2008 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND INSIDE LIGHTS FAILED, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE TRAVELING ON A DARK STRETCH OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT FAILED SUDDENLY ON OCCASION, BUT IT COULD BE TURNED BACK ON MY SWITCHING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEN TURNING THEM BACK ON. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ALL LIGHTS FAILED, AND IT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH.

ONE HEADLIGHT ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS KEEPS GOING OUT. 3 NEW LAMPS IN JUST 6 MONTHS. IT IS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THIS WEBSITE IN THE PAST. THE TRACTION CONTROL DISABLES THE DRIVE WHEELS INCONSISTENTLY AND ARBITRARILY UNDER MANY CIRCUMSTANCES, OFTEN RESULTING IN A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP ON DRY OR WET PAVEMENT OR WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMPS/HOLES AT LOW SPEEDS (25-45 MPH). THIS IS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING WHEN TRYING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT - POWER IS CUT, SLOWING ENTRY INTO MOVING TRAFFIC AND INCREASING ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TELLS US THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. SURELY IT'S A SERIOUS ENOUGH HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING FROM 15 MPH AND ENTERING INTO A PARKING LOT BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SCRATCHES DUE TO BEING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

HID HEADLAMP INTERMITTENT, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT HAS FAILED AGAIN @ 76,000 MI. *TR

MY 2008 PRIUS HAS BEEN ACCELERATING FORWARD AFTER I GO OVER AMY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I ASKED MY SEALSKIN ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID MY PRIUS WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. MY HUSBAND SAYS THIS IS INCORRECT AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM TOO. I DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I AM SCARED THIS WILL END IN AM ACCIDENT OR SOMEONE GETTING HURT. *TR

I WILL START THE CAR AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THEN ONE OR THE OTHER WILL JUST TURN OFF, LUCKILY BOTH HAVE NOT TURNED OFF AT THE SAME TIME. SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE ON FOR A LONG TIME AND SOMETIMES A SHORT TIME, THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR IT. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, ENOUGH THAT I WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE FOR HAVING A HEADLIGHT OUT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS ON HIGHWAY AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IN 2 MINUTES ALL POWER GONE AND I HAVE HAD TO TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID, WATER PUMP FAILED AND BECAUSE OF THAT HYBRID INVERTER FRIED. CAR WAS OUT OF GUARANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ABOUT WATER PUMP. I PAID NEARLY $5.000.00 FOR WATER PUMP AND HYBRID INVERTOR. I HAVE SEEN THERE IS A RECALL ABOUT WATER PUMP NOW. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN GET MY MONEY BACK? *TR

AFTER A VAGUE SENSE THAT BOTH HEAD LAMPS WERE SOMETIMES GOING DARK, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS "OUT" AND HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $245 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. NOW THE OTHER BULB IS GOING DARK ON AND OFF. IF DARK, IT CAN BE MADE TO ILLUMINATE BY TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON. BULB MOST OFTEN GOES DARK AT SPEED.

CONDENSATION BUILDS UP INSIDE THE HID HEADLIGHTS DURING HUMID DAYS, AFTER RAIN, AND AFTER CARWASH. INSIDE OF HEADLIGHT IS STREAKED WITH WATER STAINS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP GOES OUT AND COME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY-HAD TO HOLD HEADLIGHT SWITCH MANUALLY TO HAVE HEADLIGHT STAY ON. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. WHEN PULLING INTO GARAGE I TURNED LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT HAD CAME BACK ON. WITH KNOWING THIS I HAVE NOTICED THIS REPEATING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN THE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON AGAIN. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT AT THE SAMETIME. WE WERE PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE FOR THE HEADLIGHT BEING OUT. SO WE TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE HID HEADLIGHTS OF THE PRIUS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! *TR

PROBLEM: REAR RIGHT WHEEL STUD BROKEN. I REMOVED RIGHT SIDE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL LUG NUTS TO ROTATE TIRES USING THE TOYOTA SUPPLIED LUG WRENCH. SWITCHED THE TIRES AND REINSTALLED THE LUG NUTS. HOWEVER ONE LUG NUT ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WOULD NOT TIGHTEN. AFTER A COUPLE TURNS I DECIDED TO REMOVE THE OTHER LUG NUTS ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. ONE OF THE LUG NUTS FELL OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE IT. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE WHEEL STUD HAD BROKEN OFF ABOUT 1/2 INCH FROM THE WHEEL FLANGE. I PRESSED THE BROKEN STUD FROM THE WHEEL FLANGE AND INSTALLED A NEW STUD PURCHASED FROM THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THIS KIND OF FAILURE, IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN DURING VEHICLE MOVEMENT, COULD RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. I HAVE THE BROKEN STUD AND LUG NUT IN MY POSSESSION. LOOKS LIKE A CYCLIC FATIGUE, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER OCCUR IN THIS APPLICATION.

2008 PRIUS; HEADLIGHTS GO OFF RANDOMLY, AND CAN BE TURNED BACK ON BY RECYCLING THE OFF-ON SWITCH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS IT HAS HAPPENED WITH MY 15 YEAR OLD SON DRIVING AND HE PANICKED WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE BULBS (EVEN THOUGH THEY STILL WORK) FOR $560, AND THAT MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NEXT STEP IS TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER WHICH CONTROLS THE LIGHTS FOR $1200. SO, POSSIBLY $1,760 FOR HEADLIGHTS! THIS IS A CRIME, AND I FEEL LIKE TOYOTA AND THEIR DEALER HAVE RAPED ME. I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED. *LN

HEADLIGHTS FOR 2008 PRIUS KEEP BURNING OUT, TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BOTTOM PAIR OF LIGHTS LAST YEAR AND PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF CERTAIN DAYS. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO FIX IT, THEY WANT ME TO PAY LARGE AMOUNT OF SUM FOR NEW LIGHTS. *TR

HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT. THE LEFT SIDE OR THE RIGHT SIDE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. A VERY VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION AT NIGHT! I CHECKED THE TOYOTA SITE, BUT NO SIGN OF A RECALL GOING ON. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HASN'T ALREADY BEEN ISSUED, AS I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GATE OF THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND OFF AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED A CASE MANAGER WOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THE CASE AND RETURN THE CONTACT'S CALL WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE/RUBBER BLADDER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. GAUGE SHOWED 2 BARS 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES TWO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, THE ABS RELEASE MOMENTARILY CAUSES A BRIEF SURGE FORWARD ANY TIME THERE IS A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD WHEN BRAKING AND CONSUMER ALSO STATES HE NEARLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN HE ALMOST COULDN'T STOP, EVEN BY PUTTING HIS ENTIRE WEIGHT ON THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO BELIEVED THE PEDALS WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *JB

HID HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF - 2008 PRIUS W ONLY 28,000 MILES. *TR

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 30 MILES PER HOUR AND HIT A PARKED CAR WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE CAR IS POTENTIALLY TOTALED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. *TR

PURCHASED NEW 2008 PRIUS AUGUST 13, 2008. HAS HID HEADLIGHTS. PRESENT MILEAGE 45000. AROUND JANUARY 15, 2011, FIRST NOTICED HEADLIGHTS APPEARED TO NOT BE ON IN EARLY EVENING. CHECK SWITCH, TURNED IT OFF-ON, HEADLIGHTS CAME ON. 2ND TIME, 2 DAYS LATER, LIGHTS AGAIN SEEMED TO NOT BE ONE, CHECKED SWITCH, WHICH WAS ON. TURNED SWITCH OFF THEN ON, LIGHTS CAME ON. SUBSEQUENT TIMES, PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF. SOMETIMES TURNS ON WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING, OTHER TIMES MUST TURN SWITCH OFF, THEN ON. NO NOTICED PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. DANGEROUS WHEN HEADLIGHT SWITCHES OFF AT NIGHT. NOTICED ON WEBSITES THAT OTHERS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER FROM WHOM PURCHASED VEHICLE. TOLD THAT SINCE CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR COSTS (ESTIMATED $300-$500 COST). INDICATED PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY BULB GOING BAD, BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE REPAIR WORK WOULD FIX PROBLEM. ASKED DEALER WHY HID BULB GOES BAD AFTER ONLY 30 MONTHS OF OPERATION (HAVE ORIGINAL HEADLIGHTS IN 2004 CHEVY CAVALIER AND 1976 GMC PICKUP). WAS TOLD THAT SHOULD ONLY EXPECT 24 MONTHS OF LIFE WITH HID BULBS WHICH CONTRADICTS WHAT WAS TOLD BY DEALER WHEN CAR PURCHASED THAT BULBS SHOULD LAST LIFETIME OF CAR. TOYOTA IMPLIES THAT ISSUE IS MY PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT WENT OUT PREMATURELY. *TR

