2007 TOYOTA PRIUS Unknown Or Other Problems

Hatch release has melted, see NHTSA ID’s for example: 10511408, 10533059, 10504366, 10496197, 10448470, etc.

Failing hybrid water pump at around 110,000 miles. This part was part of a recall in 2012 but my VIN is not included for the same issue.

This complaint is about the problematic brake actuator for a Toyota Prius Hybrid. I started to hear frequent whirring noises from the front part of the vehicle a few month ago. Additionally, whenever my foot is on the brake, a mechanic sound appears. Recently, the whirring noise is becoming more frequent, on a approximately every 10-15 sec frequency. I took the car to the dealership last Friday, and the mechanics stated the issues being associated with the brake actuator. The dealership also stated that if repairs or replacement was recommended after diagnosis, the cost would be on the order of $2,000 to $3,000. I contacted my regular mechanic shop, and found out that they do not perform brake actuator repairs on a hybrid. This issue left me with limited choice for solution because it seems to be specialized and is expensive to fix, and most importantly, this issue could lead to a safety hazard for my future transportation.

When the 12-volt battery in this car dies, there is NO warning light to indicate the battery is dead or is running low. The driver is given no warning or indication prior to the car being disabled. Once the battery dies, the vehicle immediately decelerates, there is no acceleration, the braking system becomes mostly disabled, and the power steering is not functional. The car becomes disabled, while being driven, without warning. When this event happens, there is a high pitched screaching alarm, and the majority of the dash lights turn on. None of which indicate there is an issue with the 12-volt battery. The large red triangle light with the exclamation mark comes on, as well the lights indicating that there is a problem with the brakes. Additional dash lights also turn on during this dangerous event. The rear view monitor screen states that there is an issue with the transmission. The reality that a minor 12- volt battery is responsible for disabling a vehicle is extremely dangerous, especially since it happens when the car is being driven. This is a serious issue. Toyota must include an indicator light that warns the driver the battery is low prior to the car being being disabled. Please investigate this matter, as it seems to be a common problem, based on online research. My safety was in jeopardy due to the fact that I was driving the car on a main road, with moderate traffic, and lost control of the car as it became disabled. To get my car off of the road required the assistance of several good Samaritans who used their bodies to block traffic in order to get the car out of the flow of oncoming traffic. Fourteen days later, after the battery was replaced, and the car serviced/inspected, I drove the car 10 to 15 miles, wherein the car did the same thing. Per the dealership, the issue was not the 12- bolt battery. Thank you for your time and consideration. Kindly, Cynthia Becker 623-209-4290 [email protected]

Unknown I had just financed the vehicle 2-3 days prior.

After pressing gas pedal almost all the way - it stuck for few seconds. I was able to stop by heavy braking. Has nothing to do with floor mats!

The hooks holding the driver's side carpet in place have popped loose, causing the carpet to slide around unpredictably. I'm fairly sure there was a recall a few years ago about this (we did take the car into the dealership at the time) but this is worse. I mentioned this to them circa 6/21, but they saw no active recalls then.

My car when stopped and running lunges forward

DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WHEN TURNED ON RANDOMLY GOES OFF I HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AGAIN AND THEN IT TURNS BACK ON BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT'LL KEEP TURNING OFF. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS. I RARELY DRIVE MY CAR ONLY HAS 35K MILES ON IT.

Mileage: 25,000

HATCH IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND GETS STUCK IF YOU DON'T FULLY PULL THE LATCH FREE. REGARDLESS OF THE DIFFICULTY OPENING AT TIMES, THE HANDLE IS MELTED AND LEAVES A STICKY BLACK "TAR" ON YOUR HAND EVERY TIME YOU OPEN THE HATCH. THIS WEBSITE ALSO EXPLAINS THE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS: HTTPS://WWW.MEYERSONSTRATEGY.COM/2013/09/TOYOTAS-STICKY-2007-PRIUS-HATCH-PROBLEM.HTML

Mileage: 103,000

ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS, THE DASH DOES NOT LIGHT UP(SPEED, GEAR SELECTIONS , GAS LEVEL, ETC) WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN NOT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHICH ARE BIG SAFETY ITEMS WHEN YOU HAVE TO PARK AS YOU CAN NOT LOCK THE DOORS AND ALL INFORMATION ON THE LARGE DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK OR ANY OF THE DASH DISPLAY SO YOU HAVE NO INDICATION OF SPEED, ENGINE WARNINGS ETC. I PURCHASED MY 2007 PRIUS FROM MY LOCAL COUNTY AND NOW THEY HAVE A 2009 PRIUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL PRIUS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA, REGARDLESS OF AGE AND FIXED A IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS. THE ESTIMATE I HAVE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IS APPROXIMATELY $1,200 AND THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY TOYOTA AS A DEFINITE RECALL SAFETY PROBLEM. IT IS A START, STOP PROBLEM WHEN YOU CAN NOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE OR REMOVE THE KEY AND WHILE DRIVING NO SPEED INDICATION.

Mileage: 78,000

SOMETIMES THE DASH WON'T LIGHT UP OTHER TIMES THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF PLUS ON THE TAILGATE THE LITTLE ELECTRICAL PIECE FELL OFF WHERE YOU OPEN THE TRUNK

