2005 Toyota Prius: multiple warning lights

Filed Mar 27, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

When driving the vehicle multiple lights came on (ABS, VSC, & brake)! Brakes became hard to push at times and didn’t feel normal. Took it to shop and had both ABS speed sensors replaced. Warning lights went away and brakes were normal again. After a day, the lights came back on and a constant alarm started sounding! The brake system failed and the vehicle was super hard to stop! Came very close to having a major accident on the interstate when this happened!!! It took pumping of the brakes and full force on the pedal to bring it to a stop!! Went back to the shop and was told that the ABS control module/actuator went bad and needs to be replaced. Was also told that this system is a known problem in Toyota Prius’s for a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · Brakes · 198,000 miles · FL

Brake acutator failed again after 1 year of use. The brakes failed on this car a year and a half ago, resulting in pedal to the floor and many warning lights going off. Dealer and toyota replaced brake actuator through hidden warranty I had to fight for them to pay. Drove car out of dealership, and it made a squeaky sound coming from under hood, not from brake pads. Turned car around and they took it back. Said they bled air out of brakes. Squawk came back and on next oil change, told them. "no codes, so don't worry about it." was the diagnosis. Squawk continued over the next year and a half, and the same reply from service advisors. "no codes, no worry - maybe we need another brake bleed, but not mandatory." 2 more oil changes at dealer, and the last time, I mentioned the squawk again and the brake bleed to a new advisor and new ownership. "needs a brake actuator - and we will not pay for it this time." I reported the problem to them many times during the one year warranty of the actuator. Now they want me to spend over $2500 on a new actuator because I was a few months out of warranty on new part. Toyota also refused to pay. The brake actuator and accumulator have failed on this car and our other prius a total of 4 times now. This is obviously a major safety issue, and I'm really surprised you are not working with them on a mandatory service campaign. The service manager said they see this issue over and over again, and that toyota did a full redesign of the braking system on the new 2017 model year. Brakes are the most important system on a car. Without them, an accident almost always follows. Please initiate a recall on this as soon as you can. Thank you.

Filed Aug 29, 2015 · Lights · 64,000 miles · NC

Since september of 2014 I have had issues with the dashboard lights. They have become dimmer and dimmer. Then during the week of 8/24/15, I started my car and the dashboard lights came on, but when I turned on the headlights, all dashboard lights went black. I had turn signal lights, but nothing else unless I turned off the headlights. This was extremely dangerous as I was driving home after dark. I had no idea how fast I was going, what gear I was in, if I had enough gas to get home, etc., etc. The next morning I took a 20-mile drive and when I stopped, I could not get the car to shut off by pushing the ignition button. I tried multiple times and the engine finally turned off, but the display panel was still dimly lit. I then drove directly to the dealership to have whatever was wrong repaired. After a mechanic checked it out, it was determined the computer needed to be replaced and they had to order the part. This is not an item that is normally serviced and I have no clue if the dealership checks it during a servicing of the car. So I wondered if there was a recall on it. In checking on this website I find I am not the only person who has had this problem and that I thought there would be a recall on it. When I picked up my car I asked about the recall and I was given paperwork stating it was a "warranty enhancement program" for "9 years with no mileage limitation from the date of first use or before september 30, 2013". Letters were sent out to prius owners of cars from 2004 to certain 2009 models. I never received a letter and am very concerned if toyota knew there was a problem why didn't they not do just a "warranty enhancement program" but a recall? They would that eventually all cars would have this problem and it should be replaced. This is an extreme safety issue!

