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2009 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Prius are substantially higher than the model-year median of 164.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

402 reports with mileage · 100 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 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

64 crash reports4 fire reports21 injury reports

Service Brakes, Electric complaints

44 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricCrash

ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 9, 2009 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-93 NEAR THE TOWN OF MEDFORD, MA. I WAS ON MY WAY TO LOGAN AIRPORT TO RETURN THE 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS I HAD RENTED THAT PREVIOUS WEDNESDAY. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM; THE FREEWAY WAS STILL BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WITH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE LEFT-HAND LANE OF THE HIGH…

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ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 9, 2009 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-93 NEAR THE TOWN OF MEDFORD, MA. I WAS ON MY WAY TO LOGAN AIRPORT TO RETURN THE 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS I HAD RENTED THAT PREVIOUS WEDNESDAY. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM; THE FREEWAY WAS STILL BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WITH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE LEFT-HAND LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO. A GAP OPENED UP IN TRAFFIC AND I ACCELERATED. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME (APPROXIMATELY 60') SUDDENLY STOPPED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT MY CAR KEPT GOING. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AS MY CAR PLOWED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AT THE SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS SUFFICIENT TO DISLODGE MY FRONT LICENSE PLATE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, HOWEVER THE TWO PASSENGERS WERE EXTREMELY SHAKEN UP. THERE WAS A MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPER ON THE SCENE WHO TOOK ALL THE INFORMATION BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. AS SOON AS I COULD, AT ABOUT 11:00 AM, I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT, AND I EXPLAINED ALL OF THE DETAILS TO THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305545

2,100 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

ON MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, I CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCE BRAKING DIFFICULTIES ON ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACES. IF I AM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND PASS THRU A HOLE OR HUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR FLASHES THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS AND I HAVE NO BRAKES WHAT-SO-EVER FOR WHAT FEELS LIKE A FEW SECONDS. IF I RELEASE THE BRAKE AND PRESS …

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ON MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS, I CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCE BRAKING DIFFICULTIES ON ROUGH OR UNEVEN SURFACES. IF I AM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND PASS THRU A HOLE OR HUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR FLASHES THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS AND I HAVE NO BRAKES WHAT-SO-EVER FOR WHAT FEELS LIKE A FEW SECONDS. IF I RELEASE THE BRAKE AND PRESS DOWN AGAIN, I THEN HAVE BRAKE CONTROL BACK. I REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE SAME RESPONSE 'THAT IS THE WAY THE BRAKES ARE ON THE PRIUS.' *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305456

10,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricVehicle Speed Control

I NOTICED ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2009 TAKES ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO TO ACTUALLY BRAKE. I NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN I START BRAKING SLIGHTLY THE CAR DOES SLOW DOWN BUT I HAVE TO PRESS HARDER (MORE THAN HALF WAY IN) FOR THE CAR TO RESPOND ON BRAKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305377

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND NOTICE A DELAY IN BRAKING SPECIALLY OVER BUMPY ROADS OR ICE, ALSO AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKE THE VSC LIGHT COMES ON IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE CAR TRAVELS FREELY FOR A COUPLE OF METERS SOMETIMES EVEN ACCELERATING A BIT BEFORE THE BRAKES ACTUALLY ENGAGE. THIS IS OBSERVED VERY OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305173

13,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

PRIUS BRAKING FAILURE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES (FOUR OR FIVE) OF A BRAKING FAILURE ON MY 2009, SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS. IT HAS OCCURRED DURING RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED BRAKING, SUCH AS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, COINCIDENT WITH HITTING A SEVERE BUMP, SUCH AS A POT HOLE OR CROSSING ROUGH RAILROAD TRACKS. THERE APPE…

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PRIUS BRAKING FAILURE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES (FOUR OR FIVE) OF A BRAKING FAILURE ON MY 2009, SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS. IT HAS OCCURRED DURING RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED BRAKING, SUCH AS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, COINCIDENT WITH HITTING A SEVERE BUMP, SUCH AS A POT HOLE OR CROSSING ROUGH RAILROAD TRACKS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SURGE WHERE THE BRAKES ARE INEFFECTIVE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME---LESS THAN A SECOND. I DESCRIBE IT AS A SURGE BUT IT MAY WELL BE JUST A TOTAL RELEASE OF THE BRAKES. IT SEEMS TO BE MOST SEVERE THE GREATER THE BUMP. I HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED THIS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 30 MPH OR SO. THERE HAS BEEN NO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NORMAL BRAKING RETURNS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NOVEMBER, 2008. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO MY DEALER WHO SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS NORMAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKING ACTION AND EXPRESSED LITTLE INTEREST IN TRYING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND AT LEAST 10 YEARS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND HAVE NEVER FELT THIS TYPE OF ACTION FROM ANY OTHER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305117

29,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID . OCCASIONALLY WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE THE CAR DOES NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN BRAKING. I NOW HIT THE BRAKES ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, SO I WONT GO INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304961

3,222 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND AT HIS MOTHER'S ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE, I PUT MY 2009 PRIUS IN PARK MODE. DECIDING TO RETURN TO THE BLDG ENTRANCE, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE (OUT OF PARKING MODE) AND LET IT GO AT ITS OWN SPEED. MY FOOT NEVER TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ABOUT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO REENTER THE ENTRANCE AREA, WHEN TH…

