2002 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBERS) 10162367-68 EARLIER THAT DAY WE HAD DRIVEN MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND GRANDDAUGHTER TO FUMICINO AIRPORT IN ROME AND THEN RETURNED HOME. WE COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT A CATASTROPHE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THAT FREEZING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAD OCCURRED AT AUTOSTRADA SPEEDS. IN THE MEANTIME, BI AUTO IN FLORENCE HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE PART (NO 44200-47060) MUST BE DELIVERED FROM JAPAN AND WILL TAKE A MINIMUM OF 10 DAYS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXPEDITE SERVICE, I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA (REF # 200607110691) TO SEE IF THE PART MAY BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE AND SHIPPED SOONER FROM THE US. THEIR ANSWER WAS NO. FURTHER, THEY INDICATED THAT SINCE THE PRIUS WAS OUTSIDE THE US, THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THUS THE $3500 REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. I WILL NOW CONTACT MY US DEALER (I BOUGHT A SECOND PRIUS IN 2004, WHICH IS STILL IN THE US) TO SEE IF THEY WILL INTERCEDE ON MY BEHALF. BUT WHAT'S ESPECIALLY TROUBLING IS EVEN IF THIS REPLACEMENT PERFORMED IS WHETHER (1) TOYOTA HAS MADE ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE REPLACEMENT PART TO ELIMINATE THE FAILURE (APPARENTLY THE 2004 REPLACEMENT WAS INEFFECTIVE), (2) FOR HOW MANY MILES MIGHT THIS NEW REPLACEMENT PART LAST, AND (3) WILL THERE BE ANY WARNING, SUCH AS THE STIFFNESS IN TURNING, THAT WILL PRECEDE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SUCH AS THIS FREEZING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. FOR THE ONLINE FORM, I HAVE PROVIDED MY US CONTACT NUMBERS. HOWEVER, UNTIL AUGUST 6TH, I WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN ITALY. *JB

CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBER) 10162367 THE STEERING WAS EACH TIME FROZEN IN THE CENTER POSITION WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THE EARLIER PROBLEM WAS NOT DEMONSTRABLE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING IN OCTOBER 26, 2005 AND MARCH 2, 2006 (DURING A ONE WEEK VISIT), BUT BECAUSE I HAD MORE TIME IN JULY, I HAD SCHEDULED A TOTAL INSPECTION FOR THE STEERING MECHANISM ON TUESDAY, JULY 11TH. AFTER THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, HOWEVER, I HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO BI AUTO TOYOTA IN FLORENCE FOR REPAIR. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TOWING CHARGE WAS MORE THAN $200, I HAD NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS CAR COULD BE DRIVEN SAFELY TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SCATOLA GUIDA, A PART WITH A PRICE-TAG OF 2840 EUROS (APPROXIMATELY $3500). WHEN I CALLED BACK TO MY TOYOTA DEALER IN PITTSBURGH, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST EXPENSIVE STEERING PART THAT COULD BE PURCHASED WAS THE STEERING RACK WHICH WAS ABOUT $1100. HOWEVER, THE BELLS AND WHISTLES WENT OFF WHEN BI AUTO PROVIDED THE PART NUMBER 44200-47060. THIS SAME PART WAS REPLACED BY ROHRICH TOYOTA IN PITTSBURGH ON MAY 14, 2004, AT 26,539 MILES. REPLACEMENT WAS SOON FOLLOWED WITH A WARRANTY EXTENSION. SIMILAR EXPERIENCES TO MINE ARE DOCUMENTED AT HTTP://WWW.PRIUSONLINE.COM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=539&HIGHLIGHT=, BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO ONE HAS REPORTED THIS SECOND INCIDENT TWO YEARS AND 20,000 MILES LATER (THE PRIUS ODOMETER NOW READS APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES). MOREOVER THE SYMPTOM FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS A VIBRATION WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE REPORTED THE TURNING STIFFNESS EARLIER AND EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR (MY REAR TIRES WERE BADLY WORN AT 24,000 MILES), BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR ME THAT THIS TOTAL FREEZING OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD POSITION HAS OCCURRED. *JB

I PURCHASED 2002 PRIUS IN JUNE, 2005. IN SEPTEMBER 2005 POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY BETWEEN TUCSON AND PHOENIX. DEALER SAID THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD COST $1450.00 TO REPLACE. TOOK TO MY OWN MECHANIC (AUTHORIZED PRIUS MECHANIC) WHO CONFIRMED THE DEALERS ASSESSMENT AND ALSO TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT PROVIDE PARTS TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING SO ENTIRE UNIT MUST BE REPLACED. PROBLEM DISAPPEARED FOR ABOUT 1 YR. THEN IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING FROM TUCSON TO LAS CRUCES. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN BACKING UP OR TURNING WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. BATTERY ALSO FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE NM AND HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY AT A COST OF $140 WITH ONLY A ONE YEAR WARRANTY AND NO ONE EXCEPT TOYOTA SELLS THE BATTERY. AFTER DISCUSSING PROBLEMS WITH MY MECHANIC I CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE POWER STEERING COLUMN - THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES ON IT (ONLY 59K). I OWN A 1975 CELICA THAT HAS 265K MILES AND IT HAS NEVER NEEDED ANY STEERING COLUMN WORK - HOW COME A CAR 30 YEARS LATER NEEDS ONE AFTER ONLY 59K? I USED TO THINK TOYOTA MADE A GOOD PRODUCT AND STOOD BY THEIR CARS, BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG. THE 2002 PRIUS IN NOT A ROAD-WORTHY CAR AND THE SAVINGS IN GASOLINE CONSUMPTION DOES NOT COME ANYWHERE CLOSE TO PAYING FOR A $1450 REPAIR ON AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TAKING THE PRIUS OUT ON THE FREEWAY AND STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING UNIT ONLY WHEN REPAIR PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE OR THE PART BREAKS DOWN COMPLETELY. I DOUBT I WILL KEEP THIS CAR VERY LONG AND I KNOW I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA IN THE FUTURE. NOW WHEN I AM ASKED HOW I LIKE MY PRIUS I TELL PEOPLE TO BUY A HONDA CIVIC INSTEAD. *NM

STEERING IN CAR LOCKS UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE ISSUE SEEMS CONSISTENT WITH THE 2001 RECALL ITEMS. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO OFFER ASSISTANCE WITHOUT CHARGING AND CLAIMS STEERING TO NOT BE COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *JB

2002 PRIUS HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TIRES HAVING TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. *TS THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACED 6 TIRES AND HAS HAD 3 TIRES REPAIRED. THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE ARE SPECIAL TIRE AND CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED AT A TOYOTA DEALER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCATION OF THE GEAR SHIFTER ALLOWED THE GEARS TO BE SHIFTED BY ACCIDENT. THE GEARS WERE CHANGED ACCIDENTALLY FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT. THE LACK OF A LOCKING MECHANISM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE SLIPPED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE BY ACCIDENT AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , WHO DETERMINED FUEL TANK RUPTURED. EXPENSIVE REPAIR WERE MADE. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V304000 (STEERING), HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON THEN GOING OFF. TOOK TO DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WHILE THERE THEY NOTICED TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN. TOLD ME I NEEDED 4 NEW TIRES AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 27,008 MILES. PURCHASED 4 175/65R14 RE 92 EXTRA LOAD TIRES. LEFT AFTER PAYING FOR REPAIRS INCLUDING AN OIL CHANGE OF $557.61 N AUGUST 3, 2004. OCTOBER 8, 2005 HAD TWO NEARLY FLAT FRONT TIRES. HAVE HAD TO PUT AIR INTO TIRES SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS - EVEN TOOK CAR TO AUTO GARAGE THAT CHANGED TIRES FROM WINTER TO SUMMER THINKING THEY PUT THEM ON WRONG. OCT. 12, 2005 STARTED HEARING A HUMMING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT TIRE. TOOK TO AUTO GARAGE ON OCT 15, 2005 TO BE TOLD THAT ONCE AGAIN TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN DUE TO NEEDING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND FRONT LEFT TIRE NEEDED A BALL BEARING. INSIDE WALL OF TIRES IS WORN OFF AND DANGER OF TIRE BLOW-OUT. REAR TIRES ALSO SHOW SIGNS OF PREMATURE WEAR ON INSIDE WALL AND SHOULD BE REPLACED SOON. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 44,804. I ALSO PUT ON WINTER TIRES EVERY AUTUMN ONTO THE FRONT. GARAGE TECHNICIAN SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH BURNING THROUGH 2 SETS OF 4 TIRES WITHIN 45,000 MILES AND I SHOULD CONTACT DEALER. *JB

