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.
When at a complete stop at a stop light our 2009 Prius tried to accelerate on its own and my husband had to stand on the brakes to keep it from moving forward. Toyota was able to get info off their black box showing both the accelerator and brakes were applied at the same time. We keep hoping they are researching this problem but their call this week (after reporting this about 90 days ago and 2 black box downloads at the dealership) says it was driver error since they couldn't duplicate it and their engineers say it is within normal operating range. Toyota rep "L" says Toyota is not releasing how many unintentional acceleration issues they have had since it is proprietary information and that they will not discuss other trends or cases they are not looking for trends between reports only downloading each individual car's info not looking at what is written in the complaint. She says Toyota and your government can't find anything which means it must be safe. Safe" we have not let our kids ride in this car for over 6 months as we hoped a solution would come up from Toyota but now we just really need info to know what is really going on with these vehicles and how many accidents there really are. The Toyota rep on the phone says they have never duplicated a customer concern and that ours is unusual because people usually report right away and after an accident. I had asked how busy they are since it took so loooong to respond and she stated she takes about 2-5 calls a day, but previously had been taking 10-15 per day and there are about 40 people in her position. How many issues are there and is this a big deal about nothing or a big coverup" we just want to make a good decision for our family please help!
I was involved in 2 identical accidents over the past 6 months with the same car, a 2009 Toyota Prius. In December '09 I was making a right turn to pull into a parking spot. I was completely in the spot and went to come to a full stop when my 2009 Toyota Prius suddenly accelerated and crashed into a car. Then again on June 21, 2010, I was making a right turn into a parking spot and the same car suddenly accelerated as I went to come to a full stop in the parking spot. This time the car jumped the curb and went through a chain link fence. Both times I was making a right turn into the spot, both times I was braking and both times the car accelerated as I went to come to a full stop. The Dec '09 accident was reported to the police, the June'10 accident was not.
Two unaccounted acceleration single vehicle accidents with 2009 Toyota Prius. After accident of April 30, 2010 per my request, vehicle was inspected by a consultant from Toyota.[May 26, 2010]. Toyota is saying car is safe. Car was returned to me on May 28, 2010. First accident occurred August, 31, 2009. Both accidents occurred under similar circumstances; driving at slow acceleration while making a right turn. Accident #1 turning a corner, accident #2 pulling into a parking slot in a parking lot. Both times engine revved and car lurched forward. In first accident car crashed into a tree, in second accident car ran over a landscaping boulder which stopped it from crashing into the street. The boulder was stuck under the middle of the car. Two wheels on each side of it and front wheels were off of the ground. The front wheels were still turning after I got out of the car. I got back in the car and turned off the engine. I am requesting Toyota replace this vehicle with a like value vehicle. I have pictures taken at the time of the accident of April 30, 2010 and detailed explanations of both accidents. Damages from both accidents was approximately 20,000 dollars. My insurance company found me at fault for the accident of August 31, 2009 because all of the car's warning lights came on and I glanced at the dash. The insurance company has found me not at fault for the accident of April 30, 2010. I received a recall notice from Toyota after the accident of April 30th. However, I was told that this had nothing to do with the accidents. My car has had a number of unusual issues since its purchase. This is documented with Toyota service. This car was purchased new and has 11,000 miles on it. Updated IVOQ 09/08/10
2009 Toyota Prius - unintended acceleration. On this vehicle, uncontrolled acceleration can be reproduced at will. I called Toyota and they are treating it as yet another crank call, service manager advised to remove floor mat and bring in later in week. I would hate to see it swept under the carpet like other recent complaints.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 60 mph after he applied pressure to the accelerator pedal at a traffic light. The driver was able to stop the vehicle and drive onto the emergency lane where the vehicle was left overnight. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but no repairs were made when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. The current mileage was 18,224.
