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. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the gate of the garage. The contact turned the ignition on and off and was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle accelerated a second time and the brakes would not stop the vehicle. The vehicle stopped after the gear was shifted into neutral. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated a case manager would be assigned to the case and return the contact's call within 24 hours. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
2008 Toyota Prius, when I hit a bump or pothole at relatively low speed, the car sometimes goes into "anti-skid" mode, leading to a brief disconcerting period of lurching/acceleration/loss of braking ability before the car returns to normal. This problem is usually accompanied by the yellow anti - skid icon indicator on the dash.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph and attempting a turn into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal went straight to the floor and he attempted to apply extreme pressure to the brakes but to no avail. The vehicle went over a curb and a sidewalk. The vehicle came to a stop as the rear tires crashed into a concrete wheel stopper. The contact was not injured. The dealer was informed of the failure and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 30,080. Updated 01/12/11 updated 02/23/11
Rapid acceleration while cruise control engaged. While cruise control was set for 68 mph, I found it necessary to pass a semi. While the cruise was engaged the accelerator was depressed and I was able to pass the truck not having to go any faster than 73. Shortly after, I became aware that the car was continuing to accelerate and I was unable disengage cruise control by braking once normally and braking once hard....the acceleration continued. Speeds were in excess of 93+ and I was finally able to stop the acceleration by disengaging the cruise at the switch. Braking should always disengage cruise and should have slowed the vehicle. It did neither. Fortunately I was on an open freeway....with only weather issues....but this could have been very serious or fatal should traffic had been stopped in front of me.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that he shifted into reverse gear and the vehicle moved forward. He was able to apply the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately ten times but he did not take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. He stated that the failure occurred in a parking lot when the brakes were applied and crashed into another vehicle. No damage was done to either vehicle. The driver sustained a knee injury. He called the dealer and they referred him to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was called but they have not returned his call. The failure had been on going for six months. The failure mileage was 19,000 and the current mileage was 22,300. Updated 10/05/10 updated 10/07/10
- Misschon Vieja, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. While driving at 2 mph the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The failure and current mileages were 17,000. Updated 10/01/10 while slowly moving into a parking space, with her foot on the brake, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward landing on a parking lot divider. The consumer suffered whiplash. Updated 10/10/05
I was sitting with the car on and in park at sonic drive in when it lunged forward 3-4 feet before I could hit the brakes. The car was taken to the Toyota dealership after work. After checking on the computer and test riding it they could find nothing wrong or duplicate the sudden acceleration.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. While the contact was driving approximately 20 mph, the traction control system was in activation and the vehicle began to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was able to slow down during braking. The failure occurred whenever the traction control system was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the technician informed that the vehicle acceleration was a normal occurrence upon activation of the traction control system. The contact had significant concern of the potential safety hazard. The failure mileage was 20,000 updated 10/26/10. Updated 10/26/10
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the vehicle accelerated after driving over a bump in the road. On a separate occasion while driving 50 mph with the brakes engaged, the vehicle accelerated without driver intent. In addition, while traveling at an unknown speed, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated while driving over a road bump in the road and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility after the crash occurred. There were two injuries. The dealer inspected the vehicle but was unable to duplicate or locate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70 and the current mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. While braking from a speed of 40 mph, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact drove the vehicle off the roadway but was unable to stop the acceleration although he was depressing the brakes. The vehicle proceeded for approximately 400 yards, driving over several bumps, grass and other road obstructions before the vehicle finally came to a stop. The brake warning light illuminated just as the vehicle began to decrease in speed. There was smoke coming from the brakes and the front driver's side tire blew during the failure. The police arrived to assist. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 22,000. Updated evoq 08/17/10 updated 01/14/11 updated 04/01/11
1. while driving and braking over potholes or rough road, the car veers forward even though brakes are being applied 2. happens ever since we received our 2008 Prius maybe once a month or so: Results in scary few moments, although no accidents yet have occurred 3. dealer claims cannot re-create the issue.
