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.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the messages for the parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, and VSC illuminated while driving. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake actuator and brake pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of the Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure however, the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 129,674.
My 2008 Toyota Prius brake system is very dangarous, on the hi way speed of 55 I push the brake softly, out of sadden car started acting like a wild horse slipping to the left and right and I am an experienced driver on ice, I lived in M ichigan for a long time, so I survived, and all drivers around me stopped and there was no accident, I am afraid driving that car, I have called Toyota dealer, seems like use to be a recall but they have some hesitions to accept the faulty, dangarous brake system, I am going to complain to the CEO of the company.god help me, I was lucky my family and I survived, my message to the Toyota Prius owners is please double check your VIN number and recalls, and insist to fix this common defect on Toyota Prius, by the dealer with no charges.very very unsfe brake system. And my instrument lights are on and off I can not see the speed and the odometer and the gas indicator, I heard it was a recall but the dealership did not accept it. If I want to fix these faulty defective parts would cost me over 4000 dollars, Toyota is responsible, I beleive should and must fix it for free valuntarly,
My brake, ABS, vsc, and (!) lights are on. The brakes work at roughly 10% stopping power. Makes an awful buzzing noise when the brakes are applied and the warning chime is on constantly the high pitch ring is unbearable. I called my local Toyota service dealer and was told the champagne ended Nov 30th 2017.
My car has been having this issue with braking and dashboard lights with 'brakes, ABS, vsc. Have taken it to the dealer and have spent thousands of dollars already. Replaced the brake system (pads, drums, etc..), catalytic converter, hybrid battery. Every time I drive out out of the dealer 'all is good' as codes were cleared but a few months after, the lights are on again. These issues have cause are causing my car to be acting up while driving and trying to break at stop signs and crossing lights by delaying to stop on time. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed by Toyota in assisting us with repairs. Unless they'll wait for a tragedy before doing something about it. Have called the dealer and they always say 'it could this' or 'it could be that'. so far the repairs they have done is supposed to fix the current issue with breaks, lights on the dashboard but now ABS can be related to the actuator and that will cost me around $3,000! which I cannot afford anymore. My car is paid for and I've spent almost $7,000 in 'repairs' and of course all vehicle's warrantees had expired when I took it in. In reviewing multiple complaints, this seems to be an issue with these ABS and vsc problems and there should be some type of recall to fix them, otherwise as customers we're losing faith in Toyota and/or their dealers. I love Toyota cars but going through these experiences with costly repairs may change my mind in going with another brand.
- Palmdale, CA, USA
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Was parked in line to pick up child from school. Turned car on and put it on drive, moved slowly when parking brake light, ABS warning light, traction control light all came on and then my brakes went limp. Had to push all the way to the floor and stopping was still hard to do. Almost hit the car in front of me when suddenly all lights went off and brakes jerked to a sudden stop. I'm terrified to drive my car at faster speed knowing my brakes basically went out. Pretty sure it's failing brake actuator and Toyota knows about this probably but didn't do a recall only extended warranties... I didn't own the car when those warranties we're going on in 2016. Headlights also will randomly turn off and I have to turn them off and back on constantly driving at night.
Second generation Toyota Prius (model years 04-09, an estimated 669,700 vehicles, Toyota highlander 06 ~66,200 vehicles (and Lexus models~196,000 vehicles) have a known defective brake power booster known as brake actuator assembly. Toyota published tsb 0032-16. The brakes fail. Toyota denied to remove the known faulty part in 2016 because the part had not established symptoms yet and vehicle was over 175,000 miles. 5/24/2019 while in motion on interstate 77, the yellow anti-lock brake system ABS, the electronic variable speed control vsc (traction), the electronic controlled brake alert lamps illuminate. The hybrid propulsion system fails because the power brakes do not regenerate electricity to charge the hybrid battery fuel cells. Turning the hybrid vehicle into a plain gas powered vehicle with faulty brakes. The power brake system creates a thumping vibration sound due to the pressure inside the actuator is not retaining/holding pressure. I asked local O'reily's to scan vehicle, reading codes brake actuator failure. Reported to Toyota dealership 5/30/2019 with yellow warning lamps engaged and with knowledge of codes. Charged $150.09 to verify codes that I retrieved in 3 minutes and estimate $2938.47 to replace known faulty part. I contacted Toyota national -1906030924.Toyota needs to own this recall. Recall the faulty part known to fail in 2016. Toyota aware of part failure, to such extent, Toyota discontinued this brake actuator and redesigned for generation 3 2010-. Toyota has updated the replacement part with new part #S. how many vehicles are currently on highways with this known faulty system, endangering all vehicles in proximity? this is a national issue. A safety issue. Needs immediate attention, please. I purchased new updated part, drove to tampa, Florida to have installed by professional installer.