- Massapequa Park, NY, USA
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I was driving my newly purchased 2009 Toyota Prius (VIN# [xxx]) on rt 66 in arlington Virginia on March 31, 2010. I was driving approximately 50-60 miles per hour and accelerating. I took my foot off the accelerator to slow the car and the car kept accelerating. I then depressed the brake, but the car did not slow, and in fact I heard what sounded like the engine 'gunning' and it continued to accelerate. I pressed the brake down as far as it would go and while the car slowed its acceleration, it did not slow or stop the car. As soon as I lifted my foot from the brake, the car began to accelerate again and I could hear the engine racing. I pressed the brake again, and the same thing happened ' the car slowed its acceleration, but did not slow its overall speed. As soon as I lifted my foot from the brake, the car accelerated. I did this three times, becoming increasingly afraid. I then jammed my foot hard on the brake and pulled off onto the side of the highway. I turned the car off, and it finally stopped. I sat there for a few moments, then turned the car back on and got back onto the highway. As soon as I got up to highway speeds, the same thing happened again ' the car accelerated on its own and the brake would not stop the car. I pulled over a second time and turned the car off as the only was I could find to stop it. I turned the car on again, and this time was able to reach my destination with no more incidents. I reported the problem to the carmax dealer from whom it was purchased and have been on hold to report this directly to Toyota for over 30 minutes, but have been unable to get through. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2009 Toyota Prius. Consumer states extraordinary experience with brake/acceleration problems. The consumer stated while waiting for her husband, she put the vehicle in park mode. She then decided to return to the front entrance of the building. She put the gear into reverse and let the vehicle go at its own speed. She stated she never touched the accelerator, but as she was about to turn the wheel to go through the front entrance, the vehicle then accelerated quickly. The consumer quickly put her foot on the brake, but they didn't work. She quickly turned the steering wheel to the right to avoid hitting a pedestrian. She ran over 2 trees, which brought the vehicle to a stop.
We purchased a 2009 Prius, 11/08. In 3/16/09 it accelerated unexpectedly on the NJ turnpike near newark airport, a speed judged at 85 miles/hour. I was the driver, there were 4 passengers. Clearly unattended acceleration not caused by a floor mat. Scenario: Traveling in right lane, came up behind cement mixer traveling at 45-50 mi/hour; accelerated quickly to get into middle lane; middle lane traffic constant, traveling min. 70 mi/hour; once in middle lane, de-accelerated; instead of de-accelerating, the car engine roared, taking off at an unbelievable speed; turned on flashers, put foot on brake; able to control speed of car, breaking all the time, engine roaring. No place to pull over. Only thought: Get to toll booth, hope I could stop it completely with brake; suddenly, after about 5 min., there was a sound in the engine (?) like a thud; car resumed normal operations. Follow-up: Went into nyc, drove car home that evening, 3 hour drive; husband took car to vineland Toyota dealer where bought; they said black box showed that, in addition to most recent acceleration, there were prior accelerations; we never noticed them; they could find nothing wrong with it; said mat had been the problem; husband, former CEO/amer. Lung assoc., contacted Toyota regional, saying that he was not satisfied with diagnosis of problem - we were afraid to drive the car. Knew management because of Toyota's support of ala. In fact, after his retirement, endorsed '02 Prius in Toyota brochure, and was featured in 2 Toyota videos; management sent techs from reg. Office; reps concurred with dealer: Problem was floor mat. Outcome: No work we know of was done to rectify acceleration; mat removed, but couldn't see how it interfered with pedal. Couldn't replicate the event by moving mat around. No explanation for thud; little likelihood that the mat could slip back in place. Don't trust car! please advise us of your intent on this matter. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic light at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The vehicle proceeded to crash into another vehicle before coming to a stop. There were two injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle had not been tested or investigated by the dealer. The failure mileage and VIN were not available at the time of the complaint.
The contact rented a 2009 Toyota Prius. While driving at speeds of 40 mph up hill, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into an 18-wheel truck. The driver sustained a broken leg and was transported to the hospital via helicopter. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged and was towed back to the rental car company. The contact secured legal council to handle the matter. The failure mileage was 12,299 and the current was unknown.
This is extremely urgent! I own a 2009 Toyota Prius with no floor mats in it at all and the gas pedal stuck once a few days before the driver in California(2008 Prius)was stuck speeding on highway and stopped by police. After seeing that story, I was compelled to share my story. Toyota refused to help me saying my year wasn't in recall list. It happen the same way it happen to him in calif. I was accelerating on highway to pass driver and it stuck for 20 seconds then unstuck. I slammed on brakes which didn't help much. I started going upwards to 70 mphs with braked to the floor. There were no floor mats in car at the time. I'm afraid I will be the next Prius that may cause accident or even kill someone. Please help! Toyota refuses to see my car! I don't know what to do...maybe I should go to the news. I'm scared!
