2009 TOYOTA PRIUS

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    lighting exterior

    76 unsafe, 1 broken, 22 annoyance

    99
    incidents
    Typical range: 58,000–101,000 mi

    Median 80,000 mi, based on 99 reports (16% had no usable mileage)

    • "HEADLAMP FAILURE ON 2006 HID TOYOTA PRIUS. *TR"~24,500 mi, complaint #741140
    • "HEADLIGHT ON RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER) FADES OUT RANDOMLY - GETTING WORSE OVER PAST 6 MONTHS. NOW BOTH LIGHTS GO OUT. TURNING OFF/ON *USUALLY* FIXES, BUT DOESN'T LAST. *TR"~58,000 mi, complaint #1084485
    • "THE HID HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND WENT OFF. REPEATEDLY HAPPENED. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE THEN THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAD THE HID HEADLIGHTS REPLACED TWO DAYS AGO. THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS STILL DIMMED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEEMED FINE. TODAY, THE DRIVER'S…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1104113
    • "HEADLIGHT GOES OUT RANDOMLY AND REQUIRES THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE TURNED OFF THEN ON. *TR"~100,000 mi, complaint #1138604
    • "HID HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF SHORTLY AFTER TURNING ON HEADLIGHTS, STAYS OFF."~225,000 mi, complaint #1471292
  2. #2

    abs module

    95 unsafe

    95
    incidents
    Typical range: 3,000–69,500 mi

    Median 14,000 mi, based on 94 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 6-MONTH OLD 2009 PRIUS ONE SUMMER DAY ON A DRY, PAVED, SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD INCLINE WHEN THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURRED. AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES, MY CAR JUMPED FORWARD FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND A…"~500 mi, complaint #858039
    • "ON 4/05/2010 AS I WAS DRIVING WEST ON GALBRAITH ROAD I WAS HEADED DOWNHILL TO A RED LIGHT AND APPLYING MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN FOR THE LIGHT. AS I WAS SLOWING THE ROAD BECAME EXTREMELY BUMPY AND MY BRAKES ALL OF A SUDDEN FELT LIKE I WAS SLIDING OR FLOATING EVEN…"~6,250 mi, complaint #781464
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MAKING CONTACT WITH A POTHOLE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…"~16,000 mi, complaint #758849
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH TOWARD A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED…"~33,000 mi, complaint #766617
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65–70 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake pump actuator needed to be replaced. The vehi…"~236,425 mi, complaint #1927990
  3. #3

    brake hydraulics

    83 unsafe

    83
    incidents
    Typical range: 7,000–94,000 mi

    Median 20,000 mi, based on 79 reports (30% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GARAGE DOOR AND THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE BRAKE F…"~1,200 mi, complaint #714113
    • "I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, AND THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I FELT THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ONE TIME I EVEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT FROM GOING INTO MY GARAGE WALL. I HAVE HAD IT INTO MY DEALER…"~12,000 mi, complaint #756991
    • "I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2009 PRIUS. WHEN COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT (ICY CONDITIONS) I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, STARTED TO COAST AND THEN BEGAN TO BRAKE. I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE CAR KEPT GOING AND I HEARD A THUMPING LIKE THE AN…"~22,000 mi, complaint #759127
    • "MY 2009 PRIUS WITH 96425 MILES AS OF 10/29/20 HAS THE COMMON PROBLEM KNOWN AS FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. I HAVE THE BRAKE, ABS, AND VSC WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. MY MILEAGE IS REDUCED BY 25%, AND THE BRAKE R…"~93,836 mi, complaint #1706259
    • "WHEN BRAKING HARD, THE BRAKES LOSE ALL PRESSURE, GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. AS SOON AS BRAKES ARE RELEASED THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND BRAKES AGAIN HAVE PRESSURE AGAIN. TOYOTA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART, BUT IT IS WAS EXPIRED BEF…"~250,000 mi, complaint #1449747
  4. #4

    unintended acceleration

    39 unsafe

    39
    incidents
    Typical range: 8,000–27,500 mi

    Median 11,500 mi, based on 46 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "2009 PRIUS PURCHASED MAY 15, 2009 HAS 4,675 MILES ON IT. ACCELERATION/SURGING FORWARD OR NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATING AT OTHER TIMES. I DO NOT HAVE THE FLOOR MATS MENTIONED IN THE RECENT RECALL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER POSSIBLE ISSUES WITH SUDDEN ENGINE ACCE…"~3,200 mi, complaint #752048
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY NEWLY PURCHASED 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS (VIN# [XXX]) ON RT 66 IN ARLINGTON VIRGINIA ON MARCH 31, 2010. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MILES PER HOUR AND ACCELERATING. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW THE CAR AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATIN…"~6,800 mi, complaint #778020
    • "MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALER, WHERE THEY INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHY IT HAPPENED. *TR"~11,200 mi, complaint #773056
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING THERE WAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHICH HAPPEN TWICE. TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR RUN THE VEHICLE INTO THE CURB. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATE…"~25,000 mi, complaint #770782
    • "WHILE ENGINE RUNNING AND IN PARKED MODE, ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED AS IF GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD A FEW INCHES. *TR"~108,000 mi, complaint #955732
  5. #5

    airbag system

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 81,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRUIS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-[REDACTED ADDRESS] CONDITONS, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE…"~2,500 mi, complaint #713738
    • "I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO THE GAS STATION LOCATED ON US [REDACTED ADDRESS]. A SPEEDING CAR STRUCK ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER. THE SPEEDING CAR CONTINUED SO HARD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER FRAME RAIL WAS RIPPED FROM THE CAR. NO AI…"~18,232 mi, complaint #1010910
    • "IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID ONCOMING CALVES ON A COUNTY DIRT ROAD DRIVER INADVERTANTLY PULLED STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A TREE AT ROAD SIDE. TREE IS TWELVE INCHED FROM ROAD SURFACE. BEFORE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED DRIVER, DRIVER'S FORWARD MOMENTUM BROKE THE…"~81,000 mi, complaint #966403
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 190815712 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND HIS HEAD…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1606176
    • "THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A MOVING COLLISION THAT TOTALED THE DRIVERS FRONT END AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE INJURED BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I SUSPECT THAT THE CARS STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING AROUND A SHARP CURVE. THE CAR HAS LOST STEERING ONE TIM…"~186,000 mi, complaint #1352449
  6. #6

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded, 12 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 9,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "COLLAPSE OF FUEL BLADDER CAUSE THE PRIUS TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WITH 2 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE WHILE ON FREEWAY. CAUSED TOWING TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN FUEL WAS ADDED TO CAR ONLY 8.9 GALLONS COULD BE ADDED TO A REPORTED 10.9 GALLON TANK CAPACITY. *TR"~1,500 mi, complaint #770415
    • "FUEL BLADDER SEEMS TO HAVE COLLAPSED. WHEN I AM SHOWING 1/4 TANK LEFT I CAN ONLY PUT 6 GALLONS IN THE TANK. *TR"~9,000 mi, complaint #753321
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BLADDER FUEL TANK PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…"~43,000 mi, complaint #856015
    • "UNABLE TO ADD ANY GAS TO THE FUEL TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS NEAR EMPTY. GAS JUST SPURTS BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. OVER TIME WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS TEMPERATURE RELATED. AT OR NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND COLDER IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES TO ADD ANY…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1057047
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT DETECT A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS.…"~77,771 mi, complaint #1018319
  7. #7

    stability and traction control

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 15,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERS A POT HOLE OR ANY ROUGH ROAD SERVICE, IT JUMPS AHEAD AND THERE IS A DELAY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO BRAKE. ON THE DASHBOARD THE ICY ROADWAY INDICATAOR APPEARS AT THESE TIMES. THIS SIITUATION HAS BEEN ONGOING SI…"~500 mi, complaint #759693
    • "ON A DAILY BASIS, MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSES CONTROL, SKIDS, (THE TRACTION LIGHT GOES ON), FISHTAILS AND HAS BRAKE FAILURES ON ICE AND SNOW. WHEN I HIT POTHOLES OR BIG BUMPS, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND I HAVE TO QUICKLY BRAKE. THE NORTHBROOK TOYOTA SERVICE MANA…"~11,850 mi, complaint #761536
    • "2009 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 15000 MILES. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE (GOING LESS THANK 30 MPH) THEY SLIP FOR NO REASON. IT WAS A NICE SUNNY DAY, TEMPS IN THE HIGH 70S. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE BRAKES SLIPPED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE YELLOW L…"~15,000 mi, complaint #779824
    • "MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS IS EXHIBITING THE SAME BRAKING BEHAVIOR AS PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED IN THE 2010 MODELS. THERE IS A MANHOLE COVER ON A STREET I FREQUENTLY DRIVE NEAR A STOP LIGHT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP I HAVE HIT THE MANHOLE C…"~20,500 mi, complaint #759904
    • "THE VEHICLE BRAKING LOST BRAKING MOMENTARILY WHEN I WAS DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS AND VEHICLE SLIP SIGN ILLUMINATED. *TR"~71,500 mi, complaint #1022731
  8. #8