IN 2008, I BOUGHT THE NEW PRIUS 2008. ON JANUARY 11, 2008 I AM DRIVING WITH SPEED 35 MPH AND HEAD-ON CRASH IT BY A CAR FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITH SPEED 40MPH HEAD ON COLLISION ON 2/3 OF THE CAR FROM A DRIVER SIDE WERE DAMAGE, THE ENGINE SPLIT AND AN HALF. THE CAR WERE TOTAL LOSS..BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CALL TOYOTA EXPERIENCE (1-800-331-4331) BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD CHIP 2 OF MY TEETH, LOOSING 4 AND SUFFERED NECK,BACK, SHOULDER,AND KNEE, CUT AND BRUISES. *TR

IN JANUARY 2008, I BOUGHT THE NEW PRIUS 2008. ON JANUARY 11, 2011 I AM DRIVING WITH SPEED 35 MPH AND CAR FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION LOST CONTROL AND HIT MY CAR WITH SPEED 40 MPH HEAD ON COLLISION ON 2/3 OF THE CAR FROM A DRIVER SIDE WERE DAMAGE, THE PRIUS ENGINE SPLIT AND AN HALF. THE CAR WERE TOTAL LOSS..BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CALLED TOYOTA EXPERIENCE (1-800-331-4331) BUT THEY PROVIDE THEM ALL INFORMATION AND PICTURES AND REQUEST FOR THEM FOR REASON WHY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM TOYOTA AND NO ACTIONS. HAS BEEN TAKEN. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD CHIP 2 OF MY TEETH, LOOSING 4 AND SEVERELY SUFFERED NECK,BACK, SHOULDER,CHEST, RIB, HIP AND KNEE, CUT AND BRUISES. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT WENT OUT SUDDENLY, FLICKERED BACK, AND THEN WENT OUT PERMANENTLY. *TR

THE COMPLAINT IS FOR THE HID HEADLIGHT SYSTEM ON A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT INITIALLY FAILED RANDOMLY AND EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING WHERE THE HEADLIGHT WOULD FAIL. THE ONLY WAY THE LIGHT WOULD TURN BACK ON WOULD BE TO CYCLE THE POWER TO THE HEADLIGHTS. MORE RECENTLY, THIS PROBLEM IS NOW OCCURRING WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CAR NOW HAS 88K MILES AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS BAD. I HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AT THIS TIME. *TR

PROBLEMS STARTED IN 2010 DRIVER HEAD LIGHT WOULD GO OFF, REPLACED THE RELAY WITH NO EFFECT, JUST LIVED WITH IT WOULD TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND WOULD THEN WORK. NOW AT 72,500 MILES BOTH HEAD LIGHTS AND ALL RUNNING LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING! YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING AND OTHER DRIVERS CAN'T SEE YOU! VERY DANGEROUS! WATER PUMP WENT OUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH A RECALL A YEAR LATER BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE PART.

TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 TOURING MODEL WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON CAR ISSUE STARTED AFTER AROUND 30,000 MILES. THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT SPORADICALLY SHUTS OFF. I AM ABLE TO TURN LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT WILL WORK AGAIN HOWEVER THIS HAPPENS IN A 30 MIN DRIVE AS OFTEN AS ABOUT 15 TIMES AND SEEMS TO GET MORE FREQUENT THE LONGER THE DRIVE. I RIDE WITH MYSELF MY HUSBAND AND 3 KIDS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN MY CAR. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS THE LIGHT ITSELF BECAUSE I AM ABLE TO TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IF IT WAS THE LIGHT IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. *TR

