34 of the 1,690 complaints about the 2006 Toyota Prius are about the stability control — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 35,000 miles.
34
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT CAUSING THE HYBRID BATTERY TO DIE. PRESSING THE BREAK IS SUPPOSED TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY BUT THE BATTERY IS NOW COMPLETELY GONE
NHTSA complaint #11286744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE TWO CARS TOYOTA PRIUS. THE FIRST YEAR OF 2006. THE SECOND CAR OF 2010. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS NO. BUT WITH THE FIRST CAR TOYOTA PRIUS 2006. MANY CLAIMS. IN THE FIRST CONTROL. WHEN TURNING THE CAR AT SPEED. THE CAR IS SET ASIDE. I REMIND THE REST OF THE CARS THAT I DRIVING THE CAR. SUCH CASES WERE NOT OBSERVED. THEY ARE PERFECTLY CONTROLLED IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROAD. SECONDLY, IN COLD WEATHER IN AUTUMN OR WINTER. CAR WINDOWS ARE VERY FOGGY. FROM 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR. WHILE THE CAR IS WARM AND THE INTERIOR TOO. UNABLE TO ENTER THE CAR, CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #11155658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I USED A UHUAL TOW DOLLY TO MOVE MY CAR ABOUT 30 MILES. WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR TO REMOVE IT FROM THE DOLLY THE VSC, BRAKE & ABS LIGHTS WERE ON. I CONFIRMED THAT MY ABS DO NOT CURRENTLY WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11011966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
FOR APROXIMADAMENTELY TWO YEARS THE BRAKES AVE NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY AND WE TOOK IT TO GET EVALUATED AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. NOW I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A SECURITY PROBLEM TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SELLS THE PART FO A LITTLE OVER $1,700 I WAS ALSO TOLD IT SHOULD BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY SINCE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL BECAUSE OF THIS BEING A SECURITY PROBLEM. I RUN THE RICK TO RUN OUT OF BRAKES AT ANY MOMENT AND I CAN NOT DEIVE MY VEHICLE LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10966420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
"!", ABS, AND VSC LIGHTS COME ON AND BRAKES STOP WORKING - WHILE DRIVING. MUST COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF VEHICLE, AND RESTART. THEN BRAKES WORK FOR A WHILE UNTIL PROBLEM RECURS. REPLACED BRAKE STROKE SENSOR. FIXED PROBLEM FOR 17 MONTHS - 20,000 MILES. AGAIN, BRAKES FAIL WHILE DRIVING. GETTING CODE DTC 1247 - FAULT IN STROKE SENSOR. TOLD PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE A PART THAT FAILS EVERY 20,000 MILES RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10445195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
IN ADDITION TO MY COMPLAINT, ODI ID #10400072, WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON, THE LIGHTING IN MY CONSOLE LOSES IT BRIGHTNESS--ALOT. DURING THE DAYTIME, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER AND ALL OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED ON MY CONSOLE... THIS INCLUDES THE BUILT-IN GPS/INFO SCREEN. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW THAT TOYOTA CREATED AND APPROVED FOR SALE HERE IN THE U.S. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA IS NOT HELD FULLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE VERY SERIOUS FLAWS AND ARE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THESE VERY SERIOUS FLAWS AT NO COST THE THE INNOCENT CONSUMER THAT ARE VICTIMS FOR PURCHASING THESE VEHICLES FULLY TRUSTING THAT TOYOTA FULLY BACKED UP THEIR VEHICLES AND REPUTATION. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO REQUIRE TOYOTA TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO RECTIFY THESE VERY OBVIOUS FLAWS IN THEIR VEHICLES? A DEATH AS A RESULT OF AN INNOCENT DRIVER AND HIS FAMILY TRUSTING THE TOYOTA BRAND NAME? I SURE HOPE NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10417216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN SURFACE OR GRATE OR SLIPPERY SURFACE WHILE BRAKING IN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) AND/OR VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THESE SYSTEMS DO SO, IT FEELS LIKE I LOSE ALL BRAKING POWER AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE CAR ACCELERATES. IT IS MOST APPARENT WHEN IT IS WET OUT, BUT I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN EVEN IN DRY CONDITIONS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE ABS, BUT THEY SEEM TO BE CORRECTING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR 2010 PRIUSES THROUGH A SOFTWARE CHANGE--BUT NOT ANY OTHER YEAR MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10332248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP OR UNEVEN SURFACE OR GRATE OR SLIPPERY SURFACE WHILE BRAKING IN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) AND/OR VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THESE SYSTEMS DO SO, IT FEELS LIKE I LOSE ALL BRAKING POWER AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE CAR ACCELERATES. IT IS MOST APPARENT WHEN IT IS WET OUT, BUT I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN EVEN IN DRY CONDITIONS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE ABS, BUT THEY SEEM TO BE CORRECTING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR 2010 PRIUSES THROUGH A SOFTWARE CHANGE--BUT NOT ANY OTHER YEAR MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10332248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
WHENEVER BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME I GO OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR ROUGH ROAD SUCH AS POTHOLES, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES DISENGAGE FOR A SHORT TIME ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS PURCHASED NEW IN 2006.. MY HUSBAND'S SUBURU FORESTER DOES NOT GIVE THIS UNSETTLING FEELING, AS IF LOSING CONTROL, WHEN IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING MODE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS. I REPORTED IT TO MY TOYOTA CAR DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND WAS TOLD "THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT." I SUSPECT IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE REGENERATION OF THE ELECTRIC BATTERY WHILE BRAKING SINCE THIS IS A DIFFERENCE FROM OTHER VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10330718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
2006 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSES ALL TRACTION WHEN ENCOUNTERING CONDITIONS WHERE ONLY ONE WHEEL LOSES TRACTION. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON ROADS WITH SAND ON THEM. MOST COMMONLY IT OCCURS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION, FROM THE RIGHT OR TURN LANE. WHEN TO ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED, THE CAR STARTS TO MOVE, USUALLY A LITTLE WAY INTO THE INTERSECTION, AND THEN STALLS BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STARTS TO SLIP IN THE SAND ALONG THE CURB. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN EXECUTING A "RIGHT ON RED" TURN. THE CAR HAS MOVED PART WAY INTO THE INTERSECTION AND IS STALLED BY THE LACK OF ANY TRACTION. TOYOTA CALLS THIS "TRACTION CONTROL". I DON'T THINK THIS IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION. IT'S REALLY COMPUTER CONTROLLED TRACTION LOSS. THE OCCURRENCE REPORTED IS ONLY THE LATEST. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS. COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS, BECAUSE THEY SAY THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING WITHIN DESIGN LIMITS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT OVER-REVVING OF ENGINE COMPONENTS AND STRESSING THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10328406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. IF I HIT A POTHOLE WHILE I AM BRAKING, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES SLIP FOR A SECOND AND I LOSE MY ABILITY TO BRAKE WHILE THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. A SECOND LATER EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL. THE VSA LIGHT FLASHES CONCURRENTLY WITH THE INCIDENT. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED, IT REALLY SCARED ME, AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I MAKE SURE TO LEAVE MORE THAN THE NORMAL SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN CASE THIS HAPPENS. I JUST ASSUMED THIS WAS SOMETHING THE CAR DID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO, BUT NOW THAT THE 2010 PRIUS RECALL HAS BEEN PUBLICIZED, THE ISSUE BEING DESCRIBED THERE SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD.
