2009 Toyota Prius stability control problems

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT MAKES A HIGH-PITCHED BEEP, FOLLOWED BY A BUZZING SOUND THAT REPEATS EVERY FIVE TO EIGHT SECONDS. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS THE TPS, ABS, VSC, AND BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE HIGH-PITCH SOUND RETURNS FOR ONE TO TWO MINUTES. DURING THAT TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO DEPRESS. IF THE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP UNTIL THE BRAKE PRESSURE RETURNS. ONCE THE SOUND STOPS, THE BRAKE PRESSURE RETURNS TO NORMAL. DIAGNOSIS FROM TOYOTA SHOWS: CODE C1256 = ACCUMULATOR LOW PRESSURE. CODE C1391 ABNORMAL LEAK OF ACCUMULATOR PRESSURE. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS = $2,811.72. AT PRESENT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AS TOYOTA ADVISED, IN THE VEHICLE'S CURRENT CONDITION THE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11307887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TRAVELING 101 NORTH TOWARD VENTURA, ON THE TOP OF THE DOWN HILL GRADE JUST SOUTH OF THE CAMIRILLO SPRINGS EXIT. ALL LIGHTS ON PANEL CAME ON. ESTIMATE 65 MPH, APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW WITH TRAFFIC FLOW. NO BRAKES,NO WARNING.SEMI TRACKER TRAILERS ALSO SLOWING. TOOK EXIT BOTTOM OF HILL WITH FLASHES ON, WENT THRU STOP SIGN AS MY SPEED AT APPROX 45-48MPH. WENT THRU SECOND STOP SIGN MADE SHARP LEFT PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE ON... THIS IS A GARAGE CAR SERVICED BY DEALER ONLY, 3RD TIME FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM! NEVER WHILE DRIVING.... THIS WAS NEAR FATAL! THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OF THE MANUFACTURE, NEVER REPAIRED CORRECTLY! HAVE 3 COPIES OF REPAIRS FOR THE ELECTRICAL STARTING 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CAR...HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10953876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS ON THE SERVICE ROAD OF I-30 IN DALLAS AROUND 25 MPH AFTER PREVIOUSLY TAKING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT, MY VEHICLE'S WARNING LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON AND STARTED TO BEEP AND I COULD NOT BRAKE OR REALLY STEER. MY VEHICLE...I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. SOMEHOW I WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND SOMEHOW PRESS ON THE BRAKES STRONG IN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE CAR STOP. I FEARED FOR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OTHERS AS WELL. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN A CAR THAT WAS NOT RESPONDING WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO BREAK AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. ONCE I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF AND THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND BEEPING, DID IT AGAIN AND IT STOPPED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT I AM WONDERING HOW CAN TOYOTA NOT BE AT FAULT FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE? I'M GLAD I DIDN'T INJURE MYSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON THIS TIME, BUT I THINK TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR PRIUS VEHICLES. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MINE AT ALL NOW.....THEY CAN NOT GET AWAY WITH NOT BEING RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR THEIR FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE VEHICLE'S SAFETY MECHANISMS.

NHTSA complaint #10555959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE VEHICLE BRAKING LOST BRAKING MOMENTARILY WHEN I WAS DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS AND VEHICLE SLIP SIGN ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA complaint #10552963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT APRIL 2009, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEEM TO FAIL. WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AND RELEASE THE BRAKES. IT FEELS AS IF I AM SLIDING ON ICE. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER LAST MONTH, WHO DISMISSED THIS AS NORMAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ACTIVITY. I FEEL THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10341484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

IT IS A RECURRING INCIDENT/PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME ONE IS GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR DURING INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. WHEN BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR IS GOING OVER A MODERATELY ABRUPT BUMP OR PARKINGLOT DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING ENGAGES BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE DELAY - POSSIBLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWITCHING FROM THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE MECHANISM - CAUSING THE SENSATION THAT THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND OR 2 - QUITE A DISCONCERTING FEELING AND CONCERN THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT DURING A PANIC STOP. DURING INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS - E.G. SNOW OVER THE ROAD, PARTIALLY PLOWED SNOW OR ICY CONDITIONS - THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING/TRACTION CONTROL IS OVER-ACTIVE, CUTTING POWER ABRUPTLY TO ONE WHEEL THEN THE OTHER CAUSING A WHIPPING ACTION FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE. THIS RANGES FROM ANNOYING TO TERRIFYING INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT THAT THE CAR SPUN OUT 3 TIMES ON ONE SECTION OF A RURAL SNOWY ROAD - FORTUNATELY NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT AND THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO THE DITCH. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED ABOUT THESE TENDENCIES THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL - SO NO ADJUSTMENT TO A PART OR SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10331395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

