Driving on a rainy day, ABS and vsc lights on dash came on. My car violently fishtailed almost 180 degrees, back and forth 6 times on a curve getting off a freeway (about 45 MPH) nearly crashed. I proceeded very slowly to side street. Car shimmied to right making a left turn. Felt like I was driving on ice. Called a tow truck. Dealership found rodent damage to wires to wheel speed sensor. I discovered manufacturers using soy oil on wiring. $1300 repair.
2007 Toyota Prius driver assistance complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 toyota prius. While driving up a mountain at 20 MPH, the contact stated that the tires lost traction and the vehicle slid off a mountain curve and crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head and some deep tissue bruising. Medical attention was required. A police report was not filed. Due to the force of the crash, the seat belt remained buckled, but failed to restrain the contact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The failure mileage was approximately 52,800.
The headlights go at without warning. Sometimes one goes out sometimes both while we are driving. Bulb replacement does not fix the issues. This has continued to be a problem for years. Toyota service has not offered a fix that works! I have been driving on the highway or local roads when, all of a sudden, all the lighting goes dark. I have had success in relighting the headlights by turning off the headlights at the main switch and then turning them back on. Extremely dangerous. Breaks are also a menace: on wet roads it is especially noticeable when using the breaks. If you are breaking and a tire goes over a more slippery surface than the pavement, such as a manhole cover, the ABS system cuts breaking to all the wheels such that the car continues on as if the breaks are not being applied - the car effectively releases the breaks and you loose control of the car until its systems decide to return controls to the driver. This happens over and over and over. Try it on a road with a bit of loose gravel on it or the leftover coarse sand from winter road maintenance or going through a milde pothole where gravel has spilled onto the road....breaking in these conditions will consistently cause the car to diminish breaking power to such an extent that the car is no longer lowing down. We own 6 cars of varying makes and this is the only car that has this issue. The other side of this same issue is that if you are pulling out into traffic and a drive wheel hits a slightly slippery patch, the engine power is cut for so long and so severely that we are at risk of being hit. This happens every single time. Toyota service has not offered a fix. Though we have told them abou this issue repeatedly, they typically do not write it down and tell us it is normal. It is not normal or safe.
While traveling 65 MPH on freeway warning light comes on and tells you to park the vehicle, etc. Problem is that when you stop exiting the freeway the car shuts down as soon as you come to a stop and leaves you stranded in the lane. The transmission has an automatic locking system and you can't roll it out of the lane which leaves you vulnerable to being hit. This has happened 4 times since I have owned this car. Very troubling. I have taken it in 3 times to dealer and they have no clue. Dangerous!
I was traveling at 50mph when an alarm sounded in the car and 4 lights lit up on the dashboard ? The brake system warning light, master warning light, vsc and malfunction indicator lamp. The vehicle was taken to a toyota dealership where they advised the hybrid water pump needed replacing. I then discovered there is a recall on the hybrid water pumps but was advised my vehicle was not on the list for the recall. The details of my mishap correlate to the toyota recall notice that toyota put out regarding the hybrid water pumps. I believe my vehicle should have been on the recall list to have this safety issue addressed and that the recall notice does not adequately cover all toyota vehicles with this possible issue.
While driving on highway about 60mph, vehicle suddenly lost brakes. Brake, ABS and vsc idiot light went on. Inside vehicle buzzer sounded. Very little hydraulic braking. Was only able to stop vehicle because I was going up hill.
Stop and go traffic on the freeway, accelerating when the traffic started picking up but vehicles in front suddenly stop and as I hit the brakes on the bumping freeway the vehicle does a brief lurch forward as esp light blinks. Vehicle does not stop under this braking condition and feels momentarily like there is no brake pressure. As a result, vehicle doesn't stop in time and hits the vehicle in front even though it could've been avoided had the brakes worked as they should've.
Brake (red color) warning lights appear while driving at 55 MPH; yellow color indicator on ABS, vsc. Once these warning lights appear, I somehow lose 25-50% of my braking power. Not sure what is wrong despite getting brand new wheels, replaced all-new rotors, brake pads, oil and filter change. This is the 5th time it has happened in the last few weeks. Toyota should be held liable and to replace the full cost of any necessary fixes to the hydraulic brakes or run a diagnostic of the entire vehicle's electrical or brakes system or anything that leads to the dashboard warning lights at 100%. This will be a serious issue because it can lead to serious accidents if owners of this vehicle experience the same issues.
Toyota prius dashboard failed in idle and while driving posing a death risk due to mileage per hour not displaying and the inability to shut off your car when stopped this is a serious matter and toyota needs to recall the whole toyota prius and give everyone there money back for over paying for this car in 2007.
The problem has occurred whenever the donut tire is being used on the vehicle as a temporary replacement for a flat tire - this has occurred on both the two occasions that in which I have had to used them both times on the front tires, once on the left tire and the second occasion, most recent on the left. Apparently, the donut tire because of its smaller diameter causes the car's slip differential system to activate (surmised by the icon I see on the dash when this occurs), often for periods of half the driving time - what then happens is that there is a total loss of engine power to the drive chain, the car cannot accelerate or even maintain speed - it essentially coasts or slows. This occurs even when/if the accelerator pedal is depressed to try to feed power to the wheels - the engine is unresponsive. Intermittently, the power is restored, and then the cycle begins again. Although I have not had an accident due to this loss of vehicle control, I consider myself lucky not to have. Use of a donut tire is the only option open to temporarily replacing a flat tire. I think that this system's response to use of the donut tire (which is manufacturer's supplied) is a defect that is dangerous. A driver must be able to maintain and control vehicle speed to prevent and/or remedy a dangerous situation. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH over a bump in the road and the brake pedal engaged; the vehicle failed to accelerate. After the failure occurred, the ABS warning indicator illuminated. ...updated 04/25/13 *bf the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The technician stated the vehicle operated as designed. In addition, when the anti skid was activated it would not respond during inclement weather. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000. The consumer stated at foward speed of 0 MPH the stability control activated, on a slippery surface that had 1 inch of snow and an incline of approximately 15 degrees. The anti skid light blinked and the vehicle would not move foward up the incline. The same failure occured in the dealer's parking lot. The dealerstated the vehicle was operating as designed.the dealer suggested the consumer switch to snow tires. Updated 06/04/2013
My car will not turn off. After my dash went black my key will not release and my car will not turn off . This is a big safety issue and needs to be resolved asap!
My 2007 toyota prius accelerates while braking after hitting bumps on the road. I was braking to come to a stop, the car propelled forward 2-3 times, the traction light flashed twice all why I had full pressure applied to the brake pedal. Luckily the car in front of me had not stopped completely otherwise there would have been an impact as I had no method of making the car stop moving forward. The car will also propel forward when going over rail road tracks or other bumps/potholes in the road. From a driver standpoint, if the car loses contact with the road there is something electronic that causes it to accelerate even if the brake pedal is depressed.
Dashboard red lights when vehicle starts with: brake failure , ABS warning and stability warning. First time it was immediately taken to dealer who could find no problem and reset codes. Four days later same warning lights came on and was taken to dealer again. Were told hydraulic brake system was ok but brake actuator needed replacement at $2600. Could be driven but without ABS and stability capability. Have not corrected this due to high price. Shopping around at salvage yards.
I own a 2007 prius. I was driving on the interstate when a car in front of me stopped abruptly. When I stepped on the brake, there was a delay before it engaged. To prevent running into the car in front of me, I veered to the left while continuing to step down on the brake with more force. When it engaged, the car was out of control "fish tailing" from side to side. In an emergency situation, there is no room for a delay. This created a very dangerous situation which could have been fatal. I experienced a similar delay while driving in the city, not on a highway. It was the same sensation of the brakes failing. When one is braking in an emergency situation, this is terrifying and not acceptable and not safe...
