2007 Toyota Prius Transmission Problems

Your car keeps triggering a P1116 error code even after you've had it serviced, and you've experienced loss of power while driving uphill where the engine wouldn't accelerate properly—though the car would start and shift into gear. This suggests a persistent engine control issue that needs diagnostic investigation to identify the root cause. The repair will likely involve diagnosing the engine control system, checking sensors, and possibly replacing components related to fuel delivery or ignition timing.

Instrument panel cluster failure. Panel goes black while driving and lose power. Vehicle won’t start or shut off. My vehicle was getting serviced at the dealership and they couldn’t start the vehicle. I was told the instrument panel cluster was the problem. I contacted Toyota Customer Service, and was told they were aware of the issue. They had issued an extended warranty and sent out a letter to all owners this warranty has expired in 2016. If you purchased your vehicle after 2016 you would not have received any notice regarding this. While driving you can’t see you speed, your gear selection, fuel level, lights and no warning lights. The warning is that your vehicle won’t start or shut off.

OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS TO WORK IN THE DARK IN RUSH HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN LOS ANGELES, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTANTLY BLACKED OUT, WITH THE CAR COMPLETELY DEAD AND HALTED. IT COULD NOT EVEN BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL! THE CAR STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. SHE CALLED 911, AND A WRECKER WAS DISPATCHED TO LIFT THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT INJURED OR KILLED! I THEN RESEARCHED THE LIKELY CAUSE AND DIAGNOSED IT EXACTLY. IT WAS THE "HYBRID WATER PUMP" ALSO KNOWN AS THE "INVERTER PUMP," PART #G9020-47031. THAT PART WAS RECALLED IN 2012, NHTSA RECALL # 12V536000. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER, NORTH HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA, TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THAT DEALER LOOKED UP THE VEHICLE'S RECORDS AND SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN 2013. WAS IT REALLY? IF SO, THEN A RECALLED PART THAT CAUSES A COMPLETE, INSTANT BLACKOUT ON A PRIUS ALREADY FAILED AGAIN. THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR IS ATTACHED, INCLUDING THE NHTSA RECALLED PART #. THE REPAIR COST $699.09 + TAX, AND CAUSED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS INSTANT STOPPAGE OF THE VEHICLE ON A JAM-PACKED HIGHWAY. I E-MAILED TOYOTA USA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO APPEAL THE SITUATION, AND THEY SENT ME A REPLY AND ASKED THAT I CALL THEM. ON THE CALL, THEY CLAIMED THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR ME TO PURSUE. I'M A 51 YEAR OLD U.S. ARMY OFFICER VETERAN AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED OR KNOWN OF ANYTHING THIS SUSPICIOUS AND DANGEROUS IN THE AUTOMOBILE SPACE. THANK YOU, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE, BUT IT KEPT SHIFTING BACK INTO NEUTRAL. LUCKILY THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS THAT IT DIDN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HELD THE GEARSHIFT IN DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT HAND AND STEERED WITH MY LEFT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF OF THE STREET INTO A PARKING LOT. I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I PRESSED THE PARK BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED A MINUTE AND STARTED IT AGAIN. I COULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO POP BACK INTO NEUTRAL WHEN IN DRIVE. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE GEARSHIFT IN DRIVE WITH ONE HAND.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND, THAT DID NOT GO AWAY. ALONG WITH THAT, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP, THE BRAKE LIGHT, THE RED HAZARD EXCLAMATION TRIANGLE LIGHT, THE ABS AND VSC LIGHT. IT FELT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND I WOULD NEED TO PRESS IT DOWN HARD FOR IT TO SLOW DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES! AND EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA, THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS SHOWED NOTHING. THEY THINK IT COULD BE THE BATTERY BUT THEY DID NOT SUGGEST CHANGING IT. THE THREE EPISODES THAT HAPPENED, LUCKILY NO INJURIES OR CRASHES. BUT IT IS VERY CONCERNING AS I FEEL THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEY HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

