2009 Toyota Prius: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 15, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · VA

My 2009 Toyota Prius abruptly lost power while driving. The electrical system turned off and the vehicle stalled while going 50 mph on a 2-lane parkway. While I was able to put my hazard lights on and steer the vehicle, I had no other control and was at a high risk of a crash. There's no emergency lane and few areas wide enough to pull over on the parkway. I was forced to coast the vehicle until I could pull off the parkway onto a patch of grass off the busy road. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms of the problems prior to failure. I had plenty of gasoline in the tank, so it wasn't due to a lack of fuel. The car would not start after pulling over and I had to get towed. After researching the issue, it sounds very similar to the safety recall involving certain 2013-2015 Model Year Prius and 2014 – 2017 Model Year Prius v in the United States, the press release for which was published on June 24 2020: https://tinyurl.com/4mrnz9nr Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times wrote an article on April 23 2018 about a similar issue, referring to a recall in 2014 which was intended to fix overheating problems in the 2010-204 Prius inverter. Those recall documents suggest that Toyota has been tracking this issue with the inverter since 2011. https://tinyurl.com/afwvt2sc A sudden power loss is generally considered a serious safety defect. I could have gotten into a serious car accident today and injured myself or other drivers. The 2009 Toyota Prius model had a recall issued on recall date: 11/14/2012 under the federal safety agency Campaign ID: 12V536000, referring to a "short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash." At this time, I don't believe Toyota has conducted due diligence into ensuring the safety of the 2009 Toyota Prius model. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or insurance reps.

Filed Mar 17, 2021 · Brakes · 112,000 miles · MI

I purchased a 2009 toyota prius with 109,000 miles, I have only been driving it two months and the brake actuator is going bad! Toyota had a recall and provided a free of charge fix but only up until 2017 I believe. They should pay for any faulty actuators under 150,000 miles on the vehicle because that is the mileage they warranty their hybrid batteries for. Driving my vehicle I could stop and almost got into an accident because of this failing system! I could have been killed. I was driving in the city and lost all power in my brakes.

Filed Oct 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · TX

We have a 2009 prius which stalled on the freeway as my husband was driving it yesterday (10/16/2020). Luckily, even though it was a busy austin freeway, my husband was able to maneuver it to the shoulder and call aaa to tow the car to the service station. On inspection, we were told that the reason for the stall was the failure of the inverter drive pump along with the 12v battery on board. This car was part of the recall for the inverter drive pump and that was replaced by an authorized toyota service center in 2013 for a similar issue. On the oct 16th, 2020, there were no warning lights - no engine check light and not even the 'maintenance required' light - the car turned on just fine, my husband was able to drive it 5 miles to the freeway, get on the freeway at 60 MPH and drive a few miles on it before losing all power in the car. The service tech informs us that the inverter pump can break down due to just regular driving - but there was zero indication that this unit, which apparently is crucial to the car while being driven, was in any danger of imminent failure. I do not know if this part is examined or serviced as part of regular maintenance, but no warnings were raised when this car was last serviced, at an authorized toyota service station in dec of 2019.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Electrical · CA

2009 toyota prius. Consumer writes in regards to damaged inverter. *ld *js the consumer stated while driving the vehicle began to lose power and warning lights flashed on the dashboard.

Filed Oct 30, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 88,604 miles · CA

Complete shutdown of prius automobile with no warning while in motion on a city street. Rolled to a stop in safe area. Nothing worked except emergency blinkers. No instrumentation or warning lights appeared. The car was locked in fwd park and could not be towed by flatbed tow truck as there is no override. Lift tow truck was used to get to dealer. Diagnosed as melted hybrid invertor pump. Dealer replaced pump and fuse for a $641.47 cost to me. If this had happened on a highway/freeway it would have been a disaster. The complete loss of power without warning at freeway speed could very easily ended up as a multiple car pile up. Just the thought of crossing multiple lanes in traffic with no power, just rolling, makes me think it's time to get rid of this car.

