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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 • Toyota Ready to Expand Safety Recall Beyond Floor Mats • 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

Anthony of Berkeley Heights, NJ May 5, 2009

I own a 2008 Toyota Prius. It just turned 100k on the odometer. At 58,000 miles (3-18-08), I started experiencing problems with the driver's side headlight; it would go on and off intermittently. I was told that the headlight and the ECU needed to be replaced. Even though I had purchased an extended warranty (at Toyotaland of Springfield, NJ), it still cost me 406.97, out of pocket. To add insult to injury, I had to return again within a weeks time, because the headlight went out again. I was told that it was a "bad" ECU for the headlight. They replaced it at no additional charge, "Gee, Thanks!"

At 98,057 miles, the passenger side light started to exhibit the same symptoms (the headlight would go on and off, intermittently). I figured that I would get this done before my warranty expired at 100,000 miles. Toyotaland of Springfield replaced the ECU, only. They did not suggest replacing the headlight. I paid the 50 deductible as per the terms of the extended warranty.

On 5/1/09, at 99,873 miles, a mere week and a half later, the driver's side headlight that I had already paid to have replaced the previous March, started experiencing the same on and off symptoms. I also started experiencing a problem with both tailights periodically going out. I explained to the customer service person (at Toyotaland of Springfield, NJ), that the tailights would come back on when I tapped on the lens. I asked them to investigate that problem as well.

Later in the day, a reprensentative from Toyotaland of Springfield, called me back. He said that the technician was not able to "duplicate" the problem and that furthermore that the warranty company would not replace a part that was not "proven" to be defective.

I spent a few minutes in an intense conversation with this individual over the phone. I told him that the problem was intermittent and that my car was dangerously close to being out of warranty. I expressed to him that it was not reasonable that I had to replace 3 headlights within a little over 1 year. In addition, I explained that these headlights were also in the neighborhood of 300 apiece, not including the ECU. With the ECU, this would easily be a 500+ job, out of warranty. I asked to speak to a supervisor. The same representative called me back a little while later. He said that he spoke to the warranty company and that they had agreed to replace the ECU. He also said that they strongly suggested that the headlight be replaced at my expense (naturally).

I also inquired about any service alerts or recalls on this model for these issues. I said that "it was hard to believe that nobody else was experiencing these same issues". I received no response. I was also told that they could find nothing wrong with the tailights.

They also told me that my hatch was broken. This is something that I was already aware of. A "flimsy" plastic bracket had snapped under the handle for the rear hatch. I had inquired about this on a previous visit and was told that this was something else that my extended warranty didn't cover; surprise, surprise! The cost for this part (Back door garnish-Part# 7601-47060-BO) is 193 + labor, paint, etc.

5/4/09- My car now has 100,100 miles and is now out of warranty. Today my passenger side headlight is out, again. This is like a bad joke! I think that they have to remove the front bumper to replace the headlight. So, I guess I'm going to get stuck paying for the parts and the labor for that. It also seems that the technicians are not as knowledgable as they should be on this car. This is too serious of a problem, not to be addressed.

I have read other forums on this vehicle. There are other Prius owners experiencing the same issue. This is a saftey issue as well as a monetery issue. Toyota really needs to address this issue in the form of a recall. If they continue to ignore these complaints, then maybe a "class action lawsuit" would get their attention.

Paul of Sedona, AZ April 12, 2009

Paul of Sedona AZ (04/12/09)
I have had 3 accidents or near accidents with my new 2009 Toyota Prius due to a combination of mysterious acceleration and loss of brakes. The first incident (a near accident) occurred when the car in front of me stopped. I was driving slowly but my car suddenly seemed to accelerate on its own and my brakes failed. How I stopped my car I will never know. The second incident was when I was driving into my garage. Again the car seemed to accelerate and the brakes did not work. The garage wall was damaged on both sides. After this I took the car into the Toyota dealer. They examined it and said if I had more trouble, bring it in again. The third incident occurred in a parking lot. The self-accelerating seemed to have been fixed, but while driving slow and looking for a place to park, the brakes did not hold and the result was the car hit a parked car.

Although no one was hurt here was over 6000 damage to the Prius and some damage to the parked car. What is really scary is that by the next parked car (only a foot or so away) were a man and 2 children. If my car had hit that car there could have been some deaths - certainly serious injuries.

Mukul of Walpole, MA April 10, 2009

Mukul of Walpole MA (04/10/09)
I have an 06 Prius and the headlights went out. The dealer says that he has never heard of the problem and that I should come back when the light is out. Great idea, hopefully not when my car is wrapped around a telephone poll. I spoke to a customer experience representative at Toyota headquarters and they said that they have heard of this problem but they are not supporting the repairs of this issue. Not sure how they can get away with this, as this is not an issue of wear and tear. This is clearly faulty parts that they have installed in the vehicle. Can anyone help with this?

Tom of Laguna Niguel, CA April 8, 2009

Tom of Laguna Niguel CA (04/08/09)
I bought a 2008 tyota prius on december of 2007. I exprianced the following problems with this vehichle 1) All 4 tires was worn out around 20K miles with rutine rotation at every 5k miles 2) The navigation system is very unfriendly to the user. I have 1996 acura RL which is 12 years oldr way better than this. 3) The display on the monitor is desined so shallow that during the day time is abolutely usless. 4) the seat and armrest veneers looks so bad within the first 2 years.

I have contacted the dealership but they declined and told me inflate tire at 40 psi instead of 35 psi recomended by the manufacturer on the vehichle door. I red about the tire problem from so many other users of this car.

Ron of Leechburg, PA March 30, 2009

Ron of Leechburg PA (03/30/09)
The Passenger side headlight went out on my 2007 Prius at 41757 miles in Jan. 2009. Of course the light is not covered under warranty,BUT, the Dealer worked out a replacement cost. I called Toyota at this time and the Rep. said someone would look into it. Now my Driver side headlight went out at 47270 miles and I Have an appt. with the Dealer. Called Toyota AGAIN! and was told someone would look into it and would call me back within 3 business days. I won't hold my breath!

Michael of Tigard, OR March 20, 2009

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