NHTSA complaint #10310633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING ON ROADS THAT ARE CURVED, WHEN CHANGING LANES, OR ON STREETS THAT ARE WET, THE CAR FEELS UNBALANCED, AND REQUIRES A QUICK STEERING ADJUSTMENT TO REGAIN NORMAL OPERATION. INCIDENTS LIKE THESE OCCUR TOO FREQUENTLY, AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK, AND WHEN THEY OCCUR, THE VEHICLE'S RED SKID LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED (I SUPPOSE IT IS RELATED TO THIS MODEL'S ANTI-SKID AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE THAT WAS NOT STANDARD EQUIPMENT). TRACTION CONTROL WAS AN OPTIONAL FEATURE THAT THE DEALERSHIPS OFFERED IN MORE EXPENSIVE PACKAGES OF THE 2006 PRIUS BUNDLED TOGETHER WITH OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE NOT RELATED TO DRIVING SAFETY, WHICH MADE THE PACKAGES UNNECESSARILY EXPENSIVE, AND WAS A FACTOR IN MY DECISION TO NOT OPT FOR THIS UPGRADE. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE, I FELT THE NEED TO REPORT THIS IN CASE OTHER DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. THE DATE I HAVE SELECTED CORRESPONDS TO THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT TO ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT, AS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. FYI, TIRES, BRAKES, STEERING, AND ALIGNMENT HAVE ALL BEEN CHECKED AND MAINTAINED AS PER TOYOTA'S SUGGESTED GUIDELINES.
NHTSA complaint #10310658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
OVER THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I'VE TAKEN MY PRIUS TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE WITH CONCERN OVER MY BRAKING SYSTEM THREE TIMES. TWICE THE HEAD OF SERVICE MECHANICS HAS DRIVEN WITH ME SEEING NOTHING UNUSUAL, THE THIRD TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK THE CAR OUT WITH ME. THEY ALL VOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE REASON I'VE BEEN SO CONCERNED WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM DIDN'T RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WITH WET PAVEMENT OR RAINING, PRESSING THE BRAKES WITH AUTHORITY, THE CAR WILL GO INTO A SLIGHT SKID WITH THE DASH SKID LIGHT COMING ON. THIS ENTIRE SENARIO HAS CAUSED ME TO BE OVERLY CAUTIOUS WHEN BRAKING ANYTIME AND IN ANY SITUATION. IF A QUICK ACTION IS NEEDED FOR SPEEDY BRAKING I QUESTION WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. IT APPEARS THE PEOPLE AT TOYOTA HAVE JUST TRIED TO APPEASE ME NOT BELIEVING NOR UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S BEEN IN ERROR. I DON'T FEEL SO INADEQUATE NOW THAT ALL THE CURRENT INFORMATION HAS COME TO LIGHT. WAS BEGINNING TO THINK I WAS THE COMPLAINER WITHOUT CAUSE. I LOVE MY CAR - BUT AM NOW EVEN MORE HESITANT ABOUT IT'S SAFETY. MUST ADMIT, I'M FAR MORE CAREFUL THAN EVER, BEING ON THE LOOKOUT FOR POSSIBLE BRAKING SITUATIONS IN ADVANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10307043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN DRIVING OVER POTHOLE OR BUMPS, ANTILOCK BREAKS ARE TRIGGERED, AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK (TEMPORARILY). I HAVE LISTENED TO THE REPORTS ON THE 2010 PRIUS AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THE EXACT ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN MY 2ND GENERATION PRIUS. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED TO THE 3RD GENERATION MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10307103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 PRIUS, THAT WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE OR POTHOLE, THERE ARE TIMES WHERE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL COME ON, ON THE DASH, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY, IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS UNCONTROLLABLE. ITS A SIMILAR FEELING AS DRIVING ON A SNOW COVERED SURFACE. NOT SURE IF ITS JUST A FLAW IN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (MAY INCLUDE A BRAKING ISSUE AS WELL). I DID CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER, WHO WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE, YET IF YOU WERE TO DO A SEARCH ONLINE, YOU WILL SEE THAT OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10306364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS SEVERAL ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION, BRAKING, TURNING CAR OFF AND ON ALARM GOES OFF CONSTANTLY AND TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE AROUND 30 MILES PER GALLON.