    engine cooling

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "RE: 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. APPROX. 23K MILES. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN - ALL SYSTEMS AND ALL INFORMATION DISPLAYS. IN SPITE OF COMPROMISED STEERING AND BRAKING WE WERE ABLE TO ST…"~23,000 mi, complaint #873839
    • "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, CODE P1121, COOLANT RECOVERY TANK FLOW CONTROL VALVE BAD. THERE IS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON THIS FOR 2007 PRIUS AND THE PROBLEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOLVE FOR 2009 PRIUS. ALSO THIS IS PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM, AS THE PURPOSE OF COOLA…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1133768
    • "WATER PUMP FAILURE. 76,000 MILES IS PREMATURE FOR A WATERPUMP. *TR"~75,985 mi, complaint #1157511
    • "I KEEP GETTING THE CODE P 1121. I HAVE REPLACED MY ENGINE COOLANT VALVE SENSOR UNIT THREE TIMES AND EVERY SINGLE TIME AFTER DRIVING FOR A WEEK THE CHICKENS AND LIGHT COMES ON AND IT THROWS THE CODE AGAIN. I AM CURRENTLY AT THE POINT WHERE THERE IS EITHER NO H…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1443344
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED TO HIGH AND COOLANT NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED…"~151,759 mi, complaint #1527532
  9. #9

    ev drive unit or inverter

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT AT THE 5,000 MILE CHECK UP I HAD REPORTED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES JUMP FORWARD WHEN THE ENGINE TRANSITIONED FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS MODE. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. ON FEBRUARY 4TH AT 1035 I WAS STO…"~11,280 mi, complaint #772933
    • "I WAS SITTING ON A ROAD IN TRAFFIC WITH MY CAR RUNNING BUT IN PARK BECAUSE I WAS WAITING FOR A TRAIN TO PASS BEFORE PROCEEDING. THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE CHANGED FUEL MODES FROM THE ELECTRIC ENGINE TO THE GAS ENGINE. I ALMOST HIT THE PERSON IN FR…"~13,000 mi, complaint #761705
    • "COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF PRIUS AUTOMOBILE WITH NO WARNING WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. ROLLED TO A STOP IN SAFE AREA. NOTHING WORKED EXCEPT EMERGENCY BLINKERS. NO INSTRUMENTATION OR WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN FWD PARK AND COULD NOT BE…"~88,604 mi, complaint #1511272
    • "THE AM2 FUSE RANDOMLY SHORTED, AND WHEN REPLACED KEEPS SHORTING, AS CONSISTENT WITH THE PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE 2ND GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS' INVERTER COOLANT PUMP."~147,000 mi, complaint #1687316
  10. #10

    instrument cluster

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 111,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN EVER THE CONTACT WORE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED DIM LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILU…"~2,000 mi, complaint #732261
    • "THERE IS A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR MY 2009 PRIUS WHICH EXPIRES IN MARCH OF 2018 FOR THE COMBINATION METER KNOWN AS CSP ZTV. I TEXT MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID ITS WARRANTED. THE FIRST DEALER I TOOK IT TO REFUSED TO REPLACE IT 2 DAYS AGO SAYING IT EXPIR…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1414307
    • "I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF A COMBINATION METER IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2007 PRIUS. THIS HAPPENED ON STARTUP. THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO THE DISPLAY SCREEN. AS MENTIONED IN THEIR WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN NO: POL 12-05 DATED 10/12/12 A FAILURE CA…"~152,000 mi, complaint #1347942
    • " The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start or t…"~167,532 mi, complaint #1993740
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument panel lights would turn off and no instrumentation could be accessed or read. The failure was intermittent, and finally got it to shut off after trying ma…"~215,000 mi, complaint #1776635
  11. #11

    other

    1 stranded, 7 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "NOXIOUS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. SMELLS LIKE BURNING PLASTIC / METAL. FUMES BURN EYES AND PERMEATE CLOTHING, CAUSE LIGHT-HEADEDNESS. DLR HAS TRIED 3X TO REPAIR, CAN NOT IDENTIFY SOURCE. DLR'S SVC MGR CONFIRMS IT IS NOT A NORMAL ODOR FOR THIS VEHICLE, AGREES FUMES…"~3,340 mi, complaint #736728
    • "THE RUBBER COVER ON MY TOURING MODEL PRIUS'S HATCH LOCKING ASSEMBLY - THE HIDDEN AREA YOU GRAB TO OPEN THE HATCH - HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS GUMMY LIKE TAR. THERE ARE DOZENS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO 2007 AND 2008 MODELS, WHIC…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1000807
    • "THE BACK DOOR/HATCH SWITCH RUBBER IS MELTING/VERY STICKY. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED IN THE 2007 PRIUS AND OTHER MODEL TOYOTA MODELS. I EXPECT THAT THIS SWITCH WILL BECOME DEFECTIVE AND IT IS THE ONLY MEANS TO ENTER THE HATCH AREA OF THE PRIUS.THE HATCH…"~49,300 mi, complaint #1008746
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1236988
    • " BRIGHAM PHYSICIAN KILLED IN CAR CRASH TOP INTERNIST WAS LOVED BY PATIENTS, HOSPITAL'S STAFF SHE WAS A MOTHER, WIFE, DOCTOR, AND SUPERVISOR. GLOBE STAFF / APRIL 23, 2009 EMAIL| PRINT| SINGLE PAGE| YAHOO! BUZZ| SHARETHISTEXT SIZE ' + THE POPULAR ME…"~100,000 mi, complaint #757055
  12. #12

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TOYOTA PRIUS YR/MDL 2009/1224 A I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING CHECKED WITH TOYOTA OF HICKORY WHERE I PURCHASED THE PRIUS AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO ALLOW THE BATTERY TO HEAT UP BEFORE TRYING TO PLACE IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. MY PRIUS WILL GO INTO…"~4,000 mi, complaint #754834
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON EIGHT DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND SPEED UP. AT TIMES, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY INCREASE…"~17,000 mi, complaint #777139
    • "WHILE DRIVING A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AT 50-[REDACTED ADDRESS] HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF PRESCOTT AZ, THE DRIVE SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND NO RESPONSE WAS FELT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LOTS OF INDICATORS CAME ON AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO T…"~18,500 mi, complaint #796835
    • "I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS BASE WITH 42K MILES. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAITING IN THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT 1 OR 2 INCHES AND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SHATTER A LIGHT POST. THIS SEEMS A DANGEROUS FLAW. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY; AFTER S…"~42,600 mi, complaint #830131
    • "THIS CAR CUTS OFF POWER TO SAVE THE POWERTRAIN FROM DAMAGE, THAT IS WHAT TOYOTA TOLD ME. YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC BECAUSE YOU CAN LOSE POWER FOR 2-3 SECONDS IF THE CARS COMPUTER SENSES ANY WHEEL SPIN. THE WAY I SEE IT THIS IS A MACHI…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1273555
  13. #13

    throttle and pedal

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THIS IS EXTREMELY URGENT! I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH NO FLOOR MATS IN IT AT ALL AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK ONCE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE DRIVER IN CALIFORNIA(2008 PRIUS)WAS STUCK SPEEDING ON HIGHWAY AND STOPPED BY POLICE. AFTER SEEING THAT STORY, I WAS COMPELLED…"~2,960 mi, complaint #773701
    • "ACCELERATOR STICKING ON 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS"~7,000 mi, complaint #760148
    • "2009 TOYOTA PRIUS ISSUE: DEALERSHIP: THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE/RECOMMENDATION DESPITE MULTIPLE VOICEMAILS AND EMAIL DATED 2/6/10 TO [REDACTED EMAIL]. TOYOTA: AWAITING RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA CASE MANAGER AFTER TWO PHONE CALLS, ONCE ON 2/9/10 AND ONE ON 2…"~10,000 mi, complaint #761390
    • "HI. I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS THAT HAS HAD 5 SEPARATE EPISODES OF ACCELERATOR STICKING. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 11-09. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS OCT 09. NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR. IT HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN, AT 55+ MPH, I ACCELERATE RAPIDLY TO PASS ANOTHER CAR. THE ACCELER…"~17,500 mi, complaint #743284
    • "NOVEMBER OF 2008 I BOUGHT A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCED 4 INCIDENTS WHERE THE ACCELERATOR BECAME PARTIALLY DEPRESSED CAUSING AN UNPROVOKED ACCELERATION, THE MOST RECENT BEING ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP…"~18,500 mi, complaint #754164
  14. #14

