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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

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?

Robert of Ocala, FL June 19, 2009

2006 Prius Driver's side headlight periodically goes out. (Dealership knows nothing about this.) Some buttons on steering wheel failed at approx. 58,000 miles, Tires wore out after 25k then again at approx. 23k. (Dealership knows nothing. Goodyear knows nothing) P.S. I just saw Bridgestones on the new Prius, at the dealership. Go figure!

The rear cup holder falls out of place frequently. The fuel economy 40-45mpg gets much worse just before oil changes.(Expected though)The traction control is very dangerous. As another person wrote; it will slip on a bug. Nothing like stepping on the gas to get out of a side street, and having the traction control kill power because sand is at the edge of the street and cars are heading at you. Windshield cracked (rock chip). No one sells them. Had to be shipped from Toyota. Over 1000.00 hence an increase in insurance due to being considered a claim. "Front of car is so heavy, possibly due to the inverter, that premature tire wear is expected". Service manager quote. No, they won't due anything about anything i've mentioned.

PS Front door locks won't lock with the buttons on the door arm rests. So, if I don't lock each front door manually, the keyfob alarm will not set. What a peice of junk. This car starts out well but slides to an electrical nightmare. Don't let the people with low mileage Prius' fool you. They haven't been there yet.

steven of Newbury Park, CA June 12, 2009

I own a 2006 prius, I started experiencing problems with the driver's side headlight; it would go on and off intermittently. Toyota says they can't do anything about it unless they notice the problem when I bring it in.

Colleen of Sugar Land, TX June 9, 2009

2005 Toyota Prius - both headlights were replaced before the 36,000 warranty expired. Now at 76,000 miles, driver side headlight is out again. Took it to the dealership, was told it was the HID bulb,the bulb would cost 500, plus a hour of labor, plus shop supplies plus tax. Lucky for me - the bulb was on back order.

So I took the Prius to the local auto shop and they said it was not the HID bulb but an another bulb in the headlight - cost 30 including labor. Plus they stated the HID bulb - they could get one for 125. I did call and speak with the service manager - who said I had given him a lot of information and ended the call. Not one word about getting back with me! Tonight - I have spent time online and it appears the Toyota has a problem with the HID bulbs! I would have paid for an HID bulb I did not need. I guess I have learned my lesson - do not take your car to the dealership for service and always get a second opinion.

Frank of Leominster, MA June 7, 2009

We own two Toyota Priuses, an '06 and '08. We commute 1 1/2 - 2 hours a day and we love them. The list of complaints here is an absolutely horrible sampling of Prius experiences due to selection bias. Complaints, not praises, are actively solicited on this website. Not saying the complaints are invalid. I'm saying that the sampling of experiences is completely invalid and, therefore, completely misleading.

Editor's Note: Thank you, professor. We get really tired of reading things like this. This is a complaint site. It does not claim to be a scientific sampling, but it does serve to alert consumers to problems that others have experienced and that they too might want to be prepared for. Not all of life is a sociology experiment. An armed robbery is an "anecdotal" experience but it is still harmful to its victim and the offender is, if caught, prosecuted. Would you rather consumers had no clue what types of problems have befallen others? Should we just rely on advertising and public relations for guidance in making purchases? Should consumers simply shut up and take what's given to them?

Harry of Hornell, NY June 6, 2009

My 2007 Prius has been a wonderful car, with no problems whatsover. My running average fuel economy stays at 50 mpg or better year round. My best mileage so far was a trip from western NY to Maine, where I got 61 mpg. Don't let these other losers fool you, the Prius is a wonderful car.

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