NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
124 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 9, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE PARKING HER VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE CEMENT CURB AND THEN CRASHED INTO A STORE-FRONT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND SHOULDERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THROUGH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE PARKING HER VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE CEMENT CURB AND THEN CRASHED INTO A STORE-FRONT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND SHOULDERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THROUGH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN
NHTSA ODI #10291509
30,000 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 16TH, 2008 WHEN MY 2007 PRIUS BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE. I STRUCK THE LEFT GUARDRAIL , SPUN RIGHT AND THEN THE CAR CATAPULTED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE. I HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE CAR THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT DRIVER SIDE AND SKIDDED MAYBE 100'. I CHALKED IT UP TO THE ROADS BEING…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 16TH, 2008 WHEN MY 2007 PRIUS BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE. I STRUCK THE LEFT GUARDRAIL , SPUN RIGHT AND THEN THE CAR CATAPULTED ACROSS THE INTERSTATE. I HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE CAR THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT DRIVER SIDE AND SKIDDED MAYBE 100'. I CHALKED IT UP TO THE ROADS BEING WET BUT THE ODD THING WAS THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED ONCE I HIT THE LEFT GUARD RAIL AND STARTED TO CROSS OVER THE INTERSTATE. AT THIS POINT, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. I CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. MY STORY SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE SOME OF THE POSTS I HAVE READ. IT IS FRIGHTENING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ORDEAL AND THAT TOYOTA CONTINUES TO DENY IT AND BLAME IT ON THE FLOOR MATS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291459
52,000 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I WAS "T-BONED" ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE ON JULY 3, 2009 IN MY 2007 PRIUS. THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS DISMANTLED AND REPLACED (SAME ONE) AS PART OF THE REPAIR. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IT WAS FINE AND I AVERAGED ABOUT 48-52 MPG. IT WAS IN THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP FROM JULY 7TH THROUGH LATE AUGUST AND …
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I WAS "T-BONED" ON MY DRIVERS' SIDE ON JULY 3, 2009 IN MY 2007 PRIUS. THE CAR HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS DISMANTLED AND REPLACED (SAME ONE) AS PART OF THE REPAIR. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IT WAS FINE AND I AVERAGED ABOUT 48-52 MPG. IT WAS IN THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP FROM JULY 7TH THROUGH LATE AUGUST AND WASN'T RETURNED UNTIL MID-SEPTEMBER. I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE I LAST PICKED IT UP BECAUSE I DID NOT FEEL SAFE IT . THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FOUND AND I WAS TOLD "...IF WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, WE CAN'T FIX IT...IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, BRING IT BACK, IT'S UNDER WARRANTY." YESTERDAY (NOVEMBER 4, 2009) I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO WORK (DOWNTOWN) BECAUSE MY HUSBAND HAD OUR VAN AND I FOUND THAT IT IS STILL ACCELERATING IN ODD WAYS LIKE IT DID WHEN WE GOT IT BACK IN SEPTEMBER. WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT A LOW SPEED WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE TO A HIGHER SPEED (APPX. 50 MPH) IT WASN'T ACCELERATING PROPERLY, THEN SUDDENLY "KICKED INTO" ACCELERATION THEN I HAD TO SLOW IT DOWN WITH THE BRAKES. THE TOYOTA HYBRID ENGINE DISMANTLING MANUAL (I FOUND ONLINE WHEN I WAS TOLD TOYOTA COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM) ON PAGE 1 #1-5 SHOWS HOW THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE OPERATING. AS I'VE DESCRIBED SINCE AUGUST, THE DAY I FIRST PICKED IT UP, THIS IS NOT HOW IT'S FUNCTIONING. IN LIGHT OF THE NEWS YESTERDAY, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FOUND NO DEFECT EXISTS IN VEHICLES WITH PROPERLY INSTALLED FLOOR MATS. AND IN FACT, THE NHTSA SAID, TOYOTA VEHICLES HAVE A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TOYOTA CAN DO NOW TO GET MY PRIUS WORKING PROPERLY (OR CONSIDER IT TOTALED) BEFORE I (OR MY FAMILY) ARE IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT LIKE THE 16 PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY DIED OR THE 200+ WHO HAVE HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE! BY THE WAY, THERE ARE NO CAR MATS IN IT, BUT THERE WERE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THIS ISSUE NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE TOYOTA'S "REPAIRS" TO IT! *TR UPDATED 11/13/09
NHTSA ODI #10291180
1,000 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT A 2007 PRIUS FROM COPELAND TOYOTA-SCION DEALERSHIP. FROM THE BEGINNING, I NOTICED THAT IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN DURING THE DRIVE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE GOING AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY, IT TRAVELS AT A HIGHER SPEED WITHOUT MY INTERVENTION. I FEEL LIKE BEING HYDROPLANING, LEAPING OR SHOOTING BY A FEW YARDS, AND THEN IT WOULD B…
