NHTSA Complaint #10230515 — 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NOT FILL TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS FAILURE THAT OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TEMPERATURES. THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE FUEL GAUGE DEVICE. THE INACCURATE READINGS OF THE FUEL GAUGE CAUSES DISCOMFORT WHEN DRIVING. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY CONSUME 6-7 GALLONS OF GASOLINE, EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY WAS 11.9 GALLONS. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE FUEL TANK CANNOT BE REPLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REDESIGNED. THE CONTACT RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE BLADDER SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB