2004 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

STARTING LAST YEAR MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF AND WILL TURN BACK ON ONCE I TURN LIGHTS OFF AND ON. PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT CONTINUES TO PERIODICALLY SHUT OFF FOR NO SPECIFIC REASON THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS LIGHTING SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS INSTANCES OF BEING PULLED OVER FOR HEADLIGHT BEING OUT. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS. I PETITION FOR THE NHTSA TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUE DESCRIBED ABOVE. I SEEK A FAVORABLE AND JUST DECISION IN REGARDS TO URGING TOYOTA TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ADDRESS THE POPULAR DEFECT IN NOT ONLY.2004 MODELS BUT SEVERAL OTHER PRIUS MODEL YEARS. TOYOTA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2006-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS'. THIS PRECEDENCE INDICATES THAT TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NEGLECTED TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACTION IN ESTABLISHING A RECALL. *TR

DRIVE MODE SHIFTER STICKS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IF THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED, AND YOU THEN PRESS THE PARK BUTTON TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LIFTED, EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER BELIEVES S/HE HAS ENGAGED THE PARK MODE. COMPLAINT SUBMITTED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS REGULARLY-MAINTAINED VEHICLE.

A COUPLE OF MONTH AGO, I THOUGHT I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HID HEADLIGHT WAS OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ON. I WAS DRIVING IN MY OTHER CAR WHILE A FAMILY MEMBER WAS DRIVING THE PRIUS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE PRIUS A SHORT TIME LATER, BOTH LIGHT WHERE ON. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY OFF WHEN IT SHOULD BE ONE. CYCLING THE LIGHTS OFF THEN ON APPEARS TO TURN BOTH HEADLAMPS ON FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS NO INDICATION IN THE CAR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CREATES AN UNSAFE SITUATION WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WHILE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, I CAME ACROSS OWNER CHAT GROUPS WHERE OTHERS WHERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO READ THAT THERE MIGHT BE AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF AN INVESTIGATION HAS HAPPENED AND IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON WITH THE SWITCH WOULD MAKE THEM BOTH COME ON. UNPREDICTABLE HOW LONG BEFORE EACH HEADLIGHT WOULD TURN OFF, BUT THEY ARE NOT IN SYNC TURNING OFF AND ON. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF EVERY 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. TOYOTA SETTLED A LAWSUIT ON THIS ISSUE FOR 2006+, BUT NOT MY CAR. *TR

MY 2004 PRIUS HAS A TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY THAT CONTROLS MANY FUNCTIONS INCLUDING CLIMATE CONTROLS. ON A RECENT MORNING I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING "NO EXTERNAL CONNECTION TO AIR CONDITIONER" AT THE SAME TIME I COULD NOT ACCESS HEATER, DEFROST, NAVIGATION, HYBRID MONITOR OR HANDS FREE PHONE. FORTUNATELY, I HAD A RAG IN THE CAR AND COULD KEEP MY WINDOW CLEAN. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE RADIO CUT OUT AND THEN ALL CONTROLS CAME BACK. ANOTHER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND THE CONTROLS CUT BACK OFF. THIS PROBLEM NOW OCCURS EACH TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE DISPLAYS ON THE 04 AND 05 PRIUS. TOYOTA ISSUED (TSB) EL002-05 DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO RECALL. THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE CIRCUIT BOARDS THAT WERE SUPPLIED TO TOYOTA MOTORS. I LIVE IN MAINE AND NOT HAVING ACCESS TO MY WINDOW DEFROSTER IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE TO KEEP A RAG IN THE CAR TO KEEP MY WINDOW CLEAN. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO FIX THIS BECAUSE I AM BEYOND THE 3 YR / 36000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSES LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE TOOK AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT DARK. MY WIFE AND I ARE ABOUT 95% SURE THE ENTIRE DASH WENT DARK AS WELL. WE STOPPED AND TOGGLED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE "HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE" HEADLIGHTS, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THE DASH WOULD HAVE GONE DARK. *TR

