22 of the 2,451 complaints about the 2007 Toyota Prius are about the equipment — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 22,500 miles.
22
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE DISPLAY SCREEN IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH IN COMPLETELY BLACK. IT WON'T TURN ON.
NHTSA complaint #10567999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT. IT GOES OUT AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING. I REPLACED THE BULB AND IT STILL GOES OUT. THE COST OF BULBS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THIS ITEM AND HAVE ALL 2007 PRIUS RECALLED. ONE ACCIDENT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR CATASTROPHE ON THE ROADS BECAUSE LIGHTS TURNING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A DRIVE IS UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10550575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
HATCH LATCHES SHOULD NOT MELT DOWN IN 2-3 YEARS, AND ACCESS TO THE HATCH IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. AS WITH MANY OTHER 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES THE RUBBER MATERIAL ON THE HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH HAS BEEN DETERIORATING ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND IS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO USE. WITHOUT AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT BY TOYOTA THE PART WILL FAIL BEYOND THE ABILITY TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECALL THE PART AND REPLACE IT AS A DEFECTIVE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10546107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
THE HATCHBACK RELEASE LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10543541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10533059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. I LIVE IN LOUISIANA . TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $600, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN LOUISIANA, FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. AND NOW MY TRUNK WON'T OPEN AND IT IS ABOUT DETACH FROM THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA PULLING NEEDED TO OPEN IT. WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED? IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $600 TO DO IT AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10503705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE ONE EVENING, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FLICKERED AND WENT OUT. I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON THEN THEY WENT BACK ON. EVER SINCE THIS THE LIGHTS(DRIVER SIDE) GO OFF AND USUALLY COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF. NO RESOLUTION TO THIS AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA SINCE I APPEAR TO NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10492048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
AFTER ONLY ABOUT 1 YEAR OF OWNING MY PRE-OWNED 2007 PRIUS, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NOTICED AN INCREASE AFTER A PARTICULARLY HOT SPELL. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3-5 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN CA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10479625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN CALIFORNIA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $200 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN CALIFORNIA FOR EXAMPLE).
NHTSA complaint #10425330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
HEADLAMP BULBS BURN OUT VERY QUICKLY LEADING TO REPEATED CHANGE OF THE BULBS AT $250 A PIECE.
NHTSA complaint #10414871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
MY 2007 PRIUS HAS THE HID HEADLAMPS, WHICH ARE TOO COSTLY TO REPAIR AND WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT...CLEARLY DANGEROUS. I TRY TO HAVE THE BULBS REPLACED AND TOYOTA DEALER SAYS ITS A 200.00 TO 300.00 DOLLAR JOB TO REPAIR (MONEY THAT I DO NOT HAVE) WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE LAS VEGAS DEALER FIXED THE ISSUE ( OR I THOUGHT THEY DID) BUT LESS THEN TWO YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR IT CAUSE IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS WRONG THEY TRIED AND FAILED TO FIX NOW I GUESS I AM NO LONGER A GOOD CUSTOMER. WHY WILL THEY NOT FIX A DANGER SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10331067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
TWO INSTANCES OF RUNAWAY ACCELERATION WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH I OWNED MY 2007 PRIUS (OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2006) POO POOED BY THE DEALER. SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT ANY SUCH PROBLEM. GOOGLED IT AND IT WAS ALL OVER THE NET EVEN THEN. STILL BLAMING IT ON THE FLOOR MATS WHICH THEY SOLD TO ME SPECIFICALLY FOR MY CAR THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE PRICE. GLAD THIS IS NOW GETTING MEDIA ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10310569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THIS IS NOT ONE INCIDENT, IT HAPPENS WHENEVER THE ROAD IS SLICK (RAIN, OR EVEN SPRINKLER RUNOFF!) OR IF I DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE--THE POWER TO THE WHEELS IS CUT AND THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND NERVEWRACKING TO DRIVE WHILE IT IS RAINING. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN I AM AT A SIGNAL, MAKING A RIGHT TURN I NEED POWER TO THE ENGINE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, AND MAKE SURE THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS NOT INTERRUPTED. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CAR WON'T "GO" OR HESITATES WHEN I NEED IT TO GO! AND IF IT'S THIS BAD IN WET CONDITIONS, I WOULD NEVER EVEN CONSIDER DRIVING THE PRIUS IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS ALL DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. VERY UNSAFE!!