TOYOTA SENT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE ON THE COMBINATION METER TO THE WRONG ADDRESS; THEREFORE, I COULD NOT "CONNECT THE DOTS" REGARDING MY DASHBOARD BLACKOUT--MEANING I THOUGHT IT WAS QUIRKY, NOT A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE COMBINATION METER. MY 2007 PRIUS WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT COMBINATION METER BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT PAY FOR IT--CLAIMING IT PROVIDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY RESPONSE IS: SO WHAT? I AM DRIVING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHICH DOES NOT INDICATE THE SPEED I'M DRIVING, THE GAS SUPPLY, THE WARNING LIGHTS, AND BACKUP CAMERA. I HAVE HAD THE REQUISITE SERVICES OVER THE YEARS AND THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN TOYOTA'S MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY CHAIN. IF TOYOTA REALLY CARES ABOUT THE CUSTOMER, WHY WON'T TOYOTA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILING PART AND REPAIR MY PERILOUS VEHICLE? THE SITUATION IS DANGEROUS! I CAN'T LOCK THE CAR, KNOW FOR SURE WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF, SEE THE WARNING LIGHTS, KNOW IF THE AIRBAG ALERT IS LEGIT--NON-FUNCTIONAL ALL. TO REPLACE THE FAILED PART WILL COST NEAR $1000, MY MONTHLY SOCIAL SECURITY. THINK ABOUT THIS PRICETAG, TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. MY SAFETY IS SEVERELY JEOPARDIZED. PLEASE WORK TO RECALL THESE IMPACTED VEHICLES. THAT MY PRIUS HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY SINGLE YEAR ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, THAT THIS MYSTERIOUS DARK SCREEN HAS BEEN POPPING UP FOR YEARS, AND THAT TOYOTA SENT THE NOTICE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY TO THE WRONG ADDRESS SHOULD DEMONSTRATE WHERE THE CULPABILITY LIES. TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND FIX ALL THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES--BEHAVIOR WHICH DEMONSTRATES THE COMPANY TRULY CARES ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS!

Mileage: 35,000

WE HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT SHUT OFF. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENTAND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS. IT DRIVES FINE, I'M JUST WORRIED THAT SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS.

Mileage: 66,000

THE BACK LATCH TO THE TRUNK/HATCH IS DEFECTIVE. THE RUBBER EXTERIOR PART HAS MELTED AND IS ALL GOOEY AND STICKY. IN THE WINTER TIME IT FREEZES. WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN OR USE THE TRUNK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO CAN NOT ACCESS SPARE OR COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR REPORTS. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED AS IS A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND DEFECT.

Mileage: 190,000

THE REAR HATCH LATCH DETERIORATES AND MAKES IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH. IT IS NOW COMPLETELY BROKEN AND THE BACK HATCH IS INACCESSIBLE ' MAKING IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE IN CASE OF A ROAD-SIDE EMERGENCY.

Mileage: 135,500

THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMBINATION METER WHICH CONTAINS THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY. THIS CLUSTER TENDS TO MALFUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. THE DISPLAY WILL NOT TURN ON WITH THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MALFUNCTION ALLOWS A DRIVER TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, BUT WITHOUT THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND GEAR SHIFT DISPLAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MANY PRIUS DRIVERS ARE DRIVING WITHOUT THE USE OF A SPEEDOMETER!!! TOYOTA ISSUED A 9 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR THEIR 2ND GENERATION PRIUS MODELS. CLEARLY THIS IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. WITH 2ND GENERATION PRIUS SERIES (2003-2009) RAPIDLY AGING OUT OF THIS 9 YEAR EXTENDED CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM, THIS POSES AN EVER INCREASING CONSUMER SAFETY RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. REPAIR COSTS THE TRADE IN VALUE OF THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN $3,000 WHILE THE REPAIR QUOTED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS $1028. THIS REPAIR COST HIGHLY DISCOURAGES OWNERS TO GET THIS FIXED. SINCE THERE IS LITTLE INCENTIVE TO INVEST IN THIS COSTLY REPAIR, I AM CONCERNED THAT MANY PRIUS DRIVERS ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER! BY GOING THOUGH CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO DETACH THE START BATTERY WHEN THIS PROBLEM SURFACES, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE DISPLAY CAN GO THOUGH A HARD RESET, AND TENDS TO OPERATE PROPERLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS WOULD ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL TO EASILY PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION, BUT THE CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO GO THOUGH THIS PROCESS WOULD PREVENT CONSUMERS TO GO THOUGH THIS EFFORT EVERY TIME THE DISPLAY WENT OUT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOULD BE RECALLED IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY! THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE STREETS! VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS ARE NOT LIKELY TO CATCH THIS ISSUE, AS THE PROBLEM CAN BE TEMPORARY MASKED.

Mileage: 126,866

AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE SUV SUFFICIENTLY AHEAD OF ME IN THE SAME LANE WAS STOPPING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I STARTED SLOWING DOWN WITH PLENTY OF SPACE. I GLANCED FOR A SECOND TO MY RIGHT SIDE TO CHECK SAFETY AROUND ANOTHER SET OF HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I FACED FORWARD I COULD SEE THAT I WAS GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE ABOUT-TO-TURN CAR AHEAD OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO THE SUV'S REAR END. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO PHYSICALLY INJURIES, BUT THE COLLISION CAUSED LOW/MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE SUV AND MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY PRIUS -- ENOUGH THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CLOBBERED, AND THAT MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. AT THE TIME OF THIS POST, THE REPAIR SHOP HAS NOT YET FINISHED EVALUATING IT AND REPORTING ON ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS AND THE ESTIMATE COSTS. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO, I HAD CHECKED FOR ACTIVE RECALLS BUT FOUND NONE, AND I CONFIRMED THE SAME SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE. APPARENTLY, THOUGH, TOYOTA HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM EVEN AFTER MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUCH A FAILURE DURING AN EMERGENCY NEED FOR A TOTAL STOP. I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN PURSUING FURTHER ACTION, POSSIBLY THROUGH LEGAL AVENUES.