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I BOUGHT A 2007 PRIUS FROM COPELAND TOYOTA-SCION DEALERSHIP. FROM THE BEGINNING, I NOTICED THAT IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN DURING THE DRIVE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE GOING AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY, IT TRAVELS AT A HIGHER SPEED WITHOUT MY INTERVENTION. I FEEL LIKE BEING HYDROPLANING, LEAPING OR SHOOTING BY A FEW YARDS, AND THEN IT WOULD BE BACK TO NORMAL. INITIALLY, I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT, BUT I BROUGHT IT TO YOUR DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE ONE OF THEIR COUNSELORS NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF YOUR TECHNICIANS WILL HAVE TO RIDE AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND SINCE IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY, THERE IS NO WAY ANYONE ONE CAN DETECT. FIRST, I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IN DECEMBER 2006. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ONCE IN A WAY. THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY CAN BE 3-5 TIMES A MONTH, AND IT COULD BE MORE BASED ON THE HIGHWAY USAGE. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RAMIFICATIONS UNTIL THE RECENT RECALL NOTICE. I WANTED TO SEND THIS INFORMATION IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE RECALL ON FLOOR MATS WAS ANNOUNCED. I AM MORE AND MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS UNPREDICTABLE SPEEDING ON ITS OWN WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENED WITH SEVERAL CRASHES REPORTED (TODAY, I SAW A NEWS SEGMENT ON THE NBC TV INVOLVING A PRIUS). A CREEPING FLOOR MAT CAN GET THE GAS PEDAL STUCK, BUT WOULD NOT CAUSE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. SUDDEN ACCELERATION MAY BE MORE SEVERE IN THE CASES OF CRASHES, WHILE MINE IS LESS SEVERE, AT LEAST THUS FAR. IF THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS, I RATHER HAVE IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BEFORE IT GETS ANY WORSE. THANKS, AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. *TR YOURS TRULY, S. CHAVALI
NHTSA ODI #10291063
21,000 miles · Nov 4, 2009
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
MY TOYOTA PRIUS ACCELERATED AT EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR INTO THE BOXES AND FURNITURE STORED IN THE GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT COULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP BUT ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE AND…
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MY TOYOTA PRIUS ACCELERATED AT EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR INTO THE BOXES AND FURNITURE STORED IN THE GARAGE. I HAD MY FOOT PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT COULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP BUT ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE AND CAR DAMAGE. IT WAS REPORTED TO ALLSTATE. NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED. THE AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE! I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT SPEED OTHER THAN TO SAY IT WAS EXTREMELY FAST AND VERY, VERY TERRIFYING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290934
20,000 miles · Sep 30, 2009
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityVehicle Speed Control
I SUSPECT THE CURRENT TOYOTA RECALL IS MORE THAN A FLOOR MAT MALFUNCTION. I OWN AN '07 PRIUS. NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME THE CAR SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY UPON "FIRMLY & BRIEFLY" DEPRESSING THE POWER BUTTON, PRECISELY AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. HOWEVER, ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT SHUT DOWN ON THE FIRST PUSH, AND …
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I SUSPECT THE CURRENT TOYOTA RECALL IS MORE THAN A FLOOR MAT MALFUNCTION. I OWN AN '07 PRIUS. NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME THE CAR SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY UPON "FIRMLY & BRIEFLY" DEPRESSING THE POWER BUTTON, PRECISELY AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. HOWEVER, ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT SHUT DOWN ON THE FIRST PUSH, AND WILL MOVE FORWARD WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUSH THE POWER BUTTON A SECOND TIME TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ACTUALLY TOLD ME I SHOULD PUSH THE "PARK" BUTTON BEFORE PUSHING THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF. IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT DOING THAT IN THE MANUAL. NOW THEY'RE SAYING YOU SHOULD HOLD THE POWER BUTTON 3 SECONDS TO TURN OFF THE CAR? THE MANUAL SAYS (P. 141 AND ELSEWHERE) "THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL START AND STOP BY FIRMLY PRESSING THE "POWER" SWITCH BRIEFLY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED." THREE SECONDS IS CERTAINLY MORE THAN "BRIEFLY," AND MORE THAN IT TAKES TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE 90% OF THE TIME. FORTUNATELY, I HAVEN'T HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING, I'VE GOTTEN USED TO IT, AND I'M CAREFUL TO BE SURE THE ENGINE HAS ACTUALLY STOPPED BEFORE I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. ONCE IN A WHILE, I HAVE TO PUSH THE POWER BUTTON A SECOND TIME, AN INCONVENIENCE HARDLY WORTH MENTIONING. HOWEVER, I'M NOW CONCERNED THAT THE MINOR PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING COULD PROGRESS INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE DANGEROUS. LOOK AT THE MAT: SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO DELIBERATELY INSTALL IT SO IT WAS OVER (RATHER THAN UNDER) THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CAUSE A PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK IT'S THE MAT. I THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285792