WIFE BACKED VEHICLE UP THEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE .MULTIPAL DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IT BACK TO A PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT BACK INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE TO A PARKED POSITION. IT WAS LUCKY THAT THIS TOOK PLACE ON OUR PROPERTY IN FRONT OF OUR RESIDENCE AND NOT A BUSY PUBLIC ROADWAY. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED ON A FLATBED TO A TOYOTA DEALER APPROX. 50 MILES AWAY. TOYOTA DEALER ADVISED LATER THE TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION FAILED. FOUND A TOYOTA "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" DATED JULY 7,2006 SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE IN THE 2004 TO 2007 PRIUS. DOCUMENT TITLE: M.I.L. "ON" DTC P0AA6 OR P3009, INFORMATION CODES 526 & 613 MODELS '04- PRIUS. IN THE DOCUMENT IT STATES "THE TRANSAXEL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN IMPROVED TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION." BOTTOM LINE IS TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT MENTIONED ABOVE AND HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM PROPERLY TO RECALL THE VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

ON SUNDAY MORNING, DEC. 21ST, I LEFT THE HOUSE AROUND 7AM WITH DOG IN BACK SEAT TO DRIVE TO A HIKING TRAIL. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AS I DROVE SOUTH ON OREGON EXPRESSWAY. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 0.5 MI AND DESCENDING THE UNDERPASS AT ALMA ST., AT AROUND 35 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON WITH BEEP AND INDICATORS: BRAKE, ABS, AIRBAG ON AND CHECK ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED THE WORDS "TRANSMISSION FAILURE "ON THE MAIN DISPLAY. WHILE DRIVING UP THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNDERPASS I REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE NEXT TURN-OFF AT ASH ST. BY NOW THE CAR HAD SLOWED TO 20-25 MPH BY THE TIME I APPROACHED ASH ST. AS I INITIATED THE TURN I REALIZED THAT I NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING SO I TOUCHED THE BRAKES AND DISCOVERED THAT I ALSO DIDN'T HAVE POWER BRAKES. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKES AND MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP THE WHEELS. BY NOW THE CAR HAD SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO CRANK THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO COMPLETE THE TURN. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON ASH ST. SINCE I ENDED UP MAKING A RATHER WIDE TURN; THE CAR FORTUNATELY REMAINED ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP AT ASH AND SHERIDAN AND I WAS LEFT STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION WITH NO POWER. I PUSHED THE CAR TO A PARKING SPOT. IF I RECALL THE MAIN DISPLAY HAD GONE COMPLETELY DARK BY THIS TIME; IT MAY HAVE GONE DARK AROUND THE TIME I INITIATED THE TURN ONTO ASH - I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY. WHILE CONSIDERING MY OPTIONS, I EVENTUALLY POWERED THE CAR OFF AND POWERED BACK ON (START BUTTON). AT THIS POINT NO INDICATORS WERE ON AND EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND RESOLVED TO BRING IT FOR SERVICE FIRST THING MONDAY. FORTUNATELY DRIVING TO THE DEALER DOESN'T REQUIRE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR EXPRESSWAY. I'VE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE 2007 AND NEVER HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE. LOSING ALL POWER ON THE EXPRESSWAY WAS VERY DISCONCERTING. *TR