NHTSA complaint #10306520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
WHENEVER I DRIVE OVER ROUGH SURFACES THE BRAKES WON'T ENGAGE FOR A FEW SECONDS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR I DROVE INTO AN INTERSECTION AND WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT. I ASKED A MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT IS JUST HOW THE CAR IS, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. IT HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006, SO THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS IRRELEVANT.
NHTSA complaint #10306762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
1. BRAKES ON MY 2006 PRIUS MOMENTARILY FAILED TO RESPOND, AFTER A 1 - 2 SEC DELAY THEY ACTIVATED. AT SAME TIME,THE TRACTION LIGHT FLASHES, BUT THE CAR IS NOT LOSING TRACTION. THIS HAPPENED 4 X, ONE ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. IT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN WHEN BRAKING WHILE GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER TIMES WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT FLASHES ON UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT EFFECT ON BRAKES IS UNKNOWN: NOT BRAKING THEN. 3 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AT ONE DEALER, I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH A MECHANIC. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON WHEN THERE WAS NO LOSS OF TRACTION. THE INVOICE STATED "TEST DROVE AND CHECKED OPERATIONS. AT THIS TIME COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERNS." I WROTE ON THE INVOICE "I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON WHEN THERE WAS NO LOSS OF TRACTION. I AM NOT SATISFIED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND AND REPAIRED." & ON THE SIGNATURE LINE "NOT SATISFIED, (SIGNATURE)" I WANTED THEM TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER, BUT THEY SAID IF THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY COULDN'T CHANGE THE COMPUTER. I INSISTED THAT THEY REPLACE ONE COMPONENT, AND IF THE PROBLEM DIDN'T REOCCUR, I'D KNOW THEY FOUND THE SOLUTION. THEY BLED THE BRAKES, WHICH WAS UNLIKELY TO BE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY INVOICE UP 2ND TIME, THE COPY ON WHICH I HAD WRITTEN MY COMMENTS WAS RETURNED TO ME, AND A FRESHLY PRINTED COPY- WITHOUT MY COMMENTS - WAS GIVEN TO ME & KEPT FOR THEIR RECORDS. 2. SAME CAR: HEADLIGHT GO OUT AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. 2 TOYOTA DEALERS TOLD ME THAT THE BULB WOULD COST $300, AND INSTALLATION WOULD BE WELL OVER $100 BECAUSE THEY "HAD TO TAKE OFF THE BUMPER TO CHANGE THE BULB!" I REPLACED THE BULB MYSELF (WITHOUT TAKING OFF THE BUMPER) BUT NOW, 9 MONTHS LATER, IT IS STARTING TO GO AGAIN. TOYOTA SENT A LETTER SAYING IT WAS HOW HID BULBS BURNED OUT & NOT A PBLM W/ CONTROLLER. IF TRUE, HOW IS IT THAT NEW BULB IS ALSO BURNING OUT?
NHTSA complaint #10306849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE CAR INDICATES A WHEEL SLIDE WARNING IN BEST OF CONDITIONS AT RANDOM TIMES. LOSS OF POWER TO CAR AND DIFFICULTY IN RETAINING CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10305447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE AGENCY AWARE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE 2010 MODEL BUT I HAVE VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH MY 2006. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND OCCURS REGULARLY FROM TIME TO TIME (AND HAS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW). WHEN PASSING OVER ROAD SURFACES THAT CAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE TO ACTIVATE (WET ROAD, GRAVEL, POT HOLE, SNOW, ETC.), BRAKING AND ACCELERATION CONTROL IS TEMPORARILY LOST. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL PERSISTS FOR 1-5 SECONDS WHEN BRAKING, AND INDEFINITELY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE (I.E. WHEN ON SNOW). BRAKING DISTANCE IS CLEARLY INCREASED, AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AT ALL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE I HAD MAINTAINED A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE, BUT NEARLY RAN INTO CARS STOPPING IN FRONT OF ME (DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT BRAKING APPROPRIATELY). MERGING IS ALSO AN ISSUE AT TIMES, AS IS ACCELERATING (INTO TRAFFIC OR OUT OF A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON SNOWY/WET ROADS). I FEEL THAT THE BEST SOLUTION WOULD BE THE ABILITY TO DEACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY TOYOTA IS NOT CURRENTLY OFFERING A WAY TO DO THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10305558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF BRAKE SLIPPAGE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE DURING DECELERATION OR ACCELERATION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH AT PRIUSCHAT.COM, AN ONLINE COMMUNITY OF PRIUS OWNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS "BY DESIGN" SINCE THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER THOUGHT THAT LOSS OF TRACTION WHEN GOING OVER AN OBSTACLE WAS CONSIDERED AS A STABILITY ISSUE HENCE DIS-ENGAGING THE BRAKES (ABS). I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FENDER BENDERS WITHOUT THE AIR-BAG DEPLOYING THOUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10305625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES UNNECESSARILY WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES, POTHOLES, BUMP IN ROAD, OR ON WET SURFACES.
