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2004 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Prius are substantially higher than the model-year median of 164.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

503 reports with mileage · 107 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 184 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports2 fire reports21 injury reports

What owners actually said

610 reports
90,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SINCE THAT DATE, DESPITE CHANGING THE BULBS. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CAN BE RELIT BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON. SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK. PARTICULARLY IF THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE ON, THE OFF-ON SWITCHING …

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BOTH HEADLIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SINCE THAT DATE, DESPITE CHANGING THE BULBS. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CAN BE RELIT BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON. SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT WORK. PARTICULARLY IF THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE ON, THE OFF-ON SWITCHING DOES NOT WORK AND THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644538

99,698 miles · Sep 14, 2014
Exterior Lighting

A DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOLD ME ABOUT ONE WEEK AGO THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THEN YESTERDAY WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER DRIVER GOT OUT OF HIS CAR TO TELL ME THAT MY LIGHTS HAD GONE OFF. I HADN'T NOTICED A CHANGE MYSELF, BUT THEN I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND CUT MY LIGHTS ALL T…

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A DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TOLD ME ABOUT ONE WEEK AGO THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THEN YESTERDAY WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER DRIVER GOT OUT OF HIS CAR TO TELL ME THAT MY LIGHTS HAD GONE OFF. I HADN'T NOTICED A CHANGE MYSELF, BUT THEN I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND CUT MY LIGHTS ALL THE WAY OFF AND CUT THEM BACK ON AND THEN THE LIGHT WAS MUCH BRIGHTER. THIS IS NOT A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS STAY ON FINE AND THEN THEY GO OUT RANDOMLY. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PATTERN TO WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. BUT IF I CUT THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE PROBLEM WILL FIX TEMPORARILY. I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL FORMS THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH 2004-2006 PRIUSES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633026

116,000 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Steering

LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL

NHTSA ODI #10625721

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT RECENTLY ON APRIL 11, 2014 INVOLVING A DEER AND UNFORTUNATELY FLIPPED AND TOTALED MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT, A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND INITIAL INSTINCT WAS TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SWERVE. WHEN I DID SO, THE TIRES CAUGHT LOOSE GRAVEL…

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I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT RECENTLY ON APRIL 11, 2014 INVOLVING A DEER AND UNFORTUNATELY FLIPPED AND TOTALED MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT, A DEER JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND INITIAL INSTINCT WAS TO HIT THE BRAKES AND SWERVE. WHEN I DID SO, THE TIRES CAUGHT LOOSE GRAVEL IN THE ROAD AND SENT MY VEHICLE SLIDING SIDEWAYS, MY INITIAL REACTION WAS TO REGAIN CONTROL SO I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND FLIP LANDING NOSE DOWN IN THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 40-45 MPH AND THE FRONT END WAS RIPPED OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SENSOR BARS FOR THE AIRBAGS WERE BROKEN AND THE SHOCK TRIGGER WAS ALSO SET OFF BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED AND INTACT CAUSING A HARSH BURN AND GASH IN MY NECK AS WELL AS SEVERAL BRUISES TO PROVE AS SUCH. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT THE GROUND. IN THE PROCESS OF THE ACCIDENT, MY RIGHT HUMERUS RIGHT ABOVE THE ELBOW WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND I HAD TO UNDERGO A FOUR HOUR SURGERY TO HAVE PLATES AND SCREWS PUT ON MY BONE AND 62 STAPLES TO HOLD TOGETHER THE LONG INCISION FROM THE OPERATION. NOW HAVING TO ENDURE PHYSICAL THERAPY 3 TIMES A WEEK FOR MONTHS AS I HAVE LOST MOST MOBILITY IN THAT ARM AND NERVE DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586712

85,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Exterior Lighting

STARTING LAST YEAR MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF AND WILL TURN BACK ON ONCE I TURN LIGHTS OFF AND ON. PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT CONTINUES TO PERIODICALLY SHUT OFF FOR NO SPECIFIC REASON THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS LIGHTING SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS INSTANCES OF BEING PULL…

