2003 Toyota Prius

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES,EQUIPMENT

  TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID 1. TIRE BLOW OUT WITH THE RIGHT PSI AND CLEAR BEAUTIFUL DAY. DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY OR CHANGE TIRE. 2. THE CAR STOP AND STARTED RUNNING ONLY ON ELECTRICAL SERVICE. CALL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY ASK ME TO START THE CAR THREE TIMES AND IT WILL GO AWAY. I DID IT AND DROVE TO THE DEALER THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE HUMIDITY WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THIS HAD HAPPEN ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND EVERY TIME THE HUMIDITY WAS HIGH BUT THIS IS AND INCONVENIENCE NOT JUST TO ME BUT MY WIFE. ONE OF THIS DAYS THE EASY FIXING WILL NOT WORK THEM WHAT? *JB

• 12/30/2004· SUSPENSION

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. FIRST TIRE FAILURE (SEP 03) AT APPROXIMATELY 14K MILES; TOTAL FAILURE OF TIRE, WE LUCKED OUT. REMAINDER OF TIRES REPLACED AT ABOUT 18K MILES. THAT GOOD-QUALITY SET HAS NOW WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT 38000 MILES. TOYOTA ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THE CUSTOMER WITH IT. A WEB SEARCH SHOWS OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM (TIRE WALL FAILURES, LIKE OUR FIRST FAILURE) -- WITH SOME COMPENSATED, SOME NOT. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER DEFECTS WHICH THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT/CANNOT REPAIR AFTER SEVERAL REPORTS....UNTIL THEY BLAME THE CUSTOMER FOR "HURTING" THE CAR AFTER THEY CAN'T FIX IT.*AK

• 12/29/2009· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  MY 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY, IT USED TO ONLY HAPPEN PERIODICALLY BUT IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME NOW, THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL IN '01 & '02'S AND SOME '03'S BUT MINE IN PARTICULAR WAS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM-THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA (DEALER OR MANUFACTURER DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT) THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

• 12/22/2004· SUSPENSION,TIRES

  BRIDGESTONE TIRES SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURER HAD BEGAN DELAMINATING ALONG INSIDE RIM BECAUSE REAR ALIGNMENT ON 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS INCORRECT. ONE TIRE WAS NEAR COMPLETE FAILURE WHEN DISCOVERED. THE QUESTION IS: DOES THE WEIGHT OF THE BATTERY PACK (PLACED IMMEDIATELY OVER THE REAR AXLE) CAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION TO MISALIGN IN NORMAL DAILY DRIVING, WHICH IN TURN PLACES EXTREME WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR TIRES? BECAUSE THE WEAR IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE DISCOVERED BEFORE A BLOWOUT OCCURS. *JB

• 12/12/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  REFERENCE INVESTIGATION # PE05029: MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2003 [XXX] GASOLINE/ ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES THAT CAN BE OPERATED IN GASOLINE OR ELECTRIC MODE. ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE GASOLINE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH THE SPEED OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE THREE PREVIOUS TIMES THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE USING THE ELECTRIC MODE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE GAS ENGINE STALLED. THIS LAST AND 4TH TIME THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY FELT THE GAS ENGINE STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 3 IMMEDIATE ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE CAR ON. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAYS AND TO PARK. AS WITH THE LAST 3 TIMES, I AGAIN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. EACH OF THE 4 STALLING INCIDENTS, I WAS ALERTED BY AN AUDIBLE SOUND AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS. AFTER THE CAR STALLED THE BRAKE AND STEERING OPERATION CONTINUED TO FUNCTION AS THE CAR DRIFTED TO A STOP. EACH TIME THE REASON WAS FOR THE FAILURE TO OPERATE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AS I AM TOLD BY THE SERVICE CENTER. THIS LAST TIME, (4TH) THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR IS "FINE" ASKED ME TO PAY THE TOW AND IS SENDING ME ON MY WAY. NOTHING WAS DONE. I DRIVE ABOUT 90 MILES A DAY WITH MY 8 YR OLD DAUGHTER AS MY PRIMARY PASSENGER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BY TOYOTA. MY DEALERSHIP (KINGS TOYOTA CINCINNATI OHIO). *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/07/2010· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,TIRES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING THREE MONTHS AGO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A LEAK AND THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ON DECEMBER 3, 2010, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

