How many problems does the 2001 TOYOTA Prius have?

The 2001 TOYOTA Prius currently has 174 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 TOYOTA Prius?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 TOYOTA Prius are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 TOYOTA Prius problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 TOYOTA Prius comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2001 TOYOTA Prius Problems

STEERING

39 complaints

I WAS GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE OFF RAMP, WHEN THE 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS DID A UNWANTED LEFT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL, I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CORRECT THE CAR ANGLE, BUT HE STEERING FORCE WAS TOO STRONG FOR ME TO CORRECT BACK TO STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE LEFT FRONT CAR THE CONCRETE BARRIER, AND THE CAR TURN 360 DEGREE AROUND. THE REAR RIGHT BUMPER HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. LUCKY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME.

Dec 12, 2019

Crash: 1

STEERING RECALL I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO IT AND IT SAYS ONLINE IT'S GOOD FOR 10 YEARS AFTER RECALL DATE.

Sep 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Feb 10, 2017

PS WARNING LIGHT DISPLAY, CAR WILL NOT START. PARKED IN HOME DRIVE WAY.

Oct 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,620.

Nov 16, 2015

+ 34 more complaints for this component

TIRES

24 complaints

MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS CONSISTENTLY WORE OUT THE FRONT TIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF THE TREAD, NOT EASILY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. THE TIRES WORE DOWN TO THE CORDS IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IN TIME TO AVOID IT. MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THESE CARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA BUT THE COMPLAINT FELL ON DEAF EARS. *TR

Mar 13, 2010

Crash: 1

CONSUMER INSPECTED THE TIRES AND THE BELTS WORE INTO THE STEEL. TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE FRONT FOUR TIMES. VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE TIRES CONTINUED TO WEAR. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL TIRE.*AK

Sep 14, 2004

THIS IS THE 3RD SET OF TIRES I HAVE HAD TO PUT ON THE CAR DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. I ONLY HAVE 48000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE TIRES WEAR AS THOUGH THEY ARE UNDER INFLATED, BUT I AM CAREFUL TO BE SURE THAT I AM FOLLOWING THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION FOR TIRE INFLATION. SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY TIRE USEABLE ON THIS CAR, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM. SINCE TOYOTA PROBABLY GAVE THE SPECS TO BRIDGESTONE TO MANUFACTURE THE TIRE, IT IS TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSURE THAT THE TIRE WAS DESIGNED TO BE TO HAVE A NORMAL TREAD LIFE AS WELL AS HELP THE CAR FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY. IT IS REALLY TOUGH TO HAVE TO PAY $80.00 A TIRE AND HAVE IT ONLY LAST 25000 MILES. YES I HAVE HAD THE DEALER SERVICING THE CAR AND ROTATING THE TIRES AND THE ALIGNMENT IS FINE. THE PROBLEM IS THE TIRE THAT TOYOTA REQUIRES TO BE USED ON THE PRIUS.

Jan 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 35MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. (SIZE # P175/65R14) (DOT # UNKNOWN.) THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH TIRES WERE ROTATED WHEN THE OIL WAS CHANGED. DEALER STATED TIRES FAILED DUE TO LACK OF ROTATION. ON ONE OCCASION, CONSUMER THOROUGHLY CHECKED THE TIRE BEFORE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A WORM NAIL AFTER LOOKING FOR OVER AN HOUR. CONSUMER HAS THE TIRES. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED WENT TO FIRESTONE FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. FIRESTONE STATED THEY COULD ANOTHER TIRE AND GET THE SAME EFFECT SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT IN STOCK. TOYOTA STATED DIFFERENTLY AND NOR DID THEY HAVE THE TIRE IN STOCK. AFTER DAYS OF THREATS, TOYOTA HAD THE SAME EXACT TIRE AVAILABLE FOR THE CONSUMER. *PH

Dec 10, 2003

BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES, P175/65R14- ON JULY 28, 2003 HAD TO REPLACE TIRES ON THE 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. ONE TIRE WAS FLAT. I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD A BIG CRACK AND THE CORDS WERE VISIBLE. I LOOKED AT IT CLOSER AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS HALFWAY AROUND THE TIRE. I LOOKED AT THE OTHER 3 TIRES AND NOTICED THAT THEY HAD CRACKS ALSO. THE TIRES LOOKED LIKED THEY WERE VERY OLD. *AK

Sep 01, 2003

+ 19 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 complaints

2001 PRIUS WAS PARKED IN GARAGE ~6HRS, FIRE STARTED AND SMOLDERED, APPARENTLY USING UP OXYGEN INSIDE THE CAR. I WENT IN THE GARAGE FOR SOMETHING ELSE, NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO TURN THEM OFF. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, ACRID SMOKE POURED OUT, AND THE FIRE WAS GIVEN FRESH OXYGEN, AND IT TOOK OFF. WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM HEAT, LEFT FRONT DASH MELTED. FIRE DEPT PUT OUT THE FIRE QUICKLY, BUT THE CAR IS RUINED AND THE CAUSE UNKNOWN. THANKFULLY NO DAMAGE TO GARAGE, HOUSE OR PEOPLE. I HAD SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL HOURS BEFORE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING OUTSIDE, SO THE FIRE HAD BEEN SMOLDERING FOR SOME TIME. LIGHTS APPARENTLY WENT ON BECAUSE THE FIRE/HEAT HAD SHORTED SOMETHING. *TR

Feb 19, 2014

Fire: 1

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY EARLY AM, STILL DARK, GAS ENGINE FAILED, ECU FAILURE SHOWN ON SCREEN. ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS GOING AT MAXIMUM WITH NO "GAS" PEDAL APPLIED. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF. 300V BATT ALREADY FULLY DISCHARGED WHEN IT GOT TO THE DEALER. THEY CHARGED IT AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN BEFORE SELLING IN 2006. 2001 PRIUS. LATER ON HAD TWO BAD RACK & PINION, THE 2ND ONE FAILED A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT ON A LONG FREEWAY TRIP AT MILE 300. VERY HARD TO STEER EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOYOTA REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

Mar 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER IT TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE ON THE SHOULDER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT WARNING AND REVERSED FULL THROTTLE INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND EYE INJURIES AND A BROKEN RIB. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH DID NOT PRODUCE ANY ERROR CODES. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $500, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF A FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD CORRECT ITSELF AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY ANY FAILURE CODES TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. SHE IS CURRENTLY NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT IS AT THE REPAIR SHOP BEING INSPECTED FOR THE REVERSING FAILURE AND FOR RESETTING THE COMPUTER MEMORY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Jul 13, 2009

