2005 Toyota Prius stability control problems

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I STARTED THE CAR AND THE SPEED INDICATOR DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LIGHTBULB OR SOMETHING THAT THAT HAD GONE OUT SINCE THE CAR DROVE LIKE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR BUT IT DIDN'T TURN OFF. I CALLED THE CAMPUS CAR SERVICE, BY THE TIME THEY GOT TO ME (ABOUT 30 MINUTES) THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE WHERE TOYOTA ADMITTED THAT HIGH MILAGE PRIUS' WERE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL ENDED IN 2013. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A KNOW ISSUE IS NO LONGER BEING FIXED WHEN THEY CLEARLY STATED THAT IT AFFECTS HIGH MILEAGE CARS. SO PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO'S CARS HAVEN'T REACHED A 'HIGH MILEAGE" DURING THEIR RECALL PERIOD ARE BASICALLY TOLD TO GUESS HOW FAST THE CAR IS TRAVELING?

NHTSA complaint #11103337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MOTOR WONT SHUT OFF

NHTSA complaint #10903572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), BRAKE LIGHT, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS (4) ON THE PRIUS ALL CAME ON AND VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE WHILE OUT OF TOWN. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE CONTACTED AND CAR SHOULD BE TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY FOR SERVICE. SINCE NO DEALERSHIP WAS AVAILABLE AT THE IMMEDIATE LOCATION, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME (60 MILES) IN VERY UNSTABLE CONDITIONS. UPON BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD IT WAS A MIRACLE NOTHING BAD HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE THE "COMPUTER SKID ASSEMBLY" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1570.97 FOR JUST THE PART!!! I FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT THE PART WAS READILY AVAILABLE AS IF I WERE REPLACING AN OIL OR AIR FILTER. AFTER CONFIRMING THE COST WITH OTHER DEALERSHIPS, I CONSENTED TO THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED. IS THIS JUST ANOTHER "BUILT IN OBSOLESCENCE" FEATURE? THERE APPEARS TO BE NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THIS NEW PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE PART POSSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN TO CONSUMERS. IN ADDITION, HOW CAN ANY REASONABLE CONSUMER BE CERTAIN THAT THIS PART FAILURE WAS NOT INPUT BY THE MANUFACTURER INTO THE CAR'S CONTROL SYSTEM. MAKES ME LONG FOR THE DAYS OF MANUAL VEHICLES AND SHADE TREE MECHANICS.

NHTSA complaint #10683120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

IN 2007, WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED TOYOTA PRIUS 2005 WITH 13,298 MILES. WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR EVER SINCE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 81,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENT ON JUNE 30, 2014, I WAS DRIVING THE 2005 PRIUS SLOWLY (10-15 MPH) ALONG A ROADWAY LOCATED IN A TECUMSEH, MI CITY PARK: AS THE CAR APPROACHED A LOCAL STREET, I BRAKED FOR A STOP BEFORE MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN. AS I ENGAGED THE BRAKE, THE ABS SYSTEM RED LIGHT APPEARED, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT AND THE RELATED BUZZER WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. AS I BRAKED, MY RIGHT FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. I FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I DROVE THE PRIUS VERY SLOWLY OVER THE TWO MILES HOME, USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AS NEEDED. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE RIDING WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WITNESSED THE INCIDENT. ON JULY 1, 2014, I CONTACTED AAA AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP IN ANN ARBOR, MI ' 30 MILES AWAY. AFTER A WEEK, AT THE REPAIR SHOP I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE FACILITY. OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE MONTHS, I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER CURIOUS PROBLEM THAT MAY BE BRAKE RELATED. WHEN BRAKING ON BUMPY ROADS (WE HAVE HORRIBLE POT HOLES ON MANY MAJOR STREETS AND ROADS) OR CURB CUTS, THE CAR ACCELERATES EVER SO BRIEFLY. THE FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL IS VERY DISTURBING. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE NOTED ABOVE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS BRAKE FAILURE. HOWEVER, I HAD JUST RETURNED HOME FROM BUSINESS IN A NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY 35 MILES AWAY. I OFTEN DRIVE BACKCOUNTRY COUNTY ROADS WITH POSTED SPEEDS OF 55 MPH. IF I HAD EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE FAILURE THEN, I MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH OTHERS.