Mileage: 146,000

CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS IN STEERING WHEEL GOING OUT. STARTED WITH NON-SAFETY ITEMS: A/C, DEFROST. NOW THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. OTHERS REPORT THAT AIR BAGS ARE ALSO CONNECTED TO THIS WIRING HARNESS WHICH IS FAILING. OTHER TOYOTA MODELS HAD RECALL BECAUSE CLOCK SPRING HARNESS CAUSED AIR BAGS TO FAIL

Mileage: 136,192

GOOD YEAR WEATHERHANDLER FUEL MAXX TIRES WITH ONLY 9000 MILES DRY ROTTEN AND LOSS OF AIR AND COMING APART. DOT PJ19KY1R SOLD TO ME BY NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY FEB 9, 2016 MANUFACTURED JULY 16,3013 GOODYEAR WOULD NOT WARRANTY DEFECTS AND NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY WOULD NOT REPLACE. DUE TO DEFECTS IN THE TIRE. NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY PRORATED TIRES WITH 10/32 TREAD DEPTH ON ONE AND 9/32 ON THE REST. NEW TIRES THE COST TO ME WITH REPLACEMENT WAS THE SAME AS NEW. I WAS HAVING LOSS OF AIR IN THE TIRES DAILY. I KEPT THE OLD TIRES TO SHOW THE DEFECTIVE SIDEWALLS.

Mileage: 174,000

ONE HEADLIGHT REPEATEDLY GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING. TURNING LIGHTS ALL THE WAY OFF AND THEN BACK ON TEMPORARILY RELIEVES THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE OFTEN OCCURS WHEN BRAKING, BUT CAN OCCUR RANDOMLY WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE FOR YEARS.

Mileage: 160,000

I PURCHASED A TOYOTA PRIUS FROM TOYOTA SUNNYVALE, ADDRESS: 898 W EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087 PHONE: (408) 469-4907. INTERMITTENTLY THE DRIVERS DASH DISPLAY DOESN'T TURN ON AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS INDICATOR, WARNING INDICATORS DO NOT LIGHT UP. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2014, AAA REPLACED THE BATTERY, DISCONNECTING THE ACCESSORY 12 VOLT BATTERY CAUSES A RESET AND CLEARS THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. SINCE THEN THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 5-6 TIMES. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AMERICA AND WAS GIVEN A CASE #1612 272 228, IN DECEMBER 2016. I ALSO SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN TOYOTA PROBLEM AND IS THE PART CALLED A COMBINATION METER. TOYOTA PROVIDED AN EXTENDED 9 YEAR WARRANTY ON THIS PROBLEM, FURTHER TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA SENT A LETTER TO DEALERS (COPY ATTACHED) TO NOTIFY TOYOTA CUSTOMERS THAT THERE MIGHT BE THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, I NEVER RECEIVED A MAILED LETTER. I ALSO PURCHASED MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SINCE MY INITIAL CALL TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SAMANTHA ELKINS (408-716-1881) AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE SEEMED TO REACHED AN IMPASSE, THE DEALERSHIP REQUIRES THAT THEIR TECHNICIANS DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND FURTHER WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSIS LABOR (1 OR MORE HOURS AT $175/HOUR). IF IT WAS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THE MAINTENANCE VISITS SHOULD HAVE SHOWED IT. AS IT'S AN KNOW INTERMITTENT FAILURE, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND PAY $200 OR MORE DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF NO PROBLEM FOUND. FROM MY RESEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS THAT AS MANY AS 5% OF THE PRIUS CARS, IDENTIFIED BY VIN, CAN SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. IS OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NOT NOTIFYING THEIR CUSTOMER AN EFFORT TO AVOID A RECALL? WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED I HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS AT NIGHT. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE.

Mileage: 40,000

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.

Mileage: 100,000

THE RUBBER EXTERIOR OF THE BACK LATCH HANDLE HAS MELTED COMPLETELY MAKING THE BACK HATCH COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I CAN NO LONGER PRESS THE BUTTON THAT IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN THE HATCH AS THE RUBBER THAT COATED IT HAS MELTED INTO A GOOEY MASS AND THEN HARDENED. THIS HAS OCCURED OVER THE SUMMER WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE TEMPURATURES WERE IN THE 100'S.

THE HANDLE ON THE HATCHBACK HAS BECOME STICKY AND WILL NOT LET ME OPEN THE HATCH. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IF I NEEDED TO GET AT MY SPARE TIRE, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO. TOYOTA WANTS $250.00 TO REPAIR IT. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR IT AT NO CHARGE.

Mileage: 111,000

TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR WON'T SHUT OFF. THEY SAY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDS REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR 13 DAYS SO MY CAR IS USELESS. I CAN'T DRIVE IT. I PAID EITHER 23,000 OR 28,000 FOR IT AND HAVE KEPT IT MAINTAINED. THE TOYOTA PLACE SAYS THEY HAVE ANOTHER LADY THAT'S BEEN WAITING 3 DAYS LESS THAN MINE. I CALLED CALIFORNIA TOYOTA. THEY CAN'T TELL ME ANYTHING - BUT TODAY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE ON BACK ORDER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A CAR THAT WON'T SHUT OFF IS A DANGER. IT COULD KICK INTO GEAR. IT COULD DAMAGE THE MOTOR. A CAR THAT YOU CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN IT CAN BE A PROBLEM AS WELL. I CAN'T DRIVE IT. THE SPEEDOMETER WON'T WORK. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH SAFETY AS IF YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING YOU RISK TICKETS. THE TOYOTA PLACE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS REPLACED 30 OF THESE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS. IF THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE NATIONWIDE THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM AND THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I ONLY HAVE 150,000 MILES APPROX. ON MY CAR. THE SALESMAN TOLD ME IT WOULD LAST AT LEAST 300,000 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE 4800.00 BATTERY AT 103000 MILES. MY OTHER GRIPE IS THEY DIDN'T TELL ME UNTIL 13 DAYS LATER IT WAS "PROBABLY" ON BACK ORDER. I WOULDN'T HAVE RENTED A CAR FOR 13 DAYS HAD I KNOWN IT WAS "PROBABLY" ON BACK ORDER.