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

HV BATTERY FAILURE, PRIOR TO FAILURE OF HV BATTERY VEHICLE EXHIBITED ERROR CODES INDICATING THAT AT LEAST TWO BATTERY MODULES HAD A GREATER THAN 1.2 VOLTS BETWEEN MAX MODULE VOLTAGE AND MIN MODULE VOLTAGE (HV BATTERY CONSIST OF 38 BATTERY MODULES 7.2 VOLTS EACH). HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL OPERATED ALTHOUGH IN A FAIL SAFE MODE (NO CRUISE CONTROL IN FAIL SAFE MODE, ETC). UPON ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE HEARD LOUD EXPLOSIVE POP SOUND AND VEHICLE WOULD THEN NOT START. AFTER REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY THE HV BATTERY PACK I DISCOVERED THA TWO BATTERY MODULES, OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 38, HAD A CIRCULAR BURN BETWEEN THEIR AJOINING PLASTIC CASES AND THE TOP OF ONE OF THE TWO MODULES HAD EXPLODED OPEN -- EXPOSING THE BATTERY PLATES INSIDE (BOTH BURNED CELLS NO LONGER MEASURED 7.2 VOLTS, BUT ABOUT 0.32 VOLTS). BURNT SMOKE RESIDUE SHOWED ON TOP OF THE HV BATTERY PACK INSIDE METAL HOUSING AS WELL AS ON THE ONE BATTERY MODULE THAT HAD AN EXPLODED TOP. I REPLACED THE HV BATTERY PACK NO FURTHER ERROR CODES HAVE BEEN NOTED SINCE REPLACEMENT. DAMAGED MODULES SHOWED EVIDENCE OF AN EXPLOSIVE FORCE OCCURRING AND BURNING OR SHORTING BETWEEN BATTERY MODULES. *TR

Mar 02, 2009

IN 2007 I HAD A SIDE IMPACT WITH MY VEHICLE. I TOLD TOYOTA TO CHECK FOR ANY DAMAGE WITH THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS IN THE CAR. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT AND SAID IT WAS FINE. MONDAY I HAD THE COMPUTER AND INVERTER GO OUT ON MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS AND I ASKED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AAA TO CHECK IF IT COULD BE RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE RESPONSE SAID IT WAS INTERNAL SHORTS IN THE SYSTEM NOT CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT. THE HYBRID COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM JUST DECIDED TO SHORT OUT. THE COST TO GET IT REPAIR IT IS $4,800.00. THE MILEAGE IS 190,000, PAST WARRANTY. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE PART JUST THE COMPUTER ELECTRICS PART. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND I STILL OWE $10,100 ON IT YET. *TR

Apr 19, 2008

+ 12 more complaints for this component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

13 complaints

THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN IN A PARKING LOT AND RAMMED ITSELF INTO THE WALL DEPLOYING AIRBAGS. MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AND WAS SENT TO THE E.R. SHE WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED FIRST IN REVERSE HITTING A WALL AND THEN SWITCHED IN DRIVE ON IT'S OWN WITH HIGH ACCELERATION RUNNING INTO THE OPPOSITE WALL WHICH DEPLOYED THE BAGS. AFTER READING ONLINE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATION SURGING IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

Jan 05, 2019

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

ON TWO OCCASIONS, I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BY MISTAKE. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I DIDN'T BELIEVE ANYONE WOULD BELIEVE MY STORY BECAUSE OF THE AUDI 5000 INCIDENTS. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN TOYOTA BEGAN ITS RECALLS. *TR

Mar 09, 2010

DRIVING MY 2001 PRIUS DOWN RT 95 IN CT. SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE - ELECTRIC DRIVE ONLY, NO GAS POWER. I MADE TO THE EXIT IN WESPORT AND FOUND A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OPEN. THE DIAGNOSIS, VIA CODES, WAS FAILED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. RESETTING THE COMPUTER AND RESTARTING THE CAR A FEW TIMES ALLOWED IT TO WORK ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET HOME. I HAVE STILL NOT REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR. LATELY THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME I START THE CAR...THE ENGINE STALLS IMMEDIATELY OR LOSES POWER DOWN THE ROAD. RESTARTING 2 OR 3 TIMES "FIXES" THE PROBLEM MOST OF THE TIME. MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON, AND CALLED "BIG HAND SYNDROME" AMONG 1ST GENERATION PRIUS OWNERS, AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPAIR IS THE COMMON FIX. I BELIEVE THE 2001-2003 PRIUS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE TOYOTA ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL. *TR

Feb 13, 2010

(1) NORMAL DRIVING, NO ABNORMALITIES WHATSOEVER (2) AT FREEWAY SPEED, IN BUSY TRAFFIC, WITHOUT WARNING: THE CAR LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER (NEITHER GAS NOR ELECTRIC WORKING); THE HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING ICON DISPLAYED ON THE MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY. LUCKILY, IN BOTH INSTANCES, WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER WHILE DECELERATING. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, WE REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH SUGGESTED TURNING THE IGNITION KEY COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN ATTEMPTING A RESTART. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN AND WAS DRIVABLE (ALTHOUGH IN THE FIRST CASE THE WARNING ICON REMAINED DISPLAYED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES). (3) TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER WHO VERIFIED FAILURE CODE(S) STORED IN ONBOARD MEMORY; DEALER REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL/POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY. *JB

Oct 21, 2005

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS: ACCELERATOR SENSOR FAILURE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, THERE WAS A SLIGHT (BUT DEFINITE) SENSATION OF DECELERATION WHEN TRYING TO MAINTAIN STEADY SPEED. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED/STALLED AND THE "MASTER WARNING LIGHT" CAME ON. LOCAL DEALER (355 TOYOTA, ROCKVILLE, MD) REPLACED THE PART AT A COST OF $700.00. SHOULD A PART THIS EXPENSIVE (AND SO CRITICAL TO VEHICLE FUNCTION) BE FAILING AT 4 YEARS? *NM

Oct 15, 2005

+ 8 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "HYBRID" (EXCLAMATION MARK) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ON TWENTY SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE ENGINE STARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 4/5/10 *CN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATD 06/14/10.*JB

Mar 02, 2010

MY 2001 PRIUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN STALLING (AT LEAST 30 TIMES), USUALLY UPON STARTUP, (AND ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER WHEN AC IS ON AT STARTUP) BUT ON 4 OCCASIONS, STALLS OCCURRED DURING CRITICAL DRIVING IN DANGEROUS AREAS RESULTING IN TOTAL POWER LOSS AND NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES. I INFORMED TOYOTA PRESIDENT WATANABE, AND THEY RECALLED FOR THE "CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR", TO FIX THE STALLING PROBLEM, BUT IT OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T FIX SITUATION BECAUSE CAR IS STILL STALLING. DEALER IS BEYOND IGNORANT AND CLUELESS AND NO LONGER WORTH TALKING TO, AS THEY ARE AS INFORMED AS A ROCK ON A CLIFF. I AM WONDERING IF DEALER EVEN PERFORMED THE RECALL FIX PROPERLY. WOULD LIKE A TRUSTWORTHY TOYOTA TECHNICIAN FROM JAPAN'S TMC (A JAPANESE PERSON) TO PERSONALLY INSPECT MY CAR.

