Ignition Problems of Toyota Prius

In 2010 (approximately), the dashboard display of my Prius would intermittently not display when the car was first started. This condition makes it impossible to know how fast the car is going, how much fuel there is, etc. I visited dealers and independent mechanics and no one claimed to know anything about this problem. However, I have subsequently learned that Toyota issued a service bulletin on this very issue in 2009! (t-sb-0172-09). I've also since learned (due to my own research) that the most likely cause of this problem is a faulty combination meter (as per the Toyota sb). One independent garage in san francisco, CA has even started a blog about this because they are seeing so many repairs for this condition! it is absolutely a safety issue and the problem continues in my car today (I've just discovered the potential fix of replacing the combination meter). In addition to the dash display not working, often other issues, such as the engine not turning off, key not releasing from ignition, and rear hatch not releasing are also associated with this problem. Toyota admits in its sb this is due to a faulty computer design from one of its suppliers but refuses to issue a recall notice. Nhtsa should force Toyota to address this issue as the problem happens not only at start-up, but sometimes while driving. Losing speedometer visibility is a serious safety issue; as is not being able to disengage power in the normal fashion.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Prius 🔎.

I rolled slowly (<1 mph) uphill to the parking slot (l. A. Code, 2%grade down away from buildings) up to the parking cement stop, and was ready to shut it down. The engine started to race, about to go over the cement stop when I put my foot on the brake. The car continued over the cement stop. I pushed harder on the brake and the car started to drive over the sidewalk. Then the car drove through the plate glass of the studio and then came to a stop inside. I put the car into neutral and tried to turn the car 'off'. The car's engine was still on after several tries to turn it off and I had my foot off the brake and on the floor. Then the car took a turn to the left and drove through the wall (my foot was still on the floor). I got out of the car without taking it out of neutral and it was still "on". I took the key with me to the middle of the room (I used the keyless ignition) so the car should have "chimed" because; the passenger side door was open, I was out of the car, and the car was still left "on". However, the car did not chime (indicating it did not detect I was 12 feet away). My teacher came up to the shattered glass window of the studio at the same time the security officer for the Mini mall a few minutes after I got out of the car. I was looking for my insurance card in my purse when the three of us witnessed the car "rev" again and the wall began to shatter with plaster and wooden studs falling around the car with no one driving (the car was in neutral). Because of the movement of the car, without a driver and in the wall, the security guard tried to get people out of the building. The towing company could not 'pull' the vehicle out of the wall with their tow truck for more then 20 minutes so, I gave my car key to the police officer and he gave it to the towing company. The man from the towing company drove the car out of the wall and out of the studio.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Prius 🔎.

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that he engaged the panic stop button but the vehicle hesitated before stopping and caused the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. A police report was available. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700 and the current mileage was approximately 2,000. Updated 02/02/11.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Prius 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated the vehicle does not go into ready mode to start the engine. This has happen twice and all the the symbols illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they cannot duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had not been called. The failure mileage was 30,000.

Car was being driven on multi-lane city arterial in moderate traffic. To try to quickly avoid an obstructing vehicle ahead, driver rapidly depressed accelerator pedal to fullest extent while steering. Car then immediately, and without warning, lost all engine power and rolled to a stop. Two general warning lights on dashboard illuminated. Repeatedly depressing accelerator pedal produced no motion or other result. After engaging emergency flashers, only way to regain engine power was to shut off ignition, which required engaging parking circuit and depressing power on/off button, then after shutdown procedure was complete, again pressing power on/off button and waiting for hybrid system to energize. Warning lights again came on but car now responded to accelerator and driver was able to move to parking lane. This was the third time in the eight months of owning this new car that such a sudden shutdown occurred. After the first two times in late November-early December 2004, car had been taken to dealer for service and was returned to owners reported as fixed by replacing faulty accelerator sensor.

Prius stalled while driving, all lights came on dealer restarted computer I have read about many people with this complaint.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Prius 🔎.

The consumer started the vehicle and noticed that the steering was very difficult. After driving for two blocks, the dash light had come on and the steering had become easier. The general warning symbol had come on, which meant the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer. The brake light had been continuously on. When the emergency brakes were applied, the vehicle did not behave as if it were activated. The ignition relay was replaced per warning light.

Vehicle refuses to start. Towed vehicle . Replaced battery , problem re0ccurred. A.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Prius 🔎.