2004 Toyota Prius

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

• 12/31/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BOTH 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, IT BEGAN WITH THE DRIVERS THEN PASSENGERS GOING OUT INDIVIDUALLY, AND BY TURNING THEM OFF THEN ON AGAIN WOULD BRING THE LIGHTS BACK ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, NOW BOTH GO OUT AND DO NOT COME BACK ON EVEN AFTER CYCLING THEM. TOYOTA SAYS ITS A REPLACEMENT ISSUE NOT A DEFECT. SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL THE CHATTER ONLINE AND TOYOTAS INDIFFERENCE IS COMING TO A HEAD. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE LIGHTS. *TR

• 12/31/2003· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I HAVE A 2004 PRIUS. (YOUR SUSTEM DOES NOT SHOW A PRIUS, SO I CHECKED THE TOYOTA MATRIX BOX, SINCE THE SYSTEM MADE ME CHECK SOME MODEL BOX.)THE TOYOTA NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE--IT DIRECTS TURNS ONTO NON-EXITENT ROADS. PEOPLE WILL DIE WHEN THEY FOLLOW THE SYSTEM'S DIRECTIONS AND DRIVE OFF ROAD AND CRASH. LETTERS TO TOYOTA HAVE GONE UNANSWERED. BY TELEPHONE TOYOTA ADVISES THAT THIS IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.

• 12/30/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE GAUGES WERE DIFFICULT TO READ. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMBINATION METER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000.

• 12/30/2003· SEAT BELTS

  ON THE TOYOTA 2004 PRIUS THE LEFT REAR AND CENTER REAR SEAT BELT BUCKELS ARE INTERCHANGED. THE LEFT REAR BUCKEL IS POSITIONED IN A VERTICAL POSITION BETWEEN THE LEFT AND CENTER SEATS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT BUCKEL (MARKED CENTER) IS ON A FABRIC STRAP THAT EMERGES BETWEEN THE LEFT REAR SEAT CUSHION AND THE LEFT REAR BACK CUSHION APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES FROM THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE LEFTREAR SEAT CUSHION (IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL YOU WILL SIT ON IT WHEN YOU USE THE LEFT REAR SEAT). AS A RESULT IT IS DIFFICULT TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELTS SINCE THEY CROSS OVER AND INTERFERE WITH EACH OTHER. IT IS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT (COMPARED TO A NORMAL SEAT BELT) TO OPEN THEM DUE TO THE INTERFERENCE. I SUGGEST THAT IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL TO OPEN THESE TWO SEAT BELTS IN AN EMERGECY SITUATION. AS A RESULT, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ITEM THAT REQUIRES CORRECTION AT AN EARLY DATE. THE DEALER, BILL PAGE TOYOTA, STATED THAT ALL 2004 PRIUS THEY HAD RECEIVED WERE THE SAME CONFIGURATION AND THEY HAD NO MEANS TO CHANGE IT. THEY SUGGESTED CONTACTING TOYOTA. I HAVE FILED AN OFFICAL COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA (#200312300834) AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO FEEDBACK OR CORRECTION. NOTE: PRIUS NOT ON YOUR LIST. ENTERED RAV4 TO BE ANLE TO SUBMITTHIS COMPLAINT

• 12/29/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERMITTENT HID BULB GOES OUT. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN THE LIGHTS STOP WORKING. WHEN TURNED ON THEY ALWAYS COME ON AND AT SOME POINT THEY WILL SOMETIMES STOP WORKING. WHEN I SEE THEY HAVE STOPPED I WILL TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND THEY WORK AND WILL USUALLY STAY WORKING THE REST OF THE TRIP, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS JUST AT MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS PROBABLY THE BULB AND THEN UNDER HIS BREATH HE UNOFFICIALLY SAID IT IS A CRAP SHOOT FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/28/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT DARK. MY WIFE AND I ARE ABOUT 95% SURE THE ENTIRE DASH WENT DARK AS WELL. WE STOPPED AND TOGGLED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE "HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE" HEADLIGHTS, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THE DASH WOULD HAVE GONE DARK. *TR

• 12/27/2012· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HOT AND COLD AIR WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHEN NEITHER THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NOR THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE WATER PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V536000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE DEALER COULD HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 194,000.