Jul 22, 2007

I OWN A 2001 PRIUS SINCE MARCH OF 2006. IT RAN FINE FOR ONE YEAR, BUT AFTER THAT ALL I HAD WAS PROBLEMS.TRANSMISSION EXHAUST SYSTEM AND COMPUTER BOARD ALL OF THIS HAPPENED ONE AFTER ANOTHER TOTAL COST OVER $10,000. TOYOTA DID NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.*AK

May 22, 2007

MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING 65 MPH. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. A WARNING SYMBOL WITH THE TRIANGLE/EXCLAMATION MARK APPEARED ON MY SCREEN. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DIED. WE TRIED TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. MACK TRUCKS WERE SWERVING INTO THE EXIT LANES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. <P> WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR ME, MY PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY. <P> YOUR AGENCY HAS INVESTIGATED THIS EXACT PROBLEM, WHICH LED TO A RECALL BY TOYOTA. TOYOTA BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON A "SOFTWARE GLITCH." THE PROBLEM IS GOES MUCH DEEPER THAN A ''SOFTWARE GLITCH'' -'' IT REMAINS UNRESOLVED. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR THIS ''SOFTWARE GLITCH'' RECALL (ENGINE'S COMPUTER (ECM) REPLACED AND CIRCUIT OPEN RELAY CHECKED), BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE ENGINE STILL CUTS OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM BEFORE AND AFTER GETTING IT SERVICED BASED ON THE RECALL ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS LIFE AND DEATH DEFECT NEEDS A BETTER SOLUTION THAN SIMPLY ATTRIBUTING IT TO A "SOFTWARE GLITCH." *JB

Sep 25, 2006

ENGINE STALLING OCCURRING RANDOMLY WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED BETWEEN APPROX. 54 TO 64 MPH CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. THIS PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE ENGINE STALLS AT FREEWAY SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR END CRASH FROM ON-COMING VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS --- FURTHERMORE THE VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED AT THE FREEWAY EDGE TO BE RESTARTED BEFORE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED. RESTARTING VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY CORRECTS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE A MANDATORY RECALL ITEM. [PRIUS SCANNER SHOWS DTC CODE P1120 FOR ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY PROBLEM AND THERE IS A MANUFACTURER TSB CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM (TSB EG018-02)]. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED PURSUANT TO THE RECENT RECALL NOTICE AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD BEEN LEAKING OIL PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. ALSO DRIVERS REAR AXLE HUB BEARING FAILED PREMATURELY AND WAS RECENTLY REPLACED. *JB

Sep 06, 2006

+ 8 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT DETECTED TOXIC LEVELS OF MERCURY INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MERCURY PROBLEM WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A SPECIFIC TYPE OF METAL CONTENT IN THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY A PHYSICIAN THAT A CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF MERCURY WAS IN HIS BODY WHICH RESULTED TO SUCH SYMPTOMS AS FATIGUE, ITCHY SKIN, HAIR LOSS AND A TINGLY SENSATION WITHIN THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSIS FOR LEVELS OF MERCURY. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

Jun 17, 2010

Injuries: 1

WHEN I AM BRAKING AND GO OVER A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND I IMMEDIATELY HAVE TO LET UP ON THE BRAKE AND REAPPLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL THE LATEST RECALLS FOR TOYOTA. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MY 2001 PRIUS. YES I SAID 2001. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST 9 YEARS. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE RECENT REPORTS OF NEWER VEHICLES HAVING THIS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS 9 YEARS OLD. *TR

Feb 09, 2010

I HAVE A 2001 PRIUS THAT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING, SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED WITH THE 2010 MODEL. AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP OR POTHOLE THE BRAKING IS MOMENTARILY LOST, BUT THEN RESUMES WITHIN 1-2 SECONDS. IN ~ 2003 I HAD A VERY LOW SPEED COLLISION FROM THIS (ABOUT $1000 DAMAGE TO THE HOOD SHEET METAL), BUT HAVE NOW LEARNED TO COMPENSATE FOR IT (BASICALLY APPLY BRAKES HARD AND WAIT FOR BRAKING TO RESUME AFTER THE PAUSE). I HAD REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL EVALUATIONS, INCLUDING AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND WAS TOLD THAT NO PROBLEM COULD BE IDENTIFIED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE IT IS REMARKABLY SIMILAR TO WHAT IT PURPORTED TO BE A NEW PROBLEM WITH THE 2010 PRIUS. IT IS NOT NEW. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD FIND OTHER INFORMATION USEFUL. *TR

Feb 04, 2010

Crash: 1

ON 12/21/06 THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AS I TRIED TO STOP FOR A LIGHT. HAD TO USE THE PARK BRAKE TO STOP. PRIOR TO THIS MY WIFE COMPLAIN SEVERAL TIME THAT THE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND WENT DOWN. WE COMPLAIN SEVERAL TIME ABOUT THAT AND THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON, ANSWER WE CAN NOT FINE ANYTHING. ON 01/10/07 THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT GO AWAY THEY REPLACED THE MASTER BRAKE CYL. NOT FIX THEY REPLACED ABS ACTUATOR ASSY FIX 12/10/09 BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS ON, BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR

Feb 04, 2010

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS, PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2002. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, I HAVE NOTICED IT TEMPORARILY LOSES BRAKING AFTER DRIVING RELATIVELY SLOWLY -- 5 TO 20 MPH -- OVER A POTHOLE THAT HITS JUST ONE WHEEL. IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2002 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE WAY THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WORKED. I NOW KNOW THAT IF THERE IS A POTHOLE NEAR WHERE I WANT TO COME TO A STOP, I MAY HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN REAPPLY THE BRAKE WHEN GOING SLOW OR JUST PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN THAT OFTEN, BUT IT DOES RECUR; WHILE I HAVE INDICATED A DATE IN ANOTHER FIELD OF THIS REPORT, IT IS TODAY'S DATE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS RECURRENT, ALTHOUGH PROBABLY NOT MORE OFTEN THAN A FEW TIMES PER YEAR, AND I CANNOT SAY WHEN IT LAST HAPPENED WITH ANY PRECISION. I AM NOW REPORTING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I NOTICED AN ARTICLE IN THE NY TIMES REGARDING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

Feb 03, 2010

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

4 complaints

ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS FAILED. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH FIXES THAT THEY HAD TO GO BACK AND FIX THE REPAIR MANUAL. THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE THE ISSUE AND SAY IT'S NOT A PROBLEM. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON A NON MAJOR ROAD AND WAS NOT KILLED.*TR

Nov 06, 2008

I OWN A 2001 PRIUS. MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE NHTSA ISSUED A SAFETY ALERT IN 2005, FAILURE OF THE MAIN COMPUTER, RESULTING IN THE GASOLINE ENGINE'S SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. THE COMPUTER FAILED AFTER ONE YEAR OF SERVICE. IT TOOK TOYOTA 18 MONTHS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE INVOICES DOCUMENTING ALL THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAD ME REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY AT MY COST OF $450 AND REPLACED THE WRONG COMPUTER (THE ONE CONTROLLING THE POWER STEERING). THIS MONTH I GAVE UP AND HAD A COMPETENT DEALER REPLACE THE ECM. THE DOCUMENTS I RECEIVED INCLUDED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OF JUNE 12, 2003. THE BULLETIN STATES THAT FOR THE ECM IN THE 2001-2003 MODEL YEAR PRIUS THE ECM PART NUMBER HAS BEEN REVISED. THE RELEVANT INFORMATION TABLE IS LABELED "PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION." IN OTHER WORDS THE ECM IN MY CAR WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE TIME THE CAR LEFT THE FACTORY BUT TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE NOW THE CAR IS TOO OLD. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST PRIUS GENERATION MARKETED IN THE U.S. THE POWER STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THERE WERE 2 OR 3 OTHER RECALLS AS WELL. HOWEVER, I AM A RETIRED PROFESSOR AND NOW THAT I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM AT MY EXPENSE I NEED TO KEEP THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET TO MY PART-TIME TEACHING JOB. THE REPAIRS TO THE ECM ALONE HAVE COST ME $1848.19. I WANT TOYOTA TO REIMBURSE ME. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE. BY THE WAY, A SAFETY ALERT ON THESE MODELS AS USED PURCHASES MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA. G.JAY WEINROTH *TR

Oct 27, 2008

2001 PRIUS FUEL TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A PIN LEAK AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO FINDING RIGHT AFTER 100,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. *JB

Oct 15, 2007

MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2001 HAS STALLED TWICE, WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. I WENT FROM 60 MPH TO 10 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE GAS ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL I HAD WAS ELECTRIC POWER. TOYOTA REPLACED MULTIPLE COMPUTER PARTS BOTH TIMES.

