABILITY DECREASES TEMPORARILY WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SECOND OR SO WHILE DRIVING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND GOING OVER A BUMP OR SMALL POTHOLE. DECREASED BRAKING ABILITY WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS/POTHOLES APPEARS TO OCCUR EVERY TIME. THE LAST TIME OF OCCURRENCE IT APPEARED THAT THE CAR MAY HAVE ACCELERATED MOMENTARILY WHEN INITIALLY BRAKING AND GOING OVER A VERY SHALLOW SMALL POTHOLE.

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS* TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SHE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GLARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE BRICK WALL ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED SEVERE WHIPLASH, SWELLING IN HER CHEST, BRUISING ON HER RIBS AND SHOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE VEHICLE BEING DESTROYED. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE DEALER PERFORMED AN COMPLETE VEHICLE INSPECTION AND DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE CRASH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE NECK, KNEE, AND CHEST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE CRASH AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WANTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND DOES NOT WANT IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON FOUR OCCASIONS, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. *JB

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKES WOULD DISENGAGE TEMPORARILY CAUSING THE CAR TO GO FASTER. I HAVE COME REAL CLOSE TO REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME DURING ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 35 YEARS IN SNOW AND SLICK CONDITIONS AND I KNOW WHEN A CAR ISN'T BRAKING RIGHT. I ALWAYS MAINTAIN A SAVE DISTANCE AND THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT HAS DONE THIS. THIS SCARIER PART IS THAT THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN BRAKING IF THE ROAD IS AT ALL SLICK. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED. AFTER TREATING ME LIKE A TOTAL MORON ACCUSING ME OF NOT KNOWING HOW TO DRIVE THEY SAID THEY DID DO A THOROUGH RUN THROUGH AND DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PUTTING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CALLED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V388000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ISSUED AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

EVENT: INCOMPLETE BRAKE FEEL, DURING SLOW AND STEADY APPLICATION OF BRAKES ON SLICK OR ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) IS ACTIVATED IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN TIRE TRACTION. THE SYSTEM ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES RAPIDLY (MANY TIMES PER SECOND) AS THE CONTROL SYSTEM SENSES AND REACTS TO THE TIRE SLIPPAGE. IF THE SAME BRAKE FORCE IS APPLIED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IN THE WORST CASE, THIS MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND THUS RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THE OLDER PRIUSES, LIKE MINE, USE A DIFFERENT ABS SYSTEM, AND SO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE A SIMILAR ISSUE. FAILURE: WHENEVER THERE IS A SLICK, WET ROAD. CORRECTION: I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, ALL SYSTEMS WERE CHECKED SAFE, TIRES' PSI WERE ADJUSTED, IT WAS FELT THAT THERE WAS SOME TIRE NOISE. INCIDENT CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TRADED THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER. SHE STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,001 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,045.

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. AT NO TIME DID THE SEAT BELTS CATCH NOR DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. MY DAUGHTER'S FACE COLLIDED WITH THE DASHBOARD DUE TO THE SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SO FAR TOYOTA SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX, THE CAR PERFORMED AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. *TR

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKING SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP, HE REALIZED THEY DID NOT ENGAGE AND NEITHER DID THE ABS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AT THE SAME SLOW SPEED FINALLY COMING TO STOP ONLY AFTER A TRUCK SHEARED OFF THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB

MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT APRIL 2009, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEEM TO FAIL. WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AND RELEASE THE BRAKES. IT FEELS AS IF I AM SLIDING ON ICE. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER LAST MONTH, WHO DISMISSED THIS AS NORMAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ACTIVITY. I FEEL THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *TR

WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OUR 2009 PRIUS TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. TOYOTA WAS ABLE TO GET INFO OFF THEIR BLACK BOX SHOWING BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME. WE KEEP HOPING THEY ARE RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM BUT THEIR CALL THIS WEEK (AFTER REPORTING THIS ABOUT 90 DAYS AGO AND 2 BLACK BOX DOWNLOADS AT THE DEALERSHIP) SAYS IT WAS DRIVER ERROR SINCE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT AND THEIR ENGINEERS SAY IT IS WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. TOYOTA REP "L" SAYS TOYOTA IS NOT RELEASING HOW MANY UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION ISSUES THEY HAVE HAD SINCE IT IS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND THAT THEY WILL NOT DISCUSS OTHER TRENDS OR CASES THEY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR TRENDS BETWEEN REPORTS ONLY DOWNLOADING EACH INDIVIDUAL CAR'S INFO NOT LOOKING AT WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE COMPLAINT. SHE SAYS TOYOTA AND YOUR GOVERNMENT CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WHICH MEANS IT MUST BE SAFE. SAFE? WE HAVE NOT LET OUR KIDS RIDE IN THIS CAR FOR OVER 6 MONTHS AS WE HOPED A SOLUTION WOULD COME UP FROM TOYOTA BUT NOW WE JUST REALLY NEED INFO TO KNOW WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THERE REALLY ARE. THE TOYOTA REP ON THE PHONE SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER DUPLICATED A CUSTOMER CONCERN AND THAT OURS IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE PEOPLE USUALLY REPORT RIGHT AWAY AND AFTER AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ASKED HOW BUSY THEY ARE SINCE IT TOOK SO LOOOONG TO RESPOND AND SHE STATED SHE TAKES ABOUT 2-5 CALLS A DAY, BUT

WHILE DRIVING A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AT 50-55 MPH ON A SINGLE LANE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF PRESCOTT AZ, THE DRIVE SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND NO RESPONSE WAS FELT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LOTS OF INDICATORS CAME ON AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THERE WAS JUST SUFFICIENT ROOM FOR FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO GO PAST. AFTER SPENDING A FEW MINUTES GOING THROUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND FINDING NO EASY ANSWER TO EXPLAIN THIS CONDITION, WE TRIED AND WERE ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR. IT MUST BE NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WHEN RECENTLY CHECKED HAD INDICATED SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/4 FULL AND THAT WE WERE PROCEEDING UP HILL WHEN THE EVENT HAPPENED. NO ADD FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT NOR LOW FUEL ALARM HAD OCCURRED PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED IT WAS ON A MORE LEVEL BUT NOT FLAT SURFACE. WE PROCEEDED ON OUR TRAVEL WITH THE FLASHERS ON AND AT A SPEED NO HIGHER THAN 30-35 MPH. SOON THEREAFTER WE DID OBSERVE BOTH AN ADD FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT AND THEN A FLASHING LIGHT ON THE FUEL GAUGE ITSELF. WE STOPPED AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND ADDED FUEL. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE FUEL GAUGE AND ELECTRONICALLY RECORDED HISTORY. THE REPORT SHOWED THAT THE CAR RESPONDED TO AN EMPTY FUEL TANK BY SHUTTING IF THE ENGINE AND THEN THE BATTERY DRIVE WHEN ITS CHARGE WENT TOO LOW (TO PROTECT THE BATTERY). WE WERE TOLD THE THIS CAR HAS A BLADDER TYPE FUEL STORAGE DEVICE AND THAT IT CAN ACT FUNNY WHEN IT GETS LOW. THE

I WAS INVOLVED IN 2 IDENTICAL ACCIDENTS OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS WITH THE SAME CAR, A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN DECEMBER '09 I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT. I WAS COMPLETELY IN THE SPOT AND WENT TO COME TO A FULL STOP WHEN MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CAR. THEN AGAIN ON JUNE 21, 2010, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE SAME CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I WENT TO COME TO A FULL STOP IN THE PARKING SPOT. THIS TIME THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE. BOTH TIMES I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE SPOT, BOTH TIMES I WAS BRAKING AND BOTH TIMES THE CAR ACCELERATED AS I WENT TO COME TO A FULL STOP. THE DEC '09 ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, THE JUNE'10 ACCIDENT WAS NOT. *TR

TWO UNACCOUNTED ACCELERATION SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS WITH 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. AFTER ACCIDENT OF APRIL 30, 2010 PER MY REQUEST, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CONSULTANT FROM TOYOTA.[MAY 26, 2010]. TOYOTA IS SAYING CAR IS SAFE. CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON MAY 28, 2010. FIRST ACCIDENT OCCURRED AUGUST, 31, 2009. BOTH ACCIDENTS OCCURRED UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES; DRIVING AT SLOW ACCELERATION WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. ACCIDENT #1 TURNING A CORNER, ACCIDENT #2 PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT IN A PARKING LOT. BOTH TIMES ENGINE REVVED AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. IN FIRST ACCIDENT CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE, IN SECOND ACCIDENT CAR RAN OVER A LANDSCAPING BOULDER WHICH STOPPED IT FROM CRASHING INTO THE STREET. THE BOULDER WAS STUCK UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. TWO WHEELS ON EACH SIDE OF IT AND FRONT WHEELS WERE OFF OF THE GROUND. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE STILL TURNING AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I AM REQUESTING TOYOTA REPLACE THIS VEHICLE WITH A LIKE VALUE VEHICLE. I HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT OF APRIL 30, 2010 AND DETAILED EXPLANATIONS OF BOTH ACCIDENTS. DAMAGES FROM BOTH ACCIDENTS WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 DOLLARS . MY INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND ME AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT OF AUGUST 31, 2009 BECAUSE ALL OF THE CAR'S WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND I GLANCED AT THE DASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS FOUND ME NOT AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT OF APRIL 30, 2010. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA AFTER THE ACCIDENT OF APRIL 30TH. HOWEVER, I WAS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,634.

INCONSISTENT BRAKE FEEL ON ROUGH OR WET SURFACES. THOUGH BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, BRAKES DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY ARE ENGAGING PROPERLY, IT FEELS LIKE A VIOLENT SHUDDER. RECENTLY, ON WET PAVEMENT I NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AND THE BRAKES TOOK MUCH TOO LONG TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

GOING OVER POT HOLES IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES SKIP. IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I GO OVER A HOLE OF SOME SORT AND APPLY THE BRAKE. I ASKED TOYOTA TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT THE ABS BRAKES WERE WORKING CORRECTLY. TOYOTA SAYS ITS NORMAL AND THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WORKS BY MOMENTARILY INTERRUPTING THE BRAKING FORCE TO PREVENT A SKIT AND THE RESULTING LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

2009 PRIUS MODEL1220 A 2 EXPERIENCES WHERE CAR SEEMED TO "SURGE" WHEN BRAKES APPLIED IN TRAFFIC. ONLY LASTED SECONDS BUT DISCONCERTING. ABS DID ENGAGE INITIALLY (FELT PULSING). TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP 5/17 AFTER FIRST EPISODE. NOTHING FOUND WRONG; TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. HAD SECOND EXPERIENCE 5/21. *TR

IT IS A RECURRING INCIDENT/PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME ONE IS GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR DURING INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. WHEN BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR IS GOING OVER A MODERATELY ABRUPT BUMP OR PARKINGLOT DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING ENGAGES BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE DELAY - POSSIBLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWITCHING FROM THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE MECHANISM - CAUSING THE SENSATION THAT THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND OR 2 - QUITE A DISCONCERTING FEELING AND CONCERN THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT DURING A PANIC STOP. DURING INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS - E.G. SNOW OVER THE ROAD, PARTIALLY PLOWED SNOW OR ICY CONDITIONS - THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING/TRACTION CONTROL IS OVER-ACTIVE, CUTTING POWER ABRUPTLY TO ONE WHEEL THEN THE OTHER CAUSING A WHIPPING ACTION FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE. THIS RANGES FROM ANNOYING TO TERRIFYING INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT THAT THE CAR SPUN OUT 3 TIMES ON ONE SECTION OF A RURAL SNOWY ROAD - FORTUNATELY NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT AND THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO THE DITCH. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED ABOUT THESE TENDENCIES THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL - SO NO ADJUSTMENT TO A PART OR SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BE MADE. *TR

WHEN BRAKING ON A BUMPY SURFACE, THE CAR BRAKES SEEM TO DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND AND THE CAR SHOOTS FORWARD. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR WENT AROUND THE CORNER MUCH FASTER THAN I WOULD HAVE LIKED. *TR

TOYOTA 2009 PRIUS LOSES BRAKES TEMPORARILY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. *TR

I OWN AND DRIVE A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, AND I HAVE NOTICED A LAPSE IN BRAKING WHILE BRAKING ON ROUGH ROADS. THIS GOES BACK TO DEC. 2009, SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ON MY CURRENT COMMUTE, I'M NOTICING THIS LAPSE IN BRAKING ALMOST DAILY. *TR

2009 PRIUS, ON THREE OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT HESITATION IN THE BRAKING OF THIS CAR. I EMAILED TOYOTA ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON 2/15/2010, AND BIB NOT RECEIVE A ANSWER UNTIL 5/10/2010. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP BEFORE I RECEIVED THEIR ANSWER ON 5/10. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM OR ANY BRAKE ERROR ON THE COMPUTER. WHY SHOULD IT TAKE SO LONG TO ANSWER MY EMAIL AND I STILL HAVE NO SOLUTION TO MY BRAKING TROUBLES. *TR