general problems of the 2002 Toyota Prius

Driving speed less than 25mph on familiar surface street with need to stop for a car about 75 feet (estimate) in front; should have been an easy stop; applied brakes but car accelerated (I think only electric motor); further brake pressure did not stop the car, continued to accelerate (estimate 30 mph); fender bender crash of driver side front fender into passenger rear fender and side bumper. Very familiar with car (19 years driving it) and very familiar street near my home; confusion was not a factor; no airbags on either car activated; I was able to stop when I was beyond the struck vehicle. I plan on not driving car further and have asked Toyota dealer to take it back for junk without a definite reply so far.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while parking, the vehicle indecently accelerated to 115 mph. The contact applied the brakes and shifted into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 106,000.

2002 Toyota Prius accident the consumer stated she was leaving a meeting when she attempted to release her emergency brake. She was parked on an incline and has parked there once a month for over a year. Before she knew what was happening, the vehicle started to roll backwards at such high speed that she was unable to control it by braking. Therefore, she side swiped another vehicle and caused over $10,500 worth of damage to both cars.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that upon starting, the vehicle jerked forward. In addition, while attempting to stop at a stop sign, the contact depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle hesitated to stop. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer for diagnostics. The technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.

2002 Prius suddenly speeded up just before I got to waist high back deck of our house. I hit the clip on sunvisor. Had 25 stitches in scalp. Have not seen this model in recall. Car was totaled. Did not have on seatbelt as I was only getting the paper at the end of long driveway early in the am.

I believe Toyota has known of the braking problem all along. I purchased new, a 2002 Prius. In 2008 my anti-locking brake system went out. The service mgr. Told me it needed a new relay, and he could fix it for $1700. I have never in my life seen a relay costing $1700. My brakes still worked, just not properly so I didn't spend the $1700. As long as Toyota can get their customers to spend $1700. There is no need to have a recall. I have around 47000 miles on the vehicle and am on my third set of rotors and brake pads. My tires actually last longer. I believe this braking problem has been around from day one. I think ray lahood should check frequency of this repair against customers records, it might reveal a consistent fault.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Prius. While driving 10 mph the rpm's increased excessively causing the vehicle to accelerate and crash into a building. The vehicle was destroyed and no one was injured. The contact stated that the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact is concerned that the late model Toyotas have not been investigated regarding the acceleration. The failure mileage was unknown. Jo.

I had just left one area of a parking lot and was traveling to another at a low rate of speed (5 to 15 mph) so my 2002 Toyota Prius was running under electrical power. I turned right to pull into a parking space between two suvs, coasting in with my foot over the break pedal. When I was more than halfway into the parking space, the car suddenly shot forward jumping the curb and stopping only when it hit a stone pillar. When I looked down (after checking to see if my 13 year old son was alright, I saw that my foot was on the brake pedal. Fortunately no pedestrian was in the walkway, and I did not hit the SUV to my right or left. However, the unexpected acceleration was not a result of pressing on the gas pedal.

My 2002 Prius has braking problems when it hits a rough patch of pavement or encounters small bumps. This has happened since it was purchased (new). If you are slowing down and hit a bump or a series of bumps, the braking power literally disappears for a moment or two. The braking power does return, but it adds considerably to your stopping distance. I never realized how serious it could be until I heard about the other Toyota recalls involving brakes.