• 11/12/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  SINCE THE FIRST MONTH AFTER BUYING THE CAR, GAS MILEAGE HAS BEEN NO MORE THAN 30 MILES PER GALLON, WHICH IS AT LEAST 20 MILES LESS THAN ADVERTISED... ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE CAR HAS JERKED FORWARD IN TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS AND WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 60 MPH THE CAR LOSES CONTROL, ALSO THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ALMOST CAUSING MORE ACCIDENTS. *LA

• 11/07/2012· STEERING

  TWO YEARS AGO, MY CAR BEGAN EXHIBITING STEERING ISSUES. WHEN TURNING, BOTH IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE SHUDDERING SUBSIDED AND THE CAR STEERED NORMALLY. THE ISSUE WAS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD AND IMPROVED AS THE CAR WARMED UP. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE ISSUE HAS WORSENED, OCCURRING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND WITH INCREASING VIOLENCE. THE STEERING WHEEL NOW JERKS UNCONTROLLABLY AS I DRIVE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS WHEN TURNING, SOMETIMES SO VIOLENTLY THAT I CANNOT HOLD ONTO THE WHEEL OR CONTROL THE CAR. TURNING LEFT IS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY DIFFICULT; THE CAR PULLS CONSTANTLY AND SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ON THE CAR WERE JUST ALIGNED. THE 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS ALREADY RECALLED FOR STEERING ISSUES EXACTLY AS I DESCRIBE. TOYOTA CLAIMED THE ISSUE LAY WITH THE PINION SHAFT NUTS. THE PINION SHAFT NUTS IN MY CAR WERE ALREADY REPLACED, PER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE STEERING PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS GROWING WORSE. FROM MY RESEARCH, OTHER 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE SAME FAILURE OF THE RECALL REPAIR TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MECHANICS NOT AFFILIATED WITH TOYOTA HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON, WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA RECALL NOTICE, "IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY AND STRONGLY TURNED TO THE FULL-LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THE NUTS SECURING THE PINION SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME LOOSE." (HTTP://PRESSROOM.TOYOTA.COM/RELEASES/TOYOTA+PRIUS+EPS+PINION+SHAFT+NUT+JUNE+2011+RECALL+FAQ.HTM). HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY AND MAINTAINED WELL THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE. DESPITE MY CAREFUL CARE OF THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I BELIEVE THE RECALL INSUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSED THE STEERING ISSUES ENDEMIC TO THE 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR

• 11/05/2007· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED HIS VEHICLE TO THE LEFT AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING MADE A WEIRD NOISE AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 15 MONTHS AGO AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TEMPERATURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT AT A COOLER TEMPERATURE, THE STEERING WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE NEVER CORRECTED ITSELF AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 11/02/2003· TIRES

  DRIVING HOME ON JULY 22, 2003 AT ABOUT 4:30PM, TRAVELING NORTH ON THE 57 FREEWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH HAD BLOW OUT ON RIGHT REAR TIRE. TIRE HAD COMPLETE BLOW OUT IF SIDE WALL, VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 10,700 MILES. I HAD CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE THE PRIOR DAY AND HAD 33 PSI IN FRONT AND 36 PSI IN REAR AS THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE WRITTEN IN THE OWNERS HANDBOOK. *LA

• 11/01/2009· STEERING

  2003 PRIUS STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILURE, WHEN ENGINE IS COLD AND WHEN IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED (UNDER 5 MPH) STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, ONCE STOPPED STEERING WHEEL WILL STOP SHAKING. DEALERSHIP REPORTS RACK AND PINION AND STEERING RELATED COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 2001 AND 2002 PRIUS MODEL HAD RECALLED ON SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR

• 10/31/2007· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 4RUNNER THAT HAS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND THAT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT 3 TIMES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR STARTING FROM A STOP. IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND NOT VERY COMFORTING. IF THE DRIVESHAFT IS SLAMMING AND MAKING THIS NOISE, I CAN'T IMAGING ANYONE THINKING THAT IS VERY SAFE. THE THING COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT. WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THE SLAMMING DOES TO IT! TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOME GETS HURT FROM IT. *TR

• 10/30/2008· STEERING

  ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL. AN UN SAFE CONDITION. THERE HAS TO BE A LOT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE REPLACEMENT STEERING RACKS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND NO PREDICTION OF WHEN THEY WILL AVAILABLE. WITH NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND CAR UN SAFE THEN CAR IS USELESS. *TR