While driving about 65 mph on a smooth interstate, my 2008 Toyota Prius accelerated when I tapped the brake to take it out of cruise control. I stepped on the brake again and it stopped accelerating, and slowed down. I had removed the floor mat a few weeks prior. I took it to Toyota to have the recall work done, which included a software upgrade. They said after they inspected the car that they determined form the log that the brake and accelerator had been pressed at the same time, twice. I am sure I did not step on both. As I said, I tapped the break to take it out of cruise control, and at the time it accelerated my foot was in the air, not touching either pedal. I suggested the cruise control may be erroneously putting flags in the log as it slows and accelerated to maintain a consistent speed. The dealer refused to report this suggestion or since it would be diagnosing, and said there was no place for them to report that I was sure I had not stepped on both pedals at the same time. Thank you, and I hope you are able to resolve this problem.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. She maintained firm pressure to the brake and was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact left the vehicle in the dealers possession for further inspection. The approximate failure and current mileages were 12,900. Updated 11/16/10 updated 11/16/10
I was trying to park my car(Toyota Prius 2008) in the farmers market and the car didn't stop and continued to accelerate and went further about 50 feet and hit a wood pole. Later Toyota service fixed the problem by changing the necessary parts in the vehicle. They confirmed that they took the car for test drive and made sure that everything is ok. But I am still scared to drive that car because of what happened. I have been driving for more than 18 years in this country and do not have any traffic violations or accidents. This was the first time anything like this happened. I also own two other vehicles, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Camry.
2008 Toyota Prius. On Jan 29, 2010, I was slowly pulling into a parking stall when the accelerator engaged and the car surged forward. I applied the brakes and nothing happened. I let off the brakes and slammed them on harder and the car would not stop. My car hit the side of a am/pm arco station building. I turned it into my insurance and paid the $500 deductible. My car was taken to dealership and they could find nothing wrong at that time. The car has not surged since.
2008 Toyota Prius. Consumer states unintended acceleration. The consumers wife was driving when she felt the vehicle speed up and pull to the right. She attempted to turn the wheel to the left to compensate, but the next thing she knew, she was hanging from the seat belt upside down. The consumer hit a concrete mailbox and rolled over. The consumers wife suffered injuries.
Hi, while driving to work this morning, my left headlight flashed and then stopped working. My 2008 Toyota Prius is about 1.75 years old with approximately 28,000 miles. I have heard from other Prius owners that they have had problems with their headlights. I have also heard the replacement cost for the headlight is $300. I find that hard to believe, nonetheless headlights in everyother car I have owned seem to have a life of 10 or more years. This is a safety issue because I drive to work early in the morning when it is dark and I sometimes don't return home until after dark. The bulk of my driving has been in the daylight, however I need my car to get to work. Also on 3 occasions my cruise control accelerated beyond where I set it. For example I reset the control after having hit the brakes. I got back to my speed and set the cruise control at 70mph. I noticed a short while later the car was going 95. I hit the brakes to slow down and the car immediately came out of cruise control and slowed down as it should. I now take the car all the way out of cruise control shutting it off after I hit the brakes. I next turn the control back on and reset the cruise. Using the cruise this way I have not had the problem of the car speeding up. II figure I will continue to use the cruise this way and observe whether there is any problem. However, I don't believe Toyota intended for the cruise control to be used this way. Thank you
2008 Toyota Prius. Consumer states unintended acceleration. While driving on the freeway, the consumer let up off the accelerator, but the vehicle continued to speed up. The consumer released her foot completely from the accelerator all together, but the vehicle increased in speed. The brake was applied, but it did not slow it down at first. Finally, the brake began to work. The consumer was able to drive safely to the dealer. The dealer was unable to find anything wrong with the vehicle. The consumer also stated the floor mat was removed months ago.
2008 Toyota Prius. Consumer states brake problems with the vehicle. On several occasions, prior to public notice and the recently announced recall, the consumer noticed an unusual braking incident. The incidents happened while slowing down to make a turn. When she applied the brake, the engine raced for a split second and the vehicle surged for a moment.
Toyota Prius 2008 less serious - frequent release or lapse of braking by ABS (assumed) on irregular roadway small cracks seem to confuse system with significant forward travel of vehicle before brakes reengage. Similar to my earlier 2005 model but more frequent occurrences and longer lapse in pad rotor contact during braking. Most serious brakes failed almost 10 seconds. Travel on wet slushy highway for 2 hours on 55 mph road with uphill grade and slight turn to right driver applied light brake pressure attempting to time deceleration to controlled intersection for green light. Application of brakes slowed vehicle no more then uphill coast, firmer pressure to no effect, full hard pressure no effect, slight release and full slam, no immediate effect, finally ABS stuttered/pulsed and stop vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Terre Haute, IN, USA