2011 Toyota Prius Owner Complaints

NOTICED BRAKES BREAKING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. DISMISSED IT BECAUSE OF WEATHER AND IT WAS A NEW CAR, THOUGHT IT WAS JUST DIFFERENT FEEL FROM MY LAST VEHICLE. I DON'T DRIVE OFTEN AVERAGING 10,000 MILES OR LESS PER YEAR, SO WHEN I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM REPEATING, AND ACTUALLY NEAR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT I GOT CONCERNED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, AND ON THE WAY HOME EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE INABILITY TO STOP COMPLETELY PRESENTS A HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS OCCURS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. IF THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WHAT RECOURSES DO CONSUMERS HAVE? *TR

5/18/2012

WHEN I PUSH ON THE BRAKES AND I HAPPEN TO GO OVER A BUMP OR A POT HOLE, MY PRIUS SPEEDS UP. IT ACCELERATES WHEN I TRY TO DECELERATE. I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE BRAKES TO REALLY SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING AT AROUND 40MILE/HR. I HAVE A 2011 TYPE III PRIUS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTAL BS BECAUSE AS SOON AS I GOT IT BACK FROM THEM I COULD REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM ON MY WAY BACK HOME. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF WHAT TO DO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

5/20/2012

PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM RAHAL TOYOTA, [XXX] ON 07/02/2011. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 03/2011. ON 07/17/2011 A CAR MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US AND THE FRONT OF THE PRIUS STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR AT APPROX. 45 MPH. THE PRIUS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE ENGINE/ HYBRID SYSTEM CONTINUED TO RUN. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT THEY HAD JUST TAKEN A CLASS ON HYBRID CARS AND SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND THE COMPUTER SHOULD HAVE SHUT THE CAR DOWN AS SOON AS THE IMPACT OCCURRED. DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR WAS VERY SEVERE. DAMAGE TO THE PRIUS SEEMS TO BE FOCUSED ON THE RIGHT FRONT, BUT INVOLVES THE ENTIRE FRONT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB

7/19/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 8 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT FAILED TO RETAIN THE DRIVER, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS ON FILE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. TOYOTA SENT THE CONSUMER A NOTICE EXPLAINING THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, ONLY IMPACT TO THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE/DOOR AREA, THE MORE YIELDING PORTIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ABRUPT FORWARD DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT OPERATED AS DESIGNED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION. UPDATED EVOQ 05/24/12 UPDATED EVOQ 06/18/12

3/27/2012

STARTING ON/ABOUT FEBRUARY 1ST, 2011, ANY POINT SOURCE OF LIGHT (I.E., TRAFFIC SIGNAL, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT) VIEWED THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CREATES AN OPTICAL EFFECT OF MULTIPLE IMAGES. THE EFFECT TYPICALLY MANIFESTS AS A TRIPLE IMAGE WHEN THE LIGHT IS VIEWED FROM A DISTANCE -- ONE FALSE IMAGE, EACH ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT. AS THE LIGHT SOURCE IS APPROACHED, THE IMAGES CONVERGE ON THE CENTER (ACTUAL) LIGHT SOURCE, GOING FROM THREE (ONE FALSE ABOVE AND BELOW) TO EVENTUALLY ONE IMAGE WHEN THE LIGHT SOURCE IS VERY CLOSE (SUCH AS A CAR PASSING, GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION). THIS EFFECT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY OCCURRING SINCE IT WAS FIRST NOTICED, AND IT OCCURS WITH ALL SOURCES OF LIGHT. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AND DISTRACTING WITH HEADLIGHTS APPROACHING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AT NIGHT (ESPECIALLY A DARK NIGHT ON A DARK ROAD). *TR

2/15/2012

TOYOTA PRIUS REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE REFLECTING SUNLIGHT IN EARLY MORNING AND LATE AFTERNOON AS THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN, THE SILVER CLEAR LENSES ARE TURNING INTO A PRISM . *TR

9/25/2012

I WAS A FRONT PASSENGER IN A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WE JUST GOT IN THE CAR. MY FRIEND TURNED IT ON. I LOWERED MY WINDOW AND PLACED MY ARM IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION JUST OVER THE WINDOWS LOWER MOLDING. MY FRIEND WENT TO RAISE MY WINDOW BECAUSE HE WANTED THE A/C ON. HE USED HIS AUTO UP FEATURE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. BEFORE I COULD REMOVE MY ARM, THE WINDOW WAS ALREADY MOVING UP. IT STARTED TO SQUEEZE MY ARM IN THE VERTICAL POSITION. I HAD MY THUMB INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND MY FOUR FINGERS OUT SIDE THE WINDOW FROM THE TOP. I COULD NOT RELEASE MY HAND FROM EITHER DIRECTION. MEANWHILE THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE FROM THE BOTTOM. SO BAD, I STARTED TO YELL AT MY FRIEND TO LOWER THE WINDOW. HE SAID IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN. I STARTED TO PANIC BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS VERY BAD. I WAS ABOUT TO PUNCH THE WINDOW BUT QUICKLY REACHED ACROSS MY BODY USING MY LEFT HAND. I USED MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO LOWER THE WINDOW. THIS SO-CALLED AUTO-DOWN PINCH PROTECTION DOES NOT ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY. I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT ACTIVATES ONLY PAST A CERTAIN POINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S WEBSITE, THIS FEATURE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL POSITIONS BUT IN FACT DOES NOT. THE BACK OF MY ARM WAS SORE FOR DAYS AND DID BRUISE. WE TESTED MY FRIENDS CAR AGAIN ANOTHER DAY AND DISCOVERED THE EXACT SAME THING HAD HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME WE ONLY USED OUR HANDS TO APPLY PRESSURE AT THE VERY BOTTOM INSTEAD OF ONLY AT THE TOP OR IN THE MIDDLE. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN. TOYOTA WAS EMAILED BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM A REPRESENTATIVE. IN MY OPINION, I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL BACK OR A PHONE CALL AT THE LEAST. IT SADDENS ME BECAUSE I TOO AM THE OWNER OF TWO TOYOTAS. WHERE IS THE PRIORITY NOW? *KB

