32 of the
2,451 complaints about the 2007 Toyota Prius are about the
fuel system — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
44,000 miles.
2007 Toyota Prius touring edition WILL NOT TAKE ANY FUEL PROPERLY AND WILL OVERFILL AND "BURP" CAUSING GAS TO FLOW EXPLOSIVELY OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND HOLE. Tank will not fill, at all, causing risk of running out of gas while on highway. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. FUEL TANK will not fill properly, if at all, overfills and burps causing fuel to blow out of the filler hole with force. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD as gas can spill all over near the filler area and possibly catch fire. Stopping the filler hose will not help, as the tank refuses to take any gas, even when close to empty. People need to put gas in, not guess. The car will ONLY TAKE BARELY 2 gallons in winter without overflowing. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD AS THIS OVERFLOWING GAS AND REVERSE FUEL FLOW CAN IGNITE, or catch fire. THE BLADDER IN THE TANK STOPS WORKING AND WILL NOT ALLOW FUELING ANS SPITS FUEL BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND HOLE.
NHTSA complaint #11711145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesWashington, DC
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while at a stop light, she attempted to drive however, the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH. The HC battery, ECU, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle displayed DTC code: P3190 (Engine Failure). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hybrid battery was severely drained, and the mechanic retrieved DTC codes: P3000 and P0A80 for the hybrid battery pack. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, who replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The contact stated the vehicle was actually overfilled with oil at the mechanic's shop that performed the oil change, so that is what caused the issues with my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11525645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,000 milesWestlake Village, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS TO WORK IN THE DARK IN RUSH HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN LOS ANGELES, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTANTLY BLACKED OUT, WITH THE CAR COMPLETELY DEAD AND HALTED. IT COULD NOT EVEN BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL! THE CAR STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. SHE CALLED 911, AND A WRECKER WAS DISPATCHED TO LIFT THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT INJURED OR KILLED! I THEN RESEARCHED THE LIKELY CAUSE AND DIAGNOSED IT EXACTLY. IT WAS THE "HYBRID WATER PUMP" ALSO KNOWN AS THE "INVERTER PUMP," PART #G9020-47031. THAT PART WAS RECALLED IN 2012, NHTSA RECALL # 12V536000. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER, NORTH HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA, TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THAT DEALER LOOKED UP THE VEHICLE'S RECORDS AND SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN 2013. WAS IT REALLY? IF SO, THEN A RECALLED PART THAT CAUSES A COMPLETE, INSTANT BLACKOUT ON A PRIUS ALREADY FAILED AGAIN. THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR IS ATTACHED, INCLUDING THE NHTSA RECALLED PART #. THE REPAIR COST $699.09 + TAX, AND CAUSED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS INSTANT STOPPAGE OF THE VEHICLE ON A JAM-PACKED HIGHWAY. I E-MAILED TOYOTA USA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO APPEAL THE SITUATION, AND THEY SENT ME A REPLY AND ASKED THAT I CALL THEM. ON THE CALL, THEY CLAIMED THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR ME TO PURSUE. I'M A 51 YEAR OLD U.S. ARMY OFFICER VETERAN AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED OR KNOWN OF ANYTHING THIS SUSPICIOUS AND DANGEROUS IN THE AUTOMOBILE SPACE. THANK YOU, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
NHTSA complaint #11302378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE PRIUS' CHARCOAL CANISTER HAS FAILED, TRIGGERING REPEATED "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WARNINGS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE PROMPTING A RECALL OF OTHER 2007 PRIUSES, LIKE MINE, BUT TOYOTA SAYS MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED. SEE: HTTPS://PAULTAN.ORG/2016/06/29/TOYOTA-CHARCOAL-CANISTER-RECALL/ HTTPS://WWW.JUST-AUTO.COM/NEWS/AIRBAG-AND-CARBON-CANISTER-RECALLS-FOR-29M-TOYOTA-VEHICLES_ID170365.ASPX HTTPS://REPAIRPAL.COM/CHARCOAL-CANISTER
