2002 Toyota Prius Problems

I was driving on the 91 freeway west exit ramp to merge into the 57 freeway in Orange County ca. when suddenly I lost all power steering on the car . We managed to get out the freeway on the first exit

DRIVING UP AND DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE, POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOES OUT. ONLY HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. PROBABLY GOING ABOUT 15-20MPH UPHILL AND MAYBE 20-25MPH DOWNHILL. HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET.

Anti-lock brake failure. Failing to pressurize.

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

TIRE THREAD SEPARATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING VEHICLE TO WEAVE NEARLY OUT OF CONTROL. A COLLISION WAS AVOIDED BY THE DRIVER. DAMAGE TO THE FENDER, BUMPER AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. TIRE BRAND WAS BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA 175/65R14 DOT IC8I E20 1604 EQ8R. *TR

I GOT THIS VEHICLE IN 2005 FROM MY FATHER. I HAVE SINCE THEN HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES OF THIS CAR MANY TIMES AND I HAVE ALWAYS REPLACED THEM WITH THE TIRES RECOMMENDED FOR THE CAR. SINCE THIS CAR IS A HYBRID, THE CAR REQUIRES TIRES MADE TO WITHSTAND THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR BATTERY AND THEREFORE THEY COST 100 DOLLARS OR MORE PER TIRE DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU PURCHASE THEM FROM. THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED IS MY MOST RECENT TIRE FAILURE. *TR

HYBRID CIRCULATION PUMP FAILED. THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE I-75 RETURNING FROM EAST RIDGE, TN, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND WARNING LIT-UP ON THE SCREEN PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY RIGID WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND I HAD TO CLASP THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

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

TL* 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.

TL* 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. .. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AUTO SHOP ON AUGUST 2, 2011 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PINION SHAFT NUTS. THEY ADJUSTED THE GEAR, ACCELERATOR AND STEERING. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND MOVES FORWARD AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER STARTS IT. UPDATED 10/03/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS IF THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE BRAKES. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, BUT THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE ACTIVATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. HE REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP IN THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, BUT WAS UNSURE IF THAT WOULD PERMANENTLY REMEDY THE ISSUE. BOTH OF THE DEFECTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

2002 TOYOTA PRIUS REAR ALIGNMENT CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE REAR TIRES CANNOT BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE**CC UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE ON THE DATE OF DELIVER THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SWAYING OF THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND THE REAR TIRES WERE BE SEVERELY WORN. THE DEALER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIX THE DEFECT BUT TO NO AVAIL, THE TIRES WOULD DETERIORATING EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER EVERY 3,000 MILES TO INSPECT THE TIRES. THAT TASK WAS DONE UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 2006 UNTIL THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED YET AGAIN TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER IN FEBRUARY WHO INFORMED HIM THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT CAUSING THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRIED TO CONTACT THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM TO PURSUE THE DEALER OR TAKE IT TO A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. *TR

2002 PRIUS HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TIRES HAVING TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. *TS THE CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACED 6 TIRES AND HAS HAD 3 TIRES REPAIRED. THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE ARE SPECIAL TIRE AND CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED AT A TOYOTA DEALER. *NM

HYBRID CIRCULATION PUMP FAILED. THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , WHO DETERMINED FUEL TANK RUPTURED. EXPENSIVE REPAIR WERE MADE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. DURING THIS FAILURE THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR DIMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER SENSOR PROVIDED ABNORMAL READINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCATION OF THE GEAR SHIFTER ALLOWED THE GEARS TO BE SHIFTED BY ACCIDENT. THE GEARS WERE CHANGED ACCIDENTALLY FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT. THE LACK OF A LOCKING MECHANISM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE SLIPPED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE BY ACCIDENT AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65-75 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, A STRONG BURNING ODOR CIRCULATED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL, POWER WINDOWS SYSTEM AND CELLULAR PHONE POWER OUTLET BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSAXLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS AND EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AT THE END OF AN 8 HOUR TRIP FROM VA TO TN, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR AND IT LOST POWER. WE LIMPED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT THE TRANSAXLE (TRANSMISSION) AND INVERTER HAD FAILED. METAL FRAGMENTS WERE FOUND IN THE TRANSAXLE FLUID. THE COST TO REPLACE BOTH IS ESTIMATED AT $7,500. THE CAR HAS 113K MILES ON IT AND WAS DEALER-MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO TOYOTA PLAN. *TR

THE HEADLIGHT LENSES COVERS REPEATEDLY CLOUDS OVER TO THE POINT I CAN HARDLY SEE THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT. DEALER HAVE CLEANSE THE LENSES HOW HAS LAST FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE DEALER NOW SAYS THESE NEED TO BE REPLACE AT A COST TO ME FOR $750. I BELIEVE THIS IS MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR A RECALL. THE DEALER SHOULD DEVELOP A FIX AND REPLACE THESE LENSES WITHOUT CHARGING THE VEHICLE OWNER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER MANIPULATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SELECTOR SWITCH THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY HUSBAND NEEDED TO TAKE HIS CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS FOLLOWING HIM. WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION AND HE PARKED HIS CAR IN A PARKING SPACE. I HAD OUR DOG IN MY CAR AND DECIDED TO PARK THE CAR IN A SHADED PARKING SPACE. AS I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING SPACE, MY CAR FELTLIKE IT WAS ACCERLERATING EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE AIRBAGS THEN EXPLODED AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIRBAGS BURNED MY ARM AND THE NOISE FROM THE BAGS FRIGHTENED MY DOG AND HE JUMPED FROM THE CAR. I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT ONE OR TWO MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. TOYOTA INSISTS I HIT A WALL. I HAVE A WITNESS TO SUPPORT MY SIDE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT STATING I WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 1400RPM. THAT WOULD MEAN I WAS GOING 55MPH WHILE ENTERING THE PARKING SPACE.THEE SEEMS TO SOME DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR, BUT IT OCCURED SOME MONTHS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THE PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED AND THEY ATTENDED TO A BURN ON MY RIGHT ARM, IT WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH FOR ME TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL .

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. *NLM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. VEHICLE STALLED OUT FOUR TIMES, AND THE LAST TIME IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TT *JB

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. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT EXHIBITS THE SAME ACCELERATION AS IN THE 2010 RECALL. DURING BRAKING IF I AM TO HIT A MAN HOLE COVER OR POT HOLE THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO BRAKE AND SKIPS FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE BRAKING. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED WITHOUT RESOLVE. *TR

2002 PRIUS SEAT BELT PROBLEMS MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CUSTOMER STATES THE SEAT BELT HAD TORN OR BEEN CUT ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. CONSUMER STATES IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO USER ERROR OR BECAUSE THEIR DOG CHEWED ON THE SEAT BELT. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER A SECOND TIME. *JB

I NOTICED ROAD NOISE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A TIRE NOISE. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF MY HOME STATE - I TOOK THE CAR TO BE CHECKED BY A LOCAL TIRE CENTER.HE GUY LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND IMMEDIATELY POINTED OUT THE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES - COULD FEEL THAT THE STEEL BELT WAS ALMOST EXPOSED. I HAD JUST MADE A 1000 MILE TRIP AND FEEL LUCKY THAT THE TIRES DIDN'T BLOW. AT THE TIRE DEALERSHIP, THEY WONDERED WHETHER THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS - THEY HAD ANOTHER PRIUS IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. WHEN HE TRIED TO ADJUST THE REAR ALIGNMENT, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESET IT TO THE RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS. THE SAME WAS TRUE OF THE OTHER PRIUS THAT HE HAD IN THE SHOP. SO OF COURSE I SHOULD EXPECT THE NEW TIRES TO HAVE UNEVEN WEAR. NOW I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. AT LEAST I'M AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PRIUS OWNERS THAT ARE IN DANGER?? THIS CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW - THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!! I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE RECOMMENDED TIME BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. NO ONE EVER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT OR ANY OTHER KIND OF TIRE PROBLEM. BUT AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE REGARDING THE TIRES, I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I WILL BE GOING TO MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP & I KNOW THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF THE NEW TIRES BUT THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE PRIUS OWNERS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CAR, I SHUT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. I THEN TURN ON THE AIR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. FINDING LATER THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING CONNECTOR UNDER THE DASH HAD BURNED UP, ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. (I HAVE PICTURES WHAT HAPPENED). *TR