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2008 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Prius are substantially higher than the model-year median of 164.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,248 reports with mileage · 249 unknown

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

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 579 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

152 crash reports6 fire reports50 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,497 reports
84,000 miles · Aug 9, 2015
Exterior Lighting

VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION...WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE MOUNTINS DOWN A WINDY ROAD AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS FAILED. BROUGHT CAR INTO TOYOTA OF MANHATTEN NEXT DAY AND HAD TO HAVE BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED FOR $530.$300 FOR THE LIGHT BULBS AND 230 FOR LABOR. LEARNED ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR 2008 PRI…

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VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION...WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE MOUNTINS DOWN A WINDY ROAD AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS FAILED. BROUGHT CAR INTO TOYOTA OF MANHATTEN NEXT DAY AND HAD TO HAVE BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED FOR $530.$300 FOR THE LIGHT BULBS AND 230 FOR LABOR. LEARNED ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR 2008 PRIUS, AND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED TOO EARLY AND DOES NOT COVER OLDER VEHICLES WITH COMPLETE LIGHT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10747256

104,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10746521

95,000 miles · Aug 1, 2015
Exterior Lighting

AS I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK AT 2:00 A.M., THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP WENT DARK. I'M ON A TWO-LANE ROAD, NOT THAT HEAVILY TRAVELED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS RESTORED. FOR THE BALANCE OF MY 60 MILE RIDE, THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES. AS TIME PROGRESSED THE …

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AS I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK AT 2:00 A.M., THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP WENT DARK. I'M ON A TWO-LANE ROAD, NOT THAT HEAVILY TRAVELED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS RESTORED. FOR THE BALANCE OF MY 60 MILE RIDE, THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES. AS TIME PROGRESSED THE FAILURES HAPPENED MORE OFTEN AND CLOSER TOGETHER. EVENTUALLY, THE LAMP WOULDN'T STAY ON FOR MORE THAN A MINUTE. I WENT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE TO GET A REPLACEMENT BULB AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A "DEALER ONLY" ITEM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME A REPLACEMENT BULB WAS $300.00 AND IT WAS $300 TO INSTALL IT. THAT'S PREPOSTEROUS! I FOUND A "YOUTUBE" VIDEO AND PURCHASED A BULB ON AMAZON FOR $50 AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE'S A DESIGN OR COMPONENT FLAW AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THANKS TOYOTA.

NHTSA ODI #10745556

80,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I PURCHASED MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN 2014. EVERY TIME THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD -- BE IT A MAN HOLD, RAILROAD TRACKS -- THE CAR TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD FOR 1-2 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES. IT IS A COMMONPLACE OCCURRENCE WHEN GOING…

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I PURCHASED MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN 2014. EVERY TIME THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD -- BE IT A MAN HOLD, RAILROAD TRACKS -- THE CAR TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD FOR 1-2 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES. IT IS A COMMONPLACE OCCURRENCE WHEN GOING OVER ANY KIND OF UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE ROAD. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS COMMON IN THE 2008 PRIUS AND I AM WONDERING WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN INVESTIGATED. ON JULY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING IN KY IN HEAVY RAIN, GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, I BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 60MPH AND I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR SIXTEEN YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HYDROPLANED. MY FEAR IS THE CAR DOING THE SAME THING IN RAIN THAT IT DOES ON UNEVEN SURFACES ON DRY ROAD -- LURCHING FORWARD SLIGHTLY WHICH IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10744825

82,528 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS DIMMING. I TURNED ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND I WAS IN THE DARK. I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN AND THEY CAME BACK ON AT FULL LIGHT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD MY PASSENGER CHECK THE HEADLIGHTS OUTSIDE. THE RIGHT FRONT L…

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DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS DIMMING. I TURNED ON MY HIGH BEAMS AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND I WAS IN THE DARK. I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN AND THEY CAME BACK ON AT FULL LIGHT. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD MY PASSENGER CHECK THE HEADLIGHTS OUTSIDE. THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHT WAS OUT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS ON. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONE TIME PREVIOUSLY. I TOOK MY CAR INTO TOYOTA AND THEY RAN A CHECK AND TOLD ME THAT MY RIGHT HID BULB WAS OUT, BUT THAT THE LEFT WAS STILL WORKING. THEY REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND SAID I WAS GOOD TO GO. I WORRY, FROM READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON 2006-2009 PRIUS HEADLIGHTS THAT THIS MAY OR MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD - LOSING LIGHTS AT NIGHT. I HAVE READ THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST TOYOTA IN 2011, BUT STILL, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE SUIT HAS ENDED AND I AM NOT ABLE TO CLAIM ANYTHING. STILL, I AM WORRIED THAT THIS WILL LEAD EVENTUALLY TO SOMEONE'S ACCIDENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SOLVED. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10744753

