Sep 12, 2014SteeringLatches & locks
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN ITS APPROPRIATE LANE. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO UNLOCK OCCASIONALLY WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILURE BY PERFORMING AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DOOR LOCK FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ UPDATED 4/20/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI 10632791
Aug 28, 2014BrakesEngineFuel systemCrash
THE RENTED 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH ONE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER, PULLED INTO A DIAGONAL PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A STRIP MALL STORE. TRAVELING AT MAYBE 5 MPH TO PARK, THE CAR'S BRAKE PEDAL GAVE WAY AND HIT THE FLOOR FLAT, PROVIDING NO BRAKING AT ALL. THE CAR KEPT ROLLING TOWARD THE CORNER OF THE BRICK BUILDING. THE CAR THEN SUDDENLY SURGED AHEAD, SMASHING INTO THE CORNER OF THE ENTRY TO THE BRICK BUILDING AT SUCH A SUDDEN FORCE THAT THE DOORS TO THE BUILDING WERE WEDGED SHUT. AFTER EMERGENCY VEHICLE TOOK THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO THE HOSPITAL, THE POLICEMAN ON THE JOB, AS WELL AS THE WRECKER SERVICE THAT CAME TO EXTRACT THE VEHICLE, COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BRAKES, AS STATED IN THE POLICE REPORT. THE WRECKER DRIVER COULD NOT LOAD THE VEHICLE TO TOW USING THE CAR'S POWER BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BRAKES. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE CONDITION OF THE CORNER SHOWS DAMAGE THAT A VEHICLE MOVING FASTER THAN 5 MPH WOULD INCUR. THE POLICEMAN CAME TO THE HOSPITAL TO INFORM THE DRIVER THAT THERE INDEED WERE NO BRAKES ON THE CAR AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT - THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING AND ACCELERATION SYSTEMS HAD FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10629088
Aug 20, 2014Speed controlEngineFuel system
THE DATES I AM NOT SURE OF IT WOULDN'T LET ME CONTINUE WITH OUT PUTTING IN A DATE AND THE SAME FOR MILEAGE AND SPEED, I HAD MY CAR UPDATED BY TOYOTA THEY SAID IT WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL , EXACTLY AFTER THE UPDATE I NOW GET10-15 MILES LESS A GALLON AND MY VEHICLE HESITATES ON ACCELERATION 1-3 SECONDS ,I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK 2 TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROBLEMS AFTER THE UPDATE I LEFT MY CAR WITH THEM BOTH TIMES ON A FRIDAY AND PICKED UP ON A MONDAY THEY SAID THEY RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTER THE FIRST TIME AND IT HAD BETTER MILEAGE UNTIL I FILLED UP AND RESET THE ODOMETER AND BACK TO THE LESS MILEAGE AGAIN, 2ND TIME THEY SAID I NEEDED A FUEL SYSTEM CLEAN AND ANOTHER THING ,I DID THEM BOTH AND NOTHING AGAIN NO CHANGE (THEY SAID IT MIGHT IMPROVE MY MILES SOME ). I HAVE BEEN ON SOCIAL NETWORK SITE PRIUS CHAT ETC. AND OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AND MORE I FEEL LIKE IM GETTINGA RUN AROUND WITH THEM (TOYOTA) IT HAS COST ME ALMOST $500 TO GET NO WHERE, AND THE LOSS OF MILES IS COSTLY ALSO I OWN A HYBRID AND FEELS LIKE IN DRIVING A STANDARD 4 CYLINDER, THE ACCELERATION DELAY STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO IM GONNA BRING IT BACK FOR BOTH PROBLEMS AND I EXPECT TO BE TOLD I NEED SOMETHING ELSE (TUNE UP ETC)THAT WONT RESOLVE MY ISSUE THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI 10626543
Jul 18, 2014Speed controlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA ODI 10614478
Jun 17, 2014Hybrid Propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) THE VEHICLE STALLED CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,436. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN
NHTSA ODI 10598997
Jun 9, 2014Electrical systemBody & structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A RAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT WAS EATING THE WIRES. THE WIRES WERE COATED WITH OIL, WHICH ATTRACTED THE RAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI 10597103
Jun 8, 2014Electrical system
SMART KEY WAS IN CAR AND CAR LOCKED ANYWAY FROM DOOR ACTIVATION. CAR ISN'T SUPPOSED TO LOCK IF KEY IS IN CAR. I CALLED DEALERSHIP BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. A SECOND KEY HAD TO BE BROUGHT FROM HOME AND USED TO GAIN ENTRY. FORTUNATELY, NO CHILD OR ANIMAL WAS IN CAR AS WEATHER WAS IN UPPER 70S SO EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10596944
Jun 8, 2014Electrical systemTires
FIRST, UNDERSTAND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO ONE GOT HURT, AND IT DIDN'T COST ME A DIME. THE DEALER AND WARRANTY PICKED UP THE FULL TAB. ALL IT COST ME WAS A LITTLE AGGRAVATION. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT STARTED WHEN I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I REMOVED THE FLAT AND PUT ON THE SPARE, NO PROBLEM. THE TIRE HAD A SIDEWALL PUNCTURE SO FIRST THING MONDAY I TOOK IT TO GK TIRE & AUTO FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY MOUNTED A NEW TIRE AND PUT THE SPARE BACK IN THE TRUNK. THAT IS WHERE THINGS WENT WRONG. MY PRIUS WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER SENT A TOW TRUCK AND HAULED THE PRIUS OFF. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED TO SAY IT WAS FIXED. THE SERVICE TICKET SAID "PULLED CODE P0A0D...CLEARED CODES, AND CHECKED SERVICE PLUG. FOUND PARTIALLY PULLED OUT." ... "INSTALLED SERVICE PLUG ALL THE WAY AND TEST DROVE VEHICLE. GOOD, DONE". BECAUSE GK TIRE HAD NO REASON TO BE ANYWHERE BUT IN THE TRUNK I ASSUME THAT IS WHERE THE 'SERVICE PLUG' IS AND THEY KNOCKED IT OUT OF PLACE WHEN THEY RE STOWED THE SPARE. MY PROBLEM IS THAT IF THE TIRE PEOPLE COULD DO THAT, THEN I MIGHT HAVE DONE THAT. AND, IF I HAD DONE THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, OR EVEN WORSE, THE CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY. I WOULD NOT EXPECT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TREAT THE TIRE COMPARTMENT OF A TRUNK LIKE A FINE SWISS WATCH. IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, I CONSIDER IT A DESIGN DEFICIENCY. WHEN GK TIRE PUT IT ON THE LIFT? STILL A DESIGN DEFICIENCY. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10596970
May 28, 2014Airbags
MY DAUGHTER (AGE 17) WEIGHS RIGHT AROUND 100 POUNDS. WHEN SHE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SAYS THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10594551
May 19, 2014Speed controlBrakesCrash
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO 40 MPH ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AGAIN. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. A CRASH OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA ODI 10592400
May 15, 2014AirbagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH HIT IT FROM BEHIND PROPELLING IT INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. DAMAGE TO THE PRIUS WAS IN EXCESS OF $12,000. PART OF THE REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10588602
May 10, 2014Electrical system
DASHBOARD LIGHTS CONTINUALLY TO LOSE ITS DISPLAY LIGHTING. DASHBOARD GOES DARK AND CAN REMAIN THAT WAY FOR MANY MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS DASHBOARD LIGHTS WORK AS DESIGNED. THIS WILL HAPPEN WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND DURING THE DAY. DRIVING UNDER A SHADED AREA (SUCH AS UNDER AN OVER PASS OR A SIGN) THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL GO OUT COMPLETELY DARK AND SOMETIMES RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER RETURNING TO THE SUN LIGHT AREA. RECENTLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DID NOT RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER GOING UNDER A SHADE SIGN (DURING THE DAY) AND I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR OVER 5 MILES. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON RETURNED THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS TO NORMAL OR ADJUSTING THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WITH THE SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THIS ISSUE OVER 3 TIMES AND HAS INDICATED THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WORK THE SAME AS OTHER 2013 PRIUS. I CAN PROVIDE A VIDEO SHOWING THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GOING COMPLETE DARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10587572
May 4, 2014Visibility & wipers
