NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Electric complaints
45 reportsClear category filter4,860 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricSteering
IN 10/06, I HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE BRAKES AND STEERING OF MY 2006 PRIUS CEASED TO FUNCTION BRIEFLY, AS I TRIED TO BRAKE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY TOYOTA DEALER SHORTLY AFTER -- THEY CHECKED IT BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. THE DAY IN QUESTION WAS DRIZZLY AND THE ROADS WET. IT WAS DAYTIME, AND…
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IN 10/06, I HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE BRAKES AND STEERING OF MY 2006 PRIUS CEASED TO FUNCTION BRIEFLY, AS I TRIED TO BRAKE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY TOYOTA DEALER SHORTLY AFTER -- THEY CHECKED IT BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG, SO NOTHING WAS DONE. THE DAY IN QUESTION WAS DRIZZLY AND THE ROADS WET. IT WAS DAYTIME, AND I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN BOSTON, APPROACHING THE FOREST HILLS INTERSECTION. THERE WERE TROLLEY TRACKS IN THE ROAD (SINCE REMOVED), WHICH I TRY TO AVOID, SINCE I KNOW THEY CAN BE SLIPPERY. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, GOING ABOUT 20 MPH, I PUT MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION OR FROZE UP, SO THAT I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR OR KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THUS THE CAR KEPT GOING, VEERING TO THE RIGHT, WITH ONE WHEEL BANGING INTO AND UP ONTO A CURB, BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. THE WHOLE THING TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SAT THERE IN DISBELIEF, SINCE I'D EXPERIENCED NOTHING LIKE THIS IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS CLOSE BY, SO I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND I HAD BEEN GOING SLOW ENOUGH SO THAT NEITHER I NOR MY TWO BOYS WERE HURT. I HAVE COME TO KNOW THE CAR BETTER, AND HAVE LEARNED THAT OFTEN WHEN THE ROAD IS SLIPPERY OR ROUGH, YELLOW WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH, AND THE BRAKES WILL SEEM BRIEFLY LESS CRISP. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WET CONDITIONS AND THE TROLLEY TRACKS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT CONTRIBUTED TO WHAT HAPPENED. HOWEVER, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCE OF THE 2006 INCIDENT. I'M NOT A CAR EXPERT, BUT IT FELT TO ME LIKE THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC SYSTEM HAD SEIZED UP, NOT LIKE THERE WAS SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM. IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A BRIEF BUT COMPLETE SEVERING OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MY ACTIONS WITH MY FEET AND HANDS AND HOW THE CAR BEHAVED. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305933
5,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
THE PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE 06. IF I AM ON A WET ROAD OR A GRAVEL ROAD, IT SEEMS THAT WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKES, THEY NOT ONLY FAIL BUT THE CAR LURCHES. WHEN THIS OCCURS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD GOES OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER ABOUT IT 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS TOLD IT…
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THE PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN LATE 06. IF I AM ON A WET ROAD OR A GRAVEL ROAD, IT SEEMS THAT WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKES, THEY NOT ONLY FAIL BUT THE CAR LURCHES. WHEN THIS OCCURS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD GOES OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER ABOUT IT 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A BRAKE FAILURE BUT WAS JUST THE WAY THE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BRAKES WORKED AND THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. I WAS INVOLVED IN A 6 CAR PILEUP ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO, IN WHICH I WAS THE 2ND CAR IN LINE. THE LIGHT WENT OFF DURING THE ACCIDENT ITSELF AND I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKING MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE WRECK, NOW THAT I AM AWARE OF ALL OF THIS. IT FELT ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME. I JUST ASSUMED THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PUSHING ME FORWARD, BUT NO AT FAULT PARTY COULD EVER BE DETERMINED. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN TODAY ASKING (SINCE MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) IF THIS COULD BE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS NOW ACKNOWLEDGED AND WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL A RECALL OCCURRED, TOYOTA CORPORATE HAD NOT INFORMED THEM OF A FIX SO NOTHING COULD OR WOULD BE DONE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE, AS I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE I AM PAYING A LOT (FOR MY INCOME ANYWAY) AND IT IS SO UNSAFE. I CARRY MY NEWBORN AROUND IN THIS THING! NOT ONLY ARE THE BRAKES A CONCERN TO ME BUT THE PRIUS IS ALSO PART OF THE FLOORMAT RECALL SO YOU COUPLE THE TWO ISSUES WITH BRAKE AND ACCELERATION AND YOU ARE ASKING FOR EXTREME RISK WHEN DRIVING. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE CAR I AM PAYING SO MUCH FOR IS SO RISKY TO DRIVE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THE CAR AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305932
14,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricInjury
I AM CONTACTING YOU TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IN MY 2006 PRIUS ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. I DROVE HOME AND STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX TO GET THE MAIL. THE CAR SHIFTED OFF OF GAS AND ONTO ELECTRIC. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 MILES PER HOUR TO MAKE A Y-TURN TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE THE CAR T…
