2007 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AFTER REPLACING IT 6 MONTHS PRIOR. I AM AWARE NOW THAT OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES WITH HEADLIGHTS. *TR

DEAR GENTLEPERSONS: TOYOTA MUST HAVE PURCHASED A BATCH OF DEFECTIVE RUBBER FROM A VENDOR BACK IN 2007 AND 2008 BECAUSE THE RUBBER THAT YOU PUSH AGAINST TO RELEASE THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE TRUNK/HATCHBACK HAS TURNED TO PLAY DOUGH OR SLUDGE ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND THEY DISCLAIMED ANY AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND IT IS WIDELY KNOWN ON SITES INCLUDING PRIUS CHAT, AND WHEN I SPOKE WITH MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID HE WAS WELL AWARE OF IT, THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON HIS 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA, AND THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MECHANISM WHICH COSTS AN ARM AND A LEG. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE RUBBER DETERIORATES ENOUGH, MY FINGERS WILL PROTRUDE INTO THE LOCK MECHANISM WHICH I SURMISE WOULD NOT WORK AND PLAY WELL WITH FINGERS, OR MAY HAVE AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT IF I MAKE CONTACT. I FOLLOWED UP LAST WEEK WITH TOYOTA AGAIN, AND THE REP WITH WHOM I FIRST SPOKE, INITIALLY SAID TOYOTA HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, THEN SAID THAT SHE KNEW OF THE ISSUE, AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WERE AWARE OF A FIX THAT DID NOT INVOLVE A TOTAL SWITCH REPLACEMENT. AFTER I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AS SUGGESTED, AND MY OWN SERVICE ADVISOR SHARED HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE ISSUE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE ORIGINAL REP AT TOYOTA, AND THE NEXT REP WITH WHOM I SPOKE TOLD ME THEY'D LOOK INTO IT AND I'D HEAR BACK FROM TOYOTA WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS ... THAT HAS COME AND GONE. MY WIFE HAS A 2004 PRIUS AND THE RUBBER ON THE LATCH LOOKS AND FEELS TOTALLY NEW. I DON'T THINK THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE (WHICH TOYOTA IS NOW TRYING TO TOSS OUT TO GET RID OF ME), BUT INSTEAD, A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT HAS SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE. THANK YOU. SINCERELY, [XXXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

MY HEADLIGHT PROBLEM HAS GONE ON FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE LIGHTS ON NUMEROUS SERVICE CALLS AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE BULB WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $300 BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE RIGHT LIGHT GOES OUT . IT COMES BACK ON IF I TURN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF, HOWEVER I DO NOT ALWAYS REALIZE THE LIGHT IS OUT. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND GIVEN WORK ORDERS TO GET MY LIGHT FIXED. I AM TIRED OF THIS PROBLEM AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, WENT OVER A DIVIDER, AND CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLES FRONT BUMPER WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *TR UPDATED 06/25/13 *LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF A FRACTURED CLAVICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REAR HATCH DOOR SEAL FAILED AND ALLOWED WATER TO PENETRATE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND TURNING THEM BACK ON RELIGHTS THE HEADLIGHT ONLY FOR IT TO HAPPEN ANOTHER 10 TO 15MIN LATER ON AVERAGE. *TR

WE OWN A TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WE SIMPLY GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN WE TURNED IT ON WE REALIZED IT WAS NOT WORKING. AFTER WE HAD IT FIXED ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER WE GOT PULLED OVER AND GIVEN A WARNING TO GET IT FIXED. WE DID SO AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH NO SOLUTION. SINCE OUR LAST TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED US TO GO TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BUT THERE TELLING US THAT IS SIMPLY A BAD HEADLIGHT AND IT WILL COST ABOUT 200 TO FIX IT. I SHOWED THEM WHERE IN 8 MONTHS IT WAS CHANGED 3 TIMES AND THEY SIMPLY SAID IT MUST BE HUMAN ERROR BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS FINE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I TRIED THE BRIGHTS WITH NO EFFECT. I HAD TO TURN THEM OFF AND TURN THEM BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. *TR

TRUNK LATCH HAS BECOME MELTED/STICKY LEAVING A RESIDUE ON HANDS DURING SUMMER AND FROZEN AND NON-WORKING DURING COLDER MONTHS. THIS CAUSES ISSUES DUE TO INABILITY TO ACCESS TRUNK FOR SPARE TIRE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR

I EXPERIENCED A SCARY SITUATION WITH MY 2007 PRIUS TODAY. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND DSC LIGHT AND (!) LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A LOUD BUZZING NOISE IN THE CABIN. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND IT WAS NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS AROUND BECAUSE I FELT HAD I NEEDED TO STOP ON A DIME, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. I LOOKED AROUND ONLINE TO FIND IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THERE ARE PLENTY OF CASES WHERE THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN FAILURE HAS OCCURRED UNDER 2007 ABS TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE MODULE COMPLAINTS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT ME - I NEED HELP! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

PASSENGER (RIGHT) HEADLIGHT NOT WORKING. IT COULD BE "TURNED ON" BY SWITCHING LIGHT SWITCH OFF, THEN ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. BRIGHT LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON, EVEN WITH TURNING SWITCH OFF, THEN ON. LOW BEAMS DID WORK AND FAILED LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE TURNED BACK ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. PASSENGER BULB WENT OUT DURING INSPECTION AND HIGH BEAMS WERE BOTH WORKING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED WITH A COST OF $500! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE LIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST TIME WAS IN 2009.

TAIL GATE LIFTERS FAILED TO COMPLETELY LIFT THE TAIL GATE. NOT NOTICING THE TAIL GATE WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN NORMAL, THE DRIVER, WHILE STANDING ON THE GROUND TO REMOVE GROCERIES FROM THE BACK, LEANED INTO BACK OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE TOP OF HER HEAD ON THE TAIL GATE, SUSTAINING A CONCUSSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED NAUSEA, HEADACHES AND DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, LEAVING HER UNABLE TO COMPLETE HER NORMAL TASKS FOR THE DAY. THE SYMPTOMS LASTED 2 DAYS. DRIVER'S HUSBAND CAME OUT AND IMMEDIATELY CONFIRMED THAT TAILGATE HAD FAILED TO OPEN COMPLETELY AND HE DETERMINED IT WAS NO LONGER OPENING COMPLETELY, REPRESENTING A PARTIAL BUT DANGEROUS FAILURE OF THE LIFTING MECHANISM. THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 PM; THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48 DEGREES. WHAT MAKES IT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS AND PERNICIOUS IS THAT THE MECHANISM THAT USED TO OPEN THE TAIL GATE ALL THE WAY UP, PROVIDING AMPLE HEAD CLEARANCE, WAS NOW LEAVING THE TAIL GATE OPEN BUT WITH REDUCED HEADROOM. THE MECHANISM THAT USED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT HEAD CLEARANCE SO ONE COULD STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND LEAN INTO THE REAR WAS NOW ONLY PARTIALLY OPENING THE TAIL GATE, TO A POINT LOW ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CONCUSSION BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH TO BE NOTICEABLE. THE CHANGE FROM HAVING AMPLE HEADROOM TO NOT HAVING ENOUGH HEADROOM CREATED A TRAP. *TR

AFTER SHORT PERIOD OF SERVICING A RECALL ON STEERING EXTENSION SHAFT #C0T, SOME OF STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS STOPPED FUNCTIONING DUE TO DAMAGES TO CLOCK-SPRING CABLE. THE DEALERSHIP DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THEIR TECHNICIAN FAULT FAILING TO REALIGN THE STEERING WHEEL TO CENTER POSITION. MANY OF PRIUS SECOND GENERATION HYBRID OWNERS BEEN RECALLED HAVE THIS ISSUE AFTER FIXING THE SHAFT. IS THE DAMAGED SPRING CABLES ALREADY WERE OR DUE TO LACK OF EXPERTISE? *TR

HATCHBACK LATCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO SMART KEY AND WILL NOT OPEN TO TOUCH AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT TEN MONTHS. ALSO, THE RUBBER LATCH COVERING HAS DETERIORATED INTO A SOFT, STICKY BLACK SUBSTANCE THAT STAINS MY FINGERS WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE LATCH. THE DETERIORATION PROBLEM PRECEDED THE HATCHBACK OPERATIONAL PROBLEM BY FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AS BEST I CAN RECALL. I WAS ABLE TO TOLERATE THE MESSY PROBLEM BUT CANNOT PUT UP WITH A HATCHBACK THAT IS INOPERABLE BECAUSE IT PREVENTS ME FROM ACCESSING THE SPARE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE CARGO AREA. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF THIS DEFECT AND PROVIDE A FREE REPAIR. *TR

THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHENEVER THE DONUT TIRE IS BEING USED ON THE VEHICLE AS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR A FLAT TIRE - THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO USED THEM BOTH TIMES ON THE FRONT TIRES, ONCE ON THE LEFT TIRE AND THE SECOND OCCASION, MOST RECENT ON THE LEFT. APPARENTLY, THE DONUT TIRE BECAUSE OF ITS SMALLER DIAMETER CAUSES THE CAR'S SLIP DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE (SURMISED BY THE ICON I SEE ON THE DASH WHEN THIS OCCURS), OFTEN FOR PERIODS OF HALF THE DRIVING TIME - WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THAT THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE CHAIN, THE CAR CANNOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN SPEED - IT ESSENTIALLY COASTS OR SLOWS. THIS OCCURS EVEN WHEN/IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO TRY TO FEED POWER TO THE WHEELS - THE ENGINE IS UNRESPONSIVE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE POWER IS RESTORED, AND THEN THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY NOT TO HAVE. USE OF A DONUT TIRE IS THE ONLY OPTION OPEN TO TEMPORARILY REPLACING A FLAT TIRE. I THINK THAT THIS SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO USE OF THE DONUT TIRE (WHICH IS MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLIED) IS A DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS. A DRIVER MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED TO PREVENT AND/OR REMEDY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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

BRAKE SYSTEM: ABS WARNING MALFUNCTION LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE IS TAPPED, BUT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION OR ISSUE. HAVE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE TO RESET IT. HANDLE ON REAR DOOR/HATCHBACK DOOR: HANDLE MELTED INTO A BLACK GOOEY MESS, HATCHBACK COULD NOT BE OPENED. WENT TO DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD NOT FIX WITHOUT CHARGING ME EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES. THE FIRST QUOTE WE GOT WAS ALMOST $300 TO FIX, WAITED A COUPLE OF MONTHS, DEALER FINALLY DROPPED TO $138 TO FIX IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN DEFECTIVE ISSUE--NO ONE SHOULD BE CHARGED ANYTHING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED IN AN EMERGENCY. WHY TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX THIS WITHOUT CAUSING THEIR CUSTOMER'S POTENTIAL DANGER/HARM SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THEM NOT CARING ABOUT THE CUSTOMER. DASHBOARD WARPING: DASHBOARD ON DRIVER SIDE BUCKLES UP WHERE IT MEETS THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, WAS TOLD IT WAS IN ISSUE WITH THE MATERIAL THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MADE FROM. VERY POOR QUALITY TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. *JB

THE TRUNK LATCH COVER HAS MELTED AND THE LATCH WILL NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME. THE PROBLEM STARTED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE LATCH DUE TO THE COST, BUT NOW IT IS WORSE AND I OFTEN CANNOT OPEN THE HATCH. THE RUBBER COVER ON THE LATCH GETS SOFT AND GUMMY IN WARM WEATHER AND GETS BLACK RUBBER ON MY FINGERS. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND WOULD ASSUME THERE ARE MANY MORE OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED A COMPLAINT AND MAY HAVE PAID A HIGH PRICE TO GET THIS FIXED. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL BY TOYOTA TO FIX FOR FREE AND REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS REPAIRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V536000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,568.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS AN ISSUE WHERE IT WILL GO OUT. GENERALLY, IT WILL STAY OUT UNLESS YOU TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON. ENGAGING HIGH BEAMS DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. IT OCCURS ANYWHERE FROM 2-3 TIMES IN THE COURSE OF A 15 MINUTE PERIOD IF I AM ON TOP OF TURNING THEM OFF THEN BACK ON RIGHT AS IT GOES OUT. THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE AND IT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LONGER THAN THE STATED DATE ABOVE, BUT THE DATE ABOVE IS THE POINT AT WHICH I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. SEVERAL MECHANICS AND EVEN THE DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE EXACT PROBLEM CAUSING IT. I STILL HAVE NO SOLUTION TO MY ISSUE. *TR

MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, BRAKE & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. TOOK IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER (RICE TOYOTA, GREENSBORO, NC). I WORK 79 MILES FROM HOME. I CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER, A SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AS LONG AS THE WARNING LIGHTS WEREN'T FLASHING.DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATED THE HYBRID CONVERTER/INVERTER WAS BAD, THEY CLEARED WARNING LIGHTS, WHICH STAYED OFF. THEY SAID IT MAY HAVE BEEN A "GLITCH", IF WARNING LIGHTS RETURNED, BRING IT BACK. THEY RETURNED ON 3/1/13 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I LOST POWER WHILE ON I-540, PULLED OVER ONTO SHOULDER, TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED IT, GOT BACK ONTO I-540 & EXITED AT NEAREST EXIT. LOST POWER AGAIN. PULLED OVER, WENT THRU STOP/START PROCESS, DROVE 3 MILES TO WORK. DROVE HOME WITH WARNING LIGHTS BUT NO POWER LOSSES. TOOK IT TO RICE TOYOTA NEXT MORNING. THIS OCCURRED BARELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED, GALLING TO SAY THE LEAST, AS THIS PART "IS" THE HYBRID SYSTEM PER THE SERVICE REP. HAVE YOU RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMPONENT? *TR

MY VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A FAULT DRIVER AND MY VEHICLE AIR BAGS NEVER EXPLODED. I HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY NECK, WRIST AND BACK AFTER THIS ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE HAS GAS PEDAL ACCELERATION AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WHEN I PUT THE BRAKES TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE MY VEHICLE JUMPS UP AND INCREASES THE SPEED. I FEAR THAT THIS FAULTY PARTS OF BRAKE OR GAS PADDLE COULD RESULT IN ANOTHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS MY VERY VALUED ASSET BECAUSE IT TAKES ME TO WORK AND BRINGS ME BACK. I HOPE THAT TOYOTA WILL INVESTIGATE MY PROBLEM VERY SERIOUSLY AND VERY CAREFULLY. MY INJURIES ARE VERY SERIOUS AND LONG LASTING AND I AM SEEING DOCTORS FOR THE LAST 13 MONTHS. I NEED HELP VERY VERY SOON. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES GO OUT OR FAIL TO STAY LITE---TURNING THEM OFF AND BACK ON SEEMS TO CORRECT ISSUE FOR MY 2007 PRIUS,SO FAR. THERE IS A SERVICE NOTICE ISSUED BUT WE NEED A REQUIRED RECALL TO MAKE DEALERS CORRECT ISSUE FOR FREE. *TR

THE DASH BOARD DID NOT DISPLAY WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR. ONLY THE BLINKERS, AND AIR BAG LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH. THE GAS GAUGE AND THE SPEEDODOMETER DO NOT SHOW, IT IS BLACK. AND MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT SEAMS TO ME THAT THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. AFTER MY DASH WENT BLACK MY KEY WILL NOT RELEASE AND MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF . THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED ASAP! *TR

THE PLASTIC WELD PROCESS OR OTHER TYPE OF GLUING PROCESS USED TO MAKE THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE AND BACK UP LIGHT LENSE ASSEMBLIES OR HOUSINGS FAILS. ALL FOUR, TWO FRONT AND TWO REAR, EXTERIOR COMBINATION LIGHT LENSE ASSEMBLIES SUFFER THIS PREMATURE AND SERIOUS FAILURE. WHEN THESE EXTERIOR LENSES BEGIN TO FAIL THEY ALLOW WATER INTRUSION FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWS MOISTURE TO PENETRATE INTO AREAS OF THE LENSE ASSEMBLY WHICH SUPPORT ALL OF THE LIGHT BULBS USED TO WARN OR SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS OR PEDESTRIANS. AT A VERY MINIMUM THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN PREMATURE BULB FAILURE FOR ALL OF THE SIGNALING SYSTEMS SPECIFIED ABOVE. RESEARCHING YOUR SITE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU MANY TIMES AND TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. IS ALSO AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE AWARE OF IS THE MOST SERIOUS CONCERN RESULTING FROM THIS PROBLEM; IF THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) REAR LENSE SUFFERS THIS PROBLEM AND BEGINS LEAKING, THE WATER RUNS OR DRAINS DIRECTLY INTO THE INTERIOR 12VDC STARTER BATTERY WELL. THIS BATTERY WELL IS AS DEEP, OR DEEPER THAN THE FACTORY INSTALLED 12VDC STARTER BATTERY IS TALL AND CAN RESULT IN WATER OVERTOPPING THE BATTERY. THIS CAUSES SHORTING/GROUNDING ACROSS THE POSITIVE/NEGATIVE 12VDC STARTER BATTERY TERMINALS. THIS PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND CUTS OFF POWER TO ALL 12VDC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS. IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE 12VDC STARTER BATTERY AND MANY EXPENSIVE 12VDC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OR SYSTEMS. THIS PROBLEM IS MORE SERIOUS IN AREAS THAT RECEIVE HIGH AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL. I CALLED A TOYOTA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, LUM'S AUTO CENTER, AND REPORTED MY CAR WOULDN'T START. THEY SUGGESTED I BRING IT IN. AFTER 4 DAYS THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE LOGGED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM NEEDING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION! *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THEN, ALSO WITH TAILLIGHTS. I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER 4 TIMES BY POLICE FOR LIGHTS OUT. NEXT DAY, THEY'RE FINE, OR A DIFFERENT LIGHT IS OUT.VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY, AS WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH WINDY ROADS AND NO STREET LIGHTS. *TR

THE STEERING FAILED ON MY PRIUS ABOUT 45 DEGREES INTO A RIGHT TURN ON SATURDAY, 9 FEB 2013. I HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND MY CAR LOST STEERING COMPLETELY AND IMMEDIATELY. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE OF A CAR THAT WAS WAITING AT THE STOP SIGN TO MY RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR "FEELING" ACCOMPANYING THE STEERING LOSS (I.E. IT DIDN'T "GRAB" OR "LOCK"). THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SUDDENLY NO LONGER HAD ANY EFFECT ON THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO INVESTIGATED FOUND THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE SUB-ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, WHICH THEY CLAIM IS NOT RELATED TO ANY CURRENT RECALL. THIS DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" ISSUE, BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE HEADLIGHT WILL COME BACK ON IF YOU SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM BACK ON. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A KNOWN PROBLEM BY THE MANUFACTURER AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX IT. *TR

THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LAMP GOES OFF OUT AFTER 10-15 MINUTES OF BEING ON. ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ALLOW IT TO REST IT WILL BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, BOTH HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON ONCE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TR

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AT NIGHT ON 01/14/12. PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT, GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME INFORMED ME MY HEADLIGHTS WERE OFF; HOWEVER WERE TURNED ON PER INSIDE PANEL. IN PREVIOUS REPORTS, I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT ONE HEAD LIGHT WAS OFF, NEVER BOTH. IT APPEARS THAT IF A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD IS HIT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF/ON. I COMMUTE 2 HOURS DAILY (MON-FRI). THERE IS A RURAL AREA THAT I DRIVE WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. NO HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

THE RUBBER TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED INCREASINGLY OVER TIME. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, OPENING THE TRUNK LEAVES MY HAND COVERED IN TAR-LIKE GOO AND THE SENSOR IS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. IN WINTER, THE LATCH DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED WHATSOEVER. IN ADDITION TO BEING INCREDIBLY ANNOYING, THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS A POSSIBLE EGRESS POINT SHOULD THE CAR EVER BECOME WEDGED. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE BACK HATCH DOOR GRIP HANDLE ON THE HATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. THE RUBBER GRIP HAS DEGRADED AND IS SOFT AND STICKY DURING WARM WEATHER AND IN COLD WEATHER BECOMES NEARLY IMMOVABLE. THE BACK HATCH DOOR GRIP HANDLE FREQUENTLY JAMS RENDERING THE CAR INACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE REAR COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS COMPLAINT REPORTED. THIS RUBBER GRIP IS CLEARLY A MATERIAL OF POOR QUALITY AND GIVEN THE PAST HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS HAD WITH THE PRIUS IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT THIS IS ONE MORE. BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR DIES AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING EGRESS FROM THIS VEHICLE TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE REPAIRS AT NO COST. *TR

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT ONCE. I'VE REPLACED THE BULBS WHICH DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. I ALSO CONTACTED TOYOTA MULTIPLE TIMES, ALL INCIDENTS ENDING UP IN THEM TELLING ME THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE, IT'S NOT A RECALL AND WILL NOT BE A RECALL AND IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF. EVEN AFTER I POINTED OUT THE MULTIPLE ARTICLES I READ OF TOYOTA REIMBURSING AND EXTENDING THE WARRANTIES FOR THIS ISSUE. ALONG WITH THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I'VE LONG EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED. IT HAD OVER 30,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS EVEN LESS OF A HELP! GOING DOWN A DARK HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT IS INSANE. NOT TO MENTION BEING PULLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE HEADLIGHT(S) BEING OUT. THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST SAFETY HAZARDS A CAR CAN HAVE AND SHOULD RECALLED AND EVERY PRIUS OWNER SHOULD HAVE THIS ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. UPON RETURNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK, ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE WHILE OCCUPIED WITH THE CONTACT'S CHILD. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *TR