Whenever I brake when going over a bump, such as a manhole cover, pothole, or cobblestone road, the ABS system engages and for a moment the brake does not seem to be working, the car is not slowing. I am worried it could lead to an accident if another car were close in front of me. When my husband mentioned the problem to the toyota dealer, the brakes were checked and we were told there was nothing wrong. However, this continues to happen and the moment without braking is too long for comfort.
This failure occurs whenever one wheel looses traction with the road. Instead of the antilock braking kicking in, the brakes on all wheels are backed off giving the feeling the car is accelerating. This happens when you go over a bump or snow. On snow you have to allow additional braking distant. This is the same problem as described for the 2010 prius.
For approximately the past six months the passenger side headlight in our car has gone out intermittently. This occurs when there is any vibration in the road from, for example, uneven road surfaces. Additionally, our car accelerates after hitting a bump or a pothole.
On monday, april 12, 2010, in the morning, on a rainy day in sacramento, california, I was driving about 15 MPH when the traffic in front of me slowed. I was driving over railroad tracks with steel plates between the tracks in my 2007 toyota prius. I braked but the car did not stop. I had time to actually look down at my feet to confirm that it was definitely the brakes that I was applying major pressure to. I also noticed that the light was on indicating that the car did not have traction. I hit the car in front of me. The first words out of my mouth were, "I had no brakes, I'm so sorry, but I had no brakes." the initial estimate for my car is over $6,000, I have not heard what the estimate is for the other car. I did everything I could have done, the car failed me.
I noticed in the last few months that the "slippery" sign on my prius 2007 came on many times even under very safe road conditions. For example, when I did a right turn slowly, the "slippery" sign would come on. On february 26, 2010. I was driving my car when it started to sleet. All of a sudden, my car lost control and started to spin until it hit the snow bank on the road side. In the following week, the car slipped twice when I approached stop signs slowly and applied brake lightly. We examined the rear tires which were the original tires with 48,000 miles on and the markings were mostly worn out. I would also want to point out that these old tires passed inspection on the same day of the accident and we just changed the tires hoping to improve the traction. After the tires were changed on march 6, 2010, it slipped once in the following two weeks under the same situation when I approached a stop sign slowly and applied brake lightly. The road conditions were all perfect when these 3 slippages happened after feb. 26, 2010. I have read some articles(consumeraffairs.com) and chat rooms(priuschat.com) online and found quite a few similar experiences from other prius drivers.
I have multiple times experienced a dangerous over-sensitivity of the traction control system on my car. It consistently happens in the following scenarios: a) if I am driving at a low speed, say 20 MPH, on a smooth, dry paved road and then "panic break" the trac system kicks in and temporarily cuts power to my car, resulting in a momentary loss of braking. B) if I am waiting at a stop light in the right hand lane, about to make a right hand turn, and there is even a moderate amount of gravel on the road or the road is wet, then I accelerate to make my right turn, the trac system again kicks in, resulting in a momentary loss of acceleration. I have been compensating for these occurrences, however I feel very unsafe in this car yet no one seems to want to do anything about it. When I took my car to the dealer, they literally just said that the car was "operating as it was designed to." well then maybe it is the design that needs to be re assessed.
This event has occured on a number of occasions with my 2007 toyota prius. When I am applying the brakes and go over a bump or pothole, the traction control light appears and the brakes weaken for a moment. The light will go off and the breaks feel like they go back to full strength. I am aware of this issue and have modified my driving becasue of it. Recently while approaching an intersection I had to slow very quickly and hit a pothole while the brakes were applied. I traveled several feet further because the brakes were not reacting at full strength when the light was on. I have heard of other 2007 owners complaining but when I contacted my toyota dealer they said there was nothing they could do until there is a recall. That was the only time I contacted my dealer because it made me so upset. It is safe to say that from the moment I have purchased the car (within the first week) to current, if I am breaking and hitting a bump or pothole of significant disruptance at the same time - this situation replays itself. The date of incident is around the first date of the first occurance. It has happened nearly 100+ times since then.