THIS IS THE RESOLUTION TO AN EARLIER COMPLAINT I FILED. MY NHTSA COMPLAINT CONFIRMATION NUMBER (ODI NUMBER) IS: 10644563. THERE DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE A WAY TO AMEND THAT FILING. TO RECAP. ALL THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY PRIUS LOST ALL POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT CAME TO A HALT. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. MY PASSENGERS EVENTUALLY EXITED THE CAR AND I REMAINED IN THE CAR WITH THE FLASHERS AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO FURTHER ALERT ONCOMING DRIVERS. I WAS TOWED HOME AND THE NEXT DAY TO A DEALER. THEY PERFORMED A WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THE SENSOR CRANK (CODE POA90) WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A JULY 18TH 2006 "SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION" (READ: A VOLUNTARY RECALL) OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON SOME 2001-2002 TOYOTA ECHO AND PRIUS MODELS. IN THE NOTICE TO ITS DEALERS [XXX] , VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT QUALITY AND SERVICE, WARNED THAT THIS "COULD CAUSE A CRASH." THE CODE # THAT WAS ON MY JOB TICKET DIDN'T MATCH THAT GIVEN TO THIS RECALL -- P0340 - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR 'A' CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THAT DISCREPANCY. IT WAS CALLED "AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL." RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I'VE DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PRIUS OWNER TO EXPERIENCE THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM SINCE THAT INITIAL RECALL. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT NO ONE WAS HARMED AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. OTHERS HAVE HAD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S TAKEN SOME NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT NHTSA EXPLORE WHETHER ANOTHER RECALL IS WARRANTED THAT WOULD INCLUDE LATER MODELS AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE CURRENT TOYOTA WARRANTY COVERAGE. THOSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID FOR THEIR REPAIRS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AND REIMBURSED. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH A RED TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH PANEL ACCOMPANIED BY A YELLOW CIRCLE. THE PARKING BUTTON WAS FLASHING AND A PINK CARTOON CAR APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE SO I CONTINUED TILL I REACHED MY FREEWAY EXIT. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT I HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. THE EXIT IS DARK AND HAS A SHARP CURVE. UPON STOPPING THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION LOCK. FRANTICALLY I HAD TO GET A FLASHLIGHT AND WAVE OFF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I RETRIED THE ENGINE AND IT STARTED ALLOWING ME TO GET OFF THE RAMP AND GET HOME. THE WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND AFTER THEY TESTED EVERYTHING THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. NEXT TIME I MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 WESTBOUND WHEN THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND READ THE BOOKLET WHICH SAID TO GET IMMEDIATE HELP. I DROVE IT ABOUT 5 MILES AND PULLED INTO WEST COVINA TOYOTA. THEY PERFORMED HEALTH CHECK CODE POA2B AND C23128. SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL OR ASSEMBLY. AFTER 4 DAYS THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AND PAID $2800 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 5 WEEKS! I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE THIS AND IT PROBABLY IS RELATED TO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF EITHER POWER TRAIN OR ELECTRIC OR DASHBOARD LIGHTS. *TR

VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AFTER SITTING IN THE HOT SUN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON MANY FORUMS SUCH AS HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/62-PRIUS-FORUM/343977-08-PRIUS-WON-T-STAY-GEAR-3.HTML. PEOPLE HAVE EVEN MENTIONED CLAIMS OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE THEY ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HEARD ISSUES AND IT'S A SHIFTER KNOB REPLACEMENT TO RESOLVE. AT FIRST I WAS PLEASED UNTIL I LEARNED THE SHIFTER IS $400 + $100 FOR LABOR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TOYOTA - I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME TOYOTA CUSTOMER DUE TO THE RELIABILITY. THIS LOOKS LIKE AN UNADDRESSED RECALL ISSUE TO ME. THANKS FOR INVESTIGATING THIS NHTSA. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTION CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED ON THE 2007 PRIUS AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A HAZARDOUS FUNCTION. IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WHILE MAKING TURNS FROM A FULL STOP (IF SOMEWHAT AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION IS APPLIED) THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND THE POWER (ACCELERATION) GOES TO ZERO. IT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR (ACCELERATOR IS UNRESPONSIVE). THE VEHICLE IS COASTING INTO TRAFFIC AND CAN TAKE UP TO 2 SECONDS TO REGAIN ACCELERATION CAPABILITY. *TR

THE PRIUS WILL SHIFT ITSELF OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE HOT SUN AND THE INTERIOR HEATS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE TO MANUALLY HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT INTO DRIVE IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE CAR. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY IT DID THAT AND SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. AFTER THE CAR COOLS DOWN IT RESUMES NORMAL FUNCTION. I HAVE HAD TO LEARN TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS PARTIALLY OPENED DURING THE SUMMER IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM. IF THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE DEALER DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHO DOES? *TR