Jun 02, 2005

SUSPENSION

3 complaints

PREMATURE WEAR AND CROWNING OF TIRES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF REAR AXLE. CAN ONLY BE CORRECTED BY AFTER MARKET PLASTIC SHIMS INSTALLED AT AN EXPENSE OF APPROXIMATELY $500 OR OVER INFLATE TIRES TO 50 PSI AND LOOSE ROAD TRACTION OR INFLATE TIRES TO TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS FOR PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO TOE OUT DEFECT. *TR

Oct 14, 2010

EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR, SAID BY TOYOTA TO BE "INHERENT IN A HYBRID VEHICLE" BUT NOT ADVERTISED TO PURCHASERS ANYWHERE IN THEIR SALES BROCHURES OR WARRANTY PACKET, IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ANYONE EXPECTING TIRES TO LAST MORE THAN 12,000 MILES. TOYOTA BLAMES THE TIRE MANUFACTURER; BRIDGESTONE BLAMES TOYOTA. TOYOTA ALSO REFUSES TO SPECIFY WHETHER THE 2004 MODEL, WHICH HAS SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER TIRES, WILL BE ANY BETTER. THEY SIMPLY WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. *JB

Feb 21, 2004

FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN WEARING OUT FRONT TIRES. WARRANTY OF TIRES EXPIRED. *AK

Apr 02, 2002

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

MY WIFE'S 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 108K MILES STOPPED BEING ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING IT HOME. IT STOPPED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND MORE WARNING LIGHTS THAN I'D EVER SEEN CAME ON. IT WOULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW MPH AND WOULD SHAKE AND RUN ROUGHLY. IT HAD TO BE TOWED APPROX 81 MILES TO A TOYOTA DEALER NEAR OUR HOME. THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $7000 INCLUDING LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS (PRIUSCHAT.COM). ALSO, THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO TOYOTA COVERING PART OR MOST OF THE BILL, EVEN ON VEHICLES NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IF THAT'S NOT ADMITTING A DEFECT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. *TR

Oct 28, 2008

POTENTIAL FOR FATAL INJURY DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL BECAUSE OF FAULTY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AXLE HUB BEARING FAILURE WITH SEPARATION OF WHEEL FROM VEHICLE AT 137,758 MILES (SUCH BEARINGS SHOULD HAVE EFFECTIVE LIFE, OR MTBF, OF GREATER THAN 300,000 MILES) -- INTERMITTENT NOISE BEGAN IN 2003 AND CONTINUED TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE CULMINATING IN 80-100 DECIBEL SOUND LEVEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT -- INSPECTION OF VEHICLE INDICATED REAR AXLE HUB BEARING GRINDING NOISE ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE HUB -- REPLACED REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY ON AUGUST 17, 2006 AND NOISE IS NOW COMPLETELY GONE -- THE REMOVED HUB IS NEARLY AT A COMPLETE FAILURE POINT WITH SEVERE GRINDING IN ITS SEALED BEARING -- I HAVE RETAINED REMOVED HUB AND CAN SHIP TO NHTSA OR NTSB FOR INSPECTION -- PLEASE ADVISE AT [email protected] OR 209-937-0644 (OFFICE DAY PHONE). *NM

Aug 20, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS REPEATEDLY MALFUNCTIONED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE WITHIN THREE YEARS. ALSO, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

Nov 03, 2005

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

1. I WAS DRIVING AT SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 55 TO 65 MPH ON AN US ROUTE 101 FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES IN MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. 2. THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING, LEAVING ONLY THE ELECTRIC MOTOR OPERATING. THIS CAUSED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND DECELERATION. 3. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.

Jul 24, 2005

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS STALLED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER 12 MONTH TIME. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS (I-10 TOYOTA AND TOYATA OF THE DESERT)

Jun 04, 2005

CONSUMER STATES HE CAN NOT SEE ANY OF THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE PANEL IN THE DAYLIGHT FROM THE CRUISE CONTOL LIGHT, TO THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL, AS WELL AS NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, AND THE SPEEDOMETER READING CAN'T BE READ AS WELL, CONSUMER CAN'T NOT SEE THE PRE SET READING FOR THE RADIO UNLESS IT IS NIGHT TIME, ALSO THE GAS LEVEL BAR NO LONGER LIGHTS UP TO WARN THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL IS LOW.*JB

Oct 22, 2002

STRUCTURE

3 complaints

THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED WHEN DRIVING ON A WINDY DAY OR WHEN AN 18 WHEELER PASSES OR IF A SUDDEN LANE CHANGE IS MADE. THIS STARTED OCCURRING ONLY WHEN SPEED WAS AT 55 MPH, BUT HAS PROGRESSED. CURRENTLY, IT'S OCCURRING AT 50 MPH AND SLOWER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, THE CONTROL BUSHING, AND THE REAR STRUTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Jun 08, 2004

ALTHOUGH THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE WERE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR IT BY BRIGESTONE, THE TREAD COMPOUND IS TOO WEAK TO CARRY THE HIGH WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FAILING.

Oct 06, 2001

ALTHOUGH THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE WERE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR IT BY BRIGESTONE, THE TREAD COMPOUND IS TOO WEAK TO CARRY THE HIGH WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FAILING.

Oct 06, 2001

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, SHOP SAID IT WAS THE TURBO BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

Sep 10, 2014

A RENTER FROM RELAYRIDES.COM WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKILY HE DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AND WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY GET THE CAR TO STOP WITH THE BARE LITTLE BRAKES LEFT. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER LEFT, EVEN WITH PUMPING. *TR

Aug 25, 2013

WHEELS

2 complaints

PRIUS, 2001 BOTH REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES REPLACED AFTER BEARING FAILURES WITH UNDER 90K MILES ON MY CAR, OWNED NEW SINCE JUNE 2001. THERE ARE NOT OPTIONS TO REPLACE THE FAILED BEARINGS, JUST THE COMPLETE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES THE ATTACHED ABS SENSOR. FAILED ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN RETAINED AND ARE AVAILABLE. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT MY 2002 PRIUS, AS WELL. *TR

Jun 09, 2011

ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE WHEN MY CAR (2001 TOYOTA PRIUS) HAD 71,000 MILES AND ONE AT 80,000, A SPOKE ON A WHEEL CRACKED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE WHEEL. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, AN INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECT IN THE WHEEL. BOTH SAID THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS. THE TOYOTA OFFICE THAT HANDLES THESE MATTERS CONTENDS THAT THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED WHILE DRIVING (BASED ON THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ASSESSMENT) ON BOTH OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE TIRE DEALERSHIPS SAID THERE IS NO DAMAGE THAT CAN WARRANT SUCH AN ASSESSMENT. FOR MYSELF AND OTHER PRIUS OWNERS, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS OTHER WHEELS BEGIN TO CRACK.

