2008 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH A BRAKING CONDITION WHICH I'VE COME TO REALIZE ISN'T NORMAL. SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THE CAR, I'VE HAD POOR BRAKING WHILE TRAVELING OVER ROUGH ROADS, POTHOLES AND CORNERING. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL AS A RESULT OF ABS BRAKES AND SKID CONTROL. THE FEELING IS DISCONCERTING AND FEELS AS THOUGH THE BRAKES AREN'T INITIALLY ENGAGING. I NOW REALIZE THAT THIS ISN'T NORMAL HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE EVEN THOUGH I'VE SOMEWHAT GOTTEN USED TO IT OVER TIME. I CAN REPLICATE THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A ROAD THAT I TRAVEL FREQUENTLY THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH SURGES AHEAD WHEN I AM BRAKING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS: WET, UNEVEN SURFACES, AND BUMPY ROADS. IT IS SCARY BECAUSE I NEARLY HIT SOMEONE AT A STOP SIGN AND I FEEL OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IT DOES THIS. ON AVERAGE, HAPPENS 1-2X WEEK. IT HAPPENS WHEN MY FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND I AM UNDER 20 MPH. IT SEEMS LIKE A COMPUTER ERROR AND NOT ACCELERATOR RELATED. *TR

PLEASE INCLUDE PRIUS 2008 AS WELL IN YOUR INVESTIGATION. WE HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE, WE DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE, OUR CAR JERKS FORWARD/ACCELERATES FOR A SPLIT SECOND JUST LIKE THE 2010 PRIUS THAT IS BEING REPORTED. WE DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT UNTIL THE ISSUE WITH THE 2010 PRIUS NEWS CAME OUT. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS AND IT DOES EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE REPORTING THE 2010 MODELS ARE DOING. MINE JUMPS FORWARD WHILE BRAKING OVER A ROUGH ROAD. MY FRIEND OWNS A 2007 MODEL AND HIS DOES THE SAME THING. MINE OCCURS ALMOST DAILY WHEN TRANSITIONING HOME FROM WORK OVER A PARTICULAR STRETCH OF ROAD. I WILL BE GLAD TO TESTIFY. I ALSO SENT A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA. *TR

LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME IN LIGHT RAIN ON A SMOOTH,STRAIGHT ROAD A VERY LOUD ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND AND A RED "BRAKE" LIGHT LIT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE FAILING. THE STEERING ALSO BECAME VERY STIFF. THE ALARM DID NOT STOP UNTIL I HAD PULLED OVER AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF COMPLETELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DRIVER ERROR FOR DRIVING WITH ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND ONE ON THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS ABSURD. IT WAS ALSO IMPLIED THAT I HAD "IMAGINED" THIS FRIGHTENING EMERGENCY DUE TO THE RECENT PROBLEMS IN THE NEWS WITH THE 2010 BRAKES ON THE PRIUS. THAT IS ALSO COMPLETELY FALSE. I HAD NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED MY CAR MIGHT HAVE A BRAKE FAILURE UNTIL IT HAPPENED AS NOTHING HAD EVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP IN TEARS AND AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH NO HOPE OF AN ANSWER BECAUSE I WAS NOT BELIEVED. THEY EVEN SAID THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH LOUD ALARM THAT COULD GO OFF ON THE 08 PRIUS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CODE C1256 REVEALED,WITH 100% ACCURACY, THAT I HAD HIT THE BRAKE AND GAS SIMULTANEOUSLY 38 TIMES! I EXPLAINED THAT THIS COULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED EVEN ONCE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER IS NEVER WRONG. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE 2010 PRIUS. WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP OR OTHER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND WHILE BRAKING, THE CAR HAS A SHORT SURGE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SINCE OWNING THE CAR. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, TOURING EDITION WITH HID HEADLIGHTS: THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLAMP GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AFTER INITIAL IGNITION AT START. TURNING OFF THE HEADLAMPS MOMENTARILY WILL RESTORE ILLUMINATION, BUT IT WILL AGAIN MALFUNCTION AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO. OTHER EXTERIOR LAMPS WILL ALSO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY WITHOUT INDICATION OR REASON. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT THEIR DEFECT, WHICH COULD PROVE VERY DANGEROUS. *CN