11/28/2011

VEHICLE LOSES BRAKING FUNCTION WHILE TRAVELING OVER POTHOLES, RECESSED MANHOLE COVERS, AND ALL OTHER TYPES OF ROUGH ROAD SURFACES. BRAKING FUNCTION IS DELAYED AND DOES NOT RETURN TO PREVIOUS POWER/BRAKING STRENGTH AFTER TRAVERSING THE OBSTACLE; THIS RESULTS IN THE NEED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FURTHER TO RE-ENGAGE ENOUGH BRAKING FUNCTION TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY. SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS UNDER HARD BRAKING AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT WILL THERE BE ENOUGH TRAVEL LEFT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REENGAGE THE BRAKES ENOUGH TO STOP. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS REGULARLY, ONE OR MORE TIMES PER MONTH, SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. UP UNTIL NOW MOST OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN JUST A MINOR ANNOYANCE. I RESEARCHED THE PHENOMENON ON THE WEB AND MANY JUST WRITE IT OFF AS A NUISANCE / MINOR QUIRK OF THE VEHICLE SO I ACCEPTED THAT OPINION AND CONTINUED ON ENJOYING THE CAR. THAT IS UNTIL MAY 21, 2013 WHEN UNDER HARD BRAKING (30-35MPH DRIVING SPEED THEN HEAVY BRAKING TO 0MPH) THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A RECESSED MANHOLE COVER AND IT FELT LIKE IT FULLY LOST ALL OF ITS BRAKING POWER AND NEARLY SENT ME INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE STOPPING HARD AHEAD OF ME. I HAD TO FLOOR THE BRAKES BEFORE I FELT ANY BRAKING POWER RETURN AFTER THE BUMP. THIS ISSUE WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON IT. *TR

5/23/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD WHILE PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLAINT ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.

4/18/2011

THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED FROM 65 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH THE SHOULDER BLOCKED DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS PRESENT IN THE 2004 PRIUS AND WAS APPARENTLY THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010 FOR 650,000 UNITS OF THE 2010 PRIUS. TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE EARLIER MODELS AND ADMITS IT DOESN'T KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IN THE 2011 PRIUS. THIS DEFECT PRESENTS A GREAT DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *KB

12/29/2011

STARTED CAR AFTER PROLONGED PERIOD OF COLD SOAK (PARKED FOR ONE WEEK OUTSIDE IN TEMPERATURES AROUND THE FREEZING MARK). ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD KNOCK/RATTLE AND HAD A DELAYED THROTTLE RESPONSE AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO THE STREET. HAD TO SHUT ENGINE DOWN (WITH VEHICLE LOCATED IN STREET, SAFETY CONCERN) TO STOP LOUD KNOCK AND RE-START ENGINE. RATTLE/KNOCK HAD DISAPPEARED. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHEN PRESENTED WITH ISSUE AND TOYOTA ISSUED TSB (T-SB 0012-10) ON THIS VERY ISSUE DECLINED TO PERFORM NECESSARY WORK SINCE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO "RECREATE" THE ISSUE. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE AND TO REPLICATE THEY WOULD NEED TO PARK IT IN THE SAME CONDITIONS FOR A WEEK. I CANNOT LEAVE MY CAR WITH THEM FOR THIS LONG AND THEREFORE THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST. MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM (AS A QUICK SEARCH ON YOUTUBE WILL CONFIRM) YET TOYOTA IS DENYING TO FIX THIS. *JS

5/2/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE SPIDERS IN THE HVAC DRAINAGE HOSE AND THE SPIDERS HAD CREATED A NEST EGG IN THE HOSE, WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER HER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

10/15/2012

REAR VISIBILITY SERIOUSLY HAMPERED BECAUSE NO CAMERA INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. TOYOTA MOTOR CAR COMPANY KNOWS FROM EXPERIENCE THE SERIOUS SAFETY & FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ADDRESSING A SAFETY ISSUE & A CAMERA PROVIDING THE DRIVER REAR VISIBILITY COULD DRAMATICALLY SAVE THE LIFE OF PERSON(CHILD) AT REAR OF VEHICLE. IT IS TO BE NOTED TOYOTA INSTALLED CAMERA IN THE PRIUS ONLY WHEN NAVIGATION SYS. IS PURCHASED.

