2005 Toyota Prius

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

• 12/31/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005 PRIUS WAS GOING ON AND OFF AND THEN WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID THE BULB AND LABOR WOULD BE $320 AND THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THAT ONE HEADLIGHT WAS ALSO OUT AND THAT WOULD BE $250 - SO IT WOULD BE ALMOST $600 FOR 1 HEADLIGHT!! I THINK AFTER READING MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNER'S SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND ALSO AN OUTRAGEOUS, UNFAIR CHARGE TO CONSUMERS FOR AN ITEM THAT MUST HAS TO WORK IN ORDER TO USE THE CAR. I FEEL BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE COST TO REPAIR A HEADLIGHT AND THAT SOME PRIUS' HAVE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS ON THEM AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHOICE. *TR

• 12/31/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO I BEGAN EXPERIENCE A RANDOM SHUT DOWN OF MY PS HEAD LIGHT. ONLY BE TURNING MY LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON RESTORED IT FOR SOME AMOUNT OF TIME.. LAST WEEK THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING WITH THE DS HEADLIGHT. NOW ETHER ONE OR BOTH RANDOMLY JUST GOES DARK. WHEN BOTH GO OUR ON A TWO LANE ROAD IT GETS REALLY DARK. I CAN NOT CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LOOSE. IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING STILL AT AN INTERSECTION. SOME NIGHTS IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIME IN A 2 MILE DRIVE TO THE STORE AND OTHER TIMES (RARELY NOW) IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ALL. HEAT DOE NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE SINCE IT SOMETIME HAPPENS JUST AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED FROM COLD. WHEN CHECKING THE INTERNET IF FIND THE PRIUS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM PRODUCES SEVERAL BLOG AND OTHER SITES THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME THING WITH PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE SPENT OVER $2500 SWAPPING OUT PARTS.. AS A RESEARCHER, I CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS CLEARLY VEHICLE CLASS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD AT LEAST BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE SERVICE CENTERS. AS A DRIVER, IT IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE I HAVE TO START SPENDING BIG MONEY ON NON-SOLUTIONS OR SELL THE CAR I OTHERWISE LOVE PASSING THE PROBLEM TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR

• 12/31/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I GOT MY CAR 8-23-2005 AND ON 10-13-2005 I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE INTERSECTIONS WAS JUST AFTER A TRAFFIC CIRCLE, SIGNS WAS MISSING, IT WAS RAINING, DUSK AND THE PERSON WHO HIT ME DID NOT HAVE HER LIGHTS ON AND WAS DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS. MY CAR STOPPED, AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. IT WAS TOWED. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS SENT TO A REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THEY GOT MY CAR, BUT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, TOWED IT TO A TOYOTA SHOP. IT SAT THERE FOR 10 DAYS, UNTIL I CALLED, THEN IT WAS SENT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. IT TOOK 6 MORE WEEKS FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED. ONE DELAY WAS IN GETTING THE SEAT-BELT, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH THE SEAT, BUT DID NOT. IT HAD TO BE SHIPPED FROM JAPAN (I WAS TOLD). AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, 9 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TWO WEEKS LATER, I AM TOLD THAT A WIRING HARNESS WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS TO BE SHIPPED FROM JAPAN, AND THE EXPECTED DATE OF ARRIVAL IS 1-11-2006. MEANWHILE, I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR FOR NEARLY 3 MONTHS. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR 30 DAYS OF A RENTAL CAR (I WAITED A WEEK TO GET THE RENTAL CAR), THEN I PAID FOR ANOTHER 4 WEEKS. I HAVE NOTIFIED TOYOTA 2 TIMES ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I HAVE A "SPECIAL" CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE CARD. THIS CARD ONLY SEEMS TO BE GOOD FOR PURCHASES, AND NOT FOR ACTUAL ASSISTANCE. I THINK PRIUS OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THEIR CARS CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED AT A FEW LOCATIONS, AND MOST DEALERSHIPS CAN NOT REPAIR THEM PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, I THINK THE CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT BLINDS POT, AS I AM FREQUENTLY SURPRISED BY OTHER CARS SUDDENLY APPEARING. *JB

• 12/30/2010· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. A VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE WAS FILED AND 2 INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

• 12/30/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS ADDING FUEL TO HIS VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE PUMP CLICKED NOTIFYING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FULL; HOWEVER, WHEN HE REMOVED THE PUMP FROM THE VEHICLE GASOLINE STARTED FLOWING ONTO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56340.