I GOT IN MY CAR, WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AT 6:15 PM AFTER A SUNNY, WARM DAY. WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WITH AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG. THE MAJORITY OF THE GLASS WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR, ON THE STREET. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER HE EXAMINED THE CAR, HE HAD SOME THEORIES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BUT NOTHING CONCRETE. HE MENTIONED THAT PERHAPS THE INTERIOR VENTS WERE BLOCKED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED PRESSURE INSIDE THE CAR TO SHATTER THE BACK WINDOW, SO THE BODY SHOP GUYS EXAMINED THOSE VENTS. THEY FOUND THEM TO BE CLEAR. BOTH THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND THE BODY SHOP GUYS ASKED ME IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY DAMAGE TO THE GLASS ON BACK WINDOW BEFORE THE INCIDENT, AND I SAID THAT I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10586437
Apr 23, 2014Body & structure
THE SKID "PLATE" - AN EXTREMELY THIN PIECE OF MOLDED PLASTIC ATTACHED BY A COUPLE OF LAG SCREWS - CAME LOOSE ON THE FREEWAY, ROLLED UP UNDER THE CAR AND OUT INTO THE ADJACENT LANE. THE FRONT (MOLDED PLASTIC OF COURSE) BUMPER OF CAR WAS SHATTERED. OTHER DRIVERS IN THE FAST LANE HAD TO AVOID THE SKID PLATE WHICH CAME FLYING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR. THE CLEARANCE OF THIS CAR'S SKID PLATE (WITH AN "L" SHAPED EXTENSION DOWN TOWARDS THE GROUND) IS PROBABLY NO MORE THAN 6 INCHES, MEANING THAT IT WILL NOT CLEAR THE COMMON PARKING LOT CURB. THIS LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SKID PLATE COMING LOOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IS GOING TO RESULT IN SOMEONE GETTING HURT, EITHER THROUGH LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE (IT MISSED MY FRONT TIRES AND THEREFORE DIDN'T AFFECT MY STEERING BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED PROBLEMS FOR OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL). I DID NOT OWN THIS CAR, BUT NOW IT IS APPARENTLY GOING TO COST ME $1200 TO FIX THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE THIS DESIGN FLAW. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO TASK FOR PUTTING SOMETHING THIS UNSAFE INTO THE MARKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10584549
Apr 15, 2014TiresFuel systemCrash
COLLISION: A COLLISION NEVER OCCURRED WITH ANY OBJECT, BASED ON THE PHYSICAL LOCATION, WHERE THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST. I ENCLOSE THREE (3) PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE CONDITION OF THE CAR, THE TWO RIGHT TIRES BLOWN OUT, AND THE CAR HAVING GROUND TO A HALTFROM THE WEIGHT OF VEHICLE AS IT SHARPLY VEERED RIGHT INTO (NOT ONTO) THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER OF 101. I LOST CONTROL AFTER HEARING A BANG,BUT NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED, FURTHER PROVING THERE WAS NO COLLISION. LOCATION: THE OFFICER REPORTED THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT BEING AT THE INTERSECTION OF 101 AND 18TH STREET (WHERE THERE ALSO IS AN OVERPASS): HOWEVER, AFTER COMPARING MY PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE UNIQUE GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE PHOTOS TO GOOGLE MAPS, I WAS ABLE TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY THE CRASH SITE ABOUT 15-20 METERS PAST THE 22ND STREET PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS, WHERE THE HIGHWAY GRADE IS UPHILL CURVING LEFT; & SIGNS SAY TO REDUCE SPEED TO FROM 55 TO 50 MPH APPROACHING THE TOP OF POTRERO HILL, NEAR SF GENERAL HOSPITAL. THERE IS NO GUARD RAIL OR SIGN POSTS TO HIT; ONLY A SOFT SHOULDER (BORDERED BY SHRUBBERY) EXISTS WHERE I CAME TO A HALT: THERE WAS NOTHING (NO OBJECTS) TO COLLIDE WITH. (SEE ATTACHED) ROAD CONDITION: VERY NARROW SHOULDER: MAYBE 5 FEET. PEBBLES ROCKS AND DIRT MAKE UP THE SHOULDER, AND SLIGHTLY AFFECTED THE CAR'S DIRECTION,BUT PRIMARILY CAUSED DAMAGE, PULLING OFF THE READ BUMPER, SCRATCHING THE BODY THROUGHOUT, AND CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE LIKE A BEER CAN, AFTER THE FRONT RIGHT, THEN THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE CAR, AT MY OWN RISK FROM THE RIGHT LANE, BUT IT FELT AS IF ALL FOUR BRAKES HAD SEIZED, SO I COULD NOT BUDGE THE VEHICLE SO MUCH AS 1/10TH OF A MILLIMETER, WITH ALL MY WEIGHT AND STRENGTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10582818
Apr 11, 2014Brakes
TODAY, APRIL 11, 2014 AROUND 6PM PST, MY DAD COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF YOUR TOYOTA PRIUS 2013 FAILED AT BREAKING AND MALFUNCTIONED AND ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I AM VERY VERY CONCERNED AND ANGRY ABOUT THIS. YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND. MY FATHER ALMOST GOT KILLED BY TOYOTA. BECAUSE YOU FAILED AT MAKING SURE THAT THE SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE ANY ISSUE. MY FATHER TODAY WAS PARKING THE CAR AFTER THE DROPPING MY MOTHER OFF AT WORK AND COMING BACK HOME. HE WAS PARKING THE CAR AT THE USUAL PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. HE PRESSED THE BREAKS AS HE NORMALLY DOES WHEN CAR WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5MPH. BUT INSTEAD OF PRIUS STOPPING, IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. WE HAVE THICK PLANTS IN FRONT OF OUR HOME AND THIS STOPPED THE CAR. BUT THE MALFUNCTIONED CAR GOT A LONG SCRATCH ON THE BUMPER AND WE MOST LOST MY FATHER TO THIS TRAGIC INCIDENT. WE THANK GOD THAT NO ONE GOT KILLED BUT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COULD HAVE ENDED WITH SOMEONE DEAD. MURDERED. WE TRUSTED TOYOTA. AS A CONSUMER, WE RELY ON THE MANUFACTURER TO LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES AND MAKE SURE SAME THING DOES NOT HAPPEN. BUT YOU FAILED US. WE BOUGHT YOUR PRIUS BELIEVING IN THE INTEGRITY OF TOYOTA AND TRUSTING THAT THE ABRUPT ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED DEATH AND INJURED PEOPLE WERE RESOLVED. YOU RECALLED AND FIXED THIS ISSUE FOR YOUR PREVIOUS VEHICLES. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE ARE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT BECAUSE IT IS OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUSINESS HOUR, THEY WERE UNREACHABLE. WE ARE TOO SCARED EVEN THINKING OF DRIVING THIS CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS ON THE ROAD? WHAT IF WE CAUSE A DEATH OF A PERSON, A CHILD ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER? I AM TERRIFIED. WE ARE VERY SHAKEN UP BY THIS EXPERIENCE. I WANT ANSWERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE, I CALLED THE DEALER... NO ONE WAS THERE TO HELP ME. *JS
NHTSA ODI 10579305
Mar 27, 2014TiresWheels
I HAD A REAR TIRE BLOW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. AND IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. I DID HAVE TO DRIVE OFF ROAD TO SAFELY AVOID RISKY SITUATION. THE TOYOTA DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE UP WITH YOKOHAMA. I BOUGHT THE CAR ONLY IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AND BARLEY HAS ANY MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP COMPLETELY UNHELPFUL. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD! *TR
NHTSA ODI 10575245
Mar 24, 2014Electrical systemLightsBody & structure
WHEN I TURN ON THE LOW BEAM OF THE HEADLIGHTS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SHADOW ON THE UPPER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT GREATLY DIMINISHES VISIBILITY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR ITS 6 MONTHS SERVICE A FEW WEEKS AGO THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10574378
Mar 20, 2014Lights
WHEN I TURN ON THE LOW BEAM OF THE HEADLIGHTS THERE IS A DARK SHADOW ON THE UPPER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT DIMINISHES VISIBILITY. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT IT AT FREEMAN TOYOTA IN SANTA ROSA WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN AUGUST OF 20123 AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO FIX IT. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHICH I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME REMEDY. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10573859
Mar 19, 2014Body & structureWheelsBrakesCrash
WHILE THE CAR WAS GOING DOWN THE RAMP TO THE PARKING BASEMENT, THE BRAKE IN OUR PRIUS DIDN'T FUNCTION EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON IT AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO PICKED UP ACCELERATION. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EITHER, AMAZINGLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND MISSED THE WALL/CONCRETE PILLAR, BUT THE DRIVER HIT A PARKED CAR AND THAT'S WHAT STOPPED THE PRIUS FROM MOVING FURTHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10573591
Feb 12, 2014SteeringBrakes
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE STEERING BEGAN TO VEER BACK AND FORTH. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO AN UNEVEN ROAD. I SWITCHED LANES AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT IT WAS NOT DUE TO AN UNEVEN ROAD. AS I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES DUE TO A TRAFFIC JAM, THE BRAKES WERE WEAK AND HAD TO EVENTUALLY SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP ON TIME. I HAVE TO BEGIN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ABOUT 50 YDS FROM A STOP SIGN TRAVELING AT 45 MPH IN ORDER TO STOP ON TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10564010
Jan 30, 2014Visibility & wipers
THERE IS A SEVERE DIFFRACTION EFFECT THROUGH WINDSHIELD. BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE TRIPLED. FOR EXAMPLE ONE BELOW AND ONE ABOVE THE BRAKE LIGHT OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING, AND VERY TIRING AFTER 20-30MINS OF DRIVING ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. BUT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME (EVEN FOR ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS). *TR
NHTSA ODI 10562268
Dec 23, 2013Wheels
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER SINCE THE CAR IS NEW . I WANTED TO INSTALL MUD GUARDS SO I HAD TO REMOVE EACH WHEEL. AS I WAS TORQUING THE WHEEL NUTS, ONE STUD CAME OFF. I USED A TORQUE WRENCH 65 FTLB. I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT I BROKE THE STUD THAT THIS IS NOT COVER BY THE WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS STUDS MUST HAVE A DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURING. I HOPE THEY DON'T FAIL WHILE I'M DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10557028
Dec 19, 2013Speed controlBrakesCrash
2013 PRIUS C TWO, BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH 15 MILES ON IT 5 WEEKS AGO. A FEW TIMES WHEN DRIVING, I NOTICED THE BRAKES SEEMED WEAK, LIKE THEY WEREN'T STOPPING THE CAR VERY WELL EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. MY DRIVING IS MOSTLY IN TOWN ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS, SO I'M RARELY GOING OVER 35 MPH. EVEN SO, I'D HAVE TO REALLY MASH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, OTHERWISE IT WOULD KEEP MOVING FORWARD. SEVERAL TIMES I ENDED UP ABOUT 5-10 FEET PAST THE LINE, STICKING THE FRONT BUMPER INTO CROSS TRAFFIC. LUCKILY NO ONE HIT ME. I CHALKED IT UP TO THE QUIRKS OF A DIFFERENT CAR THAN THE ONE I WAS USED TO, AND FIGURED IF IT KEPT HAPPENING I'D TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY, MY WIFE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET, HE SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES. SHE SAID HER BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE PRIUS DIDN'T SLOW DOWN AT ALL. SHE HIT HIM GOING ABOUT 25 MPH AND TOTALED THE PRIUS. SHE'S AN EXCELLENT DRIVER AND I'VE BEEN WITH HER BEFORE WHEN SHE'S HAD TO PANIC-STOP. SHE'S NEVER DRIVEN A CAR WITHOUT ABS, SO SHE IS USED TO PUSHING THE PEDAL HARD AND KEEPING HER FOOT ON IT. SHE WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO "PUMP" THE PEDAL. SHE SWEARS THE PEDAL JUST WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN AT ALL. THANKFULLY, SHE'S OKAY AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10556587
Dec 18, 2013Speed controlBrakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY, TRAVELED OVER A SIDEWALK AND THEN OVER THE STEPS OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATION FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500. UPDATED 01/08/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WENT FAR BEYOND, WHAT THEY HAD TO DO, TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS TAKEN CARE OF. HOWEVER, TOYOTA CORPORATION WAS LESS THAN HELPFUL. UPDATE 01/09/13
NHTSA ODI 10556533