Jul 21, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WE HAD A TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID GAS/ELECTRIC CAR THE FIRST THAT CAME INTO THE USA. THE CAR WOULD REACH A CERTAIN MILEAGE AND THE COMPUTER WHICH CONTROLLED EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WOULD GO BAD. WE WOULD GET A FEW MILES FROM HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT WORK. IT WOULD SHUT OFF. WE WOULD HAVE TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THAN THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 35 MILES AN HOUR OR LESS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND GO HOME. ON ONE TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, WHEN WE GOT TO COLORADO THE SCREEN SAID THE GO TO A SERVICE DEALER. WE HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN NORTHGLENN COLORADO AND WENT TO THE DEALER . WE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SO MANY TIMES. THEY WOULD REPLACE THE COMPUTER AND ALL THE PARTS, EVEN THE GAS TANK. THE CAR WOULD ALSO LOCK YOU INSIDE AND YOU COULD NOT GET OUT. THE COMPUTER AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN OF THIS MODEL ARE ALL BAD. THEY REACH A CERTAIN MILEAGE AND BAD. THEY WERE DOING ALL THE RECALLS FROM OUR CAR. THEY PROMISED US A NEW PRIUS SIGNATURE TOYOTA IN BENTON HARBOR MI, AND NEVER GOT IT. FINALLY IN 2005 THEY SAID THEY WOULD TRADE OUR PRIUS CAR FOR ANOTHER CAR COROLLA, BUT THEY CHARGED US $8,000.00 MORE. PLEASE HELP US GET OUR MONEY BACK. NO LAWYER WILL TAKE IT SINCE COMES FROM JAPAN. WE HAD TRIED EVERYTHING AND COULD GET NO HELP. WROTE TOYOTA AND NEVER GOT THEM TO REPLY TO US. TRIED THEIR MEDIATION AND THEY HELD THE PAPERS UNTIL THE TIME RAN OUT THAN SENT US A PAPER SAYING NOT VALID ANY MORE. HELP US GET OUR MONEY BACK. LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT PRIUS CARS ARE BAD. DO NOT BUY. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK AT TIMES, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE IN SPEED. UPDATED 04/27/10 UPDATED 10/29/10

Feb 10, 2010

DT: VEHICLE STALLED/DIED, AND LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THROTTLE BODY MODULE FAILED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL BUT THIS INVOLVED A CHEMICAL IN THE PRUIS CAR BATTERY.*AK L. YES. CAR HAS BROKE DOWN SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. THE STALLING IS STILL A PROBLEM.

Aug 31, 2005

Crash: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

2 complaints

MY 2001 (YES, THAT IS 2001) PRIUS HAS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS BEHIND THE RECALL OF THE 2010 PRIUS: "MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE OR BUMP." MOMENTARY = LESS THAN A SECOND. *CN

Feb 08, 2010

I OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN AUGUST 2009 AT ABOUT 113,000 MILES IT LOST BRAKE. THERE WAS A VERY VERY LITTLE BIT BRAKE. IF YOU WANT TO STOP IN 50 FEET IT WOULD STOP IN ABOUT 200 FEET. SINCE IT WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE I TRADED IT IN AND BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IT WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED THE ABS, BRAKE AND BIG CAUTION SIGN LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ALSO A CONTINUOUS SHARP AND ANNOYING BEEP STARTED. ON MY WAY HOME AFTER I MADE A DEAL TO TRADE IN THE PRIUS, THE BEEP WENT AWAY, BUT THE LIGHTS STILL ON, AND THE BRAKE STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE NEXT DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST 2009 WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN ALL THE LIGHTS ALSO WENT AWAY AND THE CAR BECAME PERFECTLY NORMAL. I DROVE THE CAR ONLY ABOUT 30 MILES, WHICH WAS TO THE NEW CAR DEALER AND BACK, SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED IN AUGUST. I HAD ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON IN FEBRUARY 2008. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WERE WORKING A LITTLE SLOW WITH A DIFFERENT FEELING. TO REPAIR THIS ONE DEALER ASKED $2500 AND ANOTHER DEALER REPAIRED IT FOR $400. THEY SAID THEY FOUND A BROKEN WIRE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. NOW I SUSPECT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SOFTWARE PROBLEM ALSO. THE BRAKE PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE REPORTING MAY EXIST IN MANY MORE VEHICLES THAN REPORTED. THE CARS MAY BE GETTING TOO MUCH ELECTRONICS THAN NEEDED. TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS NOT GOOD. *TR

Feb 03, 2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

I SAW THAT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING TOYOTA LOOK INTO THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT IN NEWER MODEL PRIUSES. "THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OR TEMPORARILY LOST BRAKING AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER UNEVEN SURFACE. THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM." MY 2001 PRIUS HAS THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. IN ADDITION THE CAR HAD THE HYBRID BATTERIES CATCH ON FIRE , THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAIL, THE ECU FOR THE BRAKES FAIL, THE POWER STEERING FAIL, THE BRAKE PUMP LEAK, THE COMPUTER FAIL (WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO IMPROPERLY SHIFT GEARS). THESE ISSUES WERE ALL FIXED FOR FREE BY TOYOTA EXCEPT THE ECU FOR THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PUMP WHICH WERE FIXED, BUT AT MY EXPENSE. NO INJURIES OCCURED. *TR

Feb 03, 2010

WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON INTERSTATE, GOT WARNING TRIANGLE AND LOW MAIN BATTERY INFORMATION. IMMEDIATELY, CAR BEGAN TO SPEED-UP ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED VERY HARD BRAKING TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT LANE WITH TRAFFIC ON MY RIGHT. CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT I MANAGED TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND GET ONTO THE RIGHT LANE, WHERE THERE WAS AN EXIT FROM THE INTERSTATE. I MADE THE EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATION. I THEN DROVE THE ROUGH RUNNING CAR TO THE MY DEALER OFF THAT EXIT. THEY REPLACED THE MAIN BATTERY, AND EVERYTHING IS NOW FINE. I FEEL THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NOBODY GOT HURT! *TR

Feb 03, 2010

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR BODY STRUCTURE DAMAGES. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Jul 02, 2009

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WILL DRIVE NORMALLY FOR AWHILE, BUT PROBLEM SEEMED TO OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 1-2 YEARS. THE LAST TIME, I SPENT $900 TO REPLACE AN ACCELERATOR SENSOR. THIS TIME, THE DEALERSHIP STATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ECM, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR A TOTAL CHARGE OF $3500. THERE WERE NO GENERIC CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, THE ONE TO BE USED WAS $1700. ALSO, HAD BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THERE HAD BEEN ISSUES FOLLOWING AN OIL CHANGE WHERE THE DEALER SAID THAT OIL WAS WHERE IT SHOULDN'T BE.*AK