3/25/2011

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN DECEMBER OF 2013, WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS, THE BRAKES ON OUR 2011 MODEL YEAR PRIUS (PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY 2012), FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING (WITH ONE OF MY TEENAGERS IN THE CAR WITH ME), AND THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ALONE. IN BOTH INSTANCE WE PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AT ALL. ALTHOUGH IT IS WINTER, THE ROADS WERE CLEAR, AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED / APPLIED. INTERESTINGLY, AFTER 30 - 60 SECONDS, THE BRAKE FUNCTION RESTORED ITSELF. SINCE DECEMBER THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SHOP AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, THE SHOP INDICATED THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA MECHANICS AND SERVICE SUPPORT STAFF TO HELP IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT TOYOTA CLAIMED THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM OR ANYTHING LIKE IT. MOREOVER, TOYOTA REFUSES TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS OR CHANGE ANY PARTS (EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). YET, THIS PAST WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 12, 2014), TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON RAV4'S AND OTHER MODELS FOR A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE ANTI-BRAKES TO INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING, GIVEN TOYOTA'S CLAIM THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO FIX. FURTHER, TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON THE PRIUS ITSELF, FOR A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE CAR TO TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. CLEARLY, TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS SOFTWARE IN A NUMBER OF VEHICLES. AT THIS POINT, ALL I HAVE RECEIVED IS CORPORATE DOUBLE TALK, AND I URGE THE NHTSA TO PURSUE THIS MATTER AS VIGOROUSLY AS POSSIBLE. *TR

2/18/2014

WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT A SLOW SPEED THE TIRE SLIPS SLIGHTLY ON THE ROAD BED. YOKOHAMA REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS (TELEPHONE CONVERSATION, 5/9/12, PART OF THEIR CASE #[XXX]). I FOUND THE TIRE IS THE PROBLEM WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE COMMENTS ABOUT THE TIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

5/9/2012

SINCE I PURCHASED A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS IN DECEMBER 2011 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 IRREPARABLE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT YOKOHAMA AVIS S33 TIRES DUE TO SIDE WALL DAMAGE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SIDE WALLS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO RESIST POTENTIAL HAZARDS. THIS IS PART OF YOKOHAMA CASE #[XXX] WHICH INCLUDED OTHER CONCERNS. I HAVE RARELY HAD A SIDEWALL PROBLEM AND NEVER A FLAT TIRE WITH NEW TIRES. THE FIRST OCCURRED AT ABOUT 300 MILES OF USE THE NEXT AT 8300 MILES, THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

5/9/2012

NEW 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS SHOOK VIOLENTLY UPON STARTUP. SEVERE ENGINE NOISE FOR 10 SECONDS UNTIL SMOOTHING OUT AFTER 40 SECONDS. DASHBOARD AND BODY PANELS VISIBLY RATTLING. ONLY 970 MILES ON ODOMETER. CHECKED INTERNET, AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WORRIED ABOUT DRIVETRAIN DAMAGE. *TR

3/30/2011

MY 2011 PRIUS II INTERMITTENTLY GOES INTO REVERSE WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE. APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES NOW SINCE BEGINNING. TWICE IT HAS GONE INTO DRIVE WHEN I HAVE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE.

8/30/2011

WE PURCHASED A 10 MONTH OLD TOYOTA PRIUS ON MARCH 16ND 2012 WITH ONLY 1367 MILES. THE PRIOR OWNER WHO WAS LEASING THIS CAR RETURNED THE CAR DUE TO MILEAGE INCONSISTENCY..... ON OCT 5TH 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON SUNNY DRY DAY AT 22MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOWDOWN BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT DID NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY, I APPLIED COMPLETE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE HOWEVER THE CAR STILL DID NOT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PER THE REPORT FROM TOYOTA THE SPEED WENT DOWN FROM 22MPH TO 5MPH AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE TOYOTA REPORT THAT I ONLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE FOR 2 SECONDS AS IT WAS MUCH MORE... BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKE WAS MUCH HARDER AND LESS FORCEFUL PRESSURE MADE THE CAR STOP AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKE FEELS SOFTER AND MORE PRESSURE IS NEEDED TO MAKE THE BRAKE WORK. THIS IS AN ALMOST BRAND NEW CAR WITH 7K MILES ON IT HOWEVER I DO FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR ANYMORE AFTER THIS ACCIDENT AND I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN I DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY AT 60MPH AND THE BRAKE WILL NOT WORK?? TOYOTA DENIES ANY TECHNICAL ERROR WITH THE CAR AND BLAMES THE ACCIDENT ON ME. THERE ARE PLENTY OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR ACCIDENTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS ON THIS SAME ISSUE HERE: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0DB60B. *TR