• 12/27/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WENT OUT AT ABOUT 83K MILES. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT OUTAGE, AND COULD BE RESET BY TURNING HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT! TOYOTA WANTED TO CHANGE BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND BALLASTS FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1086. HEADLIGHTS ARE SAFETY-RELATED AND I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMONLY COMPLAINED ABOUT ONLINE. TOYOTA NATIONAL OFC. OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME 1/2 AFTER I FRONTED THE TOTAL MONEY TO THE LOCAL DEALER REPAIR SHOP. *TR

• 12/26/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER AND SHUT OFF. IF HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL WORK AGAIN. PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ON RURAL/POORLY LIT ROADS, AS WELL AS HIGHWAYS. USUALLY IT IS ONE LIGHT OR THE OTHER THAT GOES OFF, BUT ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT TIMES BOTH LIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A TRAFFIC STOP BY A POLICE OFFICER, WHO PROMPTLY ISSUED ME A TICKET FOR DRIVING WITH NO HEADLIGHTS ON. BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED; ALL FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND/OR REPLACED;12V BATTERY REPLACED - NONE OF WHICH HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

• 12/26/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSISTENTLY A SINGLE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD FLICKER AND GO OUT. "IT MAY GO OFF AGAIN, IN ANOTHER FIVE OR 10 MINUTES, BUT I COULD GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN BY TURNING THEM OFF AND TURNING ON AGAIN. *TR

• 12/25/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HID HEADLIGHT ON 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS IS INTERMITTENT. GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN SELECTED ON. COMES BACK ON BY SWITCHING HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON. HEADLIGHT WENT OFF 7 TIMES IN A 30 MILE TRIP. *TR

• 12/25/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON THREE OCCASIONS MY 2004 PRIUS HAS STARTED WITHOUT PUSHING THE "START" BUTTON. ON 11/19/05 TWO PEOPLE HAD GOTTEN INTO THE BACK SEAT AND CLOSED THE DOORS. I WAS STANDING BEHIND THE CAR. IT WAS AT NIGHT. AS I SLAMMED THE HATCH BACK DOOR SHUT I COULD SEE THE DISPLAY PANEL LIGHT UP IN THE DARK AND HEAR THE CAR START. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR I ONLY HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT. THE DEALER SAID THIS WASN'T POSSIBLE. *NM

• 12/23/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS NEW IN JUNE OF 2004. IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS WHERE THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON. THE LAST INCIDENT ALSO INCLUDED A HIGH PITCHED TONE WHICH PERSISTED UNTIL THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON NOV.19, 2009. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND NOTICED A SLIGHT HICCUP IN THE ENGINE WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THEN ABOUT 500 FT. LATER, THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE SLOWLY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON AND CALLED MY DEALER, WHO TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED IN. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS, AND REPLACED THE ABS ECU WITH ACTUATOR, THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE FOR A TOTAL REPAIR BILL OF $3383.69. ON DECEMBER 22, 2009 THE SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS OCCURRED IN THE MORNING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON, THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK NEXT WEEK. LATER THAT DAY, THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY NOW TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS NOT DISPLAYING THE WARNING LIGHTS AT THIS TIME. THEY PLAN TO KEEP THE CAR FOR A WEEK OR SO TO SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A 50 MILE ROUND TRIP COMMUTE TO WORK ON THE FREEWAYS OF SOUTHERN CA. IF THE CAR DIES ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AN ACCIDENT WOULD LIKELY ENSUE. THE DEALER HAS TREATED ME VERY WELL THROUGH THIS, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. YOU HAVE ONE OTHER COMPLAINT FOR MY MODEL YEAR WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SURELY THERE ARE OTHERS, AS I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR POSTINGS ON THE WEB. TOYOTA MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS DEFECT, WHICH I WILL BET IS A PROGRAMMING ERROR. *TR

• 12/23/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RANDOM HEADLIGHT FAILURE. WHEN FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT ON TOTAL FAILURE OF HEADLIGHTS HAS OCCURRED. RIGHT, LEFT OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT WITH NO CORRELATION TO WEATHER, SPEED, TEMPERATURE, LOCATION OF LAMP OR TIME OF DAY. QUICKLY TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF THEN ON WILL REILLUMINATE BOTH LAMPS. THE LAMPS MAY GO OUT AGAIN, STAY LIT, THE SAME LAMP WILL GO OUT OR THE PREVIOUSLY LIT LAMP MAY FAIL AND THE PREVIOUSLY FAILED LAMP MAY LIGHT. THERE IS A REDUCED INTERVAL BETWEEN FAILURES . LIGHTBULB REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

