2012 Toyota Prius complaints

PRIUS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE WINDSHIELD DISTORTS LIGHT SOURCES AND CAUSES A GHOSTING/MULTIPLYING EFFECT. TRAFFIC SIGNALS IMAGES ARE DOUBLED, TRIPLED OR MORE - NOT SAFE AS IT IS DISTRACTING AND CONFUSING. THIS ISSUE IS VERY PROMINENT AT NIGHT. IT IS NOT JUST TRAFFIC SIGNALS BUT OTHER LIGHT SOURCES AS WELL. IN DECEMBER 2012, I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS REFERRED TO DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER CONFIRMED ISSUE AND SAID THAT HE IS WAITING ON TOYOTA ON HOW TO FIX - NO RESOLUTION AFTER ONE YEAR OF WAITING. *TR

INTERIOR WATER LEAKAGE THAT DRIPS DOWN FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE DOWN TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORS. FIRST OCCURRENCE OCCURRED AROUND 14K MILES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS LEAKING BEFORE BUT I DID NOT NOTICE IT BECAUSE I HAVE WEATHER PROOFING FLOOR MATS, THE WETNESS OCCURS UNDER THE MAT. THE DEALER SAYS CLOGGED AC TUBING BY DEBRIS. THEY CLEANED IT OUT BUT CHARGE ME $100. SECOND OCCURRENCE IN DEC 6 2013 AT 16K MILES. IT RAIN THE NIGHT BEFORE. I SUSPECT IT IS A DESIGN FLOW IF THERE ARE TREND FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OR MY CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE PART(S). THE CONSISTENT DAMPNESS UNDER THE FLOOR MATS COULD LEAD TO LONG TERM ISSUE WITH THE CAR. *TR

MY 2012 PRIUS WAS HIT IN BACK ON PASSENGER SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 80-85 MILES/HOUR WHILE MY SPEED WAS 62 M/H. WITH IMPACT FROM HIT IN THE BACK, MY CAR WENT FLYING HEAD ON INTO THE MEDIAN WALL (THOSE TEMPORARY CEMENT WALLS USED DURING RECONSTRUCTION). TWO THINGS HAPPENED WERE: 1. AFTER THE FIRST IMPACT MY PRIUS HAD TOTAL POWER LOSS, NOT EVEN EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHT WOULD TURN ON; 2. NON OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM WONDERING IF ALL THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR OR THERE IS SOME SORT OF MALFUNCTION OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT? *TR

THE BRAKE DOEN'T WORK WHEN I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. I PRESSED HARD OF THE BRAKE AND CANNOT STOP THE CAR. AND I CRUSHED INTO A BIG TRUCK. THE CAR CRUSHED ONCE WITH THE TRUCK AND THE MOMENTUM MADE THE CAR TO HIT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE AGAIN. TERRIBLE. *TR

MOLDY ODOR EMITS FROM VENTS. HAD ROUND ROCK TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE FOUR TIMES AND ALSO HAD CALLED UP TOYOTA CORP BUT ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT AT THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA HAD AUTHORIZED A CARBON-TYPE CABIN FILTER THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE ODOR BUT IT DID NOT HELP. DID NOT FIX OR REPLACE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. FOOD WAS NEVER ALLOWED IN THIS VEHICLE; AIR VENT WAS SELECTOR FOR FRESH (NOT RECIRCULATE). THIS IS MY THIRD BUT LAST TOYOTA. IT BREAKS MY HEART TO HAVE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW PRIUS AND BY 3000 MILES, STRONG MOLDY ODOR EXISTS. DEALER HAD SPRAYED LYSOL, PROVIDED AC REFRESH KIT BUT EVAPORATOR OR VENTILATION SYSTEM IS FAULTY. TOYOTA BULLETIN # T-SV-0142-13 (SEPT 12). *TR

I HAVE NOTICED GHOSTING OF IMAGES MOST OBVIOUS WHILE NIGHT DRIVING. PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN LED LIGHTS. IT LOOKS LIKE A DUPLICATE IMAGE OF THE LIGHTS CREATED. IT CAN BE VERY GLARING AND HARD TO JUDGE DISTANCE OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

