2004 Toyota Prius: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · FL

I was traveling on i95 when all the brake warning lights came on (ABS, brake, etc.). I tried to slow down the car, but the brakes didn't seem to work. Finally, the regen system kicked in, and slowed the car. When I jammed my foot hard on the brake pedal, the car stopped with a jerk. This is not the first time this has happened. The first time it happened (when all the lights came on), I brought the car to the dealer (kendall toyota), they reset and recalibrated the computers in the car, and everything seemed ok. About 9 months later, the same thing happened. This time, the ABS computer had a hard failure. They replaced it with a low mileage used part, and everything seemed fine for about 3 months. Then it happened again last thursday. Brought it into kendall toyota on thursday evening, and on friday they told me the I needed a new ABS computer. Turns out toyota knows about this problem and has redesigned the ABS computer, but never sent out any notice to their customers. This is why the used part didn't last long. This a very dangerous situation and I could have easily been in a serious accident if I had not experienced faulty braking in the past (see below). A new ABS computer plus installation from toyota cost approximately $3000. The symptoms I was having when I reported complaint # 10292409 were identical to those above, except that no indicator lights came on. They car did not want to stop (and even seemed to "run away") until I jammed my foot on the brake. Searching the internet, this seems to be a common problem with prius.

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA · crash

2004 toyota prius. Consumer asserts that vehicle accident was caused by a computer malfunction *tgw the consumer stated prior to the accident, on one occasion, the vehicle bolted and jerked slightly as she stopped the vehicle. When she attempted to take off, the vehicle responded sluggishly and then accelerated quickly. The day of the accident, as the consumer approached the stop sign, the vehicle started bucking and jerking violently. After she pulled off from the stop sign, she crashed into a large SUV. The consumer stated she saw the SUV pass, so she purposely waited so she could make a left turn, but ended causing severe damage to her vehicle.

Filed May 24, 2010 · Brakes · 104,000 miles · CA

While driving on city streets (low speed, under 30 MPH), I attempted to brake. At first there was no response from my brakes, then the ABS kicked in and stopped my vehicle. Road conditions were dry and there was no apparent reason that the ABS system should've kicked in. At that time both the ABS warning light and the brake light came on and remained on. While sitting at the stop light I attempted to shut off my vehicle and restart it. After doing this both warning lights were still on. I drove very slowly to a safe place to pull my car off the road. Each time I attempted to brake the ABS system engaged resulting in a jerking braking motion. At that point I looked at my car's manual and followed the instructions to have my car towed to the nearest dealership. The dealership hooked my car up to the diagnosis machine which rebooted my car's computer. Once off the diagnosis machine, they were unable to recreate the error and sent me home in my car. No further service was done and I was instructed to bring it back to the dealer if the brakes failed again.

Filed Mar 26, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

S10 appropriate handling re toyota vehicles recall, owner of a 2004 toyota prius experienced sudden unintended acceleration. *tgw the consumer stated as he was driving, he approached a slower moving vehicle, but when he attempted to apply the brake, the vehicle instead accelerated. As he hit the brake harder, the vehicle accelerated even more. The consumer had to avoid an accident by crossing over the double yellow line into oncoming traffic. The consumer managed to avoid an accident and quickly moved back over to the correct side of the road. The consumer stated the gas pedal was not stuck as toyota is claiming there is a quick fix and placing the blame on the accelerator pedal. Prior to the incident, the consumer stated as he was waiting in a line, with his foot firmly on the brake, the engine seemed to suddenly rev up and the vehicle lurched forward but did not move due to his foot being firmly on the brake. The consumer also stated on several occasions when he hit the brake the radio and air condition would come on. The dealer claimed there was nothing wrong and that the consumer must have hit the radio and climate control buttons on the steering wheel. The consumer believed that the braking system influences the electronics or computer and causes the acceleration of the vehicle.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Engine · 87,000 miles · TX

On 23 jan 2010, while driving I-85n in the south carolina mountains the car stalled at 70mph. An audible alert sounded, the car jerked and three warning lights went off. I coasted the car to the shoulder and shut the car down. I restarted the car -- the warning lights cleared -- and continued driving. About 30 minutes later, still in the mountains, the same things occurred (stall while driving 70mph on the interstate.) when I restarted the car a yellow "!" warning remained on. I continued the trip to virginia with no further problems. The warning light went out. On 5 feb 2010, while driving on I-95s in the south carolina mountains the car stalled, warning lights and audible alarm sounded. Upon restart the "!" stayed on. This happened two more times; once on I-95 and once on I-20. The last two times the red triangle warning light stayed on also. On 6 feb 2010, I took the car to toyota center in columbia sc. The service manager told me the water pump needed to be replaced ($384) because air got into the system. I asked if that was why I could hear "sloshing" from the engine when driving; he said yes. I explained that I was confused since the coolant recovery tank never went below the low line. His response was that air in the system was a known problem for the prius and that I should keep the coolant level higher than marked. Also that driving in the south carolina mountains -- both the heat of the engine and the angle of ascent and descent -- is probably what triggered the problem. Prior to both trips, the car was checked by a mechanic. Fluid levels were clear and adequate. I am now in the flatlands of texas, and I can once again hear the sloshing sound coming from my engine. Beyond the expense I am concerned that the engine is completely stalling. If this were to occur in rush hour in a crowded city I'm not sure the car would be safely navigable to the shoulder.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Brakes · CA

Odd braking behavior in 2004 toyota prius. When car is in its first few minutes of operation after sitting overnight, this odd behavior occurs: the first or second time I apply the brakes, they grab as though the pedal has been pressed very hard. The car lurches to a stop. I release the brake pedal to go forward again, applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. Then I apply pressure to the brake pedal and the grabbing happens again. Usually by the third braking action the 'grabby' behavior stops. This has not happened at high speeds, presumably because the car gets it 'out of its system' by the time it is warmed up. I used to be a mechanic and this is definitely something I have never felt before, such as condensation on the disc rotors. This has been happening since the car wa new in 2004. I worked around it. But now with the news about braking problems on new priuses, I thought I should report it.

Filed Jan 26, 2007 · Airbags, Electrical · WI · crash · 1 injury

2004 toyota prius having problems starting.**cc the consumer stated after several tries, the vehicle started, however when he shifted into the drive, the engine raced and the vehicle lurched forward rapidly, even though the accelerator had not been applied. The consumer was unable to stop the vehicle by using the brakes. The vehicle continued forward about 25 feet and crashed into a garage. The consumer received minor scratches to his knee. The consumer also noted that the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Jun 9, 2005 · Engine · 2,235 miles · CA

Dt: toyota prius gas engine stalled 3 times, twice while driving on highway and on ramp. 1) may 13 2004 stalled in busy intersection going about 40 MPH, electrical engine still worked, so speed dropped to 20 MPH, and consumer stopped on the side. All warning lights were on. Vehicle was towed to toyota, and they said nothing was wrong except dirty gas. They reset warning lights, and told it was safe. 2) june 1, 2004, while merging onto a highway going up the ramp at about 50 MPH car jerked and slowed to about 25 MPH without warning. Car behind m had to go onto shoulder to avoid rear ending consumer's vehicle. All warning lights were on again . When checking engine display only electrical power was working again. Gas engine had stalled, causing the immediate decrease in speed, without brake lights so car behind didn't know what was happening. Towed to toyota. They said nothing was wrong again except dirty gas. Consumer changed gas stations and used their recommended ones since the last incident. Consumer refused to take the car back . Had two toddlers who were in the car at the time of the incidents. Gmc dealer sent a patch which wa ssuppose to fix the problem, but patch did,t work. Problem recurred.