Software Problems of Toyota Prius - part 1

We were driving in the city and after going on a slight incline road the car started to lose power. Noticed a few warning indicators came on on the dash then I lost the ability to accelerate the car so I had to pull over while it was slowing down. I restarted the car and was able to drive short distances till it completely lost the ability to drive due to lost of acceleration. Very scary situation and it seems like its due to their inverter issues they were trying to fix with a software update. If the shop confirms, its due to the inverter issues, not sure if id feel safe driving the car even if they replace the whole inverter assembly. It's our family car for road trips and I wouldn't feel comfortable until they find a solid fix for this issue. 3 recalls for the same issue? thats ridiculous.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Prius 🔎.

While driving our 2013 Prius on a 5 five-lane highway 2-10-20, our Prius goes into limp home mode all the sudden and slows the car down significantly while driving at highway speed. This occurred at the same time as I was passing a car to exit the highway, also with another car close at the rear clearly intending to get ahead of me after I had passed the other car. I unexpectedly realized that I had no acceleration and that the all the dash lights had come on. I was very fortunately to be able to maneuver across the driving lanes to the highway exit without being hit as my speed go down. The situation was extremely hazardous. Took the car to the Toyota dealership the next day on 2-11-20 and the tech discovered the car went into the limp home mode because of a catastrophe inverter failure. We did receive the updated software from the recall in 2014, yet the inverter still failed. The inverter was repaired by the Toyota dealership 100% under warranty.

My car has stopped running with all warning lights and hybrid system failure warning three times now. First time I was driving when lights came on but got to parking lot where it died. I was able to restart car after a couple of hours, still all warning lights and hybrid warning showing but was able to get it to dealership. Second time I was driving on small road and was able to get car to side of road. Again it started after a couple hours with all warnings lit and I was able to drive to dealership were it also died again but they started it later by resetting codes. Third time it stopped in driveway and I was unable to start it. Had it towed to dealership. First time. 12v battery was replaced and software update performed. Second two times ira Toyota dealership has sent me back out on the road to wait and see if it happens again.

Brake/abs and stability system failure. Possible actuator or accumulator. Touota knows there is a fault and hides behind a software update. System fails and causes unreliable braking with increased force to apply the brakes. Brakes apply so hard at times the rear passengers heads hit the rear seat.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Prius 🔎.

After repair of stalling engine condition: vsv valve replaced, a software update subsequently was performed on my car (jov recall). Ever since that software update it hasn't been safe to drive my car : unsafe breaking, really hard breaking, especially on highways and untimely dashboard lighting related to trac/vsc, check engine and hybrid warning light.

See all problems of the 2012 Toyota Prius 🔎.

On 09/19/2019 key west Toyota completed the tires change of my vehicle as I requested. In addition, key west Toyota performed "107649 j0v recall j0v01b 0. 70 update to the power management ecu with new software" as showing on the invoice. The following day, on Friday 09/20/2019, while I was driving the vehicle lost power and stalled in the middle of the traffic, putting my life and safety at risk and my heath and general well-being. I sent back the vehicle to key west Toyota, and since then the issue is unresolved, and I am not even able to reach anyone on the phone or through the email I sent from key west Toyota website "contact us".

After the latest hybrid software upgrade on my car we noticed that the gas mileage dropped by 10%. Then as we were driving in heavy traffic on a two lanes four different warning lights came on two which were for the braking system and two others for the hybrid system. Took the car to the Toyota shop and they found the hybrid batters needed to be replaced at 63,000 miles.

Car worked flawlessly and we maintained it regularly. Took it in to address recall of jov update pwr mgmt ecu at dealer. Dealer completed recall work. 2 days later engine lite check hybrid system and the ! on and triangle on. The car continued run but now was studdering when was not before the recall work. Took it back to the dealer and he said we need a new hybrid battery. We believe the software update they did created a this issue. Dealer acting ignorant and saying it needs new battery because of number of miles on car. Asked for diagnostic print out from when they did recall work to they new diagnosis and they would not provide. We believe the recall update created a technical problem with our hybrid battery. We also believe that dealer not being honest regarding issues with this recall update and is using it as an opportunity to reduce liability for Toyota on failed recall work and to use it as an opportunity to bring in large ticket sales repair ie they quoted us a new hybrid battery for 5,500.

May 3, 2019, approximately 33 days after software updated due to recall (to prevent stalling) vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. Due to location of event, all property damage and injuries were minor. Event has been reported to Toyota and owner's auto insurance provider. Vehicle was in a commercial parking lot, braking in process, moving at less than 5 mph when acceleration occurred.

Tl the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius v. While driving approximately 20 mph and attempting to brake, the vehicle did not stop and the tire pressure monitoring system, anti-lock, brake, and electronic stability control indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to john elway's crown Toyota (1201 kettering dr, ontario, CA 91761) where it was diagnosed that the brake booster/brake booster pump and master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle had a software failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,853.

A few months ago I had the required software update to adjust the safety feature in the hybrid system in case of a failure. While driving on a side street on 3/1/19 I pressed the gas after being stopped, the car jerked, and the check hybrid system light came on. This was on railroad tracks but the car did drive on the gas engine a short distance to make it over the railroad tracks. I had the car towed to a Toyota dealer who stated the inverter was bad, but that Toyota would replace it as they extended the warranty. This seems to be an issue that Toyota is ignoring. I also own a 2014 Toyota Prius v which is also prone to this issue. Toyota should address this issue beyond a mere software update.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Prius 🔎.

Recall notice eoe was performed on my 2010 Prius to correct an invertor problem. A software update was performed. According to my dealer at capistrano Toyota as well as other dealers this was just a bandaid and not a true fix. The owner of capistrano Toyota as well as other Toyota dealers have written to Toyota that the invertor needs to be replaced. The dealer h,s had many cars come back after the software fix and had to have the invertor changed. If the invertor fails while driving, the car can possibly just stop running or slow down to 15 miles. This will be very dangerous and possibly deadly.

Toyota imp as I went to accelerate onto one of the most dangerous entrances to the 110 parkway in los angeles, my car stalled. The car worked very slowly for a couple of minutes, then it would not even go into drive. There was still power and air conditioning. After having it towed off the highway to the dealership, it was confirmed to be the power inverter. I had the software recall done in 2015, yet my car's inverter still failed.

After changed all the 12v battery and 201v battery pack brand new. All the fluid; oil, cooling water, transmission also been changed new, even clean out the exhaust co2 deposit in the pipe, basically the engine been clean out like new. The problems now is not start or put into ready mode. Due to the inverter and icu u1 circuit board now sending the signal to the dash board. Dash board only show flashing engine light, push button show amber not green. I heard Toyota is recal the software on the inverter, this is not going to help, due to reprogram the key and the imobolizer cause the infor on the dash to shut down, the obdii cant even read or function. Now my 2010 hybrid is dead. I don't know what to do. Please help.

Nothing happened yet, but I am concerned about numerous reports of the inverter failing and causing sudden loss of power. I understand this is still happening despite affected cars having received a software update to "prevent" the issue. During an emergency, regenerative systems prevent these cars from swiftly coasting out of the travel lane as other cars would do. Instead, the car will act like the brakes have been slammed on, causing a serious hazard. I read about this here https://toyotatalk. Com/Toyota-prius-hybrid-inverter/.

June 29th 2018 was in the car wash going thorugh when the dash board panel said traction battery low put in park the battery indicator showed one bar light on but I couldnt put it in park for I was still going thorgh car wash when it was done washing put car in drive and it was very slow in driving it took it awhile to come back up in power July 6th took it to local dealer and I think they thought I was nuts they said they never heard of such of a thing happing like that. Thought matbe it was the new battery they put in my car in March of 20018 so I want this on record that I had it checked even called and checked on line if there was a trecall only thing I found was a 2014 recall on my year but not my vion of the electrical system software. Is it possable that is what happened to my car. Hope you can give me a answer.

I am concerned as the owner of the identified vehicle in this complaint of serious safety and vehicle fuel efficiency issues regarding this vehicle. It has been widely circulated in national media that certain Toyota Prius vehicles, have been involved in catastrophic power inverter failures that have resulted in serious damage to these vehicles and often serious and potentially life threatening bodily injuries to the occupants of these vehicles. It should be noted that my Prius was part of a recall campaign that was supposed to address this inverter issue but seems to have been nothing more than a band-aid software fix to a problem that is actually the result of defective electrical connections. This catastrophic power inverter failure is a serious safety problem that is far beyond the scope of a simple software solution. Many individuals are also complaining of up to a 15% or more drop in fuel efficiency since this so-called software fix was initiated. I personally have experienced a drop in fuel efficiency of my Prius v from a consistent 42 mpg since 2013 to 35 mpg over the last three months. My concern that this drop in fuel efficiency is connected to the power inverter problems associated with this vehicle. I recently communicated my concerns relating to the power inverter problems to my local Toyota dealer. They informed me that they were aware of some issues regarding the inverters and that as a result Toyota increased the warranty of this component from 8 yrs. /100k miles to 15 yrs. /unlimited miles! this would seem to indicate that Toyota is fully aware that this is a serious issue. I am concerned that Toyota is not addressing this potentially deadly safety issue.