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WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND AT HIS MOTHER'S ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE, I PUT MY 2009 PRIUS IN PARK MODE. DECIDING TO RETURN TO THE BLDG ENTRANCE, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE (OUT OF PARKING MODE) AND LET IT GO AT ITS OWN SPEED. MY FOOT NEVER TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ABOUT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO REENTER THE ENTRANCE AREA, WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. I THEN SAW A WOMAN IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, ABOUT A FOOT FROM ME STANDING ON THE CURB IN FRONT OF THE BLDG'S GLASS FAADE. I TURNED THE WHEEL JUST MISSING HER AS WELL AS THE BLDG. FRANTICALLY PRESSING THE BRAKES WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING MORE, I ALMOST WENT ON TO A BUSY ST. ACROSS FROM A MALL. SOMEHOW I SAVED MYSELF & OTHERS BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RT, REENTERING THE PROPERTY VIA A CURB CUT FOR WHEELCHAIRS, ETC. I MISSED HITTING A POLE BUT RAN OVER 2 TREES, WHICH THE CAR SEVERED & WHICH ABRUPTLY STOPPED THE CAR, JUST BEFORE HITTING A BRICK WALL. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT NIGHT, IN THE DARK, IN REVERSE.THE POLICEMAN & THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WERE INCREDULOUS HOW THE CAR GOT INTO THAT SPACE. IT WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKES WERE PRONOUNCED "PERFECT". SO MY HUSBAND INSISTED I BE CHECKED OUT. WHILE RELATING THE INCIDENT TO THE DOCTOR, THE DR. GOOGLED "PRIUS BRAKE/ACCELERATION PROBLEMS" & FOUND MANY & PRINTED 1 OF A 2009 PRIUS WHERE THE DRIVER ENCOUNTERED 3 SUCH OCCURRENCES "DUE TO A COMBINATION OF MYSTERIOUS ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF BRAKES". THE DR. WAS CERTAIN I WAS THE 'VICTIM", BUT SUGGESTED I HAVE AN MRI "TO BE SURE"--WHICH I DID & I'M FINE. THAT I WAS IN CONTROL IN A TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE SITUATION AT NIGHT WITH A CAR IN REVERSE, WHERE I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE & POSSIBLY KILLED OR HURT OTHERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, AND DONE CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ALONG THE WAY IS A MIRACLE AND THE CULPRIT, I'M CONVINCED, IS/WAS A "GLITCH" IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304951

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

MY COMPANY PROVIDES FOR ME A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND IT HAS BEEN MY PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 36,000 MILES. I'VE NOTICED BRAKING ISSUES EVER SINCE I GOT IT BRAND NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE BRAKES NORMALLY WORK EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. THIS CAR STOPS EXTREMELY WELL UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IF WHILE BRAKING, I HIT ANY TYP…

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MY COMPANY PROVIDES FOR ME A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS AND IT HAS BEEN MY PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 36,000 MILES. I'VE NOTICED BRAKING ISSUES EVER SINCE I GOT IT BRAND NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE BRAKES NORMALLY WORK EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. THIS CAR STOPS EXTREMELY WELL UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IF WHILE BRAKING, I HIT ANY TYPE OF BUMP OR HOLE OR ANY RUMBLE STRIPS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES JUST GO AWAY. SOMETIMES IT EVEN FEELS LIKE THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT! AGAIN, THIS ONLY HAPPENS IF I HIT A POTHOLE, BUMP, ETC. IT HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT I'VE THOUGHT OF SETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT OF RUNNING OVER A WHOLE ROW OF RUMBLE STRIPS JUST TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD STOP AT ALL. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CAR WON'T BEGIN TO STOP UNTIL IT'S ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT AGAIN AFTER THE BUMPY PART. IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE PRIUS HAS EXCELLENT STOPPING POWER, IN MY OPINION. ANYWAY, THAT'S ABOUT IT. I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304943

24,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

2009 PRIUS BRAKE FAILURE IN LESS THAN 1" SNOW COVERED ROAD. CAR SLID TO STOP WITH NO BRAKE CONTROL. PEDESTRIAN IN ROAD UNINJURED BECAUSE THEY MOVED OUT OF CAR PATH!! SECOND TIME NO BRAKE CONTROL IN SNOW. CAR HAD BEEN RECENTLY INSPECTED WITH NO BRAKE FINDINGS. WILL NO LONGER DRIVE CAR IN SNOW UNTIL REMEDIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304721

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

AT ALL SPEEDS BELOW 15MPH, THE PRIUS' ELECTRICAL BRAKING SYSTEM "PULSES" THE BRAKES RESULTING IN A DECELERATION THAT IS NOT SMOOTH. THE EFFECT IS SIMILAR TO THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. BUT...THE TRANSMISSION EFFECT CAN BE ELIMINATED SINCE THE BRAKE PULSING EFFECT REMAINS AFTER THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSI…

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AT ALL SPEEDS BELOW 15MPH, THE PRIUS' ELECTRICAL BRAKING SYSTEM "PULSES" THE BRAKES RESULTING IN A DECELERATION THAT IS NOT SMOOTH. THE EFFECT IS SIMILAR TO THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. BUT...THE TRANSMISSION EFFECT CAN BE ELIMINATED SINCE THE BRAKE PULSING EFFECT REMAINS AFTER THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE LOCAL ALBUQUERQUE PRIUS DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS PULSING IS "NORMAL" FOR THE PRIUS. ON SLIPPERY PAVEMENT, THIS EFFECT COULD BE DEADLY. THE BRAKING SHOULD BE SMOOTH THROUGHOUT THE BRAKING CYCLE. IT IS NOT. DISREGARD DATE - THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304480

Official recalls

6

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

Jan 16, 2013

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

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

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

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

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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

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

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

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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

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. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

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