APPROX 12/19/12 I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY 2007 PRIUS. WHEN I HIT THE POWER BUTTON THE CAR STARTED UP, HOWEVER THE DASHBOARD LITES DID NOT WORK (SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, HEAT, A/C, ETC). I TURNED THE MANUAL CONTROL WHEEL ON THE DASHBOARD BACK & FORTH, THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THE LITES STILL DID NOT WORK. I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE FORWARD, THINKING ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE LITES WOULD COME BACK ON, HOWEVER THAT DID NOT WORK EITHER. I PULLED THE CAR BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PUT IT IN PARK AND HIT THE POWER BUTTON, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I HELD THE POWER BUTTON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I SAT IN IT (IN 32 DEGREE WEATHER) FOR ABOUT 20 MIN. AND IT SHUT DOWN ON ITS ON. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA & LEFT IT THERE ALL DAY LONG. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY IT HAD MALFUNCTIONED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT GOOD AND ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE ALL GOOD. I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ON 01/13/13 AND ON TODAY, 01/20/13. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY VIOLATION THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE AND I JUST WANT MY COMPLAINT DOCUMENTED IN THE EVENT SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF THIS SITUATION. THANKS... *TR

IN THE BEGINNING WE WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT THEN THE RIGHT SIDE STARTING GOING OUT. IF WE TURNED THEM OFF AND RIGHT BACK ON THE WOULD COME ON AND SOMETIMES STAY ON AND SOMETIMES NOT. THEN OCCASIONALLY THE Y WILL BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME LEAVING TOTALLY IN THE DARK. WE REPLACED THE BULBS AND THAT HELPED FOR A WHILE BUT THEY STARTED AGAIN. I THEN REPLACED THE BALLASTS. THAT DID NO GOOD. THIS IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING BUT A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE ONE EVENING, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FLICKERED AND WENT OUT. I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON THEN THEY WENT BACK ON. EVER SINCE THIS THE LIGHTS(DRIVER SIDE) GO OFF AND USUALLY COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF. NO RESOLUTION TO THIS AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA SINCE I APPEAR TO NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

LIGHTS GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. DANGEROUS, INCONVENIENT, AND ILLEGAL. *TR

TOTAL DASH BOARD FAILURE.....DESIGN IS COMPOSITE SO ALL INSTRUMENTS GO DARK EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH IS THE LEAST OF A SAFETY ISSUE...INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOULD HAVE SEPARATE CIRCUITS SO SAFETY ISN'T DEPENDENT ON ANY SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE. *TR

LEFT HEADLIGHT COMES ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN GOES TO. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB AND BALLAST AND LIGHT STILL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH CAR BUT W/ 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE BUT THEY SAY HEADLIGHT ISN'T COVERED.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I CANNOT OPEN THE HATCH OF MY PRIUS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. IN ALL PRIUS BASE MODELS THAT I KNOW OF THE HANDLE LITERALLY MELTS OFF OF THE CAR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE HATCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES UP TO $300.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE WHEN IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS COMPLETELY INSANE THAT THEY ARE MAKING PRIUS OWNERS PAY THIS AND ARE MAKING AN INSANE AMOUNT OF MONEY OFF OF ITS CONSUMERS WHEN WE WERE SOLD A FAULTY PART. *TR

WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON TO GO HOME MY DASH LIGHTS DID NOT WORK OR BACKUP CAM OR SEAT BELT ALARM NOTHING WAS SHOWING I COULD NOT TELL IF I WAS GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS ETC I PARKED IT TURNED OFF 2 TIMES THEN 5 MINS LATER IT CAN BACK ON AUTOMATICALLY FIXXX THIS. *TR

THE HEADLIGHT WAS ON, THEN TURNED OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES. TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP (DEALER PRICE IS WAY TOO HIGH), REPLACED THE BULB AND BOARD, PROBLEM PERSISTS. SEARCH INTERNET, FOUND A LOT OF POSTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS A CAR WE BOUGHT FOR MY 16 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. NOW WE ARE HORRIFIED. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND HOW CAN OUR GOVERNMENT NOT FORCE TOYATA TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE PAID A BOUNDLE FOR THIS CAR EVEN IT IS USED, NOW WE ARE STUCK AND WILL BE WORRIED TO DEATH WHEN MY DAUGHTER DRIVES IS IN THE DARK. PLEASE TAKE ACTION, IT IS SERIOUS. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN THE FOD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT REILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR MORE TIMES SINCE THEN AND HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE LOCAL POLICE BECAUSE OF IT. BECAUSE OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA THAT I AM IN AND THE FOD IS PREVALENT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THIS POSES AN EXTREME DANGER TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHERS AROUND ME. *TR