NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
235 reportsClear category filter47,400 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
AROUND 4:30PM ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS AND WERE STARTLED BY A PIERCING NOISE. THE DASHBOARD WAS LIGHTING UP (ABS & VSC) AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR STARTED, THE DASHBOARD REMAINED LIT AND THE BEEPING CONTINUED. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES DID NOT BRAKE FULLY. AFTER A $5…
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AROUND 4:30PM ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS AND WERE STARTLED BY A PIERCING NOISE. THE DASHBOARD WAS LIGHTING UP (ABS & VSC) AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR STARTED, THE DASHBOARD REMAINED LIT AND THE BEEPING CONTINUED. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKES DID NOT BRAKE FULLY. AFTER A $58 DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WE WERE TOLD THAT ACC PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEARED AND IF WE RETURNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, WE MAY NEED TO REPLACE A "BRAKE ACTUATOR PART" (COST = $2,560). BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE DROVE THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 150 MILES. FOR THE LAST 15 MINUTES OF OUR TRIP, WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH HEAVY RAINS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON SIDE ROADS. WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, BUT ARE WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THE WATER AFFECTED THE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472673
62,000 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THEM BACK ON BY ENGAGING THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THEM BACK ON BY ENGAGING THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, ONE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON, THE FAILED LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, THE OTHER LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. UPDATED 09/111/12
NHTSA ODI #10469021
81,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM DRIVING OR THEY WILL GO DIM WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS BECAUSE THEY THOUGH I WAS DRIVING UNSAFELY WITHOUT 1 WORKING HEADLIGHT AND EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON AND BOTH LIGHTS WO…
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MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM DRIVING OR THEY WILL GO DIM WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS BECAUSE THEY THOUGH I WAS DRIVING UNSAFELY WITHOUT 1 WORKING HEADLIGHT AND EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON AND BOTH LIGHTS WOULD THEN WORK. THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAID THAT THEY ARE BECOMMING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE OFTEN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY HAD NO ANSWER OTHER THAN TO REPLACE LIGHTS THAT AT THE TIME WERE WORKING JUST FINE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. NHTSA MUST DO SOMETHING... INVESTIGATE AND/OR RECALL OF THE PRIUS FOR DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462974
25,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY PRIUS HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY ERRATIC AND UNSAFE. WHILE DRIVING, ONE OR THE OTHER AND SOMETIMES BOTH GO OFF. NO BUMPS OR OTHER INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. THEY JUST GO OFF. BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THEY ALWAYS CORRECT THEMSELVES, UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE, WHICH MAY BE IN MINUTES, OR DAYS. THIS CONDITION IS E…
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MY PRIUS HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY ERRATIC AND UNSAFE. WHILE DRIVING, ONE OR THE OTHER AND SOMETIMES BOTH GO OFF. NO BUMPS OR OTHER INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. THEY JUST GO OFF. BY TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THEY ALWAYS CORRECT THEMSELVES, UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE, WHICH MAY BE IN MINUTES, OR DAYS. THIS CONDITION IS ENTIRELY INTOLERABLE AND IS NOT DUE TO LOOSE CONNECTIONS OR BAD BULBS OR ANY OTHER CAUSE. IT OBVIOUSLY IS A DEFECTIVE FIRMWARE OR HARDWARE SENSOR PROBLEM. IT IS VERY UNSAFE, AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I HAVE LOOKED AT REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY PRIUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THANKS AND I HOPE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS COME YOUR WAY TO CAUSE A CORRECTIVE ACTION OF SOME SORT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457916
80,000 miles · Mar 27, 2012
Electrical System
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, I'VE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT LOWERING OF DASHBOARD LIGHTS, OR COMPLETE LACK OF THEM. ON THIS CAR, THAT MEANS I SUDDENLY WILL HAVE NO SPEEDOMETER, NO GAS GAUGE, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS (PARTICULARLY THE SPEEDOMETER!). WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THAT TOY…
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FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, I'VE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT LOWERING OF DASHBOARD LIGHTS, OR COMPLETE LACK OF THEM. ON THIS CAR, THAT MEANS I SUDDENLY WILL HAVE NO SPEEDOMETER, NO GAS GAUGE, WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS (PARTICULARLY THE SPEEDOMETER!). WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THAT TOYOTA HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PART WHICH REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE ARE NO ISSUES WITH THE ACTUAL BULBS; IT'S A COMPUTER ISSUE, FROM WHAT I'M TOLD. THIS IS NOT AN AGE ISSUE OF THE CAR; THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY MALFUNCTION!. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453233
85,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Electrical System
VEHICLE INSTURMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. VEHICLE WILL NOT POWER DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443246
80,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443245
40,000 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
IN EARLY 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FAUB OR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO POWAY TOYOTA (POWAY, CA) AND THEY STATED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED, WHICH THEY REPLACED AT MY COST. BY THE SUMMER OF 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE OTHER THREE DOOR …
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IN EARLY 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FAUB OR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO POWAY TOYOTA (POWAY, CA) AND THEY STATED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED, WHICH THEY REPLACED AT MY COST. BY THE SUMMER OF 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED. I MUST USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND REACH OVER TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WHILE PASSENGERS WAIT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR PASSENGERS TO WAIT TO ENTER VEHICLE. TO HAVE ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS FAIL WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE CAR CONSTRUCTION, INDICATES TO ME THERE COULD BE A DEFECT WITH THIS PART OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS. I REQUEST YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440255
69,000 miles · Dec 11, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL SPORADICALLY GO OUT. SHUTTING OFF AND TURNING BACK ON WORKS, BUT THE LIGHT DIMS AND THEN GOES OFF COMPLETELY. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN THIS WAY, BUT IT IS A RECENT OCCURRENCE. IT HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS PARKED OR IN MOTION- NO CERTAIN SPEED CAUSES IT TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439335
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
IN AUGUST 2011, A PRINCETON, NJ, POLICE OFFICE STOPPED ME TO REPORT THAT MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2011, I PAID LAWRENCE TOYOTA $281.84 TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT. LATER THAT MONTH, WHEN I DROVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT LIGHT WAS NOT SHINGING AGAINST THE GARAGE DOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT OF …
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IN AUGUST 2011, A PRINCETON, NJ, POLICE OFFICE STOPPED ME TO REPORT THAT MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2011, I PAID LAWRENCE TOYOTA $281.84 TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT. LATER THAT MONTH, WHEN I DROVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT LIGHT WAS NOT SHINGING AGAINST THE GARAGE DOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW THE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. EARLY IN OCTOBER, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, INCLUDING BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK THE CAR HOME, I NOTICE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS FAILED RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICE THE LIGHT WOULD NOT BE UNIFORM ALONG THE PAVEMENT. WHEN TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, ONE LIGHT WOULD REFLECT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE BODY SHOP, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF SPONTANEOUSLY. THEY REPLACED BOTH LIGHTS AND THE "MODULATOR" THAT GOVERNS THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEY TOOK THE CAR TO FREEHOLD TOYOTA WHO "ADJUSTED" THE LIGHTS AND MODULATOR. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE BODY SHOP, I LIGHT WAS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED; REFLECTING OFF TREE BRANCHES WELL ABOVE THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER, I DROVE THE CAR TO A STORE AND NOTICED THE RIGHT LIGHT WAS NOT SHINING AGAINST THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. A PERSON THE CAR THAT PULLED IN BEFORE ME COMMENTED THAT THE LEFT LEADLIGHT WAS AIMED SO HIGH THAT IT BLINDED HIM, MAKING HIS REARVIEW MIRROR UNUSABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438067
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
2DP22005 · 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