Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | |||
| 05/11/2012 | 600 | 1 | |
| 1. when vehicle transitioned from battery to motor, significant impact resulted 2. brake pedal traveled to floor, dash warning light came on [vehicle towed] 3. attempting to leave dealer's lot, brake pedal traveled to floor. technician witnessed. *tr | |||
| 10/01/2012 | 1800 | 1 | |
| My prius v five was purchased in august 2012. location of the car is nw of wa state where temperatures are currently in the mid 50s (and below) with high level of humidity. since the beginning of october 2012, i'm experiencing a noise that would best be described as an owl hooting. my problem is especially noticeable after the car has parked for an extended amount of time (eg. in the garage overnight). sometimes, merely parking for 10 minutes on the school's parking lot is enough to make the noise appear again. the hooting definitely oscillates with the rotation of the tire and emanates from my rear right side, but is especially loud when making left turns. the noise disappears after driving a few hundred yards, but is loud enough to turn heads. i'm able to reproduce this problem every single morning since october 2012. the service techs were able to confirm the noise, but couldn't repair the defect. instead, an open case/ticket was submitted to toyota's headquarter. *tr | |||
| 10/01/2012 | 1800 | ||
| My prius v five was purchased in august 2012. location of the car is nw of wa state where temperatures are currently in the mid 50s (and below) with high level of humidity. since the beginning of october 2012, i'm experiencing a noise that would best be described as an owl hooting. my problem is especially noticeable after the car has parked for an extended amount of time (eg. in the garage overnight). sometimes, merely parking for 10 minutes on the school's parking lot is enough to make the noise appear again. the hooting definitely oscillates with the rotation of the tire and emanates from my rear right side, but is especially loud when making left turns. the noise disappears after driving a few hundred yards, but is loud enough to turn heads. i'm able to reproduce this problem every single morning since october 2012. the service techs were able to confirm the noise, but couldn't repair the defect. instead, an open case/ticket was submitted to toyota's headquarter. | |||
| 04/30/2012 | 3000 | 1 | |
| The vehicle emits a repetitive 'woo......woo.....' that varies with speed/wheel revolution (something rubbing during each revolution). to the best of my ability to tell, it sounds like the groan is coming from the rear-passenger side. the sound is usually present after the car has sat overnight or after prolonged parking and last for 100-300 feet of driving. i've even heard it after four hours of being parked at work. it will typically make this sound for a few days after a rain event. the sound has occurred in both forward and reverse and with the emergency brake on or off prior to departure. i purchased the vehicle in april and have heard it all the way to the present. during a tire replacement i made note of the issue to the dealer, who attributed it to rotor oxidation. i responded that i've heard the grind/groan of rust being worn off the rotor when first apply the brakes, and this is not that sound. i went in with a recording on my phone and the technician agreed it wasn't rust. they repaired the tire and tried to reproduce the condition without success. they did tear down the brake and found nothing out of the ordinary. the fact that this issue persists on multiple vehicles of this model is indicative of a manufacturer's defect that should be addressed. *tr | |||
| 04/30/2012 | 3000 | ||
| The vehicle emits a repetitive 'woo......woo.....' that varies with speed/wheel revolution (something rubbing during each revolution). to the best of my ability to tell, it sounds like the groan is coming from the rear-passenger side. the sound is usually present after the car has sat overnight or after prolonged parking and last for 100-300 feet of driving. i've even heard it after four hours of being parked at work. it will typically make this sound for a few days after a rain event. the sound has occurred in both forward and reverse and with the emergency brake on or off prior to departure. i purchased the vehicle in april and have heard it all the way to the present. during a tire replacement i made note of the issue to the dealer, who attributed it to rotor oxidation. i responded that i've heard the grind/groan of rust being worn off the rotor when first apply the brakes, and this is not that sound. i went in with a recording on my phone and the technician agreed it wasn't rust. they repaired the tire and tried to reproduce the condition without success. they did tear down the brake and found nothing out of the ordinary. the fact that this issue persists on multiple vehicles of this model is indicative of a manufacturer's defect that should be addressed. | |||
| 08/27/2012 | 1000 | ||
| 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 breaks, 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). | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 2400 | ||
| Repeating several-second groaning or grinding noise heard from rear wheel area upon startup motion. the noise is severe and sounds like low-pitch metal grinding. it's potentially brake related but could be suspension bushings or other components rubbing against one another. it does not sound like typical brake glazing. the noise occurs in all weather conditions and typically after vehicle has been sitting for several hours or overnight. noise continues for several minutes at stop and start. noise is loud enough to startle an experienced driver. the absolute severity and indication of the sound is enough to question safe ongoing functionality of braking and/or suspension systems. multiple reports are documented online at priuschat.com. toyota does not appear to have a fix or resolution at time of writing, 10/2012. this is for 2012 prius v model five. | |||
| 08/27/2012 | 1000 | ||
| 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 breaks, 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). | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 2400 | ||
