2003 Toyota Prius: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jul 31, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 123,200 miles · NY · 1 injury

There is no thermostat gauge in a 2003 toyota prius , the car over heats and you don't know until your in the middle of traffic nearly getting killed. Toyota was contacted, but say not a recall and they don't honestly car cause car is old . That's not right , anything you still use from cars or even medicine have later come back to hurt or killed people. There is no hot to cold gauge in the car , 2003 only . I have investigated and see people publish about this but let it slip by . I was driving with no installed gauge and survived through make a left hand turn on a stalled vehicle that over heated and was later check by toyota technicians that said f there was a thermostat gauge problem would of most likely be avoided. Somebody can't keep open and closing the radiator cap cause of this missing gauge . Oil has dipstick you check !!! Safely too. Not going fry my face or burn my hands on keep checking the radiator. Plus with a proper gauge you might know if your car is cooled down or safer to check. Toyota had refused to address or claim any issues. Case# [xxx]. People lives on at stake cause they wanted to a. Save money b. Don't know how forget to install the part for the year on every 2003 prius !! Please help , toyota does not car about my safety or anybody else safety - [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 10, 2011 · Acceleration · 284,998 miles · PA

Customer states vehicle began racing wildly, acting like transmission was not engaged. Driver stated as not depressing the accelerator during the alleged event. Customer was driving on steep uphill grades at approximately 45 MPH. Vehicle was shut off and restarted. Vehicle proceeded to operate with 6-7 reoccurrences throughout 100 miles of driving at highway speeds. Customer states that this has never happened before however 6 months earlier the vehicle would not start and would stall repeatedly. Customer states vehicle as relatively trouble free with a history of routine maintenance as well as replacement of the rear wheel bearings. (note: this record was received via telphone by an odi investigator rather than through our hotline or online form. It has been added to our complaint file in response to a third party request.) updated 05/03/12*lj updated 05/04/12

Filed Apr 29, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 30,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota prius. The contact stated his vehicle had been to the dealer approximately thirty times for various safety failures. The contact had experienced the vehicle stalling without warning while traveling uphill at speeds of 25 MPH, the instrument panel warning lights remained illuminated, the vehicle would not engage from battery to gasoline power when warranted, and the contact intermittently was unable to move the gear shift selector into the reverse position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he advised that there may be engine oil in the throttle causing the stalling issues. The contact was awaiting a hybrid expert to further inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000 and the current mileage was approximately 97,300.

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Engine · 107,000 miles · NV

2003 toyota prius engine stalled three times. Dealer repaired and problem recurred again the same day. *tr. Updated 01/09/08. *lj the dealer found oil inside the manifold. Updated

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Engine · 75,000 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the vehicle intermittently stalled and lost power. The warning lights illuminated occasionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealership numerous times, but the problem persisted. The dealership replaced the hybrid engine computer, the mass air flow meter, fuel tank, and hybrid battery.

Filed Dec 12, 2005 · Engine · 71,000 miles · OH · 1 injury

Reference investigation # pe05029: my toyota prius 2003 [xxx] gasoline/ electric hybrid vehicles that can be operated in gasoline or electric mode. On 4 separate occasions, the gasoline engine shut down suddenly without warning. Each time I was driving with the speed of highway traffic. The three previous times the vehicle continued to operate using the electric mode for a period of time after the gas engine stalled. This last and 4th time the vehicle shut down at the same time that they felt the gas engine stalled. I was able to restart the vehicle after 3 immediate attempts to turn the car on. I was able to slowly drive the car off the highways and to park. As with the last 3 times, I again had the vehicle towed. Each of the 4 stalling incidents, I was alerted by an audible sound and various warning lights. After the car stalled the brake and steering operation continued to function as the car drifted to a stop. Each time the reason was for the failure to operate was caused by something different, as I am told by the service center. This last time, (4th) the dealership said the car is "fine" asked me to pay the tow and is sending me on my way. Nothing was done. I drive about 90 miles a day with my 8 yr old daughter as my primary passenger. This is a very dangerous situation that has not been corrected by toyota. My dealership (kings toyota cincinnati ohio). *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 43,745 miles · MD

Dt:while driving at 25-30 MPH vehicle lost power and stalled due to electronic throttle module failure. *ak updated 12/6/2005 - the dealer replaced the fuel relay.

Filed Oct 15, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 43,912 miles · FL

2003 toyota prius gas engine stalled, warning lights came on all over the screen, and it would only drive on "battery power." after stopping, I turned the car off but it would not re-start immediately. After a few tries and then waiting, the gas engine started when I turned the key. During the time it was running on battery, air conditioner was blowing hot air. After gas engine re-started, air conditioner blew cold air. Toyota service said they had never seen anything like what was on the screen they diagnosed and said it was the computer and ordered parts. They were also thinking the battery had something to do with it. 1. They may not have diagnosed my car correctly since they do not know about this recall, and may not fix it correctly (including putting grease on certain wires). And 2. That news reports in the u.s. Say it is 2004 and 2005 priuses which are affected, so 2003 owners may not get letters to take their car in on this recall. This could result in people being killed. I want service dept to understand that prius 2003 owners may not be notified because toyota may not be aware that they also have the problem. They should inform toyota they have a 2003 in for repair with same problem as 2004-2005 cars. I am concerned they may not do repairs on my car in accordance with what is specified on the recall even if I did not get a letter. This upsets me and it also scares me. I am sure toyota would notify service & owners if they were aware it also affects 2003 prius'. So I want you to make them aware of it and be sure they send the 2003 owners letters too.

Filed Jun 1, 2005 · Engine · CA

Toyota prius hybrid, 2003 engine stalled without previous warning while driving on ca hwy 10 in the middle of the night, around 12:30 am. Was forced to exit the hwy, made unsafe turns in trying to reach a gas station while the car was still moving by inertia.