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Toyota Prius

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Toyota Prius • General Complaints • Acceleration • Availability • Battery • Fuel Gauge • Headlight • Insurance Costs • Service Delays • Tires • Transmission • Traction --- • Happy Hybrid Owners --- Test Drive • Three Lead Feet Meet Little Fuel Sipper --- News • U.S. Prius Sales Drop 45 Percent • Prius Tops Consumer Reports Best New-Car Value List • Toyota Parks Plans For New Prius Plant • Prius Vandalism On the Rise in California • Toyota Plans Prius Plant in Mississippi • Solar Panels to Power Prius Air Conditioning • Unexpected Problems Confront Prius Owners • NHTSA to Hear 'Silent Killer' Complaints • Reports of Prius Price Gouging Rise with Gas Prices • Prius, Porsche Models Top Most-Satisfied Lists • Should You Buy a Second-Hand Prius? • Winter Weather Warning for Prius Drivers • Prius Again Tops Owner Satisfaction Survey • Prius Helps Toyota Knock Off Ford for #2 Spot • Toyota Recalls Floor Mats, NHTSA Warns Prius Owners • Feds Probe Prius Runaway Acceleration • Prius Owners Report More Unintended Acceleration Incidents • Runaway Acceleration Plagues Prians • Toyota Delays Third-Generation Prius • Sales Top 1 Million but Some Owners Find Prius Doesn't Age Well • Prius Owners Losing Ground in Traction Battle • Prius Traction Control Complaints on the Rise • Prius Stalls in Snow; Owners Steamed • Prius Shuts Down in the Snow, Reader Complains • Prius Supplies Increase as Sales Slow • Prius Discounts Popping Up in Showrooms • EPA Finds Prius #1 in Gas Mileage • Prius Owners Question Mileage Claims • Prius Tops Consumer Satisfaction Survey • Hybrids Don't Always Deliver the Expected Fuel Economy

Tom of Anaheim, CA August 12, 2009

After 144,000 miles driving my 2001 Prius, the transmission, inverter and the batteries had to be replaced. Until then, it was the best car I had ever owned. Since then it is still the best but I spent 10,000 to replace everything and they even forgave me over 3,000. They just found it impossible to diagnose the complete problem at first or I would have junked it. I have car pool stickers so I thought it was better for me to fix it. I don't use the sticker benefit much. They told me (later) that if the trans goes out the others go out most of the time too. They also told me it was worth getting it fixed. I doubt if I will break even on the sell. It should be good for another 100K miles now but I am selling it. I'll never again drive a hybrid car this long, even with a sticker benefit. Many problematic things were replaced under warranty so this is my first high expense. Steering, gas tank, computers, and more. The fuel pedal sensor was bad but it fixed itself somehow. Should have gotten rid of it a long time ago.

Jesus of Santa Cruz, CA August 9, 2009

2008 Toyota Prius, rapid tire wear, wear pattern shows underflation, both dhoulders are wearing rapidly. T about 25,000 miles they were reccommended at the dealership when servicing the vehicle, can't believe that Toyota would install such cheap tires on an almost 30.000 car.

Leo of Reno, NV July 28, 2009

2008 Toyota Prius: When we first purchased this car a year ago we were getting really close to the EPA estimates. Over the last 6-8 months the mileage has dropped and continues to drop more each month.

Our local dealer in Reno, NV is claiming that there is nothing wrong with this vehicle, but has no explanation for the steady drop in mileage. Very frustrating! We are now getting 35-36 mpg and that is not what we paid for. A Civic does that well without the Hybrid price tag.

If this is what we have to live with then I will sell this car and never recommend to anyone.

Ben of Stockton, CA July 24, 2009

My 2008 Toyota Prius, with only 23,000 miles on it caught on fire and is totaled. The car did something weird when I turned a residential corner and the warning lights came on (Master Warning, Vehicle Stability control and Hybrid System). A couple minutes later smoke started coming out of the vents of the passenger side seats and before I knew it a flame was in the corner of the back passenger side seat and the car burnt in no time.

Barbara of Columbus, OH July 8, 2009

We own a 2005 Prius with only 38,000 miles and were very happy with it until several months ago. Since that time we have had to have it jumped six times when it wouldn't start after driving to and parking at a location. Last week, after the third episode, we took it to be checked out at Toyota West, and they could find nothing wrong. But when my husband made a stop on the way home, it happened again! When we called to complain, they said to have it towed the next time it wouldn't start so they could better assess the problem.

It happened again yesterday, so I called AAA to have it towed. When the driver arrived, he could not even put the car in neutral to get it on the truck. Consequently, we were forced to jump it again and drive it to Toyota West. They have checked it out and again say they can find nothing wrong. They have advised us to drive it every day and for at least 45 consecutive minutes once a week to keep the battery charged. We told them no one had told us to do that when we bought the car there, and they replied that this information is part of all salesmen's training. Is it no wonder they don't share this information? Who would buy a Prius if they knew of these requirements? I would like this information made public so no one else is deceived and disappointed. It's interesting to note that almost every time the car wouldn't start, it was after turning it on to put down the windows and immediately turning it off to wait in the car. We have shared this information with the service department since it seems like important information that might lead to the solution to the problem, but they insist it shouldn't have anything to do with the car not starting. We are extremely disappointed as we were hoping to drive this car for many years. I don't see how this is going to be possible when it's so unreliable.

steve of santa barbara, CA July 7, 2009

I own a 2001 Toyota Prius. Recently a warning light came on and the dealer (after four separate attempts to diagnose the problem) ultimately recommended replacing the auxiliary battery, the Electronic Control Unit AND the primary battery. It is worth noting that the first time I brought the car in to Toyota of Santa Barbara the car was still under the warranty period for the Hybrid drive system. The 3rd through 4th diagnosis attempts were made 5 months after the 8 year warranty period.

It seemed virtually impossible that all three items would fail simultaneously and unrelated to one another so I contacted Toyota Corporation and it took them TWO WEEKS get back to me with their answer. They said that yes, all three can fail together and offered to pay for ½ of the cost for the ECU and the primary battery. One the one hand I appreciate the offer to offset about 1200.00 of my total expenses of almost 3,000, but at the end of the day I’m spending ¾ of the resale value of the car after only 45,000 miles to keep it on the road. This is not what one should expect from a Toyota. Toyota is you’re listening: I have owned 5 Toyotas in a row and my next car will be a VW Golf TDI. You have lost a loyal customer

Sharon of Wilmington, MA June 30, 2009

My 2007 Prius has 50K miles and I am experiencing problems with the driver's side headlight. Intermittently coming on and going off. And then the bright lights did not work at all. I was quoted 750 to replace the computer and the headlight. I really have no leverage to argue--I need my car at night and I need it now.

John of Princeton, KY June 23, 2009

Had warning lights come on at 139000 and took car to Madisonville Hudson Toyota, my 2001 Prius was diagnosed as needing new computer, relay, new fuel pump and gas tank bladder. paid 1750. after these were installed I was told now need HV battery 2650.00. Asked Hudson Toyota to save replaced parts. After long hunt they found two parts reputed to be mine. Left with car and took to Hopkinsville Toyota. Yes they said I need battery. Installed 2650. Battery.

Drove 1200 miles and warning lights came on. Said I needed new inverter and water pump. Left without installing inverter. Drove 1200 miles and lights came on. Disconnected battery drove 1200 miles and Warning lights came on. Also the lights seem to come on when brakes applied. Strange, it indicates service is not understood by either dealer, or hybrid is peace of junk after 140,000 miles.

Drove another 1200 miles and light came on. Disconnected Battery, reset computer and am driving again. Why can I drive 1200 miles and everything is working well. Noticed that battery post hotter than should be when I reset computer. Is it possible to get relief on this situation? Please advise. 4300.00

Michael of East Point, GA June 21, 2009

2007 Prius. having a problem with the transmission slipping out of DRIVE into NEUTRAL all by itself, and the engine completely shutting off while driving at speed. Mileage: 37,000, regular recommended maintenance done. Very strange.

Bob of Chula Vista, CA June 19, 2009

Yesterday I was out approx. 750 to replace a burned-out headlamp on my 2006 Prius. Is that a reasonable charge?

I'm not criticizing the Toyota rep . He seemed as perplexed as I was when he quoted the cost to me for my okay to continue with the work. Here's the breakdown: 343 for the headlamp + about 400 labor because the bumper had to be removed. If that's an accurate expense, isn't it a bit unfair to the customer to have to pay for removing a bumper to replace a headlamp?

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