2001 Toyota Prius Problems

I WAS GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE OFF RAMP, WHEN THE 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS DID A UNWANTED LEFT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL, I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CORRECT THE CAR ANGLE, BUT HE STEERING FORCE WAS TOO STRONG FOR ME TO CORRECT BACK TO STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE LEFT FRONT CAR THE CONCRETE BARRIER, AND THE CAR TURN 360 DEGREE AROUND. THE REAR RIGHT BUMPER HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. LUCKY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME.

STEERING RECALL I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO IT AND IT SAYS ONLINE IT'S GOOD FOR 10 YEARS AFTER RECALL DATE.

MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS CONSISTENTLY WORE OUT THE FRONT TIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF THE TREAD, NOT EASILY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. THE TIRES WORE DOWN TO THE CORDS IN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IN TIME TO AVOID IT. MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THESE CARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA BUT THE COMPLAINT FELL ON DEAF EARS. *TR

TIRES ON VEHICLE ARE COMING APART ON THE INSIDE TREAD LINE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES OF USE. WE HAD ONE CRASH WHERE CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED IN TIME. DID NOT PUT THE CRASH TOGETHER WITH THE TIRE PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. *NM

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WELL ONE DAY, THE CAR STOPPED WORKING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD NO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE PEDAL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES, AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUSES AND THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT KEEP REPLACING THE PEDAL CAUSE THATS THE CODE IT IS THROWING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE AS I CAN AND DO LOSE ACCELERATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT DOESNT SEEM TO MATTER HOW FAST IM GOING OR THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM, AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMAND. THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST INSTANCE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT OR MAKE RECORD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN AAND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TITUS-WILL TOYOTA, 3506 S SPRAGUE AVE, TACOMA, WA 98409). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN IN A PARKING LOT AND RAMMED ITSELF INTO THE WALL DEPLOYING AIRBAGS. MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AND WAS SENT TO THE E.R. SHE WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED FIRST IN REVERSE HITTING A WALL AND THEN SWITCHED IN DRIVE ON IT'S OWN WITH HIGH ACCELERATION RUNNING INTO THE OPPOSITE WALL WHICH DEPLOYED THE BAGS. AFTER READING ONLINE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATION SURGING IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WELL ONE DAY, THE CAR STOPPED WORKING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD NO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE PEDAL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES, AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUSES AND THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT KEEP REPLACING THE PEDAL CAUSE THATS THE CODE IT IS THROWING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE AS I CAN AND DO LOSE ACCELERATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT DOESNT SEEM TO MATTER HOW FAST IM GOING OR THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM, AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMAND. THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST INSTANCE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT OR MAKE RECORD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN AAND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TITUS-WILL TOYOTA, 3506 S SPRAGUE AVE, TACOMA, WA 98409). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

IF THE PRIUS ENGINE DOES NOT START IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE COMPUTER TELLS IT TO, THE COMPUTER STOPS TRYING TO START IT AND LEAVES YOU WITH ONLY THE BATTERY POWER...VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS IN FAST TRAFFIC OR ON AN ON-RAMP. IT CAN BE RESTARTED IF ONE PULLS OFF THE ROAD AND SHUTS OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTS IT. AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENTS AND ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE OCCASIONAL NON-STARTS, IT TURNED OUT THAT THE AIR INTAKE FLAP IN THE ENGINE CAN GET DIRTY AND STICK, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SOMETIMES TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART. (THIS WAS INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED AS A COMPUTER PROBLEM, HOWEVER THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE.) BESIDES MAKING THE FLAP CLEANING PART OF MAINTENANCE, THE COMPUTER SHOULD ALSO BE FIXED SO THAT IT WILL ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, SINCE THINGS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY (SUCH AS SLOSHING FROM LOW GAS.) I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM ON NEWER PRIUSES, HOWEVER AS MORE OF THEM HAVE HIGH MILEAGE, THIS CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE MORE OF A PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE MEDIAN AAND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (TITUS-WILL TOYOTA, 3506 S SPRAGUE AVE, TACOMA, WA 98409). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, SHOP SAID IT WAS THE TURBO BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN ONLLINE AS "THE BIG HAND SYNDROM". WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGES RESISTANCE AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE GRABS THE CAR AND IT DRAMATICALLY SLOWS. YOU THEN HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WELL ONE DAY, THE CAR STOPPED WORKING, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD NO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE PEDAL AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES, AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AGAIN. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUSES AND THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT KEEP REPLACING THE PEDAL CAUSE THATS THE CODE IT IS THROWING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE AS I CAN AND DO LOSE ACCELERATION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT DOESNT SEEM TO MATTER HOW FAST IM GOING OR THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM, AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMAND. THE DATE LISTED IS THE FIRST INSTANCE, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT OR MAKE RECORD.

CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL MY FOOT HIT THE BRAKE. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MCGEE TOYOTA AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS A $600.+ REPAIR. WITHIN THE YEAR THE NEWS REPORTED ABNORMAL ACCELERATION WITH THE PRIUS LINE AND I QUICKLY CONTACTED TOYOTA MANAGEMENT. THEY DENIED MY CLAIM SAYING THAT THESE INCIDENCES WERE AS A RESULT OF FLOOR MATS? I REPORTED IT TO [XXX](MA) REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE (THIS WAS OVER TWO YEARS AGO). I RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT YOUR AGENCY AND DECIDED TO FILE A REPORT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PREMATURE WEAR AND CROWNING OF TIRES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF REAR AXLE. CAN ONLY BE CORRECTED BY AFTER MARKET PLASTIC SHIMS INSTALLED AT AN EXPENSE OF APPROXIMATELY $500 OR OVER INFLATE TIRES TO 50 PSI AND LOOSE ROAD TRACTION OR INFLATE TIRES TO TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS FOR PREMATURE WEAR DUE TO TOE OUT DEFECT. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN I START UP THE CAR. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR DURING COLD WEATHER. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS BECAUSE STEERING IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE WHEN THE SHAKING HAPPENS. THIS SHAKING HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. IF I LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING IT SEEMS TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SHAKING. *TR

THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING 65+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BECAME DANGEROUSLY UNRESPONSIVE, LUCKILY WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND WERE ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS EXPECTING INFORMATION FROM THE ACCELERATOR, AND WHEN IT DOESN'T RECEIVE IT, EITHER THE GAS ENGINE, OR THE ELECTRIC ENGINE, OR BOTH ENGINES FAIL TO OPERATE. TOYOTA HAS SERVICE BULLETIN 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS UNKNOWN OR OTHER SERVICE BULLETIN 117006 ACTION NUMBER: 635861 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 117006... REPORT DATE: SEP 12, 2002 COMPONENT: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.... SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MASTER, HYBRID AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1120. ,,, P1120 TOYOTA DESCRIPTION ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS MOUNTED ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT HAS THE 2 SENSORS TO DETECTS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION AND A MALFUNCTION OF THE ACCELERATOR POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS CONNECTED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY THE ACCELERATOR WIRE. THE ECM JUDGES THE CURRENT OPENING ANGLE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THESE SENSOR SIGNAL INPUTS AND IT CONTROLS THE THROTTLE MOTOR BASED ON THESE SIGNALS. IF THE THE P1120 CODE IS STORED, THE ECM SHUTS DOWN THE POWER FOR THE THROTTLE MOTOR AND THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS FULLY CLOSED BY THE RETURN SPRING. HOWEVER, THE OPENING ANGLE OF THE THROTTLE VALVE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THROUGH THE THROTTLE CABLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR ASSEMBLY IS PROBABLY AT FAULT, WHICH IS A HIGH COST ITEM $300 DOLLARS OR MORE WHICH TOYOTA WOULD BALK AT REPLACING IN A RECALL. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, BUT I DON'T RECALL THE DATE.....UPDATED 08/24/15 *BF

I HAVE STARTED HAVING AN INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING ISSUE. AS I AM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE AND I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THEN THE ERROR CLEARS AND SAYS THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES LASTS LONGER. I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING UNIT IN THE PAST. I BELIEVE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL SERVICE DONE, BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED WHY MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH MY PRIUS. *TR

THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING 65+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BECAME DANGEROUSLY UNRESPONSIVE, LUCKILY WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND WERE ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS EXPECTING INFORMATION FROM THE ACCELERATOR, AND WHEN IT DOESN'T RECEIVE IT, EITHER THE GAS ENGINE, OR THE ELECTRIC ENGINE, OR BOTH ENGINES FAIL TO OPERATE. TOYOTA HAS SERVICE BULLETIN 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS UNKNOWN OR OTHER SERVICE BULLETIN 117006 ACTION NUMBER: 635861 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 117006... REPORT DATE: SEP 12, 2002 COMPONENT: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.... SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MASTER, HYBRID AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1120. ,,, P1120 TOYOTA DESCRIPTION ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS MOUNTED ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT HAS THE 2 SENSORS TO DETECTS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION AND A MALFUNCTION OF THE ACCELERATOR POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS CONNECTED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY THE ACCELERATOR WIRE. THE ECM JUDGES THE CURRENT OPENING ANGLE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM THESE SENSOR SIGNAL INPUTS AND IT CONTROLS THE THROTTLE MOTOR BASED ON THESE SIGNALS. IF THE THE P1120 CODE IS STORED, THE ECM SHUTS DOWN THE POWER FOR THE THROTTLE MOTOR AND THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH, AND THE THROTTLE VALVE IS FULLY CLOSED BY THE RETURN SPRING. HOWEVER, THE OPENING ANGLE OF THE THROTTLE VALVE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THROUGH THE THROTTLE CABLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR ASSEMBLY IS PROBABLY AT FAULT, WHICH IS A HIGH COST ITEM $300 DOLLARS OR MORE WHICH TOYOTA WOULD BALK AT REPLACING IN A RECALL. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, BUT I DON'T RECALL THE DATE.....UPDATED 08/24/15 *BF