• 12/22/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, BUT COME BACK ON. AT FIRST, IT WAS ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT, BUT ONE EVENING, WHEN ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, I SWITCHED TO HIGH BEAMS AND BOTH WENT OUT. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES. DEALER HAD REPLACED BULBS PREVIOUSLY. ON AUGUST 19, DEALER REPLACED HEADLAMP SYSTEMS AT A VERY HIGH COST. MANUFACTURER SENT ME A CHECK TO REPAY PART OF THIS, WHEN I COMPLAINED. NOW, TONIGHT, DECEMBER 22, 2010, DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, EXCEPT FOR A BRIEF FLASH WHEN LOCKING OR UNLOCKING THE DOORS.

• 12/20/2010· TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  1. EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE DRIVING IN 1 - 2 INCHES OF SNOW, I ATTEMPTED LEFT TURN, ENCOUNTERING A SOMEWHAT DEEPER (APPROXIMATELY 4-INCH, AND HEAVILY TRACKED FROM PREVIOUS VEHICLES) BERM OF SNOW AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE SIDE STREET ONTO WHICH I WAS TURNING. 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES THE TRACTION CONTROL SEIZED ALL MOTION OF FRONT (TRACTION) TIRES, THOUGH SNOW WAS NOT DEEP ENOUGH OTHERWISE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT. THIS LEFT ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING DOWNHILL ON SLIPPERY ROAD. THE TRACTION CONTROL COMPLETELY DISABLED CAR, LEADING TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ALSO, CONTINUED APPLICATION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE QUICKLY CREATED SMELL OF HOT TRANSMISSION. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT, EVEN WITH THE OPEN DIFFERENTIAL, THE CAR WOULD HAVE PROGRESSED THROUGH THE SNOW BUT FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL. AND, OF COURSE, THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THIS PROBLEM IS INHERENT TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER CONDITIONS OCCUR THAT CROSS THE THRESHOLD OF SLIPPERINESS AND RESISTANCE I ENCOUNTERED. 3. THE DEFECT REMAINS UNCORRECTED. THE ESSENTIAL CORRECTION IS REDESIGN AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TRACTION AND/OR ADDING A DISABLING SWITCH. *TR

• 12/17/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COMBINATION METER IS BLACK 90% OF THE TIME. RESTARTING ENGINE OR DISCONNECTING BATTERY ONLY WORKS ON OCCASION. HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS.

• 12/17/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOUCH SCREEN MODULE WHICH INCLUDED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, THE FUEL GAUGE, THE ODOMETER, ETC FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE DISPLAY SCREEN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

• 12/17/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  PASSENGER HEADLIGHT ON 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ABOUT 8 TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS IN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE PRIUS AND THE HEADLIGHT WENT OFF AFTER 15 MINUTES OF OPERATION. IT CAME BACK ON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY, EXPECTING A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY PUT IN A NEW HID BULB ($324.00). I HAD THEM SAVE THE OLD BULB BECAUSE I AM DOUBTFUL A NEW BULB WILL SOLVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT PROBLEM. NOT HAVING BOTH HEADLIGHTS OPERATIONAL IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE ROOT CAUSE ASCERTAINED AND REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

• 12/16/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. SPONTANEOUSLY GOES OUT. WILL COME BACK WHEN SWITCH OFF AND ON. *TR

• 12/13/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE ACCLERATOR STUCK CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUTDOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ,AND THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO SOLUTION. *AK

• 12/10/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BOTH HID HEADLIGHTS FAILED REPEATEDLY ON MY VEHICLE. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE LIGHTS BY TURNING THEM OFF AND ON. *TR

