Consumer Complaint Detail

TOYOTA / PRIUS / 2005

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 005024863 Incident Date: Jun, 05 2005
Consumer's City: HUNTSVILLE Consumer's State: AL
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Model Name: PRIUS Model Year: 2005
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:engine
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Jun, 16 2005 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Oct, 19 2004
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 4 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: I have a 2005 toyota prius, purchased new in oct 2004. i was driving on i-57 in illinois at 65 mph. temperature outside was 91f. low fuel warning signal began to flash. since i planned to gas up about 25 miles away, i continued driving. should have had approximately 2 gallons of fuel left. about 5 minutes later at 65 mph, the engine suddenly stopped running. the "red triangle of death" and the yellow "check engine" warning lights came on. realized that the electric motor drive system was still working. noticed that i was approximately 1.5 miles from an exit. slowed to about 45 mph and continued to drive using the prius' batteries and electric motors. pulled into a shell station and turned the car off. began to refuel. after about 4 gallons, the pump clicked off. tried again - it clicked off. tried again and was able to refuel normally. in all, i added 9.767 gallons. if the car has 11.9 gallon tank, there should have been 2.1 gallons left when the engine shut off. upon restart, same engine warning lights were on, but within a few seconds they went off. digital fuel gauge increased, one block at a time, until it indicated full. car seemed to be operating normally. resumed 65 mph. car has continued to operate normally since. the shutting off of the engine was abrupt and would have been a safety problem had someone been following me too closely, or if i had needed full power to avoid traffic or an obstacle. had read about this happening to other prius owners and that some had reported not being able to restart the car. for that reason, i chose not to pull off on the shoulder and stop the car (for fear that i would not be able to restart it), and was fortunate to be able to drive with the electric motors to a nearby exit. have not yet taken the car to the dealer to have the problem corrected. have not had any parts replaced or software upgraded. would appreciate any advice or service information you may know of.