Engine, airbag, and shattering glass issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
If there’s one car that signifies the green car movement, it has to be the 2022 Toyota Prius. The automaker claims that “Sometimes, compromising isn’t necessary.” While everyone wishes that was true, owners of the new Prius are complaining about a myriad of problems that relate to everything from the window glass to the engine.
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The problems that owners of the 2022 Toyota Prius are complaining about are widespread. They relate to various components and systems. These include the airbags, electrical system, engine and engine cooling, the hybrid propulsions system, interior lighting, powertrain, brakes, tires, and visibility problems.
In addition to specific complaints that have been lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is a recall that warns that the engine control unit may cause a loss of drive power. This affects both the engine and hybrid propulsion system.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Air Bags | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Engine | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
The 2022 Prius had barely made it off the production line when there were already massive engine issues.
Car and Driver states, “The powertrain musters a measly 121 horsepower, which amounts to lazy acceleration. And while the Prius Eco model boasts an EPA combined rating of 56 mpg, the Hyundai Ioniq Blue outperforms it, achieving 59 mpg.”
One would hope that a vehicle that hasn’t been changed in a long time would be built perfectly, but this engine still needs a lot of work. But by September 2021, there was already a recall. NHTSA Campaign Number 21V734000 says that the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can detect an error when there isn’t one. If this happens the hybrid car can shut down, even in the middle of the road. To repair the problem, the ECU must be updated by the dealership.
It’s not clear how long it took the automaker to ensure that the repair parts for the recall were available. But in October 2021, an owner from California complained to the NHTSA that they weren’t available.
An owner from New Jersey also found their 2022 Prius was part of the recall. The dealer first said they “had a fix,” then said there was a mistake, and that the fix wasn’t available. “When I called Toyota corporate, they could not tell me when the fix would be available. I have not been driving my car and I have been shocked that no one at Toyota seems to be able to tell me anything.”
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By mid-September 2023 there was just one complaint about airbags, but it was serious. When an owner from Alaska crashed, the airbags didn’t deploy on the front or side of the 2022 Prius. Adding to the serious risk factor, the “vehicle-equipped and activated SOS system did not work.” The traumatized owner states that the “vehicle was a total loss and I nearly died in the process.”
There are many anecdotal, but not-so-funny stories about glass that shatters in vehicles. These relate to windshields, sunroofs, and other nebulous windows. But even when the scenario might seem funny to some, when it happens to you, it can be traumatic.
An owner in Georgia was driving at 60 mph on a highway when the driver’s side window spontaneously shattered. It “covered the driver, drive seat and floor, leaving only about 10 square inches that fell secondarily. There was no projectile that penetrated into the car at all, and no glass was projected over to the passenger side as would be indicated if there had been a projectile.” In other words, it was a random incident that was very frightening.
When an owner from Alabama started up the Prius, after just a minute, the windshield cracked. He had been sitting in the vehicle with the front defrost turned on a medium fan at a 75-degree setting. “After a few minutes, while still in park, I heard the windshield crack and noticed that a 12-18 inch crack appeared from the bottom middle part of the windshield.”
If you think that you might have bought a lemon, you are welcome to contact the lemon lawyers at Lemberg Law. We will assess your problems free of charge and advise whether we think you have a case.
Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of lemon owners. And, the law says that they must pay the legal fees. So, if you have a lemon-type problem, phone or Helpline or fill out a contact form.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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