BOTH HEADLAMPS GO OFF AND ON SPORADICALLY, AS FOLLOWS: APPROXIMATELY THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER BUYING THIS USED CAR, THE LEFT HID HEADLAMP APPEARED BURNT OUT. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLAMPS WERE REPLACED ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 8, 2013, AS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS TYPE OF LIGHT. ON INSTALLATION, EITHER LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON BUT THEN GO OUT AGAIN, BUT TURNING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAN SEEMED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. BOTH HEADLAMPS THEN REMAINED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS, AT WHICH POINT THE LEFT HEADLAMP WAS SPORADICALLY OUT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS, WHEN IT WOULD GO ON ONLY IF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WERE TURNED OFF THEM BACK ON AGAIN. BOTH HEADLAMPS THEN WORKED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS, AT WHICH POINT THE LEFT HEADLAMP WENT OUT FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS, BUT THEN CAME ON AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH WHEN THE POLICE FOUND THE RIGHT LIGHT TO BE OUT. THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE FIXED; THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AT WHICH I EXPLAINED THE HISTORY OF TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLAMP ISSUES AND THAT I WOULD PURSUE AN APPROPRIATE REMEDY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE RIGHT HEADLAMP REMAINS OUT TO THIS DATE, BUT DID COME ON FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK IN THE INTERIM. TURNING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAIN HAS NOT HELPED SINCE THE DAY OF INSTALLATION. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2012. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS PRIUS, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNING OFF RANDOMLY. WHENEVER I TURN THE CAR ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON, BUT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF. I TOOK IT TO CARFIX IN GARNER, NC AND THEY THOUGHT THAT IT COULD BE THE HEADLIGHT, SO THEY RECOMMENDED CHANGING IT. I ENDED UP HAVING IT CHANGED BY A FAMILY FRIEND BECAUSE IT WAS CHEAPER TO DO IT THAT WAY. THE HEADLIGHT WAS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS AFTER BEING CHANGED, SO I TOOK IT TO THE LEITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH, NC AND THEY SAID THAT THE HEADLIGHT THAT I PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE WAS NOT THE CORRECT TYPE OF HEADLIGHT, SO THEY CHANGED IT AGAIN. EVEN AFTER THEY CHANGED IT, THE HEADLIGHT WAS STILL GOING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME KIND OF WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR 2005-2009 PRIUS' FOR THE SAME ISSUES, BUT SINCE MINE IS A 2004 IT DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL CATEGORY. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BASED ON MY ISSUE COMPARED TO THAT AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND BLOGS THAT I HAVE FOUND. *TR

MY PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT GOES OUT A FEW MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON. WHEN TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN COMES BACK ON ONLY TO GO OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER. *TR

CAR SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL UPON SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN STARTING CAR (O MPH) CAR SHIFTS BACK TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING (25 MPH) PROB. SEEMS RELATED TO COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING IN THE DARK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HOME AT NIGHT ON A DARK, WINDING ROAD, BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT!!!! THERE WAS NO LIGHT! PITCH BLACK! CRAZY! I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT MY LIGHTS WERE OUT. MY BRIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING EITHER. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO WRECK/CRASH. I WAS ABOUT 18 MILES FROM HOME. AS I DROVE, I TURNED ON MY DOME LIGHTS SO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC COULD SEE ME. AFTER TURNING THE CAR LIGHTS ON AND OFF, THEY CAME BACK ON, BUT WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!!! I FOUND OUT THAT OTHER TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE CARS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPLACE THESE FAULTY HEADLIGHTS! *TR

A COMBINATION OF 2 ISSUES. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR HAS BEEN STICKING IN THE D POSITION INSTEAD OF AUTOMATICALLY RETURNING TO THE N POSITION AS IT SHOULD. IT IS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS THAT THE DUST COVER INSIDE THE SHIFTER CAN BEGIN TO WARP OVER TIME CAUSING THIS STICKING. HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/GEAR-SHIFTER-STICKS.38199/ I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A NUISANCE ISSUE UNTIL LAST MONTH AND ON ONE OTHER OCCASION WHERE THE SHIFTER STUCK IN THE D POSITION AND I HADN'T NOTICED AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO "PARK" BY PRESSING THE SEPARATE P BUTTON THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. IT IS NOW APPARENT THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE SHIFTER STICKING IN THE D POSITION AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM GOING INTO PARK. THERE IS ONE REPORT OF A NEAR INCIDENT OF THE CAR DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE DRIVER DIDN'T NOTICE THAT THE CAR FAILED TO GO INTO PARK WHICH IS A CLEAR SAFETY PROBLEM: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/2004-PARK-BUTTON-INTERMITTENT-FAILURE.118257/. *TR

MY 24 YR. OLD CHILD WAS DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING BRAKES AND ENGINE AND TRIANGLE WENT ON. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WOULD NOT TAKE A BATTERY JUMP. HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA SERVICE AND THEY DISCOVERED CODE P0335 PRESENT AND VERIFIED A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, REPLACED IT, AND CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR WORKS NOW. COST FOR DIAGNOSIS AND SERVICE WAS $367.07. THIS FAULTY PART WAS A PART OF A RECALL DATED IN 2006 FOR 2001 AND 2002 PRIUSES. WE WISH TO ADVISE THE AGENCY THAT WE BELIEVE THE YEAR 2004 AND PERHAPS OTHER YEARS OUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SAME RECALL AS THE 2001 AND 2002 PRIUS MODELS WITH RESPECT TO A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WE BELIEVE OUR CAR HAD A FAULTY SENSOR AND THAT WE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE EARLIER RECALL, AND ALSO OBTAIN A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR CHARGES. THIS SUDDEN STOPPING BY THE VEHICLE POSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANY DRIVER. OUR CHILD WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A HORRENDOUS ACCIDENT. WE URGE YOUR AGENCY TO BE PROACTIVE IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

CONSISTENTLY A SINGLE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD FLICKER AND GO OUT. "IT MAY GO OFF AGAIN, IN ANOTHER FIVE OR 10 MINUTES, BUT I COULD GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN BY TURNING THEM OFF AND TURNING ON AGAIN. *TR

WATER INTRUSION CAUSED CORROSION OF THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUSED A FAULT IN THE AUXILIARY 12V BATTERY AND HAS MADE THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. TOYOTA CANNOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OR CAUSE OF THE WATER INTRUSION EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT A PROBLEM WHICH IS RELATED TO THE AUXILIARY 12V BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE 2004 PRIUS DESIGN. *TR

. 10/09/2012 I WENT TO START MY 2004 PRIUS I HIT THE POWER BUTTON AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAD NOT WORK. YOU DID NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE CAR. ACTUATED THE POWER SWITCH AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I TRIED TO SELECT THE GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD MOVE. BUT DASH BOARD DISPLAY DID NOT LIGHT. THE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WORK FINE. I DROVE 15 MILES HOME WITH ON DISPLAY. I SELECTED THE PARK BUTTON AND THE CAR PARKED I WENT TO TURN OFF THE POWER BUTTON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE WAS IN THE BATTERY MODE. I TRIED TO SHUT IT OFF BY DISCONNECTING THE 12 VOLT BATTERY TO NO AVAIL. I FOUND A FUSE THAT IF I PULLED IT OUT THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. I TRIED THE POWER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE CAR TURN ON AND WITH THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WORKING. ON THE MORNING OF 10/10/2012 I TRIED GO TO WORK AND WHEN THE POWER AND THE BRAKE ARE PUSHED THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD MOVE IF SELECTED TO DRIVE NOW THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BECAUSE THE CAR WAS COLD. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND SELECTED THE POWER BUTTON TO OFF NOW THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. AGAIN I TRIED THE POWER AND THE BRAKE NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I TRIED THE FUSE TRICK AGAIN IT WORKED THE ENGINE STOPPED. REPLACED THE FUSE AND TRIED THE POWER BUTTON IT WORK AND THE DASH DISPLAY WERE LIGHTED WITH NUMEROUS LIGHTS BECAUSE I SHUT THE DOWN IN UNAPPROVED MODE. TURNED THE POWER SWITCH ON & OFF. NUMEROUS TIMES ALL LIGHT WERE NORMAL EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ON I DROVE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT IS A NORMAL ISSUE THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS GO BAD. I UNDERSTAND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY CAN GO BAD. MY ISSUE IS THE SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WHEN THE DISPLAY FAILS THE POWER BUTTON DOES NOT SHUT CAR OFF IN THE BATTERY MODE OR THE ENGINE MODE. THAT'S A BIG ISSUE . *TR

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE COMBINED SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER DISPLAY. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY FAILED THE DRIVER WAS UNAWARE OF THE SPEED AND GAS MILEAGE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL RECALL WITH NO TIME LIMIT. UPDATED 08/11/2017*JS

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS IS USED AS A TAXI CAB. ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2012 THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND TURN OFF AFTER AROUND FIVE MINUTES OF OPERATION. THE HID BULB REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE THE MATTER. HEADLIGHTS MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN IN ORDER TO RESUME THEIR OPERATION. *TR

THE DASH GEAR SELECTOR (COMMON TO 2004 - 2009 G2 PRIUS) BEGAN CLICKING WHEN I CHANGED GEARS (R-D-N) I RESEARCHED THE SUBJECT AND LEARNED THAT THIS CAN LEAD TO THE SHIFTER LOCKING IN D OR R, A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. I ALSO LEARNED THAT SOME DIY OWNERS HAVE DISCOVERED A WARPED DUST PLATE IN THE SHIFTER COMPONENT. IT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO REMOVE THE PLATE, TRIM IT, AND REASSEMBLE THE PART. LINK 1 BELOW IS A GOOGLE SEARCH THAT REVEALS THE OTHER TWO LINKS I INCLUDED. NOT ALL OF THE HITS ARE RELEVANT. THE THIRD LINK HAS A VIDEO WITH CLEAR IMAGES OF THE PROBLEM AND THE DIY 'SOLUTION.' HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?NUM=100&HL=EN&SAFE=OFF&COMPLETE=0&SITE=WEBHP&Q=PRIUS+%22GEAR+SHIFT%22+CLICK+STICKING&OQ=PRIUS+%22GEAR+SHIFT%22+CLICK+STICKING&GS_L=SERP.3...2446378.2449925.0.2450814.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.LES%3BCPSUGRPQ1..0.0...1.1.IIMLXLK1U2C HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/GEAR-SHIFTER-STICKS.38199/PAGE-2 HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/HOW-TO-REPLACE-2G-GEARSHIFT-LEVER.65102/ I AM BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE ASKED TO RECALL THESE CARS TO REPLACE THIS DUST PLATE (OR THE SHIFTER MODULE.) UNFORTUNATELY THE GEAR SHIFT MODULE INCLUDED WITH THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A LIFETIME CONSISTENT WITH THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE TRACTION BATTERY. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE OWNERS MAKE THIS REPAIR THEMSELVES. THIS COULD BE AVOIDED IF TOYOTA WERE REQUIRED TO DO IT INSTEAD. *TR

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND AFTER WE TURN THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH IT GOES BACK ON. THIS PAST WEEKEND IN A DRIVING RAIN STORM AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD. I FLICKED THEM ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WOULD GO ON AND THEN GO OUT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NEITHER DIM OR BRIGHT WOULD WORK. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL THE BRIGHT SIGNAL ON THE COLUMN BACK MANUALLY AND HOLD IT WHILE DRIVING THE LAST 45 MINUTES TO HOME. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ABOUT 20 MILES IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS GOING IN AND OUT ON CURVES OR AGAINST ON COMING TRAFFIC, A HEAD-ON COULD HAVE OCCURRED EASILY. *TR

HID HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF REPEATEDLY, WILL GO OUT RANDOMLY HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH MOVEMENT, ON TIME, THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON IF SWITCH IS TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN BUT LIGHTS ARE UNRELIABLE. CONDITION IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS DURING NIGHT, FOG OR POOR ROAD CONDITIONS. RANDOM TURNING OFF HAS KEPT RE-OCCURRING UNTIL PRESENT TIME, WHERE LIGHT WILL PERSIST ON FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME. TOYOTA DEALER WANTS 1,000 OR MORE TO REPAIR, WHILE LIGHT BULB ONLY COSTS LESS THAN 50 DOLLARS ON AMAZON, STATING THE DEFECT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH A FUSE AND OR BALLAST. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. YOU HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON FOR THEM TO WORK AND THEY ONLY LAST A MINUTE AFTER THAT. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR

UPON STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND GEAR INDICATOR DIGITAL READOUTS WERE NOT WORKING. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND NARROWED THE PROBLEM TO A FAULTY COMBINATION METER (BAD SOLDER). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PRIUS OWNERS ACCORDING TO FORUMS AND SUCH. I PURCHASED THE CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND ALSO PURCHASED THEIR FORD ESP BASE CARE PLAN. CLEARLY THE PLAN STATED THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER, ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE COVERED. HOWEVER THE AGENT AT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFICE DENIED THE CLAIM. SO MY CAR SITS AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITH THE DASH APART AND THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THE CAR LESS $2000.00 ACCORDING TO THE SALES DEPT. BECAUSE THE MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN. TOYOTA HAS YET TO DECLARE A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH IN SOME CASES IF NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND VALUE THEIR LIVES. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT TOYOTA COMES AROUND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MULTI-DISPLAY MODULE FOR THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER UNITS FAILED, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE MULTI-DISPLAY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 1/30/13 *CN THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A MODULE MALFUNCTION WHICH WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND GAVE THE CONSUMER AN ESTIMATE OF $700 TO REPLACE THE MODULE WITH A RECONDITIONED ONE. UPDATED 01/31/13 UPDATED 2/13/13 *CN UPDATED 02/14/13

RANDOM FAILURE OF LIGHTS, BEGAN WITH DRIVER?S SIDE AND CONTINUES TO OCCUR RANDOMLY WITH GREATER FREQUENCY. PASSENGER SIDE ALSO TURNS OFF RANDOMLY, THOUGH WITH LESS FREQUENCY. MANY OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD BOTH LIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TT

HAD THE HID HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 6 MONTHS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF. SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS CONTINUED SINCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN, CAUSING HER CHEST TO BE THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RULED AS DESTROYED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT WHO ASSIGNED HER A CASE MANAGER WHO WOULD RETURN HER CALL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

BOTH HEADLIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SINCE THAT DATE, DESPITE CHANGING THE BULBS. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CAN BE RELIT BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON. SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK. PARTICULARLY IF THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE ON, THE OFF-ON SWITCHING DOES NOT WORK AND THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN OFF. *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING FREQUENTLY NOW. THE IMMEDIATE REMEDY SEEMS TO BE TO TURN SWITCH OFF AND ON AGAIN TO RESTORE THEM. THIS HAS RECENTLY BECOME A REGULAR PROBLEM AS I DRIVE AT NIGHT. THANKFULLY THE 'FOG LAMPS' ARE FUNCTIONAL AND NOW I AM SURE TO HAVE THEM SWITCHED ON IN ADDITION TO REGULAR HEADLIGHTS SO THAT I AM STILL VISIBLE TO OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

TL* THE OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRASH DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,543.

I NEED YOUR HELP! THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WELL DOCUMENTED AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DISPLAY (MFD). THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE 60 PIN CONNECTOR ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE MFD SOMETIMES DEVELOPS A PLAY IN THE CONNECTION AND HENCE THE SPORADIC DISPLAY. I WROTE TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. TOYOTA INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND SPEAK TO TOYOTA. TOLD ME THAT HE DID TALK TO THE TOYOTA REP AND EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAD BEEN TAKING VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND THAT THIS MFD PROBLEM WAS NOT MY DOING. TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST $980.57 TO INSTALL A REMANUFACTURED MFD. AND THAT THE TOYOTA REP IS ONLY GOING TO CONTRIBUTE $250. SO NET OUT OF POCKET FOR ME WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF $730.57. IT IS UNFAIR FOR TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ASK ME TO PAY, SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS MFDS THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY ON THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS TAKING THE APPROACH THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL SO WE DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. THAT LOGIC IS WRONG. IF THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE NOT ESCALATED TO A RECALL STATUS, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. RECALL IS IF ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS. MEANWHILE, YOU CANNOT DENY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE. YOUR HIGH LEVEL INTERVENTION IS NEEDED. PLEASE WRITE TO TOYOTA DEMANDING THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE FAIR SINCE THE MFD PROBLEM IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THAT TOYOTA REPAIR WITHOUT DELAY AT NO COST TO THE CLIENT, SINCE HE HAS ALREADY SUFFERED ENOUGH. THANKS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A NARROW COUNTRY ROAD, LINED WITH TREES, AT 55 MPH. SUDDENLY , BOTH HEAD LAMPS SHUT OFF. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T WRECK, I COULD NOT SEE A THING, AND BRAKED BLINDLY. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. BEFORE I COULD GET HOME, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF 2 MORE TIMES! *TR

THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. WE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULB ONLY FOR IT TO STOP WORKING TWO DAYS LATER. WE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULB ONCE A WEEK FOR A MONTH, AND FOR NOW IT CONTINUES TO WORK. THE HEADLIGHT, HOWEVER, CONTINUED NOT WORKING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS, THEN BEGAN WORKING AGAIN ONLY FOR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT TO STOP WORKING. AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS BEGAN WORKING. HOWEVER, AFTER 10 MINUTES BOTH WENT OUT AGAIN. EVER SINCE THEN, IT IS ALWAYS A GUESS AS TO WHICH HEADLIGHT, IF ANY, WILL WORK AT DUSK. SOMETIMES THEY WILL BOTH WORK FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE QUITTING. I WAS GIVEN AN ODI# OF 10453541. *JS

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED THREE TIMES, OVER A SIX YEAR SPAN. HE MANAGED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, ALL WORKED FINE. THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW WEEKS AGO HIS VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO REACH 300,000 MILES, AS HE REACHED FOR HIS CAMERA, HE REALIZED THE ODOMETER NEVER WENT PAST 299,999 MILES. HOWEVER, WITHIN FIVE MILES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER BRAKES, THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING, THE HYBRID DRIVE SHUT OFF AND THE FAN FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY CAME ON, AS WELL AS YELLOW AND RED LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH. ALSO, TWO WARNING GRAPHICS APPEARED ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN, ONE INDICATING TROUBLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HE THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. IT APPEARED THAT BY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT, CAUSED THE MAIN COMPUTER REBOOT. THE CONSUMER STATED IT CONTINUED SEVERAL MORE TIMES, UNTIL HE ARRIVED HOME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS A LARGE COMPUTER, AND WHEN ONE COMPONENT STOPS WORKING, SUCH AS THE ODOMETER, OTHER COMPONENTS CEASE TOO. THE DEALER EXPLAINED AN ODOMETER LIMIT WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE BY THE FACTORY. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY PRIUS COMBINATION DISPLAY (DIGITAL DISPLAY THAT SHOWS THE SPEED, MILEAGE, FUEL LEVEL, CURRENT GEAR SELECTION, ETC.). SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR, THE COMBINATION DISPLAY IS BLANK AND WILL NOT TURN ON. THE REST OF THE CAR TURNS ON, BUT THAT DISPLAY REMAINS BLANK. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR, BUT I CAN'T SEE MY SPEED, MILEAGE, OR WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE (BELOW 50 DEGREES OR SO). WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST CAME UP IN 2012, I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THE DISPLAY WOULD THEN WORK FINE. IT WAS VERY HARD TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS QUITE INTERMITTENT. THIS WINTER (2014-2015) THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK, BUT NOW THE DISPLAY WILL OFTEN NOT TURN BACK ON EVEN IF I POWER CYCLE THE CAR. THERE IS ANOTHER NEW RELATED PROBLEM. WHENEVER THE CAR SHOWS THIS DISPLAY PROBLEM, I THEN CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR. I PRESS THE POWER BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I EVEN TRIED TO HOLD IT DOWN FOR 3-10 SECONDS. THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO USUALLY DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET IT TO POWER DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS ME CONCERNED. NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE MY SPEED IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN. ALSO SINCE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER ALWAYS RETURNS TO A RESET SPOT (IT DOESN'T STAY IN THE GEAR POSITION AFTER YOU SELECT YOUR GEAR) IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. ALSO VERY CONCERNING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM/DEFECT. IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE DISPLAY/CIRCUIT BOARD. TOYOTA DID INITIALLY OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT BY THE TIME I COULD ACTUALLY REPEAT THE PROBLEM TO SHOW TO THE DEALER, THE OFFER HAD EXPIRED FOR ME TO GET IT REPAIRED. IT'S A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT I WANTED TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA. THANK YOU. *TR

