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2012 Toyota Prius V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius V years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Prius V are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

134 reports with mileage · 82 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

216 reports
40,251 miles · Apr 3, 2015
Service Brakes

TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 40,251. WAS TOLD BRAKE PADS ARE AT 1MM FOR BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS, AND THAT ROTORS WERE RUSTED. TOLD FOR SAFETY IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION THAT BRAKES WERE FAULTY. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO NOISE, NO CHANGE IN BRAKING SENSATION. PRIOR SERVICE AT 35,397 INDICATES BRAKES I…

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TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 40,251. WAS TOLD BRAKE PADS ARE AT 1MM FOR BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS, AND THAT ROTORS WERE RUSTED. TOLD FOR SAFETY IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION THAT BRAKES WERE FAULTY. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO NOISE, NO CHANGE IN BRAKING SENSATION. PRIOR SERVICE AT 35,397 INDICATES BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION WITH BOTH REAR PADS AT 7MM. ALSO, NO MENTION OF ROTOR RUST. SERVICE DONE AT 30,109 ALSO INDICATES BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION WITH REAR PADS AT 7MM. MULTIPOINT INSPECTION PAPER FOR 40K SERVICE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO BILL. REQUESTED INSPECTION PAPER FOR 40,251 SERVICE, AND ALL OTHER INSPECTION PAPERS. CAR WAS BOUGHT AT WARREN OHIO TOYOTA, AND WAS ALWAYS TAKEN THERE FOR SERVICE. WAS TOLD NO INSPECTION PAPERS ARE KEPT LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS, AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CARS PREVIOUS INSPECTIONS RESULTS. THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION PAPER WAS MAILED TO ME. IT INDICATES THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 0MM AND 1MM. A 0MM PAD. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT OCCURRED DURING DRIVING TO INDICATE THE PAD WAS DOWN TO METAL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARREN OHIO TOYOTA GENERAL MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER WITH MY CONCERNS OVER THIS RAPID DECLINE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING. MOST OF THE DRIVING I DO WEEKLY IS HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OR SERVICE MANGER DESPITE REPEATED CALLS AND EMAILS. THIS RAPID DECLINE IN MY BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. EITHER MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS A FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM, OR THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND TOYOTA OF WARREN OHIO LIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703539

4,500 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes

I OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE BRAND NEW. IT HAD HAPPENED MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN SURFACES, WITH THE SAME PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BREAK, THE 2012 PRIVUS FAILED TO STOP AND LURCHED SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING. WE HAD AN INCIDENT THAT WE ALMOST RAN INTO PEDESTRIAN YESTERDAY WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS.…

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I OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE BRAND NEW. IT HAD HAPPENED MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN SURFACES, WITH THE SAME PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BREAK, THE 2012 PRIVUS FAILED TO STOP AND LURCHED SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING. WE HAD AN INCIDENT THAT WE ALMOST RAN INTO PEDESTRIAN YESTERDAY WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNED TO MY FAMILY. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICAL BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE WE PURCHSED IT.(EXPRESSWAY DORCHESTER TOYOTA IN MASSCHUSETTES) THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCED AT THE DEALSHIP. THE SERVICE OF MANAGER CLAIMED THIS IS WORKING AS DESIGNED FROM THE (TRACKING CONTROL). I FEEL THIS IS A FALSE STATEMENT, THIS DOES NOT HAPPENED TO MY OTHER CARS THAT HAS TRACTION CONTROL. TOYOTA SHOULD REALLY STARTING FIXING IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663065

15,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Service Brakes

THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT OCCUR WITH MY BRAKES. ONE IS A CONSISTENT AND VERY LOUD GROAN WITH BRAKING AFTER ANY LENGTH OF TIME SITTING IDLE. THE OTHER IS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND I MAY BE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR A POT HOLE OR ROCKS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD QUICKLY AS IF I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF BREAKING. ALMOST LIKE HYDROP…

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THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT OCCUR WITH MY BRAKES. ONE IS A CONSISTENT AND VERY LOUD GROAN WITH BRAKING AFTER ANY LENGTH OF TIME SITTING IDLE. THE OTHER IS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND I MAY BE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR A POT HOLE OR ROCKS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD QUICKLY AS IF I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF BREAKING. ALMOST LIKE HYDROPLANING WITHOUT WATER PRESENT. I HAVE TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEAL CONSISTENTLY SINCE THE NOISE BEGAN AND YET TO HAVE A FIX FOR IT. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HOWEVER I SPECIFICALLY HAD SOMEONE SIT IN MY CAR TO HEAR THE GROAN BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. THEY HEARD THE NOISE AND AGAIN COULD DO NOTHING TO MAKE IT STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659869

47,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
SteeringUnknown Or Other

I FELT A LOOSE NOISE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE WHERE I HAD BOUGHT IT AND THEY CERTIFIED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT @ 47,000 MILES. PRIUS MODELS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS NOT SOLVED, YET THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DEFECT AND NO OTHER RECALL HAS BEE…

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I FELT A LOOSE NOISE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE WHERE I HAD BOUGHT IT AND THEY CERTIFIED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT @ 47,000 MILES. PRIUS MODELS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS NOT SOLVED, YET THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DEFECT AND NO OTHER RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS AROUND 500.00 I HAVE HAD ABOUT TEN CARS IN MY LIFE AND IN NONE HAVE I EVER HAD THE WORRY OR NOT EVEN THE SOUND OF A LOOSE STEERING SHAFT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL... AND I HAVE A FAMILY OF 5.

NHTSA ODI #10654416

40,000 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Steering

THE STEERING COLUMN WAS A BIT LOOSE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A RENTAL OFFICE AT I 95 TOYOTA BRUNSWICK GEORGIA IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AT 130000MILES ABOUT 90% HIGHWAY THEY TELL ME IT WILL COST $1100 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643068

1,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Service Brakes

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR POTHOLE THE CARS SPEEDS FORWARD FOR A FEW FEET. IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES RELEASE CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS VERY DISCOMFORTING. SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THOUGH I FEAR THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD TO STOP SUDDE…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR POTHOLE THE CARS SPEEDS FORWARD FOR A FEW FEET. IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES RELEASE CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS VERY DISCOMFORTING. SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THOUGH I FEAR THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640938

22,961 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Service Brakes

I STATED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE24,2013 THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT RUNAWAY WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THEY ROAD TESTED MY CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE ANY ABNORMAL ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING. THEY VISUALLY INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE AND J…

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I STATED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE24,2013 THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT RUNAWAY WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THEY ROAD TESTED MY CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE ANY ABNORMAL ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING. THEY VISUALLY INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE AND JUT FORWARD EITHER ALMOST PASSING A RED LIGHT OR ALMOST HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS COMPLAINT SOONER,BUT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE. I JUST HAPPEN TO SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2012 PRIUS V. THIS SCARY DANGEROUS SITUATION STILL CONTINUES TILL THIS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604558

38,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, ROCK OR UNEVEN ROAD WHILE DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU SKIP A STEP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE DECEMBER 2012 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH TIMES THAT I DO NOT THINK ITS FORTUITOUS. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION MAKES THE CAR TRAVEL A COUPLE OF FEET. UPDATED 12/…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, ROCK OR UNEVEN ROAD WHILE DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU SKIP A STEP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE DECEMBER 2012 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH TIMES THAT I DO NOT THINK ITS FORTUITOUS. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION MAKES THE CAR TRAVEL A COUPLE OF FEET. UPDATED 12/5/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592592

13,252 miles · Apr 14, 2014
StructureWheelsCrashInjury

I WAS COMPLETING PARKING THE CAR IN A HEAD-IN PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CAR JUMPED A CONCRETE SIDEWALK, CROSSED THE 6-8 FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK, AND CRASHED INTO A METAL SECURITY FENCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579530

30,150 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

DRIVER IN A 2005 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME. MY PRIUS V HIT THE FORD FOCUS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CORNER. MY PRIUS WAS DAMAGED IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT. THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE IS LESS THAT 40 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT. I BELIEVE I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH BEFORE I HIT THE BRAKES HAD ABOUT 25 FEET TO STOP. …

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DRIVER IN A 2005 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME. MY PRIUS V HIT THE FORD FOCUS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CORNER. MY PRIUS WAS DAMAGED IN THE CENTER OF THE FRONT. THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE IS LESS THAT 40 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT. I BELIEVE I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH BEFORE I HIT THE BRAKES HAD ABOUT 25 FEET TO STOP. WHEN WE HIT THE FORD IT WAS LIKE HITTING A BRICK WALL, MY PRIUS POPPED UP OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY WIFE, THE PASSENGER IN MY PRIUS FRACTURED HER STERNUM DUE TO THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT. UPDATED 06/06/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10578327

Official recalls

3

18V684000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Oct 4, 2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.

15V449000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Jul 15, 2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 16, 2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP23005 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Nov 22, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.