THERE WERE NO DISTINGUISHING EVENTS THAT LED UP TO THE TOTAL FAILURE OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY (FRONT). THEY BOTH NO LONGER WORKED WITHIN A 1 DAY PERIOD AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. NOTICING 2 OR MORE OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL THERE FOR LIGHT REPLACEMENT CAUSED ME TO INQUIRE WHAT CAUSED THEIR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS. IN THE MATTER OF MINUTES OF MY CALLING IN, ROUGHLY AN HOUR INTO THE DEALERSHIPS OPENING, I WAS TOLD THE LIGHTS WERE AVAILABLE, BY THE TIME ARRIVED, WITHIN 5 MINUTES, ENOUGH AUTOS HAD ARRIVED ALSO WITH THE "HID" HEADLAMPS OUT THAT THE DEALERSHIPS ENTIRE STOCK OF LIGHTS HAD BEEN USED UP, AND REQUIRED MY HAVING TO RETURN AFTER ANOTHER SHIPMENT OF LIGHTS WERE RECEIVED, AS WELL. I DID NOT REQUEST THE OLD PART. *TR

WHAT HAPPENED ON 12/23/10 WAS THAT I WAS GOING TO TURN AROUND IN A SHORT DRIVEWAY, APPROXIMATELY 6 FT LONG, THAT WAS ON A STEEP INCLINE. AS I CAME UP TO THE DRIVEWAY, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE IT OVER TO THE BRAKE. MY FOOT WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND, WHEN THE CAR HIT THE INCLINE, IT SPED UP REALLY FAST. I HAD TO JAM ON MY BRAKES TO KEEP FROM CRASHING INTO A GARAGE DOOR. MY MAIN COMPLAINT, THOUGH, IS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF OVERRIDE SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE 2008 PRIUS SO THAT, WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER CERTAIN POTHOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD -- BUT NOT ALL OF THEM -- AND YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SPEEDS UP TO MOVE YOU OUT OF THE POTHOLE OR OVER THE BUMP. THIS OVERRIDES THE BRAKES SO THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT YOU COULD RUN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU IF IT WAS STOPPED OR INTO SOMETHING BLOCKING THE ROAD OR A GARAGE DOOR. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, WHETHER YOU ARE GOING DOWN A HILL, AROUND A CURVE OR COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP MOMENTARILY. THERE IS A SQUARE METAL PLATE THAT IS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE TARMAC IN THE ROAD ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE. THE ROAD IS A CANYON ROAD SO IT IS A HILLSIDE ROAD THAT IS VERY NARROW. EVERY MORNING WHEN I DRIVE TO WORK, I HAVE TO DRIVE OVER THAT PLATE AND, EVERY TIME I DO, MY CAR SPEEDS UP. THIS HAPPENS WITH OTHER 2008 PRIUSES THAT FRIENDS HAVE, IT'S NOT JUST MINE. IT IS VERY SCARY AND EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS A 2008 PRIUS KNOWS THAT IT IS A BAD DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STOP THE OVERRIDE SYSTEM. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. PM

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, THE CAR SOMETIMES GOES INTO "ANTI-SKID" MODE, LEADING TO A BRIEF DISCONCERTING PERIOD OF LURCHING/ACCELERATION/LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY BEFORE THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE YELLOW ANTI - SKID ICON INDICATOR ON THE DASH.

AT 39,000 MILES MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHTS FAILED. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT AND THEY JUST GO OUT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THEY CAME BACK ON ENOUGH TO DRIVE HOME. I TOOK IT TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THE BULBS NEEDED REPLACED FOR 400 DOLLARS. I ASKED THEM WHY AND THEY SAID WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THESE LIGHTS WERE SUPPOSED TO LAST MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL LIGHTS BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT WAY. THEY NEVER WORKED RIGHT AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO SEE ANY DISTANCE AT ALL AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY GO OUT. MAKES ONE AFRAID TO DRIVE AFTER DARK NOT KNOWING NOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 400 DOLLARS. *TR

FRONT RIGHT HID HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. CANNOT OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY AT NIGHT. KNOWN DEFECT BY MANUFACTURER ON 2004-2008 PRIUS.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE DARK. AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO THE FRY. RAMP MY LIGHTS WENT OUT! I COULDN'T TURN AROUND SO I TRIED TO GUESS WHERE I WAS BY THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE FRY. THEN THEY CAME BACK ON. THIS CONTINUED , ON-OFF FOR TEN MILES. TOYOTA SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT THAT DAY. CHG. $556.59. CAR HAS 27,554 MILES. *TR