Apr 11, 2007

SUSPENSION,TIRES

2 complaints

TIRES ON VEHICLE ARE COMING APART ON THE INSIDE TREAD LINE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES OF USE. WE HAD ONE CRASH WHERE CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED IN TIME. DID NOT PUT THE CRASH TOGETHER WITH THE TIRE PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. *NM

Feb 04, 2006

Crash: 1

I HAVE SERIOUS AND REPEATING PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION/ TIRES ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2001 CAR (MANUFACTURED 06/01). THREE TIMES THE FRONT TIRES WHERE ABNORMALLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY WORN (DURING APPROX 7,500 MILES) WITH, WITH SIDE AND TOP SCARS ETC. TOYOTA ALREADY CHANGED THE TIRES FOUR TIMES BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO SOLVE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM IS LIKELY REPEAT ITSELF AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND CHANGING THE TIRES IS NOT A SOLUTION. I DO NOT LIKE DRIVING ON SUCH DANGEROUSLY WORN TIRES; MOREOVER, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO DRIVE ON TIRES IN SUCH CONDITION). CAR WAS REGULARLY IN SCHEDULED TOYOTA SERVICE (INCLUDING TIRES ROTATION, PRESSURE CHECK ETC.).

May 16, 2005

STEERING,TIRES

2 complaints

SUSPECTED QUALITY ISSUE RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE, LEADING TO POTENTIALLY UNSAFE DRIVING/HANDLING SITUATIONS.*AK

Oct 28, 2003

POTENZA 175/65/R14XL (OEM TIRES) WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR THE PRIUS, WEAR QUICKLY AND ON THE EDGES. THIS RESULTED IN MY TIRE TREAD HAVING A 1/32 RATING, WHILE THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE STILL HAD A LONG LIFE LEFT.*AK WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS (ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS COLD), THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE (SOMETIMES AUDIBLY, SOMETIMES NOT). WERE THIS TO HAPPEN AT EVEN A SLIGHTLY HIGHER SPEED, ACCIDENTS MAY OCCUR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. IT NOW OCCURS AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY.

Jul 23, 2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WELL ONE DAY, THE CAR STOPPED WORKING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD NO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE PEDAL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES, AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUSES AND THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT KEEP REPLACING THE PEDAL CAUSE THATS THE CODE IT IS THROWING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE AS I CAN AND DO LOSE ACCELERATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT DOESNT SEEM TO MATTER HOW FAST IM GOING OR THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM, AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMAND. THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST INSTANCE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT OR MAKE RECORD.

Sep 11, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN AAND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TITUS-WILL TOYOTA, 3506 S SPRAGUE AVE, TACOMA, WA 98409). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

Sep 18, 2017

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING 65+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BECAME DANGEROUSLY UNRESPONSIVE, LUCKILY WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND WERE ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS EXPECTING INFORMATION FROM THE ACCELERATOR, AND WHEN IT DOESN'T RECEIVE IT, EITHER THE GAS ENGINE, OR THE ELECTRIC ENGINE, OR BOTH ENGINES FAIL TO OPERATE. TOYOTA HAS SERVICE BULLETIN 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS UNKNOWN OR OTHER SERVICE BULLETIN 117006 ACTION NUMBER: 635861 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 117006... REPORT DATE: SEP 12, 2002 COMPONENT: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.... SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MASTER, HYBRID AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1120. ,,, P1120 TOYOTA DESCRIPTION ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS MOUNTED ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT HAS THE 2 SENSORS TO DETECTS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION AND A MALFUNCTION OF THE ACCELERATOR POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS CONNECTED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY THE ACCELERATOR WIRE. THE ECM JUDGES THE CURRENT OPENING ANGLE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THESE SENSOR SIGNAL INPUTS AND IT CONTROLS THE THROTTLE MOTOR BASED ON THESE SIGNALS. IF THE THE P1120 CODE IS STORED, THE ECM SHUTS DOWN THE POWER FOR THE THROTTLE MOTOR AND THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS FULLY CLOSED BY THE RETURN SPRING. HOWEVER, THE OPENING ANGLE OF THE THROTTLE VALVE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THROUGH THE THROTTLE CABLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR ASSEMBLY IS PROBABLY AT FAULT, WHICH IS A HIGH COST ITEM $300 DOLLARS OR MORE WHICH TOYOTA WOULD BALK AT REPLACING IN A RECALL. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, BUT I DON'T RECALL THE DATE.....UPDATED 08/24/15 *BF

Jun 23, 2015

STEERING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 complaint

I HAVE STARTED HAVING AN INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING ISSUE. AS I AM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE AND I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THEN THE ERROR CLEARS AND SAYS THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES LASTS LONGER. I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING UNIT IN THE PAST. I BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL SERVICE DONE, BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED WHY MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH MY PRIUS. *TR

Jan 23, 2015

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BREAKS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BREAKS PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SALVAGE LOT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Mar 24, 2014

Crash: 1

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL MY FOOT HIT THE BRAKE. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MCGEE TOYOTA AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS A $600.+ REPAIR. WITHIN THE YEAR THE NEWS REPORTED ABNORMAL ACCELERATION WITH THE PRIUS LINE AND I QUICKLY CONTACTED TOYOTA MANAGEMENT. THEY DENIED MY CLAIM SAYING THAT THESE INCIDENCES WERE AS A RESULT OF FLOOR MATS? I REPORTED IT TO [XXX](MA) REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE (THIS WAS OVER TWO YEARS AGO). I RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT YOUR AGENCY AND DECIDED TO FILE A REPORT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Jan 24, 2013

ENGINE

1 complaint

IF THE PRIUS ENGINE DOES NOT START IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE COMPUTER TELLS IT TO, THE COMPUTER STOPS TRYING TO START IT AND LEAVES YOU WITH ONLY THE BATTERY POWER...VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS IN FAST TRAFFIC OR ON AN ON-RAMP. IT CAN BE RESTARTED IF ONE PULLS OFF THE ROAD AND SHUTS OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTS IT. AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENTS AND ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE OCCASIONAL NON-STARTS, IT TURNED OUT THAT THE AIR INTAKE FLAP IN THE ENGINE CAN GET DIRTY AND STICK, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SOMETIMES TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART. (THIS WAS INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED AS A COMPUTER PROBLEM, HOWEVER THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE.) BESIDES MAKING THE FLAP CLEANING PART OF MAINTENANCE, THE COMPUTER SHOULD ALSO BE FIXED SO THAT IT WILL ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, SINCE THINGS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY (SUCH AS SLOSHING FROM LOW GAS.) I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM ON NEWER PRIUSES, HOWEVER AS MORE OF THEM HAVE HIGH MILEAGE, THIS CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE MORE OF A PROBLEM. *TR

Dec 13, 2012

STEERING,SUSPENSION

1 complaint

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN I START UP THE CAR. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR DURING COLD WEATHER. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE STEERING IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE WHEN THE SHAKING HAPPENS. THIS SHAKING HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. IF I LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING IT SEEMS TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SHAKING. *TR

Feb 16, 2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

1 complaint

TOYOTA HAS ANNOUNCED A RECALL OF THE NEWEST GENERATION OF PRIUS CARS TO INSTALL SOFTWARE TO REPAIR A BRAKING PROBLEM. I AM THE OWNER OF A FIRST GENERATION (2001) PRIUS. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD THAT BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR BUMPY OR AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY FAIL TO ENGAGE AND IT IS AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO BRAKES. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN WILLING TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I THINK THAT ALL MODELS OF PRIUS HAVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE BRAKING/CHARGING SYSTEM INHERENT IN THE CAR'S DESIGN. SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, EARLIER MODELS OF THE PRIUS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS WELL.