NHTSA complaint #10305744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. IF IT ENCOUNTERS BUMPY ROAD WHILE TURNING AND BRAKING, THEN STABILITY INDICATOR WILL LIGHT UP AND BRAKES WILL STOP WORKING FOR ABOUT A SECOND. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ON ICE. IT CAN BE REPRODUCED AT WILL. JUST BUMPY ROAD SURFACE AND TURNING/BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME. DID NOT TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IT THOUGH. LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10305791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF IT WERE TEMPORARILY LOSING BRAKING CONTROL. WITHIN MOMENTS, THE BRAKES WOULD RESET AND FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTION WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,423.
NHTSA complaint #10306032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE SINCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CONSTRUED THIS TO BE A PART OF THE PRIUS AND DID NOT THINK OF LODGING A COMPLAINT. BUT BASED ON TODAY'S (2/3/10) REPORT ON PRIUS' BRAKE ISSUES FROM JAPAN, I FEEL COMPELLED TO POINT OUT THAT: THERE HAS BEEN A TYPICALLY RECURRING PROBLEM OF THE TIRES SKIDDING AS THE BRAKES LOOSE THEIR GRIP WHEN I HAVE HIT THE BRAKE AS I AM CROSSING A POTHOLE OR A ROAD EXPANSION JOINT OR MINOR BUMP (NOT SPEED BUMPS) OR JUST A WET SPOT. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN NOTED REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES - MEANING EVEN ON BRAND NEW TIRES. THE VSC LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR GLIDES/SKIDS OVER AND MOVES PAST THE POINT WHERE I HAD WANTED TO SLOW DOWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE TYPE OF BRAKE IN THIS VEHICLE SO I WILL BE CHECKING OFF ALL 3 KINDS.
NHTSA complaint #10304425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE SINCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CONSTRUED THIS TO BE A PART OF THE PRIUS AND DID NOT THINK OF LODGING A COMPLAINT. BUT BASED ON TODAY'S (2/3/10) REPORT ON PRIUS' BRAKE ISSUES FROM JAPAN, I FEEL COMPELLED TO POINT OUT THAT: THERE HAS BEEN A TYPICALLY RECURRING PROBLEM OF THE TIRES SKIDDING AS THE BRAKES LOOSE THEIR GRIP WHEN I HAVE HIT THE BRAKE AS I AM CROSSING A POTHOLE OR A ROAD EXPANSION JOINT OR MINOR BUMP (NOT SPEED BUMPS) OR JUST A WET SPOT. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN NOTED REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES - MEANING EVEN ON BRAND NEW TIRES. THE VSC LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR GLIDES/SKIDS OVER AND MOVES PAST THE POINT WHERE I HAD WANTED TO SLOW DOWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE TYPE OF BRAKE IN THIS VEHICLE SO I WILL BE CHECKING OFF ALL 3 KINDS.
