Toyota Prius

"12v battery died and had to be jumped. Jumper connection under hood doesn't work. Getting to actual battery is impossible since the trunk won't open"

"This went out and you lose control of all climate controls along with the radio. The radio does have separate controls but they are overridden when this happens and your radio either does not work or comes on on it's own and will not shut off. Research on the problem revealed that Toyota does a poor soldering job on the part which causes it to fail."

"It was the multi function display screen. Would have been really expensive to have the dealer replace. I drove 2 hours and had it done at a third of the price."

"Cruise control drops out after a time"

"After hitting the brake I have to turn off cruise control and turn it on again to get it to reset. Occasionally it turns off on the road on it's own"

"Small front light burned out."

"I was stopped by the police and discovered most of my rear lights needed to be replated but my headlight seems to have a short"

"Also frequent failures"

"thereat brake light failed; this too has happened before, and no sensor tells us about it"

"This is a well known problem with some gauges not illuminating when car is cold and first turned on. This problem occurs with age. There are web pages describing how to correct the issue (bad capacitor) but it is fairly involved. Requires disassembling the whole dash board. My car is working now because the weather is warm. I plan to fix this this summer."

"The combination meter, which includes the speedometer and a few other guages stopped working, which is a common problem among 2nd generation Prii, so that there's a service bulletin on it"

"Main dashboard display died; replaced under dealer extended warranty program, this is a known occasional defect caused by a defective circuit board"

"The heads-up display went out. Dealer installed a re-manufactured display unit at no charge as there was a campaign, and this is a known issue"

"Gas gauge doesn’t work. After filling up tank, gauge says full until you drive about 25 miles, then says empty and it tells you that fuel is low."

"My combination meter went out.Toyota realized there was a problem with this meter so they gave an extended warranty on this part. Mine went out after the extended warranty expired.Cost $750 to replace."

"Continued intermittent failure of both front headlights. Will necessitate replacement of bulbs. This is a problem already addressed by Toyota with a modified customer service plan (not a recall) but the terms of the replacement plan expired (mileage/time) before the symptoms started on this car."

"Routine headlamp failure is a VERY expensive repair ($300+)."

"Headlights are about $200 each! We had replaced a headlight and then it went out after only 1 1/2 years. That seems too short a lifespan. Couldn't drive at night until fixed. Have heard that other Prius owners have had problems with headlights"

"We had to replace both headlights, twice since the car was purchased. These are HID lights."

"The headlight bulbs are quite expensive, and replacement including labor has been between $200 and $285 for each bulb, with the more expensive price being at the local Toyota dealership."

"Condensation required replacement of entire front headlight assembly."

"The headlight brunt out, in addition to a faulty ingiter that my mechanic will charge me approx $400 to fix because its a computerized part..."

"Headlights cloud over with scratches. Tried polishing headlights a couple of times but had no choice but replace expensive headlights"

"The lights go out and will sometimes come back on, but you never know when or if they will continue to work."

"Each headlight burned out one at a time about a year apart and had to be replaced."

"Headlight bulb went out - very, very expensive to replace"

"Each headlight would intermittently blink on/off when it was time to replace it. The replacement cost was a whopping $300 each!"

"Battery went out which caused the headlights to failed to come on"

"moisture collected inside and caused damage"

"Both front headlights had to be replaced as they went out"

"Excessive cost to repair. Started out at $900 and negotiated down to $400 to replace 2 headlights"

"headlights burned out and had to be relaced at a cost of 400 dollars"

"Headlights both burned out at a cost of $425.00. Thought this was very excessive, but the dealer said they warranted for the life of the car after that"

"Persistent problems with driver-side headlight; technicians at two dealers have tried to diagnose and repair and problem persists. Light turns out at ignition then fades out in 30 sec to 5 minutes"

"One headlight burned out but the cost was $450 to replace, because the front bumper has to be removed to replace the bulb and ballast module. Cost estimates ran to $750!"