While driving on the highway the ABS, vsc, and (!) lights came on. The brake pedal became hard, and I had to push incredibly hard to slow the vehicle. After having the codes read and resetting the ABS, vsc, (!) lights, the brakes worked again until the lights came on again after about 50 miles. The codes have read "accumulator pressure fault".
On Friday, November 2, 2018. The brake light and lights for ABS and vsc came on, I brought it on to a Toyota dealership service center. He immediately told me without inspecting it that it would be a very costly repair. I received a phone call after they ran diagnostic test and he confirmed it was the ABS actuator that needed replacements at a cost of $2500. And then told me that there was a warranty enhancement but that it expired in June of 2018. The tech also told me that it was no help to call Toyota to request repair because they would not be willing to do it. There seems to be so many Toyota Prius owners who are stuck because Toyota is unwilling to repair the issue with the actuator and should do regardless of the limit on warranty or just lift the limit on the warranty. My vehicle only has 100K and I should not have to be paying $2500 to replace a faulty part on the car that Toyota is fully aware of.
Driving on city street while very rainy outside, drove through a puddle and felt the brakes loosen, all the warning lights came on and wouldn't turn off. Anti-lock breaking system was offline. Took to Toyota dealership, mechanics said the ABS is not communicating with the computer and it would be $2800 to fix. Breaks feel loose and are not as responsive anymore.
Powered on vehicle in driveway and while the car was still in park and the brake pedal engaged, the car rolled out of the driveway. I applied additional pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from rolling out. A week later, the instrument panel warning lights for ABS, vsc, brake system and brake illuminated due to internal malfunctions of the brake actuator assembly. Toyota stated the vehicle is outside of the extended warranty for this known issue.
If I am applying the brakes when I hit a pothole or bumps in the road the brakes briefly stop working and don't re engage for several feet. Thus, if I am driving 30mph, the brakes won't re engage for about 15 feet. I took the car to the dealer twice and they claimed there was no problem. I checked online and found numerous complaints of the exact same problem by other 2008 Prius owners. I believe it is a programing problem with the interplay of the traction control system and the ABS system. Apparently there was a recall for a similar problem in the 2010 models but not the 2008 models. I have experienced this problem throughout the life of the car. Please look into this problem
I purchased my 2008 Toyota Prius as a certified pre-owned vehicle in 2014. Every time the car goes over a bump in the road -- be it a man hold, railroad tracks -- the car traction control light illuminates and the car lurches forward for 1-2 seconds. This has happened countless times. It is a commonplace occurrence when going over any kind of uneven surface on the road. From what I have read, this is common in the 2008 Prius and I am wondering why this hasn't been investigated. On July 12th, I was driving in ky in heavy rain, going about 50 mph. The traction control light came on, I began to hydroplane, and the car accelerated to 60mph and I almost drove off the road. I have been driving for sixteen years and have never hydroplaned. My fear is the car doing the same thing in rain that it does on uneven surfaces on dry road -- lurching forward slightly which is not what you want when driving in the rain.