• 10/26/2022· STEERING

  The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate with an unknown message displayed on the instrument panel. As the failure persisted, the message disappeared, and the contact was able to drive to her destination. Upon restart of the vehicle, the contact received a do not drive message on the instrument panel with the steering wheel vibrating. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective steering sensor. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V304000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

• 10/25/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF. I BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC WHO CHECKED BRAKES. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEN I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED ALARM SOUNDING NOISE WHILE THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT WARNING WAS ON, THEN BOTH WOULD TURN OFF THEN ON THEN OFF.....THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TROUBLE. WHEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET, OTHER PRIUS OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AS WELL. SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND AFTER ALL THE "CODES" HAD BEEN FIXED, THE ALARM SOUNDED YET AGAIN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 10/21/2007· STRUCTURE

  BACK HATCH UNLOCKED AND FLEW OPEN ON HIGHWAY WHILE I HAD CUSTOMERS IN MY 4 RUNNER. PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHUT...WOULD NOT SHUT. HAVING TO DRIVE NOW WITH BACK TAILGATE TIED SHUT. EXHAUST COMES IN THROUGH BACK OF VEHICLE. HAVING REPAIRED ON 10/24 FOR A COST OF OVER $400! *TR

• 10/20/2015· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK INTENSELY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING), BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

• 10/19/2005· TIRES

  I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAD MY FIRST FLAT TIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES. SECOND FLAT TIRE CAME 20,000 MILES. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TIRE STORE I WAS TOLD THAT PRIUS HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH TIRES. THEY INDICATED THAT BOTH BACK TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SHE ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN RECTIFIED. SHE REPLACED MY LAST EXISTING TIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES. AT 45,000 SERVICE I WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT BOTH OF MY BACK TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA INDICATED THIS WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT PROPERLY SERVICING THE CAR. I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE UP TO THAT POINT. I CONTACTED THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP. HE ADVISES ME NOW THAT THE TIRES WILL ALWAYS ONLY LAST APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 K MILES. HE SUGGESTED THAT I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST EVERY TWO WEEKS AND HAVE TIRES ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES BUT ADMITTED THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY NOT HELP BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE CAR.*JB

• 10/18/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT:WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED DUE TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 12/6/2005 - THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL RELAY. *NM

• 10/15/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS GAS ENGINE STALLED, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALL OVER THE SCREEN, AND IT WOULD ONLY DRIVE ON "BATTERY POWER." AFTER STOPPING, I TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT IT WOULD NOT RE-START IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A FEW TRIES AND THEN WAITING, THE GAS ENGINE STARTED WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. DURING THE TIME IT WAS RUNNING ON BATTERY, AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. AFTER GAS ENGINE RE-STARTED, AIR CONDITIONER BLEW COLD AIR. TOYOTA SERVICE SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE WHAT WAS ON THE SCREEN THEY DIAGNOSED AND SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER AND ORDERED PARTS. THEY WERE ALSO THINKING THE BATTERY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. 1. THEY MAY NOT HAVE DIAGNOSED MY CAR CORRECTLY SINCE THEY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS RECALL, AND MAY NOT FIX IT CORRECTLY (INCLUDING PUTTING GREASE ON CERTAIN WIRES). AND 2. THAT NEWS REPORTS IN THE U.S. SAY IT IS 2004 AND 2005 PRIUSES WHICH ARE AFFECTED, SO 2003 OWNERS MAY NOT GET LETTERS TO TAKE THEIR CAR IN ON THIS RECALL. THIS COULD RESULT IN PEOPLE BEING KILLED. I WANT SERVICE DEPT TO UNDERSTAND THAT PRIUS 2003 OWNERS MAY NOT BE NOTIFIED BECAUSE TOYOTA MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THEY ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD INFORM TOYOTA THEY HAVE A 2003 IN FOR REPAIR WITH SAME PROBLEM AS 2004-2005 CARS. I AM CONCERNED THEY MAY NOT DO REPAIRS ON MY CAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT IS SPECIFIED ON THE RECALL EVEN IF I DID NOT GET A LETTER. THIS UPSETS ME AND IT ALSO SCARES ME. I AM SURE TOYOTA WOULD NOTIFY SERVICE & OWNERS IF THEY WERE AWARE IT ALSO AFFECTS 2003 PRIUS'. SO I WANT YOU TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF IT AND BE SURE THEY SEND THE 2003 OWNERS LETTERS TOO. *NM

• 10/09/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COMPUTER FAILED. *JB

• 10/03/2006· EQUIPMENT

  CONSUMER 2003 PRIUS PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE CONSUMER THOROUGHLY READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL ON HOLD TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE SUPPLIED JACK WAS USED TO RAISE THE CAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED A SHORT DISTANCE THE JACK SLID FORWARD AND THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RAISE THE VEHICLE THREE MORE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT. *NM

• 09/30/2009· EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

  TOYOTA CONSUMER SAFETY ADVISORY POTENTIAL FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FLOOR MATS IN MY 2003 PRIUS ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING OF OWNING MY CAR. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE TOYOTA WEB SITE IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE RETAINING MECHANISM IT IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE 2004 PRIUS. YET THE MODEL IS NOT BEING COVERED BY THE RECALL. PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING THE RECALL TO ALL AFFECTED MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *TR

• 09/29/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING HER VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,442.

• 09/27/2008· STEERING

  I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH ABOUT 76,000 MILES. I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY CURRENTLY STATIONED IN GERMANY. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A STEERING PROBLEM WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS AND SHAKES AS IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. IT USUALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 5 MPH AND 30 MPH WHILE IN A TURN. WHEN THIS OCCURS YOU TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND POTENTIALLY, THE CAR. AFTER DOING SOME CURSORY RESEARCH ON LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS (HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/36358-03-POWER-STEERING.HTML ) I THINK IT HAS ALSO BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE 2001-2002 MODELS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR THE 2003 AND BEYOND. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DOES AFFECT THE ABILITY FOR THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. WE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALER HERE IN GERMANY AND THEY GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF 2500 EURO FOR REPAIR, WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT $3800 US DOLLARS. THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH APPROXIMATELY $10,000. BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME COST, I CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND THEN CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THE ENGINEERING. TO MY DISMAY, TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE REGARDLESS BECAUSE I AM STATIONED OVERSEAS. *TR

• 09/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD TICKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

• 09/26/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH ACCELERATION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATED WHEN SHE RELEASED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE RACED FORWARD WHILE MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE BRAKES WERE REAPPLIED BUT IT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO VEER SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AFTER LURCHING ABOUT 30 TO 40 FEET WELL BEYOND THE STOP SIGN AND INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

• 09/21/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HYBRID ENGINE COMPUTER, THE MASS AIR FLOW METER, FUEL TANK, AND HYBRID BATTERY.

• 09/14/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STEERING

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING PINION SHAFT NUTS ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 10, 2011. UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HORN, HE DISCOVERED IT WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, TO INFORM THEM, THE HORN HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED OR MAYBE A WIRE HAD COME OFF. THE DEALER STATED THE RECALL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HORN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HORN WAS WORKING PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT THE HORN BROKE WHILE PERFORMING THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE, THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SHORT POWER SPIRAL CABLE WAS BAD. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUNDED HIS MONEY. UPDATED 09/23/11*JB CONSUMER'S ISSUE RESOLVED 12/6/11 *ET

• 09/10/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS ENGINE STALLED THREE TIMES. DEALER REPAIRED AND PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN THE SAME DAY. *TR. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE DEALER FOUND OIL INSIDE THE MANIFOLD. UPDATED *JB

• 09/10/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  NAR 9-10-03. FOIA EMAIL FWD FM KOST/GC INQUIRING HOW MANY 2003 TOYOTA'S HAVE HAD A PROBLEM OF ACCELERATING WHILE THE BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED, ES HAVE NO RECORD. *CB

• 09/09/2013· STEERING

  STARTED VEHICLE , BEGAN TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. HAD TO STOP VEHICLE TO WAIT FOR STEERING WHEEL TO STOP SHAKING. HAS BEEN DOING IT EVERYTIME I GO TO START VEHICLE . SEEMS TO DO O.K. DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 10 MPH. STARTING TO GET SLIGHT VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3400.00. *TR

• 09/02/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 08/31/2020· SERVICE BRAKES