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STARTING LAST YEAR MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF AND WILL TURN BACK ON ONCE I TURN LIGHTS OFF AND ON. PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT CONTINUES TO PERIODICALLY SHUT OFF FOR NO SPECIFIC REASON THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS LIGHTING SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS INSTANCES OF BEING PULLED OVER FOR HEADLIGHT BEING OUT. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS. I PETITION FOR THE NHTSA TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUE DESCRIBED ABOVE. I SEEK A FAVORABLE AND JUST DECISION IN REGARDS TO URGING TOYOTA TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ADDRESS THE POPULAR DEFECT IN NOT ONLY.2004 MODELS BUT SEVERAL OTHER PRIUS MODEL YEARS. TOYOTA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2006-2009 TOYOTA PRIUS'. THIS PRECEDENCE INDICATES THAT TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NEGLECTED TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACTION IN ESTABLISHING A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586280

73,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL, CAME AROUND A BLIND CURVE AND CARS WERE BACKED UP REALLY HIGH ON THE STREET. I REAR-ENDED THE CAR THAT WAS AT A DEAD STOP IN FRONT OF ME AS I TURNED THE CORNER. MY CAR CRUNCHED LIKE AN ACCORDION AND IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE SEVERE WHIPLASH AS WELL AS ALOT OF OTHER BODILY PAIN. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL, CAME AROUND A BLIND CURVE AND CARS WERE BACKED UP REALLY HIGH ON THE STREET. I REAR-ENDED THE CAR THAT WAS AT A DEAD STOP IN FRONT OF ME AS I TURNED THE CORNER. MY CAR CRUNCHED LIKE AN ACCORDION AND IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE SEVERE WHIPLASH AS WELL AS ALOT OF OTHER BODILY PAIN. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVERYONE WHO SEES MY CAR IS SHOCKED THAT THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I CONSIDER A FAULTY PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584258

121,000 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2012. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS PRIUS, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNING OFF RANDOMLY. WHENEVER I TURN THE CAR ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON, BUT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF. I TOOK IT TO CARFIX IN GARNER, NC AND THEY THOUGHT THAT IT …

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2012. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS PRIUS, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNING OFF RANDOMLY. WHENEVER I TURN THE CAR ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON, BUT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF. I TOOK IT TO CARFIX IN GARNER, NC AND THEY THOUGHT THAT IT COULD BE THE HEADLIGHT, SO THEY RECOMMENDED CHANGING IT. I ENDED UP HAVING IT CHANGED BY A FAMILY FRIEND BECAUSE IT WAS CHEAPER TO DO IT THAT WAY. THE HEADLIGHT WAS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS AFTER BEING CHANGED, SO I TOOK IT TO THE LEITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH, NC AND THEY SAID THAT THE HEADLIGHT THAT I PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE WAS NOT THE CORRECT TYPE OF HEADLIGHT, SO THEY CHANGED IT AGAIN. EVEN AFTER THEY CHANGED IT, THE HEADLIGHT WAS STILL GOING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME KIND OF WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR 2005-2009 PRIUS' FOR THE SAME ISSUES, BUT SINCE MINE IS A 2004 IT DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL CATEGORY. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BASED ON MY ISSUE COMPARED TO THAT AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND BLOGS THAT I HAVE FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583665

240,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. NEITHER THE HIGH BEAMS NOR THE LOW BEAMS WORKED. I HAD TO PULL OVER, AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WORKED FINE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. NEITHER THE HIGH BEAMS NOR THE LOW BEAMS WORKED. I HAD TO PULL OVER, AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WORKED FINE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THEY BELIEVED ME. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FOR ALMOST 4 WEEKS. THEN 3 DAYS AGO, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. AGAIN, I PULLED OVER. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THEY WORKED FINE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. I HAVE CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS AND NEITHER OF THEM HAVE HEARD OF SUCH A THING. HOWEVER, IN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I EASILY FIND THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING PRIUS MODEL YEARS 2006-2009. SO THERE SHOULD BE INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE TELLING THEIR DEALERS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578149