2001 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THREE INCIDENTS LATE AUG 2006 FIRST WEEK OCT 2006 SECOND WEEK OCT 2006 IN ALL CASES VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR 15 MINUTES BUT THEN RUNS NORMALLY. BROUGHT TO DEALER AFTER FIRST INCIDENT AND THEY COMPLETED A RECALL REPLACEMENT OF CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. BROUGHT TO DEALER AFTER THIRD INCIDENT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSES PROBLEM OR REPRODUCE AFTER 90 MILES TEST DRIVING. CALL TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE REVEALED TOYOTA HAS NO CENTRAL POINT TO COLLECT VEHICLE SAFETY PROBLEMS WHEN SPECIFICALLY ASKED IF TOYOTA WAS INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING THE SAFETY PROBLEM IN MY VEHICLE, THE ANSWER WAS "NO" I HAVE BEEN REASSURED BY TOYOTA THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED PROPERLY THERE IS NO SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH 2001 PRIUS SIMILAR TO THE 2004 PRIUS PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED KIN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND LEAD TO RECALL ACTION. THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM SIMILAR TO MINE WITH 2001 PRIUS. *JB

THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED WHEN DRIVING ON A WINDY DAY OR WHEN AN 18 WHEELER PASSES OR IF A SUDDEN LANE CHANGE IS MADE. THIS STARTED OCCURRING ONLY WHEN SPEED WAS AT 55 MPH, BUT HAS PROGRESSED. CURRENTLY, IT'S OCCURRING AT 50 MPH AND SLOWER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, THE CONTROL BUSHING, AND THE REAR STRUTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

ALTHOUGH THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE WERE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR IT BY BRIGESTONE, THE TREAD COMPOUND IS TOO WEAK TO CARRY THE HIGH WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FAILING.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL CONTACT CAN OCCUR IN THE TORQUE SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER ASSIST OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEAR BOX. THE TORQUE SENSOR COULD SEND IMPROPER ELECTRICAL SIGNALS. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE ELECTRIC STEERING GEAR BOX.*AK RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT CANCEL AFTER A HARD RIGHT TURN. VEHICLE WOULD PULL OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THEY THINK HE'S GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. *PH *JB

ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN I STARTED IT. IT HAS BEEN AT THE TOYOTA DEALER EVER SINCE, OVER A MONTH AGO. *AK

EXCESSIVE SENSITIVITY TO WIND AND CROSS WINDS EVEN AT LOW WIND VELOCITY. VEHICLE WANTS TO WANDER DUE TO WIND. VEHICLE SHAKES IN THE WAKE OF A 18 WHEELER AND OTHER TRUCKS. THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS ARE SET TOO FAR FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS INCREASES THE EXTENT OF THE BLIND SPOTS.

CONSUMER STATES DROVE HIS NEW AUTO APPROX 300 MILES AND HAD IT PARKED, WHEN HE WENT TO GET HIS AUTO THE PANEL LIGHTS WERE LIT, WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. AFTER CALLING A DEALER AND DRIVING HIS AUTO, HE WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AUTO. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM IS ON OUR WEB SITE. NLM

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS ANOTHER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. FIRST BLOWOUT WAS IN AUGUST 2002 WITH ABOUT 21,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. SECOND TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED WITH 27,000 MILES ON AN EIGHTEEN MONTH OLD CAR. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY, AND IT FELT UNSAFE. WHEELS VIBRATED FOR A FEW MONTHS, SMALL AMOUNT, BUT DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. FINALLY, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, AND IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT.*AK

MY WIFE'S 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 108K MILES STOPPED BEING ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING IT HOME. IT STOPPED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND MORE WARNING LIGHTS THAN I'D EVER SEEN CAME ON. IT WOULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW MPH AND WOULD SHAKE AND RUN ROUGHLY. IT HAD TO BE TOWED APPROX 81 MILES TO A TOYOTA DEALER NEAR OUR HOME. THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $7000 INCLUDING LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS (PRIUSCHAT.COM). ALSO, THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO TOYOTA COVERING PART OR MOST OF THE BILL, EVEN ON VEHICLES NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IF THAT'S NOT ADMITTING A DEFECT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BREAKS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BREAKS PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SALVAGE LOT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.