Filed Apr 7, 2016 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · VA

This car cuts off power to save the powertrain from damage, that is what toyota told me. You must be extremely careful when entering traffic because you can lose power for 2-3 seconds if the cars computer senses any wheel spin. The way I see it this is a machine that was designed by the engineers to save itself from damage, the safety of the driver is of no concern to the computer program. You must always!!! Be aware when driving this car that it can and will cut all power when you enter traffic. The best way to drive this car and stay alive is to make sure any approaching vehicles are much farther away than you would consider normal if you were driving any other car. Imagine in the future that a firefighting robot runs into a burning building to save you, the robot picks you up and starts to exit the building. The robots computer senses that it is getting too hot for its design parameters so it drops you on the floor and runs out of the building to save itself, that analogy basically describes the 2009 prius , its computer saves itself without thought that you are left in the middle of the road without power. Toyota told me again that the transmission could not handle the power from the motor so they made the computer cut power if wheel spin was detected. My major complaint is the length of time the power is cut 2-3 seconds which is a very very long time when you are entering traffic.

Filed Mar 26, 2010 · Engine · 17,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. The contact stated that on eight different occasions, the vehicle suddenly lost power. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle did not respond and speed up. At times, it would eventually increase in speed and then immediately stall thereafter. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. The current mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 17,000 miles · NJ

I have a 2009 prius that is not a part of the "braking/traction" recall, however I've experienced the same exact problem from day one of driving the vehicle. On wet or uneven surface the traction control kicks in and car seems to lose power in the brake and accelerator for a few seconds and it is not possible to control the vehicle. In other words, you should be able to either brake and prevent a bad situation or accelerate your way out, and neither are possible for a few seconds. This happens nearly every day on the 2009 prius. Looking at consumer blogs, it is obvious this has been a consistent problem with the prius, and not just the 2010 model.

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 1,000 miles · CA

2009 toyota prius: when driving over pot-holes, bumps, or uneven patches of road at all different speeds, the car's "traction light" will flash and the car will momentarily surge forward. It seems at this time that the brakes also temporarily lose power. This happens several times a week. This worries me as I feel this could lead to car accidents or put pedestrians in danger. Spoke with many other prius owners and they report the same problem. Contacted the dealership where I bought the car and the service manager told me this was a "normal function" of the ABS. I still feel this is a safety issue that is not being properly addressed. I've driven many other cars with ABS and none of them behaved this erratically.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 19,985 miles · IL

Loss of engine power in 2009 toyota prius. When accelerating into traffic in wet or low traction conditions every time one of the front wheels looses traction, the engine abruptly goes to idle for 3 seconds and the car severely decelerates. Only by removing your foot completely from the gas pedal and reapplying throttle will the car start going again. This extreme over-reaction of the traction control system is very dangerous in traffic. This over-reaction is most pronounced if turning to the right when a front wheel starts to slip. There should be a way to turn off the traction control system manually.

Filed Jan 11, 2010 · Acceleration · 3,200 miles · NY

2009 prius purchased may 15, 2009 has 4,675 miles on it. Acceleration/surging forward or not properly accelerating at other times. I do not have the floor mats mentioned in the recent recall. I am concerned about other possible issues with sudden engine acceleration and problems controlling vehicle . Have taken car to dealer several times and they told me it is "bad gas" or my driving habits. Called toyota and they told me to take car to dealer for them to try and repair it. Dealer still claims they cannot "replicate the problem" therefore there is no problem. Car mileage now down to less than 17 mpg. Lacks heat or heat does not properly function. Have had 5 instances of surge /acceleration "incidents. Some when going up hill and had trouble gaining power then when I put foot on brake it suddenly lurched forward rapidly;maybe to 60 or more mile per hour at an exit ramp. Had to keep braking in order to stop. Other times only leaving driveway..went from reverse to drive and car hesitated then "surged" forward rapidly before I was able to brake approximately 20 ft ahead. This had happened three times like this & twice when going up hills where I lost power and then the car suddenly surged forward and I had trouble stopping it. Very frightening, especially when dealer tells me nothing is wrong with my car and won't do anything about it..even when I have contacted them numerous times and have driven there to speak with them about this. Something is wrong with this car. Now the mileage has dropped right off to 17 mpgs. What is going ?