• 12/30/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. THE FOURTH TIME. THE LIGHTS CAME ON USING THE HI-BEAM ONLY. NUMEROUS INCIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY WIFE HAS BEEN PULLED OVER FOR THIS. I HAVE REPLACED THESE MYSELF. HOWEVER, THIS LAST TIME IT IS NOT THE BULB. IT IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE FORUM. COSTS HAVE BEEN FROM $300 - 2K. SOME DEALERSHIPS ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHERS DON'T. THIS IS A SAFETY AND EXPENSE ISSUE. DRIVING HOME IS VERY DIFFICULT AT NIGHT AND USING THE HI-BEAM IS BLINDING TO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND AGAINST THE LAW IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

• 12/29/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE RIGHT, PASSENGER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AND BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHT COMES BACK ON. IT WILL GO OFF AGAIN AND I WILL HAVE TO PERFORM THE SAME PROCEDURE TO GET IT TO COME ON AGAIN. *KB THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY DURING ANY GIVEN TRIP.

• 12/29/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  IN DECEMBER 2010, 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR PEDAL MODIFICATION AS PART OF THE FLOOR MAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENTRAPMENT RECALL. THE DEALER DID NOT EXPLAIN THAT PEDAL WAS ACTUALLY BEING SHORTENED BY CUTTING OFF 1/4 INCH AT THE BOTTOM. AFTER THE RECALL MODIFICATION WAS COMPLETED, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK ON AFTER-MARKET FLOOR MAT THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE IN THE VEHICLE SINCE DECEMBER 2005. DEALER DID NOT MENTION THIS POSSIBILITY AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL FIX. (PRIOR TO MODIFICATION, VEHICLE OWNER HAD CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT FLOOR MAT WAS PROPERLY ANCHORED AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ACCELERATOR TO BECOME TRAPPED.) IN THIS CASE, THE MODIFICATION INTENDED TO PREVENT FLOOR MAT ENTRAPMENT ACTUALLY CAUSED THE PEDAL TO BECOME STUCK. *TR

• 12/29/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DRIVER'S SIDE HID HEADLIGHT ON MY 2005 PRIUS GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE BULB STAYS LIT FOR A LITTLE WHILE, UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. FROM WHAT I'M READING ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BUT WILL NOT RESOLVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH ONLY ONE FUNCTIONAL HEADLIGHT. I PAID GOOD MONEY TO GET THE UPGRADED HEADLIGHTS, TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/29/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1. MULTIPLE EVENTS, IN ORDER OF FREQUENCY: A) HIGH SPEED W/CRUISE CONTROL (65-75MPH) B) HIGH SPEED BEFORE BRAKING (65-75MPH) C) HITTING A BUMP BEFORE BRAKING 2. MULTIPLE EVENTS: A) CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW / OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, MAYBE 12-15 OCCURRENCES / GAINED CONTROL BY TURNING CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND FIRMLY PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL B&C) CAR WAS INITIALLY UNRESPONSIVE TO BRAKING / MULTIPLE TIMES, APPROXIMATELY 3-5 / EVENTUALLY SLOWED AFTER FIRM COMPRESSION ON THE BRAKE PEDAL 3. MULTIPLE EVENTS: A) I NO LONGER USE CRUISE CONTROL B&C) I AM VERY OBSERVANT WHENEVER I BRAKE. *TR

• 12/28/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2005 PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CONTINUE TO GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY AS THEY WILL RELIGHT IF CYCLED ON AND OFF. REPLACED BULB AND ISSUE CONTINUES. *TR

• 12/28/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I THOUGHT MY HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE IT DONE. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS THE AUTO LEVELING SENSOR IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER A FEW MORE WEEKS OF DRIVING LIKE THAT, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE DISPLAY IN THE CONSOLE. I ORDERED THE PART AND HAD IT REPLACED. IT SOME WHAT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE LIGHTS STILL NEED ADJUSTING. THEY ARE STILL NOT POINTING HIGH ENOUGH TO LIGHT THE ROAD APPROPRIATELY. THE SHOP SAYS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE LIGHTS FURTHER THAN WHAT THE SENSOR DOES. *TR

• 12/28/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY PASSENGERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. IT CAME BACK ON WHEN I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES SINCE, TWO OF WHICH WERE THIS MORNING ALONE (12/28/2012). *TR

• 12/28/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD TWO QUARTERS OF FUEL IN THE TANK. ALSO WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

• 12/27/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  EVEN MINOR TREPIDATION CAUSED BY ANY UNEVENNESS IN THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WILL DISENGAGE THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND RISK OF CRASH INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. I OBSERVED THIS PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY IN SEVERAL PRIUS RANGING FROM 2005 TO 2010 SINCE I PURCHASED MINE IN APRIL 2012. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO A COUPLE OF DEALERSHIPS BUT WAS TOLD "IT IS A DRIVER'S FAULT" ...!! ALL MY FRIENDS OWNERS OF PRIUS HAVE OBSERVED THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR CARS.

• 12/27/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. TURNING SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON TEMPORARILY RESETS AND THEY WORK FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES THEN GO OFF AGAIN. *TR

• 12/26/2013· POWER TRAIN,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  THE TRACTION CONTROL OVERRIDE REPEATEDLY ENGAGES ARBITRARILY UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING HITTING BUMPS/POTHOLES AT 35 MPH AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP ON BOTH WET AND DRY ROADS. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THIS FEATURE IN SNOW, BUT OUR PRIUS DOES IT FREQUENTLY. ASIDE FROM THE INCONVENIENCE, THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS FEATURE CANNOT BE DISABLED, BUT IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT IT NEEDS TO BE TO AVOID POTENTIAL COLLISIONS. *TR

• 12/26/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD LOCK UP, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING OR CHANGING GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE IN A TUNNEL WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE ROAD CREW HAD TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TOOK TWENTY MINUTES TO RE-ENGAGE THE GEAR SO THAT THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE AGAIN. USUALLY, IT WOULD TAKE TWENTY TO FORTY MINUTES BEFORE IT RE-ENGAGED ITSELF AND FOR THE GEAR TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED AND SENT LETTERS TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, BUT NO ONE WILL SPEAK WITH HIM. HE HAS NOT TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,700.

• 12/25/2020· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEAD LIGHT ARE INTERMITTENT; SAME PROBLEM AS 2006 AND LATER RECALL

• 12/25/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION WITH CARS COMING UP BEHIND IN A SINGLE LANE. *TR

• 12/23/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CAR WHEN IN PARK OR STOPPED (AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT) WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ABOUT A SECOND AFTER I TRY TO PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT BEGAN HAPPENING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. IT ALSO BEGAN HAPPENING AT STOPLIGHTS AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO A FAST HIGHWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT LAST WEEK. IT TAKES UP TO 10 ATTEMPTS TO KEEP IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE NOW FROM A STOPPED POSITION, AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN OR FOR HOW LONG IT WILL HAPPEN. OTHER THAN THIS, MY CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAS NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE, AND FROM WHAT A LOT OF OTHER PRIUS DRIVERS SAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY (SEE BELOW FOR LINKS TO FORUMS WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE). THIS FIX COSTS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND IT SEEMS COMMON IN THE 2004-2009 PRIUS. IT HAS A TSB OUT ON IT (SEE LINK BELOW), SO THE ISSUE IS KNOWN?BUT THIS PART SHOULD BE ISSUED A RECALL FOR THOSE HAVING ISSUES!! IT IS A DANGEROUS AND NOT-UNCOMMON DEFECT, AND I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR NOW! HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/62-PRIUS-FORUM/343977-08-PRIUS-WON-T-STAY-GEAR.HTML HTTP://WWW.JUSTANSWER.COM/TOYOTA/6WCTJ-TOYOTA-PRIUS-PRIUS-2008-WILL-NOT-STAY-REVERSE-DRIVE.HTML HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/2008-PRIUS-SHIFTS-BACK-TO-NEUTRAL-WONT-STAY-IN-DRIVE-REVPOSTED-WED-AUG-12-2009-7-04-AM.67254/#AXZZ3MFYFAU2J. *TR

• 12/23/2009· PARKING BRAKE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE PEDAL AND BOLTS FELL OFF. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAN'T BE APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A STEEP HILL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

• 12/23/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT

  NORMAL DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS OFF. I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE LIGHT, MOST OF THE TIME, WILL RETURN FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. HID BULB REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HID BULBS ARE NOT CHEAP. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $2500 TO HOPEFULLY FIX MY HEADLIGHT. PRETTY EXTREME FOR A HEADLIGHT? DEFINITELY A TRAFFIC AND SAFETY HAZARD ONLY OPERATING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. *TR

• 12/22/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY 2005 PRIUS HAS XENON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE(HID) HEADLAMPS THAT GO OUT AND STAY OUT UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I TURN ON THE LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE BULBS VERY FREQUENTLY AND THEY DON'T LAST FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. *TR

• 12/21/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON ONLY AFTER TURNING SWITCH ON & OFF. *TR

• 12/21/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WE KEPT HEARING A SOUND WHICH APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND SOUNDED LIKE A LIGHT HORN OR ALARM SOUND. IT SEEMED TO BE CONNECTED WITH BRAKING AND YET AT OTHER TIMES MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE SOUND WOULD OCCUR OVER AND OVER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BRAKE ACTUATOR AND HAS INFORMED US THAT IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $2500 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS EXCESSIVE. IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A 2005 PRIUS. *JB

• 12/20/2012· STEERING

  WE BOUGHT OUR TOYOTA PRIUS ON JUNE 2006. RECENTLY MY WIFE, WHO IS THE PRINCIPLE DRIVER, COMPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING OF THE PRIUS. I DROVE IT AND NOTICED THAT WHEN I MADE A TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT THAT I HEARD AND FELT A CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR NOT IN MOTION, THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF MOVEMENT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER I WOULD PUSH IT UP AND DOWN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE. HE REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT ASSY PART # 45260-47052. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL ITEM OR NOT BUT IF IT WAS I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OR MADE AWARE BY TOYOTA. IT COST US $371 PARTS AND LABOR FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

• 12/20/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

• 12/19/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE ABS ACTUATOR/PUMP HAS FAILED. BRAKES LOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR CITY ROADWAY. AUDIO ALARM WITH WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKE, ABS, & VSC.

• 12/19/2018· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLAMPS RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, BUT USUALLY ONLY ONE AT A TIME. LAST NIGHT (12/18/18), BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD AS IT WAS POORLY LIT. WHEN LAMPS DO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, TURNING THEM OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES WILL USUALLY GET THE IT TO COME BACK ON. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD AND A RECALL IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED.

• 12/19/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON DECEMBER 14TH, 2006, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYTOTA PRIUS FROM BERKELEY, CA TO MONTEREY, CA. AT 18 MILES OUTSIDE OF MONTEREY. CA, AND WHILE STILL ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, A CONTINUOUS LOUD AND HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZER WENT ON AND THE PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON INCLUDING THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ON THE PANEL. I PULLED OFF A FREEWAY EXIT NEAR CASTROVILLE, CA AND STEPPED ON MY BRAKES TO SLOW INTO THE EXIT, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK UNTIL I STOMPED ON THEM WITH MUCH PRESSURE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON. I DROVE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY TO MONTEREY, CA AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, WHEN I DROVE INTO TOWN ONCE AGAIN THE BUZZER AND RED BRAKE LIGHTS WENT ON.I PULLED OVER TO THE CURB AND HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SEASIDE CA. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND I WAS SHOWN A TEST FORM INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION LISTED AS CM1300. THE CONCLUSION OF THE MECHANIC WAS THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A REPLACEMENT PART MAY BE NEEDED WHICH WOULD TAKE A FEW DAYS AND THAT THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO MY USE OF SKID CONTROL AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTIONS THAT I EXPERIENCED. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND THAT I SHOULD STOP EVERY 15 MILES TO STOP AND REBOOT THE CAR AGAIN TO PREVENT THE MALFUNCTION FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AGAIN THAT I SHOULD STOMP ON THE BRAKE REALLY HARD AND THE SKID CONTROL WOULD SOMEHOW BE ACTIVATED. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY AND DROVE AS ADVISED TO. I TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING TO BERKELEY, TOYOTA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TEST DRIVE AND THEIR TESTING SHOWED NO MALFUNCTION AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR HOME, BUT THE MALFUNCTION MIGHT OCCUR AGAIN. I FIND THIS AN UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE. I AM EXTREMELY FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION TO WHY THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED IN A VERY DANGEROUS WAY WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO USE MY BRAKES!! *NM

