2008 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

EVEN WHEN NEW, ONLY WHEN BRAKING ON A BUMPY SURFACE, MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WILL REDUCE BRAKING POWER ALL BY ITSELF, WHEN I NEED THEM THE MOST. WHEN I PRESS INTO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WILL BRAKE AGAIN, BUT BY THIS TIME I WILL HAVE LOST 1 SECOND OF BRAKING TIME. RECENTLY ON JAN 20TH, I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HAD TO PANIC-BRAKE, AND THE ROAD BECAME BUMPY AS I WAS BRAKING. BY PRESSING THE BRAKE HARDER AFTER 1 SECOND LOST, I BARELY STOPPED IN TIME. I NEVER BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION, UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS CAR HAS HYPER-ACTIVE WHEEL-SLIP SENSORS, AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS PART OF THAT DESIGN FLAW. THAT PROBLEM COMES UP WHENEVER I TRY TO ACCELERATE HARD AND MAKE A RIGHT TURN. EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT (AND NO WHEEL SLIP) THE ENGINE CUTS OUT FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN IT WAS NEW, THE DEALER SAID THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M COMPLAINING ABOUT. THAT'S JUST WHY I DIDN'T REPORT IT UNTIL NOW. BACK TO THE BRAKES, TWO WEEKS AGO, WHEN I HEARD THE 2010 PRIUS HAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, I THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIX MINE ALSO. BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT UNLESS THERE WAS A RECALL, AND THERE ISN'T FOR THE 2008. THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO REPORT IT TO TOYOTA. I DID THAT ON 02/10/2010. THEN WHEN I HEARD THE TOYOTA PRESIDENT (2 DAYS AGO) SAY THAT EARLIER PRIUS' DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEM, I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT TO YOU ALSO. PS...I AM AN ANALYST BY TRADE, I AM HIGHLY MECHANICALLY INCLINED, AND HAVE EVEN DONE MY OWN BRAKE JOBS. I KNOW HOW BRAKE SYSTEMS WORK AND HAVE HAD MANY CARS WITH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE HAD THAT DOES THIS ON A BUMPY ROAD SURFACE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 25-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER THE ACCELERATION INCREASED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF AN OPPOSING VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR BODY DAMAGE REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS AT APPROXIMATELY 2 A.M.ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD WITH MANY CURVES AND WILDLIFE THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT IN BOTH THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. I WAS STARTLED AND SWERVED, BUT LUCKILY I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK. AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY I PULLED OF THE ROAD IN A SAFE PLACE AND SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT IN THE CAR. WHEN IT WAS LIGHT ENOUGH TO CONTINUE I DROVE TO MY DESTINATION AND CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS UTTERLY SHOCKED WHEN I WAS TOLD WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE THE BULB. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND THIS POSED A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. THE CAR ONLY HAD A LITTLE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOT ONLY IS THE COST TO REPLACE A BULB (YES A BULB) RIDICULOUS BUT THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND TOYOTA SHOULD "BE MADE" TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. ON JANUARY 19, 2010 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WITH TRAFFIC FLOW THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AS IF HE WAS STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES AND AVOID A COLLISION. HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS DRIVERS ERROR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLAMPS THAT FLICKER AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE. THE COST TO REPLACE IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE. THE OWNERS MANUAL INCORRECTLY DEPICT HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT. GENERALLY THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR AND NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE.*CW

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS AND 36,800 MILES. ONE OR BOTH LIGHTS TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY USUALLY ON WET OR DAMP DAYS. NIGHTTIME DRIVING IS FRIGHTENING JUST WAITING FOR THE LIGHTS TO SUDDENLY GO OFF. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED SAFETY RELATED DEFECT YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKES APPEAR TO STOP WORKING OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE BRAKING WHILE HITTING A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. IT LASTS FOR ONLY A SPLIT SECOND. *TR

TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 DRIVING OVER POTHOLES OR WET PAVEMENT, IT'S HARDER TO STEER OR BRAKE THAN I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED IN ANOTHER CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY 2008. *TR

I WANTED TO INCLUDE MY VOICE IN THE RECENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES. I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES- THE BRAKES SEEM TO STOP WORKING AND THE SLICK-ROAD WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I GO OVER A BIG BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING. BRAKING COMES RIGHT BACK, BUT I CAN IMAGINE THIS MIGHT BE A BIGGER ISSUE IF THERE WAS A VEHICLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, ETC. I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE ONLY MENTION THE 2010 PRIUS MODEL YEAR, SO I WANTED TO LET SOMEONE KNOW THAT THE 2008 PRIUS ALSO SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED... THANK YOU. *TR

2008 PRIUS: TEMPORARY SURGE IN ACCELERATION WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD. "TRACTION" LIGHT COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY BUT NOT DAILY. SAME EXPERIENCE AS IS BEING DESCRIBED IN THE NEWS TODAY (2-3-10) IN RELATION TO THE 2010 PRIUS. TOYOTA REPORTS THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS YEARS' MODELS, BUT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES. *TR

I OWN A 2008 PRIUS AND I HAVE THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM AS MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED. THE BRAKE SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK ON A BUMPY ROAD EDGE AND WHEN IT OCCURS THE ORANGE LIGHT THAT INDICATES UNSTABLE CONDITION TURNS ON. IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN IT IS RAINING. FOURSOME REASON, IT WORKS WELL IN A HEAVY RAIN BUT DOESN'T WORK ON A ROAD UNDER "LIGHT" RAINING CONDITION. WHENEVER IT HAPPENS, THE CAR SLOWS DOWN BUT DOESN'T STOP AND I FEEL IT'S SLIDING ON THE ROAD SURFACE. I HAVEN'T CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN AT 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. RECENTLY, I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK STRETCH OF RT. 15 IN PA AND MY HEADLIGHT TURNED OFF. I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE SOMEHOW HIT SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT TO TURN OF, I QUICKLY TURNED THE KNOB AND IT WENT ON AGAIN. IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND MAY IN FACT HAVE HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY BUT I ONLY NOTICE IT IF I'M ON A UNLITE OR NOT WELL TRAVELED ROAD. I SEE FROM PRIUS OWNERS' MESSAGE BOARDS THAT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF. I SEE FROM A NYT ARTICLE THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY BUT YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN ACTION. I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD, BECAUSE LOSING A HEADLIGHT IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS DOUBLY UNFAIR THAT A DRIVER CAN BE CITED FOR A VIOLATION THAT IS BEYOND HIS/HER CONTROL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WOULD BE $385 TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB HAVE NOT GONE IN FOR THE REPAIR, IT'S EXPENSIVE AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THE PROBLEM MAY BE ELECTRICAL RATHER THAN A BURNED OUT BULB. *TW THESE HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AN OPTION ON THE CAR, IT'S THE ONLY BULB THAT FITS THE PRIUS, BUT IF THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL THEN CHANGING THE BULB FOR $385 WILL NOT STOP THE HEADLIGHT UNIT FROM SHUTTING OFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. PLEASE TAKE TOYOTA TO TASK FOR THIS, THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS BUT THEY ARE PASSING THE BUCK TO THE OWNERS WITHOUT GUARANTEEING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED AND WE'LL BE SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE FAULTY BRAKES, THE STICKING GAS PEDAL AND HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY TURN OFF , WHAT ELSE ARE THEY HIDING FROM CONSUMERS? IT'S TIME FOR NHTSA TO STEP AND FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX OUR HEADLIGHTS BEFORE TRAGIC ACCIDENTS HAPPEN.

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING AND HITTING A POTHOLE (RIGHT FRONT TIRE) I HAVE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING. IT KIND OF FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS FLOATING ABOVE THE GROUND BEFORE BRAKING WAS REENGAGED. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT THE 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKE PROBLEMS AND INSTANTLY RECOGNIZED THE SYMPTOMS. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES AS THE BRAKES REENGAGED AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTROL THE CAR AFTER A SECOND. *CN

WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING, THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SET, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THE ENGINE WAS WARM AT THE TIME. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE CAR LURCHED REARWARD ALMOST STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN. *TR

THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WITH MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, THE ENGINE CUTS OUT AND HESITATES. I THINK IT'S RELATED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL, BUT THIS HAPPENS WAY TOO EASILY. I HAVE NEW TIRES AND IT HAPPENS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE SECOND ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE BRAKES. WHEN BRAKING AND ENCOUNTERING SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE CAR APPEARS TO LEAP FORWARD. THERE IS A SENSATION OF ACCELERATING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALTHOUGH I'M CERTAIN IT IS JUST THE ABS SYSTEM. IT IS A VERY UNEASY FEELING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS WORKING FINE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY ADMITTED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT WAS GOING TO BE HANDLED UNDER RECALL. I ASKED THAT THEY FIX IT NOW, AND THEY ADVISED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST AND THEN POSSIBLY BE REIMBURSED AS I WAS PAST THE 36,000 MILE LIMIT FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER REPAIRS. ...A COST OF NEARLY $1,100 TO FIX 1 HEADLIGHT ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. I REFUSED, AND THE INTERMITTENT OUTAGES CONTINUED, AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THEN THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. I AM ROLLING THE DICE EVERY NIGHT I DRIVE THE CAR AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $2,000 OR MORE TO FIX HEADLIGHTS ON A CAR WITH A KNOWN DEFECT THAT DRAMATICALLY PUTS ME, MY FAMILY, AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT RISK OF CATASTROPHE. TOYOTA HAS STATED THIS WILL NOT BE HANDLED AS A RECALL AS IT DEEMS IT TO NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU STILL HAVE 1 WORKING HEADLIGHT. THAT IS UNTRUE, AS MINE HAVE GONE OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH APPROX. 60,000 MILES ON IT. RIGHT (PASSENGER) HID HEADLAMP TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. REPLACING WITH A NEW BULB DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE AND TOYOTA WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A RECORD OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE HID HEADLAMP IS TURNING ON AND OFF AS WELL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT OR EVEN DURING THE DAY WHILE IT IS RAINING, ETC... WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN LAST NIGHT AND BOTH HEADLAMPS TURNED OFF. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IRRESPONSIBLE FOR TOYOTA TO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION I WENT TO GO THROUGH THE YELLOW HOWEVER THERE WAS A POLICE CAR BESIDE ME SO I THOUGHT BETTER STOP AND WAIT. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES ONLY TO FIND MY CAR SKIDDED FORWARD. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR, I COULD ONLY SLOW IT DOWN WITH THE BRAKES. MY FASTEST SPEED WAS 60KM/H. I TURNED THE CAR THROUGH THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO A PARKING LOT AND IN THE MIDDLE OF IT I JUST TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON IT SKIDDED FORWARD AGAIN AND WHEN I CHECKED THE BATTERY IT WAS EMPTY. I SAT THERE FOR A WHILE AND EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON WITHOUT IT ACCELERATING. I REMOVED THE MATS AFTER THE MAT RECALL IN THIS VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA PRIUS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE ACCELERATOR RECALL LIST. *TR

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF AND ON. DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL STRANGER POINTED IT OUT. I WOULD TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON AND THE LIGHT WOULD TURNS ON AGAIN. I TRIED TO USE THE HIGH BEAM BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ROAD AND THEN BOTH LIGHTS WENT OFF.IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ITS NIGHT AND YOUR FAR FROM HOME. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHTS ON CAR TO INDICATE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. I AM AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW AND THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH LIGHTS AT $150 EACH PLUS $100 EACH FOR INSTALLATION - TOTALING $500+. THE CAR HAS 66K MILES. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT HAVING ANY HEADLIGHTS. *TR

MY 2008 PRIUS EXPERIENCES THE BRAKING PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED WITH THE 2010 PRIUS. *CN

MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED IN THE 2010 RECALL. WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (OR DOING ANYTHING), IF MY CAR HITS A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE SKID CONTROL TAKES OVER AND I CAN NOT MANUALLY BRAKE. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED? THE DATE IN QUESTION I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND HIT A POTHOLE AND EVEN THOUGH I WAS HITTING THE BRAKES, NOT UNTIL THE SKID CONTROL WAS FINISHED COULD THE BRAKES ACTUALLY FIRE, AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL MY CAR WAS HALFWAY IN THE INTERSECTION! *TR

OUR OFFICE OWNS A TOYOTA PRIUS THAT I DRIVE OCCASIONAL TO WORK ASSIGNMENTS. I TOOK THE CAR ON A TRIP TO SEE A WORK PROJECT BUT STOPPED TO PICK UP ANOTHER EMPLOYEE BEFORE HEADING TO THE SITE. WHEN I PULLED UP TO PICK UP THE EMPLOYEE THE PRIUS'S ENTIRE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WENT BLANK. I PULLED THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TRIED TO TURN IT OFF. THE "KEY" WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE RECEIVER. I REALIZED THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING SO I TRIED REPEATEDLY TO TURN IT OFF BY PRESSING ON THE POWER BUTTON. THE OTHER EMPLOYEE SHOWED UP SO WE DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY OFFICE (2 BLOCKS) GOT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I DROVE THE PRIUS TO THE OFFICE SERVICE GARAGE. THE GARAGE STAFF COULDN'T TURN OFF THE CAR EITHER. SO I LEFT IT THERE. LATER THE GARAGE CALLED TO SAY THE CAR WAS READY. I ASKED THEM WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SAY IT JUST HAD TO BE RE-BOOTED BY HOLDING DOWN THE POWER BUTTON FOR 10 SECONDS. AFTER HEARING ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING KILLED DRIVING TOYOTA PRODUCTS AND TOYOTA SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE COMPUTER I THOUGHT I SHOULD WRITE AND TELL YOU IT IS THE COMPUTER! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE DETAILS OR PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION YOU CAN E-MAIL ME . I CAN FILL IN A LOT OF DETAILS WHEN I GET BACK TO THE OFFICE. I USED 1/12/2010 TO GET THROUGH THIS FORM BUT I CAN CHECK THE DATE WHEN I GET INTO THE OFFICE. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM BEGAN TO BRAKE AND HE THOUGHT HE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO BRAKE. IN FACT, HIS FOOT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WITH THE SYSTEM HE BELIEVED WAS ALREADY IN REGENERATIVE BRAKING. IN FACT, IT ACTUALLY SEEMED TO DECREASE SIGNIFICANTLY FOR ABOUT A SECOND WHILE EXHIBITING NONE OF THE FOOT PEDAL VIBRATION CHARACTERISTIC OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. ONLY AFTER THE SECOND LONG PERIOD OF NO BRAKING CAPABILITY DID ANY BRAKING FORCE SEEM TO OCCUR WHICH THE CONSUMER BELIEVED WAS WHEN THE SYSTEM'S MECHANICAL BRAKING TOOK OVER. *JB

BRAKE FAILURE ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS EVERY SO OFTEN, SO FAR ABOUT 20-30 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR (JUNE 08). I WILL BEGIN BRAKING WITH THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES WILL LOSE PRESSURE AND IT DOES NOT BRAKE, ONLY TO REGAIN THE BRAKING ABILITY ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER. THIS MOSTLY OCCURS IN WET WEATHER AND I HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED A FEW CRASHES BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IT IS NOT A FUNCTION OF SLIDING ON THE WET PAVEMENT BUT THE BRAKE FAILING MOMENTARILY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF MY PROBLEM BUT THAT I COULD TAKE THEM FOR A DRIVE AND HOPE THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE THEY WERE IN THE CAR. I DID NOT PURSUE THIS SINCE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN REGULARLY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO OTHER FIXES. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I BOUGHT IT NEW 4/12/08 IN BEND, OREGON I LIVE IN MADRAS, OREGON. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, IT HAPPENS ON PACKED SNOW SLICK CONDITIONS. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES MAKING 90 DEG TURNS AT 20 MPH, I SLOW DOWN INTO A RIGHT TURN AND HALF WAY THRU I TOUCH THE GAS AND THE CAR STARTS TO SLIDE AND IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF IT. 1ST TIME I HIT THE CURB ON THE LEFT SIDE OF ROAD AND WENT CLEAR UP ON SIDEWALK. IT DID DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT TIRE. 2ND TIME SAME TURN BUT THERE WAS NOW SIDE WALK I WENT OFF THE ROAD. 3RD TIME I WAS GOING INTO A LEFT HAND TURN NORMAL CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN A EASY 55 MPH CORNER. WITH PACKED SNOW I WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH I SLOWED INTO THE TURN AND HALF WAY THRU I TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL AND IT INSTANTLY WENT INTO A SLIDE AND HIT THE SNOW BANK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AND KNOCKED ME BACK INTO THE ROAD. ON THE PRIUS WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS AND THE TIRES START TO SPIN IT STOPS THE TIRES FROM SPINNING INSTANTLY. IF YOU HOLD THE GAS PEDAL THE SAME IT WILL START AND STOP POWER TO THE WHEELS UNTIL IT GETS TO THE POINT OF NO SPINNING OF THE TIRES. I THINK THAT WHEN I TOUCH THE GAS AND THE TIRE SPINS IT INSTANTLY STOPS THE TIRE FROM SPINNING AND THE CAR GOES INTO A SLIDE AND IT WILL NOT LET ME CONTROL THE SLIDE BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE STILL IN THE LOCK MODE AND IT SLIDES OUT OF CONTROL. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR ON SLICK ROADS BUT I DON'T WANT TO SELL IT AND HAVE SOMEONE ELSE GET IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO TRY AND CONTACT TOYOTA AND TELL THEM. *TR

WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AND APPROACHING A RIGHT TURN NEAR MY HOME I APPLY THE BRAKES AND OFTEN RUNOVER THE SAME UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE ROAD. THAT TRIGGERS MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS' TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO BLINK ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES AND MY BRAKES SEEM TO STOP APPLYING PRESSURE AT THAT POINT WHILE MY CAR'S SPEED INCREASES FOR 1-2 SECONDS THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE BRAKES WORK FINE. I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES WITH TOYOTA CARS AND WANT TO MAKE SURE MY FAMILY IS SAFE. HENCE, TELLING MY SMALL STORY BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND I CAN'T CONTROL IT. *TR

I SEE IN THE NEWS THAT 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS IS INVESTIGATED FOR BRAKING ISSUE ON ICE AND SLIPPERY ROADS. I EXPERIENCE THE SAME WITH 2008 PRIUS. I FEEL A DELAY WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE WHEN THE ROADS ARE WET ETC.IT IS SPORATIDC EXPERIENCE. *CN

NOT A SMOOTH BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN BRAKING OVER BUMPS / HOLES, RAILROAD TRACKS. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE WHENEVER THE ROAD IS SLIPPERY THE BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE PROPERLY AND THE CAR CONTINUES FORWARD FOR SOME TIME. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA IN DOWNTOWN LA AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BUY NEW TIRES AND A ROTATION. I DID THIS. NOW I SEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE IN MY PRIUS STILL IS WHAT THE NEW PRIUS IS BEING RECALLED FOR. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY PRIUS OWNER PRIOR TO 2010 THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T FEEL SAFE ON THE ROAD AND WANT TO TRADE THE CAR IN TO TOYOTA OR GET IT FIXED. EVERY TIME IT RAINS, IT HAPPENS. *TR

DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD WHICH TURNS INTO A PAVED ROAD. STARTED SLIDING AS SOON AS I HIT THE PAVED ROAD. PUMPED ON THE BRAKES, THE ABS DIDNT WORK. THE CAR KEPT SLIDING OFF THE ROAD INTO A FENCE. $4000.00 IN DAMAGE. *CN

WE WERE STOPPED AT A NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION. AS WE BEGAN TO LET OFF OF THE BRAKE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT ON THE ACCELERATION. BEFORE WE TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO BEGIN THE TURN, THE CAR HAD SPED ACROSS THE 35 FOOT STREET, JUMPED A 6 1/2 INCH CURB, WENT THROUGH A FENCE, ACROSS ANOTHER STREET, AND WAS STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A SECOND FENCE. THE TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM BEING STOPPED AT THE CORNER UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE SECOND FENCE WAS 81 FEET. THE STREETS WERE DRY AND THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD. HOWEVER, DUE TO PREVIOUS RAINS, THE GRASS AREAS WERE MOIST. THERE ARE NO TIRE MARKS IN THE GRASS FROM THE CURB UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 6 FEET BEFORE THE STOPPING POINT. THE FRONT LIFT OF THE PRIUS IS AROUND 7 1/2 INCHES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM TO GO OVER A 6 1/2 INCH CURB IN JUST 35 FEET. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE ON JAN. 7 AND REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED FOR ACCELERATOR ISSUES. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA WHOM, UPON THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ACCELERATION MALFUNCTION. THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AT A BODY SHOP WITH INITIAL DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT OVER $6000. WE HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AS WELL AS THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND MEASUREMENTS OF DISTANCES TRAVELED. IN 2009, WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA CONCERNING FLOOR MAT ISSUES WITH OUR PRIUS. WE INSPECTED OUR FACTORY-INSTALLED FLOOR MATS, AS INSTRUCTED BY THE RECALL LETTER, AND WERE AWAITING THEIR 2ND NOTIFICATION WHEN THE "CAMPAIGN REMEDY" BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS A LOCKING MECHANISM AND COULD HAVE, IN NO WAY, OBSTRUCTED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND READY NEXT WEEK. HOWEVER, WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE? *TW *TR

I WAS DRIVING A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP, AND WHEN I DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR KEPT GOING, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL I JAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR THAT THE BRAKES SEEM TO ENGAGE, BUT BY THAT TIME, I HAD ALREADY COLLIDED WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ON A SEPARATE INSTANCE, ONE YEAR AGO, THE CAR FAILED TO STOP WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND INSTEAD ACCELERATED INTO MY PARKING SPACE, OVER THE CONCRETE BLOCK IN FRONT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND INTO THE WALL. *TR

I DRIVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. FIRST, WHEN I MAKE SHARP RIGHT TURNS, THE ENGINE CUTS OUT. SECOND, ON UNEVEN ROADS, THE HYDROPLANE FEATURE ACTIVATES AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS. *TR

2008 TOYOTA PRIUS PASSENGER SIDE HID XENON HEADLAMP GOING ON AN OFF RANDOMLY. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE BULB AND WHEN REPLACING THE BULB THE MECHANIC FOUND OUT THE HEADLAMP CONNECTOR WAS CORRODED. I PAID FOR A NEW BULB AND CONNECTOR. MY PROBLEM IS HOW A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES COULD HAVE CORRODED WIRE CONNECTORS ALREADY. THE BILL WAS $353. *TR

2008 PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS FAILING. STARTING AT AROUND 48,000 MILES. CAN'T THEY MAKE A HEADLIGHT FOR ABOUT $20 INSTEAD OF EVEN THE $150 THAT THEY WANT JUST FOR THE BULB. TOYOTA SHOULD AT LEAST OFFER FREE LABOR TO REPLACE THE BULB. CAN'T BELIEVE THEY CAN'T MAKE A CHEAPER BULB THAT SHOULD LAST ABOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. *TW

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS IN JUNE 2008 AND HAD SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE AUTO. CURRENTLY, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY FLICKER AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT DOES NOT STAY LIT. INITIALLY, TOYOTA SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR APPROX 19 MONTHS, I HAVE EXCEEDED THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY. THEY WANTED ALMOST $300 TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB! I COMPLAINED AND WAS TOLD TO CALL THEIR 800 NUMBER BY A REPAIR TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DID. MEANWHILE, THE DEALER OFFERED TO DO THE JOB FOR 1/2 PRICE. I SAID THAT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK ABOUT IT AND WAS THEN CONTACTED BY TOYOTA OF N.A. CONCERNING MY CALL MADE TO THEM. THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DEALER OFFER AND ASKED IF I WAS HAPPY WITH THAT OFFER. I TOLD THEM THAT I BELIEVED THE REPAIR S/B DONE FOR FREE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THE 1/2 PRICE OFFER 'COULD' BE RETRACTED IF I WASN'T HAPPY WITH IT. TOYOTA WASN'T GOING TO WASTE "GOOD WILL" MONEY ON A CUSTOMER THAT STILL WASN'T HAPPY WITH THEIR OFFER. I INDICATED AT THAT TIME THAT I WANTED TO THINK ABOUT IT BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE OFFER HAD BEEN RETRACTED DUE TO A CALL FROM TOYOTA N.A.. I NEVER INDICATED TO THEM THAT I WASN'T GOING TO TAKE THE OFFER BUT I DO BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON 2006 ' 2009 PRIUS CARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT! I ALSO HAVE DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF A PRIUS CAR WITH DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS THAT HAVE FAILED TWICE IN THE 1ST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WITH AS LITTLE AS 45,000 MILES ON THE CAR! THAT PRIUS IS ON IT THIRD SET OF HEADLIGHTS! *TR

2008 PRIUS ON VERY SLUSHY ROADS CAN MOMENTARILY "LOSE" ITS BRAKES WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO THE WET AND INEFFECTIVE FRICTION BRAKES AT ABOUT 6 MPH. THE FRICTION BRAKES THEN DRY QUICKLY AND WORK. CONSIDER REQUIRING AUTOMATIC INTERMITTENT LIGHT FRICTION BRAKE APPLICATION DURING REGENERATIVE BRAKING SO THAT THE FRICTION BRAKES ARE READY TO TAKE OVER WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THERE IS NO SINGLE INCIDENT DATE; IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