TRANSAXLE FAILURE RESULTING IN REPAIR BILL OF $4948. PLEASE SEE DETAILS UNDER FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM CATEGORY AS I DIDN'T SELECT THE PROPER "AFFECTED PART" CLASSIFICATION WHEN I MADE THE COMPLAINT. ODI # 10616528. WHILE DOING RESEARCH TODAY I FOUND A SIMILAR COMPLAINT MADE 4/27/14 ID # 10586065. *TR

LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN OUR CAR LOST POWER, BEGAN MAKING UNUSUAL NOISES, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SHE STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE POWER, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE; AGAIN THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND LEFT IT OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY THEY INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND CHARGED ME $5400 TO REPAIR IT. THE DAY FOLLOWING THE REPAIR THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND REMAINED LIT. WE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALER. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE WATER RESERVOIR FLOAT HAD BECOME STUCK. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR HYBRIDS WHICH HAVE UNDERGONE MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR. TODAY THEY FURTHER ADVISED THAT WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FURTHER REPAIRS. *TR

PRIUS SHIFTED ITSELF OUT OF GEAR. I PUT THE CAR INTO 'DRIVE', IT SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. I PUT THE CAR IN 'REVERSE', IT SHIFTED ITSELF INTO 'NEUTRAL'. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GOT IT TO STAY IN 'REVERSE', BUT EVERY TIME I TRIED TO GET THE CAR INTO 'DRIVE', IT SHIFTED BACK INTO 'NEUTRAL'. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFELY RISK. I'VE RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL CAN'T GET THE CAR TO STAY IN DRIVE. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW WEIRD INCIDENTS BEFORE - I.E., START THE CAR, PUT IT INTO 'DRIVE' AND IT GOES INTO 'REVERSE', BUT I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO AN ERROR ON MY PART. AFTER TODAY, HOWEVER, THESE ISSUES ARE CLEARLY A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, AND NOW I BELIEVE THE PRIOR INCIDENTS ARE RELATED. *TR

THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHENEVER THE DONUT TIRE IS BEING USED ON THE VEHICLE AS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR A FLAT TIRE - THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO USED THEM BOTH TIMES ON THE FRONT TIRES, ONCE ON THE LEFT TIRE AND THE SECOND OCCASION, MOST RECENT ON THE LEFT. APPARENTLY, THE DONUT TIRE BECAUSE OF ITS SMALLER DIAMETER CAUSES THE CAR'S SLIP DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE (SURMISED BY THE ICON I SEE ON THE DASH WHEN THIS OCCURS), OFTEN FOR PERIODS OF HALF THE DRIVING TIME - WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THAT THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE CHAIN, THE CAR CANNOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN SPEED - IT ESSENTIALLY COASTS OR SLOWS. THIS OCCURS EVEN WHEN/IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO TRY TO FEED POWER TO THE WHEELS - THE ENGINE IS UNRESPONSIVE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE POWER IS RESTORED, AND THEN THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY NOT TO HAVE. USE OF A DONUT TIRE IS THE ONLY OPTION OPEN TO TEMPORARILY REPLACING A FLAT TIRE. I THINK THAT THIS SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO USE OF THE DONUT TIRE (WHICH IS MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLIED) IS A DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS. A DRIVER MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED TO PREVENT AND/OR REMEDY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, BRAKE & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. TOOK IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER (RICE TOYOTA, GREENSBORO, NC). I WORK 79 MILES FROM HOME. I CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER, A SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AS LONG AS THE WARNING LIGHTS WEREN'T FLASHING.DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATED THE HYBRID CONVERTER/INVERTER WAS BAD, THEY CLEARED WARNING LIGHTS, WHICH STAYED OFF. THEY SAID IT MAY HAVE BEEN A "GLITCH", IF WARNING LIGHTS RETURNED, BRING IT BACK. THEY RETURNED ON 3/1/13 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I LOST POWER WHILE ON I-540, PULLED OVER ONTO SHOULDER, TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESTARTED IT, GOT BACK ONTO I-540 & EXITED AT NEAREST EXIT. LOST POWER AGAIN. PULLED OVER, WENT THRU STOP/START PROCESS, DROVE 3 MILES TO WORK. DROVE HOME WITH WARNING LIGHTS BUT NO POWER LOSSES. TOOK IT TO RICE TOYOTA NEXT MORNING. THIS OCCURRED BARELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED, GALLING TO SAY THE LEAST, AS THIS PART "IS" THE HYBRID SYSTEM PER THE SERVICE REP. HAVE YOU RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMPONENT? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. UPON RETURNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM PARK, ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE WHILE OCCUPIED WITH THE CONTACT'S CHILD. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. PRIUS SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0142-11. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR OFF AN ON. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN POP INTO NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 9 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS AND ALWAYS ON A HOT DAY AFTER BEING PARKED AT WORK. I HAVE TO DRIVE HOME WHILE HOLDING THE SHIFT LEVER IN GEAR. SOMETIMES IF THIS HAPPENS AND I TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING IT WILL STAY IN GEAR, BUT NOT ALWAYS. IS THIS A GEAR SHIFT LEVER PROBLEM? *TR

