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 was driving my car as normal on a city street and the speedometer and warning lights (except for the check engine light) all turned off. We pulled over but the car would not go into park or turn off. We had no choice but to continue driving, not knowing our speed or any warning lights that could prevent serious injury (including knowing the level of the gas). Once we got home it took about 10 minutes to get the car into park and off, but pressing the park and power buttons in random orders. I have no idea what ultimately allowed the car to turn off. It has happened twice now and it's scary not knowing the speed all the sudden in the middle of driving. Also, having been in such a habit of clicking the park button and being safely in park, we almost crashed into our house after being in the driveway the second time, not realizing the display had just gone out again for a second time upon arriving home. The car continued rolling forward of course until the brakes were slammed. I understand there was an extended warranty for my year Prius (2008), but has since ended. This is a safety issue and I have no idea why this wasn't a recall. Toyota needs to continue to honor the repair of vehicles that are affected. Just recently, it was released that Toyota is recalling the 2019 models for this same issue (speedometer going out) and they are referring to it as a safety issue. This should be done for any model affected and should not have an end date.
A lot of times when I turn the vehicle off and come back to turn it on there's no display for speed what gear I'm in mileage or fuel. The only way I seem to be able to make it work is to pop the back hatch and disconnect the main power from the battery. Sometimes I do that 20 or 30 times before it works.
Recurring problem, inconsistency in fuel levels at the gas pump. Possible hybrid energy theft from batteries or heating element. Last fill-up at the North conduit mobil with 8 dollars, resulting in a less than a half a tank level, with a quarter tank level before fill up.
The dashboard lights go out, meaning you can no longer see the mph, the fuel, and everything important to drive with gauges. This can happen at anytime, driving or parked, on any street in any weather. Also note, you can no longer shut the car off, unless you hold the start button for 20 seconds. Sometimes the car will still not shut off, it's also sometimes hard to tell if the car is off, because there is no more dash. The only well to tell is to see if the radio goes on. There are a few ways to reset this major malfunction, to try and get things working again by disconnecting batteries, but this is a dangerous problem, that could kill someone while driving and needs attention and recalled soon as possible!
My wife and I own 2 Prius 2nd generation models since 2014. The issue is with the instrument cluster randomly malfunctioning and not displaying when the vehicle is on and sometimes not being able to turn the vehicle off. It happens while driving, stationary, raining, just randomly. This has happened more than 10 times on my car alone, and my wife can contests to hers as well. What we both are experiencing is one of many situations. While driving the dash lights and interior lights will just not work: I'm unable to see driving speed, if my headlights are on. Even while stationary we experience the same thing. The main reasons for reporting this is because coincidentally it happens to both of us at random times in 2 different vehicles same model and year. From my own research this has been going on for a while with other owners with the same models. I don't know what constitutes as a safety concern for recalls, but I feel this is one. I'm fortunate to not have any accidents so far. But for others who are experiencing this can accidentally start speeding, or become startled because of the sudden loss of dash visuals, and result in harm of other's or property. This just happened again today and I just had to say something since this has been a persistent issue for my wife and I. thanks for taking the time to read this and please look into this.
- Tacoma, WA, USA
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My wife and I own 2 Prius 2nd generation models since 2014. The issue is with the instrument cluster randomly malfunctioning and not displaying when the vehicle is on and sometimes not being able to turn the vehicle off. It happens while driving, stationary, raining, just randomly. This has happened more than 10 times on my car alone, and my wife can contests to hers as well. What we both are experiencing is one of many situations. While driving the dash lights and interior lights will just not work: I'm unable to see driving speed, if my headlights are on. Even while stationary we experience the same thing. The main reasons for reporting this is because coincidentally it happens to both of us at random times in 2 different vehicles same model and year. From my own research this has been going on for a while with other owners with the same models. I don't know what constitutes as a safety concern for recalls, but I feel this is one. I'm fortunate to not have any accidents so far. But for others who are experiencing this can accidentally start speeding, or become startled because of the sudden loss of dash visuals, and result in harm of other's or property. This just happened again today and I just had to say something since this has been a persistent issue for my wife and I. thanks for taking the time to read this and please look into this.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. After parking the vehicle and turning off the ignition, the vehicle restarted on its own several minutes later. The vehicle was taken to jim norton Toyota (9809 S memorial dr, tulsa, ok 74133, (918) 215-3786) where it was determined that the failure may have been due to a combination meter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: 1910093151. The approximate failure mileage was 59,397.
Right hid headlight keeps going out during short or long trips. It it's now October 2019. This same light was replaced for same problem in July 2018 and I was told by my mechanic that my ballast and electrical connection is fine. It should not be burned out by now. I only use the lights at night or during rain. I have read on several online forums with similar complaints from Prius owners. This is a safety issue.
