Transmission Slipping !

I am having the same problem--the car goes into neutral while I am driving and will not shift back into drive until I stop, which is not real convenient on the freeway. I am looking for others that have this problem as when I took the car to be serviced they told me it was not possible for the car to move from "drive" to "Neutral" while the car was in motion----but it does!!!!!

We have just started having a similar problem.

We live up a 3,000 foot mountain and the Prius has always been fine... getting a bit louder as the lawnmover engine stretches its legs, but still able to go at 55 uphill.

Recently, we have had the battery meter go down to 1 (purple) bar fairly early on in the climb and then it does not seem to recharge at all even in periodic dips and the engine revs without any extra power actually hitting the wheels. No warning lights at all. We can maybe make 45mph if we are lucky. It sounds and feels like the clutch is slipping and I suppose it is possible if the CVT belt is loose or summat.

Did you ever get this resolved and how much was it ?

I have a 2005 Prius with 127K miles on it. I live in an area where there are no hills. At speeds from 40-60 MPH the car lacks accelleration and acts like a slipping transmission, especially in the upper gears. I do not have any wanring lights, but the car does beep one as it powers down. Haven't taken it to the dealer yet, but will soon. The problem is getting worse by the day.

I located a site showing a disassembled Prius engine. It shows it having a clutch and pressure plate. I'm not able to find any other references to these parts on other sites. While, if really part of the Prius drivetrain this would explain the slipping, I cannot confim these parts are in a Prius. Here is the site I'm referencing: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/29957-1g-p...

I have a 2008 Pruis and the car has slipped into neutral at least 5 times in the course of 2 years. The first time this happened I was at a drive up window and place the car in park. When I attempted to drive away, the car would only go into neutral and reverse, I had to drive the car home manually holding the shift in drive. The next time I realised I could drive in low gear, but could not place the car in park or drive. I tried turning the car off, locking it , leaving it, and then restarting, but the car would still not stay in drive.

Last weekend I was at the Orlando Airport, drove up to the pay window, and had to put my car in park to pay, and it happened again. It took 20 minutes to finally get the car to go into park. Once it went into park I knew it would stay in drive.

I am heading to the Toyota Service place this week. They say they never heard of a car slipping into neutral and staying that way, but it's happened to me.

I own a 2001 Prius. It would not start one day after an oil change. Towed to Toyota where they told us we needed to replace main battery at a cost of 3000 dollars. . Three weeks later warning light comes on, towed to station again. Today we were told due to stress on car when battery was losing power from incident 3 weeks earlier (we had no warning lights or anythign until car died) that it now has ruined the transaxel (equivalent of transmission ) and that it will cost 6000 dollars. Ths is crazy. They gave the car a once over when they replaced battery and no error codes for this new problem were there and now all of a sudden we have to spent 6000 dollars. Car has only 115K on it. ANy one else ever heard of this. Help me what is my recourse. I am one nad only onwner and am not mechanically savvy and can not afford to pay any more.

Wow, this "slipping" thing just started tonight on my car. Frankly, I'm pretty sick of the quality of service I've been receiving from my dealer in Phoenix and I'm sick of this car. I'm already peeved as the dealer recently did the serpentine and ever since the car has been a bit rough especially when the AC kicks on. Not to mention they checked my alignment and neglected to put the steering wheel back on straight. I don't drive much, so it has taken me some time to notice these things. Only thing I am kicking myself on is they suggested I change tranny fluid at last service, but I pressed them and they said it was just starting to show signs of wear. I was so done, after they nickled and dimed me for a bunch of other crap (new throttle, and something else). After that service, car had a clean bill of health ... and then three days later was dead in my garage because the 12-volt was dead ... again. Back to dealer, more money down the hole for a job that on any other car is DIY.

This was breakdown two mind you, the first I had warranty work after the hybrid water pump died leaving me broke down in the middle of nowhere on the freeway. That was only about 3000 miles ago. My car is a 2005 and only has about 46500 miles on it. I'm pretty much ready to sell it.

I just bought my 2004 prius 4 months ago with 80,000 miles. It now has 100,000 miles. I love the car, but, from the beginning, it had this transmission slipping issue. It always goes back to normal when I stop the climbing or hard acceleration. It seems to be getting slightly worse with time.

I own a 2007 Prius that had to be towed to dealer this past weekend. Caution lights came and warning for hybrid system. Called dealership who advised me to have it towed to them. For the first two days could not figure out the problem. Just got a call today that the transmission had to be replaced and that it would cost 5-6000 $'s will not be ready for a week. I have approx 85K on car. Thank God my warranty covers the cost. What a heartache-I pray this is not the beginning of malfunctions!!!! It is crazy and I feel for you if I didn't have warranty I would be without my car.

I am in - I was disgusted when I got the call from my dealer that I needed a new transmission that costs 5000?!! Thankfully it is covered under warranty. I only have 85k on 2007 Prius, - I travel extensively and safety is critical. My car just started flashing caution-I couldn't drive had to have it towed. The reason for me purchasing the Prius was to save me $'s.

Hi Robin, I have a 2007 prius. I drove 84,000 miles in 4 and half years. I faced the same problem yesterday and dropped the car at the dealer. I am waiting for an answer from the dealer. The car automatically goes into "Neutral". I can't pree the "P" parking button. It doesn't work. The radio doesn't work. I had to hold the gear rod in "drive" mode manually and drive.

Silva it should be covered by warranty.

HI Siva, Did you get you car fixed under warranty? I have same problem, its 2007 and 96K miles.
Please help

I think I've got you all beat. I picked up my 2011 Prius on Tuesday, October 4,2011. On Wednesday the car slipped into neutral while I was going 50 mph. Th 2011 has a warning light and loud buzzer that goes off. I pulled over on a very short shoulder (could have gotten into an accident) turned off the car and restarted it. The next day it slipped into neutral again. On Friday it slipped into neutral 3 times on one trip (the first time at only 27 mph)On Saturday I brought into service. And they tell me they NEVER heard of this problem. They drive it and do a computer check(they claimed if it happened it would be on the computer.)They wanted me to take the car home.I need to go on a 560 mile trip on Monday- I asked them to keep the car and give me a loner. Service person said we could do it IF we found something wrong with your car.

I have a 2008 Prius that is having the slipping problem mentioned above. It does not slip out of gear like of the other posts, but if the car is put under a load, the engine races and the power is NOT delivered to the drive train (feels like a slipping clutch/transmission). Has anyone found the solution to this problem? The dealer (like the posts above) says that there are no errors being picked up by the computer, therefore, there isn't a problem with the car. GRRRRR Please help!

Cool! I love your site. Very well done. Thanks for organizing everything to where I can find it easier. Keep up the good work! I love it! Regards Robert Michael Sofa

In my comment/inquiry a few minutes ago "your experience" referred to the postings of TAS, whose $5000+ transmission replacement was apparently covered by Toyota, whereas I'm being told that mine is not - so far.

I have pruis 2007 I have same problem the gear slips to neutral now ihave to hold to drive check if there is some thing under the knob. I found small wire and ittook out now is ok idon,t know if it will came backA