NHTSA complaint #11075664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,700 milesSomerset, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE NOT READING PROPERLY IN CAR. CAR LABEL STATES 11.9 GALLON CAPACITY IN FUEL TANK. GAS GAUGE SHOWS ONE BAR OF GAS LEFT IN CAR, BUT IT TAKES ONLY SIX GALLONS OF GAS TO FILL UP AUTOMOBILE. THIS MISLEADING GAS GAUGE MEANS DRIVERS DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE TRUE READING OF GAS IS REMAINING IN THEIR FUEL TANKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CAR RUNNING OUT OF FUEL IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #10865573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES RANDOMLY FLICKERED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V536000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10862477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesFrisco, TXCrashFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE OWNED TWO 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. BOTH HAVE BEEN TOTALED DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A FAILURE OF THE HYBRID DRIVETRAIN TO DISENGAGE DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. FIRST 2007 PRIUS, PURCHASED NEW IN 2007. ON DEC 9, 2009, TO AVOID A COLLISION, I FULLY PRESSED THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE HOWEVER THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. I SHOULD EASILY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. AS IT CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD, I COLLIDED WITH THE OTHER CAR. THE SPEED AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT WAS APPROX 25 MPH. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE COST OF REPAIRING THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I HAVE THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE POLICE REPORT. SECOND TOYOTA PRIUS: I PURCHASED AN EXACT REPLACEMENT USED 2007 PRIUS IN DEC 2009. ON OCTOBER 17, 2015, A CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH. SHE REPORTED PRESSING ON THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE BUT THAT THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. SHE HIT CAR IN FRONT THEN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AS THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. SHE STEERED TO THE LEFT INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN AND THE PRIUS STOPPED. THE CAR THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I HAVE THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POLICE REPORT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN NOV 2015. AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED. A TOYOTA 'FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST' INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I SIGNED AN 'EDR CONSENT FORM' FOR TOYOTA TO READ ANY DATA FROM THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER DUE TO THE FIRE, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO READ ANY DATA. ON JANUARY 26, 2016 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A LEGAL CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR AT TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC., STATING 'OUR INSPECTION WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM ANY EVIDENCE OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT IN YOUR VEHICLE'. I CONTINUE TO OWN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT IN MY POSSESSION AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10823988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,002 milesFrisco, TXCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE OWNED TWO 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. BOTH HAVE BEEN TOTALED DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A FAILURE OF THE HYBRID DRIVETRAIN TO DISENGAGE DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. THIS REPORT IS REGARDING THE FIRST VEHICLE. I HAVE FILED A SEPARATE REPORT FOR THE SECOND VEHICLE WHICH I STILL HAVE IN MY POSSESSION. FIRST 2007 PRIUS, PURCHASED NEW IN 2007. ON DEC 9, 2009, TO AVOID A COLLISION, I FULLY PRESSED THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE HOWEVER THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. I SHOULD EASILY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. AS IT CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD, I COLLIDED WITH THE OTHER CAR. THE SPEED AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT WAS APPROX 25 MPH. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE COST OF REPAIRING THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I HAVE THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE POLICE REPORT. SECOND TOYOTA PRIUS: I PURCHASED AN EXACT REPLACEMENT USED 2007 PRIUS IN DEC 2009. ON OCTOBER 17, 2015, A CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH. SHE REPORTED PRESSING ON THE BRAKES WITH FULL FORCE BUT THAT THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. SHE HIT CAR IN FRONT THEN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AS THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. SHE STEERED TO THE LEFT INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN AND THE PRIUS STOPPED. THE CAR THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I HAVE THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POLICE REPORT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN NOV 2015. AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED. A TOYOTA 'FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST' INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I SIGNED AN 'EDR CONSENT FORM' FOR TOYOTA TO READ ANY DATA FROM THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER DUE TO THE FIRE, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO READ ANY DATA. ON JANUARY 26, 2016 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A LEGAL CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR AT TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC., STATING 'OUR INSPECTION WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM ANY EVIDENCE OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT IN YOUR VEHICLE'.