Feb 08, 2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STEERING

1 complaint

LTR FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2001 PRIUS. *NJ A SAFETY ALERT WAS ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN COMPUTER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPUTER FAILED ON HIS VEHICLE AFTER 1 YEAR OF SERVICE. IT TOOK TOYOTA 18 MONTHS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. AFTER A COSTLY REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ECM WAS FINALLY REPLACED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ECM WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN IT LEFT THE FACTORY, HOWEVER TOYOTA WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOO OLD. THE POWER STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. *JB

Nov 25, 2008

SEATS

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WELDING ON THE SEAT FRAME OF THE MIDDLE ROW DETACHED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO SWIVEL AND MOVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK

Apr 27, 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THREE INCIDENTS LATE AUG 2006 FIRST WEEK OCT 2006 SECOND WEEK OCT 2006 IN ALL CASES VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 15 MINUTES BUT THEN RUNS NORMALLY. BROUGHT TO DEALER AFTER FIRST INCIDENT AND THEY COMPLETED A RECALL REPLACEMENT OF CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. BROUGHT TO DEALER AFTER THIRD INCIDENT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSES PROBLEM OR REPRODUCE AFTER 90 MILES TEST DRIVING. CALL TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE REVEALED TOYOTA HAS NO CENTRAL POINT TO COLLECT VEHICLE SAFETY PROBLEMS WHEN SPECIFICALLY ASKED IF TOYOTA WAS INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING THE SAFETY PROBLEM IN MY VEHICLE, THE ANSWER WAS "NO" I HAVE BEEN REASSURED BY TOYOTA THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED PROPERLY THERE IS NO SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH 2001 PRIUS SIMILAR TO THE 2004 PRIUS PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED KIN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND LEAD TO RECALL ACTION. THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM SIMILAR TO MINE WITH 2001 PRIUS. *JB

Nov 10, 2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

REPEATED INCIDENTS OF STALLING OF THE GASOLINE ENGINE. BATTERY CONTINUES TO FUEL VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED. WILL RESTART AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT ANY AND ALL SPEEDS. HAVE HAD VEHICLE GAS TANK BLADDER REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE (OVER 600.00) COMPUTERS REPLACED (MULTIPLE) ON RECALLS. NOT ONLY A NUISANCE BUT VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER HAS GIVEN NO HELP IN FINDING THE CAUSE. *NM

Nov 05, 2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

EXPERIENCE: DRIVING A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH ON I-494 IN EAGAN MINNESOTA. THE SENSOR ON THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED I.E. THE ABILITY TO GET GAS TO THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR DEALER AND THE PART, WHICH FAILED, WAS REPLACED. MY COMPLAINT HAS TWO PARTS: (1) TOYOTA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A CRITICAL PART LIKE THE SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY AS A PART OF MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE. I BELIEVE IT IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE CORRECTED BY TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER THE PART WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND IT FAILED BECAUSE NORMAL USE. I AM APPALLED TO LEARN THAT A 6 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 50,226 MILES IS EQUIPPED WITH ACCELERATOR UNIT WHICH CAN FAIL WHEN THE AVERAGE USE IS 8,371 MILES PER YEAR. I AM ALSO AMAZED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IS NOT INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THIS PERFORMANCE AS A MAJOR DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NO RECORD OF OTHER INCIDENTS WITH THIS PART. YET WHEN I TALKED TO THE PRIUS SERVICE TEAM SUPERVISOR AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, I WAS INFORMED BY EACH ONE THEY HAD REPLACED 4 TO 5 OF THEM. IF MY SMALL SURVEY REVEALED THAT NUMBER I CAN ONLY GUESS WHAT A NATIONWIDE SURVEY WOULD REVEAL. 2) IN RESPONSE TO MY ASKING TOYOTA TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $810.41 BILL THEIR RESPONSE WAS I SHOULD SUBMIT MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY OR TO THE FIRM WHICH OWNS THE CAR. CLEARLY, A SITUATION OF SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING QUALITY OEM PARTS TO A THIRD PARTY TO ABSORB THE COST AND IGNORING THE MAJOR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS CREATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STOPS FUNCTIONING IN A VEHICLE DRIVEN LESS THAN THE AVERAGE CAR. *JB

Aug 18, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

ON JUNE 6, 2006 I TOOK OUR 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE PRIUS MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "NORMAL" AND THAT THERE WAS "NOTHING WRONG." I RESPONDED THAT I KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON JUNE 15, 2006 ON THE WAY INTO WORK, THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AT A RELATIVELY SAFE SPOT. HAD IT STALLED IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC OR IN A DIFFERENT LANE, WE COULD HAVE DIED THERE. THE SCREEN SHOWED "MAIN BATTERY FAILURE," AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN TESTED IT AND THE ONLY CODE SHOWN WAS AN "ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY PEDAL." NEITHER I NOR THE TECHNICIAN FELT THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM; THE TECHNICIAN FELT THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE INVERTER--THE PART THAT CYCLES POWER BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GAS AND ELECTRIC. HOWEVER, TOYOTA REGIONAL REFUSED TO REPLACE THE INVERTER, SAYING "WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO THROW PARTS AT THE PROBLEM TRYING TO SOLVE IT." I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY PEDAL AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH THAT WILL LIKELY NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE TOYOTA "WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE UNLESS YOU DO." THIS TYPE OF POWERING DOWN AND STOPPING IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA PRIUS CARS, MORE SO WITH 2004-05 (FOR WHICH AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED), BUT ALSO WITH 2001-03. THERE WERE FEWER OF THE 2001-03 CARS ON THE ROAD, SO THE NUMBER OF REPORTED INSTANCES IS LESS, BUT THE INTERNET CONTAINS MANY COMPLAINTS FROM TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AS PRIUS CARS AGE, THIS SAFETY DEFECT WILL BECOME INCREASING APPARENT AND HAZARDOUS. *JB