  OCCASIONALLY, WHEN BRAKING, THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO BRAKE, THEN LURCH FORWARD A LITTLE, AND THEN BRAKE AGAIN PROPERLY. IT'S DISCONCERTING AT BEST AND SCARY AND DANGEROUS AT WORST. I'VE HAD THIS BRAKE PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT FINALLY REALIZED THAT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT TOYOTA FLAW WITH THE ABS, AND THAT NEWER PRIUSES AND LEXUSES WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM. TOYOTA DID NOT RECALL THE 2001-03 PRIUSES AND REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT IT'S ANYTHING BUT THE RESULT OF AGE (AS PER AUG 2020). HOWEVER, I'VE SEEN ONLINE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THEY FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR! I BOUGHT IT USED AND CAN'T REMEMBER HOW LONG IT'S BEEN HAPPENING. IT'S NOT EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. IT HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT CERTAINLY COULD. AND IF I CRASH INTO SOMEONE, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED MY FAULT, EVEN THOUGH IT'S VERY CLEARLY TOYOTA'S FAULT! I'M VERY DISTURBED THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS, THAT TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE REFERENCED IT AS A PROBLEM, TOO, AND THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE PROBLEM.

• 08/29/2013· STRUCTURECrash

  WHILE BACKING UP SLOWLY (UNDER 10), THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP, UNINTENDED ACCELERATED, TO HIT THE MOVABLE BARRIER AND ANOTHER CAR BEFORE BRAKED.

• 08/29/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  VEHICLE WOULD RUN OUT OF GAS, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WOULD READ THAT THERE WAS STILL ENOUGH FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

• 08/27/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  MY 2003 PRIUS (FIRST GEN, FROM JAPAN), HAS BEEN THRU A FEW RECALLS - 1 WAS TO SEAL THE BATTERY BETTER EARLY ON (04ISH), THEN IT WAS GIVEN NEW PINION SHAFT NUTS. LATEST ISSUE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ALL ALONG, JUST NOT DIAGNOSED/FIXED TIL NOW. SOMETIMES THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT WOULD COME ON, WITH THE CAR/! /TRIANGLE GRAPHIC ON TOUCH SCREEN. THIS TIME IT DIDN'T GO AWAY. LONG STORY SHORT, IT WAS THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER SAID IT WASN'T CYCLING PROPERLY, LEAKING ANTIFREEZE; ALSO A BIG HYBRID BATTERY ISSUE WAS SHOWING UP, BUT THEY SUSPECTED WHEN FIXING WATER PUMP IT MIGHT CLEAR UP BATTERY ISSUE. DID RESEARCH, FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PRIUS OWNERS. SAW THE CONSUMER REPORTS & THIS STORY, FROM A TOYOTA NEWS RELEASE. THE FOLLOWING IS EXACTLY WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED, & MY CAR WAS PART OF THE PINION SHAFT NUTS/STEERING COLUMN RECALL, BUT NOT WATER PUMP RECALL!: "TOYOTA IS RECALLING 670,000 OF THEIR POPULAR PRIUS HYBRIDS IN THE US TO CORRECT TWO SAFETY ISSUES. THEY SAY ALL OF THE VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO SEE IF A PART IN THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR. 350,000 OF THESE SAME PRIUS VEHICLES (FROM 2001-2010 IN JAPAN ) ARE ALSO BEING RECALLED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. TOYOTA SAYS THE PUMP COULD FAIL AND CAUSE THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO STOP RUNNING. THEY SAID ITS DEALERS WILL INSPECT & REPLACE ANY DEFECTS FREE OF CHARGE. RECALL NOTICES WILL GO TO OWNERS IN DEC. 2012. ABOUT 2.77M VEHICLES WORLDWIDE ARE AFFECTED."TOYOTA DID NOT PAY FOR MY REPAIR, $669; THAT WAS WITH A 15% OFF COUPON! I AM KEEPING MY RECEIPT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO INCLUDE MY VIN IN THE NEXT BATCH OF RECALLS FOR THIS DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, WHICH HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE DAY 1, BUT A SLOW DIAGNOSIS, THAT MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE OVERALL FUNCTION OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM BATTERY PERMANENTLY. NO FUN! *TR

• 08/26/2010· STEERING

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS STEERING FAILURE - WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN LOS ANGELES, TURNING LEFT AT A STOP SIGN THE STEERING SYSTEM LOCKED. I RESET THE CAR AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL UNTIL PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THEN PULLING FORWARD AGAIN. THE CAR THEN CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY LOCK IN THE LEFT TURN POSITION AND YOU MUST USE FORCE TO TRY TO CENTER AND STEER AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM HAS FAILED $3500.00 TO REPAIR. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE STEERING CAN BE REPAIRED, I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR BUT DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER PUT MY FAMILY IN IT AGAIN. THE STEERING FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAD NO WARNING. *TR

• 08/22/2008· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLIGHTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME STUCK IN A FIXATED POSITION. THE CONTACT COULD NOT COMPLETE THE TURN. SHE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE STEERING MAIN SHAFT ASSEMBLY, TILT COLUMN ASSEMBLY, AND BOLT WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY MORE FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR WAS DONE. UPDATED 10/15/08. *JB

• 08/19/2011· STEERING

  WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE, OR SOMETIMES IN TURNING, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE. AT TIMES I HAVE TO STOP AND LET IT FINISH, AS I CANNOT KEEP MY HANDS ON IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AFTER CAR WAS RECALLED FOR STEERING ISSUE. *TR

• 08/17/2009· STEERING

  I HAVE A 2003 PRIUS WITH 100K MILES. AT ABOUT 95K MILES I BEGAN TO NOTICE AN ANOMALY IN THE STEERING. WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO MY RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS. THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT IS COLD. THE SHUDDER HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY OTHER PLACES, USUALLY AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE READ THE OTHER REPORTS AND WORRY ABOUT THE MORE SEVERE FAILURES OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. MY DEALER QUOTED ME $2300 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS THE "STEERING BOX". EVEN AT 100K MILES THIS DEFINITELY SEEMS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE TO ME BECAUSE IT IS SO SAFETY CRITICAL. *TR

• 08/06/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY CAR FAILED. IT WAS FOUND LATER THAT BOTH THE COMPUTER AND PUM/ENGINE SYSTEM FOR THE BRAKES FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. I WAS CHARGED $2000 FOR REPAIRS. *TR

• 08/01/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V304000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHILE ACCELERATING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO VIBRATE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 10/03/11*JB

• 07/31/2017· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THERE IS NO THERMOSTAT GAUGE IN A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS , THE CAR OVER HEATS AND YOU DON'T KNOW UNTIL YOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC NEARLY GETTING KILLED. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED, BUT SAY NOT A RECALL AND THEY DON'T HONESTLY CAR CAUSE CAR IS OLD . THAT'S NOT RIGHT , ANYTHING YOU STILL USE FROM CARS OR EVEN MEDICINE HAVE LATER COME BACK TO HURT OR KILLED PEOPLE. THERE IS NO HOT TO COLD GAUGE IN THE CAR , 2003 ONLY . I HAVE INVESTIGATED AND SEE PEOPLE PUBLISH ABOUT THIS BUT LET IT SLIP BY . I WAS DRIVING WITH NO INSTALLED GAUGE AND SURVIVED THROUGH MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A STALLED VEHICLE THAT OVER HEATED AND WAS LATER CHECK BY TOYOTA TECHNICIANS THAT SAID F THERE WAS A THERMOSTAT GAUGE PROBLEM WOULD OF MOST LIKELY BE AVOIDED. SOMEBODY CAN'T KEEP OPEN AND CLOSING THE RADIATOR CAP CAUSE OF THIS MISSING GAUGE . OIL HAS DIPSTICK YOU CHECK !!! SAFELY TOO. NOT GOING FRY MY FACE OR BURN MY HANDS ON KEEP CHECKING THE RADIATOR. PLUS WITH A PROPER GAUGE YOU MIGHT KNOW IF YOUR CAR IS COOLED DOWN OR SAFER TO CHECK. TOYOTA HAD REFUSED TO ADDRESS OR CLAIM ANY ISSUES. CASE# [XXX]. PEOPLE LIVES ON AT STAKE CAUSE THEY WANTED TO A. SAVE MONEY B. DON'T KNOW HOW FORGET TO INSTALL THE PART FOR THE YEAR ON EVERY 2003 PRIUS !! PLEASE HELP , TOYOTA DOES NOT CAR ABOUT MY SAFETY OR ANYBODY ELSE SAFETY - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 07/27/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  I TOOK MY CAR IN A WEEK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE I NEEDED SERVICE AND WAS GOING ON A TRIP TO SAN DIEGO WITH MY 5 YR OLD DAUGHTER. KEYES TOYOTA IN VAN NUYS DID EVERYTHING TO IT AND REPLACED MY FRONT BRAKES AND INSPECTED EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE OTHER BRAKES... SO YESTERDAY, IM ON THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY A PIERCING, LONG BEEP HAPPENS AND 2 WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. " BRAKE AND ABS" ... I'M THINKING " WHAT JUST HAPPENED! I JUST HAD MY CAR MADE PERFECT THE OTHER DAY!!?? .. AND THEN, NOT TWO MINUTES AFTER THOSE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, MY BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED!! PEDAL TO THE FLOOR NOTHING! :-( ... I WAS SOOOOOO SCARED.... I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND CREPT OVER TO FIND A SHOULDER .... I WEAVED OVER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT THANK GOD SO I GET TO THE SHOULDER THANKFULLY BUT IT'S A SHORT SHOULDER... AND IM PRAYING AS I ROLL TO A STOP .. I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CORPORATE THESE PAST 24 HOURS BECAUSE I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OVER $2000 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT!!... I COULD HAVE DIED OR KILLED SOMEONE...WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AND I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION SLOWING FOR A RED LIGHT!!?? OH MY GOD!... SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE... I'M FULLY READY TO SUE TOYOTA...GO TO THE NEWS OUTLETS...LOS ANGELES TIMES...ANYONE WHO WILL MAKE THIS PUBLIC... NO ONE SHOULD DIE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT.... AND NO ONE SHOULD DIE BECAUSE A CORPORATION WON'T OWN UP! ..I'M PUTTING A STOP ORDER ON THE REPAIR TOMORROW MORNING....I'M HOPING YOU CAN HELP ME AND OTHERS WHO COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATALLY INJURED (OR THEIR CHILDREN) FROM AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT JUST FAILS! BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE JUST SAID " WELL, THAT PARTICULAR PART ONLY HAS A 3 YR WARRANTY OR 36,000 MILES AND SO AFTER THAT IT'S THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY. REALLY? IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY IF YOUR CRAZY FAULTY CAR KILLS ME OR MY CHILD? NUTS! *TR