SUMMARY: BRAKES HESITATE IF I HAVE THE BRAKES ON BEFORE DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROAD TRANSITION: DRIVING ~25 TO 30MPH GOING UP HILL, ON BRIDGE THAT IS A FREEWAY OVERPASS, WHERE I TURN INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE THAT HAS A STOPLIGHT THAT LEADS TO THE FREEWAY ON RAMP. IF THE LIGHT IS RED OR I NEED TO SLOWDOWN FOR THE TURN, WHEN MY WHEELS GO OVER THE METAL TRANSITION PLATE BETWEEN THE ASPHALT ROAD AND THE CONCRETE BRIDGE, IF I HAVE MY BRAKES ON PRIOR TO THE TRANSITION, THE OUT OF CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES , ABS ENGAGES AND AFTER THE TRANSITION, I LOSE BRAKES FOR A SECOND OR TWO OR MAYBE THREE. IF THE LIGHT IS RED IT CAN BE A LITTLE TRICKY AS I NEED TO STOP FOR THE LIGHT SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANSITION. THERE ARE TWO LANES THAT TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY AND IF SOMEONE SHIFTS FROM ONE LANE TO THE OTHER FOR A BETTER LIGHT POSITION, IT GETS EVEN TRICKIER TO STOP ON TIME. FOR THOSE IN SAN DIEGO, THIS IS THE LIGHT AT LA COSTA IN CARLSBAD, GOING WEST ON LA COSTA AND ENTERING THE I-5 SOUTH ON RAMP.

THE CAR'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL TO ENGAGE WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN. THUS, THE CAR SLIDES FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE AVOIDED ACCIDENTS ONLY BY SWERVING. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRACTION CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE WHEN ON DRY PAVEMENT. THUS, NORMAL STOPPING CAN BE DIFFICULT IF THE CAR'S TRACTION CONTROL IS ACTIVATED (TYPICALLY DUE TO A BUMP/POTHOLE). *TR

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH I BOUGHT NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN RIVERHEAD, NY. THE CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY STOP WORKING WHEN I TRY TO STOP ON A SLIPPERY OR BUMPY SURFACE. IF I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FORCEFULLY, THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY STOP, BUT THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS AT LEAST 2 TO 3 TIMES WHAT IT IS UNDER OTHER (NORMAL) ROAD CONDITIONS. I AM A CERTIFIED NYS DRIVER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR IN MY MID 60'S AND HAVE NEVER RUN INTO THIS SITUATION IN ANY OTHER CAR MODEL I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. PLEASE HAVE TOYOTA INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS I HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR CHECKED SINCE I THOUGHT I WAS PERHAPS JUST SKIDDING, BUT TODAY I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER DRIVERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME BRAKING PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 PRIUS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE 2008 MODEL AS WELL. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF ANY ACTION I SHOULD BE TAKING TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. *TR

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING IN MY 2008 PRIUS THAT SOUND IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS BEING INVESTIGATED ON THE 2010 MODEL. WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, SOMETIMES THE BRAKES DISENGAGE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN HITTING GRAVEL, POT HOLES, BUMPS, WET PATCHES, ICE, ETC. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. JUST YESTERDAY, I WAS BARELY MOVING(LESS THAN 10MPH) AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN WHERE IT WAS WET, AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES I CONTINUED TO ADVANCE FORWARD INTO AN INTERSECTION. I WAS FORTUNATE THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WERE FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO HAVE TIME TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ME. ONCE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IN CONTROL. THE BRAKES ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN THERE IS ANY MOISTURE. WHEN APPLIED IN THESE CONDITIONS, WHEN THEY DO ENGAGE, THE VEHICLE STOPS TOO ABRUPTLY, CAUSING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS TO BE LURCHED FORWARD. THIS SOMETIMES ENGAGES THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WHEN THERE IS NO TRACTION ISSUE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE A BIT. THESE THINGS SOMETIMES HAPPEN ON A DAILY BASIS OR IN DRY CONDITIONS IT MAY BE A FEW DAYS BETWEEN INCIDENTS. *TR