10/28/2012

UNNECESSARY MINOR INJURY PRODUCING DESIGN MY PRIUS, WHICH I LIKE, HAS SEVERAL TIMES GIVEN ME A MINOR BRUISE THAT LASTS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOORS, AT THE BOTTOM CORNERS, END IN A SHARP RIGHT ANGLE. IN CONTRAST, MANY OTHER CAR DOORS HAVE A SLIGHTLY ROUNDED BOTTOM CORNER WHICH HAVE NEVER INJURED ME. AS I AM WALKING AROUND THE PRIUS, LOADING AND UNLOADING FOR EXAMPLE, THAT SHARP CORNER SEEMS TO CATCH MY SHIN AND BRUISE IT. I AM IN MY 70'S AND GUESS THAT THESE MINOR INJURIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN WITH CHILDREN AND SENIORS. IF THIS WAS A NEEDED ELEMENT OF DESIGN, THEN I WOULD NOT CALL THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. HOWEVER IT SEEMS TO BE PRIMARILY POOR ERGONOMICS ON THE PART OF THE DESIGNER. IF THE INJURY POTENTIAL OF SHARP CORNERS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF CAR MANUFACTURERS, PERHAPS, WHEN DESIGNS ARE CHANGED, THE SAFER CORNER COULD BE INCORPORATED AT ESSENTIALLY NO COST AND NUMBERS OF FUTURE MINOR INJURIES COULD BE AVOIDED. *TR

1/3/2014

REAR VISIBILITY SERIOUSLY HAMPERED BECAUSE NO CAMERA INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. TOYOTA MOTOR CAR COMPANY KNOWS FROM EXPERIENCE THE SERIOUS SAFETY & FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ADDRESSING A SAFETY ISSUE & A CAMERA PROVIDING THE DRIVER REAR VISIBILITY COULD DRAMATICALLY SAVE THE LIFE OF PERSON(CHILD) AT REAR OF VEHICLE. IT IS TO BE NOTED TOYOTA INSTALLED CAMERA IN THE PRIUS ONLY WHEN NAVIGATION SYS. IS PURCHASED.

3/25/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN FOGGY OR RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, CONDENSATION WOULD BUILD ON EACH WINDOW, PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS. SHE ALSO TRIED OPENING THE WINDOWS TO ALLOW THE CONDENSATION TO EVAPORATE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT REPAIRS COULD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,059. ...UPDATE 01/20/12 *BF UPDATED 01/25/12

11/23/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADREST WOULD SLIDE UP AND OUT OF THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADREST WOULD OBSTRUCT HIS VISION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SEE WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL DRIVERS SIDE HEADRESTS ON THE 2011 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES FUNCTION IN THE SAME FASHION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY FEATURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

8/5/2011

THE DRIVER'S HEAD SEAT, OF THE PRIUS 2011, POPS UP WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS A BIT ROUGH. *KB

10/11/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UPHILL AT 5 MPH AND IN THREE INCHES OF SNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SDS WARNING LIGHT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN FORWARD MODE ONLY TO DEMONSTRATE IN WHAT MODE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

4/4/2012

HAPPEN TWICE HIT THE BRAKES FAIRLY HARD ON ROUGH PAVEMENT NOT REAL ROUGH DIDN'T BOUNCE JUST FELT LIKE I WAS ON ICE NOTHING THERE JUST A SECOND OR SO BUT FELT LIKE A LONG TIME IF A CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF ME DON'T KNOW IF I COULD HAVE STOPPED IN TIME. *TR

5/18/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 8 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT FAILED TO RETAIN THE DRIVER, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS ON FILE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000. UPDATED 04/19/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. TOYOTA SENT THE CONSUMER A NOTICE EXPLAINING THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, ONLY IMPACT TO THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE/DOOR AREA, THE MORE YIELDING PORTIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ABRUPT FORWARD DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT OPERATED AS DESIGNED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION. UPDATED EVOQ 05/24/12 UPDATED EVOQ 06/18/12

3/27/2012

AS THE PASSENGER IN THE CAR THAT I OWNED WE WERE DRIVING AND HIT THE BACK END OF A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK AT APPROX 26-28 MPH. I AM 5'10" AND AS ALWAYS WAS NOT SITTING CLOSE TO THE DASH. ONCE I REALIZED WHAT HAPPENED MY FACE WAS BLEEDING VERY HEAVILY. WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS MY FACE HAD SLAMMED INTO THE DASH (IS NOT CLOSE TO INDIVIDUALS IN PRIUS'. MY NOSE HAD A SIGNIFICANT RIP IN TWO LOCATIONS AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE FOR PLASTIC SURGERY. WITHIN 24 HRS MY ENTIRE FACE WAS SWOLLEN WITH A MAJORITY OF DARK BRUISING FROM MY EYES TO MY JAWS. AND MULTIPLE STITCHES IN MY NOSE. MY SEATBELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN ME BACK. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ACCORDING TO THE AUTO SHOP THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY BC IT HAD MISSED THE SENSOR BY AN INCH. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER FRONT END. THE HOOD ROLLED UP AND EVEN PARTIALLY CAME THRU THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS TOTALED FROM THE IMPACT.THEY STATED TO THEM THERE IS NO REASON THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN. HOWEVER AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA THEY DID AN INSPECTION ROUGHLY THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY AND I RECEIVED A COPY OF THE DATA REPORT THAT SHOWED MY MPH AND PROOF I WAS RESTRAINED AND MORE INFORMATION THAT AN AVERAGE PERSON WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND. THE END OF MARCH 2013 I RECEIVED A RESPONSE STATED THE SEATBELT WORKED WITHIN THE LEGAL GUIDELINES. MY THOUGHTS WERE NO WAY, WHAT WOULD BE THE PURPOSE TO WEAR THE SEATBELT IF YOU CAN STILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THEN THANKING GOD THAT MY DAUGHTER WASN'T IN THE FRONT SEAT AND NEVER HAD BEEN IN THE CAR. WITH THAT BEING SAID I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN, THE AMOUNT I SAVED IN GAS DRIVING A PRIUS IS NOT WORTH THE LOSS MY DAUGHTER WOULD GO THRU IF I WERE NOT ALIVE BECAUSE OF A PRIUS (TOYOTA). *TR