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · CA

Today, when our 2005 prius was turned on, the dashboard lights, including the odometer and speedometer, and all of the dashboard warning lights, did not illuminate. Additionally,the prius would not turn off by pushing the button on the dash. A google search revealed a known problem with the combination meter display that controls the dashboard lights, including all of the safety warning lights, that prompted toyota to issue a warranty enhancement, covering this defect either for 9 years from the date the car was first put into service or until september 30, 2013, whichever is longer. As it turns out, my prius is outside this warranty extension by three days. I called the national toyota customer experience center at toyota and was told, because there was a warranty extension, no further extensions can be granted and I am responsible for the repair of this defect. I have an issue with this due to the fact the module in question is not user-affected or serviceable in any way. If its engineering and/or manufacturing is such that it only lasts 9 years, and it is crucial to the operation of the car, and the display of system warning lights that reflect any problems with the supplemental restraint system, braking system, hybrid system, etc. I have an issue because this electronic device makes the car inoperable and many people with toyota prius vehicles, from model years 2004-2009 are experiencing this problem. Shouldn't non-serviceable, critical parts to the operation of a car, that display the status of safety-related systems, last more than 9 years? There will be consumers who opt to drive the car anyway, which could lead to injuries and death, depending on the status of their safety-related systems, which they have no way of being able to see when this defect appears in their cars, at the time of a crash or need to brake in an emergency.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

While driving in the rain on the freeway, the car de-accelerated suddenly after all the lights lit up on the dash board. I could not make the car go. I managed to maneuver it close to an offramp(dec 2013). Towed to north hollywood toyota, paid over $800 to fix items I was told would fix problem. It did not!!! 4 months later on the freeway again, same thing happened. I cost off ramp and had the car towed to another dealer.(march-april 1014) left it for a week, they said it runs, cant find a thing. Less than 2 months later, on the freeway again, same thing happens, I coast to the side difficultly. Called for a tow to my house 50 miles away. When I called both dealers, they refuse to acknowledge responsibility for not fixing the same problem I had in december of 2013 - this is a massive safety issue that toyota says they couldn't fix until I paid them over $1200 for a blocked fuel line and tank.- said they might have found the problem over 5 months later. I think they should take financial responsibility for the fact that they never caught the problem originally in december of 2013 and I had feel unsafe as I was stopped on a busy so cal freeway more than one time. If you look at other toyota blogs, people have complained about this issue.- I even went to main toyota office in torrance, ca, they cannot find the dealerships in error, which is unbelievable. What if I was hurt seriously on those freeways? I have had to pay for rentals, tows, and fear of driving on the freeways. Feel free to call me.

Filed Dec 4, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 100,500 miles · CA

We were driving on the highway at night and suddenly, without warning, the engine stalled completely, the car died, and all of the warning lights came on, including a red triangle, check engine, brake, and some others. The prius lost power and I had to turn on the hazard lights and coast to the shoulder. We called the aaa towing service and 911 (as the shoulder was very narrow and we could not get out of the car). The officer and the tow truck driver checked for all possible driver errors, including gas, but did not find anything out of the ordinary (the gas gauge showed 5/8 full). The car was towed to the toyota dealership in sunnyvale who are working to determine the cause. This was a very dangerous situation as we were driving on a highway, with a child in the car, at highway speeds at night and the car suddenly died. It has left us shaken and we will be contacting toyota to see if they have a fix for this.

Filed Jul 25, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,500 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated when the vehicle stalled all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated the dealer reprogrammed the computer, but the vehicle only functioned normally for one month. The contact stated the failure was being diagnosed by the dealer for one week. The fuel pressure was also being checked to see if it met specifications. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 75,500.

Filed Apr 2, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 119,000 miles · IL

Note: the date above does not reflect first date of occurance. This is the event date that LED to toyota admitting something is wrong with the car. Please read narrative: on three occasions the car has died while being parked at work and at home. On one occasion the car died in my garage. After the vehicle was jumped it seemed fine. No lights were left on nor were any electrical devices plugged into the accessories. When it started up the car stated that the parking brake was not properly engaged and the vehicle needed to be moved to a level surface. It was in my driveway. Another time the car did the same thing, dying at work in the airport employee parking lot. The car required being jump started and again it gave the same message. A co-worker stated that they had heard the car alarm go off at one point about an hour prior to shift change. Both times the vehicle was checked and the report was nothing was wrong with the car. Most recently on 3/27/2011 the same thing occurred. This time when jump starting the battery the cars engine started and the car lunged forward at me with lights and alarm sounding. I was unable to shut down the alarm and went into the car and pressed the power button to shut the engine down. When I powered the engine back up the car alarm was again sounding and all the lights on the dash were illuminated. Powered it down and up again and this time no audible alarm but the exclamation mark in the triangle was illuminated as well as the message about the parking brake. I powered it down and up one last time and, with the message still illuminated, drove off. The message shut down when I got to the security gate. Toyota tested the vehicle on 4/1/2011 and reported that c1300 and c2300 faults were found (ecu and ABS actuator). As the car is out of warranty, cost will be about $3,000.00. (more info exists but no room here)