MY 2008 PRIUS, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 4 MILES ON IT FROM LONGO TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA, HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING BRAKE ISSUE: EVERYDAY WHILE DRIVING ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY NEAR MANHATTAN BEACH, I WILL HIT A POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING, NOTICING MY YELLOW TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASH ON MY DASH BOARD THREE TIMES, AND THEN MY CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA EVERYTIME, AND ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HIT ANYBODY IN FRONT OF ME, I AM SHOCKED EACH AND EVERYTIME IT DOES OCCUR. I AM ALMOST GUARANTEED TO EXPERIENCE THIS WHEN DRIVING IN THE SLOW LANE IN THE LOCATION DESCRIBED ABOVE ONCE A DAY. I LOVE MY 2008 PRIUS, BUT THIS ISSUE IS VERY ALARMING. I HAVE NOTICED THIS FROM NOVEMBER 20TH, 2007 UNTIL TODAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2010. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS IN OCT. 2007 WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. IT IS CURRENTLY 28 MONTHS OLD AND HAS 51K MILES. THE HID PASSENGER HEADLIGHT JUST PREMATURELY BURNED OUT AND I MUST HAVE IT REPAIRED IN ORDER TO SAFELY (AND LEGALLY) DRIVE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A KNOWN TOYOTA DEFECT THAT NEEDS ACTION TO CORRECT. *TR

THE BRAKES OF MY TOYOTA PRIUS SEEM TO HAVE INTERMITTENT "GRABBING AND DELAYING" PROBLEMS. THE MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM SEEMS TO APPLY EXTRA PRESSURE WHEN SLOWING AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK SLIGHTLY. LESS FREQUENTLY THE BRAKES CAN SEEM TO "GO OUT" FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR POT HOLE. IF THE ROAD IS WET THIS SEEMS TO MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE. APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS VARIOUS. *TR

THE BRAKES FAIL TO WORK IMMEDIATELY AND/OR THE CAR SPEED SURGES TEMPORARILY WHEN BRAKING ON A BUMPY SURFACE, SUCH AS GOING OVER A POT HOLE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING SOON AFTER I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR AND HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS - THE MOST RECENT BEING YESTERDAY. AT FIRST, THE SHORT LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED CONCERNED ME, BUT I HAVE COME TO EXPECT IT NOW WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH ROAD AT SLOW SPEEDS. I STARTED TO THINK IT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABS SYSTEM AND THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK THAT WAY. BUT NOW, AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2010 PRIUS, I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS IN EARLIER PRIUS MODELS. THIS IS A DUPLICATE OF A COMPLAINT FILED EARLIER TODAY UNDER SPEED CONTROL. SINCE THEN I LEARNED THAT MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE FILED THIS UNDER BRAKES. *TR

THE BRAKES FAIL TO WORK IMMEDIATELY AND/OR THE CAR SPEED SURGES TEMPORARILY WHEN BRAKING ON A BUMPY OR SURFACE, SUCH AS GOING OVER A POT HOLE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING SOON AFTER I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR AND HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS - THE MOST RECENT BEING YESTERDAY. AT FIRST, THE SHORT LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED CONCERNED ME, BUT I HAVE COME TO EXPECT IT NOW WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH ROAD. I STARTED TO THINK IT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABS SYSTEM AND THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK THAT WAY. BUT NOW, AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2010 PRIUS, I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS IN EARLIER PRIUS MODELS. *TR