4/9/2014

I HAVE A 2011 PRIUS AND IF WHILE I AM BRAKING, I DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES RELEASE. I MUST RE-APPLY THE BRAKES TO RE-ENGAGE THEM. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITE REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN WILL A RECALL HAPPEN BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT? *TR

7/26/2011

WHILE STEPPING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE MOVED APPROXIMATELY 18 INCHES BACKWARDS THEN STOPPED SUDDENLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ALTHOUGH USUALLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME I PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE POSITION OF MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT WAS FIRMLY PRESSED, BUT TRAVELED ONLY 1-2 INCHES. AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND I WAS SATISFIED THAT I HADN'T MADE A MISTAKE I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND REAPPLIED IT. THIS TIME IT TRAVELED THE NORMAL 3-4 INCHES. EACH TIME I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER I MENTION THIS TO THE TECHNICIAN. THEY REPLY THAT THEY'VE HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING, BUT OFFER NO SOLUTION. *TR

11/15/2011

UPON STARTING VEHICLE, A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, ACCOMPANIED BY SHAKING OCCURRED. AT THIS TIME NO FAILURE/WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. MOVED CAR FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET, AND PLACED CAR IN PARK, KNOCKING/SHAKING DID NOT ABATE. TURNED CAR OFF. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR, UPON STARTING HAD THE SAME LOUD KNOCKING/SHAKING. IT WAS AUDIBLE FROM SEVERAL FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR. ON THE SECOND TIME, IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING LIGHT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

10/30/2011

THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED FROM 65 MILES AN HOUR TO ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH THE SHOULDER BLOCKED DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS PRESENT IN THE 2004 PRIUS AND WAS APPARENTLY THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA INVESTIGATION. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010 FOR 650,000 UNITS OF THE 2010 PRIUS. TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE EARLIER MODELS AND ADMITS IT DOESN'T KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IN THE 2011 PRIUS. THIS DEFECT PRESENTS A GREAT DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *KB

12/29/2011

MY BRAND NEW 2011 PRIUS CLASS FIVE WITH ALLOY WHEEL, MAKE A LOT OF NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE. TIRE IS BRAND NEW, TRY A TIRE ROTATE, WHEEL IS STILL MAKING NOISE AT 5MPH TO 70. TAKE IT TO DEALER THEY SAY IT NORMAL WHEN I DON'T THINK IT NORMAL. VERY STARING FOR A BRAND NEW CAR TO MAKE THESE NOISE. *TR

11/12/2011

THERE ARE 3 ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THIS PRIUS. THE BRAKES ARE THE FIRST PROBLEM. AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, I TOO HAVE THE SAME LURCHING FORWARD WHEN BRAKING OVER BUMBY OR ROUGH ROADS. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. SECOND, THE SUSPENSION IS CREAKING AND CRUNCHING WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 20MPH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED ALL THE WAY RIGHT AND ALL THE WAY LEFT. THIS CRUNCHING NOISE HAPPENS WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, MAKING U-TURNS, COMING TO A STOP ON AN INCLINE, AND BRAKING OVER SPEED BUMPS. I'VE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THIS FOR THE LAST YEAR WHEN I COME IN FOR SERVICE AND ONE TECH SAYS THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, ANOTHER TECH SAYS HE HEARS IT BUT CAN'T FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, THE SERVICE MGR. ALSO WENT ON A DRIVE WITH ME AND REPRODUCES THE NOISE CONCERN BUT THE TECHS COULDN'T FIND IT. MOST WERE SUGGESTING NEW FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS-STRUTS, TOWERS, LINKS, ETC. I REPLACED THE TWO FRONT STRUTS AND ALL OF THE EXTRA COMPONENTS-THE NOISE CONCERN IS STILL THERE. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS. THIRD ISSUE IS THE ICE-MOTOR. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND MAKES A CREAKING SOUND. IT'S APPEARS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. THE ENGINE SEEMS LIKE IT IS LOOSE. THE ENGINE ALSO MAKES RATTLING SOUND WHEN CRUISING LIGHTLY AT 15-25 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED SLIGHTLY. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER THE DASHBOARD-GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA. THIS IS A RATTLE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I'VE HAD THIS LOOKED AT AS WELL AND THE DEALER STATES THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. I HAVE RECORDED ALL SOUNDS RELATED TO THESE CONCERNS AND AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER THIS MONTH.