    engine stall or no start

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY [REDACTED ADDRESS] CONDITIONS WHEN THE "ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH VARIOUS COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE…"~2,000 mi, complaint #754776
    • "THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN DAYS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED WHERE CHECKED AND JUMPED. I WAS TOLD TO NOT LET THE CAR SIT IDLE. TODAY I CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY AT […"~10,729 mi, complaint #873530
    • " I HAVE WRITTEN TOYOTA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND. I OWN A 2009 PRIUS. FIRST,NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS VERY POOR AND SENDS YOU TO WRONG ADDRESSES. ON AUG 17,2009,THE FUEL GAUGE WAS AT ONE BAR AND A RED TRIANGLE CAME ON DASH AND CAR STARTED…"~22,000 mi, complaint #741470
    • "A YEAR AGO, UPON TAKING OFF FROM A STOP MY CAR BEGAN TO STALL. I DRIVE TWO BLOCKS IT CONTINUES TO PUTT ALONG AND STALL, THEN AFTER LESS THAN A MILE IT STARTS TO RUN AS NORMAL. I TAKE MY CAR IN TO BE TOLD IT IS OUT OF GAS, WHICH IT DID NOT INDICATE LOW FUEL, IT…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1074581
  15. #15

    infotainment head unit

    2 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "IF MY CAR SITS IN THE SUN, ON OCCASION THE AUDIO CONTROLS - AM/FM, VOLUME, POWER, TRACK SELECTOR, ETC. FAIL TO FUNCTION (THEY ARE UNRESPONSIVE). IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THEN BACK ON, THEY WORK. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, PER SE. MY CONCERN IS NOT THE A…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1386814
    • "MY 2009 PRIUS HAS A NON-NAVIGATION MULIT-FUNCTION DISPLAY THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING FROM SOUND TO TEMPERATURE TO HANDS FREE PHONE. PLUS, IT FUNCTIONS AS THE REARVIEW CAMERA DISPLAY. IN AUGUST OF 2014 AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES THE SCREEN BEGAN TO TURN OFF SPONTANEOU…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1116621
    • "MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. ORIGINALLY, PROBLEM ONLY APPEARED IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMBINATION METER FAILURE DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS. COMBINATION METER HAS BEEN REPLACED BY TOYOTA PER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY PR…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1316518
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MEDIA HOME SCREEN FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED DUE TO FREQUENT GLITCHES. SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES WERE ALSO INOPERABLE INCLUDING THE BACK CAMERA DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CA…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1673075
    • "THE MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY (MFD) STOPPED WORKING AROUND 200K. AT FIRST, THE SCREEN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO TOUCH, THEN IT WOULD FREEZE OR APPEAR FUZZY, THEN THE DISPLAY HAD STATIC OR WOULD GO ON AND OFF, NOW IT IS JUST BLACK, WITH THE RARE INCIDENT (EVERY COUPLE…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1557867
  16. #16

    transmission automatic

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 11,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AUTOMATIC PRIUS 2009 SOMETIMES EVEN THOUGH I SHIFT TO A NEW GEAR IT STICKS. SO IF I WENT IN REVERSE AND SHIFTED OUT SO THAT I SHOULD NOW GO FORWARD, THE CAR GOES IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED THE OPPOSITE WAY TOO. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. *TR"~5,000 mi, complaint #764830
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO REVERSE AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOU…"~5,000 mi, complaint #774143
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY [REDACTED ADDRESS] CONDITIONS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SELECTOR WAS ACTIVATED. THE DRIVER'S HAND SLIGHTLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFTER IN WHICH THE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN O…"~7,000 mi, complaint #746848
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS N…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1086575
    • "DRIVING VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET IN DRIVE GEAR AND IT SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. TRIED TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE (AS I WAS ON THE ROAD) BUT EVERY TIME I SWITCHED GEARS BACK TO DRIVE AND RELEASED THE GEAR SHIFTER IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY POP B…"~123,000 mi, complaint #1658068
  17. #17

