2009 TOYOTA PRIUS Electrical System Problems

Breaking system failure do to ASB Actuator, breaks are locking and vehicle is engine braking.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, extra effort was needed to stop the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently went blank and failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the ABS and the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

Mileage: 157,000

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start or to turn off intermittently while pressing the Push to Start button. The contact stated that the vehicle would respond as needed after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel combination meter had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to Toyota Campaign Number: ZTV and referred the contact to the dealer for the repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under Toyota Campaign Number: ZTV. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,532.

Mileage: 167,532

The hybrid water pump failed/ aka the inverter coolant pump. This was recalled years ago and has failed again. The previous owner of my car replaced it in 2013, so Toyota is refusing to replace it again, despite the fact that the part is faulty and has compromised the safety of my vehicle. This issue was diagnosed by a mechanic yesterday, error code P0A93. The master warning light, check engine light, brake light came on. The AC stopped working. The brakes nearly gave out on me driving on a bridge in New York City. This part was recalled. Toyota refuses to honor the recall a second time. They clearly did not properly engineer this part! It failed again! They should be responsible for fixing this issue.

The car stopped moving while I was driving. The engine is functional but it will not engage the drivetrain. The dashboard lights up intermittently. Most of the time the dash is dark. The local Toyota dealer will not take this car into the service department since it is over 10 years old and the dealer has not done all the regular servicings of the car. So I can not drive it.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument panel lights would turn off and no instrumentation could be accessed or read. The failure was intermittent, and finally got it to shut off after trying many different things. Consumer had a hard time turning off the car. The cause of the failure was not determined but the contact was informed that a manufacturer’s extended service which addressed the failure was available from the manufacturer. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 215,000.

Mileage: 215,000

My 2009 Toyota Prius abruptly lost power while driving. The electrical system turned off and the vehicle stalled while going 50 mph on a 2-lane parkway. While I was able to put my hazard lights on and steer the vehicle, I had no other control and was at a high risk of a crash. There's no emergency lane and few areas wide enough to pull over on the parkway. I was forced to coast the vehicle until I could pull off the parkway onto a patch of grass off the busy road. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms of the problems prior to failure. I had plenty of gasoline in the tank, so it wasn't due to a lack of fuel. The car would not start after pulling over and I had to get towed. After researching the issue, it sounds very similar to the safety recall involving certain 2013-2015 Model Year Prius and 2014 – 2017 Model Year Prius v in the United States, the press release for which was published on June 24 2020: https://tinyurl.com/4mrnz9nr Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times wrote an article on April 23 2018 about a similar issue, referring to a recall in 2014 which was intended to fix overheating problems in the 2010-204 Prius inverter. Those recall documents suggest that Toyota has been tracking this issue with the inverter since 2011. https://tinyurl.com/afwvt2sc A sudden power loss is generally considered a serious safety defect. I could have gotten into a serious car accident today and injured myself or other drivers. The 2009 Toyota Prius model had a recall issued on recall date: 11/14/2012 under NHTSA Campaign ID: 12V536000, referring to a "short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash." At this time, I don't believe Toyota has conducted due diligence into ensuring the safety of the 2009 Toyota Prius model. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or insurance reps.

WE HAVE A 2009 PRIUS WHICH STALLED ON THE FREEWAY AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY (10/16/2020). LUCKILY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A BUSY AUSTIN FREEWAY, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT TO THE SHOULDER AND CALL AAA TO TOW THE CAR TO THE SERVICE STATION. ON INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REASON FOR THE STALL WAS THE FAILURE OF THE INVERTER DRIVE PUMP ALONG WITH THE 12V BATTERY ON BOARD. THIS CAR WAS PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE INVERTER DRIVE PUMP AND THAT WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER IN 2013 FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. ON THE OCT 16TH, 2020, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS - NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND NOT EVEN THE 'MAINTENANCE REQUIRED' LIGHT - THE CAR TURNED ON JUST FINE, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT 5 MILES TO THE FREEWAY, GET ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH AND DRIVE A FEW MILES ON IT BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER IN THE CAR. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMS US THAT THE INVERTER PUMP CAN BREAK DOWN DUE TO JUST REGULAR DRIVING - BUT THERE WAS ZERO INDICATION THAT THIS UNIT, WHICH APPARENTLY IS CRUCIAL TO THE CAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN, WAS IN ANY DANGER OF IMMINENT FAILURE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS PART IS EXAMINED OR SERVICED AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, BUT NO WARNINGS WERE RAISED WHEN THIS CAR WAS LAST SERVICED, AT AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA SERVICE STATION IN DEC OF 2019.