ON OCT. 23, 2013 AT 6AM IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 REAR WINDOW EMITTED A LOUD PUNCHING SOUND AND THEN SHATTERED WHEN I TURNED ON THE REAR WIPER. I GOOGLED THE INCIDENT AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO EXPERIENCE THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON OTHER PRIUS IN OTHER YEARS AS WELL. THUS, WE ARE REPORTING IT AND HOPE THIS WILL BE LOOKED INTO. OUR CAR IS BARELY A YEAR OLD AND UNDER WARRANTY BUT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAID WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS. THANK GOODNESS OUR AUTO POLICY WILL AND WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE. *TR

UPON STARTING THE ENGINE AND ENGAGING THE AIR CONDITIONING OF MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 10,000 MILES, A STRONG FOUL SMELLING AIR COMES FROM THE A/C VENTS. AT THE 10,000 MILE SERVICING, THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER STATED THIS SMELL IS TYPICAL TO SOME TOYOTAS. A TOYOTA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WAS PERFORMED. THE REPORT STATED "NO REPAIRS NEEDED AT THIS TIME VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS PER DESIGNED. I KNOW OF NO VEHICLE DESIGN THAT WOULD STREAM FOUL AIR FROM THE A/C VENTS OF A NEW CAR. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS WITH THE CONTAMINANTS CREATING THE FOUL SMELL AND HOW LONG CAN A HUMAN CONTINUE TO BREATHE THESE CONTAMINANTS BEFORE BECOMING ILL WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. *TR

THE WINDSHIELD CAUSES MOST LIGHT SOURCES, PARTICULARLY LED LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, AND ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS (BASICALLY ANY BRIGHT LIGHT SOURCE), TO APPEAR WITH A "GHOSTING" IMAGE. THE "GHOSTING" APPEARS IN THE WINDSHIELD VERTICALLY BELOW THE LIGHT SOURCE AS ONE, TWO, OR EVEN THREE IMAGES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TWICE ALREADY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT. IN FACT, THE FIRST AND SECOND REPLACEMENTS ARE WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. I ALSO OWN A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA, AND I DRIVE VARIOUS CHEVY EQUINOXES AND FORD ESCAPES WHERE I WORK - I DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE "GHOSTING" EFFECT IN THOSE VEHICLES. PERSONNEL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM TOYOTA HAVE ALSO OBSERVED THIS PHENOMENA WITH THE WINDSHIELDS IN MY PRIUS PLUG-IN. I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT THAT EVEN THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS WEREN'T HAPPY WITH THE REPLACEMENT. IT HAS NOW BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE THE LAST WINDSHIELD WAS INSTALLED. I NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DURING MY DRIVE HOME THAT SAME DAY) AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS UNSATISFACTORY, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN TOYOTA DECIDED WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT NEXT. TO DATE NOT ONLY HAVE I HEARD NOTHING, BUT THE LAST THREE PHONE CALLS TO THE SERVICE ADVISER HAVE GONE TO VOICE MAIL, AND I RECEIVED NO REPLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900....UPDATED 11-01-13 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 17 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT ADDITIONALLY STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,500.