2009 PRIUS - ON TWO OCCASION RECENTLY WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN MY STEERING FROZE AND THE ENGINE DIED. I ALMOST HIT A CAR. I HAVE HAD IT INTO PIERCY TOYOTA ON TWO OCCASION AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT ONLY HA 3000 MILES ON IT. THEY HAVE BEEN NICE, BUT NO RESULTS. IF THE CAR IS DOING THIS NOW AND THEY CANNOT FIND IT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. NOT SATISFIED WITH THERE ANSWER. I NEED YOUR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10328238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

WHEN BRAKING ON THE PRIUS IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE THE CAR LOSES TRACTION AND SKIPS OVE THE POTHOLE. LOSS OF FEELING FOR THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OF A SECOND OR TWO. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN BRAKING AND HITING A POTHOLE OR MANHOLE

NHTSA complaint #10322495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS THAT IS NOT A PART OF THE "BRAKING/TRACTION" RECALL, HOWEVER I'VE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ON WET OR UNEVEN SURFACE THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN AND CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER IN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR FOR A FEW SECONDS AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO EITHER BRAKE AND PREVENT A BAD SITUATION OR ACCELERATE YOUR WAY OUT, AND NEITHER ARE POSSIBLE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY DAY ON THE 2009 PRIUS. LOOKING AT CONSUMER BLOGS, IT IS OBVIOUS THIS HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS, AND NOT JUST THE 2010 MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10318474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS: WHEN DRIVING OVER POT-HOLES, BUMPS, OR UNEVEN PATCHES OF ROAD AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE CAR'S "TRACTION LIGHT" WILL FLASH AND THE CAR WILL MOMENTARILY SURGE FORWARD. IT SEEMS AT THIS TIME THAT THE BRAKES ALSO TEMPORARILY LOSE POWER. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. THIS WORRIES ME AS I FEEL THIS COULD LEAD TO CAR ACCIDENTS OR PUT PEDESTRIANS IN DANGER. SPOKE WITH MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS AND THEY REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS WAS A "NORMAL FUNCTION" OF THE ABS. I STILL FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING PROPERLY ADDRESSED. I'VE DRIVEN MANY OTHER CARS WITH ABS AND NONE OF THEM BEHAVED THIS ERRATICALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10316745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS MY 2009 EXHIBITS SIMILAR BRAKING ISSUES TO THOSE BEING RECALLED ON THE 2010. AT LEAST WEAKLY DURING SLOW BRAKING OVER A BUMP, POTHOLE, OR DAMP SURFACE, THE "SLIP" INDICATOR COMES ON AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE SECOND.

NHTSA complaint #10310619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC IN WET OR LOW TRACTION CONDITIONS EVERY TIME ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS LOOSES TRACTION, THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY GOES TO IDLE FOR 3 SECONDS AND THE CAR SEVERELY DECELERATES. ONLY BY REMOVING YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND REAPPLYING THROTTLE WILL THE CAR START GOING AGAIN. THIS EXTREME OVER-REACTION OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. THIS OVER-REACTION IS MOST PRONOUNCED IF TURNING TO THE RIGHT WHEN A FRONT WHEEL STARTS TO SLIP. THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MANUALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10310632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

IN ADDITION TO THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, GAS PEDAL/FLOOR MAT PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS THERE IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE POWER BUTTON. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, LIKE THE DOOR COMING OPEN, THROTTLE GETTING STUCK, ETC. YOU CAN'T POWER OFF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. YOU MUST HOLD THE POWER BUTTON FOR SOME AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF. UNLIKE THE TOYOTA CAMRY EXAMPLE WHERE THEY SUGGESTED TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON THE PRIUS. YOU ALSO CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY/FOB TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF OR POWER IT OFF. THERE IS ALSO AN EXTREME UNDER STEER PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. IN WET CONDITIONS IT IS EXACERBATED. IT CAN BE OBSERVED ON CLOVER LEAF OVERPASSES AND GENERAL CORNERING.

NHTSA complaint #10310682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD 2 MILES LONG WITH 1 MILE UPHILL. I BOUGHT MY NEW 2009 PRIUS ON MARCH 10TH 2009 AND ON MARCH 12TH COULD NOT DRIVE OUT. GOING UP THE HILL WHEN EVER THE DRIVE WHEEL SLIPPED THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD BRAKE THE WHEEL UNTIL, WITH MANY BRIEF BRAKING, THE PRIUS CAME TO A STOP. I WAS UNABLE TO GO FORWARD AND HAD TO BACK DOWN THE HILL TILL I COULD FIND A PLACE TO TURN AROUND. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD THE CAR TOWED OUT AND TOYOTA CHECKED IT AND SAID ALL SYSTEMS WERE WORKING PROPERLY. I ASKED FOR AN OFF SWITCH AND THEY SAID IMPOSSIBLE. WHEN I CAME HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND WAS TOWED OUT AND AGAIN TOYOTA REFUSED TO DEAL WITH IT. I WENT TO ARBITRATION AND PRESENTED MY INFORMATION ALONG WITH ARTICLES I FOUND ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AFFECTING PEOPLE ALL OVER THE NATION, SOME WITH BAD RESULTS, ESPECIALLY ON ICE, STRANDING THEM, IN INTERSECTIONS. TOYOTA SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY SO ALL MY INFORMATION AND MY CASE WERE TOTALLY DISREGARDED. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR ADD AN OFF SWITCH. I ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURES OF ALL OTHER HYBRID OR ELECTRIC CARS WITH TRACTION CONTROL AND THEY EITHER HAVE AN OFF SWITCH OR OFFER ONE JUST FOR THIS REASON. I WAS LUCKY THAT MY ROAD ASSOCIATION SPENT $16,000 ON THE ROAD SHORTLY AFTER THIS HAPPENED BUT AS THE ROAD IS DETERIORATING AND THERE WONT BE ENOUGH MONEY FOR SEVERAL YEARS I MAY BE STUCK AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. EVERY OTHER CAR CAN GET UP THE ROAD, EVEN AT ITS WORST, INCLUDING A 2003 PRIUS WITHOUT TRACTION CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON ANOTHER DIRT ROAD BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT THRU THE USE OF ROPES AND ROCKS AND A SHOVEL. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP AS I DON'T WANT TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO FOLLOW THROUGH . THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10310211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

ON A DAILY BASIS, MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS LOSES CONTROL, SKIDS, (THE TRACTION LIGHT GOES ON), FISHTAILS AND HAS BRAKE FAILURES ON ICE AND SNOW. WHEN I HIT POTHOLES OR BIG BUMPS, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND I HAVE TO QUICKLY BRAKE. THE NORTHBROOK TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT TODAY. THE CAR LOST CONTROL, SKIDDED, THE TRACTION LIGHT WENT ON, IT FISHTAILED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE ICE AND SNOW. HIS COMMENT WAS "THAT'S THE WAY THE CAR IS. IT DOESN'T DRIVE WELL ON ICE AND SNOW". WE COULDN'T FIND A GOOD POTHOLE FOR THE CAR TO DEMONSTRATE THE ACCELERATION TODAY. I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTOMECHANIC THAT WORKS ON OUR OTHER CARS THAT THE 2009 AND 2010 PRIUS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKES. PRESENTLY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 2009 PRIUS. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO KILL SOMEONE AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN I CAN'T STOP. YESTERDAY I HAD 2 CATHOLIC NUNS IN THE CAR AND THE CAR FAILED TO TURN LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION, ALMOST FISHTAILING INTO AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE IT RIGHTED ITSELF. A LEXUS SUV BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME WHILE TRYING TO AVOID ME. I AM HOPING THAT NO LIVES WILL BE LOST, OR SEVERE INJURIES OCCUR, BEFORE THESE PROBLEMS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED BY TOYOTA AND FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10308573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLE SLID INTO INTERSECTION, NO COLLISION OCCURRED. APPROX 3 FT PAST STOP POINT. DURING MODERATE TO HARD BRAKING, IF A WHEEL HITS SAND OR A POTHOLE, THE "TRACTION CONTROL" SYSTEM ENGAGES, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO RELEASE FOR APPROX .25 TO .75 SECOND. IT IS VERY UNNERVING (TO SAY THE LEAST) TO BE OUT OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS ALSO REPEATABLE WHEN ACCELERATING ON A SHORT ENTRANCE RAMP AROUND A CORNER. THIS RAMP IS VERY UNEVEN. THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AND THE CAR SEEMS TO STEER STRAIGHT, TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE OF THE CURVE. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEHAVING NORMALLY, AND THERE IS NO WAY FOR AN OPERATOR TO DISABLE THE TRACTION CONTROL. I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS, AND ASSUMED IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE... BUT NOW WITH THE INVESTIGATION ON 2010 I AM WONDERING IF MY REPORT IS SIMILAR AND IF THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 2009.

NHTSA complaint #10307797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS IS THE ENHANCED VSC, NOT THE BRAKES! I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE BRAKING PROBLEM IN THE TOYOTA PRIUS AND THEY ALL SEEM TO OCCUR UNDER ROUGH OR SLIPPERY DRIVING CONDITIONS. I OWN A 2009 PRIUS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENHANCED VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC). PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ENHANCED VSC FOR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S THE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10307952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS IS EXHIBITING THE SAME BRAKING BEHAVIOR AS PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED IN THE 2010 MODELS. THERE IS A MANHOLE COVER ON A STREET I FREQUENTLY DRIVE NEAR A STOP LIGHT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP I HAVE HIT THE MANHOLE COVER AND AT WHICH POINT THE CAR SEEMS TO LOOSE CONTROL. WHILE MOST DAYS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, ON OCCASION I HAVE COME CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HYBRID, BUT THE RECENT ARTICLES ABOUT THE 2010 MODELS HAVE PUSHED ME TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO THE FOREFRONT. IT MIGHT NOT BE SIMPLY THE 2010 MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10307219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERS A POT HOLE OR ANY ROUGH ROAD SERVICE, IT JUMPS AHEAD AND THERE IS A DELAY WHEN I ATTEMPT TO BRAKE. ON THE DASHBOARD THE ICY ROADWAY INDICATAOR APPEARS AT THESE TIMES. THIS SIITUATION HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2009

NHTSA complaint #10307034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. STRANGE BEHAVIOR OF ANTILOCK BRAKES/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WHEN HITTING A SINGLE POTHOLE OR SMALL PATCH OF ICE ON OTHERWISE CLEAR ROAD SURFACE. VEHICLE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMPENS BRAKE RESPONSE AND DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TIRES ARE NOW ON A GOOD CONTACT SURFACE AND CONTINUES TO BE IN TC MODE FOR EXCESSIVE TIME PERIOD. ONLY WAY TO ASSURE YOU WILL STOP WITHIN REASONABLE DISTANCE IS TO LIFT UP ON BRAKE PEDAL AND REDEPRESS (NOW OUT OF TC MODE CAR WILL STOP QUICKLY). THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF REGULARLY WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT. THE PROBLEM IS THE MOST NOTICEABLE AT MODERATELY LOW SPEEDS I WOULD ESTIMATE 5-25 MPH BUT LIKELY OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHICH IS LESS NOTICEABLE. IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTOR OF DISTANCE OR THE FACT THAT THE CAR DOES NOT REALIZE THE WHEEL IS GETTING TRACTION AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10306403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

2009 PRIUS DISPLAYS ERRATIC BRAKING BEHAVIOR WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON IRREGULAR SURFACES...RR TRACKS, GRAVEL ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10306496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

SNOW COVERED ROAD, WAS BRAKING FOR STOP SIGN, WENT OVER MANHOLE COVER, ABS (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) KICKED IN, LOST BRAKING FOR ABOUT THREE FEET.

NHTSA complaint #10306673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

EVERY DAY I ENCOUNTER A LARGE POT HOLE ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT IS ABOUT 20 FEET FROM A STOP SIGN, SO AT THIS POINT I AM ALREADY DRIVING SLOW AND BRAKING. HOWEVER, WHEN THE ONE WHEEL DIPS INTO THE HOLE, THE YELLOW TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, AND I FEEL WHAT COULD BE A SLIGHT LOSS IN BRAKING, AS IF THE CAR IS COASTING FOR A SPLIT SECOND (VERSUS BRAKING/SLOWING) OR PERHAPS ACCELERATING FORWARD. THE CAR/SYSTEM RECOVERS AS SOON AS ALL WHEELS PASS THE POTHOLE. NOT HAVING HAD A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM PRIOR TO THIS CAR, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS NORMAL SO I DIDN'T PURSUE IT, BUT I KNOW I DON'T LIKE HOW IT FEELS! THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY TIME I DRIVE OVER THAT POTHOLE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. LUCKILY THEY JUST PAVED THE HOLE LAST MONTH FINALLY. OTHERWISE I TRY TO AVOID ROUGH ROADS AS A MATTER OF COURSE. PERHAPS A RELATED PROBLEM IS WHEN TRYING TO GO UP AN ICY/SLUSHY SLOPE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SHUTS OFF THE WHEELS TO KEEP THEM FROM SLIPPING/SPINNING. SINCE I LIVE ON A HILL, THIS MAKES WINTER ESPECIALLY STRESSFUL AND MAKES ME FEARFUL OF DRIVING TO FROM WORK AND ENCOUNTERING EVEN A SLIGHT INCLINE THAT IS NOT PLOWED OR SALTED --WHAT IF THE CAR STOPPED AND I GOT HIT? TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL" TO KEEP THE ELECTRIC ENGINE FROM BEING OVER STRESSED OR SOME SUCH THING.