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I AM CONTACTING YOU TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IN MY 2006 PRIUS ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007. I DROVE HOME AND STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX TO GET THE MAIL. THE CAR SHIFTED OFF OF GAS AND ONTO ELECTRIC. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 MILES PER HOUR TO MAKE A Y-TURN TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE THE CAR THRUSTED FORWARD WHILE ON ELECTRIC WITH GREAT FORCE THROUGH THE NEIGHBOR'S SIX FOOT WOODEN FENCE WHERE THE CAR STOPPED (I DON'T KNOW IF IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN OR GOT HUNG UP IN FENCE AND ALSO STUCK FROM HILL DECLINE.) I NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO TRY PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE A SECOND TIME DUE TO THE FACT IT HAPPENED THAT FAST AND FORCE FULL. THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON ELECTRIC AND BARELY MOVING. MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK AND THE MAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE MAT AND ACTUALLY KICKED AT THE MAT TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AND IT DID NOT. OUR MAT WAS NOT EVEN UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE MY HIGH HEELS MADE THE GAS PEDAL STICK. I DO NOT WEAR HIGH HEELS AND MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT THRUSTED FORWARD WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT YOU HAVE MORE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION OF SOME TYPE. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO SENT A REPRESENTATIVE WHO CHECKED OUR CAR OUT WHILE AT THE BODY SHOP AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID HE WAS IN THE CAR FOR OVER AN HOUR THE COMPUTER APPEARED TO BE CLEARED. TOYOTA TOLD US THERE WAS NO PROBLEM? WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN FIGURE THIS OUT AND REASSURE US THAT OUR VEHICLE IS SAFE. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AT HOME DUE TO THE FACT THE DAY THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE I WAS AT A LOCAL COLLEGE CAMPUS AND COULD OF RUN OVER A GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS. SOMEONE COULD OF BEEN INJURED OR KILLED THAT DAY! IT SCARES ME THAT MY CAR MIGHT DO THIS AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305812
55,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricCrash
1) TOYOTA PRIUS, 15MPH, ENGAGED BRAKES, HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AND ANTI-LOCKING MECHANISM DISENGAGED BRAKES. 2) FAILURE IS BRAKING MECHANISM IN TOYOTA PRIUS WILL DISENGAGE. SEEMS TO BE DUE TO HOW THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM WORKS. IT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO QUIT FUNCTIONING. 3) NOTHING. TOYOTA WOULD NOT ADMIT TO ISSUE WITH BRAKING. O…
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1) TOYOTA PRIUS, 15MPH, ENGAGED BRAKES, HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD AND ANTI-LOCKING MECHANISM DISENGAGED BRAKES. 2) FAILURE IS BRAKING MECHANISM IN TOYOTA PRIUS WILL DISENGAGE. SEEMS TO BE DUE TO HOW THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM WORKS. IT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO QUIT FUNCTIONING. 3) NOTHING. TOYOTA WOULD NOT ADMIT TO ISSUE WITH BRAKING. ON 02/03/2010 TOYOTA ADMITTED TO BRAKE ISSUES WITH TOYOTA PRIUS FROM MY YEAR. THIS IS THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305502
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricCrashInjury
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE, MY CAR SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL CAUSING OVER $8,000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND HURTING MY NECK. A FEW MONTHS AGO, I GOT A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS THE PROBLEM, SO I REMOVED THE MAT. HOWEVER, LAST WEEK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO…
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WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE, MY CAR SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL CAUSING OVER $8,000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND HURTING MY NECK. A FEW MONTHS AGO, I GOT A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS THE PROBLEM, SO I REMOVED THE MAT. HOWEVER, LAST WEEK WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS GOING SLOW AND PUSHED ON THE BRAKE HARD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE I HIT ANYTHING. THE CAR ACTUALLY FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS ACCELERATING. ALSO, ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THE PRIUS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I INFORMED THE TOYOTA DEALER AT 5727 S 27TH ST. MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN, THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SKIDDING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD. THE SKID LIGHT IN THE DASH ACTUALLY COMES ON. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM SO THEY DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING OCCURRENCE. I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT YET FROM THIS PROBLEM BUT I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS ALSO SINCE I SEE THAT THEY ARE SAYING THAT ONLY THE 2010 PRIUSES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305350
6,500 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
BRAKE FAILURE IN PRIUS 2006 MODEL. CAR DID NOT STOP NEAR A SIGNAL LIGHT, AND WOULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR INFRONT OF MINE. FINALLY ENDED UP DRIVING INTO ANOTHER LANE FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION TRAFFIC. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT CAR DID NOT STOP FOR 15 FT NEAR A STOP SIGN, WHERE THERE WAS A LITTLE SNOW UNTIL ABS ACTED. IN B…
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BRAKE FAILURE IN PRIUS 2006 MODEL. CAR DID NOT STOP NEAR A SIGNAL LIGHT, AND WOULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR INFRONT OF MINE. FINALLY ENDED UP DRIVING INTO ANOTHER LANE FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION TRAFFIC. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT CAR DID NOT STOP FOR 15 FT NEAR A STOP SIGN, WHERE THERE WAS A LITTLE SNOW UNTIL ABS ACTED. IN BOTH CASES WE GOT LUCKY. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED NOT ONLY FOR 2010 MODEL PRIUS BUT ALSO FOR PREVIOUS MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305317
12,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I READ TODAY'S NEWS ABOUT PRIUS BRAKE ISSUES AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A DEFECT, AND DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT. WHEN I BRAKE, AND THERE IS A BUMP OR POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, THE CARS TIRES SEEM TO SKID FOR A SECOND…
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I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I READ TODAY'S NEWS ABOUT PRIUS BRAKE ISSUES AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE SAME HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A DEFECT, AND DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT. WHEN I BRAKE, AND THERE IS A BUMP OR POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, THE CARS TIRES SEEM TO SKID FOR A SECOND OR TWO. THE VEHICLE SKID INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON A WHILE THE CAR JERKS FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305210
40,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT I READ IN THE NYTIMES: "IN THE UNITED STATES, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS LOGGED AT LEAST 136 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE 2010 PRIUS. MANY ARE FROM DRIVERS WHO SAY THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OR TEMPORARILY LOST BRAKING AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER UNEVEN S…
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THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT I READ IN THE NYTIMES: "IN THE UNITED STATES, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS LOGGED AT LEAST 136 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE 2010 PRIUS. MANY ARE FROM DRIVERS WHO SAY THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD OR TEMPORARILY LOST BRAKING AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER UNEVEN SURFACE, AND MANY SAY IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM." UNTIL I READ THIS, I THOUGHT THAT IT HAD BEEN MY IMAGINATION, BECAUSE IT WAS TEMPORARY, MILDLY DISTURBING, BUT DIDN'T RESULT IN ANY DAMAGE. I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SPORADICALLY SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR MARCH 15, 2006, PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES IN MORE THAN 100,000 MILES LOGGED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305147
50,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
WHEN MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HITS A BUMP OR HOLE IN THE ROAD WHILE BRAKING THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD. I HAVE ON MANY OCCASIONS ALMOST COLLIDED WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AFTER THESE "SURGE" EPISODES. IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY FROM OR TO WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304922
5,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
I READ NEWS COVERAGE OF PRIUS BRAKES PROBLEMS. I OWN A 2006 PRIUS, AND HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YEARS THAT WE'VE OWNED IT. SO IT IS NOT ONLY A 2010 PROBLEM. I DID NOT REPORT IT IN THE PAST, BECAUSE IT NEVER PUT ME IN DANGER (YET). HOWEVER, WHENEVER THE CAR GOES OVER A POTHOLE OR AN UNEVEN SURFACE OR A SLIP…
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I READ NEWS COVERAGE OF PRIUS BRAKES PROBLEMS. I OWN A 2006 PRIUS, AND HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE LAST 4 YEARS THAT WE'VE OWNED IT. SO IT IS NOT ONLY A 2010 PROBLEM. I DID NOT REPORT IT IN THE PAST, BECAUSE IT NEVER PUT ME IN DANGER (YET). HOWEVER, WHENEVER THE CAR GOES OVER A POTHOLE OR AN UNEVEN SURFACE OR A SLIPPERY PATCH, IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE MOMENTARILY - IT'S SORT OF A "FLYING" SENSATION - NOT VERY PLEASANT, BUT SHORT ENOUGH, SO THAT CONTROL IS QUICKLY REGAINED. I AM NOT POSITIVE IF MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. I CAN FOLLOW UP AND PAY MORE ATTENTION IF THERE IS FOLLOW-UP WITH THIS COMPLAINING. THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304760
Official recalls
6Nov 14, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Nov 14, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Steering
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Oct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
May 31, 2006
THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND SLIDING YOKE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAN CRACK WHEN LARGE FORCES ARE APPLIED AND THE CONNECTION MAY SEPARATE OR THE SLEEVE MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND INSPECT THE SLIDING YOKE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Apr 3, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
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
3DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP13001 · Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Apr 8, 2020
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:linkages
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606
Steering:linkages
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606
Steering
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606
PE09019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Apr 17, 2009 · Closed Aug 27, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, OR EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS THAT OPERATE ON INDEPENDENT LAMPS AND ECU'S (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS) FOR EACH HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT EACH HEADLIGHT RUNS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER, AND A FAILURE IN ONE LAMP OR ECU DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE OTHER.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORTY CONSUMERS WAS CONTACTED BY ODI IN A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO VERIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES.THE CONSUMERS STATED IN COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.ODI DISCOVERED THROUGH TALKING WITH THESE COMPLAINANTS THAT IN FACT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN CUT OFF.THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL.IN A FEW CASES WHERE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, SOME COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MONTHS BOTH HEADLAMPS WOULD BEGIN TO FAIL RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER NONE REPORTED THAT BOTH LAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.COMPLAINANTS ALSO STATED THAT THEY COULD TOGGLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON AND OFF TO TEMPORARILY RESTORE LIGHTING WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, EVEN IN CASES WERE BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE EXTINGUISHED.THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE LARGELY CONSISTENT WITH ODI'S ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA.TOYOTA SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ONE LAMP FAILED AT A TIME, AND THAT TOGGLING THE SWITCH RESTORED THE LAMP.TOYOTA REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ODI AND ON AUGUST 6, 2009, PRESENTED THEIR ASSESSMENT OF HEADLAMP FAILURE.TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT A HEADLAMP COULD EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BULB FAILURE, AND THAT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLAMPS WAS RARE AND UNLIKELY.TOYOTA ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS CONSUMER DISSATISFACTION WITH HID BULB FAILURES.SINCE THERE IS STILL ONE HEADLIGHT OPERATING WHEN THE OTHER ONE CUTS OFF, THERE IS STILL LIGHTING AVAILABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY.THUS, A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, OR EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS THAT OPERATE ON INDEPENDENT LAMPS AND ECU'S (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS) FOR EACH HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT EACH HEADLIGHT RUNS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER, AND A FAILURE IN ONE LAMP OR ECU DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE OTHER.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORTY CONSUMERS WAS CONTACTED BY ODI IN A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO VERIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES.THE CONSUMERS STATED IN COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.ODI DISCOVERED THROUGH TALKING WITH THESE COMPLAINANTS THAT IN FACT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN CUT OFF.THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL.IN A FEW CASES WHERE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, SOME COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MONTHS BOTH HEADLAMPS WOULD BEGIN TO FAIL RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER NONE REPORTED THAT BOTH LAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.COMPLAINANTS ALSO STATED THAT THEY COULD TOGGLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON AND OFF TO TEMPORARILY RESTORE LIGHTING WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, EVEN IN CASES WERE BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE EXTINGUISHED.THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE LARGELY CONSISTENT WITH ODI'S ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA.TOYOTA SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ONE LAMP FAILED AT A TIME, AND THAT TOGGLING THE SWITCH RESTORED THE LAMP.TOYOTA REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ODI AND ON AUGUST 6, 2009, PRESENTED THEIR ASSESSMENT OF HEADLAMP FAILURE.TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT A HEADLAMP COULD EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BULB FAILURE, AND THAT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLAMPS WAS RARE AND UNLIKELY.TOYOTA ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS CONSUMER DISSATISFACTION WITH HID BULB FAILURES.SINCE THERE IS STILL ONE HEADLIGHT OPERATING WHEN THE OTHER ONE CUTS OFF, THERE IS STILL LIGHTING AVAILABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY.THUS, A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, OR EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS THAT OPERATE ON INDEPENDENT LAMPS AND ECU'S (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS) FOR EACH HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT EACH HEADLIGHT RUNS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER, AND A FAILURE IN ONE LAMP OR ECU DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE OTHER.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORTY CONSUMERS WAS CONTACTED BY ODI IN A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO VERIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES.THE CONSUMERS STATED IN COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.ODI DISCOVERED THROUGH TALKING WITH THESE COMPLAINANTS THAT IN FACT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN CUT OFF.THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL.IN A FEW CASES WHERE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, SOME COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MONTHS BOTH HEADLAMPS WOULD BEGIN TO FAIL RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER NONE REPORTED THAT BOTH LAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.COMPLAINANTS ALSO STATED THAT THEY COULD TOGGLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON AND OFF TO TEMPORARILY RESTORE LIGHTING WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, EVEN IN CASES WERE BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE EXTINGUISHED.THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE LARGELY CONSISTENT WITH ODI'S ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA.TOYOTA SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ONE LAMP FAILED AT A TIME, AND THAT TOGGLING THE SWITCH RESTORED THE LAMP.TOYOTA REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ODI AND ON AUGUST 6, 2009, PRESENTED THEIR ASSESSMENT OF HEADLAMP FAILURE.TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT A HEADLAMP COULD EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BULB FAILURE, AND THAT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLAMPS WAS RARE AND UNLIKELY.TOYOTA ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS CONSUMER DISSATISFACTION WITH HID BULB FAILURES.SINCE THERE IS STILL ONE HEADLIGHT OPERATING WHEN THE OTHER ONE CUTS OFF, THERE IS STILL LIGHTING AVAILABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY.THUS, A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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