Filed Jan 24, 2011 · Transmission · 76,063 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact noticed that all the warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The contact pulled over and turned the vehilce off. When attempting to restart the vehicle, he noticed that the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they performed a diagnostic test which concluded that there was moisture intrusion in the trans axle; the dealer removed the trans axle and water. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance and stated that they could not provide him with a reimbursement. The current mileage was 78,270 and the failure mileage was 76,063. Updated 3/7/11 *cn updated 07/01/11

Filed Sep 8, 2010 · Engine · 41,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota prius. The contact stated that the inverter cooling water pump failed. While driving 72 MPH with the vehicle speed control engaged, there were several warning lights illuminating causing the vehicle speed control to lose power. He drove onto the side of the road, turned the engine off and allowed the vehicle to cool down and it began to function normally. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive safely to his residence. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed the failure as the water pump which listed error code p0a93. The vehicle was not repaired since the parts were on back order until september 16, 2010. He then contacted the dealer and manufacturer who also informed him that the parts were on critical back order until september 16, 2010. The failure mileage was 41,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2010 · Engine · 62,100 miles · FL

I'm writing about an defective inverter cooling pump in my 2005 toyota prius. I was driving when all of a sudden my car loses the ability to accelerate. Numerous warning lights came on as I coasted to a stop in a nearby neighborhood. The car would not shut off at first. After I finally got the car to turn off, it would not turn on again. The display in the center of the dashboard would come on fine, but when it came time for the main engine to turn on (when pushing the start button), it would blink and shut off immediately. When I took a look under the hood, I could smell something electrical burning. I finally got the car towed to a local shop that was toyota/lexus certified. They figured out that the inverter cooling pump was defective and it was blowing fuses (hence the smell of something electrical burning). Total cost was almost $500 for the repair: parts and labor. I tried calling toyota to see if I could get any type of reimbursement, but I got many reasons why I should not get one: - the warranty was for 60,000 or 8 years. I was in the 8 years, the mileage was 62,000. (I guess customer service does not mean much - previously I own a 94 toyota corolla - 16 years with a toyota car) - I did not get it repaired at a toyota "dealership" (even though they were "toyota" certified) - I did not buy the car new. (so if you buy a used toyota, apparently that does not make the car a toyota anymore.) bottom line, after being fixed the car runs even better then before the inverter cooling pump failure: better gas mileage and no more phantom steering wheel movements when driving on the highway (happened when the engine would switch over to battery and vice versa).

Filed Jul 20, 2010 · Electrical · 147,000 miles · VA

At around 10pm this friday night I was driving home on the country road 3 miles from my house. It is a 2 lane road with no street lamps. I was traveling at 50mph and coming around a gentle curve when all of a sudden every light in the car went out...headlights, taillights, dashboard, hazards, even the navigation system display. A month ago I had my car in for its safety inspection and 150k mileage service and was told the car was "fine" but I've had intermittent issues with the hid lamp on the driver side going out. When this happens if I cycle the light switch off then back on again it fixes the issue. When all my lights went out on friday, I was only able to avoid driving off the road and getting in an accident because it was a road I am very familiar with and knew where the turn was coming up. I was able to slow my car to a stop. After sitting in the dark a minute (the engine was still running just fine) I was worried a car might come down the road behind me and not see me and hit me. I then decided to try cycling the light switch off and on because that had worked for the headlamp issue. I cycled it once but the lights remained off, but after the second time I cycled the light switch all the lights in the car came back on and I was able to drive home. I took the car to toyota of warrenton and told them what happened. They "ran a diagnostic" and checked the vehicle but said they couldn't duplicate the issue and then sent me home. I am now afraid to drive my car at night in case this happens again.