• 12/18/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 PRIUS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. WE REPLACE THE BULBS BUT EVEN WITH BRAND NEW BULBS WILL BE DRIVING AND AFTER ABOUT 60 SECONDS OF HEADLIGHTS BEING ON THE LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. SOMETIMES ONLY ONE TURNS OFF BUT OFTEN BOLT TURN OFF AND WE'RE IN COMPLETE DARKNESS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE TO TOGGLE THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY TURN ON AGAIN, WHICH LEAVES US DRIVING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS AND IT'S A BIG SAFETY HAZARD! AGAIN, BRAND NEW BULBS HAVE THIS ISSUE, TOO. GETTING THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT AND COMPUTER BEHIND IT REPLACED IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AND GETTING WORSE FOR OVER A YEAR.

• 12/18/2012· WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY PRIUS EXHIBITS REMOVAL OF ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS DURING ACCELERATION WHEN TURNING SHARPLY RIGHT OR LEFT ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE. THIS OCCURS AS SOON AS ONE OF THE FRONT WHEEL SLIPS. ORDINARILY THIS IS ONLY A MINOR AGGRAVATION, AND EASING ON THE THROTTLE USUALLY RESTORES POWER BUT IN ICING CONDITIONS IT'S DANGEROUS. THERE ARE CONDITIONS WHERE I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR WHEN CROSSING A SMALL BERM OF SNOW (3 INCHES HIGH WHERE ONE WHEEL HAD SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TRACTION THAN THE OTHER. I HAD TO BE PUSHED OVER IT. IT APPEARS TO BE A SOFTWARE ISSUE, BUT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CLAIMS THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT. *TR

• 12/18/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 12/17/2019· SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. I HAD NO BRAKING AND HAD TO USE THE MANUAL FOOT BRAKE TO SLOW. ABS LIGHT AND RED TRIANGLE CAME ON. I ENTERED INTO A CONSTRUCTION ZONE SO WAS UNABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. I RESTARTED MY CAR AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT BRAKES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AND SPENT $2,500 TO FIX SINCE THE WARRANTY ON THE ACTUATOR ENDED IN 2017. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND I SHOULD BE REFUNDED AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS RISK AND IS STILL HAPPENING TO MANY 05 PRIUSES STILL ON THE ROAD.

• 12/17/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKE ACTUATOR PUMP RUNS CONSTANTLY AND SOUNDS LIKE A BARKING SEAL WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. HIGH-PITCHED WARNING BEEP AND LACK OF NORMAL BRAKING ABILITY FOR THE FIRST 30 SECONDS AFTER START-UP. BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ACTIVE ON THE DASH.

• 12/17/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE DASHBOARD SCREEN GOES BLANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT, WHAT GEAR I'M IN, HOW MUCH MILEAGE IS ON THE VEHICLE, WHETHER OR NOT THE LIGHTS ARE ON, ETC. TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE NOTICE ABOUT IT, BUT MY VEHICLE IS JUST 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WHILE IT WAS IN WARRANTY. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

• 12/16/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL INVOLVING THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. HOWEVER, IF I WASN'T EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, I COULD IGNORE THE RECALL. THAT RECALL EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2017. IN JULY OF 2018, THE 'BRAKE' LIGHT, VSC, ABS, AND BRAKE SYMBOL ILLUMINATED INDICATING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST TOYOTA REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR AS IT AFFECTS THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE.

• 12/16/2018· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

  TAKARA RECALL - CURRENTLY HAVE AN AIRBAG LIGHT ONON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. BRAKE ACTUATOR RECALL - THE 'BRAKE' LIGHT, VSC, ABS, AND BRAKE SYMBOL LIGHTS ARE ALL ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. I DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST, BUT THE RECALL SAID IF I WASN'T EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES TO IGNORE THE RECALL. THAT RECALL EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2017. AS THIS AFFECTS THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR, I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG ISSUE.

• 12/15/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE APPROX 32 DEGREES F. GEAR SHIFTER ON DASHBOARD WOULD NOT ELECTRICALLY SEAL-IN OR STAY IN POSITION AFTER GOING INTO REVERSE, THE FIRST TIME. BACKED CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, IT IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK INTO NEUTRAL POSITION AND WOULD NOT STAY IN DRIVE - ELECTRICALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE CAR IN GEAR WAS TO PHYSICALLY HOLD THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO DESIRED POSITION. PHYSICALLY HELD SHIFTER IN DRIVE POSITION AND PULLED BACK INTO DRIVEWAY. ONCE IN DRIVEWAY, TESTED SHIFTER AND FOUND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR AND "STAY". AFTER WORK, TEMPERATURE WAS 60 DEGREES F AND SHIFTER THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. DROVE TO TOYOTA DEALER AND LEFT CAR. THEY STATED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY TOYOTA ON THIS ITEM AS DESCRIBED. TICKET # 490621; PART NUMBER 33560-47023 "LEVER ASSY. SHIFT, WAS REPLACED. PART COST 164.93 AND LABOR WAS 416.14 FOR A SUBTOTAL OF 581.07 PLUS TAX OF 34.33 FOR GRAND TOTAL OF 615.40 USD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COLD WEATHER AND AGE RELATED ISSUE. PLUS, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TOYOTA ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW ISSUE I'VE ENCOUNTERED, BUT THE FIRST RELATED TO DRIVABILITY AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/15/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND TRYING TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP. SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, BUT DID NOT ARRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/12/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. I LATER FOUND THAT THE LEFT LIGHT HAD GONE OUT. I FOUND THAT TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN THE LIGHT WENT ON FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND TOYOTA SAYS THEY CAN DO NOTHING. I MUST PAY FOR A NEW LIGHT $300 +. *TR

• 12/11/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  COMBINATION METER INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON, SOMETIMES THE DASH METER WORKS, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST BLACK AND CONTINUES THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF, IT WILL NOT TURN OFF, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE ARE NO DASH LIGHTS AT ALL TO INDICATE FUEL AMOUNT, ODOMETER READING, DOOR OPEN SIGNAL, CHECK ENGINE, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND SO ON. THE SPEED BEING DRIVEN IS NOT SHOWING EITHER WHICH IS ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CRUISE CONTROL ALSO DOES NOT FUNCTION, THE CENTER TOUCHSCREEN DOES NOT DISPLAY HYBRID MOTOR INFORMATION OR MPG. THE BEEPING WHEN BACKING UP DOES NOT FUNCTION. ALSO THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN WHILE CAR IS RUNNING WHICH IS ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS NOT AVAILABLE. THE ODOMETER IS NOT RECORDING MILEAGE DURING THESE TIMES WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DO PROPER MAINTENANCE THAT GOES BY MILEAGE, SUCH AS OIL CHANGES.

• 12/11/2018· STEERING

  THE STEERING ON MY 2005 PRIUS WITH ROUGHLY 119,000 MILES FAILED. FORTUNATELY IT WAS AT A LOW SPEED AND ON A SIDE STREET BUT WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR, IT COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD IF ON A MAIN ROAD OR AT A HIGHER SPEED! THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE CAUSE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. TOYOTA STATED THERE IS NO RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE CAR AND IT WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A PRIOR RECALL FOR STEERING ISSUES. WHEN IT FAILED, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL.*DT*JB

• 12/11/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY 2005 PRIUS HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO (END OF NOV 2009). WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT $600 TO REPLACE IT. I DECIDED TO TACKLE IT MYSELF. I SUCCESSFULLY CHANGED THE BULB AND ALTHOUGH THE BULB WORKS FINE THE LIGHT ONLY STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY. APPARENTLY WHILE READING POSTS ON THE INTERNET, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT WANT TO BE OVERCHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP CONSIDERING THE JOB THEY QUOTED ME $600 ONLY COST ME $150 TO DO MYSELF. PLEASE HELP US!! *TR

• 12/10/2008· VISIBILITY

  2005 PRIUS HEADLIGHTS LEVELER CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO LOCK INTO ONE POSITION. THIS VEHICLE LOCKED IN LOWER POSITION CREATING VERY POOR VISIBILITY. THINKING THAT IF THIS WAS TO LOCK IN UPPER POSITION IT WOULD BE BLINDING DRIVER IN THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE ALWAYS ON RECALL IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

• 12/09/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/08/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY ,

• 12/08/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES AND A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/08/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WE ARE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE HEADLIGHTS (ONE OR BOTH) GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS ON THE PRIUS. TOYOTA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DIRECTED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT. *TR