The 2008 Prius has a digital display. Sometimes when the vehicle starts up there is no information displayed on the screen. Nothing shows what gear (reverse, neutral, forward) it is in. There is no speedometer display. No odometer display. No fuel level display. At the same time that the dash does not light up, I have noticed there is no backup camera or backup lights when the vehicle is in reverse. In addition to the above, the start button will not fully shut down the car. It will cycle between accessory mode and full start when the button is pressed. I have noticed that when the problem is happening the vehicle is also not keeping track of the miles driven while the dash is not displaying - so when the dash does start working again, the odometer is not showing true mileage. After getting the vehicle to finally shut down, I have sometimes had the issue not present the next day at startup. Other times it will last through several starts and stops. I have read online that this problem is consistent with a faulty combination meter. And I feel it is a safety issue.
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.
Ventilation circuit to select inside to outside air has been cyber-terrorised several times. The system is vital to operate securely, as a disabled constituent, in a great metropolis, that has sewage and garbage vapors everywhere. They access the funtion to open the damper to let outside air in suddenly, exposing my respiratory system to inhale waste. I have respiirated. Garbage air pollution, here in New York so much, it has activated my childhood asthma. Please find a way to seal the ECU's.
The cryptocurrency industry has spawned a frenzy of hybrid battery energy theft. My combination meter spikes and reduces down a deficit in fuel, insight of other vehicles driving close enough to extract power from the rear battery cells. Every time I re-fuel the combination meter re-calibrates fhe fuel and electric level. I lose 5 to 20 percent of that level once it has calibrates, every time.
The speedometer does not display when turning on the car. I figured out that by unplugging the battery in the back it would sometime bring it back on. Now it only comes on every once in a while, it's no longer keeping track of miles when not on, as well as the fuel gauge is not keeping track of gas and have ran out twice because it stated half full.
The crank case ventilates randomly into the cabin. The foul stench of motor oil disperses into the cabin intermittently. The ventilator actuator orientates the crank case gases, hazardously contaminating my respiratory system.
The dim headlight only, not the bright, only on the drivers side front goes out 4 or 5 times a year. The front brights are not affected and have never gone out nor has the dim headlight on the passenger side front ever gone out. The car is driven daily usually and on city streets only.
For the third time I have had to replace my brake light switch, this is a safety issue as it affect how the brake lights work. The break light switch, when malfunctioning prevent or inhibits the vehicle from starting properly. If the switch fails while driving, it can cause problem with the battery regeneration, this is in addition to causing a driving hazard while driving.
There is a very wildly known issue with the Prius 2004-2009 break accentuator assembly. Toyota created an extended warranty for the replacement of this part because they know it is extremely faulty, the warranty has been extended three times since the original in 2004. The last expiration date they set was good until July of 2018. However, since then, there are tons of cars, including mine, where the assembly has gone bad, meaning that the brakes will continue to have a slow leak and can fail at any point causing physical harm and possible death to the driver. Toyota is very very aware of this issue, however refuse to do a recall on the part.. since their third time extending the warranty, I can no longer get my replaced, which is a $2,700 fix, that is a cost that is worth more than the cars themselves. A recall needs to be done on this part, it is extremely unsafe since drivers can lose the ability to brake their cars causing harm to them, those traveling in the car, as well as everyone around them. I am eight and a half months pregnant, and will be driving with a newborn and unable to get this part fixed, so I can no longer drive my vehicle because Toyota will not replace the part.. it needs to be put under a recall status immediately.
The inside to outside air vent actuators are moving in different directions, venting intake manifold gases into the cabin. Synthetic oil smell in the cabin, via the two front vents.
While driving down the road the instrument panel went black. I could not see driving speed or remaining fuel. I drove to Toyota dealer and could not shut down the engine upon arrival nor remove my key from the key slot. There are numerous online complaints about "Prius instrument cluster not working". Toyota quietly agreed to extend warranty coverage for 9 years from date of first use or until 2013. Https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2004-2009-Toyota-Prius-combination-meter-warranty-extension-ztv.174/ I believe this should have been a safety recall as it is unsafe to operate a motor vehicle under these conditions and the operator might not be able to shut off their vehicle or remove the ignition key. There are almost 700,000 affected vehicles in the class. Repair costs $925 or more for affected owners. Several have posted videos of home remedies involving disconnecting the battery terminals to cause a "reset", which may encourage other owners to continue to operate the vehicle in an unsafe condition where failure is imminent.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tempe, AZ, USA