"Bulb replacement is very costly. Poorly designed for what should be routine maintanence. Bulbs burned out at different times and each time the whole front of the car has to be disassembled"

"Headlights, when activated, would suddenly stop working at various times. You would have to manually turn the light switch to the "off" position and back to the "on" position to get the lights to come back on. This became a serious problem from a saf"

"The L front headlight goes off and on while driving. The dealership told us that the light was going out. The cost for them to replace 1 headlight is around $300. The bulb replacement is $150. Not only is the bulb expensive, but it is a difficult are"

"Right headlight goes out intermittently - have had it evaluated 2-3 times. Replaced the light about 2 months ago - still having problems"

"I have had to replace both HD headlights at a cost of $230 each. That is outrageous"

"Driving lights can not be adjustable up/down and are low for me. Serious safety issue for driving at night. The headlights have been replaced twice. They would have charged me $300 plus. I investigated and there was a agreement, so I got it free"

"BOTH HID headlight assemblies leaked, ruining the computer-controlled ballast and blowing the lamps! Repairs totaled over $1600! I'll never buy HID headlights again... The rest of the car is GOLDEN"

"I had to pay $620.00 to replace the halogen light bulbs for each headlight for a total of $1240.00. This includes the capacitors as well. this is an unacceptable expense for a car of this price and age"

"Frequent Headlight failures on both Prius, possibly 1 per year"

"Have to remove front bumper to replace lamp. I have had to replace it TWO times since purchase"

"Replacing headlight bulbs requires removing front bumper! Very expensive, quoted base cost $750. per headlight! Dealership refused to lower the overall cost if both bulbs replaced at same time. Very unhappy with Toyota court re service"

"Headlights keep burning out after a couple months. Never seen this on any other car"

"One headlight went out, but then worked. Repair shop said this was typical of for these headlights as they begin to fail. Headlights were expensive and required the front bumper removed to replace them and should do both at same time. Bill was $600"

"have replaced the bulb twice in the past 6 months so i have to take the car in to get checked out"

"Headloghts needed replacing twice in the ladt 12 months"

"The headlights, bulb and ballast, have burned out in both right and left side. Plus the lights in regular on position do not seem to go as far as they should to safely see anything at night. They SUCK! Fog lights do not turn on w/o headlights on"

"HID bulb burned out. Cost $166.00 to replace bulb"

"One headlight would stop working and had issues we got them to address"

"Challenging to replace"

"headlight bulbs burned out. Difficult & expensive to replace"

"The driver's side headlight went out. I was SHOCKED that the replacement bulb costs $150 and it cost $106 to install it! That's outrageous! The passenger light was dim, so I ordered a new bulb online for $45 and installed it myself in less than an ho"

"Original headlight bulbs burned out within 6 months of each other. I guess 7 year life span seems reasonable"

"Had both headlamps go out at the same time on a trip. Had to take to dealer because of location and timing of the trip"

"one headlight quit functioning a few years ago but was under warranty. The other one quit working and we had to pay"

"Head light burned out"

"Two or three times, one headlight or the other fails - it turns out to be expensive to replace it, and I can't do it myself"

"Left headlight cover leaked causing light to fail. Fix at dealer was expensive"

"Headlight goes on and off. Service department works on it, it works and then next thing we know, it isn't working. Can't seem to find problem"

"Both HID headlights failed. Would start initially but then dimmed and turned off soon after. Originally under a factory recall, but no longer covered. Very difficult to replace bulbs"

"One headlight seal leaked and it had to be replaced"

"It has the specialty led lights which are no longer used. It cost $300 to replace, but a computer chip went out because of a water leak in the cover so it cost $800 to replace"

"Head light stopped working. It was the opposite headlight that I had replaced last year"

"The left front headlight had a crack in the assembly, had to replace the entire light assembly and the bulb. The assembly was $350 and the new headlight is $200. Now the right front headlight is flickering, doesn't always come on. VERY expensive to repair. The bulb is outrageous"

"Headlights cost $270 each to replace"

"One of the headlights burned out prematurely, needed replacement"

"Intermittent connection. Sometimes one headlight doesn't work, and sometimes it does work"

"To replace a burned out headlight in the Prius, a certified Prius mechanic has to literally dismantle the front end of the vehicle to perform access the headlights. This requirement represents poor design and unnecessaey expense."

"Had to replace both headlights for$1431.38"

"Fog/moisture inside head lights. Replaced both."