WHILE PARKED WITH THE CAR TURNED ON, THE ENGINE ENGAGES TO RUN THE A/C OR HEATER AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THE DISPLAY SCREEN WILL SOMETIMES DISPLAY A WARNING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PARK MECHANISM AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SHUT OFF AND PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. MY RESEARCH HAS LED TO THE PARK LOCK MECHANISM. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THE LURCH IS NORMAL AND DUE TO WEAR ON THE PARK LOCK. THE "FIX" IS TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE. WHAT IF YOU FORGET OR AREN'T AWARE OF THIS? WHAT IF THE PARK LOCK FAILS AND THE BRAKE ISN'T ON? NONE OF THESE IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT. THE POTENTIAL IS FOR THE CAR TO MOVE ON ITS OWN, EVEN WITH NO ONE PRESENT IN THE CAR OR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS IS AN INHERENTLY UNSAFE DESIGN AND SHOULD BE PULLED FROM THE ROAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE BUMPED INTO IT CAUSING THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER AN 18 INCH SNOW BANK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BEING PLACED IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES CAUSED THE GEARS TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT WAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

MY 2008 PRIUS HAS A TRANSMISSION-RELATED PROBLEM RECENTLY, AND I BELIEVE IT MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE SUDDEN ACCELERATOR ISSUES. THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING PROPERLY ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT AND COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MY GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED ABOUT TEN MPG, AND THE TRANSMISSIONS VACILLATES BETWEEN BEING SLUGGISH (BARLEY GOING UP NORMAL HILLS, ) OR THE ENGINE SOMETIMES RACING. I WONDER IF THE CAR IS SAFE, AND IF THE COMPUTER RUNNING THE TRANSMISSION IS THE PROBLEM ON OTHER VEHICLES, THE ONES WHOSE "ACCELERATORS STICK" MAYBE IT THIS THE ELECTRONIC PROGRAM ON THE TRANSMISSION, NOT THE ACCELERATOR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MINE NOW - AM USING MY TEN YEAR OLD FARM TRUCK INSTEAD ON MANY OCCASIONS. *TR

MY WIFE AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER, 1357 RICHMOND RD., CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911, FOR A 50,000 MILE ROUTINE SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR OUR 2007 PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR IN TRAFFIC ON ROUTE 29 THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE BRAKE, STEERING AND DISPLAY PANEL CONTINUED TO FUNCTION. WE ROLLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CUTTING THROUGH ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT POWER. WE STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED BACK ON THE POWER RETURNED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND WE CONTINUED TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. WE DESCRIBED OUR PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR AT THE END OF THE DAY THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM SO NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS CAR LOST POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL NOW. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. IT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM IF IT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY.

