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 other day my brake light, traction, and ABS light came on. Took it to the mechanic and they said it's code C1391 - abnormal leak in the accumilator, electrical issue, and I must go to the dealer. I've seen others complain about this. Shouldn't this be a recall?
My wife had a 'near-death' experience on 22-Mar-18 while driving her Prius (2010) back home. She was driving on a high speed interstate freeway (I-10) in houston and suddenly her ABS brake system failed and she can she all warning lights in the dashboard (ABS warning light, brake system warning light, slip indicator) were lit. As soon as she saw these warning, she tried to slow down the vehicle safely by applying brakes, but brakes were barely responsive. At this time, she was driving at a speed around 65 mph. She kept pressing the brake pedals and slowly moved towards the shoulder area. After traveling for some distance, the vehicle stopped eventually. She called tow truck and took the car to Toyota dealership nearby. We are waiting for the response from the Toyota service center about the fault.
My car completely shut down in traffic, engine, steering, transmission all quit and I was almost in a horrific accident as I could not control the car or get out of anyone's way. The check hybrid warning light was also on. It was towed and the garage said it was a software update that I was not made aware of that caused complete failure.
Because of, as dealership said, the car was stalled at the highway. I don't have any sticker about recall, but most Prius 2010 owners said that owners receiving notification about inverter problem. I'm heading to the dealership, who offered me to fix the car for $3,500. Could you please take a look, do I have any warranty or recalls on this particular vehicle please. Thank you.
- Edina, MN, USA
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Driving down highway at posted speed limit (75mph), I tried to slow down due to traffic and noticed my cars ability to brake was severely compromised. I then noticed my cars brakes, ABS, master warning and vsc lights had came on. Given that my car has 103K miles on it, I figured it is time for a brake pad service. With the limited braking ability, I decided to make the short drive to the Toyota dealer for brake service. After the dealer inspected my car, a representative told me that it is not the brake pads that are causing the lights in your dash to go on but rather the brake booster. They advised me that it is not recommended that I drive the car anymore until the issue is remedied by replacing the brake booster at a cost of over 2K. I had to also incur the cost of a rental since the booster was not in stock and would take over the weekend to receive. I was taken aback by the total cost of the service but had no choice and proceed to get it repaired. Upon receiving my car a few days later, I drove to work and upon my return home, the issue repeated itself with all the lights on the dash lighting up and the cars braking ability was again compromised. Extremely irate, I drove directly to the dealer and upon inspecting the car they told me that it is now the accumulator that needs to be replaced. This time the dealer absorbed the cost of over 3K to replace it. I researched the internet for any known recalls and found the issue was being addressed by Toyota with a recall however my cars VIN was not part of it. It is my hopes that you make Toyota aware of the safety issue and initiate a recall on all 2010 Prius models and not just some. I would also like to get the cost I incurred with this safety issue reimbursed at some point.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system fried the inverter and shut down the entire system. The contact stated that the software was an ongoing issue and overheated the inverter, which caused the engine to shut off and the vehicle to completely stop. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 01/04/17 the consumer requested a response and/or status report. Updated 7/7/17
All the lights on the dash associated with antilock brakes, traction control, brake are on. The braking has changed and does not slow the car as fast as it used to, almost hit the car in front the first time I drove it with the lights on that morning. Car has 50,394 miles on it, noticed all the lights on when started car in morning, brakes appeared to work normally when backed out of driveway, but at higher speed stops the car travels a lot farther and takes a lot more effort to stop.
