The Fuel savings from owning a Prius are soon overshadowed by the
costs involved in maintenance: alignments up to twice or more a year,
replacing "special" tires that cost $150 each up to every 7,000 miles,
power and fuel economy "mystery" drops, software crashes that leave
you in a coffin driving 65 on a freeway. Toyota needs a big boot up
their rear for this lemon. Let us all sue the bastards for allowing
this known defect to continue to roll.
http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyCommentsMMY.jsp
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/firestone_prius.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_prius_tires.html
Janet of Sarasota FL (11/24/04):
After less than two years and 16,000 miles my front tires are falling
apart on my 2002 Toyota Prius and back tires practically threadbare.
Neither the car dealer nor the Bridgestone dealer is willing to give
any compensation for tire replacement. I have photos of the tires and
had my husband not looked at them recently I could have had a major
accident on I-75 from a blowout. The manufacturer and Toyota both knew
about this problem and they now use different tires on the 2004 Prius.
Toyota Prius
• Availability
• Battery
• Fuel Gauge
• Insurance Costs
• Service Delays
• Tires
• Transmission
• Happy Hybrid Owners
---
News
• Prius Tops Consumer Satisfaction Survey
• Hybrids Don't Always Deliver the Expected Fuel Economy
It is costing me over $400 to replace the tires and have car aligned
so the savings in the gasoline was moot. They should have had a recall
on them before someone is maimed or killed.
Howard of Inver Grove Heights MN (11/12/04):
I have a 2002 Toyota Prius. It came with Bridgestone 175/65-14
Protenza tires. At about 24,000 miles the right front blew out at
highway speed. I was able to pull to the side of the road without
incident and change the tire. Upon examination I discovered that the
sidewall at its junction with the tread had separated with about a 4"
tear. The tire was evenly worn. I purchased a repacement tire from
Bridgestone but they would give only a $10 discount on a new tire.
Several weeks later I noticed that a tire appeared to be
underinflated. Upon examination I discovered that this tire had the
same defect as the one stated above but the tear was only abount 1
inch. I replaced this tire also. The Prius went in for scheduled
maintenance about a week later and they found yet another tire with
the same defect. (I cannot totally fault the manufacture here as this
tire did show a wear pattern indicative of underinflation) I have
replaced all tires with another brand. I will neither buy new tires
nor purchase a new vehicle with Bridgestone/Firestone tires on it.
Andrea of Plano TX (7/8/03):
My complaints are numerous (2001 Toyota Prius):
1. Front end alignment -- cause unknown. Several alignments, still
doesn't track well.
2. Gas tank problems -- went from 45.0mg to 29.5 mpg - took several
trips to get the problem "solved" -- not sure that it is totally
solved. Consumption screen is screwy and so is the gas gauge. Also
told car loses gas mileage as they get older -- car was only a year or
so old and a Prius doesn't use gas when stopped.
3. Rack and pinion steering -- several trips to service before they
agreed there's a problem and fixed it.
4. 3rd set of tires -- 18,000, 36,000 and about 45,000 miles
5. Accelerator assembly quit in rush hour traffic -- fixed, took two
trips. There's still a noticeable drop in power, almost daily.
Most problems "fixed" but I don't trust this car nor do I trust Toyota
of Richardson Tex to fix my car. The second trip for the accelerator I
was told there was nothing wrong with the car, but the "sticky" place
disappeared after second trip. They didn't want to admit they were
wrong.
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