Continued from part 14
John of Virginia Beach VA (12/20/06)
Mr. Benton recently wrote an article posted on ConsumerAffairs.com about the EPA changing the Prius' MPG estimates and owners' gas mileage complaints. Sadly. Mr. Benton is either a shill for the SUV manufacturers, or a severely incompetent author as he has simply regurgitated the same old rhetoric the Detroit manufacturers used years ago in his article.

This nonsense has been disposed of for some time now. The perfect-world shortcomings of the EPA estimates is known, as well as the effect of the most important part of mileage: the driver. The point of his article is clearly to stigmatize the Prius. The facts are these: the EPA is lowering estimates on all vehicles, not just the Prius; Prius owners regularly achieve, and even beat, EPA estimates. Real consumer organizations have surveyed car owners and found that Prius owners have the highest owner satisfaction rate of any vehicle ever recorded.

While it is true that this minor site and minor author will not have any real impact on Prius owners or Prius sales, some people will believe this nonsense and it is those people that will be hurt the most. They will go on thinking that there is no vehicle with superb mileage, there is no vehicle better for the environment, there is no vehicle that can make a difference. --A lead-footed Prius owner that gets, misses, and beats EPA estimates.

 

James of San Juan (12/17/06)
Prius Acceleration Problem. Car acceleratd and hit a parked Taxi in front. Small accident. Police Report recorded accident.

Asked Toyota to diagnose car problem. Nothing found. Tried to return car, exchange for other, did not accept terms. Husband will not allow wife and daugther to drive car and has switched cars with wife.

Jennifer of Rancho Cordova CA (12/02/06)
The window sticker on my 2007 Prius stated '60 mpg city/51 mpg highway'. I have consistantly gotten less than 40 mpg (37 mpg average). I expected to not get what the window sticker stated (I traded in a 2005 Scion TC which got apx 3-5 miles less than stated-aceptable), but this is what I consider to be false advertising.

Richard of Palm Desert CA (11/28/06)
The car has died on the frwy. four times. The second time the dealer had the car for 53 days waiting for parts. They did provide a loan car. The car is extremely hard on tires, just can't keep them balanced. The heat inverter has gone out twice, the service rep. said these cars just don't do well in the desert. The gas tank has been replaced also the steering column. The main computer has been replaced and also a smaller one. My Prius is a 2001 and now has 103,000 miles on it. The mileage has not been what they advertised.

Getting standed on the Frwy. at 11:00 at night when the car dies and can't be moved is quite scary especially when there is no place to pull off out of traffic. I only use this car to drive short trips around town because I just can't trust it on the Frwy.

Heidi of Augusta ME (11/24/06)
I just want to be sure all sides are heard on the Prius. I bought a certified pre-owned 2004 model and have NO COMPLAINTS! I commuted between central Massachusetts and central Maine from April to October, putting up to 900 miles on the car in a 24 hour period and a total of over 24K miles on the car. The only problem I had with the car was that, in spite of the DING add fuel alarm reminding me to get gas several times, I failed to do so and eventually did run out of gas.

So I called AAA for roadside assistance. Then, while I sat waiting for AAA, I remembered how the car is essentially silent when first started because it's only drawing power from the electric motor and decided to do a little experiment: I turned the ignition switch and, as usual, the READY light came on. I put the car in drive and touched the accelerator gently. Without a sound or even a shudder, my Prius pulled back out on the road and I was able to drive (albeit slowly) the 1/2 mile to the closest gas station. I LOVE MY PRIUS! And even though I don't get the 60/51 mpg the EPA says the car is capable of getting, I've consistently gotten 45-54 mpg since purchasing the vehicle.

Mauri of Bainbridge Island WA (11/20/06)
2006 Prius failed to respond to key to unlock it. We used mechanical key to get in. Then it would not start. All symptoms of totally dead 12 volt starter battery. On suggestion of dealer, I jumpered to a fully charged garden tractor battery. There was no spark, so I concluded car battery was charged despite symptoms. On pressing Power button, all car systems came on and operated normally. I concluded the act of momentary jumpering served to re-set the computer. The Prius runs fine.