26,000 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash
AT 4:45 PM ON 2/5/2009 , I DROVE MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS WEST ON SW ANDOVER ST. IN SEATTLE WA. I SLOWED AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN TO PARK PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET WITH A 6 FOOT HIGH CHAIN-LINK FENCE IN FRONT OF ME ON TOP OF A RETAINING WALL. THE BOTTOM OF THE WALL IS 6 FEET BELOW STREET LEVEL ON A PAVED PARKING AREA. AS THE PRI…
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AT 4:45 PM ON 2/5/2009 , I DROVE MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS WEST ON SW ANDOVER ST. IN SEATTLE WA. I SLOWED AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN TO PARK PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET WITH A 6 FOOT HIGH CHAIN-LINK FENCE IN FRONT OF ME ON TOP OF A RETAINING WALL. THE BOTTOM OF THE WALL IS 6 FEET BELOW STREET LEVEL ON A PAVED PARKING AREA. AS THE PRIUS APPROACHED THE FENCE, I BRAKED TO STOP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW ,SO I FLOORED THE BRAKE. THE CAR HIT A FENCE POST, PULLING IT OUT OF ITS MOUNT AND THEN THE CAR MOVED OVER THE TOP OF THE WALL PUSHING THE POLE AND FENCE OVER ITS HOOD & ROOF,. THE FRONT OF THE PRIUS DROPPED TO THE AREA BELOW THE WALL WHILE THE REAR REMAINED ON THE TOP. THE FENCE MESH STRETCHED BUT SLOWED THE PRIUS'S FORWARD MOVEMENT AND KEPT THE REAR FROM GOING OVER THE WALL.. THE DASHBOARD WAS STILL LIT AND I LOWERED THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS AND YELLED FOR HELP. THE FIRST ARRIVAL TOLD ME TO "TURN OFF THE CAR". THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY HE COULD HAVE KNOWN THE CAR WAS RUNNING WAS IF HE HEARD THE SOUND OF THE PRIUS'S GASOLINE ENGINE THAT ONLY KICKS IN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I OPENED THE DOOR AND JUMPED DOWN TO THE PAVEMENT. THE POLICE CAME AND MADE A REPORT. I DID NOT RECEIVE A CITATION. THE PRIUS WAS EXTRACTED BY A TOW COMPANY AND HAULED AWAY. FORTUNATELY I RECEIVED NO PHYSICAL INJURY. THE CHAIN LINK FENCE WAS TRULY A SAFETY NET. ON 2./12/ 2009, MY INSURANCE COMPANY , USAA, DECLARED MY PRIUS "TOTALED" AND MADE A SETTLEMENT PAYMENT. I THOUGHT PERHAPS MY BRAKES HAD FAILED. I HAD MY PRIUS RECEIVE A ROUTINE 25,000 MILE CHECK AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP JUST EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. FROM ARTICLES ON WWW.CONSUMERSAFETY.COM I LEARNED THAT SIMILAR ACCIDENTS WITH THE PRIUS HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. AFTER READING THEIR EXPERIENCES, I NOW BELIEVE THAT "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" WAS THE MORE LIKELY CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259227
10,000 miles · May 6, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND INCREASED IN SPEED. THE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. HER RIGHT KNEE WAS CRUSHED AND THE LEFT KNEE WAS FRACTURED. SHE RECEIVED LACERATIONS FROM THE SEAT BELT ON HER NECK AND HER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND INCREASED IN SPEED. THE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. HER RIGHT KNEE WAS CRUSHED AND THE LEFT KNEE WAS FRACTURED. SHE RECEIVED LACERATIONS FROM THE SEAT BELT ON HER NECK AND HER RIBS WERE BRUISED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS, A PUNCTURED LUNG, INTERNAL BLEEDING, OPTICAL NERVE DAMAGE, A TRACHEOTOMY, AND SPINAL INJURY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE ALMOST 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10226800
4,500 miles · Mar 10, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT 2-3 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT BROADSIDED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,500. UPDATED 4/8/08 *CN STATE OF CALIF…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT 2-3 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT BROADSIDED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,500. UPDATED 4/8/08 *CN STATE OF CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC REPORT. UPDATED 04/08/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220683
13,497 miles · Mar 5, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
TO:NHTSA.WEBMASTER@DOT.GOV SUBJECT:TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 MODEL COMMENTS: ALTHOUGH MY DEALER HAS RUN A COMPLETE BATTERY OF COMPUTER TESTS, NO EXPLANATION IS APPARENT FOR THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND IT IS TERRIFYING. THE TWO INSTANCES WERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS APA…
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TO:NHTSA.WEBMASTER@DOT.GOV SUBJECT:TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 MODEL COMMENTS: ALTHOUGH MY DEALER HAS RUN A COMPLETE BATTERY OF COMPUTER TESTS, NO EXPLANATION IS APPARENT FOR THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND IT IS TERRIFYING. THE TWO INSTANCES WERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS APART. BOTH TIMES, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD DRIVEN 10-20 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM. ONCE THE GAS PEDAL WAS PHYSICALLY JOLTED UP, THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. WHEN IT IS OCCURRING, THE BRAKES DO NOT SLOW IT DOWN BY MORE THAN 3-4 MPH. MY DEALER IS A-1 TOYOTA IN NEW HAVEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220139
Official recalls
4Nov 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.
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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