I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I RUN OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, THE CAR SEEMS TO ACCELERATE OR JOLT FORWARD. IT HAPPENS WHILE I BRAKE TO A STOP SIGN AND RUN OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE LETTING GO OF THE GAS PEDAL BUT NOT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. USUALLY WHEN THIS OCCURS THE LIGHT FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AS IF IT DETECTS A SKID, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO SKID. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE VERY HARD IN ORDER TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE CAR. I TEND TO LEAVE EXTRA ROOM IN FRONT OF ME JUST IN CASE THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION. *CN
2003
STEERING
2003 TOYOTA PRIUS STEERING FAILURE - WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN LOS ANGELES, TURNING LEFT AT A STOP SIGN THE STEERING SYSTEM LOCKED. I RESET THE CAR AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL UNTIL PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THEN PULLING FORWARD AGAIN. THE CAR THEN CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY LOCK IN THE LEFT TURN POSITION AND YOU MUST USE FORCE TO TRY TO CENTER AND STEER AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM HAS FAILED $3500.00 TO REPAIR. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE STEERING CAN BE REPAIRED, I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR BUT DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER PUT MY FAMILY IN IT AGAIN. THE STEERING FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAD NO WARNING. *TR