Mileage: 150,000

THE TRUNK OPENER SWITCH ON MY 2007 PRIUS NO LONGER WORKS RELIABLY BECAUSE IT IS MADE OF A DEFECTIVE RUBBER WHICH HAS AT THIS POINT MELTED INTO A GOOPY MESS. THIS MEANS THAT THE OPENER SWITCH CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK UNTIL THE RELEASE MECHANISM OF THE SWITCH OVERCOMES THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF THE GOOP. AS A CURSORY GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH TOYOTA ROUTINELY REFUSES TO REPAIR. IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A PET OR CHILD COULD BE DIFFICULT TO RETRIEVE FROM THE TRUNK AREA IF THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED. AN UNEXPECTED HAZARD SUCH AS A LEAKING PROPANE TANK OR A BATTERY FIRE IN THE TRUNK AREA COULD SIMILARLY BE DIFFICULT TO MITIGATE.

Mileage: 100,000

COMBINATION METER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. UNABLE TO VIEW SPEEDOMETER OR DASH LIGHTS. CAR SOMETIMES LOCKS UP, UNABLE TO VIEW ABS SIGNAL BECAUSE DASHLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE. UNABLE TO TURN CAR OFF DURING DASHBOARD/COMBINATION METER FAILURE. *TR

THE ELECTRONIC DASH (HEADS UP INSTRUMENT DISPLAY) ON OUR 2007 PRIUS HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO LIGHT OVER THE LAST YEAR. YESTERDAY, IT FAILED AND ALSO WOULDN'T TURN OFF. WE ALWAYS USE THE REMOTE (KEYLESS) IGNITION SYSTEM. BUT, AFTER THE FAILURES YESTERDAY I PUT THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB INTO THE HOLE IN THE DASH THINKING THAT MIGHT HELP. INSTEAD, I COULDN'T REMOVE IT. I TRIED EVERY COMBINATION OF PRESSING BUTTONS (THE PARK AND POWER BUTTONS) AND OTHER CONTROLS, BRAKES PEDAL, SHIFTER AND IT STILL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF OR LIGHT UP THE DISPLAY. AFTER HOLDING THE POWER BUTTON IN FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, IT TURNED OFF AND EJECTED THE KEY FOB. BUT THEN THE CAR WOULDN'T LIGHT UP THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY OR START. THIS MORNING, AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS TOLD BY AN EXPERIENCED PRIUS MECHANIC (ALSO AN OWNER) THAT THESE WERE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF A FAILING POWER AMPLIFIER FOR THE DISPLAY AND THAT IT WAS A "SECRET WARRANTY," A VOLUNTARY REPAIR TO AVOID A GOVERNMENT RECALL, BUT THAT TOYOTA WOULD ONLY DO IT FOR 10 YEARS. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO IT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE SYMPTOMS BEGAN BEFORE THE CAR WAS 10 YEARS OLD. THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS ONLY GOOD FOR NINE YEARS. THEY WANT $765 FOR THE REPAIR. IT STRIKES ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY FAILURE AND SHOULD BE COVERED, PERIOD. WITH NO INDICATION OF SPEED OR OTHER FUNCTIONS (ABS FUNCTION, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC.), OR TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, IT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VARIOUS FAILURES, INCLUDING LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION, TOOK PLACE WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD AND WHEN IT WAS WARMED UP. AT REST AND IN MOTION.

Mileage: 161,200

THE TRUNK RELEASE LATCH ON MY 2007 PRIUS HAS DETERIORATED ALMOST TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED ABOUT 4 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AND NOW, IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. IT'S LIKE THE PLASTIC STUFF IS MELTING AND FALLING APART. WE ARE HAVING TO PURCHASE THIS SAME PART, FOR THE SECOND TIME NOW. LOVE MY PRIUS, BUT HATE HAVING TO MAKE REPAIRS ON THE SAME ISSUE 2 TIMES. ALSO, I HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REPAIRED (FROM A RECALL) ABOUT 2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER REALLY FIXED. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN DAY TIME, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. USUALLY THEY GO OUT ONE AT A TIME. LIKE THE RIGHT SIDE WILL GO OUT. THEN YOU CAN FLIP THE SWITCH TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF, AND IT'LL WORK AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THEN THE LEFT SIDE WILL GO OUT. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS EVERY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE TO FLIP THE SWITCH ON AND OFF ABOUT 9 TIMES WHILE DRIVING SHORT AND LONG DISTANCES. I JUST USUALLY FLIP THE SWITCH AND THEY COME BACK ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. REALLY A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING AROUND WITH MY 2 SMALL KIDS!! BROUGHT IT BACK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN LAKE CHARLES TO BE REPAIRED. BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK I CAN KEEP DRIVING AROUND IN THE DARK WITH MALFUNCTIONING LIGHTS AND KIDS IN THE CAR????????????????? THIS HAPPENS DAILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mileage: 200,000

ANOTHER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE RUBBER COVER OF THE 2007 PRIUS HATCH RELEASE/LATCH. THE RUBBER COVERING HAS DETERIORATED AND DEGRADED IN A WAY THAT CAUSES IT TO MELT AND BECOME STICKY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER; TOUCHING THE COVER CAUSES THE MATERIAL TO STICK TO FINGERS, AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, REQUIRING THE USE OF A SOLVENT CLEANER. IN COLD AND FREEZING WEATHER, THE COVER BECOMES VERY STIFF AND NOT FLEXIBLE, AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS, CAUSING THE HATCH TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. THIS IS A BASIC OPERATIONAL PROBLEM, RENDERING THE HATCHBACK NON-FUNCTIONAL - IT CAN'T BE OPENED, OR IF IT CAN BE OPENED IT LEAVES A SUBSTANCE ON THE DRIVER'S BODY. ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, AS WHEN THE HATCH CAN'T BE OPENED THIS IS ESSENTIALLY BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE TRUNK WHERE THE SPARE TIRE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT ARE LOCATED. DEALER WILL CHARGE APPROXIMATELY $300 FOR PART AND LABOR TO REPAIR THIS. I'VE CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS: "IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS, SO TOYOTA WILL NOT BE COVERING THIS REPAIR." I DID A SEARCH IN THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE AND FOUND 147 OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. VERY DISCOURAGING AND IRRESPONSIBLE THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ASSIST OWNERS WITH RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.