9/1/2015

ON APRIL 3 2012 WE DROVE OUR 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS TO A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. WHILE WE WERE STOPPED, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. MY WIFE, WHO AS DRIVING LOOKED DOWN TO CHECK THAT HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. WHILE STARING AT HER FOOT SQUARELY ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AGAIN ABOUT 3 FEET. THE CAR THEN SURGED FORWARD AGAIN ABOUT ONE FOOT BEFORE STOPPING. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CROSSING TRAFFIC, PEDESTRIANS OR ANY OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS. NO COLLISION OCCURRED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. WE CALLED TOYOTA CARE IMMEDIATELY AND THEY PROMPTLY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER LATER CALLED US AND INFORMED US THAT THEY HAD DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND THAT NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. WE DISPUTED THAT WE WERE UNWILLING TO TAKE THE CAR BACK UNTIL A PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY HAD DONE EVERYTHING THEY COULD DO AND EVEN HAD DRIVEN THE CAR 10 MILES WITH NO INCIDENT. I INFORMED THEM THAT WE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NEARLY 10,000 MILES AND IT HAPPENED ONCE. ONCE IS TOO MANY TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD US WE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. WE ASKED FOR A WRITTEN STATEMENT GUARANTEEING THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND THAT THE ISSUE WOULD NOT OCCUR. THEY SAID THEY COULD OFFER NO WRITTEN STATEMENT, SO WE REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK WHAT FOLLOWED WAS ESSENTIALLY THE DEALER PASSING THE BUCK TO TOYOTA CORPORATE WHO BASICALLY TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT IF WE STILL HAD A PROBLEM WE COULD GO TO ARBITRATION. TOYOTA CORPORATE WAS NEITHER REASSURING NOR HELPFUL. WE ARE NOW IN ARBITRATION WITH TOYOTA. WE HAVE OUR ARBITRATION HEARING TODAY. IT HAS NOW BEEN NEARLY TWO MONTHS SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR, YET WE ARE STILL PAYING THE LEASE AND INSURANCE. WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR MONEY, WE ONLY WANT ASSURANCE AND SAFETY FOR OUR FAMILY. *TR

5/31/2012

MY CAR HESITATES TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, SLICK SURFACE, METAL ROAD COVER OR A MANHOLE. INSTEAD OF SLOWING/STOPPING, THE CAR SEEMS TO EJECT FORWARD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND DROVE WITH A SERVICE TECH AND HE SAID IN OVER 20 YEARS OF HIS EXPERIENCE, HE'S NEVER SEEN THIS. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS CAR (AND TECHNOLOGY WITH REGENERATIVE BRAKING) IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, BUT HE DIDN'T SEEM TO BUY MY COMPLAINT, NOR WERE WE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS ISSUE WHEN I DROVE WITH A TECHNICIAN AROUND THE BLOCK. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE : HTTP://MONEY.CNN.COM/2010/02/04/AUTOS/PRIUS_TIMELINE/?WPMP_SWITCHER=MOBILE HTTP://WWW.EETIMES.COM/AUTHOR.ASP?SECTION_ID=30&DOC_ID=1284377. *TR

3/19/2014

I WAS A FRONT PASSENGER IN A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WE JUST GOT IN THE CAR. MY FRIEND TURNED IT ON. I LOWERED MY WINDOW AND PLACED MY ARM IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION JUST OVER THE WINDOWS LOWER MOLDING. MY FRIEND WENT TO RAISE MY WINDOW BECAUSE HE WANTED THE A/C ON. HE USED HIS AUTO UP FEATURE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. BEFORE I COULD REMOVE MY ARM, THE WINDOW WAS ALREADY MOVING UP. IT STARTED TO SQUEEZE MY ARM IN THE VERTICAL POSITION. I HAD MY THUMB INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND MY FOUR FINGERS OUT SIDE THE WINDOW FROM THE TOP. I COULD NOT RELEASE MY HAND FROM EITHER DIRECTION. MEANWHILE THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE FROM THE BOTTOM. SO BAD, I STARTED TO YELL AT MY FRIEND TO LOWER THE WINDOW. HE SAID IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN. I STARTED TO PANIC BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS VERY BAD. I WAS ABOUT TO PUNCH THE WINDOW BUT QUICKLY REACHED ACROSS MY BODY USING MY LEFT HAND. I USED MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO LOWER THE WINDOW. THIS SO-CALLED AUTO-DOWN PINCH PROTECTION DOES NOT ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY. I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT ACTIVATES ONLY PAST A CERTAIN POINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S WEBSITE, THIS FEATURE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL POSITIONS BUT IN FACT DOES NOT. THE BACK OF MY ARM WAS SORE FOR DAYS AND DID BRUISE. WE TESTED MY FRIENDS CAR AGAIN ANOTHER DAY AND DISCOVERED THE EXACT SAME THING HAD HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME WE ONLY USED OUR HANDS TO APPLY PRESSURE AT THE VERY BOTTOM INSTEAD OF ONLY AT THE TOP OR IN THE MIDDLE. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN. TOYOTA WAS EMAILED BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM A REPRESENTATIVE. IN MY OPINION, I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL BACK OR A PHONE CALL AT THE LEAST. IT SADDENS ME BECAUSE I TOO AM THE OWNER OF TWO TOYOTAS. WHERE IS THE PRIORITY NOW? *KB

11/28/2011

POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILS TO CLOSE WINDOW WHEN LIFTED UP INTO THE FULL AUTO-UP MODE. THE WINDOW GOES TO THE TOP OF THE DOOR AND THEN REBOUNDS TO APPROXIMATELY 1/2 WAY DOWN. DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO PUT WINDOW UP BY ONLY LIFTING SLIGHTLY ON THE SWITCH TO MANUALLY STOP IT. *TR