I OWN A TOY.PRI.2008,ON 02/03/10 I WAS LEAVING DRIVEWAY APPLIED GAS,CAR TOOK OFF ACROSS ST. INTO TIDALFLOW OF AT. OCEAN AT HIGH TIDE,THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. BRAKE OR TURN OFF. THE POLICE PIC'S NOTEDED GAS PEDAL WAS NOT VISIBLE, FLOOR MAT WAS OVER IT, THE SALT WATER WAS IN CAR AND UPON LEAVING CAR IT WAS WAIST DEEP. THE CAR WAS SERVICED 1/4/10 AT TOYOTA DEALER FOR STATE INSPETION AND USUAL MT. NEVER MENTIONED RECALL OF MATS WHICH I NOW FIND WAS A WELL KNOWN FACT IN SEPT.09. THEY ARE INSISTING IT WILL DRY OUT AND BE FINE,SALT WATER ON ANY CAR IS DEADLY BUTI HYBRID. THE HOUR IT SAT IN WATER PRIOR TO TOW,THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I CALLED TOYOTA THAT DAY AS TOW TOOK CAR TO IT,THEY INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUES WITH 2008 PRIUS. THE CAR WAS MOVING MUCH FASTER THAN MY 10MPH OF ORIGIN AND WOULD NOT BRAKE,SHIFT OR SHUT OFF. WATER WAS POURING OUT STEREO SPEAKERS AND UP UNDER HOOD ON/OR UNDER ENGINE BLOCK,THE ENGINE RAN FOR THE HOUR THE CAR SAT IN SALT WATER. TOYOTA HSA BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP AND STILL INSISTS DESPITE AN OFFICAL RECALL THAT THERE WERE TROUBLES WITH 2008 PRIUS. THE POLICE PHOTOS SAY IT ALL. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE AN EXTREMELY OVER-AGGRESSIVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING OVER ICE, BUMPY ROADS OR EVEN POTHOLES AND PRESSING THE BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM DISENGAGES THE BRAKES ON ALL WHEELS IF EVEN ONE OF THEM MOMENTARILY SLIPS. THIS IS MOST EGREGIOUS WHEN THE CAUSE IS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AS TRACTION IS NOT IN QUESTION FOR ANY OF THE TIRES (AS IT MIGHT BE ON ICE). THE EFFECT IS THAT THE BRAKES TEMPORARILY CEASE OPERATING, WHICH CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS CONDITIONS (BUT NO CRASHES YET). *TR

WHEN MY 2008 PRIUS GOES OVER ANYTHING SLICK, WET, AND SOMETIMES LOOSE GRAVEL, PARTICULARLY ON A DOWN-HILL SURFACE, THE CAR SLIPS WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED. IF APPLIED WHILE ON THE SLICK SURFACE, IT IS AS IF THE BRAKE DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY; IF APPLIED PREVIOUS TO THE SURFACE, THE BRAKE STOPS RESPONDING WHEN IT HITS THE SLICK SURFACE. IT HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY, AT LEAST EVERY 50 MILES OR SO. THE VARIABLE STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGES AT THE SAME TIME THE SLIPPING OCCURS. THE ONLY CORRECTION IS TO CONTINUE TO HOLD THE BRAKE, WAIT FOR IT TO ENGAGE, AND LEAVE EXTRA TIME/DISTANCE TO BRAKE. THIS PROBLEM REPEATEDLY HAPPENS AT SPECIFIC POINTS OF FREQUENTLY DRIVEN ROUTES (IE. MANHOLE COVER ON MY STREET AT BOTTOM OF HILL). I HAVE NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN ANY OTHER CAR. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING TEMPORARY LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE BRAKING ON UNEVEN SURFACES, BUMPY STREETS, POTHOLES, RAILROAD TRACKS. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS NORMAL ABS ACTIVATING, BUT LONGER AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FOR A FEW SECONDS. DEALER INFORMED ME THIS IS BY DESIGN. ALL MY OTHER CARS (WITH ABS) DO NOT EXPERIENCE THIS IN THE SAME CONDITIONS. INCIDENT REPEATED DAILY DURING MY COMMUTE. I HAVE TO DRIVE MUCH SLOWER BECAUSE OF THIS AND I WANT THIS FIXED SINCE IF IT'S BY DESIGN THEN ITS A BAD DESIGN!!! NOTE THIS IS ON A GEN2 PRIUS, 2008 MODEL. *TR

MY 2008 PRIUS LURCHES FORWARD AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN ENCOUNTERING A SMALL POT HOLE/ SLIPPERY CONDITIONS...THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THE 2010 PRIUS, BUT I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS WITH MY OLDER MODEL. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ENCOUNTER SOME UNFORESEEN OBSTACLES (2 OR 3 TIMES/MONTH). *TR

WHENEVER I DRIVE MY 2008 PRIUS OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE BRAKE ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND THE BRAKES APPEAR MOMENTARILY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, IN PART BECAUSE I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER. BUT, I WORRY THAT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT THE BRAKES ON MY CAR HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY. THE LAST TIME WAS ON PAVEMENT THAT WAS WET, TRYING TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT ON A DOWNHILL ROAD. LUCKILY THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WENT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT OR I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. THE OTHER TIMES HAVE BEEN NEAR MY HOME, I LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD, MANY OF THE ROADS ARE UNPAVED AND UNEVEN DIRT ROADS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I AM EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN BRAKING BECAUSE MANY TIMES THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK WELL. THE LIGHT DOES COME ON TO INDICATE UNEVEN ROAD, WHILE BRAKING. I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS OCCURS DAILY BECAUSE I LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD. *TR

ABOUT ONCE A MONTH THE BRAKES PARTIALLY FAIL THEN I PRESS THE BRAKES HARDER AND THEY REENGAGE FULLY. THIS HAPPENS AFTER I'VE HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES FOR 5-10 SECONDS WHEN I AM TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS NEVER LED TO AN ACCIDENT. I'M PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A BRAKE PROBLEM ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THIS IS AN APPARENT MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING WHEN HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. THE SAME PROBLEM WAS APPARENT ON AN EARLIER 2002 PRIUS. IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT IT IS WORRISOME. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AND REPRODUCIBLY. *TR

BRAKES FAIL IF THE CAR IS DRIVEN OVER EVEN A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. BRAKE FAILURE IS VERY SPORADIC. *TR

CAR SEEMS TO SLIP ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. WHEN DRIVEN OVER POTHOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE WHEELS SEEM TO SPEED UP BEFORE STABILIZING BACK. THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

WHILE BRAKING AT SLOW SPEED, MY PRIUS 08 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED MAKING THE CAR LUNG FORWARD AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE...VSC LIGHT WENT ON ND THEN TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO MY TOYOTA DEALER ON 2/5/10. THEY EXPERIENCED THE VSC LIGHT GOING ON AND SAID THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM. THEY ALSO CHECKED ALL MODULES AND SAID NO CODES CAME UP. THEY ALSO SAID THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM ON A HYBRID. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN MY PREVIOUS HONDA ACCORD THAT ALSO HAD ABS. *TR

TOYOTA PRIUS 2008: WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED AND BRAKING, IF I HIT A SMALL BUMP (LIKE MANHOLE COVER), MY VEHICLE SKID WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR TEMPORARILY STOPS BRAKING FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND THEN BRAKE RE-ENGAGES. THIS HAS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST EXPERIENCED IT AND THEY CHECKED COMPUTER AND COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM.

MY WIFE KATHY AND I OWN A 2009 PRIUS. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM THAT IS PERSISTENT BUT THE DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON THE LAST SEVERAL VISITS FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. THEY CHECKED BULLETINS ETC. BUT CLAIM NO PROBLEM EXISTS. THE PROBLEM: "LUNGING OF THE VEHICLE AND NOISE WITH SHAKING OF THE CAR." MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE MOST OF THE TIME AND EXPERIENCES THE PROBLEM OFTEN. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM MAINLY IN A PARKED SITUATION STANDING NEXT TO THE CAR TALKING TO FRIENDS. IN QUIET MODE, SOMETHING LIKE A COMPRESSOR KICKS IN OR ENGINE STARTS, CAR LITERALLY LUNGED FORWARD AND ROCKED BACK AND THE CLANGING NOISE SOUNDED AS IF THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE NOT DOING THEIR JOB. I EXPLAINED THE SYMPTOM TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A COMPRESSOR? I REALIZE COMPRESSORS ARE OLD SCHOOL BUT THAT'S THE BEST CORRELATION I CAN COME UP WITH. ANOTHER ISSUE: AFTER STARTING THE CAR, MOVES FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL BUT WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THIS IS AN OCCASIONAL ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! RESPONSE: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION AND HOPE TO HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. OUR CURRENT OFFICE HOURS ARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 5 AM TO 6 PM AND SATURDAY 7 AM TO 4 PM PACIFIC TIME. IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, WE RECOMMEND YOU CONTACT THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT YOUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ----- DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING! ------ MY WIFE AND I ARE REALTORS AND WE'VE HAD CLIENTS THAT DON'T WANT TO RIDE WITH US IN A PRIUS BECAUSE OF THE RECENT NEWS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE IS SAFE?

THE LIGHTS STARTED BURNING OUT. THEY CONTINUE TO BURN OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS, OR LESS. *TR

2008 PRIUS BRAKE SLIPPAGE- NOT THE 2009 PRIUS, BUT 2008. RECURRENT SLIPPAGE WHEN IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE CAR IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, USUALLY AFTER HITTING A PEBBLE OR A SLICK AREA (EVEN JUST WATER)...OCCURS APPROX ONCE/MONTH. NEWS STORIES TODAY ONLY REFERENCING THE LATEST MODEL, AND IT IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM IN MY 2008 CAR. NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT ALWAYS A BIT ALARMING. OTHERWISE LOVE MY PRIUS. *TR

I NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES UNTIL I HAD MY PRIUS. I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IF I GO OVER UNEVEN GROUND LIKE A POTHOLE, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD A BIT FOR ABOUT A SECOND. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE PRIUS, BUT AFTER SEEING ALL OF THESE REPORTS, I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT SINCE MY CAR IS OLDER THAN THE ONES MENTIONED IN THE NEWS REPORTS. *JB

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. BRAKES FAIL/INOPERATIVE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS AND/OR POTHOLES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE ABS OR THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGES WHEN THERE IS NO NEED. THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF INCIDENT THAT IS BEING REPORTED IN NEWER PRIUS MODELS AS WELL. *TR

HID GOING ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY.

BRAKES MOMENTARILY FAIL AND/OR THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON TOP OF A POT HOLE OR OTHER SIMILAR OBSTRUCTION. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. ON JAN 29, 2010, I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR ENGAGED AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I LET OFF THE BRAKES AND SLAMMED THEM ON HARDER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. MY CAR HIT THE SIDE OF A AM/PM ARCO STATION BUILDING. I TURNED IT INTO MY INSURANCE AND PAID THE $500 DEDUCTIBLE. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME. THE CAR HAS NOT SURGED SINCE. *TR

JUST LIKE MANY OTHER PRIUS SEEN ON ROAD, MY PRIUS GOT THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM,IT WAS STARTING TWO YEARS BEFORE, SOMETIMES ITS RIGHT HEADLIGHT ON WOULD BE SUDDENLY OFF, IF I TURNED IT OFF AND PUT IT BACK ON AGAIN AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WOULD BE COMING BACK AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, STARTING FROM LAST WEEK, WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS, THE RIGHT ONE JUST ON FOR AROUND 10 SECONDS, IT WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY OFF BUT NOW THE RIGHT LIGHT DIDN'T COME BACK AGAIN. I BELIEVE IT IS NOT ONLY MY CAR PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN MANY PRIUS CAR ON THE ROAD HAVING THIS PROBLEM TOO. IT MAY BE CAUSED THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING FAILURE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED IN THE 2010 PRIUS, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE SIMILAR FAILURES WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON BOTH SLIPPERY AND BUMPY ROADS WHERE THE CAR WILL COMPLETELY DISENGAGE FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN FOR AN UNREASONABLY LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEN PULSE WILDLY BETWEEN HAVING THE DRIVE SYSTEM ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE. IN MINNESOTA WITH SLIPPERY ROADS FOR MANY MONTHS IN THE YEAR, IT CAN BE VERY TRICKY MAKING A LEFT HAD TURN EVEN WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS A VERY SAFE DISTANCE AWAY. YOU CAN "STALL" MID TURN IN A VERY VULNERABLE BROADSIDE POSITION. SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED, TO A LESSER DEGREE ON BUMPY ROADS, NOT JUST ICY ROADS. I HAVE NOT PRESSED TOYOTA ON THE ISSUE. I RAISED IT ONCE IN CONVERSATION AND THEY SIMPLY SAID THAT IT WAS JUST HOW THE TRACTION CONTROL OPERATED. I AM TELLING YOU AS YOU OPEN THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKING SYSTEM. I THINK THE SCOPE IS WIDER THAN BRAKES, IT IS ACCELERATION AS WELL, AND I DON'T THINK IT IS LIMITED TO THE MOST RECENT MODEL OF THE PRIUS. I DRIVE A LATE MODEL PREVIOUS GENERATION PRIUS. *TR

MY CAR IS A 2008 PRIUS. THE INCIDENT IS THAT MY CAR DIDN'T STOP AND SKIDDED INTO A CONCRETE CURB, DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT POWER STEERING RACK. IT WAS SNOWING, ABOUT 1-2" ACCUMULATED. DRIVING INTO MY OFFICE PARKING LOT, THERE IS A STREET WITH A STEEP BUT SHORT HILL - MAYBE 50FEET OR LESS - (IT WAS NOT PLOWED OR SANDED). AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL, THERE IS A LEFT TURN INTO A LEVEL PARKING LOT OR A RIGHT TURN UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS, OR STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO SHRUBS AND THE RIVER. I SLOWED DOWN BEFORE GOING DOWN THE HILL AND AS I WENT DOWN THE HILL I LIGHTLY PUMPED BRAKES. TRIED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT FOOT OF THE HILL BUT CAR DIDN'T STOP COMPLETELY, BUT WAS GOING SLOW. SO, I MADE THE LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE BODY OF THE CAR TURNED INTO THE LOT, BUT WAS NOT IN CONTROL. WITH THE BRAKES ON, AND THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT, THE CAR WENT INTO A SLIDE SIDEWAYS TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE CURB AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT FELT AS IF I HAD NO BRAKES - COMING DOWN THE HILL THEY COULDN'T STOP ME AND THERE WAS NO SKID CONTROL COMING ON AT ANY TIME. THE FAILURE: GIVEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROVE A FAILURE BUT I SUSPECT SOMETHING WITH THE BRAKES. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ONE YEAR (PURCHASED IT USED) AND DURING THAT TIME THE ONE THING THAT BUGS ME IN THE CAR IS THE BRAKES AND THE SKID CONTROL. THEY JUST FEEL STRANGE, I GO OVER A DEPRESSED MANHOLE IN THE ROAD AND THE DSC COMES ON AND IT FEELS LIKE I SKID - IT SHOULD JUST FEEL LIKE A BUMP. REPAIRS: THIS IS THE LIST -ENTIRE POWER STEERING RACK ON RIGHT FRONT TO BE REPLACED- TIE ROD, LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHEEL, RIM-ALL BENT. FRONT COVER AND LOWER BALL JOINT DAMAGED-TO BE REPLACED. OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS; THEY WILL BE DONE THIS WEEK (8 FEB). IF YOU WANT THE OLD PARTS I CAN ASK FOR DEALER TO SAVE THEM. CAR IS @ TOYOTA DEALER. MILEAGE & SPEED ARE MY BEST GUESS; COMPONENTS I GUESSED - YOUR TERMS WERE NOT FAMILIAR TO ME. *TW

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS ABOUT 20 TO 30 MPH DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD, A SLIGHT DESCENDING GRADE AND COASTING, WHEN IT ACCELERATED WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS AND A SPEED GAIN OF APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH. IT STARTLED ME, IF A CAR HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF ME, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM. A LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH BUT IT HAPPENED SO FAST THAT I COULD NOT TELL WHICH LIGHT. I CALLED TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW AND WAS TOLD IF IT WAS NOT ACTING UP THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE HAD BAD WEATHER SO I PARKED THE CAR UNTIL WE COULD CARRY IT IN. FEB 9TH, 2011, WE HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I WOULD SELL IT BUT IT WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE GOT IN AN ACCIDENT? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

RE: MY 2008 PRIUS. THE BRAKES OCCASIONALLY SEEM TO 'SKIP,' ESPECIALLY ON WET OR ROUGH ROADS. THEY ALWAYS WORK, BUT SEEM TO PAUSE OR HESITATE BEFORE STOPPING. I'VE ONLY HEARD WORD ABOUT 2010 MODELS, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MY 2008 TOO OFTEN! *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS FAILING AFTER 45K MILES OR 750 HOURS. INIITIALLY IT WAS JUST THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT WOULD JUST TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, NOW IT IS BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. IF THEY ARE TURNED OFF, YOU CAN THEN TURN THEM BOTH BACK ON BUT THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THEY WILL SHUT OFF AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FOOT THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT LIGHTS AND LABOR. I HAVE DONE SOME FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. HID LAMPS HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 2000 SERVICE HOURS. THESE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT TO 50% OF THE AVERAGE SERVICE LIFE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I REPLACE THESE ITEMS OUT OF POCKET THAT I WILL AGAIN HAVE TO REPLACE THEM IN TWO YEARS. *CN

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2010 MODEL. WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR AN UNEVEN PART OF THE ROAD, THE BRAKES WILL NOT TAKE HOLD AND THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO ACCELERATE OR JERK FORWARD. ALSO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE DOOR WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER DISENGAGED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

PROCEEDING TO GET ON HIGHWAY AND IN GRAVEL DRIVEWAY VEHICLE LOST TRACTION AND BRAKES FAILED.(AT LEAST 5 OR 6 TIMES IN 2009 AND MOST RESCENT 2/03/10)\HEADLIGHT AND RELAY SWITCH FAILED\FRONT RUNNING LIGHT NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME\RADIO SWITCHING FROM FM,FM2AND AM RANDOMLY\CAR FOR NO REASON GOING DEAD AT A STORE ORBEING PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR 2AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED\MAIN BATTERIES LOSING CHARGE(MOST OF THESE ISSUES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOCUMENTED AT TOYOTA WITH THE RESPONSE THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AS FAR BACK AS AUGUST AND MOST RECENT IN DECEMBER '09) ALSO THE TIRES WENT BALD AFTER 20,000 MILES\CAN'T PUT MORE THAN 8 GALLONS OF FUEL IN TANK'EVER *CN

ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKE A LOW SPEEDS IT DOES NOT APPLY THE BRAKE IT SEEMS TO LOCK UP THE BRAKE BUT NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I WILL RELEASE THE BRAKE AND REAPPLY THE BRAKE UNTIL I GET THE DESIRED REACTION. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY & UNEXPLAINABLY ACCELERATED. *TR

I PURCHASED 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM ANAPOLIS TOYOTA. THE BRAKES FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING CAR ON JANUARY 18, 2010. CAR WAS TAKEN IN DURING THE FIRST 7 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT. SERVICE DEPARTMDNT AND USED CAR SALES MANAGEMENT CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. BRAKES COMPETELY FAIL. VERY DANGEROUS. IT IS NOT JUST THE 2010 MODEL THAT SHOULD BE QUESTIONED. ALL PRIUS' SHOULD BE RECALLED UNTIL THIS IS SOLVED.

OWN 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ANTI- LOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM. WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS OR POTHOLES FEELS THAT THE CAR HAS NO CONTROL ALMOST LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURING MORE FREQUENTLY. ALSO, MAKING TURNS THE BRAKES SEEM TO GRAB AND THEN EVENTULALLY RELEASE. WHILE MAKING A TURN ON A OFF RAMP , THE ANTI-LOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUALLY EMPLOYED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR AROUND THE TURN.