BACK HATCH HANDLE MELTS IN HOT WEATHER AND GETS TAR ON FINGERS AND DRIPS ON CAR BODY. THE ONLY WAY TOYOTA HAS TO FIX THIS IS TO MAKE CONSUMER PAY FOR A NEW REAR HANDLE ASSEMBLY.

Mileage: 115,000

REAR LATCH FOR THE HATCHBACK DOOR IS INOPERABLE IN COLD WEATHER (+/-<40*), THE DOOR LATCHING RELEASE MECHANISM FREEZES AND CANNOT BE OPENED. IN HOT WEATHER (+/->80*) THE COVERING FOR THE MECHANISM MELTS AND IT GETS ALL OVER YOUR HANDS AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OFF. THE FREEZING ASPECT OF THIS DEFECT IS DANGEROUS WHEN THE BACK CANNOT BE OPENED. I HAVE TALKED WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THIS BUT THEY WILL NOT OFFER MUCH HELP IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE >$300. I DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I MOVED TO THE MOUNTAINS IN THE WINTER TIME.

Mileage: 75,000

THE REAR HATCH LATCH IS CONTROLLED BY AN EXTERNAL RUBBER BUTTON THAT OVER TIME HAS MELTED INTO A STICKY GOO THAT HAS PREVENTED THE LATCH FROM OPERATING WITH NORMAL FINGER OPERATION. MY WIFE IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE HATCH EVEN THOUGH HER HANDS ARE STRONGER THAN THE AVERAGE WOMAN. NOT ONLY IS THIS A PROBLEM ACCESSING ITEMS IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR, BUT IT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD UNDER SOME EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED SIMILAR LATCHES ON SOME SCION MODELS BUT TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PRIUS MODEL.

Mileage: 37,000

THE REAR HATCH LATCH HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. THE EXTERIOR HANDLE RUBBER HAS BEEN SOFTENING, ALMOST MELTING, FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN IT HAS RELEASED IN THE PAST, SOMETIMES IT WAS ONLY A PARTIAL RELEASE, LEAVING THE HATCH LATCHED DOWN. THE HATCH PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY AFFECTING THE OPERATION OF THE LATCH TO THE POINT THAT I CAN NO LONGER OPEN IT AT ALL. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN OR RECALL AFTER SEEING ALL OF THE INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND HE SAID, NO. HE DID SAY THEY GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS/REPAIRS ON THE 2007 HATCH LATCH AND THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT WILL TAKE TIME TO GET IN AS THEY ARE IN DEMAND. INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT CAN INVOLVE SAFETY. MY SPARE TIRE IS BACK THERE AND I CANNOT ACCESS MY TRUNK. HAD TO CRAWL THOUGH THE BACK SEAT TO CHANGE A TAILLIGHT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES.

THE REAR HATCH LATCH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. THE EXTERIOR HANDLE RUBBER HAS BEEN SOFTENING, ALMOST MELTING, FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT IS NOW CONSISTENTLY AFFECTING THE OPERATION OF THE LATCH. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN OR RECALL AND HE SAID, NO. HE DID SAY THEY GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS/REPAIRS ON THE 2007 HATCH LATCH.

Mileage: 35,000

HATCHBACK LATCH: IN HOT WEATHER THE RUBBER LATCH MELTS AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, I ENQUIRED ABOUT REPAIR OF THE LATCH AND THEY QUOTED A PRICE OF ABOUT $300. THIS WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I ASKED ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, AS I UNDERSTOOD IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR MANY 2007 PRIUS OWNERS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS GETTING WORSE. I THINK IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

THE ISSUE RELATES TO TSB-0172-09 - COMBINATION METERS FAILS IN SUB ZERO WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND TWICE LAST WINTER IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURE. LAST WEEK I NEEDED TO HAVE LYNCH TOYOTA IN MANCHESTER, CT REPLACE MY KEY FOB AND I REQUESTED THAT THEY RUN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON THE COMBO METER PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY ACTUALLY NEED TO SEE THE DISPLAY NOT FUNCTIONING. I EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT THEY CAN CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM - IF THE PROBLEM EXISTS I AM ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR (ONCE THE CAR WARMS THE PROBLEMS DISAPPEARS ANYWAY) - THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP - IF THEY CAN CONFIRM THE PROBLEM THEY WILL COVER THE TOWING EXPENSE - PROBLEM IS THIS - THE DEALER IS LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CT - ELEVATION ~270 FEET IN CONTRAST TO MY LOCATION NORTHEAST HILLS AT ELEVATION 780 - COOLER IN NE AND WARMER IN CENTRAL VALLEY. I SENT TOYOTA THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND RECEIVED AN EMAIL RESPONSE (INCIDENT #1509120648) AND JUST CALLED 800-331-4331. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE TO MY SURPRISE DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER IN HAND SO WE HAD TO REVISIT THE EMAIL AND I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. BASICALLY WHAT WE CONCLUDED IS THAT TOYOTA CAN NOT FIX MY PROBLEM FOR THEY CANNOT VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS. SO HERE WE HAVE A CLASSIC CATCH 22 - AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 9 YEARS IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. THEY ALSO CONTEND THAT PROVIDING PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION OF THE PROBLEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM

Mileage: 85,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEGUN TO DETERIORATE AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY AND STICKY BLACK MESS. THIS ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE RUBBER NOT ONLY GETS ON YOUR FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. THE DETERIORATION STARTED DURING THE SUMMER.. THE ISSUE HAS WORSENED AND TODAY I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHATSOEVER.

Mileage: 47,100

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). I HAVE TO PRESS REPEATEDLY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. EACH TIME I TOUCH IT TO OPEN THE CAR MY HANDS GET COVERED IN MELTED RUBBER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. GIVEN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS (EVEN MY CAR DEALER KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE), WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED?