A YEAR AGO, I HAD MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS SHIPPED TO ITALY WHILE I WAS ON SABBATICAL. STARTING IN OCTOBER (2005), I STARTED REPORTING TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE STEERING WAS STIFF WHEN RETURNING THE WHEEL STRAIGHT AHEAD ON SHARP TURNS OR WHEN MOVING OUT OF TIGHT PLACES WHERE I HAD PARKED. I RETURNED TO THE US FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER, BUT RETURNED IN JUNE, AND FOUND THE SAME INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME DAMAGE TO THE CAR DURING SHIPPING. THIS PAST SUNDAY (JULY 9, 2006), HOWEVER, I HAD A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT THAT MIGHT HAVE SENT MY WIFE AND ME OFF THE SMALL COUNTRY ROAD WE WERE TRAVELING ON ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM OUR HOME HERE SOUTH OF FLORENCE IN THE CHIANTI REGION. I HAD BEEN ON A STEADY DOWNHILL STRETCH WHICH THEN REVERSED TO IN AN S-CURVE ON AN INCLINE. I TURNED NORMALLY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE S-CURVE WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE SOLID IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD POSITION AND I HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FORWARD MOTION OF THE CAR OR GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A RAVINE. I WAS PROBABLY TRAVELING UNDER 15-20 MPH, BECAUSE THE CURVES WERE SO SHARP AND I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL. TO GET OFF THE ROAD, I STOPPED AND STARTED THE PRIUS A COUPLE OF TIMES TO SEE IF THIS WERE AN ELECTRICAL-COMPUTER FAULT AS THE STEERING SYSTEM IN THIS CAR HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES (MORE ABOUT THIS LATER). ON ABOUT THE THIRD TRY, I WAS ABLE WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE TO MOVE THE WHEEL OFF CENTER AND NORMAL STEERING WAS RESTORED. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ADEQUATE SHOULDER ON THE ROAD, I RETURNED THE CAR HOME, EXPERIENCING THE SAME STEERING WHEEL LOCK-UP MORE THAN ONCE, JAMMING ON THE BRAKES TO BRING THE CAR TO A HALT, AND THEN WRESTLING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT WITH THE SAME IMMENSE FORCE UNTIL IT BROKE FREE. THIS WAS NOTHING LIKE THE PREVIOUS STIFFNESS I HAD EXPERIENCED BRINGING THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER FROM A FAR LEFT OR FAR RIGHT POSITION. (TO BE CONTINUED). *JB

I HAD JUST LEFT ONE AREA OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS TRAVELING TO ANOTHER AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (5 TO 15 MPH) SO MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS RUNNING UNDER ELECTRICAL POWER. I TURNED RIGHT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN TWO SUVS, COASTING IN WITH MY FOOT OVER THE BREAK PEDAL. WHEN I WAS MORE THAN HALFWAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD JUMPING THE CURB AND STOPPING ONLY WHEN IT HIT A STONE PILLAR. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN (AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF MY 13 YEAR OLD SON WAS ALRIGHT, I SAW THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY NO PEDESTRIAN WAS IN THE WALKWAY, AND I DID NOT HIT THE SUV TO MY RIGHT OR LEFT. HOWEVER, THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WAS NOT A RESULT OF PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE CAR STALLED AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 37 MPH. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005 THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE COOLANT SENSOR IN THE TRANSAXLE. THE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 23, 2005 THE PROBLEM STOPPED. PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 THE ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE AFOREMENTIONED PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK UPDATED 12/2705. *JB