"There seems to be 3 different lights for the headlights. For a couple years now, I have had trouble getting them fixed. I have taken it to AAA and to different dealers in Atlanta. They have told me they were fine when they were not. It may be difficult to service the headlights? It seems to be difficult to adjust the 3 so they shine properly in the same direction. I can tell this when I drive into my dark garage. It is sorta fixed now, but only after I returned and insisted for a recheck. One reason I bought the Highlander was for highway and mountain travel due to this poor headlight issue"

"Bulb died and replacement totaled $200 with labor. This is 2/3 the cost I paid to replace the bulb on the other side several years ago."

"Right headlight comes on initially then goes out. Turn the lights off and it will come back on. Sometimes it stays on longer than others."

"One low beam light blew out."

"There were two or three occasions when a light went out and we needed to fix or replace it. It could have just been chance. It didn't happen in the first several years of having the car."

"Headlights burn out quickly 9 to 12 mo. Extremely difficult to replace. Very tight space plus parts need to be removed to get access"

"Headlights are constantly failing on both driver and passenger sides. I end up replacing them as they fail generally once a year each. They are not easy to access and requires a service call to the mechanic."

"Seems to be a problem with wiring or fuse. Have replaced headlight 3 times, and it only works for a week at a time."

"two broke in the past few months and they are extremely expensive to repair"

"I had to replace both headlight assemblies as they were so discolored that I couldn't re-surface them and they also had moisture inside the lenses $1162.I did not have to replace the bulbs. Four months later I had to replace the right headlight computer sub-assembly,$750. Now I am having problems with my multi-function display not always turning on.No idea how much this will cost to fix."

"The problem was the cost of replacement due to how it had to be replaced."

"Headlight computer system failef"

"Headlights on both right & left went dead and the whole thing had to be replaced, not just the bulb. $500 2x. There had been a recall on the headlights bout I was a few months out of date and Toyota would not reimburse."

"Replaced lights at dealership"

"The door actuators on both driver side doors went out along with the trunk. They cost over $800 each to fix. Keyless entry does not work now on half of the car. The trunk sometimes does work (25% chance). Even before they went out keyless entry was very slow unlocking the doors and trunk."

"key fob got washed and replacing the battery did not make it functional replacement is very expernsive"

"Driver side door does not sense fob. Has been a problem for several years but too expensive to repair"

"The keyless remote locked the car if it was left inside and engine off and doors and windows closed"

"The driver's side door at one time would unlock automatically when touched if I had the fob in my possession. It no longer does"

"Battery in keyless failed. Had to replace battery"

"This key seems to be having lots of problems. I replaced the battery but the care does not lock sometimes and I have to take the small key out of the auto key fob"

"When approaching car, without using the key fob the car will unlock"

"Battery on fobs died. $600 to replace 2 of them"

"The keyless entry stops working sporadically. It will work for a while. Then not. I have changed the batteries several times. Sometimes, when I am holding the key in my hand, the dashboard indicates "no key". The problem is happens mostly with the dr"

"Key fob battery needed replacement too often, i.e., about every 45 days"

"The remote "key" is sometimes inconsistent in what doors it unlocks. It occasionally gives higher priority to the passenger-side front door than it does to the two back doors. The car sometimes complains with its irritating sound that something is amiss (e.g., a door ajar, a light left on), when actually nothing at all is a problem"

"The keyless entry System drains on the start up battery. When it sits for 10 or more days unused, the battery goes dead. We then have to buy a brand new start up battery. This usually occurs when we go for a long trip and leave our car at the airport or now during COVID-19 when we are working from home."

"The remote starter battery expired and required replacement"

"The tire pressure warning light does not respond to the addition of air in the tires to correct tire pressure. The service shop has disabled it at my request"

"no longer works"

"Showing pressure problems when imbalances were minimal. Had gauge(s) replaced"

"I have a continual false low-tire pressure indication on the dash even though the pressure is fine in all tires. It would cost over $350 to replace the sensor, which seems utterly outrageous. Suppose I'll eventually just put a piece of black tape over the light, but it annoys me that something so simple as a sensor is so expensive."

"Faulty transmitter in one or more wheels gives false tire pressure indication on dashboard. I use a tire pressure gauge monthly. Other issue: Volume control on radio sometimes does not adjust volume. Volume control on steering wheel works 100% however."