Brake booster pump assembly vehicle in motion when on highway when loss of breaking and steering took place. Vehicle lighted icons appeared on dash along with alarm sound. (ABS) (!) (brake) (ss). This unsafe condition could have been avoided if NHTSA would have forced Toyota to recall this defective part in 2013 when Toyota notified NHTSA of the defective braking system. Or Toyota mailed notice to customers as stated back in 2013, which prevention could prevent loss of life or harm. Or class action. www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm442011/rcmn-13V235-0909.pdf
Car would not drive, or reverse it shifts to neutral since first week I bought the car in Aug 2010. I bought a Toyota Prius III 2010 (from the dealership Toyota of kearney mesa in san diego) in 2010. The car from the beginning would shift back to neutral when I set it to drive or reverse. I bought the car and am the only owner). After I encounter this, within the week I took it to the dealership where I bought it (san diego kearny mesa) and they told me that it was not a problem. Yes, it was a problem and they refused to fix it. This has happen to my car from week 1. now 5 years later, today, the car would not engage in "D" or reverse. I tried at least for 10 minutes. I called a dealership now in seattle (since I take my car here for service) and I was told that they never heard about it. I searched online and I found that this problem/bug does happen. Today I could not set my car to drive or reverse for about 10-15 minutes. It's a safety issue. My steps: 1. depress power button (to turn on) 1.1. wait about 5-10 seconds 2. depress the break + engage in D (drive) or (R) reverse. 3. the car goes to "N" neutral and cannot be put in gear drive or reverse. 4. turn car off. Go back to step 1 until your car engages.
Was traveling about 65 mph on route 11 in ct when red lights come on and car slows to 20 mph.pulle to side of road and called aaa/towed to hartford Toyota in hartford ct. First told it was a hybrid battery then told it was the inverter which they said is on back order. Now I, M getting the run around from the main office in California.. brought car in for a recall on software update in Feb 2014 and from what I read this may cause the invert to fail thanks for your attention in this matter.
Ever since acquiring this vehicle earlier this year, I have been experiencing loss of breaking for a second every time I hit a pothole and bumpy spot. It happens every other time. Upon goggling this problem, I learned that the problem was first reported to NHTSA way back in 2009. But I do not see any recalls related to this problem. Your website says you have received about 33 complains. Unless I missed something, is there any status report from Toyota or the recall that specifically addresses this problem? also, I live in the East coast, specifically in NJ. We had a brutal winter this year. In one incident, I was driving up a slightly elevated road (barely 2--5% incline) in a 25mph residential road with slightly slippery road (not really black ice per SE). I loss control and traction control lite up and started beeping. While trying to bring the car in control, my car ended up on the other side (thankfully there were no vehicles parked on the other side or any oncoming vehicles) and then shifted to the right but finally managed to bring it back in control. Other misc information: I learned about a recall earlier this year related to ECU board programming update from the news media (since I was a new owner, Toyota probably didn't have my information so never got recall notice) and I went to the dealer for update. I was hoping software update might also address pothole/loss of break problem but it has not helped.
If the vehicle hits a pot hole while slowing down, there's a sudden loss of braking power and the vehicle moves a few feet forward. The vsc light comes on at the same time. I'd noticed this a few times in the past but with the roads deteriorating after a bad winter, the pot holes are bigger and this is very prominent and scary. Going to take to the dealer for inspection. I feel it's definitely an issue with the braking system.
When hitting larger size potholes or bumps in the road I lose control of what feels like the rear end, its as if the vehicle brakes gives way when the rear tires hit the object, car shimmies slightly, the brakes stop working for at least 3 seconds as the car lurches forward. The brake also depresses further to the floor while it happens. There's a particular spot on my way to work that continues to cause the problem. Its heading down a small declining hill before a turn to the left. If I were to tailgate someone and have that happen I would surely hit them because there's no control of the vehicle for a few seconds after hitting the object. This object goes straight across the 2 lanes as if the concrete paving was poured too high in a long horizontal line. I think it has to be above a 4-5 inches or so because I'll hit smaller ones and I'm fine and I've tested it on different objects, its higher raised items causing the behavior. It happens when its dry, wet or icy out, but you have to be applying the brake to really feel it as far as I can tell. My passenger also felt the loss in control each time this has happened and its been numerous since owning the vehicle.