I purchased a new 2016 Prius four on February 16, 2016. The literature on the Toyota factory website says my Prius is equipped to switch from english to metric units. Unfortunately, Toyota failed to disclose that any Prius manufactured in January and February and delivered to the united states did not have this feature working correctly. Without the ability to switch to metric units, by government mandate, my Prius does not meet canadian motor vehicle safety regulations. Apparently some 2016 Prius vehicles sold in canada also cannot switch to english units when driving in the united states presenting a potential safety hazard. Toyota has apparently failed to reveal a material fact that the Prius sold to me does not meet the canadian motor vehicle safety regulations. There was no disclosure on the vehicle monroney sticker that this Prius has a disabled or deleted english to metric unit speedometer display. After 10 months from my date of purchase, the only remedy Toyota offers is for me to purchase a new Prius to replace my new Prius at my expense. When I purchased my new 2016 Toyota Prius, I did not know I was purchasing a vehicle with vaporware software. There was not a clear and conspicuous disclosure that Toyota deleted the option to select between english and metric units which affects multiple vehicle systems such as navigation, heater/ac, speedometer, and odometer. For my first six months of ownership, the navigation system would constantly reboot until Toyota fixed their software. This system rebooting was a significant driver distraction. Toyota advertises, "let's go places. " for truth in advertising, Toyota should really say, "let's go places, except to canada, mexico and the rest of the planet because some Toyota speedometers can't display metric units. ".

See all problems of the 2016 Toyota Prius 🔎.

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system fried the inverter and shut down the entire system. The contact stated that the software was an ongoing issue and overheated the inverter, which caused the engine to shut off and the vehicle to completely stop. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

The vehicle runs ok and a few minutes later the yellow triangle turns on, as well as the check engine light and the vehicle starts to lose power. After a few more minutes the red steering wheel light comes on along with the "check hybrid system" message and the rest of the lights and the vehicles loses all power and stops. It will normally turn back on but there was one occasion where it didn't and my husband had to push the car to a parking lot. I took the car in on the recall which should cover this but all they did was update the software and blame the issue on a car accident. I don't know if this is true as just purchased the vehicle but it sounds to me that they could have fixed the issue under the recall.

The navigation, bluetooth & radio system was turned off on it own and became corrupted when the car dealership tried to update the systems software. The hardware was then rendered inoperable and the systems computer was then replaced, the warranty did not cover the defects in the system. The estimated repair exceeded $1000us. Due to the dealerships actions in trying to run a software update, the repair costs were paid by the dealership. The failure of the computer system seemed to be known by the car dealer. Toyota was never directly contacted by car owner as only the car dealer handled the repair issues.

We flew to sea tac (seattle wa ) airport from slc ut. We planned on attending a family gathering and rented a car from hertz. We have owned a 2006 Prius and asked if they might have a new model to rent for comparison on our part, which they did, however it turned out to be a Prius c, which was not at all like our Prius. The traffic on the freeway was stop and go slow on a multi lane freeway and were on an inner lane. ( I - 405 north bound ) as I rolled up to what might have been a stopping situation the traffic started to move forward, and as I stepped on the pedal to move forward, I noticed that nothing was happening and the car soon came to a complete stop. The car was absent and visible power, no visual information on the mph screen, the emergency light would not work, I was nervous and scared and everything had gone dark, I did not what to do, I tried to move the key position the cars behind me started to honk, and they were also trying to get around me, just as I was starting to call 911 for some help the car powered back up with a message to put the car in park and start the motor I moved out of the situation and got off the freeway and took backroads to reach the motel, with the intent to never drive this car again, the next am I called hertz and they made arrangements to trade the car out at our motel, which they did. The tow truck driver indicated that the problem on this specific car was caused by its software and he was aware of other drivers facing the same situation, but I should count my blessing that I was not involved in a major accident I do not think this car should ever be allowed on our roads just based on this experience. For your review and validation - hertz rental record 156013196 lic or782gxx.

See all problems of the 2014 Toyota Prius 🔎.

My brakes has always had a weak feel and it would lose stopping power when braking on a bumpy road. Its almost like, the brakes releases when you hit a bump. There are currently two recalls for the 2010 Prius but for some reason, my VIN number is not included in it. Is there any way we can get the dealer to perform the recall? its just a software computer update, but I have a feeling they will not do it since my VIN is not included in the recall. Even though I experience the symptoms of the 2 brake recalls for the 2010 Prius. Thank you.

