2012 Toyota Prius seat belts problems

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · Body, Seat belts · NY

Vehicle is manufactured without any regard for preventing mice from entering the passenger interior--- air intake vent under windshield and 2 rear decompression vents located in the rear cargo compartment above the wheel wells are open to the exterior allowing unimpeded access to the interior of the car. Had mice in this car 2 weeks after purchase in 2012 and have been dealing with this problem for 7 years. Just recently, had toyota install 1/4" hardware cloth over these 3 areas and this should help significantly to prevent entry. All preventative measures to prevent mice entry have been diligently taken by me, without success. Mice can make a person very sick. Their excrement carries hantavirus..... And the mice carry ticks, which can lead to lyme disease. Simply manufacturing the car with these vents properly screened would greatly reduce the chance of occupants contracting a serious disease.the mice also do a lot of damage to the car itself, in my car the driver seat belt was chewed, and I have had to replace the cabin air filter several times because of nesting in this compartment(after having been unknowingly breathing the mice excrement as the air passes through this filter on its' way to the interior. Toyota needs to be pressured by your agency to correct this very serious health hazard that their car is presenting. Their is no legitimate reason for this situation to exist. The cost to toyota would be negligible.the benefit to all prius owners would be very significant, likely preventing many cases of disease. Please take this situation very seriously, as is the case. I also will be calling you to discuss this over the phone. Thank you for your help to correct this problem!

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Seat belts · 117,050 miles · TX

The driver seatbelt buckle will not unbuckle

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · 83,569 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. While driving 21 MPH, the contact crashed into the passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt also failed to hold the driver in place. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained a fractured sternum, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,569.

Filed Jul 5, 2016 · Seat belts · IN

While driving to a get together the back seat middle passenger restraint became separated from the locking clip that holds seat belt over passengers lap. Making it dangerous to drive with my children in the back seat. It will not clip together anymore. I just bought this vehicle 3 months ago and it had no problems at that time.

Filed Sep 30, 2015 · Seat belts, Seats · 46,500 miles · FL · crash · 2 injuries

My wife was involved in a two car crash when a car coming in the opposite direction made an illegal left turn directly in front of her. It happened so quick that she never had time to hit her brakes. She was traveling between 30 and 35 MPH in a 35 MPH zone on a two lane road. I would think that at that speed if all her safety equipment worked she would not suffer any injuries. Her seat belt failed causing the seat latch to fail and she ended up jammed into the bottom and under side of the dashboard. She suffered a blow to her chest and injuries to her knees, lower legs and foot. She had surgery on her right knee so we could get her on her feet again and is awaiting surgery on her right shoulder. She had a pre existing heart condition that was raised to emergency status after the blow to her chest and she had surgery for that and they found a short circuit in the middle of her heart and zapped it. There is only a 2% chance it will ever return. I have pictures of the failed seat belt and seat. The seat belt is in the fully extended position and locked and can not be released even by yanking on it. I am writing this report so this situation can be checked and if found faulty can be corrected before any one else goes through what my wife is going through.

Filed Feb 8, 2015 · Brakes, Seat belts · 50,000 miles · WA

I own a 2012 prius with the technology package, including radar adaptive cruise control. I believe these same radar sensors are also used to detect imminent collisions in front of the vehicle, even when cruise control mode is not engaged. About a month ago, while driving north on interstate 5 in downtown seattle at approximately 60 miles per hour, and without cruise control engaged, my prius went into "imminent collision mode" despite the fact that there was nothing in front of me -- no vehicles, no debris, no obstructions. Before slamming on the brakes, my seat belt was "tightened" and the brakes were automatically applied at full force, even without my foot touching the brake. This was incredibly jarring and disturbing, and could have been a serious accident if there was a vehicle behind me. Fortunately, there was no vehicle behind me at this time. After about two seconds of full braking, the vehicle "disengaged" collision mode and allowed me proceed and return to speed. I called the toyota of seattle dealership and spoke to their service department. They were unaware of this issue, and suggested that I bring the vehicle in for servicing. They confirmed there were no outstanding recalls on the vehicle. They told me it would cost at least $100 for a basic diagnostic, and if sensors had to be replaced, it could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Because I am currently unemployed and looking for work, I did not bring my vehicle into the service center. I feel this is toyota's obligation to fix, and shouldn't require me spending money out of pocket. I would like some kind of response from toyota on this issue. I have avoided using the radar cruise control since this moment, but the fact that it occurred while not in this mode makes me feel that the car could "take control" at any moment and cause an accident. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 30,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in a front end collision with a bobcat front end loader. I struck the implement broadside going 35 MPH. There was no damage to the implement. My car was totaled and the airbag deployed. After going to the hospital and a chest x-ray, ultrasound, and ct scan, it was diagnosed I had fractured my sternum. I am six feet tall and had my seat all the way back. I am questioning whether there have been any other people sustaining a fractured sternum due to an air bag deployment at 35 MPH?

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Airbags, Seat belts · 2,500 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

I experienced a front end collision in my new 2012 prius with 2,500 mileage. The collision vehicle speed was nearly 30 MPH. The seat belt did not restrain me and the airbag did not deploy. I was taken to the hospital and sustained a fractured sternum due to hitting the steering wheel and whiplash. There was significant damage to the front end of the vehicle. Toyota's response after their own inspection was "our inspection found no evidence of a manufacturing or design defect with the airbag or seat belts."

Filed Dec 20, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · 1,200 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy and the seat belts did restrain her. The contact was transported to the hospital via ambulance for treatment. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and the current mileage was 1,200.

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · TN · crash · 1 injury

2012 toyota prius. Consumer writes in regards to malfunction of vehicle seat belt and airbags. *smd the consumer's wife was involved in an accident on september 8, 2012. The vehicle received severe front-end damage to the extent of almost $12,000. When the vehicle was stuck by an on-coming vehicle, her seat belt did not prevent her from hitting her chest on the steering wheel nor did the air bag deploy in time. She received severe bruising, severe pain and discomfort, and stress. Also, the lower dash knee air bag failed to deploy in time to prevent severe bruising to his wife's knees. Toyota sent the consumer a letter stating there was no evidence of any manufacturing defect with the air bags or seat belt.