• 07/22/2014· SEAT BELTSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER FROM HITTING HER HEAD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE DID NOT REPORT THIS INFORMATION. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATBELTS WHICH WAS NEVER TAKEN CARE OF. THE CONSUMER DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONSUMER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION TO ENSURE HER INJURIES WERE ACTUALLY MINOR. UPDATED 3/30/2015 *JS

• 07/12/2010· POWER TRAIN

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS - DEVELOPED RATTLE AND TOOK TO THE DEALER. AFTER A LONG EXAMINATION, DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING RACK. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO ACCIDENT AND COULD NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE. THE REPAIR COST QUOTED WAS $3,500, ONE HALF OF THE RESALE VALUE OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE CAR HAD APPROX. 62,000 MILES, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE ON THE REPAIR PRICE. *TR

• 07/10/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN DRIVING, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL ENGAGE, WITHOUT PRESSING THE E BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, INTERMITTENT ONCE CAR IS PARKED AND DOORS LOCKED, ALARM WILL JUST START GOING OFF FOR NONREASON.

• 07/07/2008· TIRESCrash

  2003 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS PROCEEDING WEST ON I-40 NEAR KNOXVILLE, TN WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE AND WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE AXLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT, HIT A GUARDRAIL AND THEN HIT A SEMI HEAD-ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE DRIVER SURVIVED WITH A CONCUSSION AND A HEAD WOUND. *TR

• 07/06/2004· TIRES

  I HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE ON MY 2003 PRIUS. THE TIRE HAD A LARGE SPLIT ACROSS THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE TIRE - THE SIDE YOU COULDN'T' SEE - AS WELL AS THE SPOT IN THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE THAT HAD BLOWN OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAD VERY UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERNS ON IT. THE REST OF THE TIRES DID NOT SHOW UNUSUAL WEAR. I TOOK IT BACK TO BRIDGESTONE SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO SAID THE TIRE WARRANTY WAS THROUGH BRIDGESTONE. I NOW PLAN TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH HIGHER PSI TIRES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE CAR TO BEGIN WITH WHEN PURCHASED. THE BLOW OUT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION WHEN IT HAPPENED. IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. *JB