2005 Toyota Prius airbags problems

Filed May 2, 2025 · Airbags · CA · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle: 2005 Toyota Prius VIN: [XXX] Date of Incident: April 2024 Location: Citrus Heights, California Incident Summary: In April 2024, I was involved in a front-end collision while driving my 2005 Toyota Prius. I rear-ended another vehicle at moderate to high speed. Despite the severity of the impact, the driver-side airbag failed to deploy. As a result, I was thrown forward and hit my head on the windshield, suffering lacerations and head trauma. After being evaluated by emergency responders and undergoing a hospital visit (MRI included), I was told I had not sustained any life-threatening injuries. However, since the crash, I have experienced severe cognitive symptoms, including confusion, chronic fatigue, sudden drowsiness, memory loss, and extreme mood swings. These symptoms are ongoing and have made daily life extremely difficult. I had brought the vehicle to Roseville Toyota in Roseville, CA, for a full pre-purchase inspection prior to the crash. They provided a CARFAX vehicle history report, but they did not inform me that the airbag had failed to deploy in a previous incident listed in the report. I was unaware the airbag system might be defective, and if I had known, I would not have driven or purchased the vehicle. To this day, there has been no recall issued for airbags on this vehicle, and I believe this is a dangerous and potentially fatal defect that must be investigated by the federal safety agency. I am asking for an investigation into why the airbag system failed, and whether other Toyota Prius models from these years have similar undisclosed issues. Supporting Info: •The vehicle had dealership service history. •Toyota has documentation showing the vehicle was inspected and that I received the CARFAX, but they failed to alert me to the airbag defect. •I was paid out for the vehicle’s value and partial medical expenses through insurance, but no accountability has been taken for the **failed airbag INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

I had lost functionality for some buttons on the steering wheel that didn't directly impact safety. On replacing the clockspring mechanism inside the whweel I decided to inspect the old unit. Four of the lines in the flex cable are impacted by corrosion, three have already failed. The fourth line is one of the airbag's electrical lines. I'm filing an issue report because the airbag would be next impacted by this failure and I believe there's a fair chance the corroded line could fail during the vehicle's attempt to fire the airbag on the wheel.

Filed Sep 13, 2021 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA · crash · 2 injuries

On 9/12/21, I was driving 25-30mph when the SUV in front of me stopped on the freeway interchange suddenly and unexpectedly (other cars were not around us). I hit the breaks very hard and fast but could not stop and collided with the SUV. The front end of the Prius lodged under the back end of the SUV and the impact was enough to wreck the Prius. During that collision, the driver side seatbelt engaged, but the passenger side seatbelt did not. My preteen hit his forehead on the dashboard very hard. Additionally, the airbags failed to deploy. I could smell an odor from the dust from the airbags. The car is at a repair shop waiting for insurance adjuster to inspect. There were no warning lamps or other messages of the problem prior to the failure.

Filed Jun 24, 2020 · Airbags, Brakes · 150,000 miles · AL

When I go to hit the brakes the car won't stop and the rear end makes noise and raises up. The ABS and brake lights are one as well as maintenance required and SRS airbag light. The master alarm buzzer is on and won't go off. Brakes engaged without hitting the brake causes rim to overheat and brake fluid gets extremely hot. Also sometimes when tap on the brakes they will lock up and you will go sliding sideways or tap the brakes and they straight to the floor. Also the brake actuator starts whining noise and won't go off even if the car is turned off. Don't have documentation from a mechanic but can send video of driving it.

Filed Dec 16, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 280,000 miles · OH

Takara recall - currently have an airbag light onon my instrument cluster. Brake actuator recall - the 'brake' light, vsc, ABS, and brake symbol lights are all on indicating an issue with the brake actuator. I did receive a recall notice about this issue in the past, but the recall said if I wasn't experiencing any issues to ignore the recall. That recall expired on december 31, 2017. As this affects the safe operation of the car, I feel this should be addressed by toyota as well as the air bag issue.

Filed Oct 19, 2017 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · WA

The airbag wiring harness located under the seat failed. This was a costly repair and a potentially dangerous situation while driving the car without functioning airbags.

Filed Aug 17, 2017 · Airbags · 150,000 miles · NY

Air bag light started staying on though intermittent. Noticed it went away if steering wheel was turned. I just had the dealership confirm it is the clockspring.

Filed Apr 13, 2017 · Acceleration, Airbags · 222,222 miles · TX

Clock cable failed.. Caused the airbag, horn and cruise control to not work..

Filed Nov 9, 2015 · Airbags · 177,482 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

I'm concerned because my vehicle's airbags did not deploy during a crash wherein I collided with a car turning left in front of me at approximately 35-40 MPH. The front end crumpled and my driver and passenger doors do not fully open due to the damage to the frame of the car. The car is currently being inspected with regard to determination of a likely total loss. While I understand airbags don't always deploy, I felt that this might be a case where they should have deployed.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 27,773 miles · DC

1) sudden unexpected acceleration 2) steering shaft severed 3) drivers side air bag inoperative along with all steering wheel mounted controls