WHILE DECELERATING AND DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMP/RAISED CROSS WALK, BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY RELEASE AND THE CAR SURGES FORWARD. HAS HAPPENED ON A REGULAR BASIS WHEN SIMILAR CONDITIONS EXIST (POT HOLES, OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT CAUSE LOSS OF TRACTION ON 1 WHEEL). DEALER INSISTS THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" FOR ANIT-LOCK BRAKES. REALLY JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT RESULTS IN REAR-ENDING SOMEONE DUE TO UNEXPECTED SURGE. *TR

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92 TIRES. TIRES REPLACED ON MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS MAY 2004 AT 23,555 MILES. SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED THAT ORIGINAL TIRES WERE UNSAFE AND CONTINUED USE COULD RESULT IN A BLOW OUT. CURRENTLY, THE SECOND SET OF TIRES ARE AGAIN WORN (44,000 MILES) AND UNSAFE. *AK

CONSUMER VEHICLE HAS IN BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS SINCE APRIL 05. CONSUMER FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. *TS THE CONSUMER DID NOT STATE WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE. *JB

2002 PRIUS HAS PROBLEMS WITH GAS TANK LINING DECAYING.*MR THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE RESTRICTED OR BLOCKED FUEL FROM GOING TO THE ENGINE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE TRUNK WHERE THE BATTERY WAS LOCATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK THE HYBRID BATTERY PACK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

ON COLD DAYS, WHEN DRIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START SHUDDERING BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY AND RAPIDLY IF I TRY TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE ROAD CONDITION AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 10 MPH. THE SHUDDERING STOPS ONLY WHEN I STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL. *TR

CONSUMER HAS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT NOW HAS 16000 MILES ON IT. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES. ALREADY THE FRONT TIRES THREADS ARE LITERALLY COMING APART. THERE WAS NO RESULTING INJURY. *NM *JB

MODEL: TOYOTA PRIUS 2002 PURCHASE FROM : PUTNAM TOYOTA, CERTIFIED UNIT, JUNE 2004 FAILURE TYPE : TIRE BURST ON SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE, TWICE IN 5 MONTHS. FAILURE ROOT CAUSE : DRIVE OVER PARKING CURB, AT LESS THAN 2 MPH. FAILURE LOGIC : WHY THE TIRE BURST IN SUCH A MANNER, ESPECIALLY TOYOTA CLAIM, THIS IS A SPECIAL DESIGN OVERLOAD PRESSURE TIRE. PART REPLACE/SERVICE: BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACE AT CAPITOL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. COST PER INCIDENT: TIRE =$79.00, LABOR = $60.81, TIRE ONLY AVAILABLE AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. CONCERN: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I DRIVE 60 MPH ON FREEWAY, AND HIT A BUMPER UNEVEN PATH ON THE HIGHWAY, WOULD IT BURST AS WELL ! *JB

THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT CHUNKS ERE MISSING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. MANUFACTURER OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT.*AK

WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AFTER A 300 MILE DRIVE, A POTHOLE WAS STRUCK. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED FORCEFULLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, THEN POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING WAS POSSIBLE, BUT ONLY WITH GREAT PHYSICAL EFFORT. AFTER THE VEHICLE RESTED OVERNIGHT, SYMPTOMS WERE NOT PRESENT. *TR

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, THE COMPUTER SHOWED MULTIPLE CODES, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