After Toyota power management software recall installed "power management upgrade" software in my car I immediately experienced serious problems with my ignition /start of hybrid/gasoline engine. After pressing ignition, I had to wait 15 to 20 minutes and press start button on/off repeatedly until the gasoline engine ignite but hybrid failed to start. It is not normal because a Prius hybrid engine starts first not the gasoline engine. Toyota has disabled some important functions in its power management recall software update that affects the hybrid engine performance and failure to start. I drive my Prius 3-4 times a month and I did not have any problem before the recall software upgrade because Prius owners manual clearly says that the battery with be disconnected by battery saving function when your car is parked for long time, several days, weeks. In fact, when your car is parked for just days, Toyota power management software (recall) is draining the car battery and reconfiguring the relays to power up the gasoline engine. Toyota owners manual clearly states that when you are parked, "power management software disconnects the auxiliary battery from the hybrid system. " however, after the recall, not only auxiliary battery is not disconnected but there are lots of "activity" in hybrid engine that drains the batteries. I called the Toyota service and they now say you have to keep the car on a charger all the time when parked for several days. Of course , it is a huge safety problem to keep the car on a charger all the time when parked for days because the battery is housed in the cabin and the ventilation does not exist unless you park your car outdoors. At the same time Toyota recommends keeping the car on a charger , it also warns of explosion caused by charging the batteries in a garage.

The hybrid inverter assembly failed when I tried to accelerate from a stop onto a rural highway. This occurred approximately two months after receiving the motor generator ecu and power management ecu software update that was intended to prevent this type of failure. I was notified of this update/recall in late March 2014 and had the update completed at a authorized Toyota service center.

My Prius was recalled to limit current in the main power inverter as they are failing. These inverters are still failing even after the software modification. Toyota extended the warranty on the inverter as they know it could fail. I don't want to be stranded before they will address the problem!.

Was traveling about 65 mph on route 11 in CT when red lights come on and car slows to 20 mph. Pulle to side of road and called aaa/towed to hartford Toyota in hartford CT. First told it was a hybrid battery then told it was the inverter which they said is on back order. Now I,m getting the run around from the main office in California. . Brought car in for a recall on software update in Feb 2014 and from what I read this may cause the invert to fail thanks for your attention in this matter.

Fuse box cover left loose by dealer after Prius recall service. In the process of doing the engine software update for the Prius recall, apparently the Toyota dealer technician failed to engage the hooks & tabs at the back of the fuse box cover, and just "clicked" the front latch; this left the fuse box cover loose and exposed to water penetration. The loose fuse box cover might permit water to enter the fuse box compartment, causing a short. The short could shut-down car electrical systems causing a catastrophic shut-down of engine, air bags, power brakes, etc. This could easily result in loss of life, when the engine stops and safety systems (air bags) fail due to the short; this similar to the gm ignition recall issue. This is especially critical in a "drive-by-wire" car like the Prius. ==>the Toyota Prius recall is being done improperly (at least occasionally), leading to a much more serious safety issue. The could lead to passenger injury or death, at any time, without warning.

On two separate occasions in December of 2013, with two different drivers, the brakes on our 2011 model year Prius (purchased new in February 2012), failed to engage. The first time occured when I was driving (with one of my teenagers in the car with me), and the second time occured when my wife was drving the car alone. In both instance we pressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond at all. Although it is winter, the roads were clear, and the car did not slow down at all when the brakes were pressed / applied. Interestingly, after 30 - 60 seconds, the brake function restored itself. Since December the car has been at the shop at the Toyota dealership where we purchased the car. The shop has been unable to identify the source of the problem. Additionally, the shop indicated they contacted Toyota mechanics and service support staff to help identify and fix the problem, but Toyota claimed they never heard of such a problem or anything like it. Moreover, Toyota refuses to make any repairs or change any parts (even though the car is still under warranty). Yet, this past Wednesday (February 12, 2014), Toyota announced a recall on rav4's and other models for a software problem that causes the anti-brakes to intermittently turn off. This is particularly troubling, given Toyota's claim that they never heard of anything like this and did not know what to fix. Further, Toyota announced a recall on the Prius itself, for a software problem that might cause the car to turn off completely while driving. Clearly, Toyota has a problem with its software in a number of vehicles. At this point, all I have received is corporate double talk, and I urge the NHTSA to pursue this matter as vigorously as possible.

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure recurred twice. The dealer updated the software. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time where the technician stated that they dif not have the correct code for the software. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Every time I received call on my cell bluetooth seems like voice breaking up. It is not the phone problem. I have checked the same phone in my other cars and works fine. This bluetooth needs software upgrade.