NHTSA complaint #10304425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BRAKES AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND HAS BEEN ONGOING AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I AM THE FIRST OWNER. THE FAULT IS AS FOLLOWS: WHEN PASSING OVER ROAD SURFACES THAT CAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE TO ACTIVATE (GRAVEL, POT HOLE, SNOW, STANDING WATER, ETC.), BRAKING AND ACCELERATION CONTROL IS TEMPORARILY LOST. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL PERSISTS FOR 1-3 SECONDS. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN ARE INSTANCES IN WHICH A YIELDING SITUATION ACCOMPANYING A MERGING OR TURNING MANEUVER PRESENT THEMSELVES. IN THESE SITUATIONS, IF THE CAR PASSES OVER A ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSES AN ACTIVATION OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, I AM UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR OR TO ACCELERATE OUT OF DANGER. I FEAR THAT I WILL FIND MYSELF IN THE SITUATION WHERE I AM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN TO YIELD TO A VEHICLE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A RED LIGHT AND WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO DUE TO THE LOSS OF BRAKING/ACCELERATION CONTROL ACCOMPANYING THE ACTIVATION OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. IN SUCH A SITUATION, I WOULD BE UNABLE TO AVOID A HIGH-SPEED COLLISION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE LIVED WITH THIS DANGER FOR THE LAST 4+ YEARS, BUT IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, I FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RAISE THIS ISSUE THROUGH THIS COMPLAINT SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10304621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE ROADWAYS WERE SLIPPER THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE TRACTION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ONLY THE 2010 MODELS HAD A SWITCH THAT WOULD DISENGAGE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 12/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/21/09
NHTSA complaint #10293014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE HAD 3 ACCIDENT CLAIMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ( AND NOT ONE CLAIM IN THE 12 YEARS I'VE BEEN WITH STATE FARM PRIOR TO THIS). ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS THE TRACTION CONTROL SLIPPED AND I PUT IT IN A DITCH. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA MULTIPLE TIMES REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS JUST GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF AND ON AGAIN TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK. NOW, AT 85,000 MILES I HAD NEW BRAKES PLACED. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE MECHANIC HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER AND NOTHING KICKED OUT. HE RESET IT AND WARNED ME ABOUT IT. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE THE OVERRIDE TO TURN THE ABS BACK ON DUE A "SAFETY" MECHANISM INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE THAT ONLY ALLOWS A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS "COMPLETELY SAFE TO DRIVE". SO, I DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY. A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I HIT THE BRAKES AND SPUN A 180 INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS HURT! IT IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO TURN THE "SAFETY MECHANISM" BACK ON. PLEASE, PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED GET TOYOTA TO BUY-BACK AND DESTROY THESE VEHICLES. THEY ARE A DEATH TRAP!
NHTSA complaint #10281294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS (2006) IMPROPERLY ENGAGES WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THERE IS SOME SAND OR GRAVEL UNDER THE FRONT TIRES. THERE IS OFTEN AN ACCUMULATION OF SANDY MATERIAL AT MANY INTERSECTIONS, PARTICULARLY ON SIDE STREETS THAT ENTER A HIGHWAY SERVICE ROAD. AT THESE INTERSECTIONS, IT IS NECESSARY TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE TO ENTER THE ROADWAY AT THE SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES DUE TO THE CONDITIONS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE TRACTION SYSTEM ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE WHEELS BRIEFLY IN ORDER TO BREAK THE TIRES FROM SLIPPAGE. HOWEVER, IN A HYBRID VEHICLE, THIS PULSING OF THE DRIVE SYSTEM ONLY ENCOURAGES FURTHER SLIPPAGE AND THE TRACTION SYSTEM CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE WITHOUT ANY WAY TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM. THE DANGER IS THAT WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO ENTER THE ROADWAY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT IS FAILING TO ACCELERATE, CREATING AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE A COLLISION IS POSSIBLE. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED A COLLISION YET, BUT HAVE NEARLY BEEN INVOLVED IN ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10279743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.