My 2009 Toyota Prius was stopped at a traffic light when it suddenly lurched forward. My foot was on the brake at the time. I brought my car to my Toyota dealer, where they inspected it and told me that they couldn't tell me why it happened.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving approximately 2 mph into a parking space with pressure applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle slowed down, followed by an unexpected acceleration. The vehicle crashed into a handicap parking pole. There were no injuries. There was a separate occasion when the gear selector failed to shift into reverse gear or park position. The failure occurred intermittently vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the vehicle was functioning properly. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 36,000.
I just bought a 2009 Prius & there are so many issues with unexpected acceleration & vehicle not going into park or reverse just stops in neutral, I was at a heb sore trying to park, all of a sudden my car sped up an hit a pole in front of me, I was trying to park, with my foot on break, so as to slow down, yesterday I had my wife drive the Prius & the car suddenly stopped would not go into reverse or drive, that was very dangerous then they pull into a target parking lot I had to drive out there to meet them, it took almost 1hr & 3mins to get the car in reverse, off course I called my Toyota sales guy this being the third time I have reported this incident & the keep down playing it saying there is nothing wrong, not really looking into it.
Previous to the accident at the 5,000 mile check up I had reported to the Toyota dealer that the car would sometimes jump forward when the engine transitioned from electric to gas mode. They assured me that this was normal. On February 4th at 1035 I was stopped at an intersection behind a large van. The car was in the electric mode when the gas mode kicked in and the engine raced up and the car lunged forward striking the van in front of me. There was no damage the van, the front of my car was damaged. I called the police. The van driver had a disabled passenger and left as there was no damage to his vehicle. The police arrived and I explained that my car had for some reason lunged forward striking the other vehicle. Since no one was injured he wasn't required to take a statement from me the next day February 5th I took my car to the Toyota dealership for my 10,000 mile check up and again explained about the car lunging forward during the transition from electric to gas mode. No action taken other than assuring me that this normal. On March 4th while sitting at another intersection the car again lunged forward for about 6 feet before the full depression of the brake caused the engine RPM to come down and the car to stop. At this time I called and spoke to the general manager of the Toyota dealership and he said to bring the vehicle out to the dealership and they would run a full set of tests. On March 10 I returned the vehicle to the Toyota dealership and they kept the vehicle overnight and returned to me the next day March 11, 2010. According to the maintenance chief there was nothing in the tests that indicated any problems. Unsatisfactory answers each time I have complained about the problem, now my car is damaged and Toyota says everything is fine, I think not.
While in 'cruise control' with no use of the gas pedal, the car started to increase speed beyond the set speed. When I realized what was happening, I stepped on the brake which overrode speed control and began slowing down as it normally would if the car was not accelerating but at steady speed, note: Date below is approximate. Event happened twice during summer of 2009 at high speed (setting at 70mph).
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. While driving 70 mph with the cruise control engaged the contact applied the brakes and noticed that the cruise control would not disengage.the contact had to apply the brakes three times in order for the cruise control to disengage. The manufacturer was called and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealership. The contact stated that the failure with the cruise control was directly related to the sudden acceleration with his Toyota vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 6,200.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. While the contact was driving 75 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated. In order to stop the acceleration the contact had to apply the brakes and shift the vehicle into neutral gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the cause of the failure could not be determined. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 15000 and the current mileage was 18000.
I was driving my 2009 Toyota Prius, exiting the staten island expressway and as I approached the intersection the light began to turn yellow and I tried to stop (the road surface was uneven). When I put my foot on the brake the car lurched forward into the intersection so I had to go though the red light and I was lucky that the oncoming traffic hadn't begun to move yet.
My 2009 Toyota Prius has had occasional bursts of energy and jolts forward on is own. Luckily I was in "park" each time it happened. I wasn't even pushing the gas pedal. It was a very sudden thing, I had no warning. It's definitely not a floor mat issue. Now I'm afraid to drive it. The last time this happened was approximately a month ago, I asked if there was recall for my car, and the dealer said no. What's making me worry now is the story on the news about a "runaway" Prius. I thank you in advance for anything you can do to help.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Aurora, CO, USA