Jun 22, 2006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 PEIUS FOR THE PAST YEAR WITH THE ENGINE STOPING AT FREEWAY AND LOCAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY CAR HAS NOW SET AT STANGER TOYOTA IN ST. GEORGE FOR THE PAST MONTH WITH NO CURE FOR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSTALLED A NEW INVERTER, TRACED ALL WIRING, RESET CODES AND STILL WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE CAR QUITING OR GOING INTO STELTH MODE. THE CAR IS NO LONGER RELIABLE ON TRIPS OVER ONE HOUR. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED IN HIGH AND LOW TEMP. CONDITIONS. MY DEALERSHIP SAYS THEIR IS NOTHING LEFT FOR THEM TO DO AND I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR AND BRINGING IT BACK TO RESET THE WARNING LIGHTS. THIS IS NUTS! TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THIS CAR AT ONCE, IT IS UNSAFE, UNREALIABLE AND A DISGRACE TO OWN. I HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA OWNER FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS "LOVED MY TOYOTAS" BUT THE PRIUS IS A NIGHTMARE, AND I HOPE THE NHTS WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ON GOING MATTER WITH THE PRIUS AND PUSH TOYOTA FOR A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Jun 28, 2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

DT: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ALL 3 TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENED CONSUMER WAS ON THE FREEWAY. CONSUMER OWNED THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR BEFORE IT STARTED STALLING, AND IT HAS STALLED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA, AND EACH THEY TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS.*AK *SB *NM

Jun 24, 2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

PROBLEMS STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2003. HAD OIL CHANGED AND AN HOUR LATER ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT TOOK 2 WEEKS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP (37,000 MILES). SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AN ADDITIONAL 9 TIMES TO THE CURRENT DATE (MAY 2005) FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS. THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE INJECTORS CLEANED, THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT WOULD NOT ACELERATE AND HAD TO PULL OVER IN TRAFFIC. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THE CAR GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE CODES OR SITUATION SO THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THE SECOND TIME (APRIL 2005) ALL FOUR INJECTORS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE MASS AIR FLOW SYSTEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF 17 TIMES SINCE THE CAR ARRIVED AT APPROXIMATELY 180 DAYS!!! 10 OF THOSE 17 TIMES HAS BEEN BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. HAVE ENTERED INTO ARBITRATION AND WE ARE AWAITING AN ANSWER ON THE DECISION.

May 18, 2005

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1 complaint

ONGOING AND GETTING WORSE. 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS FAILS TO START PROPERLY, STALLS WHILE DRIVING, AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT FEATURES AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT.

May 16, 2005

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1 complaint

WHILE PARKING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. *NM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HIT AN ELECTRIC BOX AS A RESULT OF THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO PARK. A SECOND OCCURANCE OF THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED IN A MALL PARKING LOT. *TC

Sep 28, 2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL CONTACT CAN OCCUR IN THE TORQUE SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER ASSIST OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR BOX. THE TORQUE SENSOR COULD SEND IMPROPER ELECTRICAL SIGNALS. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.*AK RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT CANCEL AFTER A HARD RIGHT TURN. VEHICLE WOULD PULL OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THEY THINK HE'S GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. *PH *JB

Sep 12, 2003

STEERING,CHILD SEAT

1 complaint

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS ANOTHER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. FIRST BLOWOUT WAS IN AUGUST 2002 WITH ABOUT 21,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. SECOND TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED WITH 27,000 MILES ON AN EIGHTEEN MONTH OLD CAR. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY, AND IT FELT UNSAFE. WHEELS VIBRATED FOR A FEW MONTHS, SMALL AMOUNT, BUT DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, AND IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT.*AK

Aug 29, 2003

STEERING,SUSPENSION,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. *AK ALSO THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACE. *JB

Aug 11, 2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,TIRES,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

EXTREME TIRE BLOW OUT(ONLY SHREDS LEFT)HESITATION RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC/GAS PEDAL SENSOR?*AK

Aug 05, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SUSPENSION,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING FUEL IN VEHICLE IS CONSUMED FASTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. THE GAS TANK HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS TIME FOR ANOTHER FUEL TANK. CONSUMER FEELS THAT VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING TRANSPORT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE FRONT END IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE HAS HAD FIVE FRONT END ALIGNMENTS SINCE OWNERSHIP. *AK

Jul 29, 2003

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES

1 complaint

CONTINUED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR POSSIBLE CAUSE VEHICLE WEIGHT AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES IN 30,000 MILES AND THE TIRES THAT ARE NOW ON THE CAR ARE WEARING POORLY AFTER LESS THEN 5,000 MILES. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM ANY FURTHER THEN THEY HAVE. THE CAR WONDERS IN SLIGHTLY WINDY CONDITIONS AND FREEWAY DRIVING WHICH FELLS UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER AND DO A VALVE JOB DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER I EXPERIENCED, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

Jun 14, 2002

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS

1 complaint

AT 45MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT, CLEAR WEATHER CONDITIONS I DISENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL BY TAPPING BRAKES. SO THAT I COULD ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT. I THEN FOUND MYSELF IN A COUNTERCLOCKWISE SKID ACROSS THE PAVEMENT AS I LEFT THE PAVEMENT I FELT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROP. NOW SPINNING I BOUNCED OFF A TREE AND INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH WITH ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 FOOT OF MUD AND WATER. IT WAS THEN I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS (LEFT REAR) HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DITCH. IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST I HAVE NO IDEA OF THE ACTUAL CAUSE. THE STUDS WHICH HOLD THE WHEEL TO THE AXEL SHEAREDOFF, ANS AXLE SNAPPED, THE UNDERCARRAGE AND SUPPORTS WERE TANGLED. FHP OFFICER AT SITE INDICATED IT COULD HAVE BEEN MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF SOME SORT. BECAUSE OF CONDITIONS I CONTACTED TOYOTA AS WELL AS INSURANCE CO (PROGRESSIVE). NO ONE HAS YET EVALUATED THE CAUSE. TOYOTAS FIRST COMMENT WAS "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM AN INVESTIGATION" MY ANSWERWAS " TO PREVENT A SIMILAR EVENT IN THE FUTURE". AS I RELATED THE EVENT TO EVERY ONE I ALSO NOTED THAT THE STEERING DIDNOT LET ME CORRECT THE SKID. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY HELD IN LIMBO BY INSURANCE AND TOYOTA. WHILE I AM WALKING. ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.*AK

Aug 21, 2001

Crash: 1

VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

EXCESSIVE SENSITIVITY TO WIND AND CROSS WINDS EVEN AT LOW WIND VELOCITY. VEHICLE WANTS TO WANDER DUE TO WIND. VEHICLE SHAKES IN THE WAKE OF A 18 WHEELER AND OTHER TRUCKS. THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS ARE SET TOO FAR FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS INCREASES THE EXTENT OF THE BLIND SPOTS.

Aug 01, 2001

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN, DURING THIS ACCIDENT THERE WERE 3 DEATHS.

Jun 22, 2001

Crash: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

WITHIN ONE WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOG DOWN WHEN MAKING A TURN FROM A DEAD STOP. A DAY LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THE REPLY WAS THAT; "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, WHEN WE FIND OUT WE'LL LET YOU KNOW...UNTIL THEN, BE CAREFUL" THAT WAS OVER A MONTH AGO AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM. I CALLED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN TAKING OFF AND HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE GENERAL ATTITUDE IS NONCHALANT AND NOBODY HAS MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING. FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP. ALL THE 2001 HIGHLANDERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

Feb 23, 2001

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN I STARTED IT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE TOYOTA DEALER EVER SINCE, OVER A MONTH AGO. *AK

Jan 26, 2001

2001 TOYOTA Prius Problems & Complaints

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