Vehicle starts, runs for limited time -2-3 mins. Shuts off vehicle starts no electrical visibility on dash.. blank. Vehicle starts with electrical visibility, runs for 3-5 miles, looses electrical visibility. Updated 12/4/2017 vehicle starts with electrical visibility runs for 3-4 miles.vehicle stops, shuts off in traffic. Vehicle will not start. Requires jump start, ,. and runs enough to take car to dealer. Vehicle will not start, requires jump start and will not hold charge. Requires towing to dealer. MA 10/8
When making a turn from a stop and trying to accelerate quickly the car jerks and hesitate as the anti slip system light flashes and engages. You cannot accelerate quickly into traffic from a dead stop making a turn as the car refuses, jerks and acts like it will stall. Pavement is dry and no gravel. Happens each and every time since I purchased the car. Easy to replicate. Come to a complete stop, then turn right while pressing the accelerator down quickly and the slip system kicks, car jerks, hesitates and then very slowly starts to eventually accelerate.
We have two Prius cars with same issue - when making a turn from a stop and trying to accelerate quickly the car jerks and hesitate as the anti slip system light flashes and engages. You cannot accelerate quickly into traffic from a dead stop making a turn as the car refuses, jerks and acts like it will stall. Pavement is dry and no gravel. Happens each and every time since I purchased the car. Easy to replicate. Come to a complete stop, then turn right while pressing the accelerator down quickly and the slip system kicks, car jerks, hesitates and then very slowly starts to eventually accelerate.
My 2008 Prius won't stay in gears occasionally gear jumped back from D to N mode. Fortunately, it didn't happen when I drove 70 miles per hour. I went to Toyota center and they said I have to pay for the shift lever. I don't know why I should pay for it, it is a defect of this car, not because how I drive this car. Plus, I don't have this money, so I didn't repair for it. I need to report this before someone get killed. I think Toyota should recall 2008 Prius, to make sure our (customer) safety.
It actually happened two times within a month. In one case, I was turning left to take a ramp with a very low speed around 5 mph. Even though some parts of the road was icy, but the car didn't slip. It was exactly a several sudden pushes, unintended acceleration, with my foot on the brake only. I was so scared because I couldn't control the car for few seconds, and I thought I totally lost the control of the car. I tried to steer the car safely and turn on my emergency light. Checked the brake again, it was working after that. The second time, happened to me when I was coming out of school parking and didn't have any speed at all. Again around 5 mph. School is located in residential area. When you get out of the parking, you can only turn right, then there is an intersection with a stop sign almost 50 feet away. On the day of incident, I tried to stop behind the stop sign with no speed at all, but suddenly the car got the same continuous and sudden pushes. It was accelerated unintended. My foot was completely on the brake, but I lost the control again, and I was so lucky that day that there were no cars around the intersection, I tried to steer the car to the left, turned on my emergency light, and tried to push the brake again and again. After few seconds, I found it working. I called the Toyota the same day, and they are in the process of scheduling me for inspection. Again, even though the surface was slick with ice, but I didn't have speed, and it didn't look like ABS is working. I exactly know how ABS works, specially when it is snowy or icy. This is very scary. Please investigate. Thanks.
Traveling at 40 M.P.H. a pickup truck pulled out onto the roadway ahead about 150ft. I depressed the brake and the vehicle slowed quickly at first to roughly 35 M.P.H. when the ABS warning light displayed for a brief moment to about 30 M.P.H. after the warning light stopped flashing; 2 flashes, about 1/2 of a second, the pressure was solid and the vehicle slowed minimally. I managed to stop the vehicle in time, but felt that the brake system had failed to properly slow the vehicle. It felt like stopping a train. I feel unsafe in this vehicle under these conditions and have seen a lot of similar incidences reading online. I'm concerned for my the safety of my family and other motorist, and feel that Toyota should take the responsibility to resolve this issue with these vehicles.
On three separate occasions I started my Prius by using the electric start button without the key. The car starts and runs but the instrument panel does not light up. Once I arrived at my destination the car will not shut off. It take approx. 1 hr of running before it will turn off. My dealership indicated they had not heard of this issue but after a diagnostic test, discovered that a computer chip communicating with the start button was the issue. The part is not available for 4 to 6 weeks and they will not release my car to me since they consider it a safety issue. They indicated its part of a recall issue..never heard of it! hummm. No cost for the fix since it is part of the recall and Toyota has provided me with a rental car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nashville, TN, USA