I HAVE A 2007 PRIUS, AND EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, MY CAR ACCELERATES,AND I GET A RUN AWAY FEELING THAT LASTS ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS. IN ADDITION, WHEN I AM AT REST, AND THE MOTOR IS ON AND MY FOOT IN ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR MAKES A NOISE AS IF THE HORN IS LOWLY HONKING. I HAVE DESCRIBED BOTH OF THESE THINGS TO MY DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY SAID THAT THEY CHECKED IT OUT. IT STILL REMAINS. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) [XXX]I OWN A 2007 PRIUS THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2007. IT'S BEEN A GOOD CAR EXCEPT FOR ONE DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM. BACKGROUND: I AM 57 YEARS OLD AND A 20 YEAR + CAR SALESMAN AND THAT HAPPENS TO BE A CERTIFIED TOYOTA CONSULTANT. MY BACKGROUND ALSO INCLUDES 5 YEARS AS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A DOMESTIC. THE 2007 PRIUS HAS AN AUTOMATIC CVVT TRANSMISSION WITH A TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE. PROBLEM: THE DANGER IS THE MOMENT TRACTION CONTROL IS TRIGGERED A LOST OF TRACTION BY A SIGNAL FROM THE WHEEL AREA IT "POWERS DOWN" THE ENGINE TO NO POWER FOR 1-2 SECONDS IT TAKES THE SYSTEM TO RECOVER. HITTING A MANHOLE COVER OR A POTHOLE GOING DOWN BROADWAY AT 30 MPG CAN SET IT OFF BUT THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION IS PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD. THE SECONDS IT TAKES TO RECOVER SEEMS A LOT LONGER WHEN YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC. THE SENSORS IN THE WHEEL AREAS THAT ACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE ARE SET UP TOO SENSITIVE. THE TOYOTA ADVISORS KNOW OF NO REPROGRAMMING FIX EITHER. TOYOTA OFFERS NO SHUT OFF FOR THIS FEATURE. IT IS HORRID TRYING TO GET UP THE SLIGHTEST SNOWY INCLINE. I'M NO ENGINEER BUT SUSPECT IT'S A FEATURE SELECTED BY TOYOTA TO PROTECT THE CVVT TRANSMISSION AGAINST THE ENORMOUS TORQUE PRODUCED BY THE HYBRID MOTOR'S ALMOST 300 FOOT LBS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU. THE TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISORS DID NOT NEED TO DRIVE IT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINT. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AT BOTH GROOVE TOYOTA ON S BROADWAY AND GO TOYOTA ON ARAPAHOE BOTH WERE VERY COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL. BOTH OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO FIX BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. I HAVE 39,500 MILES AND AM ON MY SECOND SET OF 4 TIRES. THE TWO ADVISORS I TALKED TO TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THAT TOYOTA'S SUGGEST TO KEEP NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. I FOUND IT STRANGE THAT BOTH SAID TO CALL TOYOTA BUT THAT I WON'T GET ANYWHERE. *TR