INTERMITTENT HID HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 PRIUS. THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OFF, THEN AFTER TURNING THEM OFF AND BACK ON, THEY ARE GOOD FOR A WHILE ONCE AGAIN. THIS IS HAPPENING TO BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. I UNDERSTAND THE BULBS ARE $150 EACH PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE. I ONLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON MY PRIUS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

BOTH HEAD LIGHTS COME ON FOR A SECOND OR 2 THEN TURN OFF. TURNING THEM ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY SOMETIMES THEY WILL STAY ON FOR UP TO 1 MINUTE THEN TURN OFF. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD US CAR CLAIMS THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. REPORTED PROBLEM 12/2/2010.

LEFT FRONT HID HEADLAMP FLICKERED AND THEN WENT OUT. I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON QUICKLY, RESTORING THE HEADLIGHT. IT REPEATED ITSELF REPEATEDLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET THE HEADLIGHT REPLACED AT THE OUTRAGEOUS COST OF $469.80. THAT PRICE INCLUDED REPLACING BOTH HEADLIGHTS, AS I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF HAVING THE OTHER ONE FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER. IT IS CLEAR FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THAT TOYOTA IS GOUGING THE PUBLIC ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE HEADLIGHTS AND ALSO REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE PUT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT ON THE ROAD. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY RECALL ITEM.

I WAS LEAVING THE AIRPORT AND BEGINNING TO PICK UP SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH) WHEN I HAD A VERY SCARY INCIDENT WITH MY 2008 PRIUS. IT SUDDENLY FISHTAILED TO THE LEFT, SEVERAL SECONDS LATER FISHTAILED TO THE RIGHT, AND AS IT YET AGAIN BEGAN TO FISHTAIL TO THE LEFT, I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND IT CORRECTED. IT WAS TERRIFYING AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE TO MY RIGHT OR BEHIND ME AND THE TAXI ON MY LEFT MANAGED TO AVOID ME. I KNEW THAT I WOULD NEVER FEEL SAFE IN MY PRIUS AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA REGIONAL MANAGER WHO SAID TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I THEN SPENT THE NEXT TWO DAYS READING COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE PRIUS. IT IS CHILLING TO READ HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED AND THE PATTERNS THAT EMERGE IN THE REPORTING. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED OVER THE COMPLAINT THAT HAD BEEN WRITTEN UP AND SAID, "I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE." I TOLD HIM HE ONLY HAD TO GO TO THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW SIMILAR CASES WITH THE PRIUS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED. HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I FIND THERE. I TRIED MY BEST TO GIVE HIM A THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM BUT HE DIDN'T SEEM MUCH INTERESTED IN GETTING A FIX ON WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. HE ASKED IF I HAD GONE OVER A BUMP. "NO," I REPLIED, "BUT WHY DO YOU ASK?" HE SAID THAT GOING OVER A BUMP CAN TRIGGER A SENSOR IN THE WHEEL THAT SETS IN MOTION A SERIES OF RESPONSES. "AND GOING OVER A BUMP ISN'T A PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA?", I ASKED. HE DIDN'T RESPOND AND ONLY SAID THAT THEY WILL LOOK THE CAR OVER. FROM READING THE DOCUMENTED REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE FINDINGS WOULD BE. "WE DON'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR," HE TOLD ME. "BUT YOU DO AGREE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG, DON'T YOU?", I ASKED. HE IMMEDIATELY HUSTLED ME OUT OF THE AREA. I KNEW THAT I COULD NEVER SELL MY CAR TO ANOTHER PERSON IN GOOD FAITH, BUT I SOLD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT A BIG LOSS. *TR

HID HEADLIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE. DRIVER SIDE INTERMITTENT FAILURE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ON 11/15/2010 PASSENGER SIDE ALSO FAILED AT 7:15 PM LEAVING US WITH NO OPERATING HEADLIGHTS ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD. HAD TO RETURN BACK TO HOUSE WITH NO HEADLIGHTS, LUCKILLY ONLY 5 MINUTES INTO OUR TRIP.

HEADLIGHT GOES ON, THEN GOES OFF. WON'T STAY ON. I WAS INFORMED THE OTHER ONE COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME, SO I SHOULD REPLACE BOTH, AT GREAT EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THE HID HEADLIGHTS WERE COVERED UNDER THE REGULAR WARRANTY, BUT NOT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BULBS (ESPECAILLY THOSE COSTING $300) SHOULD NOT BURN OUT OR RANDOMLY FLICKER ON A TWO YEAR OLD VEHICLE. TO PREVENT FUTURE/ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT WAS WORKING. THIS IS A DEFINITLELY SAFETY ISSUE...I CHECK BULBS REGULARLY, AND ALL ARE WORKING WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON. OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T CHECK WHILE I'M IN MOTION - WHICH IS WHEN THEY FLASH OFF - AND WAS FORTUNATE THAT BOTH BULBS DIDN'T BURN OUT AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH, INJURY OR ACCIDENT (OR WORSE) THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIABLE FOR.

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, VIN [XXX], BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT GO ON AND OFF WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. STARTED NOV. 2010 WITH BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT ON A TRIP OUT OF TOWN. THEN FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS NO PROBLEMS. NOW SINCE APRIL 2011 THE DRIVES SIDE HEADLIGHT OCCASIONALLY GOES OFF, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONSTANTLY GOES OFF. I WILL TURN ON MY LIGHT TO DRIVE AT NIGH AND THE PASSENGER LIGHT WILL BE ON AT FIRST THEN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT WILL GO OUT. I CAN GET IT TO COME BACK ON IF I SWITCH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THIS TURNS OFF ALL THE LIGHTS MOMENTARILY AND THEN IT WILL COME ON AGAIN FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES, THEN HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REPEAT THE PROCESS OVER AND OVER. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND FOUND FORUMS WHERE THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM ALL BUT TO CHARGE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WILL JUST START ALL OVER. I HAVE GONE TO OUR LOCAL DEALER WHO GAVE US A QUOTE AND SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF. COME ON, THEY ARE SWEEPING IT UNDER THE RUG AND RIPPING OFF PRUIS OWNERS. I CERTAINLY HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMEONE DYING TO GET TOYOTA OR SOMEONE TO REALIZE WHAT A MAJOR PROBLEM THERE IS AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I DO NOT FEET THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BULB ITSELF, AS THE BULB WORKS, IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL, AS MANY OTHERS HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS TO ONLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM RETURN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON A 2008 PRIUS DECIDES NOT WORK AT VARIED TIMES. IT IS A SPORADIC PROBLEM WHICH OCCURS THEN GOES AWAY. YOU COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT THEN YOU SEE THAT YOU HAVE NO DISPLAY TELLING YOU: 1) HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, 2) HOW MUCH GAS DO YOU HAVE, OR 3) DISTANCE TRAVELED. IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO TROUBLESHOOT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD GOES AWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED UPON START-UP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST FOR A NEW BULB. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE HYBRID WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. *TR

VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DIM AS WELL AS INTERIOR, NEARLY CAUSING A CRITICAL ACCIDENT AS DRIVER 'S VISION , HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT PROVIDING ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO MAKE TURN AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO-DATE AND AM AFRAID THAT IF TOYOTA IS NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR A RECALL IS NOT CONDUCTED WE ARE DRIVING IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE AS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY NEW OR DIFFERENT CAR.( OR A REPAIR OF 1700$ THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO US AND OTHERS PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND US.MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VEHICLE, PASSER SAFETY AND THERE FORE OUR SAFETY IS IN YOUR HANDS I ACN BE REACHED AT[XXX] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE PLEASE KEEP US AND OTHERS SAFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLAMP GOES OUT AFTER TURNING ON AND WARMING UP. ISSUE AND CONCERN IS THAT THE LAMP APPEARS FUNCTIONAL AT FIRST AND THEN GOES OUT AFTER SOME RANDOM PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TO THE DRIVER. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE PRIUS HID LAMPS. FIXED BY REPLACING BULB. *TR