JUST WANTED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL DEFECT WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR, WHICH AFFECTS THE POWER STEERING. I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED THIS IN MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 43,000+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE.*AK \ BASICALLY, THERE ARE NO PRECEDING SYMPTOMS BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILS. UPON FAILURE, THE PRIUS CENTRAL COLOR TOUCHSCREEN LCD DISPLAY SHOWS THREE ICONS, WITH THE "PS" ICON IN RED. YOU WILL ALSO SEE AN EXCLAMATION POINT ICON LIT ON THE GREEN LCD DISPLAY NEXT TO THE SPEEDOMETER. AT WHICH POINT, YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THE CAR WILL BE HARD TO STEER. \ WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE MAY BE A TEMPORARY FIX, WHICH WORKED FOR ME. PULL OVER TO A SAFE AREA AND TURN OFF THE CAR. WAIT 30 SECONDS, AND THEN TURN ON THE CAR. YOU HAVE EFFECTIVELY REBOOTED THE PRIUS COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR, AND THE POWER STEERING SHOULD RETURN FOR THE TIME BEING. \ THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST OFFICIAL TOYOTA SERVICE SHOP (AKA DEALERSHIP) AND HAVE THEM RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THEY SHOULD SEE CODE "C1513 TORQUE SENSOR ABNORMAL" IN THE PRIUS' MEMORY BANKS. THEN SIT DOWN FOR THE PRICE TAG: $3159 - $4,160 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK, SINCE THE SENSOR IS INTEGRATED IN THE RACK ITSELF. THIS INCLUDES THE LABOR OF ABOUT $261. \ IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO ACCEPT ANY "COST COVERAGE OFFER" FROM THE SERVICE SHOP UNTIL YOU CALL THE TOYOTA CONSUMER SUPPORT LINE AT 1-800-331-4331. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SERVICE QUOTE FROM THE SHOP, THEN CALL THE SUPPORT LINE AND COMPLAIN. THE SUPPORT LINE WILL ASSIGN YOU A CASE WORKER AND PROVIDE A CASE NUMBER. THEY WILL CONTACT THE SHOP AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA COVERED THE COST OF THE PART 100% FOR ME, AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS PAY FOR THE LABOR SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY PER THE 36,000 BUMPER-TO-BUMPER COVERAGE. \ IN CONCLUSION, I AM VERY HAPPY ON HOW TOYOTA HANDLED THE POWER STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS TO INFORM OTHER 2000-2003 PRIUS OWNERS IF THEY ENCOUNTER A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

I NOTICED ROAD NOISE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A TIRE NOISE. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF MY HOME STATE - I TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED BY A LOCAL TIRE CENTER.HE GUY LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND IMMEDIATELY POINTED OUT THE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES - COULD FEEL THAT THE STEEL BELT WAS ALMOST EXPOSED. I HAD JUST MADE A 1000 MILE TRIP AND FEEL LUCKY THAT THE TIRES DIDN'T BLOW. AT THE TIRE DEALERSHIP, THEY WONDERED WHETHER THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS - THEY HAD ANOTHER PRIUS IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. WHEN HE TRIED TO ADJUST THE REAR ALIGNMENT, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESET IT TO THE RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS. THE SAME WAS TRUE OF THE OTHER PRIUS THAT HE HAD IN THE SHOP. SO OF COURSE I SHOULD EXPECT THE NEW TIRES TO HAVE UNEVEN WEAR. NOW I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. AT LEAST I'M AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PRIUS OWNERS THAT ARE IN DANGER?? THIS CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW - THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!! I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE RECOMMENDED TIME BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. NO ONE EVER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT OR ANY OTHER KIND OF TIRE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE REGARDING THE TIRES, I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I WILL BE GOING TO MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP & I KNOW THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF THE NEW TIRES BUT THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE PRIUS OWNERS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I HAD A BLOW OUT ON MY LEFT REAR TIRE. THOSE THINGS HAPPEN- SO I REPLACED THE TIRE, GLAD THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE. TWO WEEKS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE LEFT FRONT. WHN I WENT TO THE DEALER I WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE TIRES INFLATED TO 45LBS THOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL (ON MY 2002 PRIUS) ADVISED INFLATING TO ONLY 35LBS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY FOUND THAT 45LBS ALLOWED BETTER WEAR AND AVOIDED THE BLOW-OUTS. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED OF THIS AND GIVEN REPLACEMENT TIRES WITH AN ADJUSTMENT FOR WEAR. I WAS OUTRAGED THAT TOYOTA HAD THIS INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALLY SAT ON IT. ON THE 2004 PRIUS (WHICH WE ALSO OWN) THE TIRE IS LARGER AND THUS THE "PROBLEM" HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY TOYOTA...EXCEPT THAT OWNERS OF 2002 PRIUS'S ARE DRIVING AROUND ON TIRE THAT LITERALLY BLOW UP.

IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR HANDLED WELL AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND PUT ON THE SPARE. WHEN REPLACING THE TIRE I FOUND THAT I HAD TO PURCHASE A "SUPER HEAVY DUTY" TIRE BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF MY CAR. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED TO THE SPECIFICATIONS IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL (35LBS). IN APRIL I HAD A SECOND BLOW-OUT AND REPLACED THE TIRE AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AT THAT TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA FOUND THAT INFLATING THE TIRES TO 45LBS SEEMED TO BE WORKING BETTER. I HAVE NOW REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND INFLATED THEM TO THE RECOMMENDED 45LBS. IF TOYOTA HAD NOTIFIED ME AS AN OWNER THAT THE MANUAL WAS NOT CORRECT AND THAT THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFLATED TO 45LBS I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TWICE AS MUCH USAGE OUT OF MY TIRES AND I WOULD NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO BLOWOUTS AND A WHELL REALIGNMENT COST. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, NOTICE TO OWNERS AND A RPLACEMENT OF TIRES AT TOYOTA'S COST.*AK

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN STARTING TO BACK UP OR GO FORWARD . HAPPENS IN COLDER WEATHER MORE OFTEN <DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT A WARRATY ISSUE WHEN I FIRST APPROACED THEM IN 2004.. HAD 60K MILES ON IT. THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC STEERING ISSUE WITH MOTOR ON RACK AND PINION GEAR. TOYOTA PRIUS 2002 YEAR MODEL, THEY WOULDGO T REPLACE IT OF OVER $1000.,,, SAID TO DRIVE IS AND NOT WORRY BUT IF IT GOT WORSE TO BRING IT IN,. WELL RECENTLY I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS WITH 2001 AND 2002 MODELS AND SOME HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SOME HAD IT FIXED SO I DEICDED TO GO TO PRIUSCHAT AND FOUND THIS WAS A PROBLEM ,. AND WAS DANGEROUS., BUT THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE ON THIS ISSUE., SO I THOUGHT IT BEST TO LOOK INTO AGAIN AND SEE YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT REGISTERED THIS YEAR.,., IF THERE IS MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MT IMPRESSION IF THE SERVICE MANAGERS AT TOYOTA LIKE TO SKIRT THE ISSUE OF DANGER OR POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS AND TRY TO GET YOU TO REPAIR IT AT YOUR COST,,,,I HOPE YOU FOLKS LOOK INTO THIS MATTER MORE DEEPLY. *TR

POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY (RACK AND PINION) IS FAILING. CAR SHAKES WHEN TURNING. IT FAILED ON 2 PRIUS OUT OF 5 I HAVE HAD. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THE PRIUS, BUT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. YET YOU FIRST HIT THE BRAKES ON THEY ARE OK, BUT IF YOU HAVE TO HIT THEM HARD - NO BRAKES...YET THE DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. "THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING WRONG" I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE BEFORE I CAN GET THEM TO LISTEN AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LAST 12 YEARS HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE......WHY CAN'T WE GET THEM TO RECALL THIS? I SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME THING YET NOTHING IS DONE? *TR