MY NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE DRIVE MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS ON AUGUST 30, 2007** **WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 PRIUS BEHIND A 16-WHEELER AND AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 60MPH, SUDDENLY MY PRIUS' ENGINE & MOTORS ROARED AND THE SPEED SURGED SO STRONGLY THAT IF I DIDN'T RIDE THE BRAKES, I SAW MYSELF RAMMING INTO THE BACK OF THE 16-WHEELER IN FRONT OF ME. ALSO AT THIS TIME, A CADILLAC SUV WAS FOLLOWING ME TO CLOSE ON THIS GEORGIA SECONDARY-HIGHWAY#121 WHEREBY I VISUALIZE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT ABOUT TO OCCUR. AFTER ABOUT A HALF-MILE RIDING THE BRAKES AND FEELING THE PULLING TORQUE OF THOSE POWERFUL ELECTRIC MOTORS ON THE FRONT WHEELS, I SAW MY CHANCE TO EXIT AHEAD WHERE TWO TRASH DUMPSTERS APPEARED. AS I STOPPED THE PRIUS, I NOTICE SMOKE COMING OVER THE HOOD. SO I JUMP OUT OF THE PRIUS. I SAW FLAMES ROUND THE FRONT WHEEL WELL THAT SOON FLAMED OUT. I CONTACTED AAA AUTO CLUB SOUTH AND HAD THE PRIUS TOWED 45 MILES BACK TO THE ANN TAYLOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE 2007 PRIUS. FIVE DAYS LATER, I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT A PIECE OF FLEXIBLE "CARPET MAT" SUDDENLY "RIGGED" ENOUGH IN ORDER TO BECOME WEDGED ONTO THE ACCELERATOR AND NO ADDITIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED. (INVOICE#TOCS368561 DATED 09/05/07) NOW IN DISBELIEF AND SCARED, I HAD MY 2007 PRIUS RE-INSPECTED AT PRECISION TUNE AUTO CARE (INVOICE#165110 DATED 09/06/07). THIS INSPECTED YIELDED EVIDENCE OF A PREVIOUS FIRE AND BURNED ROTORS! I CONTACTED BY PHONE TOYOTA CORP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND USAA AUTO INSURANCE. I CONTACTED A LEGAL ATTORNEY THAT ADVISED ME THAT MY CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRED HIRING A MECHANICAL ENGINEER TO DISPROVE TOYOTA'S ASSERTION OR DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE RUN-A-WAY ACCELERATION OCCURS AGAIN. AS OF THIS DATE, HAVING BEEN "STONEWALLED" THE PAST TWO YEARS, I WANT TO VERIFY THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS A RECORD OF MY INCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. I TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN THE HOUSE. WHEN I CAME OUT IT HAD GONE INTO MY GARAGE DOOR AND DAMAGED THE FRONT END AND THE GARAGE DOOR. OBVIOUSLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN. *TR

I HAVE A TOYOTA PRIUS 2007. I HAVE 2 SAFETY ISSUES THAT I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX SO THEY IGNORED MY CONCERNS AFTER REALIZING THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FIRST PROBLEM IS THE HEAD LIGHTS. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT SHINE ON THE ROAD BUT SHINE INTO THE TREES. THEY SAY THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENTS FOR IT. ALSO PEOPLE THINK I AM SHINING MY HIGH BEAMS AT THEM WHEN I AM NOT. THEY ARE JUST TOO HIGH....ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS DO NO ILLUMINATE THE SIDES OF THE CAR AND ROAD SO WHEN MAKING TURNS AT NIGHT YOU CANNOT SEE WHERE YOU ARE TURNING. I HAVE TO APPROACH TURNS VERY VERY SLOWLY BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE THE ROADS WHEN TURNING. EVERYONE THAT DRIVES MY CAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS NOTICEABLE PROBLEM HOWEVER TOYOTA WONT ADDRESS IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT. 2ND PROBLEM THEIR SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. WHETHER THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND OR NOT WHEN THE TIRES START TO SLIP THEY LOOSE ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS. I HAVE BEEN IN INTERSECTIONS WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED AND WAS ALMOST HIT. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE OVER THE STOP IN THE CAR WASH...SOMETIMES I AM UNABLE TO POWER OVER THE BUMP. I GET STUCK OFTEN. AGAIN TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR. NOT SOMETHING I WOULD EXPECT FROM A $24,000 CAR. OUR VALUES HAVE PLUMMETED AND THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR IT. *TR

I'VE COMPLAINED -- WITH NO RESPONSE OR HELP -- TO A TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT 2 CONCERNS I HAVE WITH MY 2007 PRIUS THAT I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED WERE MANUFACTURER/DESIGN DEFECTS: 1) THE BRAKES SKIP WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE, ESPECIALLY THE ONE I TRAVERSE EVERY WEEKDAY TURNING INTO MY WORKSITE. 2) DURING HARD ACCELERATION EARLY IN A DRIVE (THE UPHILL LEFT TURN LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD), THERE IS A HESITATION FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO -- LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO STALL AND DIE (IT HASN'T YET.) WHEN I 'FLOOR IT" TO MOVE INTO A HOLE IN TRAFFIC, I GET FULL POWER FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, FOLLOWED BY NO POWER FOR A SECOND AND THEN A RETURN OF POWER. IT'S AS IF I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, ONLY IT HASN'T MOVED. MY FEAR IS THAT SOME TIME THE DELAY WILL CAUSE ME TO GET HIT AND THAT SOME TIME THE ENGINE WILL JUST DIE. I'VE NOTICED THIS FROM WHEN THE CAR WAS WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OLD (I TOOK DELIVERY 4/30/07). STEVINSON TOYOTA (GOLDEN, CO) SAID THEY HADN'T HEARD OF SUCH COMPLAINTS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEMS AND DID NOTHING. *TR