Vehicle surges when brakes are applied while traveling over railroad tracks or rough pavement. Surge lasts for 1 to 2 seconds until braking resumes. Vehicle behavior can be easily replicated.
On Tuesday October 02, 2012 at approximately 0510 the vehicle brakes went out and the brake, ABS, and stabilization lights came on along with alarm. Vehicle was towed to Toyota dealership for repair - told it was the master cylinder. Vehicle picked up on morning of October 4, 2012 from dealership drove approximately 20 miles and the exact same thing occurred. Brakes, ABS, stabilization alarms came on. Toyota dealership was called and said that the vehicle should be fine - system had cleared with part replacement - "maybe it was a bad part or there could be air in the lines." Vehicle is presently at the dealership awaiting inspection. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries occurred on these dates. However because of the loss of brakes and near accidents this vehicle is now a threat to my safety. So far I have been lucky - I do not want to take a chance with the third being the time that I am in a serious accident.
I was entering a parking space. Turned right into space. The vehicle accelerated, steering wheel locked, and brakes did not respond!.the car sped over the curbing and hit the left front fender of the truck in the next space.
I gently drive my 2010 Toyota Prius in eco mode to maximize fuel economy. Every weekday, since January 2011, I slow on a certain road to make a right turn. The road has a manhole cover recessed about 1 inch into the road along the path of my passenger side tires. Every time I drive over this manhole cover the Prius completely loses ability to brake for about 1/2 second, then braking is reestablished. There are other small bumps I drive over at other places which have the same results to the Prius braking system. Yesterday (26 Oct 2011) something different but possibly associated happened while driving over a bump. This time I was accelerating after having made a right turn from a complete stop. While still accelerating after the turn I signaled left and proceeded to merge into the left hand lane. As the Prius right front tire drove over the reflective lane marker imbedded in the road surface (the marker sticks out about 1/2 inch from road surface) the Prius went out of control. The car suddenly and severely pulled hard to the left and rapidly slowed, I struggled against the cars actions to avoid hitting the raised center median. My first though was that I must have had a complete and instantaneous blow out on the front left tire. My reaction was to immediately remove my foot from the accelerator. Then as I was further assessing my options and the surrounding traffic the Prius regained control and I was able to continue driving down the road as if nothing had ever happened. As the Prius reinstated control I heard a beep come from the dashboard, however I was not quick enough to notice if any warning lights had engaged during the incident. When I looked at the displays everything appeared normal. I also check the car externally and everything appeared normal. All incidents are on high quality road surfaces with dry pavement. Dealer indicates no recalls.
I have a 2010 Prius, and when I apply the brakes at any intensity and my vehicle hits a defect in the road surface, the ABS system seems to release brake pressure to all 4 wheels completely for about half a second. This makes me question the effectiveness of the brakes in an emergency situation, especially on houston's notoriously neglected roadways. I was told that this was normal by both Toyota motor co. At 1-800-331-4331 and also by the dealer. Tmc informed me that this is the way that the ABS system was designed. Please launch an inquisition and/or investigation into this matter, for the safety of the owners of all Toyota Prius vehicles.
My 2010 Toyota Prius comes equipped with an intrusive traction control system that can't be turned off manually. Due to the restrictive system, the car had been stuck on small inclines in several occasions. If I carry too little speed, the traction control would slow the car to a crawl and prevents me from going up since it doesn't allow itself to spin any tires and therefore all forward momentums are lost. On the other hand if I carry too much speed, it becomes too dangerous as I can't steer the car in snow or ice. Could NHTSA please get Toyota to retrofit a system that would disable the traction control and therefore we can actually get up hills in the winter by maintaining momentum using limited amount of wheelspin. My car is equipped with a set of brand new snow tires in case you are wondering. I have recorded videos of the car getting stuck on small inclines due to the traction control, I can provide it to nhtsb if needed. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Woodland Hills, CA, USA