NHTSA complaint #10609883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED ON A HILL WITH LIGHT SNOW COVER COMPLETELY STOPPING THE WHEELS AND PREVENTING ANY FORWARD MOTION, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PEDESTRIANS HAD TO PUSH THE CAR UP THE HILL WHILE THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED TO GET TO THE TOP. BACKING WOULD HAVE PLACED THE CAR IN A DANGEROUS POSITION WITH ONCOMING 50 MPH CROSS TRAFFIC . THERE SHOULD BE AN OVERRIDE FOR SITUATIONS SUCH AS THIS TO ENABLE SOME FORWARD MOTION TO BE MAINTAINED EVEN IF THERE IS SOME WHEEL SLIPPAGE. OCCURRED FRIDAY 14 FEB 2014. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST ON GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS AND OTHER ROADS. THIS INSTANCE WAS BY FAR THE MOST TROUBLING SINCE PEDESTRIANS WERE INVOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10564706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

THE TRACTION CONTROL OVERRIDE REPEATEDLY ENGAGES ARBITRARILY UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING HITTING BUMPS/POTHOLES AT 35 MPH AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP ON BOTH WET AND DRY ROADS. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THIS FEATURE IN SNOW, BUT OUR PRIUS DOES IT FREQUENTLY. ASIDE FROM THE INCONVENIENCE, THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS FEATURE CANNOT BE DISABLED, BUT IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT IT NEEDS TO BE TO AVOID POTENTIAL COLLISIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10557264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WE HAVE NOTICED REPEATEDLY (A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES) OVER THREE YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR AND 100K MILES, THAT AS WE BRAKE GOING OVER A BUMPY SECTION OF ROAD, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS AND THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATES FOR ONE OR TWO SECONDS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY ALARMING WHEN WE NEED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY IN A CURVE ON A BUMPY ROAD AS IT SEEMS WE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I ALWAYS BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT AND MY RIGHT FOOT REMAINS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND ON THE BRAKE THROUGHOUT THESE EPISODES. OUR CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM AND THE PASSENGER NOTICES THAT THE STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DURING THESE EPISODES. IT IS NOT SIMPLY THAT THE CAR COASTS WHEN THE BRAKING FAILS, THE ENGINE ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE IT IS REVVING UP AND THE CAR NOTICEABLY SPEEDS UP. ONCE THE BUMPY SECTION HAS BEEN PASSED, NORMAL BRAKING RESUMES. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FLOOR MAT. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE REPRODUCIBLE THRU TESTING.

NHTSA complaint #10367654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA MARCH 10, 2010. I DID SO AFTER TALKING WITH A COWORKER WHO HAD A 2010 PRIUS. I HAVE A 2005 PRIUS. WE BOTH EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. THEREFORE, I FIGURED I SHOULD TAKE IT MORE SERIOUS. THE TOYOTA'S SAFETY INCIDENT NUMBER IS [XXX] . WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND HITTING THE BREAKS I NOTICE THAT INSTEAD OF IMMEDIATELY SLOWING THE CAR DOWN, THE CAR SEEMS TO EITHER NOT SLOW AT ALL AND SEEMS TO ACCELERATE. KNOWING THAT GOING OVER BUMPS CAN CAUSE A TIRE TO TEMPORARILY LOOSE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD SURFACE AND THAT CARS CAN ELECTRONICALLY TRANSFER DRIVE FROM A TIRE THAT LOOSES CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE TO THE OTHER WHEEL, THERE MAY BE MIXED SIGNALS HAPPENING. THE BRAKES TELLING THE CAR TO STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL TELLING THE ACCELERATION TO TRANSFER. IT SEEMS THE ACCELERATION IS TAKING PRECEDENCE. REGARDLESS, THIS SEEMS THAT IT COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM IF ON A BUMPY ROAD SURFACE OR A POT HOLE OR SOMETHING AND A CAR STOPS INFRONT OF ME OR A KID RUNS INTO THE STREET OR FOR SOME OTHER REASON I NEED TO STOP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10352755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AUGUST 4, 2010 AROUND 8:36PM I WAS ON I4 HEADING EASTBOUND ABOUT 13 MILES FROM MY HOUSE GOING AROUND 66MPH. THE DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE HOT WITH NO RAIN. WHEN MY EMERGENCY LIGHT, EXPLANATION MARK LIGHT AND THE VSC LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND MY CAR EXPERIENCE A JERKING LIKING MOTION. I CALLED MY FATHER IMMEDIATELY TOLD HIM WHAT'S HAPPENING, HE TOLD ME TO TURN AROUND AND GET THE CAR HOME. I TURNED AROUND AND AS I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AFTER EXITING I4 ON SAND LAKE RD MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A LOUD CONTINUOUS BEEPING NOISE THAT LASTED ABOUT 20 SECONDS EVERY 2 MINUTES. WHEN THIS LOUD BEEPING NOISE OCCURRED THE BRAKES WOULD STOP WORKING FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THAN START AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME AT 8:52PM AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10347468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1. WHILE DRIVING OVER RR TRACKS, A LACK OF BRAKE RESPONSE (OR FEEL) - HAPPENED ONCE IN 2008. MENTIONED TO DEALER, BUT I DID NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS A TYPICAL PROBLEM. 2. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL ON A SLIPPERY ROAD, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WAS NO FEEL OF BRAKING. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A CURB. HAPPENED JAN/2010. MENTIONED TO DEALER, BUT I DID NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS A TYPICAL PROBLEM. 3. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL ON SLIPPERY ROADS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN TO A STOP, OR NOT GO AT A S&G LIGHT. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY IN 2010. MENTIONED TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A FUNCTION OF THE TRACTION CONTROL THAT PREVENTED TIRES FROM SPINNING.

