2012 Toyota Prius steering complaints

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Body, Brakes · 25,070 miles · CA · crash

I was driving on my residential street and stepped on the brake to slow down to make a left turn into my driveway. The car failed to slow down or stop, and instead went over the curb, veering to the right and side swiped the left side of my neighbor's car, narrowly missing his garage.the car then side swiped a tree on my left (on property between my and neighbor's property.) the front end of the car crashed into a tree, saving me from rolling about 900 feet to the street below. The entire time of this incident the brakes never engaged (pedal was down to floor) and I frantically tried to steer to avoid hitting anything. A witness, standing on the street, confirmed my brake lights were on. Car was serviced by toyota (world class inspection) 15 days before the incident. Inspection report indicated brake fluid level and brake lining were "checked and ok." after the incident the car was towed to a repair site where the operator demonstrated to me that the brakes were nonexistent and the brake fluid level was still appropriate. Car was deemed totaled.

Filed Jun 24, 2013 · Steering · 9,800 miles · CA · 1 injury

I had to return a 2012 prius I rented from avis corp. The carbon fiber steering wheels on the 2012 prius vehicles are decomposing in the florida heat and sun. The steering wheel is putting carbon (glass) fibers into people's hands. They make our hands red and itch from the carbon glass fibers poking our hands. You can see the fibers shining in the sunlight at the right angle. You guys need to look into this. Probably need to cover wheels with leather or something. Also, it appears toyota does not answer their support phones and fixed their support (complaint) web site not to work. You cannot type into the message filed to describe your issue.

Filed Oct 18, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 1,000 miles · CA

Vehicle is parked outside, and during morning cold start, the vehicle produces a moaning/wooing sound for approx. 50-75 yards with vehicle moving under 25 MPH. The sound is being generated from the front wheel wells. Sound generated is related to vehicle speed. The faster the vehicle moves, the more frequent the sound being produced during the first 50-75 yards. Strange sound is gone after that, and does not return until the next cool/cold start. Owner took the vehicle back to dealership for inspection, and dealer took off the front wheel to inspect brakes, wheels, and tires, and was not able to locate or reproduce the problem. Abnormal sound is only produced during morning cold starts and when vehicle is left to cool(I.e. Parking lot at work).