THE AM2 FUSE RANDOMLY SHORTED, AND WHEN REPLACED KEEPS SHORTING, AS CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE 2ND GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS' INVERTER COOLANT PUMP.

Mileage: 147,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MEDIA HOME SCREEN FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED DUE TO FREQUENT GLITCHES. SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES WERE ALSO INOPERABLE INCLUDING THE BACK CAMERA DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED EDDY'S TOYOTA OF WICHITA (7333 E. KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67207, (316) 652-2222) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOME SCREEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT REPLACING THE MEDIA HOME SCREEN MAY NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER VIA EMAIL HOWEVER, A RETURN RESPONSE WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DAMAGED INVERTER. *LD *JS THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JS

THE MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY (MFD) STOPPED WORKING AROUND 200K. AT FIRST, THE SCREEN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO TOUCH, THEN IT WOULD FREEZE OR APPEAR FUZZY, THEN THE DISPLAY HAD STATIC OR WOULD GO ON AND OFF, NOW IT IS JUST BLACK, WITH THE RARE INCIDENT (EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, USUALLY WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE) WHERE THE MFD DISPLAYS A WHITE SCREEN OR GRAY SCREEN WITH LINES THROUGH IT. AS MANY OF THE VEHICLES FEATURES (REAR CAMERA, A/C, RADIO, ODOMETER, MILEAGE, ETC.) ARE CONTROLLED THROUGH THE MFD, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UTILIZE THESE FEATURES. ON OTHER MESSAGE BOARDS (PRIUSCHAT) THIS APPEARS TO BE A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD WARRANT SOME SORT OF CORRECTIVE ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURE.

Mileage: 200,000

OUR PRIUS STARTED MAKING THIS NOISE RECENT... 4 SECONDS OF SPINNING CLICKING, THEN QUIET FOR 5 SECONDS THEN REPEAT. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED AND I JUST WENT OUT THERE WITH MY KEYS IN MY POCKET AND OPENED THE DOOR AND IT STARTED MAKING THE NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS...SO DOES THE RATTLING AND KNOCKING SOUNDS. WHEN I HIT ON BRAKE, THE BRAKE MAKES VERY ANNOYING NOISE.

Mileage: 100,000

OUR PRIUS STARTED MAKING THIS NOISE RECENT... 4 SECONDS OF SPINNING CLICKING, THEN QUIET FOR 5 SECONDS THEN REPEAT. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED AND I JUST WENT OUT THERE WITH MY KEYS IN MY POCKET AND OPENED THE DOOR AND IT STARTED MAKING THE NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS...SO DOES THE RATTLING AND KNOCKING SOUNDS. WHEN I HIT ON BRAKE, THE BRAKE BOOSTER MAKES VERY ANNOYING NOISE.

Mileage: 100,001

COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF PRIUS AUTOMOBILE WITH NO WARNING WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. ROLLED TO A STOP IN SAFE AREA. NOTHING WORKED EXCEPT EMERGENCY BLINKERS. NO INSTRUMENTATION OR WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN FWD PARK AND COULD NOT BE TOWED BY FLATBED TOW TRUCK AS THERE IS NO OVERRIDE. LIFT TOW TRUCK WAS USED TO GET TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED AS MELTED HYBRID INVERTOR PUMP. DEALER REPLACED PUMP AND FUSE FOR A $641.47 COST TO ME. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY/FREEWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT FREEWAY SPEED COULD VERY EASILY ENDED UP AS A MULTIPLE CAR PILE UP. JUST THE THOUGHT OF CROSSING MULTIPLE LANES IN TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER, JUST ROLLING, MAKES ME THINK IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF THIS CAR.

Mileage: 88,604

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP RANDOMLY TURNING OFF ON THEIR OWN WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING, IN THE DARK OR THE LIGHT. TO TROUBLESHOOT I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TIGHTENED THE WIRE CONNECTIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. ONLY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM...UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT TURNS ITSELF OFF. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY HONDA PILOT 2005 A FEW YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS KIT THAT WAS CORRODED FROM HUMIDITY AND OVERHEATING AND FAILING. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIME ON MY PRIUS, MOSTLY AFFECTING THE LEFT HEADLIGHT ONLY, BUT A COUPLE TIMES ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS.