11/4/2013

ON OCTOBER 18,2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 PRIUS 2 ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR YOKOHAMA TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALL. I SWERVED IN TO THE LEFT LANE TWICE BEFORE LEAVING THE ROAD, SNAPPING OFF A UTILITY POLE, GOING DOWN A REVINE AND ROLLING OVER END FOR END AND SIDE TO SIDE. I ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT ON MY STOMACH FACING THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS BROKEN BACK AND MY SEATBELT WAS STILL ON. I WAS IN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A MONTH FOLLOWING BACK SURGERY. I HAD 3 CRACKED VERTIBRE AND ONE CRACKED RIB AS WELL AS MANY BRUISES. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND I AM STILL RECOVERING 3.5 MONTHS LATER. *TR

2/7/2013

WAS DRIVING A 2011 PRIUS WITH JUST UNDER 25,000 MILES ON OCTOBER 18, 2012 ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. A REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. THERE WAS A ROLLOVER END FOR END DOWN A VERY STEEP AND LONG DITCH. THERE WERE SEVERE BACK INJURIES. *TR

7/26/2013

RE: NHTSA 14V053000/HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM...I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. MY DAUGHTER OWNS A NEW PRIUS AND SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE EITHER. MY CAR ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF BUT MY DAUGHTER'S ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF. YOU SHOULD ASK TOYOTA TO SHOW PROOF OF ITS RECALL MAILINGS. I'LL BET THE FARM THAT THEY CAN'T. *TR

3/18/2014

2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRONIC SYSTEM RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PANEL LIT UP, BUT THE READY LIGHT DID NOT LIGHT UP, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. AFTER MANY TRIES, THE READY LIGHT FINALLY LIT UP AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE SAME THING HAPPENED SIX DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEAR TRIED TO TELL THE CONSUMER, THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY. BUT, THE PANEL SHOWED THE BATTERY SYSTEM WAS OK. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE HAPPENED A FOURTH TIME. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE RECALL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED, CAUSED THE ISSUES. *JB

7/10/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE POSITION THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING TOO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,117.

6/24/2014

I WAS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL AND THEN STARTED TO PROCEED ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I COULDN'T DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN IDLE SPEED. EVEN AT THAT SPEED THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL,IT WAS SWERVING,EVEN THOUGH I WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL STRAIGHT. THE STREET HAD A DUSTING OF SNOW. ALL OF THE OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO DRIVE AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMITS WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ,THEY ADVISED ME TO GET NEW TIRES, WHICH I DID EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ONLY 9 MONTHS OLD .THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND STEERING SYSTEMS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH EITHER. THIS STEERING PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES. EACH TIME IT HAPPENS THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND BUT EVERYONE ELSE IS ABLE TO DRIVE AT THE POSTED SPEED. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS BITTER COLD AND WHEN IT WAS 30 DEGREES OUT. WHEN THE CAR SWERVES, IT ENTERS OTHER LANES, EVEN AT IDLE SPEED. I AM VERY LUCK NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO UPSET THAT I AM GETTING A NEW CAR. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE. *TR

1/11/2015

NEW 2011 PRIUS II DELIVERED BY JAFFARIAN TOYOTA WITHOUT FLOOR MAT SECURING DEVICE INSTALLED. FLOOR MAT NOT BEING SECURED COULD CAUSE INTERFERENCE WITH PEDALS. *TR

6/25/2011

THE DRIVER'S HEAD SEAT, OF THE PRIUS 2011, POPS UP WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS A BIT ROUGH. *KB

10/11/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET HEATED SEAT WARMER MANUFACTURED BY PHILIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT WARMER FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BECOME HOTTER THAN NORMAL THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT A HOLE HAD BURNED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE SERIAL AND MODEL NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56, 200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

11/20/2012

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 20 WITH MY WIFE WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE ARE TWO PANES OF GLASS AND THE EXTERIOR PANE SENT SHARDS OF GLASS OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE INTERNAL PANE OF GLASS STAYED IN PLACE BUT SOME SHARDS OF GLASS FELL ON MY WIFE AND MYSELF. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THIS WAS DUE TO A CRACK FROM DEBRIS WHICH HIT THE CAR AND COMPROMISED THE INTEGRITY OF THE SUNROOF. THEY COULD NOT PROVE OR SHOW ANY MARK INDICATING THIS AS A FACT. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION AND I FEEL OUR SUNROOF WAS MATERIALLY FLAWED AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

7/10/2013

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN THE PRIUS IS DEFECTIVE. IT IS PRONE TO GROWING MILDEW AND/OR MOLD IN THE SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTS IN TOXIC AIR BEING PUMPED INTO THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A LARGE BODY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE MILDEW PROBLEM ONLINE WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG PRIUS FROM 2010 TO THE PRESENT. SINCE NOTICING THE MILDEW SMELL IN MY CAR, I HAVE HAD SEVERE ALLERGY PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT IS ADVERSELY AFFECTING MY HEALTH, AND GIVEN ITS PREVALENCE AMONG CARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL, I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FLUSH DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND IN FACT MAY HAVE MADE IT WORSE. *TR