I JUNE OF 2202 I BOUGHT TOYOTA PRIUS. I WAS GETTING 44MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND 49 IN THE CITY. THEN THE COLD WEATHER COMES AND NOW I GET ONLY 35MPG IN THE CITY THAT IS A DROP OF OVER 28%. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TWICE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUPPOSELY SCOPE IT AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT THE COLD WEATHER WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT THEIR EXCUSE WAS LAME AND THAT WAS NOT EXCEPTABLE. IF A CARS GAS MILEAGE DROPS THAT DRAMACTICLY THERE HAS TO BE A PROBLEM OR THEIR IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A 28% DROP OFF IN A CAR PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER. THERE ADVERTISEMENT PITCH WAS THAT THE CAR WILL GET BETTER MILEAGE IN THE CITY THAN THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THEIR HYBRID SYSTEM, IT DID NOT SAY THAT THE SYSTEM ONLY WORK IN WARM WEATHER

MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS HAD MULTIPLE AUTOMATIC FAILURES SINCE IT'S PURCHACE. YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED AND IT SHUTS STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IN MA., ON THE ROAD IN NM, ON THE HIGHWAY IN NM AND ON THE HIGHWAY IN TX. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERS IN MA, NM, AND TX AND THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. MY CAR SLOWS DOWN TO 40 MPH GOING UP HILL WHICH IS ALSO A DANGER WHEN YOU ARE IN A 60 MPH ZONE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN POOR AROUND 30 MILES PER GALLON. MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACEDUT THEY ALWAYS SAY IT IS IN MY HEAD THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I PICKED IT UP FROM A DEALER IN NM AND DROVE IT LESS THAN 2 MILES AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AND I AGAIN WAS ALMOST KILLED. THEY MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO PUSH IT OUT INTO THE ROAD AFTER HE PULLED OUT SOME PARTS I REFUSED TO PAY FOR AS I WANTED TO WAIT A DAY UNTIL I COULD TALK TO THE TOYOTA 1 800 COMPLAINT LINE. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING AND HAS TAUGHT THEIR MECHANICS TO BE CONDECENDING AND RUDE TO FEMALE CONSUMERS.

STEERING RACK FAILURE, RELATED TO TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE. REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IS BEGINNING TO FAIL A SECOND TIME WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. *AK

THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND SHUTTERS DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, ON MY 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ALL TIRES HAD ABNORMAL WEAR. AT THE TIME OF BLOWOUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SEE THE METAL BELT THROUGH THE SIDEWALL. *AK *SC

SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING EITHER WAY LEFT O RIGHT STEERING SHAKING VIOLENTLY. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT I'VE HAD FOR SOME 7 YEARS. THE STEERING IS VERY SENSITIVE MAKING IT NECESSARY TO ALWAYS ATTEND TO ACCURACY IN STEERING. I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A CHACTERISTIC OF THE DESIGN, BUT NOW I WONDER IF THIS IS ACTUALLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE OF REPORTS I SEE ON OTHER MODELS" ""IF YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR A SECOND, THE CAR WILL DRIFT INTO ANOTHER LANE," SAID ONE DRIVER AN OCT. 18 COMPLAINT. ANOTHER DESCRIBES IT AS THE MOST TERRIFYING THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THEM." THIS DESCRIBES MY EXPERIENCE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE FIRST FAILURE OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS JULY 2,2003 AT 20624 MILES. NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PUT ON THE REAR. THE OLD TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE FRONT. THE FRONT TIRES FAILED SEP 27 2003. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TIRES WORE OUT BADLY ON THE INSIDE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TIRE SIZE P175/65R14XL. THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN STARTED. NO PROBLEM FOUND. *AK *TT *JB

MY 2002 PRIUS HAS BRAKING PROBLEMS WHEN IT HITS A ROUGH PATCH OF PAVEMENT OR ENCOUNTERS SMALL BUMPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED (NEW). IF YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN AND HIT A BUMP OR A SERIES OF BUMPS, THE BRAKING POWER LITERALLY DISAPPEARS FOR A MOMENT OR TWO. THE BRAKING POWER DOES RETURN, BUT IT ADDS CONSIDERABLY TO YOUR STOPPING DISTANCE. I NEVER REALIZED HOW SERIOUS IT COULD BE UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT THE OTHER TOYOTA RECALLS INVOLVING BRAKES. *TR

COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE FOR LEAKAGE OF REAR SHOCKS ON 2002 PRIUS. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. *JB