NHTSA complaint #10308539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
MY 2007 PRIUS HAS THE EXACT BRAKE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE NEWS REPORTS OF THE PAST FEW DAYS. WHEN I APPROACH A STOP SIGN ON A ROUGH ROAD AND APPLY THE BRAKES, THERE ARE NO BRAKES FOR A BRIEF INTERVAL. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT A FEW CLOSE CALLS. I THINK THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO ALL MODEL YEARS, NOT JUST THE 2010 PRIUS. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST AN ABS ISSUE BUT I HAD ANOTHER CAR WITH ABS AND NEVER HAD THIS INTERVAL OF NO BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10306868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
2007 PRIUS HID HEADLIGHT FAILURE - DRIVERS SIDE HID BULB (PART # 90981-20015 AND COMPUTER SUB-ASSY 81107-47150 WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA SANTA MONICA ON MARCH 26, 2009 @ 33,929 MILEAGE. & PASSENGER SIDE. FIRST INCIDENT (DRIVERS SIDE).
NHTSA complaint #10297939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 16TH, 2008 WHEN MY 2007 PRIUS BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE. I STRUCK THE LEFT GUARDRAIL , SPUN RIGHT AND THEN THE CAR CATAPULTED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE. I HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE CAR THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT DRIVER SIDE AND SKIDDED MAYBE 100'. I CHALKED IT UP TO THE ROADS BEING WET BUT THE ODD THING WAS THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED ONCE I HIT THE LEFT GUARD RAIL AND STARTED TO CROSS OVER THE INTERSTATE. AT THIS POINT, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. MY STORY SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE SOME OF THE POSTS I HAVE READ. IT IS FRIGHTENING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ORDEAL AND THAT TOYOTA CONTINUES TO DENY IT AND BLAME IT ON THE FLOOR MATS!
NHTSA complaint #10291459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
I SUSPECT THE CURRENT TOYOTA RECALL IS MORE THAN A FLOOR MAT MALFUNCTION. I OWN AN '07 PRIUS. NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME THE CAR SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY UPON "FIRMLY & BRIEFLY" DEPRESSING THE POWER BUTTON, PRECISELY AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. HOWEVER, ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT SHUT DOWN ON THE FIRST PUSH, AND WILL MOVE FORWARD WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUSH THE POWER BUTTON A SECOND TIME TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ACTUALLY TOLD ME I SHOULD PUSH THE "PARK" BUTTON BEFORE PUSHING THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF. IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT DOING THAT IN THE MANUAL. NOW THEY'RE SAYING YOU SHOULD HOLD THE POWER BUTTON 3 SECONDS TO TURN OFF THE CAR? THE MANUAL SAYS (P. 141 AND ELSEWHERE) "THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL START AND STOP BY FIRMLY PRESSING THE "POWER" SWITCH BRIEFLY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED." THREE SECONDS IS CERTAINLY MORE THAN "BRIEFLY," AND MORE THAN IT TAKES TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE 90% OF THE TIME. FORTUNATELY, I HAVEN'T HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING, I'VE GOTTEN USED TO IT, AND I'M CAREFUL TO BE SURE THE ENGINE HAS ACTUALLY STOPPED BEFORE I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. ONCE IN A WHILE, I HAVE TO PUSH THE POWER BUTTON A SECOND TIME, AN INCONVENIENCE HARDLY WORTH MENTIONING. HOWEVER, I'M NOW CONCERNED THAT THE MINOR PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING COULD PROGRESS INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE DANGEROUS. LOOK AT THE MAT: SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO DELIBERATELY INSTALL IT SO IT WAS OVER (RATHER THAN UNDER) THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CAUSE A PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK IT'S THE MAT. I THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER.