2008 PRIUS ABS TAKES MUCH LONGER TO RESUME BRAKING AFTER LOSING TRACTION OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR OTHER BUMPS THAN DID MY THREE PREVIOUS ABS-EQUIPPED CARS (FROM 1987 AND 2001 WITH BOSCH ABS). CAR TRAVELS TENS OF FEET AT 30 MPH WITH NO APPARENT BRAKING BEFORE BRAKING RETURNS. DON'T BELIEVE REGENERATIVE BRAKING FORCES BAD ABS PERFORMANCE -- THERE'S AN AMPLE SOURCE OF ACCUMULATED HIGH PRESSURE FLUID AVAILABLE FOR THE FRICTION BRAKES THAT IS QUITE INSTANTANEOUS IF EVER YOU STAMP ON THE PEDAL ENOUGH TO TRIGGER "BRAKE ASSIST". IF TOYOTA CAN'T MAKE REGEN COMPATIBLE WITH GOOD ABS, ASK THEM TO REVERT TO THE HYDRAULICS. PLEASE UPDATE FMVSS NO. 135 TO DISALLOW THIS KIND OF ABS PERFORMANCE. IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THERE IS NO SINGLE INCIDENT DATE. *TR

I N A 2008 PRIUS, THREE INCIDENTS TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE ON AN INCLINE. TWO TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS, LOOSING POWER WITH BRAKE/WHEELS LIGHTS ON WHEN SLOWING TO TURN LEFT ON PINE STREET AT TAYLOR...ANOTHER TIME, ALSO IN SAN FRANCISCO SLOWING GOING UPHILL AT POST AND LEAVENWORTH(NO TURN) BUT HILL AND SLOWING AND LOOSING POWER. IN CARMEL, ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO, TURNING DOWNHILL TO THE RIGHT, FROM HIGHWAY #1 TO CARPENTER STREET(AGAIN, BRAKE LIGHTS/WHEELS)LOSS OF POWER. TOLD TECH'S WHEN SERVICED...TOLD IT WAS NORMAL! *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES MY DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT, WHICH IS AN HID BULB, STARTED TO FLICKER AND TURN OFF. MOST THE TIME IT WOULD HAPPEN WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR. IF THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IT WOULD WORK AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES LATER I NOTICED A NEW SYMPTOM WHERE BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY, THIS WOULD HAPPEN RARELY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS MY BULBS(WHICH WHEN I WAS SOLD THE VEHICLE WAS TOLD WOULD LAST 100K MILES) AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THEM. I EXPLAINED THAT IF BOTH BULBS ARE TURNING OFF AT THE SAME TIME HOW CAN IT POSSIBLY BE THE BULBS ESPECIALLY IF IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. THEY INSISTED THAT IT WAS THE BULBS. I REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM UNTIL FURTHER RESEARCHING AND SINCE THEN I'VE FOUND MANY SIMILAR CASES. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF VERY EARLY BULB FAILURE AND ISSUES WITH BALLASTS THAT REQUIRE REPLACING. TODAY I HAVE 42K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AT THE DRIVERS SIDE BULB FAILS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, AND BOTH BULBS FAIL ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. FOR BULBS THAT ARE BEING DESCRIBED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, 40,000 MILES SEEMS RATHER SHORT LIVED. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR REGULARLY LOSES BRAKING ABILITY AND SURGES FORWARD AFTER HITTING POTHOLES. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL READING THE NEWS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING WHILE DRIVING OVER A ROUGH SURFACE OR POT HOLES. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE REAL BRAKES KICK IN. I HAVE LEARNED TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND PRESS THE BRAKES HARDER UNTIL THE BRAKES START TO WORK. *TR

HID HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES CAN BE TURNED ON AGAIN BY TURN OFF HEADLIGHT AND TURNING THE SWITCH BACK ON. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ONE AT A TIME. *TR

RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AND YOU HAVE TO TURN LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON FOR IT TO COME BACK ON. THE TIME RANGE ON THE LIGHT GOING OFF VARIES FROM TIME TO TIME. IT CAN HAPPEN AS FAST AS EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. THE BALLAST AND BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. GIVEN THE ALREADY MANY COMPLAINTS, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY COMMENTS ON THIS PRIUS. FIRST THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF THIS CAR. SECOND, I HAD THE HEADLIGHT FAILURES THAT THESE CARS HAVE. I HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED IN THIS CAR. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. MANY TIMES I HAD TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND MANY, MANY PRIUS'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS BUT NOT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE ON MY PART. LAST POINT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS THAT THIS 2008 PRIUS HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUES WITH BRAKES AND STOPPING THAT THE 2010 DOES ACCORDING THE ACCOUNTS I HAVE READ. FOR EXAMPLE, I WENT OVER A RAILROAD TRACK RECENTLY WHICH WHEN IT HITS AN UNEVEN SURFACE IT IS VERY HARD TO STOP! I ALMOST HIT A CAR THAT WAS TURNING JUST PAST THESE TRACKS BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD "GRIP" TO THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS ALSO WITH EVEN A SMALL CLUSTER OF SMALL POT HOLES. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE IN MY OPINION. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE HEADLIGHTS ALONE DID NOT MAKE A RECALL. IT IS AN ONGOING UNSAFE SITUATION. THE CAR NOT STOPPING HOWEVER IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND NOT JUST LIMITED TO THE 2010 PRIUS. *TR