"The dash lights go out suddenly, including the screen that controls audio, gas comsumption and climate. I received an extended warranty notice from Toyota that described this problem exactly. The combination meter is the bad part. Replacing soon"

"The "Seatbelt" light came on, and could not stop beeping or be switched off. It was actually a problem with the seatbelt sensor - not the warning light"

"Tire pressure indicator stays on. system reset did not work and a part needs to be changed which is expensive and we have elected not to do it for now."

"Intermittent wiper no longer worked. Also, wipers did not "park" in down position after being turned off"

"The intensity of lighting has not been consistently strong for the Display screen which shows the speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. So I sometimes must turn up to maximum the separate lighting-intensity knob. Relatedly(?), the fuel gauge will still warn & show "empty" even though I have added 3 to 5 gallons of gasoline"

"It is not working"

"Main computer in dashboard failed (affected readout for mileage, speed, fuel consumption and warning indicators)."

"We had a complete malfunction of the computer system in the vehicle which included the display screen being inoperable. It took several days of troubleshooting and a rebuilt complete computer replacement to repair the vehicle to the tune of $2000."

"Buttons on screen stop functioning and you are unable to change fan speed, turn off display, adjust heating and cooling option, change anything or do anything. Ghastly expensive fix from Toyota to refurbish the existing part, not supply new."

"Areas went blank, others froze. Had to replace."

"same as before"

"one day about three weeks ago, my display screen refused to accept touch. The panel which controls radio, air conditioning, heat etc doesn't function. requires replacement. new parts and labor about 2300"

"The touch systems of the Multi function display failed after 5 years. I cannot do any entry because the touch shifted. Toyota only offers solutions in the thoUSnds of dollars. I will have to repair with after market solutions"

"Can't make any changes on the screen. When filling up with gas, can't get to screen to reset mpg. Can't pair new phone with system"

"The display stopped responding to touch. I was told it had to be replaced at a cost of $1600. Seems like it should last longer. GPS & Bluetooth now inaccessible. HVAC tricky to control"

"Intermittent display screen issues with freezing up and going blank just prior to extended warranty (75K miles) expiring"

"stopped responding to touch"

"The display screen is totally non-responsive to touch. I can only control the audio and AC with the steering wheel and dash button controls. I have been told that it is not repairable and needs to be replaced. It has been totally unusable since 2014. Replacement cost quoted at $1600"

"The display screen freezes up . It looks good but doesn't respond"

"It explains itself! I had to replace it several years ago and I am having the same problem again. I can operate the. A/C from the steering wheel and radio works"

"The in-dash display screen malfunctioned, including my rear view via the back-up camera. The entire unit had to be replaced"

"Display screen for climate control doesn't work."

"it was repalced and under warrenty at the time"

"Went completely dead two weeks ago. Dealer quoted $7000 to fix so we’ve turned it in for a 2018 Subaru Outback and bought Subaru extended service on Subaru electronics."

"Screen quit working. Replacement screen was more than $1000. We chose to refurbish."

"A year and a few months after I bought this car second hand, the MFD or multi function display conked out. This is truly a pain because many of the controls, especially climate and audio, require the MFD for them to be turned on or off or adjusted in any way. A bit of research informed me that this is common enough that independent companies have sprung up to repair these at a more reasonable price than Toyota dealers. I sent my MFD to one and it was soon returned in working order. The MFD is very easy to take out and replace, so one wonders if Toyota made allowances for just this sort of thing. But if that is the case, they should have a recall or simply replace the faulty MFD's. I wouldn't give up my Prius over this problem, but it is more annoying than one is used to driving a Toyota. I still think fondly of my 1984 Toyota Tercel. Lasted 22,5000 miles and I actually passed it on. For all I know it's still puttering along."

"Defective computer chip"

"Basically, the screen wouldn't light up so none of the on-screen buttons were operational: no A/A, no radio, no nav, etc. Toyota would replace unit for $2000; found tech on Internet who repaired it for $250. I removed /reinstalled the nit myself in 15mins."

"Screen failed and was due to Faulty solder joint. Dealer wanted $5265 for new display, I found on internet a place that could fix and for $350 got repair. Remove/replace was easy due to repair instructions. Since then I learned Toyota has likely changed design sop NO ONE but them can replace a display (alleged computer tie to display)"

"Display screen failed and was replaced"

"Display screen stopped working entirely. My husband went to a junkyard, purchased a newer screen and installed it."

