A new issue is affecting late model Toyota Prius models.
Toyota isn't releasing many details, but after our call they said they would issue a service bulletin to every dealer.
Prius owner Linette Dyal worries her hybrid could pose a danger to her health. The day Linette drove off the lot with her new 2013 Prius she noticed what looked like a fingerprint on the inside of the instrument panel.
But then the spot grew and grew. Convinced it was mold, Dyal refused to keep the car. Toyota replaced it with another new 2013 Prius. This consumer could not believe what happened next. Months later the same spot appeared in the instrument panel of her new car.
"Toyota's quality division is aware of this phenomenon," a Toyota spokesperson said. "It is not caused by mold, but rather fogging of the lens over the combination meter, a condition related to temperature and humidity.”
Toyota replaced a part in the instrument panel of Dyal’s second Prius weeks ago. The strange spots might be gone but her safety concerns remain.
The issue is repairable under warranty.
Toyota says it is in the process of distributing the service bulletin to dealers regarding replacement parts and the repair method.
If this is happening to your Toyota, we'd like to hear from you
http://www.abcactionnews.com/money/consumer/taking-action-for-you/the-toyota-prius-came-with-a-problem-toyota-says-it-is-not-a-safety-issue-not-every-driver-agrees
There's more:
Toyota Prius
Maintenance costs may outstrip fuel savings
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_prius.html?page=2
2010 Prius IV Fogged up instrument cluster in dash
http://priuschat.com/threads/2010-prius-iv-fogged-up-instrument-cluster-in-dash.150382/