This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Driving my 2004 Toyota Prius home from work, the car suddenly lost power a few miles from my home on a busy thoroughfare. I drifted to the side of the road. All warning lights on the dash were on. I turned off the car and restarted it. It went a few seconds before dying again. This continued several times until I made it home. The incident caused other cars to have to slow down, honk and move around me. I was very scared. It was late at night. I called my husband to come help me but he was not home. The next day the car started and I took it to the dealership. They could find nothing wrong, and said they "reset the engine/battery ratio" so the car would rely more on gas than electricity, and that I would experience a slight decrease in my engine efficiency. I later complained to the service manager, that my Prius has had numerous electrical problems since I purchased it in August OF2005. Twice it would not start in the morning and I had to have it towed. He also told me that what the service person told me was incorrect, that there was no way they can "adjust" the engine/battery ratio. He gave no explanation for my problems and said "no one else" has had any problems with their cars. I want to return the car for a new one, but he says he feels "confident" Toyota will correct any problems I am having. I am afraid to drive the car in case this happens again. Toyota has done nothing since I have complained. I feel they owe me a new car while they figure this out.
An article in yesterday's L.a. times (5/17) detailed a problem with the 2004/05 Toyota Prius, where it mentioned that 13 Prius owners reported that their vehicles stalled suddenly, often at high speeds. On April 12, 2005, the exact same thing happened to me. While slowing from 65 M.P.H. on I-10 in West L.a. onto the I-405 interchange, easily one of the most congested highway interchanges in the country, my Prius stalled and I was extremely fortunate to make it to the end of the interchange where the shoulder began. Had it occured a mere two minutes later, I would have been in the fast lane of the 405, triggering a potential disaster and certain sigalert, as it occured at 8:15 a.M.--rush hour. My car had approximately 8,700 miles and was purchased new in August, 2004. I had it towed to Toyota of santa monica where I purchased the car, and was dismayed at their nonchalance. A brand new car should not break down for no reason, and it could've resulted in a serious accident. More tro ubling, the Toyota service department's technical assessment of the problem was that it was a "computer glitch, " and that their repair service was to "reprogram the computer." I have been a loyal and vocal supporter of this hybrid vehicle, pleased in every way with the performance of the car. Now when people ask, I give them much the same answer, but verbally insert an asterisk and tell them about the time it broke down without warning, and how I have no guarantee it won't happen again. You can count me as the 14th owner to report this identical problem. And you can be sure that we are only a percentage of the ever-growing Prius owners who have experienced this. I hope your findings and the article will make their way to Toyota's receptive and responsive ears. Thanks.
5/6/05 my 2004 Prius with 20,400 miles without warning loss all power and shut down while driving hazard light came on warning to take to Toyota dealer. The vehicle would not start. The battery meter level was completely dead. The vehicle had to be towed to maita Toyota 2500 auburn blvd, sacramento, ca 95821, 916 481-5353 for repair. The work order stated the cause was the ECU which was reprogramed which cleared stored codes. Code pulled P3191. Is this a new finding in the Prius?
The consumer owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. He says that he is having problems with the vehicle because it will shut off while in traffic. Also the park mechanism will disengaged and the lock button does not unlock the doors as specified in the owners manual. Also the start button does not consistently start the vehicle properly. The vehicle experienced: Inoperative brake light, the fuel door spring was replaced, dome light remained on, engine would disengage, lights would remain lit after the vehicle was started, vehicle would not move until the vehicle was shut off and restarted to get the brake light to go out, rattling as if it were going to stall, the alarm sounded on one occasion when the door was opened, fuel door spring malfunctioned and fuel door would not open. The technicians were unable to verify the door lock malfunction. The consumer would like the vehicle replaced with a 2005 model equipped as detailed on the original invoice including aftermarket items paid for.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
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Have a 2004 Toyota Prius. Less than 40,000 miles on the car. Was driving on the freeway and it suddenly died for no reason. Toyota dealer said it was a computer malfunction and could not guarentee it would not happen again. Very upset about this as it is a new car I paid a lot of money for
While driving at approximately 35 mph the vehicle completely shut down. The vehicle was hybrid. The owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and was informed that the battery was charged, and there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. There were a series of these events. The vehicle also stalled while in motion. The consumer was informed that the charging system was tested and nothing was wrong with the vehicle.
My daughter was driving our 2004 Toyota Prius in fast traffic when there was a complete failure of the computer system and the car shut down. Her life was in danger - but a policeman happened to be passing by and diverted traffic and called a tow truck. The car was taken to morristown Toyota in morristown New Jersey where it was determined that there was a computer failure. The computer stayed overnight at the dealer and they said the "refreshed" the computer and that "this should solve the problem." I am reporting this incident because of the dangereous situation that developed due to a computer failure - ad may fit in with other reports you are receiving.
While driving vehicle will just stop. Consumer states there is a software problem with engine being faulty from the computer. Consumer receives a dozen warning lights. Vehicle was towed to a dealership so that the vehicle could be diagnosed. Consumer is aware of other similar complaints.
While driving the vehicle at 60 mph. The vehicle completely shut down. The consumer pressed on the accelerator pedal for speed, however the vehicle continued to lose power. The consumer had the vehicle towed. The vehicle is still at the dealership. The problem was due to a computer glitch per tsb. The battery had gone dead.
2004 Prius- warning lights--including master warning-- appeared on dash and computer. Vehicle lost power and could not be shut down or restarted. Towed to dealership which informed me that no fault could be found and car appeared to be operating normally. Car now runs normally except for "ready" light that appears on dash.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Anselmo, CA, USA