"Went partly blank and also froze"

"The entire display screen needed to be removed and replaced"

"Display screen would on and off go blank, became progressively worse until it stopped working all together"

"display would freeze or go blank"

"Intermittent issues with display screen going blank and then restarting"

"controlled system failed"

"The main display screen for control and navigation died. Found a local shop that would send it off to a specialist shop for repair. Has worked perfectly since"

"This actually happened a couple of years ago, I think I forgot to report it. It cost about $2,000.00 to replace the whole unit containing the display screen. The car ran fine, but without the information from the screen, it was unsafe to drive"

"The screen randomly goes blank and won't allow access to the system. This was especially problematic in the winter when we could not turn on the defrost. It was estimated at $4000 to fix which is more than the car is worth"

"had to replace the display screen; extremely expensive"

"Model 5 Prius display screen failed. Replacement unit was about $2000 but I found a shop in the Midwest that repaired it for about $350. I shipped it to them and it took about a week turnaround. Car was drivable with the display removed so not a huge deal"

"Screen froze and went blank, but some controls were intermittent on the steering wheel. Replaced screen"

"Short in system resulted in shutdown of backup camera, sound system, and manual AC control. Cost to repair $1672"

"See previous question."

"Display screen completely failed, and I had to replace it, at the cost of $2000 and had to drive the car without it for a week, losing ability to control A/C, radio, etc. If I had not gotten a rebuilt one, it would have cost $10K. For a car that at the time just passed it's 10-year warranty."

"screen phases in and out and then goes blank"

"The display screen is not functional."

"Main display screen went completely blank, had to be replaced. Costly."

"One morning last month after we returned from a month long trip in another vehicle we started the Prius when the screen dimmed, faded and then went blank. The problem has to be remedied by a deal because my normal mechanic cannot take care of it."

"Recurring but I know how to navigate transmission without visuals. Goes/comes unexpectedly. Touch screen inoperable last 4 years. Must do heat/air on steering wheel. 7000k estimate to repair."

"Was fine when I bought it 6 weeks ago, but it began resetting while driving, but it would come back on. MFD now does not even come on, since 3 weeks ago. It is a known issue, and can be fixed for around $300, plus shipping. Doesn't affect driveability, just convenience. Can still do necessary functions from Steering wheel controls ( AC, heat, volume/channels, mode, etc.)."

"Computer board had to be replaced. Expensive."

"The touch screen went completely dead."

"The display screen went permanently blank. Since it is used to manage temp controls, radio, backup camera, it needed to be fixed. Entire component had to be sent in to be repaired/replaced at a surprising cost of over $2000. This was, however, the first significant repair experienced in 10 years of ownership."

"It started all of a sudden with the screen going blank, not allowing me to use the A/C adjustments in the car and not being able to use the backup camera. I experienced it for a couple of weeks before taking it to Toyota and asking for a repair. Their quite was over $1200 for repair, but the advisor suggested contacting a company in Indiana that fixes Prius screens for $299, which I did and am very satisfied. I had to ship the screen to this company myself (which cost me an additional $12), then Toyota charged $150 to remove and then reinstall the unit after it was repaired by the third party."

"Screen went blank. Went to junkyard for screen with professional installation."

"I can't remember the name of the part. It controls the display for the climate, mileage, phone and radio. The display kept rebooting one day and the next day went blank. I took it to the Toyota dealer the next day to be diagnosed and repaired."

"When the screen I talked about went blank, the music device interface started working intermittently, but the problem was "automatically" solved once the screen wa fixed."

"When working, nav system is a pain for two major reasons: first, the optimum route offered doesn't factor in traffic or time, just shortest distance (even if that's around 100 feet!). Secondly, the unit doesn't allow change while driving ... even if there is a passenger in the front. Hence, to look for a gas station requires pulling of the road and stopping. Ditto for: route changes due to traffic or accident, destination change, outgoing telephone calls that are not speed-dialable."