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REGARDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SALINAS TOYOTA (700 AUTO CENTER CIR, SALINAS, CA 93907, (831) 444-0700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE OBT2 SENSOR DID NOT SHOW THE SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TO RECEIVE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT COVERED BY THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY CAMPAIGN FOR DTC NUMBER: C1240. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED SMOKE STARTED COMING UNDER THE HOOD. NOTICED FLUID DRIPPING FROM ENGINE ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS NOT AN OIL LEAK BUT EMPTY BRAKE RESERVOIR. UPDATED 11/27/18*JB

Mileage: 115,000

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, IT WORKS WHEN YOU TURN ON THE VEHICLE, AND THEN IT GOES OUT, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB, AND ALSO CHANGE THE BALLAST, BUT NO LUCK, I GOT THE WARNING 3 DAYS AGO, AND NOW IF I GET PULLED OVER, I WILL GET THE TICKET,

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE OTHER TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (T-SB-0032-16) IN REFERENCE TO THE ABS ACTUATOR, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND CASE NUMBER: 1806043060 WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,483.

Mileage: 183,483

RIGHT HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. SOMETIMES TURNING HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON BRINGS THE HEADLIGHT BACK ON. THE HEADLIGHT USUALLY DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED UP.

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

Mileage: 132,000

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

Mileage: 100,000

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

Mileage: 215,000

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

Mileage: 111,000

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

Mileage: 30,000

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

Mileage: 70,000

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

Mileage: 152,000

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

Mileage: 120,000

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

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

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ECU FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,331.

Mileage: 108,331

STEERING IN MY 2009 PRIUS COMPLETED FAILED AND LOCKED UP. I LITERALLY WAS UNABLE TO STEER MY CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A NEIGHBORHOOR STREET ABOUT TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS NOT DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IN A TURN LANE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COMPONENT LIKE THIS CAN FAILI? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO OTHER PRIUS DRIVERS AND ENSURE THAT THIS ISN'T A FAULTY PART ISSUE. IT IS A PUBLIC SAFETLY ISSUE AND THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF BACK UP STEERING MECHISIM TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A "SHORT INSIDE THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED.

Mileage: 128,000

THE BALLASTS FOR THE HID LIGHTS IN THE 2009 PRIUS ARE FAMOUSLY UNRELIABLE. MINE DEMONSTRATED THIS LAST EVENING IN A VERY UNNERVING WAY. THE HEADLAMPS WOULD SIMPLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES ONE, AND MANY TIMES, BOTH, LEAVING ME TO THE MERCY OF STREET LIGHTS! THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I CHECKED ON IT AND FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS TO HUNDREDS OF PRIUS DRIVERS. ISN'T TOYOTA CONCERNED THAT ITS $1,200 CHARGE FOR FIXING ITS OWN DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT (FOR THE BALLASTS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS) WILL LEAD TO DEATH OF POOR PERSONS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FIX? SHOULDN'T THERE BE A GENERAL RECALL FOR SUCH A CONSUMER-SAFETY ISSUE? (SURE, CYCLING THE LIGHTS TURNS THEM BACK ON, BUT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE DARK, IT ISN'T EASY TO THINK WELL.)

Mileage: 160,400

WHEN MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS GOES OVER 65 MPH THE PROBLEM LIGHT FLASHES ON THE DISPLAY AND THE THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 115,276

THIS CAR HAS HAD 3 NEW BATTERIES AND IT HAS JUST OVER 5,000 MILES. TODAY AAA JUMPED THE CAR AND I DROVE FOR OVER AN HOUR TO CHARGE UP THE BATTERY, THEN I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING, CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. CALLED AAA THEY CAME OUT AND STARTED MY CAR AND CAME HOME. GOT UP TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WON'T START. THE TEST HE RAN ON THE BATTERY I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY IS OK, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE ELECTRICAL MONITOR ON THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT SHOW ME HOW MANY MILES PER HOUR I HAVE BEEN DRIVING. THE BLUE LINE GO UP MAKING ME THINK THE BATTERY IS CHARGED, BUT WHEN I STOP I CANNOT RESTART THE CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING MY CAR INTO TOYOTA TO GET IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP IS TOYOTA TEMECULA VALLEY ON YNEZ RD, ALSO CALLED TOYOTA4U.COM. MAYBE IT IS THE POWER BUTTON, NOT CONNECTING TO THE ELECTRICAL. LAST TIME THE SERVICE REP YELLED AT ME THAT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT TAKE THE CAR OUT EVERY DAY AND DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY, AND I WAS SO EMBARRASSED I SAID JUST PUT ANOTHER BATTERY IN IT. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CADILLAC BEFORE THIS, BUT I FELT TOYOTA WAS A RELIABLE CAR, AND MY NEIGHBOR LIKE THEM. *TR

