NHTSA Complaint #10127229 — 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE LOW-FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES LATER, STILL DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. "CONSUMPTION" WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN RED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE IN ELECTRIC MODE AT 52 MPH FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. AFTER 5 MINUTES, I HIT THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THEN AGAIN TO TURN ON THE CAR. THE ENGINE STARTED AND WE DROVE TO THE NEXT GAS STATION, 4 MILES AWAY. TOYOTA (1-800-331-4331) SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND TOYOTA HAS NOT ADVISED THEM ON A REMEDY. DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH THIS AGENCY'S NAME (NHTSA). I LEFT A MESSAGE WITH "THE PRIUS TEAM" AT TOYOTA 3 DAYS AGO AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALL.