91 of the
15,583 complaints filed about the Toyota Prius
are about the seat belts —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
I am writing to report a serious safety incident involving the rear seatbelt in my 2024 Toyota Prius, and to request that Toyota investigate this condition as a potential safety defect affecting other vehicles. On XXX at approximately 7:08pm , my daughter, age [XXX], was seated in the rear right seat of the vehicle. We were traveling at approximately 35 on city street in FAIRFIELD CA. She was belted in using the vehicle’s factory lap‑shoulder belt. Upon arrival, she adjusted the shoulder strap to gather her belongings and the seatbelt wrapped around her waist and cinched down to the point that it became dangerously tight and she was in severe pain. The belt continued to retract and would not loosen. Attempts to unbuckle the latch and to create slack by feeding the belt back into the retractor were unsuccessful. The belt remained locked tightly around her waist and could not be released. Because of the extreme tension and the location of the belt, we were unable to free her and ultimately had to cut the seatbelt to prevent further injury. This incident left visible marks/redness around her waist, and it presented a real risk of abdominal injury and impaired breathing. I have attached photographs taken immediately before the belt was cut that show how the belt path, seat back, and retractor configuration allowed the belt to wrap around and entrap my child. I am concerned that this may reflect a design defect in the rear seatbelt system and that other children could be similarly trapped and injured. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11744085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my 2024 Toyota Prius and was involved in a front-end collision. The impact was strong enough to cause significant front-end damage, but the front airbag did NOT deploy. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time. This is a serious safety concern because the airbag should have deployed in this type of frontal impact. If the crash had been worse, I could have been seriously injured. I believe this may be a safety defect in the airbag system.
NHTSA complaint #11725998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to use the front driver's side seat belt, the lap belt and the anchor bolt detached, rendering the seat belt unusable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the lap belt was reattached to the seat. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that a representative would return a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 34,600.
NHTSA complaint #11714567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Body / Liftgate The rear hatch unexpectedly dropped and fell on my head while the vehicle was stationary. The right-side rear hatch gas strut separated from the body at the mounting point. The left-side rear hatch gas strut had also shown signs of imminent failure and subsequently broke near its mounting point. This resulted in loss of hatch support and uncontrolled closure, creating a risk of head and upper-body injury. The failure appears related to structural stress at the strut mounting locations, not misuse. Seat Belt – Rear Center Passenger The rear center passenger seat belt upper cover can be easily pulled off by passengers, which breaks the plastic retaining tab. When the tab breaks, plastic fragments fall into the seat belt mechanism, causing the belt to jam and fail to retract properly. This results in impaired seat belt function, which is a safety concern for rear passengers. The vehicle has not been modified, and the failure occurred during normal use. Vehicle mileage at time of incident was approximately 150,000 miles. The rear center passenger seat belt issue has been present since the vehicle was new. The rear center passenger seat belt mechanism was replaced twice by the dealer during the warranty period, with one replacement performed as a goodwill repair after Toyota Corporate declined coverage. Despite these repairs, the same issue reoccurred, indicating a persistent design-related vulnerability rather than isolated misuse. The issue results in seat belt jamming and failure to retract, which is a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11711380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The issue is with the back middle seat belt. When the back right passenger seat, which is a 2/3 seat is placed down in order to accommodate long pieces of lumber, it remains stuck there as the seatbelt for the middle seat will not release. The seatbelt mechanism for the middle seat is located in the 2/3 seat which is stuck in the down position. Therefore, we cannot use the middle seat nor the back right seat because the seatbelt for the middle seat is locked in place and not releasing. So the back right seat is lying down and stuck there as the seatbelt for the middle seat is locked unable to release. Living alone, I rarely use the middle seat for passengers. Honestly, that seatbelt has probably only been used five times in five years. Obviously, this poses a Safety problem.
NHTSA complaint #11618223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
**What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? **How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? **Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? **Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? **Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT The passenger side seat belt became folded and stuck. It would not enable the person to pull it and attach it to the clasp. When my little boy did pull it in the clasp it was an extremely snug fit. I had 3 people try to unfold it. Finally someone had to slice it so that we could at least get part of it to work and go into the clasp. The shoulder strap did attach properly it is just the stomach strap that is not working properly. I brought it to the Toyota dealership to see: 1. If there were any recalls on it. 2. To see about getting it repaired. The dealer said that there were no recalls on that item and that it was indeed broken and it would cost over $500 to repair. I have not brought it the manufacturer. I don’t know where the manufacturer is located. Are they in Japan? The only warning signs were when the seatbelt was not properly attached because it did not properly fit on my passenger.
NHTSA complaint #11584892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the brakes failed when pressed causing the vehicle to crash into the rear end of a second vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy and the rear driver-side seat belt had sprung outward, although no rear seat passenger was present. The second vehicle's rear driver's side passenger was later treated for an undisclosed injury. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #11574057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The lights spontaneously turned off while driving on a cloudy night on an unlit section of interstate. While slowing the car down, it went onto gravel, semi-circled around and flipped over onto the lower median. No air bag deployed. No protection from shoulder seat belt. Head hit steering wheel, and I briefly lost consciousness. Tests showed skull and cervical fractures. The car was "totaled." I was planning a move. Now I consider myself to be lucky to be alive. I am rewriting because of previous a NHTSA computer malfunction changing a serious injury to "NO" injury on the questionnaire.
NHTSA complaint #11554493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS system displayed airbag symbol displayed brake symbol displayed seat belts light flashing airbag system showing off. Toyota dealership is aware of the problem with the ABS system along with the items mentioned. accident could have been avoided contact if the ABS system was working. Airbags did not deploy. Advise Toyota corporation on 27 February 2023 file number 230-227-00 2210 in regards to the ABS they were also advised of the airbag symbol displayed in the seat belt fasten flashing on driver side when an individual is seated in the car and buckled in. Vehicle has not been inspected yet however on Monday 6th of March it will be inspected by copart, by the direction of the USAA insurance company.
NHTSA complaint #11510157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the seat belts would not lock properly. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the buckles replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11441377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 9/12/21, I was driving 25-30mph when the SUV in front of me stopped on the freeway interchange suddenly and unexpectedly (other cars were not around us). I hit the breaks very hard and fast but could not stop and collided with the SUV. The front end of the Prius lodged under the back end of the SUV and the impact was enough to wreck the Prius. During that collision, the driver side seatbelt engaged, but the passenger side seatbelt did not. My preteen hit his forehead on the dashboard very hard. Additionally, the airbags failed to deploy. I could smell an odor from the dust from the airbags. The car is at a repair shop waiting for insurance adjuster to inspect. There were no warning lamps or other messages of the problem prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11432759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was hit when someone ran a stop sign. Pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a truck. My Toyota Prius was totaled. No air bags deployed. Seatbelt did not tighten either. I have contacted Toyota. Someone retrieved the data from recorder. I have a copy but it was to long to send with pics. Toyota claim # [XXX] (sorry for one pic I couldn’t delete) INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