NHTSA complaint #10823998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLotus, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE ONLY HAS 110K MILES ON IT. CHECK ENGINE STARTING GOING ON WHEN ACCELERATING ON UPHILL. FULL UP GAS TANK & LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. THEN CHECK ENGINE WOULD GO ON WHEN LOW GAS LEVEL. TOLD TO CHANGE GASCAP. DID NOT RESOLVE ISSUE. FILLING PULLED CODES IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PART COST $1700.00 FOR PART ALONE FOR A PART THAT IS SUPPOSE TO LAST LIFETIME OF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10821846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,800 milesOpelika, AL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DO MY OWN REGULAR OIL CHANGES AT THE MANUFACTURE SPECIFIED INTERVALS OF 5000 MILES. THIS LAST TIME I NOTICED NOT MUCH OIL COMING OUT OF THE DRAIN PAN, POURED IT BACK INTO AN EMPTY OIL JUG TO MEASURE AND YES ONLY 1.5 QUARTS DRAINED OUT. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY SMOKE OR SMELLED ANY OIL BURNING AND NO OBVIOUS LEAKS. I DON'T RUN THE ENGINE HARD OR AT HIGH SPEEDS (LESS THAN HALF MY DRIVING IS INTERSTATE) BUT CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT'S ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED USING OIL. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE WITH PRIUS OVER 100K MILES. I WANT TO ADD MY OTHER TOYOTA AND HONDA VEHICLES HAVE LASTED WELL OVER 200K AND 180K MILES WITH NO ENGINE TROUBLES AT ALL (I ALSO DO THE MAINTENANCE ON THEM)
NHTSA complaint #10763352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPlainsfield, IN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL ALTHOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT 1/2 TANK OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10691720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,642 milesLOS Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER (ENTERED A FAILSAFE MODE) AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE RESULT WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. I WAS CLOSE TO THE CURB AND TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND WILL TAKE THIS TO THE DEALER. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD EXPERIENCED ANYTHING SIMILAR AND THEY HAD NO ACCESS TO ANY INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER CUSTOMER'S EXPERIENCES. THEY DID SAY THAT THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. A RECALL FOR THE 2010 - 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2014 FOR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHILE THIS WASN'T A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE FOR ME LAST NIGHT, IN A PRESS RELEASE DRIVERS WHO'VE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WERE WARNED TO GET OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY COULD BE IN DANGER FROM BEING REAR ENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10644563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,634 milesOkemos, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MASTER WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT (YELLOW) AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH ONE BEEP WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. PROCEEDED TO FRIEND'S HOUSE (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES) AND MADE APPOINTMENT WITH TOYOTA DEALER FOR FOLLOWING MORNING. IN MORNING CAR WOULD START BUT NOT GO INTO DRIVE. READY LIGHT NOT ON. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. CODE CHECKER SCAN CODES P0AA6, 526 AND 613. "TRANSAXLE FAILURE." TRANSAXLE (PART 30900-47040) REPLACED WITH COST OF $4948.04. I AM CONCERNED THAT ON A BUSY FREEWAY THIS COULD OCCUR WITH LOSS OF BRAKING, STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH). TOYOTA STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM. GENERAL WARRANTY EXPIRED IN OCT. 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10616528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesMidvale, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE MILEAGE IS BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPG, WHICH IS A LONG WAYS FROM THE STICKER CLAIM. THE HEADLIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN THOUGH REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. SECOND HEADLIGHT IS ALSO FAILING. THE BLOWER WORKS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY AFTER HITTING A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10442173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSausalito, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE GAS GAUGE OF MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE TANK WAS EMPTY, I PUT A FEW GALLONS OF GAS IN THE TANK AND IT DID NOT REGISTER AT ALL. THE GAUGE STILL SAID EMPTY. THE NEXT TIME I FILLED THE TANK, IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. THEN, ON JANUARY 16TH, I HAD A TANK THAT WAS NEARLY EMPTY. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE SPONTANEOUSLY WENT FROM ALMOST EMPTY TO FULL. THIS CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE THE GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE. THERE WILL BE NO WARNING BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF GAS. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY, IT COULD EASILY BE FATAL. SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IS AS DANGEROUS AS ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT. THEY WILL "RECALIBRATE" THE GAUGE AT A COST OF $180/HOUR TO ME. THIS IS NOT A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO PROVIDE ALL PRIUS OWNERS WITH RELIABLE GAS GAUGES. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10376858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,775 milesLA Jolla, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
WAS DRIVING AT 30MPH IN RESIDENTIAL AREA. NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF FAILURE. 1. CAR TURNED OFF - NOT THE POWER BUT THE ABILITY TO DRIVE OR PUT IN GEAR OR RUN. CAR WAS NON-DRIVABLE OR MOVABLE IN ANY WAY FOR NEXT 3 HOURS. 2. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, PROBLEM UNKNOWN AS THE CAR WORKS PERFECTLY. 3. DEALER SAID THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 STALLED AND WOULD NOT START - HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AFTER 12 HOURS. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION.