NHTSA complaint #10306741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE A 2009 PRIUS. I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, SINCE I GOT IT ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, ABOUT ITS INSTABILITY WHEN I GO OVER SMALL BUMPS AND RUTS IN THE ROAD. THE CAR SEEMS TO SURGE AHEAD, SWERVE A BIT, AND LOSE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE OTHER MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE CAR'S HORRIBLE TRACTION ON WET HIGHWAYS. IF I'M TRAVELING OVER 45 M.P.H., MY CAR BEGINS TO HYDROPLANE. THE EXPERIENCE IS UNNERVING. I'VE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR THAT FEELS SO UNSAFE AND THAT MAKES ME FEEL SUCH A LACK OF CONFIDENCE, AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS. PLUS, DURING THE LAST SNOWSTORM, WHEN I PUT MY PRIUS IN PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF MY HOME, THE CAR SLID ABOUT 20 FEET, IN PARK. I HAD TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. IT SLIDES ALL OVER THE ROAD, IN SNOW. I HATE THIS CAR AND WISH I'D NEVER BOUGHT IT. I BELIEVE THAT ITS MERITS WERE MISREPRESENTED. DESPITE THE CHOSEN DATE THAT YOU'VE REQUIRED ME TO ENTER, UNFORTUNATELY THESE PROBLEMS ARE ONGOING.

NHTSA complaint #10306820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHEN BRAKING ON ROUGH ROAD, LIKE WHEN YOU HIT A SMALL POTHOLE, OUR 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HANDLES IMPROPERLY. THE "SLIP INDICATOR" LIGHT FLASHES. IT BRIEFLY FEELS LIKE THERE IS A LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10305768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WE BROUGHT A NEW 2009 PRIUS IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR, 2008. I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW, AND FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN; THE TRACTION CONTROL TOOK TOTAL CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A CURVE AS I WAS ABOUT TO GO UP A HILL. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP; I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL! THE SHERIFF, WHO WAS DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET HAD TO GO OFF THE ROAD TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME HEAD ON, AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. THANK GOD I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT! I CONTACTED THE TWO TOYOTA DEALERS IN OUR AREA, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE RESPONSE FROM THE PRIUS WAS "NORMAL." WHEN I CALLED THE TOYOTA 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER, I WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED THAT WE TRY SNOW TIRES ON THE CAR. IN SPITE OF LIVING WHERE WE ARE IN JOHNSON CITY, NEW YORK (NEAR BINGHAMTON), WE HAVE ALWAYS USED ALL-SEASON TIRES WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE. WE HAD A 1995 INTREPID WHICH HAD TRACTION CONTROL, AND WE HAD NO TROUBLE WITH IT. IT HAD A SWITCH THAT YOU COULD USE IF YOU NEEDED TO TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PRIUS HAS NO WAY TO TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF; I BELIEVE TOYOTA'S DESIGN IS FAULTY AND DANGEROUS. IT'S A DEATH TRAP, A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE CHANGED! PLEASE HELP US IN GETTING THE ATTENTION OF THE TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY TO DO A RECALL AND MAKE IT SO THAT THIS CAR HAS A WAY TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL WHEN IT DEEMS NECESSARY. IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY FOR ACCIDENTS TO OCCUR AND PEOPLE BE HURT OR KILLED TO MAKE IT COMPULSORY THAT A BAD DESIGN BE FIXED. (PLEASE NOTE: WE WROTE "CAMRY" ON YOUR FORM UNDER MODEL SELECTION BECAUSE YOU DID NOT HAVE "PRIUS" LISTED. WE HAD TO SELECT SOME CAR MODEL IN ORDER TO PROCEED WITH THE APPLICATION). THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10251661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.