"Impossible to program accurately"

"Cars battery went dead while my brother borrowed the car. He "jumped" it and the Navigation hasn't worked since then. Or the blue tooth"

"System experienced problems then stopped working. $1300 for base replacement cost. No GPS equals no Bluetooth, no backup camera, and back to basic radio control. Very unhappy with Toyota"

"Updated maps is considered a part and is over $60 per update. My Garmin cost less than $150 and I have life time updates 4 times a year. $60 for each update in my Prius is ridiculous"

"It misdirects me or can't find where I'm going"

"The navigation system is poor designed. It is not at all intuitive and very cumbersome to use. After many attempts to use it, I've given up and just take my Garmin GPS with me. The Prius is so well designed otherwise it just baffles why they can't make a functional GPS unit. Better yet, why not put a Garmin in their cars?"

"The in-dash navigation system is not functional."

"Most of the time you can't make selections on GPS system. Becomes blank screen affecting other apps."

"Cars battery went dead while it was borrowed by my brother and the blue tooth hasn't worked right since"

"Like the navigation system the bluetooth pairing is poorly designed. I've changed phone twice since I've had the car and both times I had to go to the Toyota dealership to have them complete the pairing process. The first time it happened even the service technician could not get it to work, but called a salesman over because he had done it before."

"Phone pairing process is awkward, poorly designed to accommodate more than one phone."

"can't control music system from the touch screen panel i can cycle through options with a button on the steering wheel"

"Satellite receiver replaced"

"All the engine alerts came on, abs, etc. had to replace ABS control module. This happened in 2015 also, code C1247 and part and labor were over $2000.00 each time."

"They sometimes just quit. Sometimes they come back on with static, and other times they work fine. I just have not gotten it into my dealer to check it out."

"Controls on right side of steering wheel for climate control and for access to info screen have failed. Controls on left side for audio and climate control have not failed"

"The clips come off or separate on trim pieces"

"Paint continues to chalk and fade. This problem presents itself on all the Prius I own or are owned by my family: 3-2002 model year -green,blue and silver. Silver 2007 and this red 2009. Not covered by warranty..."

"Paint clear coat peeling."

"The spoiler became chalky/faded so much so that the car looked much older than it is and I wound up getting it repainted, in addition to having to replace the hatchback latch because the rubber came off."

"Door handles and fin on trunk have faded and look chalky. This started probably 3 or 4 years ago but it is still that way because I can't afford to paint it."

"Paint is flaking off the door handles. The paint is rough and speckled on the rear lift gate"

"Rear Fin/Hatch is made of a different material than the rest of the body and the color faded and cracked"

"Paint on the door handles is cracking. Paint on the air foil is fading"

"Clear coat coming off back spoiler. Back door handle paint peeling off"

"Rear spoiler has clear-coat breakdown from sun exposure"

"Paint fading from the Spoiler trim at the back of the Hatch"

"Spots of cracking and rust on the roof and dimpling on the area below the back window"

"The back part of the car has been fading for years now. At this point, the only thing I could do would be to get it painted, but I choose not to"

"Paint peeling on very front edge of hood on underside"

"Paint started peeling away from rear spoiler on back hatch and then continued to the top. Repainted the top and rear hatch but now the hood and sides are peeling"

"Clearcoat on roof peeled off and tail wind downforce fin faded"

"Paint fading on rear hatch"

"The clear coat of the paint is bubbling up and flaking off -- looks terrible!"

"The car was 11 yrs old, but when the Clear Kote went, it went fast. Then the painting faded."

"This car has been outside in FL hot sun since purchased in 12/08. Paint on hood went bad in 2015, then top and rear hatchback. By 2019 it looked so bad I had it repainted."

"In the past 2 years, the paint has started to thin and fade along the back spoiler. This year, it is starting to fade along the door handles."

"Paint peeling for several years"

"The clear coat on the vehicle is peeling and coming off the paint job. This started happening after it was paid off. I attempted to contact Toyota and asked if they could do something about it and they refused to assist in any way."

"lower rocker panel: 2 inch square area rusting"

"There's about a 1x3 in. area of rust at the bottom of the passenger front door that can't be repaired. I may get a new door."

"The rocker panels rusted out and had to be replaced. The car is garaged in the winter so we were surprised. Apparently it's normal in our climate. The car is rusting but then it's 11 years old. My wife refuses to replace it and I agree mostly. I'm waiting for EV's to be reasonable in price."