• 12/09/2011· AIR BAGSCrash

  2004 TOYOTA PRIUS FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH INTO REAR OF VEHICLE 2, 2002 HONDA CRV, ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2011, 4:33PM EST. BUMPER IMPACT AT APPROX SPEED 25MPH IN CLEAR CONDITIONS TOTALED SUBJECT VEHICLE INCLUDING COMPLETE FOLDING OF HOOD, DISPLACEMENT OF STRUCTURAL BUMPER, FAN ASSEMBLIES, RADIATOR & CONDENSER ASSEMBLIES INTO ENGINE WITH STRUCTURAL BUMPER PUSHED BACK 24" AT CENTER AND 18" TO LEFT & RIGHT SIDES. INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT BENDING OCCURRED AT FRONT OF VEHICLE FRAME. FRONT FENDERS CRUMPLED AND OBSTRUCTED FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, ENTRAPPING OCCUPANTS, BOTH SEAT-BELTED INTO FRONT SEATS. DESPITE DISPLACEMENT FRONT STRUCTURAL BUMPER ASSEMBLY, BODY AND FRONT MECHANICALS, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SUBJECT AUTOMOBILE WAS HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLE WITH 193,000 MILES BUT IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED, RELIABLE, MECHANICALLY EXCELLENT, DISPLAYING NO SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS AND HAVING NEWER MICHELIN RADIAL TIRES WITH 25% WEAR. OWNER HAS FULL SET OF PHOTOGRAPHS. EXTERIOR & INTERIOR, ATTESTING CLEAN CONDITION OF CAR AND FULL SET OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. CRASH RESULTED IN MODERATE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS, MAINLY BRUISING, CONTUSIONS, BACK & NECK PAIN. BOTH WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL ER AND DISCHARGED SAME DAY. FOLLOW UP MEDICAL CARE ONGOING. CONCERNED ABOUT AIRBAG-NON-DEPLOYMENT. BELIEVING THIS TO BE A FAILURE OF THE CAR'S SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY DAUGHTER AND WIFE'S INJURIES ARE NOT CRIPPLING OR DISFIGURING BUT IN SIMILAR CRASHES, WOULD OTHERS FAIR AS WELL? INCIDENT AND CONCERNS REGISTERED WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE, WHICH ASSERTED THAT AIRBAGS FUNCTIONED (?) AS DESIGNED. NOT SURPRISED THAT THEIR FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE PROTECTING THEIR CORPORATED HIND QUARTERS BUT BELIEVE THAT NHTSA MIGHT PERFORM A MORE OBJECTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE HISTORY AND PERFORMANCE EFFICACY OF PRIUS AIRBAGS. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/08/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER IS NOT AWARE HEADLIGHT IS NOT WORKING UNTIL POLICE PULLS HIM OVER OR AFTER RETURNING TO GARAGE AT HOME, HE CAN SEE FROM HEADLIGHT GLARE ON THE WALL THAT ONE LIGHT IS OUT. USUALLY TURNING THE LIGHT OFF, AND THEN BACK ON CORRECTS THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER YOU CANT BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FLASHING YOUR LIGHTS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ON. IT IS JUST A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ITS FRUSTRATING THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED OR PROVIDED A FIX.

• 12/07/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I NOTICED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. TWO DAYS LATER, AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS WORKING PERFECTLY. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR THE LIGHT.

• 12/07/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH THE GASOLINE MOTOR WOULD FAIL, AND THEN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED FIRST, AND THEN THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED. THE SECOND REPAIR CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLE LOCKING IN PARK WAS NOT ADDRESSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,999. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF ALL OF THE ALARM LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD HAD ILLUMINATED WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SWITCHED TO PARK, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL DID NOT DISPLAY A CLEAR EXPLANATION THAT THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WAS NOT STARTING AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON THE BATTERY ONLY. UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB

• 12/06/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  CAR WAS IN MOTION, 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT, HAD BEEN DRIVING ONE HOUR. SMOKE STARTED FILLING THE REAR HATCHBACK AREA, COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CARGO-AREA FLOOR. PULLED OVER AND FLAMES CAME UP. DOUSED IT WITH WATER. UPON INSPECTION THE SKS SENSOR (REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK SENSOR) HAD BURST INTO FLAMES, BURNING THE PLASTIC AND OTHER COMPONENTS AROUND IT.

• 12/06/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER EACH TIME WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

• 12/06/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  WHEN TRYING TO STOP ABRUPTLY CONSUMER BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. *TS *JB

• 12/05/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TOYOTA PRIUS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM-IF YOU ARE GOING UP A HILL AND YOU LOOSE TRACTION DUE TO SNOW AND THE CAR STOPS. YOU CANNOT EVER GO FORWARD,IF THE TIRES ATTEMPT TO SPIN AT ANY LEVEL OG GAS/ELECTRIC THE RPM GOES TO ZERO. THE ONLY WAY TO MOVE THE CAR IS TO BACK DOWN THE HILL. NEED I SAY MORE. THE DEALER AGREES AND STATED TOYOTA NEVER GAVE US A FIX. WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PRIUS OWNERS AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME ,YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR OTHER CAR. WHICH I DO. HOWEVER MY WIFE USED THE CAR LAST WEEK AND WE HAD SOME MINOR SNOW AND SHE WAS ON A HILL(GOING UP) FOR 2 HRS BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO BACK DOWN WHEN MORNING TRAFFIC SUBSIDED. THIS IS A 2004 PRIUS. THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A PERSON THAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE IN BACKING DOWN A HILL. *TR

