2005 Toyota Prius: airbags did not deploy in a crash

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 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 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 11, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 280,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 toyota prius. After the vehicle was parked and turned off, it suddenly accelerated to 65 MPH without warning and crashed into a retention wall. The front air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The approximate failure mileage was 280,000.

Filed Jan 6, 2015 · Airbags, Body · 100,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

Stopped at a stop sign. Pulled into intersection of arterial. Didn't see crossing traffic. Collided with crossing vehicle. Entire front end of prius hit rear quarter panel of pickup truck. The front end of the prius was completely destroyed. Any and all airbags failed to deploy in prius.

Filed May 22, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 65,000 miles · IL · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that the brakes were depressed and failed to respond. The contact crashed into the rear end of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the chest, a leg gash and a pulled muscle in the back. The front passenger sustained whiplash. Both the contact and the front passenger required medical attention. A police report was filed. Additionally, the contact stated that the flat surface warning indicator illuminated intermittently as a result the contact had to restart the vehicle on multiple occasions. The key failed to exit the ignition switch on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2013 · Airbags · 126,000 miles · NM · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed head-on into his vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated that he sustained a laceration to the forehead and the passenger sustained severed chest bruising. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 126,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2012 · Airbags · 106,000 miles · NC · crash

This vehicle was flipped end over end twice and slide on its right side but landed upright on all four tires. The air bags didn't deploy and the right corner in the front took a blunt force while flipping. This could have easily resulted in a death due to lack of deployment. The car was a total loss. This warrants compensation for malfunctioning air bags. The driver received minor bruising and soreness but no major problems arose from this incident. It is my concern for other opportunities of a fatality due to the lack of functioning air bags. I feel I should be compensated because the driver could have so easily died that night. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration with this matter.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Airbags · 105,000 miles · NC · crash · 2 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. A vehicle traveling approximately 35 MPH crashed into the contacts vehicle head on. The air bags did not deploy. A police was filed and 2 injuries were reported. The contact and a passenger were transported via ambulance to the emergency room. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an insurance company lot. The vehicle was not examined for the cause of failure. The failure and current mileages were 105,000.

Filed Dec 15, 2010 · Acceleration · 36,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH and trying to decelerate the vehicle would not come to a stop. She crashed into the rear end of a vehicle due to the failure. The air bags did not deploy. No one was injured. The vehicle was destroyed. The police were called, but did not arrive. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and she had not received a call from the mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and attempting to decelerate, the vehicle would not stop and the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact received injuries to the neck and chest. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured. The contact was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 01/24/11 *cn updated 04/18/11

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Airbags · 48,000 miles · AZ · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact was driving 25 MPH when she crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle crashed from the front end and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to her neck, head and shoulders. She was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed to a body repair facility where the mechanic advised that the vehicle was destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileage was 48,000.