NHTSA complaint #10285792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
DURING NORMAL DRIVING WITH MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, THE ACCELERATOR HAS BECOME STUCK CAUSING THE AUTO TO CONTINUE AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE SITUATION WAS SOLVED WHEN THE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT WAS PULLED BACK TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR - TWICE TO MY WIFE AN TWICE TO MYSELF. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10285717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2007 PRIUS TURN OFF BY THEM SELF. IF YOU TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON THEY WILL BE BACK ON AND TURN OFF AGAIN, THIS IS HOW I KNOW IT IS NOT A LOSE WIRE. I WORKED WITH A FLEET OF PRIUS AND LEXUS HYBRID CARS. THE PRIUS HAS HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE 2006. MULTIPLE CARS WIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CHARGES YOU UP TO $ 1,700 + TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE FORUMS ALL OVER THE NET DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE AND MANY CONCERN DRIVERS ON THE ROAD THAT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UTILIZE THE POWER OF THE INTERNET. THIS IS NO LONGER A MONEY ISSUE, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE NOW. POLICE HAVE TICKETED ME OVER 5 TIMES AND I HAVE GONE TO TOYOTA AND THEY CHARGE ME THOUSANDS. LAST WEEK I ALMOST RAN OVER A LITTLE GIRL ON A BIKE AT DUSK ...WHEN I STOPPED AND ASKED IF SHE WAS OK SHE REPLIED " I DIDN'T SEE YOUR LIGHTS SIR, I AM SORRY" .
NHTSA complaint #10248370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MUSTY/MOLDY SMELL COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING.
NHTSA complaint #10205180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 1 MPH, THE CD TRACK MENU WILL NOT DISPLAY, HOWEVER, THE DISC CHANGER COULD BE LOADED AND RADIO CHANNELS COULD BE ADJUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VISIBILITY OF THE MENU WAS HIDDEN BECAUSE NHTSA STATED THAT VIEWING THE MENU WHILE DRIVING WAS A SAFETY RISK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. UPDATED 10/24/07
NHTSA complaint #10204304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE TOYOTA PRIUS NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. IT HAS A GPS SYSTEM, BUT ENTRIES ARE BLOCKED UNLESS THE CAR IS STATIONARY. I DRIVE OUR NATION'S MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO MAKE AN ENTRY (NEAREST RESTAURANT, HOTEL, TOURIST ATTRACTION, ETC.). AN OFFICER PULLED OVER AND SAID THAT MY CONSTANT PULLING OVER IS CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I'VE SEEN OTHER CARS PULLING OVER AND STOPPED TO TALK TO THEM AND THEY ARE ALSO TRYING TO ENTER SOMETHING IN A TOYOTA VEHICLE GPS. I AGREE THAT BLOCKING THE DRIVING FROM ENTERING INTO THE GPS IS A PRUDENT SAFETY FEATURE. BUT IN ALL THE CASES I DESCRIBED, IT WAS THE PASSENGER WHO WAS DOING THE NAVIGATION. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO CUT INTO THE WIRING OF THE CAR OR CHANGE IT'S PROGRAM BY HACKING INTO THE SERVICE SCREENS. ALL OF THESE CREATE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS. TOYOTA IS THE ONLY AUTO MANUFACTURER WHO FORCES THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE A STATIONARY CAR, LEADING TO ALL THESE PROBLEMS. I SUGGEST THAT THIS SAFETY BLOCK PROVIDES A WAY FOR CUSTOMERS TO BYPASS IT TO AVOID THESE PROBLEMS I AM SEEING. THIS IS A GROWING PROBLEM AFFECTING MORE AND MORE CARS. WHEN COLLISIONS AND DEATHS OCCUR, IT WON'T BE CLEAR TO THE INVESTIGATORS WHAT CAUSED IT. IF YOU CAN PURSUE THIS AT THE WARNING STAGE, PERHAPS WE CAN AVOID DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #10175872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.