    trunk or liftgate

    2 unsafe, 2 broken, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THE RUBBER COVER TO THE HATCHBACK TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED. IT IS NOW STICKY AND GOOEY AND LITERALLY IMMOVABLE. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE SOMETIMES I CAN'T OPEN THE HATCHBACK WHICH CONTAINS THE SPARE TIRE AND OTHER TOOLS. I HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO ACC…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1017506
    • "THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEGUN TO DECOMPOSE AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY, GOOEY MESS. IT INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE GOO NOT ONLY GETS ON THE FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. *TR"~60,000 mi, complaint #1025326
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH WAS MELTED TO THE HATCH LEVER LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MA…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1344680
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY OPENING THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE OPENED, THE PANEL ABOVE THE [REDACTED PLATE] FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PANEL WAS HANGING WITH ALL THE WIRES STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD…"~136,545 mi, complaint #1352705
  18. #18

    wiring harness

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SQUIRRELS WERE ABLE CHEW THROUGH THE WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE SQUIRRELS HAD ALSO CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC RADIATOR COVER AND SUPPORT PANEL FOR THE FAN A…"~2,373 mi, complaint #848783
    • "INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEVERAL ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTIONS, ALL OCCURRING WHEN MY BLUE TOOTH IS CONNECTED. SOME INADEQUATELY SHIELDED WIRING OR CONNECTOR(S) COULD ACCOUNT FOR THIS. I SAW IN T…"~3,600 mi, complaint #770390
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET 10KW KIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WITH THE 10KW PLUGGED IN WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE STANDARD HYBRID VEHICLE TO BECOME AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUG…"~33,126 mi, complaint #848614
    • "MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP RANDOMLY TURNING OFF ON THEIR OWN WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING, IN THE DARK OR THE LIGHT. TO TROUBLESHOOT I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TIGHTENED THE WIRE CONNECTIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. ONLY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON SE…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1505813
  19. #19

    alignment and pull

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE OWN A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND WE'RE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIUS'S STEERING WHILE OPERATING THE CAR OVER 60 MPH. THE CAR WANTS TO SHIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY MOVING THE WHEEL , ATTEMPTING TO STEER THE CAR STRAIGHT . DURING ANY C…"~1,000 mi, complaint #725584
    • "WHEN BRAKING ON THE PRIUS IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE THE CAR LOSES TRACTION AND SKIPS OVE THE POTHOLE. LOSS OF FEELING FOR THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OF A SECOND OR TWO. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN BRAKING AND HITING A POTHOLE OR MANHOLE"~8,300 mi, complaint #777355
    • "1. DRIVING NORMALLY UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS 2. 2009 PRIUS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF '09 LOSES TRACTION OVER POTHOLES, BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE, SINCE I LIVE IN A CITY AND GO OVER POTHOLES AND UNEVEN ROADS OFTEN. IT IS NOT A PART…"~14,000 mi, complaint #760311
  20. #20

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SINCE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE LEFT BACK DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. IT CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. SINCE THURSDAY, FEB. 28, 2019 THE RIGHT BACK DOOR ALSO CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, ONLY FROM THE OUTSIDE. THAT DOOR HARDLY EVER IS USED. TH…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1544837
    • "THE RUBBER COVER TO THE OUTSIDE TRUCK LATCH HAS MELTED COMPLETELY IN HOT FLORIDA WEATHER AND HAS BECOME GOOEY TO THE POINT OF DRIPPING ONTO MY LICENSE PLATE. THE TRUCK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND SOMETIMES I AM UNABLE TO LOCK OR OPEN THE CAR BECAUSE THE TRUN…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1103848
  21. #21

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS 100,700 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR IT'S LAST OIL CHANGE I WAS INFORMED THAT ONLY A LITTLE OVER A QUART OF OIL DRAINED FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. AFTER REPLACING THE ENGINE OIL IT STIL…"~100,700 mi, complaint #1442430
    • "WHEN MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS GOES OVER 65 MPH THE PROBLEM LIGHT FLASHES ON THE DISPLAY AND THE THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES AS WELL. *TR"~115,276 mi, complaint #1167770
    • "THE 2009 PRIUS ENGINE HAS A DEFECT IN THE SEALS ALLOWING OIL TO SEEP INTO THE ENGINE AND BE BURNED. THIS CAUSES THE MOTOR TO USE EXTENSIVELY MORE OIL THAN NEEDED. CAUSING POSSIBLE NEAR FAILURE. IT MUST BE CRITICALLY MAINTAINED OR THE ENGINE WILL RUN DRY AND DE…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1179678
    • "ONCE MY CAR GOT PAST 100,000 MILES, THE NON-SPECIFIC WARNING LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND THE WORD "PROBLEM!" WOULD COME ON THE SCREEN. MANUAL SAYS TO ASK DEALER WHAT THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM IS. CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER KEPT SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW. TURNS OUT AFT…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1403478
  22. #22

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "2009 PRIUS - ON TWO OCCASION RECENTLY WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN MY STEERING FROZE AND THE ENGINE DIED. I ALMOST HIT A CAR. I HAVE HAD IT INTO PIERCY TOYOTA ON TWO OCCASION AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT ONLY…"~2,900 mi, complaint #784682
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ECU F…"~108,331 mi, complaint #1232281
    • "STEERING IN MY 2009 PRIUS COMPLETED FAILED AND LOCKED UP. I LITERALLY WAS UNABLE TO STEER MY CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A NEIGHBORHOOR STREET ABOUT TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS NOT DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IN A TURN LANE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT AN ELECTRONIC S…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1223460
  23. #23

    steering rack mechanical

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "IN ADDITION TO THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, GAS PEDAL/FLOOR MAT PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS THERE IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE POWER BUTTON. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, LIKE THE DOOR COMING OPEN, THROTTLE GETTING STUCK, ETC. YOU CAN'T POWER OFF THE VEHICLE…"~6,700 mi, complaint #762948
    • "THE UNINTENDED SPEEDING ALSO HAPPENS ON 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS WHEN DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD, THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE ON ONE TIRE, CAR PULLS TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE AT AN INCREASED SPEED AND BRAKE SEEMS TOO SLOW TO REACT. *TR"~8,000 mi, complaint #758956
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS I HIT A CURB AND THEN LOST ALL STEERING. STEERING WHEEL TURNED COMPLETELY 360 DEGREES WITHOUT TURNING THE WHEELS. WE WERE ABOUT TO DRIVE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH NUMEROUS TURNS AND STEEP GRADES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA…"~44,627 mi, complaint #854802
  24. #24

    adas collision warning

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS AND ON AT LEAST 4 OCCASIONS IN CRUISE CONTROL MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY DOING SO. ALL OF THE TIMES I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND BRING DOWN MY SPEED. WE TRIED TO REPORT THIS TO TOYOTA BUT THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED. WE THEN REPORTED THIS TO…"~4,000 mi, complaint #761985
  25. #25

    battery and charging

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THIS CAR HAS HAD 3 NEW BATTERIES AND IT HAS JUST OVER 5,000 MILES. TODAY AAA JUMPED THE CAR AND I DROVE FOR OVER AN HOUR TO CHARGE UP THE BATTERY, THEN I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING, CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. CALLED AAA THEY CAME OUT AND STARTED MY CAR…"~5,102 mi, complaint #1157046
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN EXTREMELY STRONG BATTERY ACID ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CA…"~29,000 mi, complaint #927458
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND BURST INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SECURELY PARKED FOR SIX WEEKS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AWAY. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTM…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1437723
  26. #26