7/29/2013

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN THE PRIUS IS DEFECTIVE. IT IS PRONE TO GROWING MILDEW AND/OR MOLD IN THE SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTS IN TOXIC AIR BEING PUMPED INTO THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A LARGE BODY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE MILDEW PROBLEM ONLINE WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG PRIUS FROM 2010 TO THE PRESENT. SINCE NOTICING THE MILDEW SMELL IN MY CAR, I HAVE HAD SEVERE ALLERGY PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT IS ADVERSELY AFFECTING MY HEALTH, AND GIVEN ITS PREVALENCE AMONG CARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL, I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FLUSH DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND IN FACT MAY HAVE MADE IT WORSE. *TR

7/29/2013

THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY IS TO DIM TO READ IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING DIRECTLY TOWARD THE AFTERNOON SUN ON A CLEAR DAY. MY WIFE, WHO VIEWED THE DISPLAY AS A FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER, AGREES WITH ME. TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING, I HAD TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD AND ALLOW MY EYES TO ADJUST TO THE DARKENED DISPLAY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. AS A RESULT, I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED ON THE HILLY TERRAIN. DESPITE MY BEST EFFORTS, MY SPEED VARIED ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 70 AND 80, MORE OR LESS, ON AN INTERSTATE WITH A SPEED LIMIT WAS 75. DESPITE MY GENERAL MISGIVINGS ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL, I FINALLY HAD TO RESORT TO IT TO STEADY MY SPEED. THE INCIDENT ABOVE WAS MY WORST EXPERIENCE, BUT VIEWING THE DISPLAY IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. MOREOVER, THIS WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH A 2005 PRIUS WHICH WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY HAZARD! THE TWO VEHICLES MENTIONED ABOVE, AT LEAST, AND POSSIBLY OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES, NEED TO BE RETROFITTED WITH A DISPLAY THAT CAN BE READILY SEEN IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, BUT WHICH CAN BE ADEQUATELY DIMMED FOR NIGHT DRIVING. *JS

5/17/2014

THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY IS TO DIM TO READ IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING DIRECTLY TOWARD THE AFTERNOON SUN ON A CLEAR DAY. MY WIFE, WHO VIEWED THE DISPLAY AS A FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER, AGREES WITH ME. TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING, I HAD TO TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD AND ALLOW MY EYES TO ADJUST TO THE DARKENED DISPLAY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. AS A RESULT, I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED ON THE HILLY TERRAIN. DESPITE MY BEST EFFORTS, MY SPEED VARIED ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 70 AND 80, MORE OR LESS, ON AN INTERSTATE WITH A SPEED LIMIT WAS 75. DESPITE MY GENERAL MISGIVINGS ABOUT CRUISE CONTROL, I FINALLY HAD TO RESORT TO IT TO STEADY MY SPEED. THE INCIDENT ABOVE WAS MY WORST EXPERIENCE, BUT VIEWING THE DISPLAY IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. MOREOVER, THIS WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH A 2005 PRIUS WHICH WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY HAZARD! THE TWO VEHICLES MENTIONED ABOVE, AT LEAST, AND POSSIBLY OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES, NEED TO BE RETROFITTED WITH A DISPLAY THAT CAN BE READILY SEEN IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, BUT WHICH CAN BE ADEQUATELY DIMMED FOR NIGHT DRIVING. *JS

5/17/2014

AS THE NAVIGATION/GPS SYSTEM WAS BEING USED ON A LONG TRIP, THE BACKLIGHT SUDDENLY BURNED OUT. UPON TOUCH, THE SCREEN WAS EXTREMELY HOT. (IT DID NOT COOL DOWN UNTIL APPX. 1 HOUR AFTER THE BACKLIGHT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. WITH THE BACKLIGHT NOT WORKING, IT RENDERS THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BLUETOOTH, BACK-UP CAMERA, AUDIO SYSTEM/CD PLAYER USELESS AND NOT USEABLE.(ENTIRE SCREEN IS BLACK.) ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 1/2 YEARS OLD, IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. THE PART COSTS BETWEEN $2400 AND $4500 TO REPLACE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED ON VARIOUS COMPLAINT BOARDS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON 2010 AND 2011 PRIUS CARS BY CONSUMERS. *TR

7/22/2014

THE DOOR LOCKS ON A GOOD PORTION OF TOYOTA PRIUS FAIL LEAVING THE BOTH THE CAR AND IT'S OCCUPANTS UNPROTECTED. IT IS MOSTLY THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM. THEY WANT OVER $400 PER DOOR LOCK TO FIX IT. I FEEL THAT IT IS BOTH AN INCONVENIENCE AND A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THEY WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE OR THE METAL KEY. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IS TO ENTER THROUGH THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR AND REACH FORWARD TO THE FRONT DOOR. *TR

9/7/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2/5/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY DIF NOT HAVE THE CORRECT CODE FOR THE SOFTWARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

2/22/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH. DUE TO THE SWITCH NOT BEING IN THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INHERENT TO THE MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. UPDATED 05/06/16*LJ

3/7/2016

BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AT NIGHT DURING A RAIN STORM ON INTERSTATE 10. WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE!!

9/8/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SOY BASED PLASTIC CABIN ENTRYWAYS WERE MISSING THE SCREENS. THE FAILURE ALLOWED RODENTS AND MICE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2/27/2017