2008 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

I'VE GOT A PACKAGE 6 2008 PRIUS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I CAN'T REALLY TELL WHEN OR HOW IT GOES OUT SINCE I CAN'T SEE IT. I'LL NOTICE IT WHEN I SEE THE REFLECTION IN THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR OR IS SOMEONE TELLS ME. IF I TURN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND OFF IT HAS NO EFFECT, BUT WHEN I TURN THEM ALL THE WAY OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT COMES BACK. SOMETIMES ON LONG TRIPS IT WILL STAY ON THE WHOLE TIME, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. SOMETIMES ON SHORT TRIPS IT WILL GO OUT, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. IT IS NOT AN EVENT I CAN MAKE HAPPEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CAN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN. DEALER REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND IT STILL HAPPENING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE WARNING INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY MORE THAN FIVE TIMES SINCE THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE FURTHER TESTING TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

TURNED ON CAR AND NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ODOMETER, NO FUEL GAUGE, NO GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR. BROKEN COMBINATION METER. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB - T-SB-0172-09 BUT WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, THE INTERIOR DOORS LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB. THE KEY-LESS IGNITION WAS OFF HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIO WERE ACTIVATED DURING THE MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WHO WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE POWER LOCK SWITCH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

INTERMITTENLY EITHER HEADLAMP MAY GO OUT. TURNING OFF AND ON THE HEADLAMPS TURNS THE DEAD LAMP BACK ON. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS OFF EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS IN PASSENGER SEAT, THUS NEGATING THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN OTHER SENSORS MIGHT ACTIVATE IT. NOR DOES AN UN-BUCKLED SEAT BELT SENSOR ACTIVATE THE WARNING BUZZER. FYI SIMILAR PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS RECALLING 11,153 OF ITS 2012-13 SCION IQ MODELS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY MALFUNCTION. IN ITS REPORT TO THE AGENCY, TOYOTA SAID THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF A CABLE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT DETERMINES IF A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE TURNED ON. THE REPORT SAID THE CABLE COULD BE DAMAGED BY MOVING THE SEAT FORE AND AFT. THAT COULD EITHER CAUSE THE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH OR TO DEPLOY WITHOUT BEING IN A CRASH. *TR

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES IT'S THE LEFT AND OR RIGHT HEADLIGHT SEPARATELY AND SOMETIMES THEY SHUT OFF TOGETHER. IF I TOGGLE THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF, THEY MAY OR MAY NOT TURN BACK ON. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND NOTICED THAT BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. AFTER FLICKING THE ON/OFF SWITCH, THE LIGHTS CAME BACK. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR NEW BULBS, BELIEVING THIS TO BE THE CAUSE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HID BULB ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE LIGHTS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. WE TRIED TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY, BOTH LIGHTS STAYED ON. WE PUT THE OLD BULB BACK IN AND IT WORKED AGAIN, ALTHOUGH IT FAILED AGAIN QUICKLY AND HAD TO BE TURNED BACK ON BY FLICKING THE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT MODULE(S). THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR HAD THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO OF OWNERSHIP BECAUSE TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN OAKLAND OFFERED TO DO IT FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE, AS THEY TOLD HER, "ALL OF THE HEADLIGHT COMPONENTS WERE ABOUT TO BE RECALLED." THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEVERAL PRIUS OWNER FRIENDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2ND GENERATION PRIUSES. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER CAR THAT NEEDS NEW HEADLIGHT MODULES REGULARLY AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

THE BLACK RUBBER TRUNK RELEASE COVER HAS DETERIORATED/MELTED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH OF THE CAR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING/PART DEFECT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HID HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS ONE AT A TIME, AND MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. I AM UNABLE TO TELL WHEN THEY GO OFF UNTIL EITHER I GET PULLED OVER AND WARNED WHICH HAS HAPPENED ONCE ALREADY OR I PULL UP AND SEE REFLECTION OFF BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. THE LIGHTS WILL WORK FOR SHORT PERIODS THEN OFF AGAIN THEN ON AGAIN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA) IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND CHARGING UPWARDS OF $600 FOR REPAIR. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE ALSO READ THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. AFTER A FURTHER LENGTHY RESEARCH MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS ACTUALLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS, OF WHICH I WOULD RATHER SEE THE NHTSA TAKE ACTION AND HAVE TOYOTA MAKE GOOD ON THESE DEFECTS, AND RECALL TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

WHILE PARKED AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ROLL BACK. IT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 4-5 CA LENGTHS. THE VEHICLE DRUG ME BUT CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE "ENGAGED" INTO DRIVE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE CAR. NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR NOT BUT OBVIOUSLY THE PARKING DID NOT STAY ENGAGED. *TR

WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FIRST TURNED ON, BOTH WORK. IN A FEW MINUTES THE DRIVER'S SIDE HID LIGHT DIMS AND THEN GOES OUT. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN TURN THEM ON AGAIN, THE SAME THING HAPPENS, BOTH ARE LIT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DIMS AND THEN GOES OUT AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES. *TR

LIFT GATE LATCH RUBBER COVER IS MELTED. *TR

WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT SLIPS BACK INTO NEUTRAL. IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE CAR, I MUST HOLD THE LEVER IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE DEALER IS CHARGING ME $500 TO FIX BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE READ MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM ON TOYOTANATION.COM UNDER "2008 PRIUS WON'T STAY IN GEAR". *TR

THE NON HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF. I'VE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AFTER DARK - I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY TIMES IT MIGHT HAPPEN DURING THE DAY. I'VE HAD AT ONE HEADLIGHT GO OUT AS WELL ONCE, PERHAPS TWICE. I'VE SWITCHED THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN AND THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM...UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I'M VERY HESITANT NOW TO DRIVE THIS CAR AFTER DARK FOR FEAR THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE COOLANT CONTROL VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE COOLANT CONTROL VALVE.

BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES EACH MORNING DURING MY ONE HOUR COMMUTE. RECOVERY IS TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN ON QUICKLY. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR HAS FOG LAMPS WHICH I NOW KEEP ON CONTINUOUSLY TO AVOID BEING COMPLETELY IN THE DARK. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE REPORTS AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. TOYOTA DEALER DOESN'T THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM SINCE THE LIGHTS WORK FINE WHEN THE CAR IS IN THEIR SERVICE AREA. SEEMS THE CAR MUST BE MOVING TO CAUSE THE ISSUE. *TR

I LEAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON ALL OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING MY PRIUS THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE CAR WILL MAKE THE HEADLIGHT COME ON. ALSO THE HEADLIGHT SOMETIMES IS OFF WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. SAME THING, TURN HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON OR RESTART THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. I THOUGHT I MIGHT NEED A NEW HEADLIGHT BUT WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT (8-13-14) AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS DAMAGED. I NOW HAVE A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME TWICE (INCLUDING TODAY) THAT I NEED A NEW HEADLIGHT. I DO NOT THINK THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME AS THIS FREQUENTLY OCCURS WHEN I AM TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WILL NOT TURN MY LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AT 60 MPH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE GEAR WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE GEAR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE LEVER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE ENGINE REVVED UP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURVE AND RAN INTO SOME BUSHES. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,102. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/15/2012 *JS

MY FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT CONSTANTLY WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO MECHANICS WHO CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BULB ITSELF AND HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE HIDS WIRING. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVING THE IDENTICAL ISSUE AND THEY ARE URGING FOR A RECALL. I AM ALSO URGING FOR A RECALL. THERE WAS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IN REGARDS TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA HAS CREATED A KNOWINGLY FAULTY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND CAN'T RECALL IT. THOSE WHO SUED TOYOTA HAVE GOTTEN THEIRS FIXED, DOES IT REALLY HAVE TO GO THAT FAR FOR THE REST OF US? *TR

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. SOMETIMES JUST ONE, OTHER TIMES BOTH. *TR

I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES WHEN THE "RED TRIANGLE" RED PROBLEM LIGHT CAME ON THE SCREEN. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER WHEN THE CAR MADE A SERIES OF SHORT DINGING SOUNDS AND THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE ENGAGED--IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS FORCED TO FLEE THE VEHICLE AS THERE WERE ONCOMING CARS THAT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO STOP. WHEN THE SIGNAL CHANGED, I WENT BACK TO THE CAR AND PUT ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. THEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT BUDGE FROM NEUTRAL. I THEN SWITCHED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED EVEN 5 MINUTES LATER, MY 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACT AS QUICKLY AS I DID. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC BY AAA FOR DIAGNOSIS, BUT AT THIS TIME IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THIS WAS AN ERROR, BUT A DESIGN FLAW THAT PUT MY SAFETY IN CRITICAL DANGER. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS (RUNAWAY TOYOTA) 09/18/2012 AT HOME DEPOT PARKING AREA. AS I WAS IN A PARKING STALL, I STEPPED ON A BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SUDDENLY THE CAR TOOK OFF WITH ITS FULLY FORCE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT WORK. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. MY CAR JUMPED OVER A WHEEL STOP AND BANGED ONTO A TREE AND STOP. INSURANCE AGENT CAME BY SHORTLY AS WELL AS A POLICE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE BIG ISLAND TOYOTA WHO DENIES DEFECTS. WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE TOYOTA MADE NATIONAL CLAIM SO THAT MY CAR IS FROZEN-NO ONE CAN TOUCH IT, UNTIL I SIGN A LIABILITY WAIVER (RELEASING TOYOTA FROM ANY LIABILITY) . MEANTIME THEY SAID I NEED TO PAY PARKING CHARGE TO HOLD MY CAR IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. TOYOTA WANTS ME TO SIGN A LIABILITY WAIVER AND INSURANCE COMPANY TO REPAIR THE CAR SO THAT THEY CAN WHOLE SALE THE VEHICLE. MY CAR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS RECALLED IN 2008, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID SOMETHING TO THE GAS PEDAL. I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW THE CAR IS NOT SAFE, IT CAN TRIGGER THE GAS PEDAL TO GO FULL WHEN BRAKE IS STEPPED ON. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 327 NORTH OF HIGHWAY US 20 AND TRAVELING ALONG AT 45 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. IT WAS DARK. I SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEY CAME ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT AT TIMES ONE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF OR THE OTHER. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE HEADLIGHT OUT AND I MIGHT GET A TICKET, BUT WHEN I CHECK THEM AND ONE IS OUT I JUST SIMPLY TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEY USUALLY COME ON. I THOUGHT ABOUT CHANGING THE HEADLIGHTS BUT SAW A VIDEO ONLINE THAT SAYS THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. SO PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE RIGHT HID HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN I TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHT LIGHTS UP AGAIN BUT SOMETIMES TURNS OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER. I PAID OVER $500 TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ME, OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM, PRESUMABLY AT A COST OF A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS. I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

THE REAR HATCH LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS MELTED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR.

ONE EVENING IN EARLY SEPTEMBER I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET WHEN MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I TURNED OFF MY LIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BOTH ( DRIVER AND PASSENGER) HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD; ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.I VERIFIED THE LIGHTS WERE IN THE ON POSITION. I TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND IMMEDIATELY BACK ON AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING WITH THE MOST RECENT OCCURRING THIS EVENING ON A BUSY NOT WELL LIT HIGHWAY. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER LIGHT BULB WITH NO RESOLUTION THEREFORE I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE DRIVERSIDE LIGHT AT LEAST EVERY COUPLE DAYS ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ( PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER SIDE LIGHT) TURNS OFF WHICH REQUIRE ME TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON TO BRING BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATIONAL STATUS. DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF SUDDENLY. SOMETIMES ONE OR THE OTHER, SOME TIMES BOTH. *TR

THE CAR WARNINGS WENT ON AND DISPLAYED THE SYMBOL FOR BRAKE SYSTEMS FAILURE. THE CAR BRAKES WENT OUT AND THEN THE CAR SPED UP SLIGHTLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND WAS NEAR MY HOME, SO NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BECAUSE THE CAR MANUAL SAID NOT TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 3 MPH WHEN YOU HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEMS FAILURE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AND THE MECHANICAL WATER PUMP. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED 2003-2007 ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS FOR THE PRIUS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IF WE WERE GOING FASTER. MY QUESTION IS WHETHER THE 2008 ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FOR THE PRIUS NEED TO BE RECALLED? *TR

ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK ON BY TURNING BOTH HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON. SINCE THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT HEADLIGHT JUST RANDOMLY GO OUT AND HAVE TO TURN OFF MY HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AND BACK ON TO RESET IT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS(MAYBE ABOUT 5 OR 6) I HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND BEEN IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. JUST LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED TO MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING, ON THE FREEWAY, AND WAS VERY SCARY. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I HAD MY LIGHTS ON DURING A DARK OVERCAST DAY FOR SAFETY AND A DEPUTY PULLED ME OVER BECAUSE ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF. TOLD THE OFFICER THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH PRIUS(AND REPORTED BY MANY) AND THAT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO RESPOND. HE SHOOK HIS HEAD AND SAID HE'LL REMEMBER THAT WHEN PULLING OVER OTHER PRIUS. *TR

ON 8/29/12, I GOT INTO MY 2008 PRIUS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE EASTON, MD GIANT FOOD-STORE TO RETURN HOME. THIS LOT IS ON A SLOPE JUST ABOVE A PARKING LOT FOR WALMART, WITH A PAVED ROAD BETWEEN THE 2 LOTS. THE PARKING LOTS WERE VERY CROWDED. I NEEDED TO GET TO THE ROAD SEPARATING THE 2 LOTS IN ORDER TO GO HOME. I HAD JUST STARTED THE PRIUS AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE WHEN IT STARTED TO ROAR LOUDLY, JUMPED OUT FAST, AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, EVEN THOUGH I BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO MAKE IT ACCELERATE FASTER. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR WAS ROARING AND OUT OF CONTROL. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE GIANT LOT, THE PRIUS HIT 3 CARS. THE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD, AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. PUMPING THE BRAKES OR HOLDING THEM DOWN DID NOTHING TO SLOW THE CAR, AND THE NOISE WAS TERRIFYING. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, AND THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO MAKE A VERY LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE SPEED OF THE CAR MADE STEERING DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES. THE PRIUS THEN LEFT THE GIANT PARKING LOT, WENT DOWN THE MULCHED SLOPE, CROSSED THE STREET, BUMPED OVER THE CURB, AND WENT UP THE WALMART SLOPE HITTING A SMALL TREE. THE CAR WAS PROBABLY GOING AT LEAST 40 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP ONLY AFTER IT PLUNGED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED BLACK CAR PARKED IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT. IT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND TOWED AWAY. NO ONE KNEW WHO THE OWNER WAS AT THE TIME THE POLICE ORDERED IT TOWED AWAY. AN OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.DURING THE ABOVE, THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONED, KEEPING ME UNINJURED. THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TOTALLY. FOUR VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, ONE OF WHICH WAS TOTALED. BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE WERE NO INJURIES??FOR WHICH I AM GRATEFUL. THIS PRIUS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD DESPITE HAVING ONLY 74,000 MILES AND ITS APPARENT GOOD CONDITION. *TR

AROUND 4:30PM ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS AND WERE STARTLED BY A PIERCING NOISE. THE DASHBOARD WAS LIGHTING UP (ABS & VSC) AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR STARTED, THE DASHBOARD REMAINED LIT AND THE BEEPING CONTINUED. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES DID NOT BRAKE FULLY. AFTER A $58 DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WE WERE TOLD THAT ACC PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEARED AND IF WE RETURNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, WE MAY NEED TO REPLACE A "BRAKE ACTUATOR PART" (COST = $2,560). BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE DROVE THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 150 MILES. FOR THE LAST 15 MINUTES OF OUR TRIP, WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH HEAVY RAINS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON SIDE ROADS. WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, BUT ARE WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THE WATER AFFECTED THE BRAKES. *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS ABRUPTLY TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING HOME AT NIGHTS GOING APPROX. 50 MPH. TURNED LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. EACH TIME IT'S BOTH THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY PRIUS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AT NIGHT. THEY CAME BACK ON AFTER I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS 10 OR MORE TIMES AN HOUR FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A BIKE RIDER BECAUSE THEY SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND I COULDN'T SEE THE PERSON CROSSING THE STREET. *TR

HEADLIGHTS BLINK OUT SINGLY OR AT THE SAME TIME FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. INCREASINGLY BOTH LIGHTS GO OUT OVER LAST YEAR. CAR AT 74000 MILES NOW. CAN BE ONE OR BOTH SO I DOUBT THIS IS A BULB ISSUE. *TR

THE SCREEN HAS STOPPED RESPONDING PROPERLY. IT IS MOSTLY THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN THAT DOESN'T RESPOND AT ALL, BUT AT TIMES ITS THE ENTIRE SCREEN. THIS SCREEN IS NECESSARY TO CONTROL THE AIR/HEATER; TELEPHONE, SOUND, ETC. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET DISCUSSING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT YET TOYOTA WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL OF THE PROBLEM EQUIPMENT. *TR

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT ON MY 2008 PRIUS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED THE NEXT MORNING THAT IT WAS BACK ON. I FIGURED OUT THAT IF I TURN THE LIGHT OFF THEN ON AGAIN, IT WILL COME BACK ON, FOR A WHILE. I EVENTUALLY HAD IT REPLACED, TO THE TUNE OF $120 PARTS AND $40 LABOR. BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT NOW THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS DOING THE SAME THING. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE CHANGING THE BULBS DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME! *TR

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNED OFF. WHEN LIGHT SWITCH WAS TOGGLED HEADLIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN. OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT (INCLUDING ON A SECLUDED ROAD AT NIGHT) WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE EITHER BULB IS MALFUNCTIONING. CURRENTLY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL, AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT DOES NOT STAY ON MORE THAN 30 SECONDS AT A TIME. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND REILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 9/26/12 *CN

AS OF 11/2014 THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 3 WHEEL BEARING ISSUES WITH MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE FIRST OCCURRED IN 2012(RIGHT REAR) AND THE OTHER TWO OCCURRED IN 2014(BOTH FRONT). THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN, SINCE IT CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEIZE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN TOYOTA'S WHEEL BEARINGS FOR THREE TO FAIL ON ONE VEHICLE AND THE FIRST FAILING AT ONLY 70,000 MILES. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE $1700 IN REPAIRS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IF THE WHEEL SEIZES OR FALLS OFF THIS CAN CAUSE FATALITIES. TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK INTO WHY ONE OF THERE FACTORIES IS PRODUCING DEFECTIVE SUB-PAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

WE PURCHASED OUR PRIUS IN 2008. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, WE NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE ON THE BACK HATCH STARTED TO MELT. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A NUISANCE AS IT LEFT A BLACK GOO ON YOUR HANDS. AS TIME PASSED IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE HATCH BECAME HARDER TO OPEN DUE TO THE MELTED HANDLE. LAST WEEK (AUG. 2015) OUR 12 VOLT BATTERY DIED OVER NIGHT AND WE COULDN'T START THE CAR OR GET ANYTHING TO WORK. OF COURSE, WE COULD NOT OPEN THE BACK HATCH AT ALL TO ACCESS THE BATTERY. WE CALLED A TOW SERVICE TO TOW OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER. WE WERE ABLE TO JUMP THE CAR AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER HERD OF THIS HAPPENING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MELTED HANDLE SHORTED OUT THE WIRING FOR THE REAR LIGHT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH< WE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT A LOCALIZED PROBLEM BUT IS PRETTY COMMON ON 2007 AND 2008 PRIUS'. TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO FIX TS OWN DESIGN FLAW AND WE ARE OUT $250. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE IS A FLAT TIRE OR DEAD BATTERY AND WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH.

ON 09JUL2012 4:00 P.M WHILE DRIVING MY PRIUS 2008 HYBRID, HEADING HOME ON I15N, THE ELECTRIC POWER ON THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING, OR ALERT. I IMMEDIATELY MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY CALLED AAA FOR A TOWING INTO TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO, LOCATED ON 231 LINCOLN PARKWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92026 PH# (760) 746-0674. TODAY 09/01/2012 - CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH INTERMITTENT HID HEADLIGHT OPERATION: I'VE GOT A PACKAGE 6 2006 PRIUS. ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS KEEPS GOING OUT. I CAN'T REALLY TELL WHEN OR HOW IT GOES OUT SINCE I CAN'T SEE IT. I'LL NOTICE IT WHEN I SEE THE REFLECTION IN THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. IF I TURN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND OFF IT HAS NO EFFECT, BUT WHEN I TURN THEM ALL THE WAY OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT COMES BACK. REQUEST A SAFETY RECALL FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE CARE OF THE ELECTRICAL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS TO PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE PAN . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REVIEW THE CASE WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/26/12

I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. I WAS DRIVING IN THE EVENING ON THE FREEWAY AND NOTICED THE REFLECTION OF MY HEADLIGHTS IN THE BUMPER OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT SEEMED TO BE OFF. I TURNED MY LIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN QUICKLY AND THEY BOTH WENT ON AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS. SOMETIMES THEY BOTH STAY ON. SOMETIMES THE RIGHT ONE FADES. MY SPOUSE NOTICED THAT BOTH LIGHTS WERE ALTERNATELY FLICKERING AS I DROVE BEHIND HIM ONE NIGHT. *TR

PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT, STARTED ACCELERATING, WENT TO HIT BRAKES AND BRAKES FAILED. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WAS MORE THAN NORMAL, STARTED PULSING BRAKES. DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON (NOT SURE WHICH ONES). PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2011, AND TOYOTA RESET THE "BRAKE STROKE SENSOR" CHARGED US FOR THIS WORK, AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SENSOR (~500). DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO OVER THREE YEARS. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY DID NOT REPLACE SENSOR AT THAT TIME. *TT

MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM DRIVING OR THEY WILL GO DIM WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS BECAUSE THEY THOUGH I WAS DRIVING UNSAFELY WITHOUT 1 WORKING HEADLIGHT AND EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON AND BOTH LIGHTS WOULD THEN WORK. THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAID THAT THEY ARE BECOMMING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE OFTEN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY HAD NO ANSWER OTHER THAN TO REPLACE LIGHTS THAT AT THE TIME WERE WORKING JUST FINE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. NHTSA MUST DO SOMETHING... INVESTIGATE AND/OR RECALL OF THE PRIUS FOR DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE NEGOTIATING A CURVES, BOTH HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, LEAVING US IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. WE COULDN'T TELL IF WE NEEDED TO KEEP TURNING OR STRAIGHTEN OUT. FINALLY FIGURED OUT YOU CAN RESET BY TURNING THEM OFF & THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER AND/OR GO OFF. HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE POLICE. DEALERSHIP WORK/CHARGES HAVEN'T RESOLVED THIS. I KNOW YOU'VE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS FROM PRIUS OWNERS, AND THAT THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION. TIME FOR YOUR TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNLESS A PARTICULAR WARNING LIGHT WAS CLEARED BY DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SPEEDS EXCEEDED 50 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE ENGINE PLUG-IN BATTERY ADD-ON KIT THAT HE PERSONALLY INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LOW BATTERY INDICATOR PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THE ADD-ON WAS REMOVED, THE FAILURE CEASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 02/12/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HIS COMPLAINT WAS AGAINST THE MAKERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF THE PHEV CONVERSION KIT, HE HAD INSTALLED IN HIS VEHICLE. THE BATTERY KIT WAS USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL BATTERY POWER TO THE BUILT IN BATTERY OF THE HYBRID. THE CONSUMER STATED OCCASIONALLY, THE PHEV KIT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 45 -65 MPH. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE WAS A WARNING BEEP AND THE GENERAL WARNING TRIANGLE WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE IT HAPPENED, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE, UNTIL THE GENERAL WARNING TRIANGLE WAS CLEARED. HE HAD TO CLEAR IT, BY DISCONNECTING THE 12 VOLT BATTERY FOR A MINUTE AND THE RE-CONNECTING THE 12 VOLT BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN FOR A THIRD TIME, HE REMOVED THE PHEV BATTERY KIT. UPDATED 02/13/13