2002 NEW TOYOTA PRIUS DELIVERED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES. THESE TIRES HAVE FAILED AFTER 12,000 MILES. THEN CHANGED TIRES (ALL 4) WHICH FAILED AT 10,000 MILES. TOYOTA CORPORATE SAYS ITS NOT THEIR CONCERN. DEALER TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT SAFE TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES EVERY 10,000 MILES. TOYOTA CORPORATE RECOMMENDS THESE TIRES AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.*AK

POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY (RACK AND PENION) IS FAILING. CAR SHAKES WHEN TURNING AND BACKING UP.EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO COVER UNTIL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILS OR IT BECAMES A "SAFETY ISSUE".*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. *NLM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. VEHICLE STALLED OUT FOUR TIMES, AND THE LAST TIME IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TT *JB

2002 TOYOTA PRIUS HAVE HAD FIVE TIRES REPLACED ON THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE 28,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WEAR UNEVEN, AND THE SIDEWALLS BREAK DOWN TO CAUSE FLAT. THE TREAD COMES OFF IN CHUNKS. STEEL WIRES SHOWING. EVERY TIRE HAS HAD A DIFFERENT THING HAPPEN TO IT. I HAVE 3 TIRES REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN ONE DAY. THE 1ST TIRE WENT FLAT FROM THE SIDEWALL BRAKING DOWN AND BEING WEAK. THE ONE I HAD REPLACED ON 8-28-03 WAS WEARING UNEVENLY AND JUST HAD THE CAR IN FOR MAINT. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND I WOULD HOPE FOR A RECALL. *AK

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND RETURNING BACK TO IT LATER VEHICLE STARTED UP, BUT THEN STALLED. AFTER STALLING VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, GAS TANK AND STEERING LINKS HAD BEEN REPLACED. *AK *LA

TWO BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92 [P175/65 R14 84S, DOT EL(PJDH4801] TIRES FAILED ON MY 2002 PRIUS WITHIN ONE WEEK. THESE ARE THE TIRES INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. OUR VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY FOR COMMUTING ON FREEWAYS. WE DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXTREMELY LOW ON AIR WHEN RETURNING TO A PARKING GARAGE ON 4/12/03. AS WE WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A GAS STATION MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE FAILED TIRE WITH THE TEMPORARY TIRE AND HAD THE THE FAILED TIRE REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. WHEN SERVICED WE WERE TOLD THE TIRE HAD A PIN HOLE AND IRREGULAR WEAR PATTERN. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS SCHEDULED 22,500 MILE SERVICE AND TO HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE TIRES WEAR PATTERN WE WERE TOLD THE "TIRES WERE MARGINAL" AND THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT TO REPLACE THE TIRES IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. THE SECOND TIRE FAILED TODAY WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS CUT OFF IN A PARKING LOT (TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR AND SWERVED TO AVOID BEING HIT AND HIT THE PARKING CURB), THE TIRE FAILED AND REQUIRED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT WITH THE TEMPORARY TIRE. WE ARE HAVING ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED, AT THIS TIME, DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TWO BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92 [P175/65 R14 84S, DOT EL9PJDH4801] WITHIN A SEVEN DAY PERIOD. *NLM

PROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS.*MR CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES SEVEN TIMES TO DATE. PROBLEMS WITH THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL. MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. *PH

WHILE IN MOTION CONSUMER NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE HAD DROPPED TWO MARKERS. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD, THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR DEMONSTRATED THREE SYMBOLS, A. TAKE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER, B. MASTER WARNING LIGHT, C. TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. CONSUMER SPOKE WITH A TOYOTA REP TO NO AVAIL. AFTER CALLING A TOW COMPANY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF GASOLINE, THE TOW TRUCK BOUGHT THE CONSUMER SOME FUEL FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS IMMEDIATELY REMEDIED, THE CONSUMER IS DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA'S SERVICE AND BELIEVES THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THE FAULTY FUEL GAUGE WAS LATER REPLACED. *JG *NLM *JB