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.
I started my car and as I was driving noticed no instrument lights on dash. I tried turning engine off (2 step procedure) and was unable to stop engine, unable to remove keys. I was stuck with a car that was running, an inability to lock the car because it did not recognize the commands. I tried calling the closest dealership and was passed from one person to another without answers as to what to do. I then called the dealership where I had purchased the car and they were able to tell me how to get the engine off - and they said there had been a recall on the instrument cluster. I had not been notified. I regularly have my car serviced at the dealership - as recently as 3 weeks ago.
My 2007 Prius has the hid (high intensity) headlights. Sometimes both headlights go out at the same time and sometimes just the passenger side headlight goes out. I originally thought that the problem was the bulbs so I replaced both bulbs just a few weeks ago with new bulbs, but the problem is still occurring. Sometimes when I turn the light switch off and then on again the headlights come on again. It seems to be a random occurrence but it is happening more and more frequently. This is a very dangerous situation especially when driving at night.
While driving the left headlight went out I turned off the lights and back on, the headlight came back on. Since this first incident the right headlight done the same while driving. Both headlights have turned off at the same time while driving. It seems like this is a wide spread issue with this year of Prius. The dealership will currently only replace the bulbs at a cost to me of $1250. The bulbs don't seem to be the problem, considering they work most of the time. If you can turn the lights off and back on again and the light(s) return to working state, its seems to be an electrical controller board problem.
My headlights keep going out. Both headlights will go out at once. I've replaced the bulbs which did not change anything. I also contacted Toyota multiple times, all incidents ending up in them telling me they would do nothing about the issue, it's not a recall and will not be a recall and it's my responsibility to take care of. Even after I pointed out the multiple articles I read of Toyota reimbursing and extending the warranties for this issue. Along with the class action lawsuit. I've long extended the warranty because I bought the car used. It had over 30,000 miles on it when I bought it. The Toyota dealership is even less of a help! going down a dark highway at 65 mph and both headlights going out is insane. Not to mention being pulled over multiple times for the headlight(s) being out. This is one of the worst safety hazards a car can have and should recalled and every Prius owner should have this issue taken care of!
Vehicle does not properly start-up and ends up in a state where it cannot be turned off. I pushed the ignition button, which normally quickly turns green and normally the car would start. Instead, the car goes into a state where the dashboard illuminates, an error icon is displayed, and the power cannot be turned off. I hold down the power button for over 5 minutes before the car finally turns off. During this time, the power button is amber, the dashboard does not show the car is in any gear, and the green light on the park button is on. The power button absolutely does not function, nor does the gear selector. My understanding is that holding down the power button for 5 seconds should absolutely turn it off, this is not the case. This has happened on three occasions in the past week.
- Morgan Hill, CA, USA
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The rear latch of my 2007 Toyota Prius has degraded to the point that it is inoperable. The rear latch release has melted to the point that it ends up all over my hands when I attempt to open the rear hatch and does not open. I am unable to open the trunk. This is a major safety issue. I have two children under the age of 5 who are strapped into car seats. In the event of an emergency, the rear hatch may be the only way to access them. Obviously, if I am unable to access them, the failure could result in serious bodily injury or death to the passengers, including my children. I have contacted Toyota requesting that Toyota correct this problem on my car, but they have told me that: 1) they are unaware of the problem; 2) my car is out of warranty and I do not have an extended warranty; and, 3) they will not fix the car. Do people need to get injured or die before Toyota reacts?
The back latch of my 2007 Toyota Prius has degraded ("melted" almost). It no longer functions properly, and I am unable to open the back hatch door easily. Sometimes it requires considerable effort and perseverance to get it open. I am concerned that in the case of an emergency, I will not be able to get the door open. This is a major cause for concern and it is a serious safety hazard.
I was driving home last night and various warning lights came on. Within a short time the vehicle lost all power (entered a failsafe mode) and the hybrid system shut down while I was driving. The result was a complete loss of power and the vehicle came to a stop in traffic. I was close to the curb and turned on my emergency flashers. Called a tow truck and will take this to the dealer. I called Toyota customer service to see if others had experienced anything similar and they had no access to any information about other customer's experiences. They did say that there are no active recalls for this make and model year. A recall for the 2010 - 2014 Toyota Prius was issued in February 2014 for what sounds like a similar problem. While this wasn't a life threatening issue for me last night, in a press release drivers who've experienced similar issues were warned to get out of their vehicles because they could be in danger from being rear ended.
The rear door latch cover material has deteriorated and the latch is no longer operating as expected. The rubber material is a soft gummy consistency and the latch mechanism to the hatchback fails to release allowing access to the rear storage area. This area contains the spare tire.