NHTSA complaint #10330170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

BRAKING MOMENTARILY FAILS AFTER HITTING A BUMP, POTHOLE, OR OTHER ROAD IRREGULARITY. THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE ISSUE PERFECTLY. HTTP://WWW.THEDETROITBUREAU.COM/2009/12/NHTSA-TRACKING-BRAKING-LOSS-ON-PRIUS-HYBRIDS/#MORE-17003 DEALERS SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE HAVE SAID THERE WAS "NOTHING WRONG".

NHTSA complaint #10329440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004. THE SKID LIGHT COMES ON EVERYTIME I HIT AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE FEELING LIKE I'M DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND ICY ROAD. ON THE WAY HOME WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE CAR HESITATED WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKE, VSC, TRAC, AND ABS CAME ON. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME IT WAS THE WHEEL SENSOR, THAT MY REAR RIGHT TIRE IS NOT BEING SENSED, BUT THE REST WERE. IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD; AND WITH FURTHER DIAGNOSIS, THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER ASSEMBLY. I FELT ROBBED BY SPENDING MONEY ON THE WHEEL SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED WHEN ALL THE WHILE IT WAS THE SKID CONTROL ECM WAS THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10329411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

48 MPH TRAVELING NORTH ON OR 217; WITHOUT CAUSE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON ABS WARNING LIGHT ON VSC WARNING LIGHT ON AUDIBLE ALARM STEADY TONE THEN TRY TO STOP: BRAKE PEDAL UP HIGH, BRAKE PEDAL UNRESPONSIVE AND HARD TO PRESS, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF ON ALLEN EXIT; BRAKES STILL UNRESPONSIVE, PRESSED MAXIMUM FORCE ON BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES LOCKED UP THE WHEELS SKIDDING AND BURNING RUBBER.

NHTSA complaint #10326401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS--EXPERIENCES BRAKING AND HANDLING FAILURES WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN OR WET SURFACES. WHEN WE ARE BRAKING AND HIT A POTHOLE, GRAVEL, RAILROAD TRACKS OR WET SURFACES, THE CAR FEELS AS IF WE ARE LOSING CONTROL OF IT, AND BRAKING SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY STOP. THE "SKID DANGER" LIGHT COMES ON, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME WE BRAKE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. ALSO, AT IDLE (IE. STOPLIGHTS), THE CAR WILL FREQUENTLY LURCH FORWARD SLIGHTLY, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE TRANSFERS FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS. WE WERE TOLD EARLY IN OUR OWNERSHIP THAT THIS IS NORMAL "DIESELING". THESE HAVE BEEN ON-GOING PROBLEMS, SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 (NEW), THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE "IMAGINING" UNTIL HEARING ALL OF THE REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS.TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THE PRIUS BRAKING ISSUES ONLY AFFECT THE 2010 PRIUS, BUT WE SEE IT FIRSTHAND ON AN ON-GOING BASIS.

