2007 Toyota Prius: backup camera failure

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · Electrical · UT

The Dash display (shows the speedometer, warning lights, etc) won't come on, and the rear back up camera doesn't either. They seem to both stop at the same time on start up. The car seems to run fine otherwise.

Filed Nov 20, 2021 · Electrical · DC

After I had auxiliary battery replaced at a Toyota dealer 10/13/21, I started noticing that intermittently, when I turned the car on that the lights on my instrument panel would not be lit (can't see speed, odometer, gas gauge). Then noticed other strange things when the instrument panel was dark, such as the back-up camera would not work, had a hard time turning the car off, and back trunk hatch would not open. Took it back to dealer on 11/12/21, thinking problem was related to the battery replacement. First service advisor said that it was the combination meter...that they see it all of the time with Prius'. While waiting for my car, I googled "combination meter" and saw how ultimately dangerous its malfunction could be over time - e.g. the electrical braking system fails and you have to use your emergency brake to stop the car, which would be exceedingly dangerous at 65 mph. When checking out, my service rep agreed with me that it is a safety and Toyota issue, but there was nothing the dealer could do but replace it (at cost to me of $1100+). I took to a non-dealer who read the code - B1271: "Combination Meter ECU communication stopped. Called Toyota who told me it had not been recalled for safety, but there was a warranty enhancement program to cover the replacement of combination meters, which had expired for my car in 2016. There was nothing they could do except contact the customer relations rep at dealer where I am taking car to get fixed on 11/22/21. They took no responsibility at all. I also know the combo meter had a safety recall for the 2019 Prius' so still an issue.

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

instrument cluster panel goes completely out and blank, speedometer lost, and dash lights gone and causing other issues such as not being able to turn off vehicle, loss of cruise control, unable to open trunk, navigation screen unable to turn off, backup camera not functioning, front lights going on and off while driving at night.

Filed May 13, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 160,000 miles · SC

Sporadically, the lights on the dashboard will not light up. When this happen the backup camera will not display as well. This doesn't happen often, but when it happens, it is a while before the they will display.

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 35,000 miles · FL

Toyota sent the extended warranty notice on the combination meter to the wrong address; therefore, I could not "connect the dots" regarding my dashboard blackout--meaning I thought it was quirky, not a documented problem with the combination meter. My 2007 prius with only 35,000 miles on it needs a replacement combination meter but toyota will not pay for it--claiming it provided an extended warranty. My response is: so what? I am driving a dangerous vehicle which does not indicate the speed I'm driving, the gas supply, the warning lights, and backup camera. I have had the requisite services over the years and the problem is clearly a defect in toyota's manufacturing and supply chain. If toyota really cares about the customer, why won't toyota take responsibility for the failing part and repair my perilous vehicle? The situation is dangerous! I can't lock the car, know for sure when it is turned off, see the warning lights, know if the airbag alert is legit--non-functional all. To replace the failed part will cost near $1000, my monthly social security. Think about this pricetag, toyota headquarters and local dealerships. My safety is severely jeopardized. Please work to recall these impacted vehicles. That my prius has been serviced every single year according to schedule, that this mysterious dark screen has been popping up for years, and that toyota sent the notice of extended warranty to the wrong address should demonstrate where the culpability lies. Toyota should take ownership of this dangerous situation and fix all the defective vehicles--behavior which demonstrates the company truly cares about its customers!

Filed Jan 26, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

Starting may 2015 whole dashboard in my car sporadically goes black, I can't see how fast I was going or how much gas I have left or use my backup camera in my car. For about an hour I couldn't even get my car to turn off. This has been happening ever so often since may of 2015 and is very dangerous driving my car in that condition. The other day my car ran out of gas on the bridge from the 5 freeway to the 91 freeway and I was stranded on the side of the bridge with cars passing at high velocity because I wasnt able o see my gas meter. Toyota has known about this defect as shown below and issued a warranty extension for all models 2004-2009 and my car falls 2 months outside of the warranty program and they refuse to take responsibility. Https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2004-2009-toyota-prius-combination-meter-warranty-extension-ztv.174/

Filed Mar 4, 2014 · Body · 83,000 miles · OH

During the summer of 2011, we noticed the trunk latch mechanism to be sticky and melting, leaving black stuff on our hands. We live in southwest ohio, so temperatures are usually in the 80s-90s in the peak of summer. At times, this would cause the trunk latch not to work, and we couldn't open the trunk. During the fall months, things improved, and it wasn't as much of an issue. Once the colder winter months began, the trunk latch began to stick and wouldn't open when it was cold. I can recall several times trying to open the trunk unsuccessfully. Again, things improved once temperatures warmed up in spring. The whole cycle started again in the summer and repeated over and over. Over time, the part that the latch is connected to began to feel loose. I asked about it during my routine 80k mile service, and they said that the whole part would need to be replaced, not just the latch. Although we have the extended warranty coverage, apparently it was not covered and we could not afford to replace it at that time. Well, this february, the trunk latch was once again malfunctioning and would not open while running errands. At one location, I tried opening the trunk, squeezing the melted button, and the entire part that the switch is attached to (including the push button lock, the back-up camera, etc.) broke off of the car. I am 30something woman with average strength, and I don't feel I was being overly aggressive on trying to open the car. I believe this was due to the part not functioning and over time, the connections were just too weak. This should not have happened from normal wear and tear, and it is clearly a defect by the manufacturer. I have read online that this issue has occurred on many other toyota prius vehicles of the same age. I believe that toyota needs to issue a recall and refund the $312.03 I had to spend to repair a defective part.

Filed Sep 20, 2013 · Electrical · 91,000 miles · CA

When the car was turned on in the morning after sitting overnight, the dashboard was completely black. The car powered on, but there was no speedometer, no fuel display, no odometer, and no back-up camera when put into reverse. When I got to my destination, approximately 15 minutes drive time, I was unable to power off the car after repeated attempts. The car finally powered down after I held the power button for several seconds. When the car was turned back on after about 11 hours, the dashboard was working again, also powering down worked as normal.

Filed May 9, 2012 · Electrical · 81,670 miles · TX

When I started my prius and the dash lights did not come on (fuel gauge, mileage, speedometer etc). I put the car in reverse and the backup camera picture did not appear on the screen. The screen was on but continued to show the consumption screen. I then put the car in park and hit the power button and the car would not turn power off. I put the car in drive then park and reverse then park several times hitting the power button after each try and the car eventually powered off. I started the car again and headed to the golf course and called toyota and made an appointment for the same day. The next time I got in the car (about 4 hours later) the dash lights came on and I drove home and the car powered off normally. I cancelled the appointment at toyota for now and will see what happens. The service person at the dealership said that she had not heard of this problem.

Filed Mar 24, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 45,000 miles · HI

1. The right-front headlight often goes out after the car has been driven for a while. (fortunately, both headlights don't haven't out yet!) this really should be considered a safety issue - why isn't there a recall? 2. The back-up camera often stops working for a few days at a time. This is a problem, given the very poor visibility the mirrors have behind this car.

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · 11,500 miles · CA

An fyi for prius owners, I have a 2007 prius and had the following happen to me, as I was driving my navigation display suddenly began displaying a view out of my backup camera, which was very disorientating as my eye was drawn to the image of the road disappearing behind me. I pulled over and powered down and then rebooted my cars computer system and it has been fine since. This does bring to mind that if the car is able to think its in reverse when driving forward then any number of things could be misinterpreted by the computer system.