Gloria of Twin Mountain NH (11/06/06)
Have had several problems with my Prius 1) 3 weeks old and the left front headlight intermittently went off and on. 2) Noticed humming sound coming from left front tire area and uneven tire wear. About the same time 26K miles the headlight leveling was not working. Would have to drive with high beams on to see - sometimes the leveling would work and most of the time not. Set up appointment to have both checked out. 3) After purchasing tires - left front wheel noise did not go away. Made appointment again and have them look at front end and headlights. 4) Received recall notice for Engine Stall Problem/Brake Light Sensor Problem and Steering Shaft Problem. - Not sure of the order but at this point I am not happy. 5) Took car to independent mechanic for separate wheel alignment and advise about uneven tire wear etc. Alighment was done - did not correct the problem. Also started getting a Problem Warning Light indicating there is a problem with the light leveling sensor. Aha I do have one! 6) Made appointment again to have front end looked at a little closer and did a little reasearch and found out there is a TSB on the light leveling sensor and was never notified about it even though dealership was aware.

1) Brought car in - ballast was bad - dealership replaced at no cost as it was covered under warranty. Great Service! 2) Brought car in and was told tires needed replacing. When my husband picked up the car he noticed the paperwork said nothing about the headlight problem. When he questioned service representative he said he was not aware of any kind of adjustment that could be done to headlights and that the car was not equipped with headlight leveling system. My husband contacted another Dearlership in MA and was told the problem could be the headlight leveling sensor. My husband called the service manager and told him what he was told and the manager admitted that he wasn't even aware of a sensor - what is with this? I had to purchase a new set of tires. At this point he was not trusting the dealership but with being more than 60 miles away from the next available Toyota Dealership he decided to give it another shot. 3) Dealer said car needs front end alignment. They looked at headlight leveling and said it was working fine. Charged for FE Alignment - not happy as it did not solve the problem. 4) Brought in for Engine Stall Problem and Brake light Sensor Problem. Replaced both at different times. Now mind you we were still having the headlight problem and left front wheel problem. 5)I contacted the dealer and was told that since I had now gone beyond warranty that I would have to pay to have it replaced. 6) Brought the car in and had to pay to have them check the alignment (over warranty now but still having same problem from the start) Was told it was my new tires - they were not good enough. I also brought in a copy of the TSB on the leveling sensor and was told they would contact Toyota. After an 1 1/2 hour wait was told Toyota would cover the cost of the part but I would have to pay to have the part installed (estimated at 2 hours labor) I think the dealership or Toyota should also cover the installment charge since this problem is not unique to my car and has been found to be a defect. I am also contacting Toyota to file a complaint.

Lisa of San Marcos CA (10/26/06)
Prius gas mileage is not what the sticker price says it is. I consistantly get less mileage in town then on the freeway and on the freeway I average 42-47 mpg. One time, driving 55 mph on a 5 hour drive I received 59.6 mpg. I only drove that speed because we were caravaning with trucks pulling trailers.

 

Allen of Uncasville CT (09/30/06)
2003 (45Kmi) Toyota Prius failed to start in Lyndonville, VT shortly after filling gas tank. Fault code prevented re-start and required transporting vehicle to White River Junction Toyota service shop (nearest dealer). Serviceman cleared erroneous no fuel code and declared vehicle repaired. Despite repeated requests, service representative provided no explanation why no fuel code should appear with full fuel tank. Car has operated approximately 250 trouble free miles since incident.

Irma of Chantilly VA (09/27/06)
I currently own a 2002 RAV4, purchased new from Koons in Tysons Corner (who by the way charged more finance charges to Blacks). I use Ourisman Toyota in Chantily to service my car. My engine light is on for the 2nd time. The first time I was told it was my gas cap. Today I was told it was the catalytic converter. I was told the catalytic converter went bad because of the ethanol additive we are required to use. The cost will be $2,000, I was told. Toyota should be responsible for cases where their catalytic converters cannot handle the gasoline that we must use

Kathy of Ukiah CA (09/20/06)
My 2005 Prius averages in town 37-38 miles per gallon. I took it to the dealer Thurston Toyota in Ukiah and they said it was the way I drove it and their mechinics got 50 when they test drove it. I specifically told the repair manager and the salesman when I purchased the vechile that I never drove on the freeway. So when they came back with the 50 miles I asked if they took it on the highway and they said they did both in town and highway. If we take a trip to a big city we will get better mileage. Is there anything I can do about this situation.