| Repeating several-second groaning or grinding noise heard from rear wheel area upon startup motion. the noise is severe and sounds like low-pitch metal grinding. it's potentially brake related but could be suspension bushings or other components rubbing against one another. it does not sound like typical brake glazing. the noise occurs in all weather conditions and typically after vehicle has been sitting for several hours or overnight. noise continues for several minutes at stop and start. noise is loud enough to startle an experienced driver. the absolute severity and indication of the sound is enough to question safe ongoing functionality of braking and/or suspension systems. multiple reports are documented online at priuschat.com. toyota does not appear to have a fix or resolution at time of writing, 10/2012. this is for 2012 prius v model five. | |||
| 08/27/2012 | 1000 | ||
| 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 breaks, 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). | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 2400 | ||
| Repeating several-second groaning or grinding noise heard from rear wheel area upon startup motion. the noise is severe and sounds like low-pitch metal grinding. it's potentially brake related but could be suspension bushings or other components rubbing against one another. it does not sound like typical brake glazing. the noise occurs in all weather conditions and typically after vehicle has been sitting for several hours or overnight. noise continues for several minutes at stop and start. noise is loud enough to startle an experienced driver. the absolute severity and indication of the sound is enough to question safe ongoing functionality of braking and/or suspension systems. multiple reports are documented online at priuschat.com. toyota does not appear to have a fix or resolution at time of writing, 10/2012. this is for 2012 prius v model five. | |||
| 08/27/2012 | 1000 | ||
| 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 breaks, 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). | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 2400 | ||
| Repeating several-second groaning or grinding noise heard from rear wheel area upon startup motion. the noise is severe and sounds like low-pitch metal grinding. it's potentially brake related but could be suspension bushings or other components rubbing against one another. it does not sound like typical brake glazing. the noise occurs in all weather conditions and typically after vehicle has been sitting for several hours or overnight. noise continues for several minutes at stop and start. noise is loud enough to startle an experienced driver. the absolute severity and indication of the sound is enough to question safe ongoing functionality of braking and/or suspension systems. multiple reports are documented online at priuschat.com. toyota does not appear to have a fix or resolution at time of writing, 10/2012. this is for 2012 prius v model five. | |||
| 05/01/2012 | 3000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. the contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes locked up. the contact continued to depress the brake pedal and shut the vehicle on and off by pushing the start button. the failure occurs intermittently. the contact also noticed the brake pedal drops to the floor board about a half inch when starting the vehicle. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 3,000. pmb | |||
| 05/01/2012 | 3000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2012 toyota pruis. while depressing the brake the contact noticed the brakes locked up. the contact continued to depress the brake pedal and shut the vehicle on and off by pushing the start button. the failure occurs intermittently. the contact also noticed the brake pedal drops to the floor board about a half inch when starting the vehicle. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 3,000. da | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 12/11/2011 | 2000 | 1 | |
| Sunday dec. 11th: pulling out of chicago garage, car makes odd rotational noise. the sound seems to go away after about a block or so of driving. the dealership is closed and i am booked up with clients, so i continue to test and see if temperature or environment effect the noise. the noise appears to only happen on a 'cold start' but all other factors do not seem to show an impressive change. dec. 15th: i call toyota corporate and file a complaint, then per their direction, call the dealer and make an appointment to have the noise problem fixed. jan. 13th: after several calls to corporate, and having taken the car in three times to the dealership (midtown toyota- chicago), i have been informed by one of the service employees that toyota is having a problem with many of these models. they think it is a back brake issue, perhaps defective part(s). as both toyota & the dealership are not officially telling me this. this is what i know, they have been lying to me as a consumer and me and other customers are driving a car with a potential safety problem. i do not feel safe driving this car. | |||
| 12/11/2011 | 2000 | ||
| Sunday dec. 11th: pulling out of chicago garage, car makes odd rotational noise. the sound seems to go away after about a block or so of driving. the dealership is closed and i am booked up with clients, so i continue to test and see if temperature or environment effect the noise. the noise appears to only happen on a 'cold start' but all other factors do not seem to show an impressive change. dec. 15th: i call toyota corporate and file a complaint, then per their direction, call the dealer and make an appointment to have the noise problem fixed. jan. 13th: after several calls to corporate, and having taken the car in three times to the dealership (midtown toyota- chicago), i have been informed by one of the service employees that toyota is having a problem with many of these models. the think it is a back break issue, perhaps a defective part(s). as both toyota & the dealership are not officially telling me this. this is what i know, they have been lying to me as a consumer and me and other customers are driving a car with a potential safety problem. i do not feel safe driving this car. | |||