HEADLIGHTS DONT WORK, OVERHEATING BULBS $800 TO REPLACE, YOU GO TOYOTA YOUR CAR SUCKS. *TR

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT RANDOMLY AND ONLY COME BACK ON BY TURNING LIGHT SWITCH OFF THAN ON. REPLACED BULB AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HOT AND COLD AIR WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHEN NEITHER THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NOR THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE WATER PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V536000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE DEALER COULD HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 194,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL SEVERAL TIMES INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE GEAR FOR IT TO REMAIN IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,691.

THE MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY REGISTERED THE ERROR CODE: CHECK CONNECTION OF AIR CONDITIONER. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT PAPPAS TOYOTA ON 12/2/11 SHOWED A DEFECTIVE MFD. A NEW REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $4300. A REFURBISHED ONE WAS TO BE LOCATED BUT A CALL WAS NOT RECEIVED AS TO THIS HAVING HAPPENED. TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THIS POSSIBILITY AT LEAST BY 1/10/2005 WHEN A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. SINCE THE DEFECT IN THE PART WAS KNOWN TO TOYOTA AND INVOLVES A SAFETY ISSUE A REQUEST FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT WAS MADE. THIS REQUEST WAS DENIED. ON 12/23/11, AFTER HAVING BEEN TOLD A WEEK WOULD BE NEEDED TO FIND THE PART, I E-MAILED PAPPAS AND ASKED THAT ONE BE LOCATED. I MADE AN APPT. AT THAT TIME TO HAVE IT INSTALLED ON 1/3/12. I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION BY 1/2/12 SO I CALLED AGAIN AND LEARNED THE PART WAS TO BE ORDERED ON 1/2/12 AS TOYOTA WAS CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY PERIOD. THE MFD ACTIVATES THE FRONT AND REAR DEFROSTERS. THIS IS CRITICAL AS THE INABILITY TO DO SO IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MISSOURI WITH SNOW AND ICE BEING A POSSIBILITY. ON 1/4/12 A MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE ESSENCE OF WHICH WAS: THOSE DISPLAYS ARE ON BACK ORDER STATUS AT THIS TIME; THE MFD HOLDS THE MEMORY FOR THE MILEAGE ODOMETER SO WHEN IT IS ORDERED THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN SO THAT THE ACTUAL ODOMETER MILEAGE REMAINS THE SAME; AND UNTIL I HEAR FROM YOU I HAVE PLACED YOUR ORDER ON HOLD; THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO ORDERS AHEAD OF YOURS AND THEY WILL BE FILLED FIRST; THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GIVE US A TIMETABLE WHEN THEY WILL BE RELEASED; AND ONCE THEY ARE AVAILABLE IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS TO RECEIVE. TOYOTA IS NOT MAKING THE NECESSARY PART AVAILABLE; EXPECTING THE CONSUMER TO BE DEPRIVED OF USE OF THE PRIUS FOR AN UNDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME; AND OF BEARING THE COST OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED IVOQ 03/09/12 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE FAULTY BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2004 TOYOTA PRIUS FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH INTO REAR OF VEHICLE 2, 2002 HONDA CRV, ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2011, 4:33PM EST. BUMPER IMPACT AT APPROX SPEED 25MPH IN CLEAR CONDITIONS TOTALED SUBJECT VEHICLE INCLUDING COMPLETE FOLDING OF HOOD, DISPLACEMENT OF STRUCTURAL BUMPER, FAN ASSEMBLIES, RADIATOR & CONDENSER ASSEMBLIES INTO ENGINE WITH STRUCTURAL BUMPER PUSHED BACK 24" AT CENTER AND 18" TO LEFT & RIGHT SIDES. INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT BENDING OCCURRED AT FRONT OF VEHICLE FRAME. FRONT FENDERS CRUMPLED AND OBSTRUCTED FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, ENTRAPPING OCCUPANTS, BOTH SEAT-BELTED INTO FRONT SEATS. DESPITE DISPLACEMENT FRONT STRUCTURAL BUMPER ASSEMBLY, BODY AND FRONT MECHANICALS, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SUBJECT AUTOMOBILE WAS HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLE WITH 193,000 MILES BUT IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED, RELIABLE, MECHANICALLY EXCELLENT, DISPLAYING NO SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS AND HAVING NEWER MICHELIN RADIAL TIRES WITH 25% WEAR. OWNER HAS FULL SET OF PHOTOGRAPHS. EXTERIOR & INTERIOR, ATTESTING CLEAN CONDITION OF CAR AND FULL SET OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. CRASH RESULTED IN MODERATE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS, MAINLY BRUISING, CONTUSIONS, BACK & NECK PAIN. BOTH WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL ER AND DISCHARGED SAME DAY. FOLLOW UP MEDICAL CARE ONGOING. CONCERNED ABOUT AIRBAG-NON-DEPLOYMENT. BELIEVING THIS TO BE A FAILURE OF THE CAR'S SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE'S INJURIES ARE NOT CRIPPLING OR DISFIGURING BUT IN SIMILAR CRASHES, WOULD OTHERS FAIR AS WELL? INCIDENT AND CONCERNS REGISTERED WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE, WHICH ASSERTED THAT AIRBAGS FUNCTIONED (?) AS DESIGNED. NOT SURPRISED THAT THEIR FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE PROTECTING THEIR CORPORATED HIND QUARTERS BUT BELIEVE THAT NHTSA MIGHT PERFORM A MORE OBJECTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE HISTORY AND PERFORMANCE EFFICACY OF PRIUS AIRBAGS. THANK YOU. *TR

INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 111,500 MILES ON IT, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT IS INTERMITTENT WHEN VIEWING MY REFLECTION IN THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SOMETIMES IT RUNS FINE FOR OVER AN HOUR, OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T LAST 5 MINUTES. TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF, AND IMMEDIATELY BACK ON RELIGHTS THE HEADLIGHT. THIS IS NOT ONLY HAPPENING AT NIGHT, BUT ALSO DURING THE DAY WHEN THEY ARE USED AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I MADE A VIDEO OF IT HAPPENING: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/INTERMITTENTPRIUSHID I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRIUS. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WITH 25,000 TO 40,000 MILES. IT IS VERY HARD TO NOTICE BECAUSE THE HID HEADLIGHTS ARE SO BRIGHT IT IS HARD TO TELL WHEN ONE IS NOT WORKING, WHICH ACTUALLY MEANS THIS PROBLEM MAY HAVE EXISTED ON MY PRIUS FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOTICING. TO ILLUSTRATE MY POINT, THIS PRIUSCHAT THREAD HAS OVER 870 RESPONSES TO DATE REGARDING THIS HID HEADLIGHT PROBLEM: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/GEN-II-PRIUS-CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/34584-HEADLIGHT-PROBLEM-17.HTML THUS FAR I HAVE NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IN MY DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS IS A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON RESTORED THE HEADLIGHTS. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES IN 2 HOURS OF DRIVING. AT THE END OF THE TRIP IT WAS HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY MILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE LAMP. LAST NIGHT 1/2 HOUR INTO A 2 HOUR NIGHT TRIP THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. IT APPEARED THAT BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT THIS TIME. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT EVERY 30 SECONDS THEREAFTER. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION, I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND CHECKED OUT THE LIGHT SITUATION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE APPEARED TO DIM. THE RUNNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT REPLACING THE LAMP IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. I SHALL TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DURING NIGHT DRIVING. *TR