292,000 miles · Mar 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting

HID HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575735

76,000 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Exterior Lighting

PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 8/27/2013 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING WITH THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. I …

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PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 8/27/2013 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING WITH THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. I CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY TURNING OFF & THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT SWITCH BUT THIS CORRECTION DOES NOT LAST LONG AND THE PROBLEM RECURS. I HAVE RESORTED TO DRIVING WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ALSO TURNED ON IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SOME SEMBLANCE OF LIGHT. IT IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE LIKE THIS IN THE LONG ALASKAN WINTERS WITH SO MUCH ICE AND SNOW ON THE ROADWAYS. I CAN ALSO MAKE THIS PROBLEM OCCUR WHEN WARMING UP MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560535

Official recalls

6

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.

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.

06V188000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

May 31, 2006

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND SLIDING YOKE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAN CRACK WHEN LARGE FORCES ARE APPLIED AND THE CONNECTION MAY SEPARATE OR THE SLEEVE MAY FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND INSPECT THE SLIDING YOKE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

06V096000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

04V558000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Nov 22, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. A SILICON OXIDE BUILD-UP OCCURS ON THE CONTACTS INSIDE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH CAN MAKE IT INOPERABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

3

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

PE05029 · Engine Stalling

Opened May 31, 2005 · Closed Oct 12, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Unknown Or Other

ODI OPENED PE05-029 BASED ON 33 REPORTS OF ALLEGED GASOLINE ENGINE STALLING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE GASOLINE/ ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES THAT CAN BE OPERATED IN GASOLINE OR ELECTRIC MODES, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH DEPENDING ON THE POWER DEMAND.ALL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE GASOLINE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE USING THE ELECTRIC MODE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE GAS ENGINE STALLED AND SOME REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY FELT THE GAS ENGINE STALLED.SOME CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A SHORT TIME, WHEREAS OTHERS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD THEIR VEHICLE TOWED.DURING PE05-029, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE ENGINE STALLING WAS ALLEGED OR WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE ONE OF THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT CAUSES THE GAS ENGINE TO STALL.IN ITS AUGUST 26, 2005 RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO EXPERIENCE A GAS ENGINE STALL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER IS ALERTED BY AN AUDIBLE SOUND AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS.THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE ELECTRIC MODE AND THE ELECTRICALLY-POWERED BRAKE AND STEERING OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. ANALYSIS OF THE WARRANTY DATA INDICATED THAT OVER 97% OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING A GAS ENGINE STALL RESULTED FROM AN ISSUE WITH THE PROGRAM LOGIC IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ECM SYSTEM TO NOT START THE GAS ENGINE WHEN REQUIRED.AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER THE LIMITED OPERATION MODE DESCRIBED ABOVE.THE MAJORITY OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE STALL. DURING OCTOBER 2005, TOYOTA INFORMED ODI THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) TO REPROGRAM THE ECM SOFTWARE ON APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MY 2004 AND EARLY 2005 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE GAS ENGINE STALLING CONDITION.DURING THIS SSC, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY SPECIAL DIELECTRIC GREASE TO A TRANSAXLE CONNECTOR TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION WHICH MAY ALSO CAUSE SIMILAR LIMITED OPERATION CONDITIONS.BASED ON ODI'S ANALYSIS, THIS REMEDY SHOULD ADDRESS MOST OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN A LIMITED OPERATION MODE.GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES IN THIS MATTER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ODI OPENED PE05-029 BASED ON 33 REPORTS OF ALLEGED GASOLINE ENGINE STALLING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE GASOLINE/ ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES THAT CAN BE OPERATED IN GASOLINE OR ELECTRIC MODES, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH DEPENDING ON THE POWER DEMAND.ALL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE GASOLINE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE USING THE ELECTRIC MODE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE GAS ENGINE STALLED AND SOME REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY FELT THE GAS ENGINE STALLED.SOME CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A SHORT TIME, WHEREAS OTHERS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD THEIR VEHICLE TOWED.DURING PE05-029, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE ENGINE STALLING WAS ALLEGED OR WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE ONE OF THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT CAUSES THE GAS ENGINE TO STALL.IN ITS AUGUST 26, 2005 RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO EXPERIENCE A GAS ENGINE STALL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER IS ALERTED BY AN AUDIBLE SOUND AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS.THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE ELECTRIC MODE AND THE ELECTRICALLY-POWERED BRAKE AND STEERING OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. ANALYSIS OF THE WARRANTY DATA INDICATED THAT OVER 97% OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING A GAS ENGINE STALL RESULTED FROM AN ISSUE WITH THE PROGRAM LOGIC IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ECM SYSTEM TO NOT START THE GAS ENGINE WHEN REQUIRED.AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER THE LIMITED OPERATION MODE DESCRIBED ABOVE.THE MAJORITY OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE STALL. DURING OCTOBER 2005, TOYOTA INFORMED ODI THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) TO REPROGRAM THE ECM SOFTWARE ON APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MY 2004 AND EARLY 2005 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE GAS ENGINE STALLING CONDITION.DURING THIS SSC, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY SPECIAL DIELECTRIC GREASE TO A TRANSAXLE CONNECTOR TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION WHICH MAY ALSO CAUSE SIMILAR LIMITED OPERATION CONDITIONS.BASED ON ODI'S ANALYSIS, THIS REMEDY SHOULD ADDRESS MOST OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN A LIMITED OPERATION MODE.GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES IN THIS MATTER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Engine And Engine Cooling