NHTSA complaint #10352016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,032 milesGranite Falls, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
RAN OUT OF GAS IN AN '07 HONDA PRIUS . EMERGENCY VEHICLE SUPPLIED 2 GALLONS AND WE WENT ON OUR WAY. TWO TANKS OF GAS LATER FOLLOWING A REGULAR SERVICE VISIT TO DEALER, I RAN OUT AGAIN JUST MINUTES AFTER LEAVING SERVICE WHILE THE GAUGE INDICATED THAT I SHOULD HAVE ABOUT 3 GALLONS REMAINING. I COASTED INTO A STATION AND PUT 2 GALLONS IN TANK. CAR STARTED BUT ONLY DIED AFTER SEVERAL TRIES. TOWED BACK TO DEALER. THEY REPORTED THE CAR WAS OUT OF GAS. I TOLD THEM I'D ALREADY ADDED GAS. THEY PUT IN 5 GALLONS AND SAID THE GAUGE INDICATED "FULL." 3+2+5 DOES NOT EQUAL THE 11.9 GALLONS THAT THE TANK IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD. THESE CARS FEATURE A BLADDER TANK WHICH IS MONITORED BY COMPUTER AND IF THE COMPUTER DECIDES THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY, IT WILL SHUT THE CAR DOWN. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DEALER, PICKED UP THE TOWING EXPENSE, THE COST OF A TEMPORARY RENTAL AND THE COST OF THE 5 GALLONS OF GAS. THEY REFUSED TO EXPLORE THE PROBLEM FURTHER AND SAID WE MIGHT NEED A TO REPLACE SOME PART OF THE FUEL MONITOR SYSTEM. COULD IT BE THAT THE BLADDER TANK WILL NOT FULLY RECOVER IF A DRIVER RUNS THE CAR OUT OF GAS?
NHTSA complaint #10324686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,400 milesSonoma, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS AGO MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS BEGAN ACCELERATING DURING USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY HAVE NO FIX FOR IT. I CAN'T USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY CAR FOR FEAR THE CAR WILL NOT STOP ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #10310678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesRolling Meadows, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 WHICH IT WAS PERFORMING EXCELLENT UNTIL 3 MONTHS AGO THAT THE FUEL ECONOMIC WENT DOWN DRAMATICALLY TO HALF OF IT"S USUALLY FUEL CONSUMPTION AN AVERAGE NOW I GETTING AROUND 200 MILES FOR TANK WHEN I USE TO GET AT LEAST 400 PER TANK NOW THAT'S IT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. I WAS THINKING ON CONTACT THE TOYOTA DEALER BUT MY CAR IT IS BEEN OUT OF THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT ONLY HAVE 3YEARS OR 36,000 MILES SO I AM AFRAID THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR CHECKING MY CAR IT IS VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT I START W/ THIS ISSUE AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRE BESIDES THAT THE CAR IT IS WORKING EXCELLENT BUT I PAY A LOT MORE TO SAVE ON GAS AN NOW IT IS PERFORMING LIKE ANY REGULAR BECAUSE THE MOST MILEAGE I AM GETTING NOW IT IS 35 MILES PER GALLON.VERY DISAPPOINT ABOUT THIS AND HOPE YOU GUYS LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS VERY SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #10308775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 milesBeverly Hills, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AND ALL ELECTICAL FUNCTIONS CEASED. OCCURRED ONE TIME ONLY IN 10/09. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PEBBLE IN THE THROTTLE. CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN ONLY ON CITY STREETS,NO COUNTRY ROADS OR OFF ROAD. THROTTLE WAS CLEANED FOR A COST OF $350..
NHTSA complaint #10306689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesRock Springs, WY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DECREASING CAPACITY OF 2007 PRIUS GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10281229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Bend, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL UP FULLY. ANY AUTO SHUTOFF GAS PUMP WILL START SHUTTING OFF WITH ABOUT 1.5 GALLONS TO GO. IF I DRIBBLE GAS IN A LOWEST POSSIBLE DELIVERY, WE CAN FILL IT UP, BUT IT TAKES ABOUT TEN MINUTES, AND THEN IT OFTEN WILL REGURGITATE GAS WHEN IT IS FULL. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO BLADDER IN GAS TANK. WE THINK THIS IS A DEFECT, THAT IT DOES NOT ALLOW US TO GET FULL RANGE OF TANK ON A TRIP. OUR PREVIOUS PRIUS FROM 2005 DID NOT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM FURTHER.
NHTSA complaint #10269006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSaratoga Springs, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. I CANNOT FILL UP THE GAS TANK WITHOUT IT HAVING AN OVERFLOW OF 1-2 PINTS OF GAS ONTO THE GROUND. IT SEEMS TO BUILD UP A BACK PRESSURE AND KICK OUT THE GAS I TRY TO PUT INTO IT. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER PRIUS OWNERS AS I READ IT IS ON THE INTERNET, WE HAVE A SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD OCCURRING FROM THIS GAS TANK DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10250199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesAlbany, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
VEHICLE DOES NOT ACHIEVE ADVERTISED FUEL CONSUMPTION PERFORMANCE. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE THE FIRST SERVICE VISIT. TODAY A FACTORY TECHNICIAN GOT UNACHIEVABLE RESULTS SUGGESTING THAT OUR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AFTER 29,000 MILES WITH THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL. HE CLAIMED TO HAVE GOTTEN 66.984 MPG AFTER A 42.2 MILES OF 55 MPH HIGHWAY AND "IN TOWN" DRIVING, NOTING ONLY THAT AN OUT OF FUEL FAULT HAD NEVER BEEN CLEARED.