NHTSA complaint #10325388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES AND CAR ACCELERATES WHEN ENCOUNTERING SUDDEN BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS WHEN HITTING BUMPS WHILE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. I HAVE INFORMED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS AND THEY NEVER REPLIED. THE AFFECTED CAR IS A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 65,000 MILES. PURCHASED CPO IN AUGUST OF 2009 FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. THIS ISSUE IS A REPEAT OCCURANCE. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE IN EXCESS OF 20 TIMES SINCE I'VE ASSUMED THIS CAR AND NOTICED PRIOR TO THE MASSIVE RECALL NOISE IN THE MEDIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10322171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS [XXX] WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN/BUMPY ROAD (EVEN FREEWAY LANE DIVIDER BUMPS), SKID LIGHT COME ON AND BRAKING FORCE IS REDUCED. HAS HAPPENED AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. NO ISSUE ON SMOOTH ROADS. HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES, OVER SEVERAL YEARS, HAVE NEVER HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED. LAST OCCURED 3/3/2010.

NHTSA complaint #10316683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 - MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. I RECEIVED A TICKET THAT I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES MENTIONED THAT OTHER CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE EASY FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. 2 - SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2005 PRIUS IN 2004, WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT FOR THE STABILITY COMES ON AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK FOR A SECOND OR TWO. I HAD ASKED WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I GUESS WE KNOW BETTER NOW. 3 - SOMETIMES THE TWO FRONT TIRES LOSE TRACTION AND MAKE A NOISE WHILE SPINNING, BEFORE THE CAR MOVES. 4 - IF MY CAR WAS UNDER THE "CARPET" RECALL, WHY IS IT THAT IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE GAS PEDAL? 5 - TWO OF MY LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING. ONE IS THE FRONT PASSENGER AN ONE IN THE BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10315915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS WILL LOCK THE DRIVE WHEELS LEAVING YOU STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD/TURN. THE ACCELERATOR CAN BE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR - ENGINE RACING - I HAVE HAD TO SIT FOR 30-45 SECONDS BEFORE SYSTEM RELEASED THE DRIVE WHEELS.

NHTSA complaint #10314221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2005 PRIUS BRAKES FAIL TEMPORARY WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPY SURFACE. IT OCCURS WEEKLY. NO CONSEQUENCES YET. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10313105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS AND MY BRAKES SLIP WHENEVER A FRONT TIRE DROPS ONTO AN UNEVEN SURFACE. IT SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED AS HAPPENING TO THE 2010 MODELS. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES AS I LIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD AND WHEN I TURN ONTO MY ROAD IT IS AN UNEVEN SURFACE. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, TO THE POINT THAT I ANTICIPATE THE OCCURRENCE WHEN ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE. I THINK THAT I COULD RECREATE THE OCCURRENCE IF NEEDED. (THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL) ALSO, THE LIGHT SHOWING THAT VEHICLE STABILIZATION IS ON LIGHTS UP WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA complaint #10311122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