NHTSA complaint #11425866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, CHANGED LANES TO AVOID IN ACCIDENT, CAR BEHIND ME CHANGED LANES TOO. CAR BEHIND FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND SMASHED TRUNK AND PUSHED ME INTO A STEEL GUARD RAIL. SIDE, FRONT, AND KNEE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS DID NOT ENGAGE. NOR DID HEAD RESTRAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #11361547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE, I CONSIDER THAT IT IS VERY RELEVANT THAT I EXPRESS MY CONCERNS WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I TRADED IN MY 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS FOR A VEHICLE THAT PROVIDED AN UNSAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE TO MY FAMILY WHICH WAS THE 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH VIN NUMBER [XXX] AFTER TAKING IT TO THREE DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO BE EVALUATED BY TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA FIELD INSPECTORS FROM TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS, TOYOTA MOTOR VEHICLES MADE THE CHOICE NOT TO LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS AND REJECTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDING ME A SAFETY HAZARD PRODUCT IN ORDER TO AVOID LEMON LAW AND/OR MAKE ME AWARE OF THE HIGH LEVELS OF EMF THAT THE VEHICLE HAD. ON APRIL 18 2019, WE NEVER WERE TOLD BY THE SECOND FIELD INSPECTOR SENT BY TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS THE RESULTS OF HIS FINDINGS. BIG TWO TOYOTA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AND CONVINCED US TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE FOR A NEW 2019 TOYOTA SIENNA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11319903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THE CONTACT'S BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE PARAMEDICS TRANSPORTED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE SHE SUFFERED FROM INJURIES TO HER CHEST AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SANSONE TOYOTA (90-100 US-1, AVENEL, NJ 07001, (732) 815-0500) WHERE THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO CHECK THE VEHICLE'S BLACK BOX. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND ON THE BLACK BOX AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11278749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR PREVENTING MICE FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER INTERIOR--- AIR INTAKE VENT UNDER WINDSHIELD AND 2 REAR DECOMPRESSION VENTS LOCATED IN THE REAR CARGO COMPARTMENT ABOVE THE WHEEL WELLS ARE OPEN TO THE EXTERIOR ALLOWING UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. HAD MICE IN THIS CAR 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2012 AND HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS. JUST RECENTLY, HAD TOYOTA INSTALL 1/4" HARDWARE CLOTH OVER THESE 3 AREAS AND THIS SHOULD HELP SIGNIFICANTLY TO PREVENT ENTRY. ALL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT MICE ENTRY HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY TAKEN BY ME, WITHOUT SUCCESS. MICE CAN MAKE A PERSON VERY SICK. THEIR EXCREMENT CARRIES HANTAVIRUS..... AND THE MICE CARRY TICKS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO LYME DISEASE. SIMPLY MANUFACTURING THE CAR WITH THESE VENTS PROPERLY SCREENED WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE CHANCE OF OCCUPANTS CONTRACTING A SERIOUS DISEASE.THE MICE ALSO DO A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR ITSELF, IN MY CAR THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WAS CHEWED, AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CABIN AIR FILTER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF NESTING IN THIS COMPARTMENT(AFTER HAVING BEEN UNKNOWINGLY BREATHING THE MICE EXCREMENT AS THE AIR PASSES THROUGH THIS FILTER ON ITS' WAY TO THE INTERIOR. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE PRESSURED BY YOUR AGENCY TO CORRECT THIS VERY SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD THAT THEIR CAR IS PRESENTING. THEIR IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR THIS SITUATION TO EXIST. THE COST TO TOYOTA WOULD BE NEGLIGIBLE.THE BENEFIT TO ALL PRIUS OWNERS WOULD BE VERY SIGNIFICANT, LIKELY PREVENTING MANY CASES OF DISEASE. PLEASE TAKE THIS SITUATION VERY SERIOUSLY, AS IS THE CASE. I ALSO WILL BE CALLING YOU TO DISCUSS THIS OVER THE PHONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #11265811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR-ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS RESULT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED FRACTURES TO THE RIGHT ARM, WRIST, PELVIS, RIBS AND STERNUM AS WELL A FEW BUMPS AND BRUISES ON LOWER LEG AND CHIN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, MULTIPLE FACIAL FRACTURES AND LACERATIONS AND A BROKEN NOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHE BELIEVES THAT THE .DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND HEAD REST FRACTURED AS HER HUSBAND WAS FOUND LAYING UNCONSCIOUS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT FACE DOWN. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF INJURIES IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11244474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS LOOSE AND DID NOT HAVE ANY TENSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES (13315 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110, (239) 301-3156) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #11174529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.