NHTSA complaint #10224967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesAlbany, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
VEHICLE DOES NOT ACHIEVE ADVERTISED FUEL CONSUMPTION PERFORMANCE. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE THE FIRST SERVICE VISIT. TODAY A FACTORY TECHNICIAN GOT UNACHIEVABLE RESULTS SUGGESTING THAT OUR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AFTER 29,000 MILES WITH THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL. HE CLAIMED TO HAVE GOTTEN 66.984 MPG AFTER A 42.2 MILES OF 55 MPH HIGHWAY AND "IN TOWN" DRIVING, NOTING ONLY THAT AN OUT OF FUEL FAULT HAD NEVER BEEN CLEARED.
NHTSA complaint #10224967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,050 milesWoodside, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON A 2007 PRIUS GAS GAUGE SHOWED 2 BARS AND WAS DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE IN CALIFORNIA WHEN THE GAS ENGINE STOPPED. LOOKED AT THE GAS GAUGE AND IT STILL SHOWED 2 BARS. WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ON A SECTION OF THE BRIDGE WITH A BREAKDOWN LANE. 1/2 MILE FURTHER ON AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN ONE OF THE TRAFFIC LANES. THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE, AND HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE INDICATORS WHERE ON - BUT NOT THE LOW FUEL!!! GOT TOWED TO A DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF GAS AND THAT THE "GAS GAUGE WAS STUCK" THAT'S WHY IT DIDN'T SHOW EMPTY. HE BLAMED IT ON THE BLADDER DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK AND SAID IT WAS "A DESIGN DEFECT" THAT TOYOTA NEW ABOUT. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE - WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10224037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesOakdale, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HOLD 11.9 GALLONS OF FUEL, BUT IT ONLY HOLDS 6.4 GALLONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RESET BUTTON IS CONSTANTLY PRESSED; THEREFORE, NO ONE CAN DETECT WHEN THE GAS TANK IS NEAR EMPTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stillwater, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
THE FLEXIBLE GAS TANK ON THE PRIUS OFTEN FAILS TO FILL UP ALL OF THE WAY TO FULL. IN COLD WEATHER THE TANK OFTEN FILLS ONLY 8 GALLONS(WHEN COMPLETELY EMPTY) AND SOMETIMES CLICKS OFF AT 3 GALLONS OR LESS AND KEEPS CLICKING OFF UNTIL MORE GAS IS FORCED INTO THE TANK. THE PRIUS WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY LOOKED INTO THE TANK ISSUE AND FOUND NOTHING. THERE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO FILL UP ON THE SLOWEST LEVEL AND TO TILT THE GAS NOZZLE TO SIDE OR UPSIDE DOWN TO FORCE MORE GAS INTO THE TANK. THIS DID NOT RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND THE DEALER COULD NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER REMEDY. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO FIX THE SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10213170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stillwater, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE FLEXIBLE GAS TANK ON THE PRIUS OFTEN FAILS TO FILL UP ALL OF THE WAY TO FULL. IN COLD WEATHER THE TANK OFTEN FILLS ONLY 8 GALLONS(WHEN COMPLETELY EMPTY) AND SOMETIMES CLICKS OFF AT 3 GALLONS OR LESS AND KEEPS CLICKING OFF UNTIL MORE GAS IS FORCED INTO THE TANK. THE PRIUS WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY LOOKED INTO THE TANK ISSUE AND FOUND NOTHING. THERE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO FILL UP ON THE SLOWEST LEVEL AND TO TILT THE GAS NOZZLE TO SIDE OR UPSIDE DOWN TO FORCE MORE GAS INTO THE TANK. THIS DID NOT RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND THE DEALER COULD NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER REMEDY. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO FIX THE SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10213170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,065 milesAkron, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED GAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW WEEKS. THE AROMA INTENSIFIED AND HE DISCOVERED A STREAM OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A RODENT CHEWED TROUGH ONE OF THE FUEL LINES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT A RODENT CAUSED THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STILL DID NOT BELIEVE THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A HONDA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUB ASSEMBLY TUBE WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND CAME APART. THE TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL HONOR THE FIRST DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,065 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,100.
NHTSA complaint #10202032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.