Mileage: 5,102

DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD I WENT FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW AND THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM WENT OUT. I WAS QUICK SO CYCLED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON BUT THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. TRIED REPLACING THE LIGHT BULB, IT STILL WONT WORK. I PAID EXTRA FOR THESE H I D HEADLIGHTS. NOW I'M TOLD 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX THEM. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS THE EVENING OF FRIDAY DECEMBER 28TH 2012 AND HAD ONLY DRIVEN THAT WEEKEND. THEN ON THE 31ST I NOTICED WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION I HAD ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WORKING... DIDN'T THINK TO MUCH ABOUT IT. THEN WHEN I WAS LEAVING NOTICED THAT BOTH LIGHTS WERE ON WORKING. A FEW HOURS LATER I NOTICED A FLICKER LIKE A LIGHT WAS GOING OUT. NOTICED AGAIN PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS GOING OUT.. I HAD THE CAR BACK AT THE SHOP OVER A BATTERY ISSUE ON JANUARY 2ND AS MY BATTERY HAD SUDDENLY DIED. WHEN I TOOK IT UP TO TOYOTA I MENTIONED THE HEADLIGHT WAS TOLD OH NOTHING THEY CAN SEE. THEN MONTHS LATER IT CONTINUED. THEN AGAIN EVERY NOW AND THEN.. I WOULD FLIP THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF AND SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T DO IT AGAIN FOR MONTHS... THEN IN SEPT 2013 IT STARTED TO DO IT ON BOTH SIDES. AGAIN CONTACTED TOYOTA NOTHING. THEN MY TEENAGER DAUGHTER HAD THE CAR AND CALLED ME HYSTERICAL SAYING NO HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. SHE HAD JUST GOTTEN HER LICENSE DAYS PRIOR. HER FIRST OUTING WITHOUT ME. THEN AGAIN BATTERY ISSUE WENT BACK TO TOYOTA WAS TOLD NOT A CLUE. NOW READING THE INFO I'VE COME ACROSS WITH 2001-2009 PRIUS HEADLIGHT ISSUES I'M PISSED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS AND LIED AND SAID THEYHAD NOT HEARD OF SUCH A THING. NOW OCTOBER 2014 I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THE RAIN OR AT NIGHT. AS I NOW HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS. I FIND THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND CONSIDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE STATED THIS AND THE FACT SOMEONE CAN BE KILLED OR INJURED SERIOUSLY AS ONE OVERLOOKS I THINK IS A MAJOR SERIOUS ISSUE AND CONCERN. I AM NOT PAYING TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY TOYOTA. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

MY 2009 PRIUS HAS A NON-NAVIGATION MULIT-FUNCTION DISPLAY THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING FROM SOUND TO TEMPERATURE TO HANDS FREE PHONE. PLUS, IT FUNCTIONS AS THE REARVIEW CAMERA DISPLAY. IN AUGUST OF 2014 AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES THE SCREEN BEGAN TO TURN OFF SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING (IF IT TURNED ON AT ALL.) I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE 2009 MODELS. I AM CONCERNED MOST ABOUT THE REAR VIEW SCREEN BECAUSE THIS MODEL OF PRIUS HAS LARGE BLINDSPOTS AND I RELIED HEAVILY ON THIS SCREEN. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

THE RUBBER COVER TO THE OUTSIDE TRUCK LATCH HAS MELTED COMPLETELY IN HOT FLORIDA WEATHER AND HAS BECOME GOOEY TO THE POINT OF DRIPPING ONTO MY LICENSE PLATE. THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND SOMETIMES I AM UNABLE TO LOCK OR OPEN THE CAR BECAUSE THE TRUNK IS NOT ALL THE WAY CLOSED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I NEEDED TO GET INTO THE TRUNK TO GET A SPARE TIRE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO. GIVEN MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2007 MODELS, TOYOTA SHOULD STOP USING THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT AND SHOULD RECALL THIS ITEM AND FIX IT WITH A DIFFERENT MATERIAL SO THIS DOES NOT KEEP HAPPENING. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THE EXPOSED LATCH WILL CAUSE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK OR LIGHTING BECAUSE OF SEVERE RAIN THAT OFTEN OCCURS IN FLORIDA WHERE THIS PROBLEM SEEMS PREVALENT. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