Mileage: 69,500

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTION WILL REVERT TO NEUTRAL WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MULTIPLE TIMES EVEN AFTER TUNING OFF ALL ACCESSORIES AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. IN SOME CASES IT REQUIRES THAT THE TRANSMISSION JOYSTICK SELECTOR LEVER BE HELD MANUALLY IN THE D POSITION TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS AT LOW SPEED, I.E AFTER TURNING ONTO A STREET FROM A STOPPED POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR.

Mileage: 94,000

I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS WHEN I BOUGHT MY USED PRIUS MARCH 9, 2010. FIRST IT WAS JUST ONE HEADLIGHT ... I FOUND THAT IF I SHUT THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON THE HEADLIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. IT WOULD DO IT ONCE IN AWHILE... THEN IT WOULD SWITCH FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND STARTED DOING IT MORE OFTEN...SOON BOTH LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IT WOULD OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH. LATELY, IT HAS STARTED SHUTTING THE LIGHTS (EITHER OR BOTH) EVERY COUPLE MINUTES SOME TIMES EVEN EVERY COUPLE SECONDS... I HATE DRIVING AT NIGHT... THIS HAS BECOME A REALLY BAD PROBLEM. I JUST HAD A AUTO SHOP LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE LIGHTS... I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS NO MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS...IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE!

THE TRUNK HATCH COVER/SWITCH ON MY 2007 PRIUS HAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND LOCKED UP. MYSELF, AND MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS OF THIS YEAR, ARE VICTIMS OF A FAULTY COMPONENT AND CAN NO LONGER ACCESS OUR SPARE TIRES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE AND THESE COMPONENTS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

THE BACK LATCH OF THE 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED AND MELTED. IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING THE USE OF THE REAR DOOR IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES. THERE ARE A SERIES OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED AND IT IS NOT DUE TO HIGH HEAT OR CHEMICAL EXPOSURE. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO HOW TO GET THIS REPLACED.

TOYOTA PRIUSES, COVERING MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS, HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAYS IN THE RANGE OF 85000-95000 MILES. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF WITH A DISPLAY THAT WILL START TO GO OUT AND HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A FUZZY DISPLAY OR LINES THROUGH THE PICTURE, OR WILL JUST FAIL OUTRIGHT. THIS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH SUCH AS THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR'S CLIMATE (INCLUDING SAFETY-RELATED FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFOG), BLUETOOTH HANDS-FREE, GPS MAPPING AND OTHER IMPORTANT CAR FUNCTIONS. ONLINE THIRD-PARTY REPAIR COMPANIES SUGGEST THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE TO DO WITH BAD SOLDERING POINTS ON THE DISPLAY UNIT. TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN EL002-05 IS PURPORTED TO THE ISSUE. SOME SITES THAT DISCUSS THE ISSUE: HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/THE-CENTER-MULTI-FUNCTION-DISPLAY-MAY-FAIL-491 HTTP://BOBCOWART.BLOGSPOT.COM/2007/12/PRIUS-BROKEN-MULTI-FUNCTION-DISPLAY.HTML HTTP://WWW.PRIUSONLINE.COM/8-PRIUS-GENERAL/16987-PROBLEM-PRIUS-MULTI-FUNCTION-DISPLAY-MFD-3.HTML HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/MFD-ISSUES-ON-04-05-PRIUS.33923 HTTP://ARTSAUTOMOTIVE.COM/PUBLICATIONS/7-HYBRID/117-PRIUS-2ND-GEN-REPAIRING-THE-MULTI-FUNCTION-DISPLAY/ TOYOTA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FULLY-COVER REPLACEMENT/REPAIR ON AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I'M IN NJ ON 1/8/15 I WAS SHOPPING AT COSTCO. IT WAS SUB ZERO TEMEPERTURE AND I HAD A FULL CART. I INJURED MY FINGERS AND GOT FROSTBITE WHILE TRYING TO OPEN HATCH. IT WAS STUCK. THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND WINDY . I GOT VERY SICK FROM THE INCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE STUPID HATCH, THE RUBBER PART IS LIKE STUCK AND CAN'T FEEL LATCH IT DOESNT OPEN. I'M REALLY REALLY UPSET. . OMG *TR

Mileage: 110,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEGUN TO DETERIORATE AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY AND STICKY BLACK MESS. THIS ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE RUBBER NOT ONLY GETS ON YOUR FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. THE ISSUE FIRST BEGAN THIS PAST SUMMER AND AS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ROSE, THE RUBBER MELTED. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

EXTERIOR REAR HATCH LATCH HANDLE STICKY/MELTING. COVERED WITH TAPE TO AVOID TOUCHING THE MESS WHEN USING THE DOOR. LATCH AND LOCK OPERATION HAS BECOME UNRELIABLE AND HATCH MUST BE SLAMMED TO ENSURE CLOSURE. PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL TO COMPLAINT ID 10632829. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

OVER TIME THE BLACK RUBBER ON OUR HATCH HAS MELTED. IT HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND HARDER TO OPEN THE TRUNK. FINALLY WE POPPED THE PLASTIC PART OFF DUE TO THE PRESSURE NEEDED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. IT NO LONGER OPENS. MY HUSBAND HAD A FLAT TIRE ON 6/13/2014. HE COULD NOT GET IN TO THE TRUNK AND HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A TIRE PLACE TO BUY NEW TIRES. THE FACT THAT HE COULDN'T GET IN TO THE TRUNK WAS INCONVENIENT AND EXPENSIVE. MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YOU CAN'T GET IN OR OUT OF THE TRUNK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. THAT IS PRETTY SCARY, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE TRAVELING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN. *JS

Mileage: 120,000

FAILED COMPONENT IS THE RUBBER COVER ON THE TRUNK/HATCH SWITCH. HEAT HAS SPLIT THE COVER COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH. HEAT HAS MADE THE RUBBER A STICKY MESS. THIS HAS MADE THE TRUNK/HATCH DIFFICULT TO OPEN, IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE. REPAIRS FOR THIS MISTAKE MADE BY TOYOTA WILL COST $65 FOR THE PART AND AS MUCH AS $150 FOR LABOR. SOME DEALERS APPARENTLY HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS IN SOME AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. I'M AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE RUBBER COVER IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE MADE GOOD BY TOYOTA. IF, IN AN EMERGENCY ONE IS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE HATCH FOR EQUIPMENT; CABLES, EXTINGUISHER, SPARE TIRE, FLARES, ETC., THIS COULD BE SEEN AS A SERIOUS THREAT TO INJURY OR WORSE.