WHILE TRAVELING IN A RAIN STORM AT 17MPH, I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO AN 18 WHEELER AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGHT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES NOT THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN, GO INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL. I DID CRASH INTO THE 18 WHEELER BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING AND I WANTED TO STOP.WHEN I CRASHED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVEN AFTER IMPACT THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO PUSH THE 18 WHEELER. EVENTUALLY THE CAR POWERED DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY PUSHING EVERY BUTTON POSSIBLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I PHONED YOUR HOTLINE BUT THE VIN NUMBER I GAVE HAD A NUMBER THAT WAS WRONG MY PRIOR CONFIRMATION NUMBER IS 10542285. TOYOTA IS AWARE AND I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE THEN RESUMED WITHOUT THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HALO EFFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN VIEWING ONCOMING LIGHTS. IT IS BOTHERSOME AND IRRITATING ON THE EYES ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM WRITING TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO LEARN WHEN A DIFFERENT WINDSHIELD CAN BE PROVIDED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD POPPING NOISE (CRACKING) WAS HEARD WITH NO OBSERVED DAMAGE, AND LATER THAT DAY THE WINDSHIELD GREW A LONG CRACK IN WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. AN EDGE CRACK FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTREME OUTER EDGE IN THE CHAMFER ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY UP ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE A-PILLAR. THE WINDSHIELD BY IT?S DESIGN APPEARS TO BE RATHER THIN, AND THE WINDSHIELD EDGE IS EXPOSED, NOT COVERED OR EMBEDDED IN PLASTIC OR RUBBER OR TRIM MATERIAL. THE WINDSHIELD EDGE AS OBSERVED HAS A VERY SMALL CHAMFER AND DOES NOT HAVE A GENEROUS BEVEL (ROUND) THAT IS HIGHLY POLISHED SUCH AS FOUND ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW EDGES OR OLDER WINDSHIELDS I AM FAMILIAR WITH. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA OF BOWIE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE BELIEVES THERE WAS AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD AT THE VERY EXTREME EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE CRACK ROOT IS ON THE CHAMFER AND THEIR DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANGER DID NOT LOOK AT THE CRACK WITH ANY TOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE, A MAGNIFYING CLASS OR THE USE OF A BALL POINT PEN TO DETERMINE ANY IMPACT LOCATION OR IF IT IS IN FACT A STRESS CRACK THAT HAS FORMED. THE SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT OFFER TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND TOLD ME TO GO TO A GLASS COMPANY. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS ASKED ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS WITH TOYOTA WINDSHIELDS OR EXPOSED GLASS EDGE WINDSHIELDS WITH A SMALL CHAMFER, HE SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS OR RECALLS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR EIGHT MONTHS AND PLAN TO WRITE TOYOT

I EXPERIENCED A FRONT END COLLISION IN MY NEW 2012 PRIUS WITH 2,500 MILEAGE. THE COLLISION VEHICLE SPEED WAS NEARLY 30 MPH. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM DUE TO HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHIPLASH. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE AFTER THEIR OWN INSPECTION WAS "OUR INSPECTION FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAG OR SEAT BELTS." *TR

I HAD TO RETURN A 2012 PRIUS I RENTED FROM AVIS CORP. THE CARBON FIBER STEERING WHEELS ON THE 2012 PRIUS VEHICLES ARE DECOMPOSING IN THE FLORIDA HEAT AND SUN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS PUTTING CARBON (GLASS) FIBERS INTO PEOPLE'S HANDS. THEY MAKE OUR HANDS RED AND ITCH FROM THE CARBON GLASS FIBERS POKING OUR HANDS. YOU CAN SEE THE FIBERS SHINING IN THE SUNLIGHT AT THE RIGHT ANGLE. YOU GUYS NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS. PROBABLY NEED TO COVER WHEELS WITH LEATHER OR SOMETHING. ALSO, IT APPEARS TOYOTA DOES NOT ANSWER THEIR SUPPORT PHONES AND FIXED THEIR SUPPORT (COMPLAINT) WEB SITE NOT TO WORK. YOU CANNOT TYPE INTO THE MESSAGE FILED TO DESCRIBE YOUR ISSUE. *TR

I WAS EXITING THE PARK AND MY TOYOTA PRIUS' BRAKES FAILED, CAREENING ME ONTO A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE) ON A HILL, WHILE MY CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING. I HIT THE PARK BUTTON AND MY CAR SLOWED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL AGAIN AND TURN UP A HILL TO A STOP. WHEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. *TR

THERE IS A TRIPLING OF LIGHT SOURCES THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FROM THINGS SUCH AS ONCOMING VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS, VEHICLE TAILLIGHTS, EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, INTERSECTION STOP/YIELD LIGHTS AND ANY OTHER STRONG LIGHT SOURCE. THE ISSUE IS APPARENT AT ALL TIMES HOWEVER THE ISSUE IS SIGNIFICANTLY ACUTE IN THE EVENING HOURS AS THERE ARE MORE LIGHT SOURCES DURING THE DARK. *TR

