2009 Toyota Prius: jerking or lurching

Filed Dec 10, 2010 · Acceleration · 42,600 miles · MI

I have a 2009 prius base with 42k miles. After placing the vehicle in park and waiting in the vehicle, it suddenly lurched forward about 1 or 2 inches and with enough force to shatter a light post. This seems a dangerous flaw. It happens frequently; after speaking with a repair shop, I was told this is normal for a prius and is part of the recharging design of the hybrid system. I was advised to use the parking brake whenever possible. This seems dangerous.

Filed Jun 6, 2010 · Acceleration · CA · crash

Two unaccounted acceleration single vehicle accidents with 2009 toyota prius. After accident of april 30, 2010 per my request, vehicle was inspected by a consultant from toyota.[may 26, 2010]. Toyota is saying car is safe. Car was returned to me on may 28, 2010. First accident occurred august, 31, 2009. Both accidents occurred under similar circumstances; driving at slow acceleration while making a right turn. Accident #1 turning a corner, accident #2 pulling into a parking slot in a parking lot. Both times engine revved and car lurched forward. In first accident car crashed into a tree, in second accident car ran over a landscaping boulder which stopped it from crashing into the street. The boulder was stuck under the middle of the car. Two wheels on each side of it and front wheels were off of the ground. The front wheels were still turning after I got out of the car. I got back in the car and turned off the engine. I am requesting toyota replace this vehicle with a like value vehicle. I have pictures taken at the time of the accident of april 30, 2010 and detailed explanations of both accidents. Damages from both accidents was approximately 20,000 dollars . My insurance company found me at fault for the accident of august 31, 2009 because all of the car's warning lights came on and I glanced at the dash. The insurance company has found me not at fault for the accident of april 30, 2010. I received a recall notice from toyota after the accident of april 30th. However, I was told that this had nothing to do with the accidents. My car has had a number of unusual issues since its purchase. This is documented with toyota service. This car was purchased new and has 11,000 miles on it. Updated ivoq 09/08/10*jb

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Acceleration · 11,200 miles · CA

My 2009 toyota prius was stopped at a traffic light when it suddenly lurched forward. My foot was on the brake at the time. I brought my car to my toyota dealer, where they inspected it and told me that they couldn't tell me why it happened.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 6,300 miles · NY

I was driving my 2009 toyota prius, exiting the staten island expressway and as I approached the intersection the light began to turn yellow and I tried to stop (the road surface was uneven). When I put my foot on the brake the car lurched forward into the intersection so I had to go though the red light and I was lucky that the oncoming traffic hadn't begun to move yet.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · NY

I have a 2009 prius. The issue that I experience which is giving me concern is that when I'm pressing on the brake and I pass over a bump or rough terrain or something, all of a sudden, I feel the braking to stop and the car seemingly accelerate or lurch forward and the slippery road indicator signal (sorry I don't know what it's called) will pop up for a second.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 9,719 miles · CA

Multiple issues with 2009 prius. First: loss of air pressure in front left tire from time I picked up the vehicle to present. I continually need to put air in the tire, usually on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. The other tires are fine. Second: for the same tire, the tire pressure light would not be triggered until ~23 pounds, should have been triggered in same tire at 33 lbs. Third: vehicle would not stop when applying pressure on brakes at slow speed. This has occurred about 6 times in a 6 month period. Simultaneously, the vsc light went on and the slid indicator went on. The terrain was on either asphalt or concrete roads, slightly downhill (concrete) and one street is a bit rough (filled in pot holes). Also, both areas are within a quarter mile of each other and near the ocean. With each occurrence the vsc went into effect. On 11/21/09 it jolted hard much more than the other occasions; this date was the incident on the bridge when the car was going in a slight downward direction. I lost control of the vehicle for several seconds and was afraid that I would hit the car in front of me; I beeped my horn to warn the driver in front of me. My vehicle did stop in time but it took alot longer than it should have taken. On a later occasion, I was going about 5-10 MPH faster on a nearby street and attempted to stop for a stop sign and it did the same thing, however the vsc did not jolt back as hard. The vehicle was not angled down as much as the 11/21/09 incident. On 11/21/09 I took the vehicle to cabe toyota dealership and they looked at the car but found nothing wrong with it. I also had the car looked at by toyota corp today and was told that the driver feels that I felt the ABS brakes only. This is not the case. When I stepped on the brakes each occasion it was as though there was nothing there and I had no control in stopping it. This was especially true when the vsc kicked in (the jerking). Each time it lasted many, several or more seconds.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 10,000 miles · MA

2009 toyota prius my 2009 exhibits similar braking issues to those being recalled on the 2010. At least weakly during slow braking over a bump, pothole, or damp surface, the "slip" indicator comes on and the car lurches forward for approximately one second.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 6,600 miles · CA

2009 toyota prius hit pothole and car lurches forward. Brake light comes on for a second.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 13,500 miles · MA

I own a 2009 prius, purchased april 2009. I have more than once, if braking in a section of bumpy road or on slick surfaces (such as in snow or ice), experienced the car jerking forward/accelerating for a split second. It almost seems to stutter as if the ABS brakes are engaging, but doesn't feel like they are working. I thought it was my inexperience with the braking system and computer software in the prius, but I am realizing now that it could possibly be a potential safety issue for me.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 7,000 miles · CA

While crossing a small bridge over an expressway, applying brakes at the point of bumpy transition caused the vehicle to lurch forward for approximately one second. This caused a sudden panic, but no other effects. This is the second occurrence at the exact same bridge transition and bump over the course of 8 months. There are no recognizable side effects. This has not been reported to the dealer, nor to the company.

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 ?

Filed Oct 23, 2009 · Acceleration · 5,000 miles · ID · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. While applying pressure to the brake pedal at 10-15 MPH, the vehicle forcefully surged forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer on a separate occasion for the identical failure which there was no resolution. The failure mileage was 5,000. The current mileage was 10,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. Updated 2/26/10 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle would surge at times upon starting the engine. It would also lurch while in park. The consumer stated there were 2 incidents where her foot was still on the brake and the vehicle accelerated which caused 2 minor accidents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for electrical and brake work. However the vehicle continued to surge when started intermittently. Updated 08/24/10