2010 Toyota Prius: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 148,469 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode. The coolant temperature and several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the message "Check Hybrid System" was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road, where he disconnected and reconnected the battery to reset the Hybrid system. The contact was able to drive to the residence; however, the failure recurred. The contact used an OBD reader to retrieve diagnostic test code: P261B. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,469.

Filed Mar 23, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Traveling at freeway speed just after midnight, the "check engine" light came on. Less than one minute later, the "check hybrid system" alert came on, with an exclamation mark inside of a yellow triangle symbol displayed. The vehicle instantly had no power when the accelerator was depressed. The vehicle coasted to a stop and would not shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to our home. Upon delivering the vehicle to our home, the tow driver used an emergency battery jump start device and the vehicle was able to shift into drive and be driven into the garage. The 12 volt battery was replaced the next day and the vehicle no longer exhibited any disfunction. This was an unexpected event with no warning that the 12 volt battery was in need of replacement. It could have resulted in a serious collision, if the freeway had been more congested, as the vehicle had been immediately driven 2 lanes over to the nearest exit, and came to a stop just after exiting, safely at the side of the road. This is a very dangerous safety condition that should have had some type of alert that the simple 12 volt battery system was in danger of failing, causing a catastrophic failure of the engine and power train. Or, the car should simply not be able to drive, if the 12 volt battery is that low, to ensure passenger and community safety. Prime example: Toyota Prius has a warning alert that the key fob battery is low. The warning gives you a couple of weeks to replace the battery, and repeatedly displays the warning whenever you power up the vehicle.

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · 173,000 miles · OK

Just had recall work completed including software update. Car now exhibits new limp mode behavior with low fuel. This never happened before the software update. Trip meter indicated more than 50 miles remained with current fuel supply. Fuel level was as two bars and low fuel light had not yet come on. Limp mode occurred at speed on 4 lane freeway. Vehicle would not restart and dash messaging indicated hybrid system failure. Had vehicle towed only to realize it was all happening due to a low fuel level. I believe the safety recall software update has introduced agreater risk to my roadside safety and has made the vehicle less trustworthy and has reduced value.

Filed Dec 28, 2017 · Brakes, Suspension · 49,000 miles · TX · crash · 2 injuries

Car in two accidents over two years body was not properly welded back to the frame! Brakes were not properly realigned neither was the steering column transmission bands were not operating and would not shift and numerous other parts for leakage from brake lines to transmission lines all lines were broken and so are the seals on them!

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Driving 45 MPH down busy 4 lane street when car just went out of gear from drive to neutral and wouldn't go into gear. Car came to a stop in heavy traffic and I was almost hit by several vehicles. Had to push to side of road. Called dealership and they sent a tow truck. They said they had never heard of this happening before but while I was sitting there waiting for a ride I went online and saw that this has happened to hundreds of people. The others affected by this defect said that heat causes a magnet to detach taking the car from drive to neutral. I am very thankful that this did not happen on the freeway or could have caused fatalities. Toyota has not recalled any vehicles or made notification to owners. This is dangerous and I'm only putting complaint in now since I didn't know how to previously. Found out 2 days after incident that the dealership has had this issue with more than 100 vehicles and that they were not being honest when they said they never saw this before. Toyota needs to get the word out before someone is killed.

Filed Nov 8, 2010 · Brakes, Transmission · 5,600 miles · CA · crash

My 2010 toyota prius would not start after a brief 45 minute lunch with friends. When I released the parking brake and let off the brake pedal I didn't know the car was stuck in neutral. This error was on the dashboard "malfunction when parking, park in a flat place and apply parking brake securely". When I let off the brake the car rolled back into the middle of the parking lot. I had two coworkers in the car with me; they got out and pushed the car out of the way to a flat location. Car still was disabled. I called toyota roadside assistance and waited an hour for a tow truck; after about 45-50 minutes of waiting I was hit by a woman that wasn't paying attention; she backed into the side of my disabled car. I was pressing on the horn and she didn't hear. The impact must have freed some stuck component or something because 2 hours later when the tow truck finally came, the car worked again; no warning lights etc. Toyota looked at the car and says there is nothing wrong. I took a photo to document the warning message (plus have 2 witnesses).