TOYOTA PRIUS PROBLEM - CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION: ON 2 JAN 2010 (ABOUT 0600 HRS) I WAS DRIVING A RENTED PRIUS (ALAMO) FROM PALM BEACH, FL TO MIAMI, FL. I WAS USING CRUISE CONTROL AND GOING THE LISTED SPEED LIMIT FOR I-95 (65MPH). THE CAR SEEMED TO BE PERFORMING CORRECTLY FOR THE FIRST 35 PLUS MILES BUT THEN I GOT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD TO BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL RELEASED NORMALLY AND I SLOWED TO ABOUT 60 MPH. WHEN THE TRAFFIC CLEARED I PUSHED THE CRUISE CONTROL "RESUME" BUTTON AND THE PRIUS STARTED TO ACCELERATE AS NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATION DID NOT STOP AT THE ORIGINAL SPEED I HAD SET AND HAD BEEN DRIVING AT (65 MPH) BUT CONTINUED TO CLIMB TO 70 MPH AND HIGHER TO NEAR 75 MPH WHEN I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF TO SLOW THE CAR. AFTER THAT I DID NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TRIP. I JUST THOUGHT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A GLITCH OR OPERATOR ERROR AND I DID NOT THINK OF IT AS THE PROBLEM I RECENTLY SAW ON THE NEWS. I LIVE IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING ABOUT THE PRIUS PROBLEMS UNTIL RECENTLY. AS I SAID THE CAR WAS A RENTAL AND I JUST MENTIONED TO THE CHECK IN PERSON THAT I HAD A SLIGHT PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS REPORTED. *TR

DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY. IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, IT'LL WORK FOR SOME TIME AND THEN TURN OFF AGAIN. DEALER MENTIONS THAT THEY WILL NEED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WILL CHARGE ABOUT $200 FOR THAT. *TR

I WOULD LIKE MY NAME ADDED TO THE FORMAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHTS. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MANY CASES ON FILE. I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS AND FIND IT DEPLORABLE THAT THE OWNERS HAVE TO PAY SUCH HIGH PRICES TO HAVE OUR HEADLIGHTS FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY WARRANTY RECALL. IT IS TRULY UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE PUSH FOR A RECALL. IN THESE HARD TIMES, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A VEHICLE. WHEN YOU BUY A CAR, YOU EXPECT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF ALL THINGS (ESPECIALLY ON A 2008 VEHICLE) WOULD ACTUALLY WORK. THANK YOU. *TR

2008 TOYTOA PRIUS BRAKES DISENGAGING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, POTHOLES, RAILWAY TRACKS. NO INJURIES YET BUT SOME CLOSE CALLS.

2008 TOURING PRIUS WITH BLIZZACK TIRES. DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH IN PARKING LOT COATED WITH ICE, BOTH SMOOTH AND BUMPY. APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW FOR A TURN OUT OF THE LOT AND THE BRAKES LOCKED, THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE, AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN, HITTING AN ICY SNOWBANK AND CRACKING THE FRONT RIGHT FENDER. THIS INCIDENT WAS 1/1/10. ON 2/1/10 ON THE FREEWAY, AT ABOUT 30-40 MPH, ON SNOW THAT WAS SLICK AND ICY, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR WAS SLIDING, THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN; THIS TIME, THOUGH, I LET UP ON THE BRAKES AND PUMPED THEM AND THEN THE CAR DID SLOW DOWN AND I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IN 45 YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN OTHER TIMES THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF TIMES IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES AFTER IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO BRAKING ACTION. THE TWO INCIDENTS ABOVE, THOUGH, ARE THE TWO I SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER. *TR