THERE HAS BEEN NO INJURIES OR VEHICLE DAMAGE. I LEFT OFF TOTAL REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE REPAIR SHOP HAS NOT FINISHED SOLVING THE PROBLEM. IN 2013 I STARTED HAVE HAVING HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND HAVE IT ABOUT THREE MONTHS SINCE. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS SEVERAL TIMES ON BOTH SIDES. ONE TIME THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD OPERATE OPPOSITE( ONE SIDE WOULD BE HIGH BEAM ONLY AND THE OTHER WOULD BE LOW BEAM ONLY AND WHEN SWITCHING THE SWITCH INSIDE TO HIGH BEAM THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SWITCH AS TO WHAT THEY DID ONLY. ON WED 8/20/14 THE LOW BEAM QUIT WORKING. I EARLIER PURCHASED A NEW PLUG AND 2 NEW BULBS IN CASE I HAD A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP( MY ONLY TOYOTA DEALER IN MY TOWN CAN NOT BE TRUSTED) WHERE I LIVE. HE INSTALLED THE NEW PLUG AND WE TRIED EACH OF THE TWO NEW BULBS AND THEY EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM - THE LOW BEAM WAS JUST A SPEC OF LIGHT; NOT ENOUGH FOR THE LOW BEAM. HE TESTED THE VOLTAGE IN THE GROUND SIDE OF THE PLUG AND THE FUSE POSITION IN THE FUSE ASSEMBLY AND IT LIT UP HIS VOLTAGE TESTER WITH A SPEC OF LIGHT. HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT SYSTEM SENT THE VOLTAGE TO THE LOW BEAM SIDE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. I AM TAKING THE CAR BACK ON WED 8/27/14 TO FINISH THE JOB. *TR

Mileage: 89,761

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT DATE LISTED, THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS HAD INTERMITTENT COMPLETE OR PARTIAL HEADLIGHT FAILURE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT SEEM TO BE RANDOM IN NATURE EITHER THE DRIVERS SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL FAIL INDIVIDUAL WHILE THE COUNTERPART (OPPOSITE HEADLIGHT) WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE. ALSO, AS RANDOM AS ONE INDIVIDUAL HEADLIGHT FAILING BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT OR FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE OPERATOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE IMMEDIATE HAZARD BY SIMPLY TURNING THE MAIN ACTIVATION SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHT FROM "ON" TO "OFF" AND THEN TO "ON" AGAIN. THIS PROCEDURE WILL, ON MOST OCCASIONS TEMPORARILY RECTIFY THE IMMEDIATE HAZARD BUT THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE HAS AND WILL CONTINUE. OPERATOR CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THE 2005-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS IS DISPLAYING. TOYOTA CORPORATE WAS CONTACTED BY THE OPERATOR AND STATED THAT A CUSTOMER CARE INITIATIVE WAS DIRECTED TO ALL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS TO REDUCE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT BULBS. HOWEVER, WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS A HEADLAMP HID BULB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO AND IS THE MORE FREQUENT HEADLAMP FAILURE OCCURRING. THIS SEEMS TO INVALIDATE THE REMEDY THAT TOYOTA CORPORATE HAS DEVISED WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE BULBS. *TR

Mileage: 130,101

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HYBRID ELECTRIC WATER PUMP RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE HYBRID WATER PUMP WAS FIXED, A RED TRIANGLE LAMP APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED 4202/16 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND INFORMED HIM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE HYBRID ELECTRIC PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE CODES WERE CLEARED.

THE BACK DOOR/HATCH SWITCH RUBBER IS MELTING/VERY STICKY. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED IN THE 2007 PRIUS AND OTHER MODEL TOYOTA MODELS. I EXPECT THAT THIS SWITCH WILL BECOME DEFECTIVE AND IT IS THE ONLY MEANS TO ENTER THE HATCH AREA OF THE PRIUS.THE HATCH AREA IS THE LOCATION OF THE SPARE TIRE, FLARES AND OTHER SAFETY PRODUCTS CARRIED IN THE AUTOMOBILE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF TOYOTA MODELS AND IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Mileage: 49,300

WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON. BOTH LIGHTS HAD BEEN FULLY OPERATIONAL THE DAY BEFORE. BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAMS ON BOTH SIDES DID NOT WORK, SO IT IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE THAT FOUR SEPARATE BULBS OR FUSES ALL BLEW INDEPENDENTLY. I TRIED TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FOG LIGHTS DO ILLUMINATE, BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH ILLUMINATION FOR SAFE DRIVING IN MY AREA. *TR

Mileage: 26,500

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT RANDOMLY FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS BUT ONLY ONE AT A TIME. THIS EVENING WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A LATE MEETING, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN. HEADLIGHTS WENT ON WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, SO I RESUMED DRIVING ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN! THIS TIME I FLICKED ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON. I STOPPED TO GRAB A BITE TO EAT FIGURING I COULD DO THE HIGH BEAM TRICK AGAIN. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND HIGH BEAMS TURNED ON WHEN I ENGAGED THE LEVER. WHILE DRIVING HOME, LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM WHERE I STARTED THE CAR, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE HIGH BEAMS DID NOT WORK EITHER WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THEM ON. I PULLED OVER TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN BUT WITH NO LUCK THIS TIME. VERY SLOWLY DROVE THE LAST MILE HOME ON THE LESS TRAVELED ROAD WITH MY FLASHERS ON...THIS SITUATION IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

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

Mileage: 35,000

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.

Mileage: 29,000

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

Mileage: 23,687

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

Mileage: 23,000

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

Mileage: 10,729

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

Mileage: 43,000

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.

Mileage: 33,126

2009 PRIUS - ON TWO OCCASION RECENTLY WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN MY STEERING FROZE AND THE ENGINE DIED. I ALMOST HIT A CAR. I HAVE HAD IT INTO PIERCY TOYOTA ON TWO OCCASION AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT ONLY HA 3000 MILES ON IT. THEY HAVE BEEN NICE, BUT NO RESULTS. IF THE CAR IS DOING THIS NOW AND THEY CANNOT FIND IT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. NOT SATISFIED WITH THERE ANSWER. I NEED YOUR HELP. *TR

Mileage: 2,900

RE: 2009 PRIUS > UPON ARRIVAL AT CHURCH, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. RETURNED HOME, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. COULD NOT REMOVE 'KEY' FROM SLOT. ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER, CAR COULD BE SHUT OFF. > CALLED DEALER AND EXPLAINED. DEALER SAID 'THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED, WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU' WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE POWER SWITCH HAD TO BE PRESSED SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE THE CAR SHUT OFF. > THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR STUCK ACCELERATOR. DOT SHOULD REQUIRE MANUFACTURERS TO USE A CONVENTIONAL KEY SWITCH TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO REVERSE AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE FORWARD. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. HE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN PRESSING THE START BUTTON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE BRAKE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE NOT ENGAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10000.

Mileage: 5,000

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEVERAL ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTIONS, ALL OCCURRING WHEN MY BLUE TOOTH IS CONNECTED. SOME INADEQUATELY SHIELDED WIRING OR CONNECTOR(S) COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS. I SAW IN THE CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY BY A LADY IN A LEXUS USED HER BLUE TOOTH CONNECTION TO CALL HER HUSBAND DURING THE 6 MINUTES OF STRUGGLE TO STOP HER CAR'S OUT OF CONTROL ACCELERATION BY VARIOUS METHODS INCLUDING BOTH FEET ONN THE BRAKE. I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT THE DEALER SAYS IS WORKING "NORMAL." THESE EVENTS HAVE NOT BEEN NORMAL, AND ON ONE OCCASION MY ENERGY SCREEN THAT WAS DOING WIERD THINGS ACTUALLY CHANGED TO THE SPEED DIAL SCREEN. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, (SMART KEY FEATURE IS DISABLED BECAUSE IT DRAINS THE BATTERY) I LOCKED THE CAR WITH MY KEY FOB AS USUAL, AND WHEN I RETURNED COULD NOT UNLOCK IT THAT WAY AND HAD TO DIG OUT THE "KEY" TO OPEN THE DOOR SO I COULD START THE CAR. MY BATTERY HAS DIED 3 TIMES AND WAS FINALLY REPLACED. I BOUGHT THIS PRIUS TOURING MARCH 26, 2009. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA OF WHAT'S GOING ON, ONLY TELLS ME THE CAR IS "NORMAL." I SUSPECT SOMETHING SO SIMPLE AS SHIELDING FROM THE WEAK BLUE TOOTH SIGNAL COULD WELL BE CAUSING A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS, PROBABLY DEPENDING ON WHERE THE FAULTY WIRING IS LOCATED. IF NOBODY IS INVESTIGATING THIS, IIT IS A MISTAKE!. [XXX] *TR

Mileage: 3,600

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

Mileage: 4,000

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

Mileage: 2,000

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

Mileage: 22,000

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