At approximately 65mph a red triangle warning light appeared on the dash panel accompanied by a yellow circle. The parking button was flashing and a pink cartoon car appeared on the display. The car was running fine so I continued till I reached my freeway exit. At the bottom of the exit I had to stop for a red light. The exit is dark and has a sharp curve. Upon stopping the car the transmission locked and the engine shut down. I was unable to start the engine and the car could not be pushed out of the way due to the transmission lock. Frantically I had to get a flashlight and wave off oncoming traffic. It was very dangerous. After a few minutes I retried the engine and it started allowing me to get off the ramp and get home. The warning lights stayed on. I took the car to the dealer the next day and after they tested everything they said that there was nothing wrong. Next time I might not be so lucky.
2007 Prius dashboard lights malfunction - completely dark. See NHTSA # 10544698 and many other complaints regarding dashboard lights/cluster going completely dark and engine will not shut off. This is an extremely serious safety issue and dealerships will not repair for free. The part needed is a combination meter/cluster that costs around $1000 to repair from the dealer. Please everyone - push for national recall as this is an extremely dangerous safety issue.
The back hatch door grip handle on the hatch of my 2007 Toyota Prius no longer functions properly. The rubber grip has degraded and is soft and sticky during warm weather and in cold weather becomes nearly immovable. The back hatch door grip handle frequently jams rendering the car inaccessible through the rear compartment. This is a major cause for concern and is a serious safety hazard. There have been multiple cases of this complaint reported. This rubber grip is clearly a material of poor quality and given the past history of electrical problems Toyota has had with the Prius it is highly probable that this is one more. Before someone is injured or dies as a result of not having egress from this vehicle Toyota needs to be made to take responsibility and provide repairs at no cost.
While driving on the highway, both headlights shut off. This caused a near accident with other motorists on the highway. By rapidly toggling the headlight switch on and off, the headlights turned back on. This has been a persistent issue even though I have had the bulbs replaced at a great expense.
The buttons on the steering wheel began to stop working. One by one, each began to fail. I wasn't too worried since they're simply the climate and stereo controls, however, as I began researching all signs pointed to this being the "clock spring" assembly. This also controls the airbag and is a huge safety issue. I went to the dealer who confirmed and said this would cost $500 to repair. When I asked about the airbag they said they do not recommend that I drive the car because the airbag "might not work" anymore. After seeing a sufficient amount of posts here, I wanted to also add my feedback as it appears this is far more widespread than just an isolated incident. I have drive 4 other (non-Toyota) vehicles for well above 200,000 miles and never had this issue. My father (automotive mechanic for another car brand) said he's never had anyone come in with this issue before. Considering that toyta prides themselves as having safe vehicles, I would hope that they consider a recall on this life-threatening part failure.
Rear hatch release latch has been getting stick to the touch and increasingly difficult to open. Tried cleaning the latch and discovered that the rubber covering the latch seems to be melting. Checked online and discovered that this seems to be a common problem and, if not corrected, will likely result in latch release switch failure. The location of the rubber latch release cover protects it from direct sunlight and there seems to be no reasonable explanation for the failure of this part other than a defect in manufacture.
The tail lights intermittently go out when driving at night, while the brake lights are fine. It is related to a problem with poor quality tail light sockets on this model and year. Replacement bulbs do not address the problem. This seems to be a common problem, not unique to my vehicle only.
The hid headlights on my 2007 Toyota Prius appear to be defective. When I turn the lights on initially, they both illuminate, but the lights dim progressively, and after several minutes the lights are essentially dark. This occurs in both headlights and started only this month. This is a significant safety issue, as it is very dangerous to drive without working headlights (particularly when one assumes that the headlights are working since they turned on initially). It is my understanding that the issue is beyond replacing the hid headlight bulbs; according to the repair shop I visited, there may be a defect with the hid electronic control units (ecus). I understand as well that this is a defect that has occurred in numerous Toyota Prius vehicles and that Toyota in 2011 agreed to a settlement of a class action lawsuit that provided some repair coverage for certain owners.
The right headlight had to be replaced. It would turn off and if I turned the lever on and off while I was driving it would come on for a while. On a dark night it was dangerous. I replaced the right headlight and it cost a total of $229.55 which I thought was outrageous. Now the driver's side headlight has gone out too. I might have to drive it only in daylight unless I can find a cheaper way to replace the headlight. I was stopped by the police for the first headlight out, but given a warning. I bought the car to save money but headlight replacement costs are way too much in my estimation.
I have a 2007 touring Prius with hid headlamps and 1 of the headlamp assembly started leaking water and Toyota of kingsport, tn. Replaced it on Oct. 28th 2013 and charged me $342.30 after discount. Now the new headlight and the other one is going off while driving and this happened on May 29th 2014. There is no way a headlight should fail in 6 or 7 months. Thank you for listening to my complaint, as I can't afford to keep replacing these very expensive headlamps. I went online and it seems I'm not the only one with this problem and can you get Toyota to do something about this? I would appreciate any help you can give us Prius owners with the hid headlamp system.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rhododendron, OR, USA