    control module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "RE: 2009 PRIUS > UPON ARRIVAL AT CHURCH, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. RETURNED HOME, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. COULD NOT REMOVE 'KEY' FROM SLOT. ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER, CAR COULD BE SHUT OFF. > CALLED DEALER AND EXPLAINED. DEALER SAID 'THIS HAS NEVER…"~8,000 mi, complaint #778794
    • "HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED AT NIGHT ON 8/31/[REDACTED ADDRESS] AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. DEALER REPORTED NOT THE BULBS AND RAN DIAGNOSTICS, TELLING ME IT WAS THE THE 'BODY ECU' . I PAID $703.86 FOR A NEW ECU ON 9/1/16 WHICH WAS PUT IN TODAY, 9/7/16, AND DID…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1315307
    • "IN DECEMBER OF 2018, I PULLED MY CAR UP TO A REDBOX STATION TO RETURN A MOVIE. I PUSHED THE PARK BUTTON ON MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO PUT THE MOVIE INTO THE SLOT. THE CAR APPARENTLY WAS NOT IN PARK AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD (I TRIED TO C…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1745117
  27. #27

    cruise control conventional

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE.THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES THREE TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL…"~6,200 mi, complaint #772544
    • "WHILE IN 'CRUISE CONTROL' WITH NO USE OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR STARTED TO INCREASE SPEED BEYOND THE SET SPEED. WHEN I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE WHICH OVERRODE SPEED CONTROL AND BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AS IT NORMALLY WOULD IF THE CAR WAS…"~10,000 mi, complaint #772797
  28. #28

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HIT POTHOLE AND CAR LURCHES FORWARD. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON FOR A SECOND. *TR"~6,600 mi, complaint #758002
    • "I NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR, WHICH WAS GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. TOOK TO A DEALER, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT STRUT AND STRUT MOUNT CRASHED AND NEEDED A REPLACEMENT. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE OTHER FRONT STRUT NEEDED A REPLACEMENT…"~48,000 mi, complaint #992981
  29. #29

    brake booster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "OUR PRIUS STARTED MAKING THIS NOISE RECENT... 4 SECONDS OF SPINNING CLICKING, THEN QUIET FOR 5 SECONDS THEN REPEAT. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED AND I JUST WENT OUT THERE WITH MY KEYS IN MY POCKET AND OPENED THE DOOR AND IT STARTED MAKING THE NOISE W…"~100,001 mi, complaint #1521686
  30. #30

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HYBRID ELECTRIC WATER PUMP RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE HYBRID WATER PUMP WAS FIXED, A RED TRIANGLE LAMP APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONSUME…"complaint #1019566
  31. #31

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID (GAS/ELECTRIC) ON MARCH 31, 2009. THE CAR WORKED GREAT, BUT WITH ONLY 490 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I DID A ROUTINE SHUT DOWN OF THE CAR ON MAY 20, 2009 WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ANYTHING BUT ROUTINE. DURING THIS EVENT, I…"complaint #750227
  32. #32

    hv battery and range

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "PRIUS HYBRID BATTERY TUBE VENT MATERIAL GIVES OFF A STRONG PLASTICIZER SMELL. THIS IS CONTINOUS AND IN ALL SEASONS. THIS MAY BE DANGEROUS TO HEALTH OF OCCUPENTS."complaint #1188619
  33. #33

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT DUE TO A BREAK IN OF HIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER QUESTIONS THE SMART KEY KEYLESS/WIRELESS ENTRY DESIGN. *TGW"complaint #775517
  34. #34

    lighting interior

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS* TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SHE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GLARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. *JB"complaint #822887
  35. #35

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN PUTTING THE PRIUS INTO PARK AND SHUTTING OFF THE CAR, IT ROLLS BACK EVERY TIME. PUTTING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HELPS BUT IT STILL ROLLS. ALSO PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL (IE GOING THROUGH A AUTOMATED CAR WASH) THE CAR DOES NOT STAY IN NEUTRAL, IT POPS O…"~14,000 mi, complaint #762120
  36. #36

    seat mechanism

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. REPORTED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, HOWEVER DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER PROBLEM PERSISTS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE SEAT SENSOR PROBLEM FOR WHICH A RECALL WAS ISSUED…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1325918
  37. #37

    transmission cvt

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 TOYOTA GOES FORWARD WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. I APPLY BRAKES, TRY AGAIN, AND IT GOES INTO REVERSE, SOMETIMES AFTER TWO TRIES. TOYOTA SERVICE HERE CLAIMS THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM. IT DOESN'T DO THIS EVERY TIME, BUT MOST TIMES.…"complaint #772717
  38. #38

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ACCELERATION OF 2009 PRIUS WHEN BRAKING AND HIT A POTHOLE. *TR"~25,000 mi, complaint #757206

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA PRIUS directly.