I am writing to explain two problems I have had with my toyota prius. I want to have a documented of report of these problems in the event that they result in a serious accident, as I fear they might. I have experienced these problems on a number of occasions. The first problem occurs whenever I drive over rough or uneven payment. When the traction control kicks in, it feels as if the car is surging and it is necessary to step on the brake, sometimes with both feet, very hard in order to get the car to slow down or stop. I have taken the car in for this problem a couple of times. I have driven cars with traction control in the past and never felt the surging that occurs with the prius, when driving other cars using other traction control systems. The other issue with the car is that occasionally, when accelerating, my normally silent prius makes a loud revving noise. Whenever I hear this noise, I immediately take my foot off the gas. Thankfully, so far, the noise stops and the car slows down. The noise does not occur every time I accelerate, but it seems to be happening with increasing frequency. I am not sure if other prius owners, especially those who have been involved in accidents, have reported this issue or noticed the revving noise prior to their accidents. But, I thought it might be an important piece of the puzzle that should be reported. I hope this information is useful. Quite honestly, I am a concerned each and every time I get into my car. But, with a year remaining on my lease I have little choice but to engage in what I feel is increasingly a game of toyota owner russian roulette to get to school and do all the things I need to do.
Just completed a left turn behind another vehicle. The other vehicle then slowed to make an immediate left turn into a gas station across the road. I was gently applying the brakes to keep my following distance (10ft, traveling about 8mph). The other car suddenly applied the brakes harder to turn, when I pressed harder there was no reaction until I hit the other car, at which point the brakes engaged and I stopped.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). I own a 2007 toyota prius, I have been having the same issues other drivers are reporting in that the vehicle will increase speed when going over bumps, or on a slippery road. I always assumed it was some traction control system and it was normal, however the recent news stories have made me aware that my situation with my vehicle is not normal. I have contacted toyota about this major issue, however they advised me that because the vehicle is no longer under warranty that they are not held liable for the vehicle. They also stated that due to no recall being issued for this model and year that nothing can be done, unless I am willing to pay to have the issue at hand resolved. I do feel that the braking issue is identical to the 2010 issues. Not sure what to do, and therefore I am writing to you. The incident date would be when ever I drive my vehicle, no crash has happened yet however. [xxx]
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) sudden loss of power when tires lose traction (2007 toyota prius - VIN: [xxx] ).
I drive a 2007 prius. Recently when driving over pot holes, the stability control kicks in and the vehicle lunges forward ( unintended acceleration). This behavior is pronounced on bigger pot holes and less in severity on uneven roads or smaller pot holes.
I own a 2007 prius. I have noticed on many occasions that when you go over a pothole, or there is gravel on the road, the traction control light comes on and for a moment, the car loses its braking ability. You accelerate for a bit before the brakes come on again. It is very scary. Thank god nothing has happened, but how many injuries have to happen before toyota does something?!
2007 toyota prius - braking issue on rainy or slick surface. Upon normal braking on a slick or wet surface the car becomes unstable, the ABS braking becomes irregular and the car goes into a skid and does not stop in a normal fashion or within a normal braking distance. The same braking response occurs if I hit a pothole while braking. The toyota dealer tells me that this is normal. It is not normal as I cannot drive the car under wet or snowy conditions for fear of an accident. The braking issues noted in the 2010 prius make me wonder if a similar condition exists for the 2007 model year. I suspect that it is the ecu which is faulty.
This has happened dozens of times, to myself and my wife. We are braking, and whilst braking drive over a pothole or drain. The traction control comes on, and the car disengages the brakes and the car lurches forward. After clearing the pothole, the traction control then disengages, and the brakes re-engage. Several times, I have come close to hitting the car in front. Conditions: clear, sunny, dry roads. Car: toyota prius, year 2007.
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