MY WIFE AND I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2005 PRIUS FROM WILDE TOYOTA IN WEST ALLIS, WI. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE ON ICY ROADS, SLICK ROADS, AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. WE HAVE HAD THREE BRAKE FAILURES. THE FIRST WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE-STREET. I WAS GOING SLOW, LESS THEN 15 MILES PER HOUR, AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE A TURN. THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE FOR APROX. 2 SECONDS CAUSING ME TO ROLL BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. THE SECOND OCCURED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, UNDER 40 MILES AN HOUR, ON A MAIN ROAD. AS SHE APPROACHED THE STOPLIGHT SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, WHICH ALSO FAILED TO ENGAGE. DUE TO HER HIGHER SPEED SHE ROLLED OVER 10 FEET AND CAME CLOSE TO HITTING THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER BEFORE THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED. THE FINAL OCCURANCE ALSO OCCURED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, THIS TIME AT A HIGHER SPEED BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES ON AN OVERPASS THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CAR PHYSICALLY SEEMED TO SHAKE A BIT. AFTER BEING UNABLE TO STOP FOR SEVERAL FEET THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED. WE BELIEVE THESE OCCURANCES ARE DUE TO AN ERROR WITH OUR ABS SYSTEM. IN EACH OCCURANCE THE "SLIPPERY ROAD" WARNING HAS APPEARED. WE TOOK IT TO WILDE TAYOTA THIS MORNING. AFTER SOFTWARE TESTING AS WELL AS ROAD TESTING ON THEIR SNOW COVERED LOT THEY FAILED TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO SYSTEM ERRORS WERE PRESENT AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION. WE ARE, HOWEVER, STILL CONVINCED THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. IF IT OCCURS AGAIN WE WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TRY TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10308724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2005 PRIUS, BOUGHT NEW. I NOW HAVE 130,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AND MAINTAINED AT SCHEDULED INTERVALS, MOSTLY BY A TOYOTA DEALER. #1: I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SINCE THE FIRST WINTER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT THE "TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" IS DANGEROUS IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. WHENEVER THE ROAD IS SLIPPERY, IF THE CAR SENSES WHEELSPIN, IT CUTS POWER TO THE ENGINE. THIS IS SCARY IF YOU'RE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ON A RAINY DAY, AS THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES JUST QUIT RUNNING FOR A SECOND, LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SNOW IS FAR WORSE. I LIVE ON A HILLY ROAD. IF IT'S SNOWY THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN, AND SIMPLY STOP TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE FIRST STEEP SLOPE I COME TO. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD I MASH ON THE ACCELERATOR, OR IF I BACK OFF AND TRY AGAIN, THE CAR WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE. ONCE THE CAR STOPS MOVING FORWARD IT BEGINS TO SLIDE BACKWARDS, AND CONTROL IS TOTALLY LOST. I WAS NEARLY KILLED THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED (IN ABOUT ONE INCH OF SNOW) AS MY CAR EVENTUALLY SLIPPED SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. AN SUV CAME DOWN THE HILL AND NEARLY BROADSIDED ME BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR TURNED BACK DOWN THE HILL. (MY CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH AGGRESSIVE SNOW TIRES AT THE TIME.) EVER SINCE THEN, IF I'M COMING HOME FROM WORK IN THE SNOW, I LEAVE MY CAR IN THE SHOPPING CENTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND CALL MY HUSBAND, WHO PICKS ME UP WITH HIS FORD BRONCO. # 2: ANTI-LOCK BRAKING. THE 2010 PRIUS'S AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WITH PROBLEMS; MINE DOES THE SAME THING. IF I'M BRAKING ON A BUMPY STRETCH OF ROAD OR OVER A MANHOLE COVER IN THE RAIN, THE CAR WILL CUT POWER TO THE BRAKES, CAUSING THE CAR TO FEEL LIKE IT'S SURGING FORWARD. AGAIN THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE IN THE SNOW. GOING DOWNHILL ON A SNOWY, SLIPPERY HILL THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES REPEATEDLY CUT BRAKING POWER, WHICH ACTUALLY CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO UNSAFE SPEEDS. MY DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS HOW THE CAR WORKS, AND NOTHING CAN BE DOME TO CORRECT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10308430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

BRAKING ON 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP AND YOU HIT A BUMPY SURFACE OR MANHOLE COVER THE ANTILOCK BRAKES GO OFF AND THE BRAKES RELEASE FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS AND YOU FEEL AS IF YOU ARE SKIDDING ON ICE.

NHTSA complaint #10307704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST 5 YEARS MY 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS ABS SYSTEM HAD RELEASED THE BRAKES FOR UNCOMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF TIME (0.5-1.0 SECONDS) WHEN COMING TO A STOP OVER SLIGHTLY BUMPY ROAD. IF I DIDN'T KEEP GOOD DISTANCE I COULD HAVE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA complaint #10308012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2005 PRIUS LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TIRE SLIPPAGE (TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATION.: WHEN THE VEHICLE DETECTS A TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING (GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, RAIN OR WET CONDITIONS, LOOSE GRAVEL, ETC.) ALL POWER IS CUT TO THE WHEELS LEAVING THE CAR IN AN UNCONTROLLED SKIDDING CONDITION. THERE IS NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKING TO THE WHEELS (PULSED ON-OFF-ON) TO KEEP CONTROL. PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR STOPPING ON WET ROADS HAS ALMOST LED TO ME BEING HIT OR HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR PEDESTRIAN. PRIUS OWNERS OF THE SECOND GENERATION HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED BEING UNABLE TO GO UP DRIVEWAYS AND MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10307248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