HEAD LIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT NIGHTTIME HAVE A "HALO" AND "PRISM" APPEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, REFLECTIVE ROAD SIGNS ARE ALSO VERY DISTORTED, SEEING WHAT APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE SIGNS. SINCE THAT TIME EYES HAVE BEEN TESTED WITH NO CHANGE FROM LAST EXAM AND NEW GLASSES ARE NOW BEING WORN. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. MY WIFE STATES SHE SEES THE SAME DISTORTION WHEN DRIVING AFTER DARK. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST, 2012, AS A RESULT OF HAIL DAMAGE. IT WAS REPLACED WITH GENUINE TOYOTA PARTS. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. *TR

PARKING CAR IN HANDICAPPED SPOT - SPEED APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH - GAS ENGINE CUT IN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. IT WENT OVER SPACE STOP (CONCRETE) - CROSSED THE SIDEWALK ONTO GRASS AND I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED THE CAR APPROX. 3 FEET FROM A WALL OF A BUILDING AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE HANDICAPPED SIGN SCRAPED THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR AND THERE ARE SEVERAL DENTS. THE SIGN WAS FINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE MADE A U-TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,400. *TR

WINDSHIELD OPTICS CAUSE LIGHT SOURCES TO TRIPLE WITH GHOSTING ABOVE AND BELOW THE SOURCE OF LIGHT. THIS IS CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN JUDGING DISTANCE, DISTRACTION AND EYE STRAIN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE WINDSHIELD HAS A VERTICAL "PRISM" EFFECT WITH ANY LIGHT SOURCE COMING THROUGH IT. *TR

WINDSHIELD PRODUCES BLURRY VISION OR DUPLICATED IMAGES AT NIGHT. TAILLIGHTS AND STREET LIGHTS ARE SHOWN IN MULTIPLES OF TWO OR THREE. EXTENDED DRIVING BEYOND 20 MINUTES CAUSES EYE FATIGUE AND ALSO DISTORTED GAUGE OF DISTANCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, RAN ONTO THE SIDEWALK, THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NOSE, BACK, AND KNEES AND ALSO SUSTAINED TWO BLACK EYES. THE PASSENGER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,500. *TR

NEW 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN. VISIBILITY THROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD IS BLURRY - PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT WHEN LIGHT SOURCES ARE VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. LIGHT SOURCES PRODUCE MULTIPLE IMAGES (UP TO TWO ADDITIONAL) BELOW THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE. PROBLEM IS ALSO NOTICEABLE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, PARTICULARLY DURING CLOUDY CONDITIONS. GHOSTING EFFECT WORSE AT A DISTANCE, DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN LIGHT SOURCE IS VERY CLOSE TO VEHICLE (FOR EXAMPLE WITHIN 10 FEET). GHOSTING EFFECT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. I AM WORRIED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE HEADACHES, VISUAL FATIGUE, AND ACCIDENTS. *TR

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE LIGHT SOURCE FROM HEADLIGHTS HAVE A RAINBOW AFFECT. ALSO TAIL LIGHTS ARE SEEN THREE TIMES FOR EVERY ONE LIGHT. IE. CENTER BRAKE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THERE IS A REPLICATED LIGHT ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT. THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS AS THERE ARE 3 DISTINCT LIGHTS FOR EVERY ONE LIGHT. THIS MAY ALSO BE REFERRED TO GHOSTING. *TR

BOUGHT CAR ON 1/23/13 AND DROVE HOME. NEXT DAY GOT A CALL THEY FORGOT TO GIVE US ACCESS KEY SO DROVE 27 MILES TO DEALERSHIP AND SMOKE ON DASHBOARD. PULLED INTO SERVICE AND SALES MANAGER GOT IN CAR DROVE AROUND AND SAID ALL IS FINE. CAME HOME AN ODOMETER SHOWED 564 MILES AFTER I DROVE 27 THERE AND 27 BACK. THE CAR HAD 156 NIGHT WE BOUGHT IT THE DAY BEFORE. WE ARE OLD AND DISABLED AND DO NOT DRIVE OFTEN. ODOMETER NOW SHOWING ALMOST 900 MILES IN LESS THEN THE 3 WEEKS WE HAVE OWNED IT. REPORTED THE SMOKE ON DASHBOARD TO TOYOTA CORP OFFICE AND TOLD THEM HOW HOT THE DASHBOARD GOT AND ODOMETER JUMPING. THE MAN THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY AND SAID HE HOPED I DID NOT BURN MY HAND. NOW NAV SYSTEM NOT WORKING AND RADIO SOUNDS TINNY. CALLED LAKELAND TOYOTA AND TALKED TO OWNER [XXX] WHO SAYS HE IS AN ACCOUNTANT AND KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT CARS. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NAV SYSTEM SOFTWARE 2.1 SHOULD BE A 2.2 AND CLAIMED TO HAVE IT UPDATED. THE CAR THEN ADDED ANOTHER 100 MILES AGAIN. WE NEED HELP TO MAKE SURE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND NEED MILES TO STOP ADDING UP EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT DRIVING. ALSO THE HISTORY ON MPG ONE TIME SHOWED 99.9 AND THEN 26 AND THEN 44.7 AND THEN 49. WE HAD TO PUT GAS IN IT THREE TIMES IN IT IN LESS THEN 3 WEEKS BECAUSE GAGE ON DASHBOARD KEEPS SHOWING GETTING LOW BUT THEN IT ONLY TAKES 6 GALLONS. I PUT NO FOR FIRE BUT I DID SEE SMOKE ON THE DASH ABOVE THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS VERY VERY HOT. SO NOT SURE IF THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR NOT OR JUST A SURGE OR

2012 PRIUS HAS SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD LAMINATION. BRIGHT LIGHT SOURCES ARE TRIPLED AT NIGHT. A GHOST IMAGE APPEARS ABOVE AND BELOW THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE. LIGHT SOURCES MAY BE, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, AND EVEN REFLECTED LIGHTS OFF CERTAIN ROAD SIGNS. AS YOU APPROACH THE LIGHT SOURCE, THE TWO GHOST IMAGES WILL MERGE INTO THE PRIMARY LIGHT SOURCE. THE SAFETY HAZARD ARE EXTREME EYE FATIGUE AT NIGHT, AND SEVERE VISUAL DISTORTION THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIGHT SOURCE. *TR

HEAD RESTRAINT (HEAD REST) ON DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. AFTER I ADJUST IT, IT RISES VERY SLOWLY. IF I DO NOT CONTINUALLY READJUST IT (3 OR 4 TIMES A DAY), IT RISES ABOVE MY HEAD. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR (NEW) AND I HAVE ASKED TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT, AND THEY SAY THAT IT IS 'NORMAL'. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS DURING MY LIFETIME, AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE IN ANY OF THEM. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO THE PASSENGER HEAD RESTRAINT. I DO NOT THINK IT IS 'NORMAL', AND IF IT IS 'NORMAL' FOR TOYOTA, THEN ALL TOYOTA CARS HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY JUST REFER THE PROBLEM BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALER, WHO CONTINUES TO GIVE ME THE SAME ANSWER. *TR

DESIGN OF CAR INCLUDES A FLAW CAUSING A HUGE VERTICAL BLINDSPOT ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. BECAUSE THERE IS A BAR THAT RUNS VERTICAL ON BOTH SIDES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGERS' WINDOWS, THIS, ALONG WITH THE PILLAR COMING DOWN THE WINDSHIELD CONTRIBUTE TO AN EXTREMELY LARGE SPOT WHERE OBJECTS IN ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS FOR PEDESTRIAN FOOT-TRAFFIC CROSSING PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR. PEDS IN CROSSWALKS OR IN PARKING LOTS ARE AT TIMES, COMPLETELY MASKED BY THIS BLIND SPOT BY THE COMBINATION OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD PILLARS AND FRONT WINDOW SUB-PILLARS. OTHER CARS (SUCH AS HONDA INSIGHT) WITH A DRAMATICALLY ANGLED WINDSHIELD AVOID THIS BY USING A SMALLER SUB-PILLAR ON THE FRONT WINDOW, ALLOWING FOR THINGS TO BE SEEN FAR MORE EASILY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAUSES A PEDESTRIAN INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR

ON COLD MORNINGS THE CAR MAKES A GROANING NOISE FROM THE REAR FOR APROX A 1/2 BLOCK. MY DEALER WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM WHEN I LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT PARKED OUTSIDE. THEY SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO COME UP WITH A FIX. THE CAR NOW HAS JUST OVER 10,000 MILES BUT IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MOST OF THE TIME WE HAVE OWNED IT. *TR

BRAND NEW PRIUS 2012 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY RED IN COLOR, WHEN VIEWED FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD, APPEAR AS THREE DISTINCT IMAGES. ONE DARK IMAGE ALONG WITH TWO FAINT IMAGE ONE ABOVE AND ONE BELOW THE DARK ONE. I GOT THE CAR IN NOV END, REPORTED THE ISSUE IN DEC 17 TO TOYOTA, THEN WENT TO DEALER BEFORE CHRISTMAS. TECHNICIAN THERE ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE AND ORDERED A NEW GLASS. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 11 JAN BUT SAW THE SAME ISSUE, TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE CAR AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE IS STILL THERE. TOYOTA REP WILL COME AND LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMETIMES THERE ARE LOTS OF RED TAIL LIGHTS AHEAD. I SEE LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE ......BELOW ARE ODI ID NUMBER FOR PRIUS 2012. SEEMS LIKE COMMON PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF TOYOTA IS WAITING FOR ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE FIXING IT. ODI ID NUMBER : 10490622 ODI ID NUMBER : 10485390 ODI ID NUMBER : 10485239 ODI ID NUMBER : 10483605 ODI ID NUMBER : 10483561 ODI ID NUMBER : 10482102 ODI ID NUMBER : 10479684. *TR

WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER IS HAS BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS AND ESPECIALLY FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THE VEHICLE MAKES A GROANING NOISE WHICH SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE AREA. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 50 FEET AND THEN IT STOPS MAKING THE NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH TEMPERATURES VARYING BETWEEN 40 TO 75 DEGREES. WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT IN THE MORNING, THE NOISE IS NOT PRESENT. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 4 DAYS SHORT OF A YEAR WITH 12,250 MILES ON IT AND IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THE CAR IS FINE OTHERWISE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ALL LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY RED IN COLOR, WHICH ARE VIEWED FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD, APPEAR AS THREE DISTINCT IMAGES. THE SOURCE LIGHT, THEN A DISTINCT SHADOWED LIGHT ABOVE AND BELOW THE SOURCE. THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS EXTREMELY COMPOUNDED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE HUNDRENDS OF TAILIGHTS IN FRONT OF ME. ALL THOSE LIGHTS ARE ESSENTIALLY TRIPPLED CAUSING CONFUSION AND DISTRACTION. TOYOTA REFUSES TO AKNOWLEGE THE ISSUE. THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY FRUSTRATED OWNERS JUST LIVING WITH IT BECAUSE TOYOTA WONT FIX IT. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP MAKE TOYOTA RECTIFY THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE IT CAUSES PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS!! *TR

CIGARETTE/POWER OUTLET FUSE ALWAYS BLOWS VERY FREQUENTLY - EVEN WITH A GPS USE OF CELLPHONE CHARGER ONLY. HAVE BEEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. REPLACING FUSES DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON GPS AND COMMUNICATION SPECIALLY FOR LONG TRAVELS. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID RESTRAIN HER. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAGS. *SMD THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED SEVERE FRONT-END DAMAGE TO THE EXTENT OF ALMOST $12,000. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK BY AN ON-COMING VEHICLE, HER SEAT BELT DID NOT PREVENT HER FROM HITTING HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL NOR DID THE AIR BAG DEPLOY IN TIME. SHE RECEIVED SEVERE BRUISING, SEVERE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT, AND STRESS. ALSO, THE LOWER DASH KNEE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN TIME TO PREVENT SEVERE BRUISING TO HIS WIFE'S KNEES. TOYOTA SENT THE CONSUMER A LETTER STATING THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS OR SEAT BELT. *JB

1. WHEN VEHICLE TRANSITIONED FROM BATTERY TO MOTOR, SIGNIFICANT IMPACT RESULTED 2. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR, DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON [VEHICLE TOWED] 3. ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE DEALERS LOT, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR. TECHNICIAN WITNESSED. *TR UPDATED 01/15/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION WOULD STOP GIVING VERBAL DIRECTIONS WHEN WITHIN 3 MILES OF DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 7,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 1/18/2013*JS

MY PRIUS V FIVE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2012. LOCATION OF THE CAR IS NW OF WA STATE WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MID 50S (AND BELOW) WITH HIGH LEVEL OF HUMIDITY. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER 2012, I'M EXPERIENCING A NOISE THAT WOULD BEST BE DESCRIBED AS AN "OWL HOOTING." MY PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AFTER THE CAR HAS PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME (EG. IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT). SOMETIMES, MERELY PARKING FOR 10 MINUTES ON THE SCHOOL'S PARKING LOT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE THE NOISE APPEAR AGAIN. THE "HOOTING" DEFINITELY "OSCILLATES" WITH THE ROTATION OF THE TIRE AND EMANATES FROM MY REAR RIGHT SIDE, BUT IS ESPECIALLY LOUD WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE NOISE DISAPPEARS AFTER DRIVING A FEW HUNDRED YARDS, BUT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO TURN HEADS. I'M ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM EVERY SINGLE MORNING SINCE OCTOBER 2012. THE SERVICE TECHS WERE ABLE TO CONFIRM THE NOISE, BUT COULDN'T REPAIR THE DEFECT. INSTEAD, AN OPEN CASE/TICKET WAS SUBMITTED TO TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL PRISM EFFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN IMAGE LOCATED ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE THAT OCCURRED WITH ALL LIGHT SOURCES SUCH AS HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT NO REPAIRS WERE NEEDED AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT A DEFECT BUT RATHER A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,200. UPDATED 12/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD HAD THE SAME DEFECT THE CASE WAS TAKEN TO ARBITRATION WHEN TOYOTA REFUSED TO FIND A REMEDY FOR THE SAFETY DEFECT. ARBITRATION WAS LOST DUE TO "LACK OF EVIDENCE". UPDATED 12/18/2012*JS

BRAND NEW 2012 PRIUS DRIVING OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AT NIGHT, NOTICED A RATHER BOTHERSOME TRAIT: LIGHTS VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAVE A PRISM EFFECT WHERE THERE IS A "GHOST" IMAGE LOCATED ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS WAS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD, OR JUST HOW THE PRIUS IS DUE TO THE VERY LOW ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS DEFINITELY A PRISM TYPE EFFECT AS IT DIFFERS BY COLOR, AND AS YOU APPROACH THE LIGHT SOURCE, THE GHOST IMAGES MERGE INTO THE SINGLE IMAGE. THIS HAPPENS WITH ALL LIGHT SOURCES, THE SUN (WORST OF ALL), HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS,STREET LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THIS GHOSTING OF THE LIGHT SOURCES IS REALLY DISTRACTING AND MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE LOOKING AT A BLURRED IMAGE. NOTHING IS CRISP OR CLEAR. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT MY WIFE AND I ARE NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT AND USING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD OTHERS IN THE CAR TO CONFIRM THE ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPLY... *TR

THE VEHICLE EMITS A REPETITIVE 'WOO......WOO.....' THAT VARIES WITH SPEED/WHEEL REVOLUTION (SOMETHING RUBBING DURING EACH REVOLUTION). TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO TELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GROAN IS COMING FROM THE REAR-PASSENGER SIDE. THE SOUND IS USUALLY PRESENT AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT OR AFTER PROLONGED PARKING AND LAST FOR 100-300 FEET OF DRIVING. I'VE EVEN HEARD IT AFTER FOUR HOURS OF BEING PARKED AT WORK. IT WILL TYPICALLY MAKE THIS SOUND FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER A RAIN EVENT. THE SOUND HAS OCCURRED IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON OR OFF PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL AND HAVE HEARD IT ALL THE WAY TO THE PRESENT. DURING A TIRE REPLACEMENT I MADE NOTE OF THE ISSUE TO THE DEALER, WHO ATTRIBUTED IT TO ROTOR OXIDATION. I RESPONDED THAT I'VE HEARD THE GRIND/GROAN OF RUST BEING WORN OFF THE ROTOR WHEN FIRST APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THIS IS NOT THAT SOUND. I WENT IN WITH A RECORDING ON MY PHONE AND THE TECHNICIAN AGREED IT WASN'T RUST. THEY REPAIRED THE TIRE AND TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE CONDITION WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEY DID TEAR DOWN THE BRAKE AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THE FACT THAT THIS ISSUE PERSISTS ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL IS INDICATIVE OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

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

THE WINDSHIELD HAS A SERIOUS OPTICAL ILLUSION DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING. THE WINDSHIELD CREATES A GHOST IMAGE OF THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE - THE GHOST IMAGE APPEARS ABOVE AND BELOW THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE. FOR EXAMPLE, AT NIGHT THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT WILL HAVE A GHOST IMAGE OF THE RED LIGHT ABOVE AND BELOW IT, ULTIMATELY SHOWING THREE RED LIGHTS (GHOST IMAGE(1), ORIGINAL LIGHT(2), AND ANOTHER GHOST IMAGE (3)). THIS CAN ALSO BE SEEN WITH THE YELLOW AND GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ONCOMING CAR HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, AND PEDESTRIAN WALK SIGNS. *TR

THERE IS A GHOSTING IMAGE SEEN THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS II THAT IS AFFECTING NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND THE VISIBILITY OF LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY RED LIGHTS. WHEN YOU ARE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT AND YOU APPROACH A LIGHT THERE IS A GHOST IMAGE OF THE LIGHT ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE UNTIL YOU GET WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE LIGHT SOURCE THEN IT DISAPPEARS. THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS MANY OTHER 2012 PRIUS OWNERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT THIS. I HAVE 20/20 VISION WITH NO NEED FOR GLASSES AND THIS IS BEGINNING TO CAUSE A STRAIN ON MY VISION, AS I IMAGINE FOR OTHERS AN EVEN GREATER STRAIN. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHERS EVEN HAVING TWO GHOST IMAGES BELOW AND ABOVE THE LIGHT SOURCE. BELOW IS HOW IT WOULD LOOK. GHOST IMAGE OF LIGHT ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE GHOST IMAGE OF LIGHT *TR

REPEATING SEVERAL-SECOND GROANING OR GRINDING NOISE HEARD FROM REAR WHEEL AREA UPON STARTUP MOTION. THE NOISE IS SEVERE AND SOUNDS LIKE LOW-PITCH METAL GRINDING. IT'S POTENTIALLY BRAKE RELATED BUT COULD BE SUSPENSION BUSHINGS OR OTHER COMPONENTS RUBBING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE TYPICAL BRAKE GLAZING. THE NOISE OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TYPICALLY AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. NOISE CONTINUES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT STOP AND START. NOISE IS LOUD ENOUGH TO STARTLE AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THE ABSOLUTE SEVERITY AND INDICATION OF THE SOUND IS ENOUGH TO QUESTION SAFE ONGOING FUNCTIONALITY OF BRAKING AND/OR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. MULTIPLE REPORTS ARE DOCUMENTED ONLINE AT PRIUSCHAT.COM. TOYOTA DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A FIX OR RESOLUTION AT TIME OF WRITING, 10/2012. THIS IS FOR 2012 PRIUS V MODEL FIVE. *TR

VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE, AND DURING MORNING COLD START, THE VEHICLE PRODUCES A MOANING/WOOING SOUND FOR APPROX. 50-75 YARDS WITH VEHICLE MOVING UNDER 25 MPH. THE SOUND IS BEING GENERATED FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS. SOUND GENERATED IS RELATED TO VEHICLE SPEED. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE MOVES, THE MORE FREQUENT THE SOUND BEING PRODUCED DURING THE FIRST 50-75 YARDS. STRANGE SOUND IS GONE AFTER THAT, AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL THE NEXT COOL/COLD START. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER TOOK OFF THE FRONT WHEEL TO INSPECT BRAKES, WHEELS, AND TIRES, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ABNORMAL SOUND IS ONLY PRODUCED DURING MORNING COLD STARTS AND WHEN VEHICLE IS LEFT TO COOL(I.E. PARKING LOT AT WORK). *TR