Mileage: 118,000

THE BULBS TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO REASON. I ALREADY REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I MADE MY RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 PRIUS. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

DRIVERS SIDE OPTIONAL ALL-RUBBER FLOOR MATTES HAVE DEFECT OF WORKMANSHIP OR DESIGN WHICH CAUSES EYELET FOR LEFT HAND FLOOR MATTE HOOK TO BECOME TORN STRETCHING THE HOLE OUT/BREAKING THE HOLE AND SHIFTING THE FRONT EDGE OF FLOOR MATTE TOWARDS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Mileage: 140,000

RUBBERIZED FLOOR MATS FOR CAR DRIVERS SIDE HAVE FLAWS IN WORKMANSHIP SO THAT THEY TEAR WHERE THE RETENTION HOOK IS ON LEFT SIDE. THE EFFECT IS THE MATTE COMES LOOSE AND JAMS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS FLOOR MATTE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THE RUBBERIZED MATTES WITH THESE FLAWS UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL. ANOTHER RECALL LOOKS TO BE IN ORDER FOR THIS SAME KIND OF PROBLEM AGAIN.

REAR HATCH LOCK HAS SOFT PLASTIC COVER WHICH MELTED IN MY HAND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN CAR. PLASTIC COVER TURNED BLACK AND SOFT AND STICKS TO SKIN WHEN YOU TOUCH TO OPEN THE CAR. LOCK ALSO NOW DOES NOT OPEN PROPERLY NOW DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE PART. SHOULD BE RECALLED.

Mileage: 49,500

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 4 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 3 YR. MARK. WE LIVE IN TEXAS WHERE TEMPERATURES WERE EXTREMELY WARM LAST SUMMER. APPARENTLY TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE HATCH OPEN ON AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN FLORIDA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS.

THE RUBBER TAILGATE RELEASE HANDLE ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE HAS STARTED TO MELT AND HAS BECOME A STICKY, GOOEY MESS. THIS BLACK GOO COMES OFF ON YOUR HANDS WHENEVER YOU OPEN THE TAILGATE. I FEAR THIS SUBSTANCE COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO A PERSONS HEALTH, SUCH AS CAUSING CANCER. I ALSO FEAR THAT BECAUSE OF ITS CONDITION THE HANDLE MAY BECOME INOPERABLE IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS PART DEFECT THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 37,000

THE TRUNK LATCH FOR OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS STARTED MELTING INTO A GOOEY MESS ABOUT 3 YEARS AFTER WE PURCHASED IT. IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2007 PRIUS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE IT AS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT; HOWEVER, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MELT, EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN A WARM CLIMATE.

Mileage: 20,000

TRUNK LATCH RUBBER HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF STICKINESS AND BLACK COMING OFF ON YOUR FINGERS WHEN OPENING. SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A FEW TRIES BEFORE IT WILL OPEN. IN THE WINTER DURING COLD WEATHER, THE RUBBER IS VERY HARD AND YOU CANNOT OPEN THE TRUNK (HATCH) AT ALL. THE ONLY WAY WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCH WAS TO FIRST RUN A HAIRDRYER ON IT TO ENABLE US TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD IF ACCESS TO THE BACK WAS REQUIRED IN AN EMERGENCY. TOYOTA HAS FAILLED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. OUR CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND NOT LEFT PARKED IN THE SUN. PLUS, WE HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS OTHER CARS, TO INCLUDE TOYOTAS, WHICH HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A TRUNCK (HATCH) LOCK.

AFTER 3 YEARS, MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HATCH RELEASE ( A BLACK RUBBER STRIP ) HAS MELTED TO A GOOEY TAR STRIP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO PUT A RECALL ON THESE HATCH RELEASE BUTTONS. *LN

TWENTY MILES FROM MY DESTINATION, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, LEAVING ONLY FOG LIGHTS. THIS OCCURRED AT NIGHT, IN THE RAIN, ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED BOTH LIGHTS WERE BURNT OUT AND CHARGED IN EXCESS OF $400.00 TO REPLACE THE BULBS. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF

Mileage: 27,823

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE WAS RADIOACTIVE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK BECAUSE HE WORE A PACEMAKER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR CONCERN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 56,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS AND WAS INJURED. HE DIDN'T GIVE ANY OTHER SPECIFICS. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB

Mileage: 56,000

2007 PRIUS TOURING. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS SINCERE DISAPPOINTMENT OVER AUTOMOBILE TRANSACTION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND HIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUME STATED HE WAS ASSURED THE VEHICLE HE WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE, HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD INDEED BEEN IN MULTIPLE COLLISIONS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BEGAN TO NOTICE THE HOOD WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY, THE RUBBER ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY AND THE LOWER FRONT PANEL APPEARED TO BE SLIGHTLY FLARED OUT. *JB

AN FYI FOR PRIUS OWNERS, I HAVE A 2007 PRIUS AND HAD THE FOLLOWING HAPPEN TO ME, AS I WAS DRIVING MY NAVIGATION DISPLAY SUDDENLY BEGAN DISPLAYING A VIEW OUT OF MY BACKUP CAMERA, WHICH WAS VERY DISORIENTATING AS MY EYE WAS DRAWN TO THE IMAGE OF THE ROAD DISAPPEARING BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND POWERED DOWN AND THEN REBOOTED MY CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IT HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. THIS DOES BRING TO MIND THAT IF THE CAR IS ABLE TO THINK ITS IN REVERSE WHEN DRIVING FORWARD THEN ANY NUMBER OF THINGS COULD BE MISINTERPRETED BY THE COMPUTER SYSTEM.

Mileage: 11,500

THIS EVENT HAS OCCURED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITH MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN I AM APPLYING THE BRAKES AND GO OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT APPEARS AND THE BRAKES WEAKEN FOR A MOMENT. THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND THE BREAKS FEEL LIKE THEY GO BACK TO FULL STRENGTH. I AM AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAVE MODIFIED MY DRIVING BECASUE OF IT. RECENTLY WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION I HAD TO SLOW VERY QUICKLY AND HIT A POTHOLE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I TRAVELED SEVERAL FEET FURTHER BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE NOT REACTING AT FULL STRENGTH WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER 2007 OWNERS COMPLAINING BUT WHEN I CONTACTED MY TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL THERE IS A RECALL. THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME I CONTACTED MY DEALER BECAUSE IT MADE ME SO UPSET. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT FROM THE MOMENT I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR (WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK) TO CURRENT, IF I AM BREAKING AND HITTING A BUMP OR POTHOLE OF SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTANCE AT THE SAME TIME - THIS SITUATION REPLAYS ITSELF. THE DATE OF INCIDENT IS AROUND THE FIRST DATE OF THE FIRST OCCURANCE. IT HAS HAPPENED NEARLY 100+ TIMES SINCE THEN.

Mileage: 650

I WAS DRIVING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENTRANCE CURVED. THE ROAD WAS WET FROM A RECENT START OF RAIN. I TRIED TO BRAKE MY CAR AND THE BRAKES DID NOT CATCH AND I SPUN OUT ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP AND HIT A REFLECTOR POLE AND ENDED UP IN THE DIRT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ON RAMP. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

TOYOTA PRIUS LOSS OF ELECTICAL POWER, LOSS OF STEERING RESULTING IN CRASH IN MAY 2009 WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTAL NEIGHBORHOOD AT LOW SPEEDS, PRIUS LOST ALL POWER RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING AND LOSS OF BRAKES RESULTING IN CRASH INTO A HIGH CURB. I HAD PRIUS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND FILED COMPLAINT WITH DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS WITH MAIN CALIFORNIA COMPLAINT CENTER. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD TAKE THEM 4 MONTHS TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINT. THEY RECOMMENDED MY STORING CAR AT DEALERSHIP FOR FOUR MONTHS IF I WANTED AN INVESTIGATION. THEY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE OTHERWISE. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND THAT THE POWER LOSS MUST OF RESULTED AFTER THE CRASH. THEY SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD NO SAFETY COMPLAINTS ABOUT POWER LOSS OR STEERING OR BRAKE LOSS. I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND SAME YEAR MODEL RECALL IN AUSTRALIA. THEY TOLD ME THE PRODUCTS WERE DISSIMILAR AND NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. I DISAGREED. MY ROUTINE MECHANIC AT MERCHANTS TIRE AND AUTO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I REPAIRED THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND SOLD THE CAR SINCE TOYOTA ASSURED ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. TOYOTA CORPORATION'S METHODOLOGY OF INVESTIGATION APPEARS TO BE DESIGNED TO STIFLE ANY MEANINGFUL DETERMINATION OF BASELINE SAFETY FAULT. THE REQUIREMENT TO STORE A CAR FOR MONTHS AT OWNERS EXPENSE AND FOR DRIVER TO HAVE NO ACCESS FOR TRANSPORTATION WOULD APPEAR TO DISCOURAGE ANY MEANINGFUL INVESTIGATION OF SAFETY CONCERN. GIVEN THE CURRENT FINDING OF BRAKE AND OTHER SAFETY DEFECTS IN TOYOTA PRODUCTS, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE POWER LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN UNDER-REPORTED BECAUSE OF THEIR UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES. I REPORT IT TO HELP YOU DETERMINE IF THERE IS A PATTERN OF POWER LOSS, LOSS OF STEERING AND LOSS OF BRAKING IN THE PRIUS. *CN

Mileage: 30,000

THIS INCIDENT INVOLVES MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR ALMOST A YEAR. AS I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT, THE RED BRAKE WARNING CAME ON THE DASH AS DID THE ABS WARNING LIGHT. MY FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. LUCKILY I HAD A RIGHT TURNING LANE THAT I COULD VEER INTO AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. AS I CONTINUED TO PUSH THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC, IT SEEMED TO CATCH A LITTLE AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY TO A STOP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AS IT WAS STILL RUNNING, AND PULLED OUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT IF THESE TWO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME, YOU WERE TO "STOP IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACT YOUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP". THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO THEIR FACILITY THAT EVENING. THE NEXT DAY I WAS INTERROGATED BY THE MECHANIC AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WAS DONE ON MY CAR. HE WANTED TO KNOW WHEN I LET THE CAR RUN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE NEVER LET MY CAR RUN OUT OF GAS, AND IN FACT THAT JUST FILLED THE TAKE THE DAY BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG AND CONTACTED TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE. TWO DAYS LATER, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE REASON THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK WAS BECAUSE I "LET THE CAR RUN OUT OF GAS "AND THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. I ARGUED THAT THE CAR HAD NEVER RUN OUT OF GAS AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T SHUT OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE SERVICE MANAGER PULLED OUT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWING THAT "AT SOME POINT" THE CAR HAD RUN OUT OF GAS----THIS TEST DOESN'T GIVE A DATE OF WHEN THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED. I ADVISED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CAR HAD 223 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT-- THIS TEST RESULT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, NOT IN MY POSSESSION. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME THAT HIS "HANDS WERE TIED" AND THAT TOYOTA HAD MADE THEIR DECISION. *TR

Mileage: 24,843