SEVERAL NEAR MISS INCIDENTS DUE TO NO ACCELERATION ON SLIPPERY SURFACES - WHEELS DO NOT EVEN SPIN TO NO TRACTION IS EVEN POSSIBLE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC ON SNOWY DAYS. SIMPLY UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TOYOTA DEALER TELLS ME "THIS IS NORMAL." I AM 63 AND OF ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED, THIS PRIUS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I COULD BE DEAD, OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD BE DEAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE ELECTRONIC GEAR SHIFT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THEN INTO REVERSE AND HE HAD SHIFT INTO DRIVE. HE STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY HE DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE UNTIL HE WAS BACKING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MAY 22, 2008 TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. 19001 SOUTH WESTERN AVE. DEPT. WC11 TORRANCE, CA 90501 DEAR SIRS: I HAVE BEEN A LONG-TIME TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND LAST YEAR PURCHASED A 2007 PRIUS. I AM ALSO A SUBSCRIBER TO CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE. ALTHOUGH I AM DELIGHTED WITH THE COMFORT, HEADROOM, GAS MILEAGE, CONVENIENCE, QUIET AND APPEARANCE OF THE CAR, THERE IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I WAS INITIALLY RESEARCHING A NEW AUTOMOBILE, I DISMISSED SOME PEOPLES' REPORTS OF 'SUDDEN ACCELERATION' AS BEING INACCURATE. HOWEVER, IT IS REAL, AND I HAVE FIGURED OUT UNDER WHAT SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES IT OCCURS. AT THE END OF DECELERATION FOR A STOP LIGHT, STOP SIGN, OR JUST BEFORE A TURN, WHEN THE CAR IS TRAVELING 5-10 MPH, MORE COMMONLY ON A DOWNHILL INCLINE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS IRREGULAR OR BUMPY, MY PRIUS WILL TRANSITION FROM ELECTRIC TO GASOLINE POWER AND MAKE A SUDDEN FORWARD LUNGE FORWARD LASTING 1-2 SECONDS. ON MOST OCCASIONS, THE LUNGE IS MILD, REQUIRE A LITTLE EXTRA BRAKE PRESSURE. BUT SOME TIMES, THE LUNGE IS MORE SEVERE, REQUIRING FIRM BRAKE PRESSURE TO AVOID STRIKING THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF ME. I REPORTED THIS TO MY LOCAL DEALER, HUNTINGTON TOYOTA, IN HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK, AT MY LAST MAINTENANCE VISIT. THE TECHNICIAN WROTE THAT THE CAR WAS 'OPERATING NORMALLY,' ALTHOUGH I IMAGINE IT IS DIFFICULT TO TEST THESE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR REPLY AND INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. SINCERELY, PAUL L. KRAWITZ CC: NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CONSUMERS UNION. *TR

CAUSE: FLAT TIRE IN THE FRONT LEFT OR FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT LEFT DEMONSTRATING THE MOST SEVERE HAZARD FAILURE: THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGES REGULARLY DUE TO A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE SPARE AND NORMAL TIRE SIZE. TRACTION CONTROL CUTS POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS AND CANNOT BE OVERRIDDEN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED IN NON-DETERMINISTIC MANNER. VEHICLE IS NOT RESPONSIVE. CONDITION IS WORST DURING THE FIRST 40 MILES DRIVEN ON THE SPARE TIRE BUT CONSEQUENTLY IMPROVES DUE TO LEARNING INSIDE THE CAR COMPUTER. UNFORTUNATELY, VEHICLE IS MOST DANGEROUS WHEN THE DRIVER HAS THE LEAST CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION. CORRECTION: NONE, THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *TR