Bought car on 1/23/13 and drove home. Next day got a call they forgot to give us access key so drove 27 miles to dealership and smoke on dashboard. Pulled into service and sales manager got in car drove around and said all is fine. Came home an odometer showed 564 miles after I drove 27 there and 27 back. The car had 156 night we bought it the day before. We are old and disabled and do not drive often. Odometer now showing almost 900 miles in less then the 3 weeks we have owned it. Reported the smoke on dashboard to Toyota corp office and told them how hot the dashboard got and odometer jumping. The man thought it was funny and said he hoped I did not burn my hand. Now nav system not working and radio sounds tinny. Called lakeland Toyota and talked to owner [xxx] who says he is an accountant and knows nothing about cars. Took car to another dealership and was told nav system software 2. 1 should be a 2. 2 and claimed to have it updated. The car then added another 100 miles again. We need help to make sure car is safe to drive and need miles to stop adding up even when we are not driving. Also the history on mpg one time showed 99. 9 and then 26 and then 44. 7 and then 49. We had to put gas in it three times in it in less then 3 weeks because gage on dashboard keeps showing getting low but then it only takes 6 gallons. I put no for fire but I did see smoke on the dash above the computer and it was very very hot. So not sure if there was an electrical fire or not or just a surge or short. No one will help me. Need help. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2004 Toyota Prius. Consumer states unintended acceleration the consumer stated the sudden acceleration happened three times, over a six year span. He managed to put the vehicle in neutral, coast to the side of the road, and turned the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was restarted, all worked fine. The consumer stated a few weeks ago his vehicle was about to reach 300,000 miles, as he reached for his camera, he realized the odometer never went past 299,999 miles. However, within five miles, the vehicle suddenly lost power brakes, the air condition stopped working, the hybrid drive shut off and the fan for the hybrid battery came on, as well as yellow and red lights appeared on the dash. Also, two warning graphics appeared on the navigation screen, one indicating trouble. The consumer pulled over, and shut the engine off. He then restarted the vehicle and everything went back to normal. It appeared that by shutting off the engine and restarting it, caused the main computer reboot. The consumer stated it continued several more times, until he arrived home. The dealer informed the consumer the vehicle was a large computer, and when one component stops working, such as the odometer, other components cease too. The dealer explained an odometer limit was placed on the vehicle by the factory.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Prius 🔎.

2010 Toyota Prius, no accidents, but close calls. When I am slowing to a stop, and if the vehicle hits a rough spot in the road, for example a pothole, the brake pedal lowers slightly and the car appears to have the anti lock braking take over and the car speed decreases slowly under the control of the abs and may not stop in the remaining distance to a stop sigh or traffic light. At least 4 times, 3 since the software update for my car, I have been stopping and within about 20 feet of the stop sigh there was a significant bump or pothole and with my foot on the brake continuously I noticed that the brake pedal depressed slightly and my rate of slowing decreased and my car drifted past the stop sign. This all happened with my foot still on the brake. I told the Toyota dealer about this and was informed that it is the way the car is designed, that any time that the computer senses a wheel slip, the abs takes over. But on dry road conditions, this is problematic because in my area there are often un repaired roads with ruts, potholes, bumps and etc. Near the intersections. Having the abs take over provides a lag time in the stopping of the car and each time I have gone past the stop sign and slightly into the intersection approximately 5 feet into the path of other vehicles. I am an engineer with nasa and know what I am doing and have been told that this is a design feature, but this feature can and has left me exceeding my planned stopping distance and could have lead to an accident.

Purchased 2010 Prius on Aug ll,09. Have returned to dealer 5 times, beginning on sept. 29, 09, to report same problem. . . Which is that at random times when I shift from "p" to either "d" or "r", the vehicle lunges and when I apply the brake, it is like hitting a brick wall. This process is repeated several times in sequence. . . Lunge, brake, lunge, brake. . Then it corrects itself and drives normally. I cannot predict when this will occur, sometimes it is weeks and hundreds of miles between occurrences; sometimes only a few miles and hours between incidents. The dealer always says they have not been able to reproduce the problem, therefore no diagnosis or repair. I have reported to Toyota customer ser. And was assigned a case #. Have had ongoing conversation with tcs rep to report this and several other problems, I. E. Various warning lights at inappropriate times. . . "key detected in vehicle" while driving down the road. . . Etc. Am always told "scan shows no problems". I think there is a problem with electronics. Unsafe, frightening. Latest incident on 3/05/10. Dealer installed software fix for brake recall on 2/10/10. At times must repeatedly move gear shift lever before it responds.