Before I purchased the Toyota Prius I compared the gas mileage saving with another car and figured with the price difference of the cars it would take me 4-5 years to make up the difference in gas savings. Now that the car actually gets 22 miles per gallon less then it is advertised I feel I should of bought the lower cost car because it would have saved me alot of money.

Greg of Chicago IL (09/06/06)
I bought the 2002 Prius used in 2004. After three months the main onboard computer that runs all of the fancy GPS tracking and mileage ratings, as well as most of the main working parts, failed on me. It was a $1,800 repair. I had a warranty, so I didn't have to pay for it. But is it going to fail on me again in 2 years when the warranty is no longer valid? The smaller battery, that runs the starter and the car lights and everything that everyone's car battery does failed on me this summerv(2006). I tried recharging it. It wouldn't hold. After driving a day, it would be dead again. The replacement was $300. And, no you cannot get an aftermarket replacement. It has to be the manufacturers model. I am more or less happy with this car. It does get great mileage, and I enjoy the navigation system. But I am a little afraid of something going wrong again.

 

Phyllis of Salida, CA (09/01/06)
I have a 2002 Prius. After 41000 miles I needed 4 new tires, after only 2 years. My previous car the tires lasted 6 or 7 years. Now one year later,at 56000, I need 4 new tires again. They say the batteries are heavy. Should I be careful how much weight I'm carrying? Do I have to weigh my friends before I give them a ride? The tires I have on there now are Bridgestone, should I get a different brand? What exactly is the problem? I go in faithfully every 5000 miles for oil change, tire check, etc.

John of San Diego CA (08/30/06)
Bought a new Prius - the gas gauge doesn't work - say's it's full when it's not - say's it's empty when it's not - when filling with gas it clicks off after less than 1/2 gal. - over & over - then when it does accept gas it doesn't click off when full & while inside station once 11 gallons ran over & down the street. It's been in the shop for these problems twice, the first time they had it for several hours and tried to tell me it was all my fault or the fault of the gas station AND that the gas gauge and fueling didn't work well in hot weather (??) Now they have it for two days (I've a rental) and I have no confidence in them whatsoever to fix it. Also had it in the shop previous to this because the electronic entry didn't work most of the time - after having the car all day they told me it was because I lived near a Navy base (!!) What I really want to know is if others have had these problems and what do they think, what have they done about it - do I have a lemon (the car isn't six months old) should I file a lemon complaint?


Michael of Derwood MD (08/28/06)
We were driving our 2005 Toyota Prius on the highway and had to slow down for an accident. All of the sudden, the warning lights on the dashboard lit up and the Navigation screen had a message that read simply - Problem!. We were traveling at a very slow rate of speed going downhill because of the accident, but neither the gas engine or the electric motor were running. My wife looked up the warning indicator in the Toyota owner's manual and it instructed us to stop the vehicle and take the car to the dealership. We immediately coasted the car off the highway and tried to turn off the car, but it would not turn off. Holding down the power button did not seem to respond at all. We could not start the car or turn the car off and we had to call a tow truck to have the car towed to the dealership.


Charles of Austin TX (08/20/06)
We purchased a 2005 Toyota Prius at the Charles Maund Toyota dealership in October of 2005. We assumed we would be getting close to 60 mpg in this car as Toyota advertised. The first three fillups of gasoline, we got 46 mpg and figured that was pretty good and more than likely it could get better as more miles were put on the vehicle. Since then we have gotten anywhere from 30 mpg to 39 mpg which has been all city driving in Austin, Texas. The only time we drive 60 mph is when driving on the expressways which if you don't, you will get run over. I finally talked to the Service Manager at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and he agreed that possibly something could be wrong. So we set up a date and time and I took my vehicle in for them to check it out. The report from the technician that checked it after having it in their possession nearly all day said that the computer was operating like it should and everything was O.k. I feel that I have a lemon on my hands and no one seems interested in doing anything about the mileage I am getting on my car. I feel like I have been had by the Toyota Motor Corporation and they should be chastised for false advertising. All of the Prius owners I have encountered here in Austin tell me that they are getting consistently 45 to 50 mpg. I sure they would not lie about it since I did now them personally and there would be no need to state anything else.