WHEN APPROACHING A LIGHT, I CHANGED LANES INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE, APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, LET UP ON THE BRAKE TO GO OVER A DEPRESSED AREA WHERE A PIPE WAS BEING REPLACED AND THE ROAD REPAIRED. I THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES FIRMLY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON WHEN I WENT OVER THE BUMP AND IT TOOK ABOUT 2 SECONDS OF HEADING TOWARDS THE BACK OF A TRUCK FOR THE BREAKS TO ENGAGE AT ALL. WHEN THEY FINALLY ENGAGED, THE CAR STOPPED VERY QUICKLY (AS I WOULD EXPECT) AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY THE PERSON BEHIND ME. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES NOT ENGAGE ON ONE OTHER INCIDENT THAT ALSO INVOLVED SWITCHING LANES AND A BUMP. TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ON THIS PRIUS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT KILL. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE "BRAKING PROBLEM" WAS "LIMITED" TO 2010 PRIUSES. IT IS NOT. THIS ISSUE HAS CLEARLY OCCURRED TWICE FOR ME IN THE PAST 5 YEARS OF MODERATE DRIVING (ABOUT 10K MILES PER YEAR). TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT I WAS MAKING IT UP, IT NEVER HAPPENED, I MUST HAVE NOT PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. I NEVER RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND THE CAR STOPPED JUST FINE AFTER A SIGNIFICANT DELAY. THEY DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10306212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2005 PRIUS. IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING FROM A NORMAL SPEED, THE CAR WILL BRIEFLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSES ADDITIONAL BRAKING PRESSURE TO BE NEEDED AND PRECISE STEERING. MANY PRIUS OWNERS SINCE 2004 HAVE INDICATED THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10306509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2005 PRIUS. IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING FROM A NORMAL SPEED, THE CAR WILL BRIEFLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSES ADDITIONAL BRAKING PRESSURE TO BE NEEDED AND PRECISE STEERING. MANY PRIUS OWNERS SINCE 2004 HAVE INDICATED THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10306509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I READ LOTS OF NEWS REPORTS YESTERDAY THAT THE 2010 PRIUS HAS A BRAKING ISSUE WHEN RUN OVER SPEED BUMPS. MY 2005 PRIUS HAS A SIMILAR BEHAVIOR WHICH SEMI-KNOWN CAUSE WHICH MIGHT EXPLAIN THIS, WHILE BEING SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS IN ANOTHER WAY. WHEN ONE DRIVES A 2005 PRIUS TOO FAST OVER A SPEED BUMP, OR THROUGH ANOTHER SITUATION WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO THINK ONE OF ITS WHEELS IS SLIPPING OR SPINNING AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN THE OTHERS, THE CAR TEMPORARILY (AS I BELIEVE IS IN THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL) FLASHES A BRIEFLY APPEARING INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE FRONT PANEL INDICATING IT IS SLIPPING, AND TEMPORARILY CUTS BACK ON ENGINE POWER. AVOIDING THIS REQUIRES KNOWING THE DRIVING BEHAVIOR OF THE PRIUS, AND I WONDER IF THIS IS THE BEHAVIOR CERTAIN 2010 PRIUS OWNERS MAY BE NOTING. {IF ONE IS LOOKING AT THE ROAD AND SCARED BY THE SUDDEN DROP IN ENGINE POWER, ONE MAY NEVER LOOK DOWN AT THE DASH TO SEE THE INDICATOR FLASH FOR 1-2 SECONDS EITHER.} NORMALLY THIS IS MIGHT SEEM LIKE REASONABLE, BUT THIS BECOMES POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SHOULD ONE TRY TO MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN ONTO A HIGHER-SPEED MAIN ROAD (40 MPH+) FROM A DEAD STOP ON A SIDE ROAD WITH A HIGH RATE OF ACCELERATION TO ATTEMPT MERGE INTO HIGH-VOLUME, FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. IN SUCH CASES (ESPECIALLY IF WATER IS PRESENT, BUT EVEN IF THE ROAD IS DRY), I HAVE HAD THE ANTI-SKID FEATURE KICK IN AND CUT BACK ON ENGINE POWER FOR A HALF-SECOND OR SO, WHICH RISKS STALLING THE CAR TEMPORARILY IN FRONT OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I TRY NOT TO DO ANY MANEUVERS LIKE THIS, EVEN THOUGH OTHER CARS OFTEN CAN "BURN RUBBER" A BIT AND DO THIS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, AS IT IS PRESUMED TO BE NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THE CAR, AND I NEVER HAD A CAR WITH ANTI-SKID ABILITIES BEFORE. SEEING THIS WAS COMMON FOR ME AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW SOMEWHAT RARE (LESS THAN ONCE/MONTH) DUE TO CHANGING MY DRIVING HABITS. (MY2005 PRIUS LACKS VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL; BUT HAS THE STANDARD ANTI-SKID SAFETY FEATURE.)

NHTSA complaint #10305084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.