149,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Unknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN WARM WEATHER IT SLIPS ON ITS OWN FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE GEAR LEVER IN D OR ELSE IT SLIPS BACK INTO N WHICH OF COURSE CAUSES YOU TO LOSE SPEED. THIS HAPPENS IF YOU STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN TRY TO GO. ALSO HAPPENS W…

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WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN WARM WEATHER IT SLIPS ON ITS OWN FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE GEAR LEVER IN D OR ELSE IT SLIPS BACK INTO N WHICH OF COURSE CAUSES YOU TO LOSE SPEED. THIS HAPPENS IF YOU STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN TRY TO GO. ALSO HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ON A TOYOTA FORUM (CUSTOMERS) AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. NOTHING SHOWS UP IN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. WE HAD OUR 12V BATTERY REPLACED BECAUSE A LOW CHARGE MESSAGE CAME UP. STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. OTHER POSTS SAY IT'S THE SHIFT LEVER AND IT IS A MANUFACTURER FLAW. THIS FIX IS ANOTHER $500.THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURER ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10744679

85,213 miles · Jul 28, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other

THE BLACK RUBBER IS DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING OFF THE OUTSIDE TRUNK LATCH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK TO GET TO THE SPARE TIRE OR BATTERY. THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING TO MY NEIGHBOR, WHO PARKS RIGHT NEXT TO ME AND ALSO HAS A 2008 PRIUS.

NHTSA ODI #10744430

122,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE REAR HATCH HANDLE COVER - WHICH APPEARS TO BE RUBBER - STARTED DETERIORATING RATHER QUICKLY IN THE SUMMER HEAT ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AGO AND HAS TURNED INTO A RUBBERY, STICKY BLACK MESS. THE DETERIORATING RUBBER HAS INTERFERED WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WAS COMPLET…

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THE REAR HATCH HANDLE COVER - WHICH APPEARS TO BE RUBBER - STARTED DETERIORATING RATHER QUICKLY IN THE SUMMER HEAT ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AGO AND HAS TURNED INTO A RUBBERY, STICKY BLACK MESS. THE DETERIORATING RUBBER HAS INTERFERED WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR HATCH HAD NOT CLOSED COMPLETELY AND RESULTED IN AN INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINING ON WHICH COMPLETELY DRAINED THE BATTERY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET BLOGS AND CHAT FORUMS FROM OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD EASILY RESULT IN A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE INABILITY OF THE REAR HATCH TO CLOSE PROPERLY AND POTENTIALLY OPENING DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CHARGED ME $208 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE LATCH. IN MY OPINION, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VEHICLE DEFECT WHICH SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL OR A WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM TOYOTA AND A REFUND OF ANY MONIES PAID BY PRIUS OWNERS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10735659

25,870 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE STARTS, RUNS FOR LIMITED TIME -2-3 MINS. SHUTS OFF VEHICLE STARTS NO ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY ON DASH.. BLANK. VEHICLE STARTS WITH ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY, RUNS FOR 3-5 MILES, LOOSES ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY. UPDATED 12/4/2017*CN VEHICLE STARTS WITH ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY RUNS FOR 3-4 MILES .VEHICLE STOPS, SHUTS OFF I…

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VEHICLE STARTS, RUNS FOR LIMITED TIME -2-3 MINS. SHUTS OFF VEHICLE STARTS NO ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY ON DASH.. BLANK. VEHICLE STARTS WITH ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY, RUNS FOR 3-5 MILES, LOOSES ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY. UPDATED 12/4/2017*CN VEHICLE STARTS WITH ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY RUNS FOR 3-4 MILES .VEHICLE STOPS, SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. REQUIRES JUMP START,,. AND RUNS ENOUGH TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. VEHICLE WILL NOT START, REQUIRES JUMP START AND WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE. REQUIRES TOWING TO DEALER. MA 10/8

NHTSA ODI #10735342

77,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Electrical System

EXTERNAL RUBBER SEAL ON REAR HATCH LATCH/SWITCH IS DETERIORATING/MELTING/STICKY. SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LOSS OF ABILITY TO OPEN OR ACCESS REAR COMPARTMENT WHEN RUBBER DISINTEGRATES. EXPOSES ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10735278

Official recalls

4

12V536000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Nov 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.

12V537000 · Steering; Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

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.

09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

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

2

DP22005 · 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