• 12/04/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RESULTING FORCE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND CRASH INTO AN IDLE TRAIN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/04/2015· ENGINE

  COOLANT CONTROL VALVE IS FAILING ON MANY PRIUS'S WHICH WERE MADE BETWEEN 2004 TO 2009

• 12/04/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND AFTER WE TURN THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH IT GOES BACK ON. THIS PAST WEEKEND IN A DRIVING RAIN STORM AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD. I FLICKED THEM ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WOULD GO ON AND THEN GO OUT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NEITHER DIM OR BRIGHT WOULD WORK. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL THE BRIGHT SIGNAL ON THE COLUMN BACK MANUALLY AND HOLD IT WHILE DRIVING THE LAST 45 MINUTES TO HOME. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ABOUT 20 MILES IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS GOING IN AND OUT ON CURVES OR AGAINST ON COMING TRAFFIC, A HEAD-ON COULD HAVE OCCURRED EASILY. *TR

• 12/04/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF RIGHT SIDE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHT AFTER 15 TO 20 MINUTES OF USE. HEADLIGHT SIMPLY SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. REPLACEMENT/REPAIR COSTS AT TOYOTA DEALER WERE $998. AFTER MANY MONTHS OF COMPLAINT, TO INCLUDE POINTING OUT THE USA TODAY ARTICLE ON THIS SUBJECT, TOYOTA USA AUTHORIZED REPAIR AT HALF PRICE. TOYOTA USA THEN REIMBURSED US VIA CHECK FOR OUR TOTAL COST CITING A "SUPPLIER PROBLEM." *TR

• 12/03/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT GOES OUT A FEW MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON. WHEN TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN COMES BACK ON ONLY TO GO OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER. *TR

• 12/03/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  PRIUS 2004 HEADLIGHT GOES OUT PERIODICALLY. TURNS BACK ON ONLY WHEN ALL LIGHTS ARE SHUT DOWN AND TURNED ON AGAIN. *TR

• 12/02/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FLUID ON LEFT REAR TIRE RIM AND LOSS OF HUB CAP. DISCOVERED LEAKING BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY AND SOAKED DISK BRAKE PADS. MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE LEVEL DOWN TO TO MINIMUM FILL LEVEL. BRAKE FLUID POOLING ON GARAGE FLOOR UNDER LEFT REAR WHEEL. *AK

• 12/01/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHEN ACCELERATING. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/01/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL SEVERAL TIMES INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE GEAR FOR IT TO REMAIN IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,691.

• 12/01/2005· TIRES

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ARE SHOULDERING ON VEHICLE. THE EDGES OF THE TIRE ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ARE WEARING OUT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED IN JANUARY 2005 BY TOYOTA. NOW ,IN DECEMBER 2005, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. HE SPOKE TO TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT WARRANTY TIRES, AND HE SHOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH GOODYEAR. HOWEVER, GOODYEAR CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/29/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

• 11/29/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. I JUST PAID $332.50 TO HAVE MY 2 HEADLIGHTS' HIB BULBS REPLACED - AND THAT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE PARTS COST BECAUSE I PROVIDED THE HID BULBS FROM AN ONLINE AUTO PARTS SUPPLIER. THE SYMPTOMS WERE THE SAME AS NOTED BY SO MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS: FREQUENT LOSS OF LIGHT FROM THE HEADLIGHT, AND RECOVERY BY ROTATING THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAIN...ONLY TO HAVE IT RE-OCCUR A FEW MINUTES LATER. EACH HEADLIGHT HAD ITS OWN PATTERN OF INCONSISTENCY, BUT BOTH HAD THE DYSFUNCTION. I HAVE RECEIVED TWO TRAFFIC CITATIONS FOR DRIVING WITH A HEADLIGHT OUT. THE DEALERSHIPS IN GLEN BURNIE, MARYLAND AND IN LAUREL, MARYLAND BOTH QUOTED ME A PRICE FOR ONE HID BULB OF $351.02 I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE EXACT BULB ONLINE AT PARTSQUICK.COM FOR A PRICE OF $57.27 THAT'S RIGHT, THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $293.75 MORE PER BULB. I PURCHASED TWO ONLINE, WHICH - WITH FREE SHIPPING - COST ME $114.54 FOR BOTH. DO THE MATH...FOR TWO LIGHT BULBS ONLY (NOT COUNTING LABOR) ONLINE I SAVED $587.50 HAD I NOT PURCHASED THE BULBS ONLINE, THE TOTAL OUT-OF-POCKET TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLAMP BULBS WOULD HAVE BEEN: $ 702.04 PARTS ($351.02 X 2) $ 332.50 LABOR $1,034.54 TOTAL THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT THE BULBS WERE THE PROBLEM, NOR THAT REPLACING THE BULBS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT THAT TOYOTA INSTRUCTS THEM TO REPLACE THE BULBS FIRST. THIS IS INSANE, AND CERTAINLY UNSAFE. *TR

• 11/29/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT'S COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED AND HE CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CUT HIS FOREHEAD AND SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

• 11/29/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM EITHER THE ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP-STARTED AND TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR.

• 11/29/2005· STRUCTURE

  2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. FAILURE TO SEAL THE CABIN AND UNDER DASH AREAS FROM OPEN ACCESS ALLOWED SMALL RODENTS TO ENTER THE OUTSIDE AIR VENT LEADING TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER, CAUSED WIRING AND TUBING DAMAGES. *TS UPDATED 11/29/2005 -A FOUL ODOR COULD ALSO BE SMEELE INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RODENTS LIVING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *NM

• 11/27/2021· SERVICE BRAKES

  Toyota has issued time-limited 'Warranty enhancement program ZG1' instead of working with the NHSTA to issue a comprehensive BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY RECALL. ZG1 was explicitly in place only from April 2016 to Dec 2017, requiring dealer verification of an actual system failure prior to 31 Dec 2017. My failure occurred in 2021 and Toyota will not extend ZG1 for me (case 211015000390). Obviously the BRAKE ACTUATOR is a key safety component. Obviously this is a design flaw - brake systems MUST be designed to last the life of the vehicle. Obviously Toyota has had an excessive number of failures. Toyota is improperly using this 'warranty enhancement program ZG1' to avoid the NHSTA and to avoid responsibility for the poor BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY design. Per their letter to owners, Toyota was NOT replacing the BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY on a preventive basis prior to actual brake failure. Because of the importance and severity, Toyota should have replaced the BRAKE ACTUATORS via a recall. I would like Toyota to fix my faulty brakes at their expense.

• 11/27/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  PASSENGER HEADLAMP GOES OUT WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP REMAINS ON (ILLUMINATED). TURNING HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF AND ON CAUSES PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP TO ILLUMINATE. ON RE-ILLUMINATION, PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP SOMETIMES APPEARS NORMAL AND AT OTHER TIMES APPEARS TO BE DIMMER, MORE YELLOWISH. DEALER QUOTED REPLACEMENT HID BULB AND LABOR TO REPLACE WILL COST $225.00 TOTAL. *TR

• 11/26/2012· POWER TRAIN

  CAR SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL UPON SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN STARTING CAR (O MPH) CAR SHIFTS BACK TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING (25 MPH) PROB. SEEMS RELATED TO COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. *TR

• 11/26/2007· VISIBILITY

  WITH 34,000 MILES ON MY 2004 PRIUS, THE GLASS HAS DEVELOPED SEVERE PITTING, NOT ONLY ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT ON THEIR SIDE WINDOWS AS WELL. WHEN THE SUN HITS THE WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY IS GREATLY REDUCED. *TR

• 11/24/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON RESTORED THE HEADLIGHTS. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES IN 2 HOURS OF DRIVING. AT THE END OF THE TRIP IT WAS HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY MILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE LAMP. LAST NIGHT 1/2 HOUR INTO A 2 HOUR NIGHT TRIP THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. IT APPEARED THAT BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT THIS TIME. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT EVERY 30 SECONDS THEREAFTER. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION, I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND CHECKED OUT THE LIGHT SITUATION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE APPEARED TO DIM. THE RUNNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT REPLACING THE LAMP IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. I SHALL TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DURING NIGHT DRIVING. *TR