ODI OPENED PE05-029 BASED ON 33 REPORTS OF ALLEGED GASOLINE ENGINE STALLING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE GASOLINE/ ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES THAT CAN BE OPERATED IN GASOLINE OR ELECTRIC MODES, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH DEPENDING ON THE POWER DEMAND.ALL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE GASOLINE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE USING THE ELECTRIC MODE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE GAS ENGINE STALLED AND SOME REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY FELT THE GAS ENGINE STALLED.SOME CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A SHORT TIME, WHEREAS OTHERS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD THEIR VEHICLE TOWED.DURING PE05-029, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE ENGINE STALLING WAS ALLEGED OR WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE ONE OF THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT CAUSES THE GAS ENGINE TO STALL.IN ITS AUGUST 26, 2005 RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO EXPERIENCE A GAS ENGINE STALL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER IS ALERTED BY AN AUDIBLE SOUND AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS.THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE ELECTRIC MODE AND THE ELECTRICALLY-POWERED BRAKE AND STEERING OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. ANALYSIS OF THE WARRANTY DATA INDICATED THAT OVER 97% OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING A GAS ENGINE STALL RESULTED FROM AN ISSUE WITH THE PROGRAM LOGIC IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ECM SYSTEM TO NOT START THE GAS ENGINE WHEN REQUIRED.AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER THE LIMITED OPERATION MODE DESCRIBED ABOVE.THE MAJORITY OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE STALL. DURING OCTOBER 2005, TOYOTA INFORMED ODI THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) TO REPROGRAM THE ECM SOFTWARE ON APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MY 2004 AND EARLY 2005 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE GAS ENGINE STALLING CONDITION.DURING THIS SSC, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY SPECIAL DIELECTRIC GREASE TO A TRANSAXLE CONNECTOR TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION WHICH MAY ALSO CAUSE SIMILAR LIMITED OPERATION CONDITIONS.BASED ON ODI'S ANALYSIS, THIS REMEDY SHOULD ADDRESS MOST OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN A LIMITED OPERATION MODE.GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES IN THIS MATTER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Unknown Or Other

ODI OPENED PE05-029 BASED ON 33 REPORTS OF ALLEGED GASOLINE ENGINE STALLING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE GASOLINE/ ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES THAT CAN BE OPERATED IN GASOLINE OR ELECTRIC MODES, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH DEPENDING ON THE POWER DEMAND.ALL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE GASOLINE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE USING THE ELECTRIC MODE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE GAS ENGINE STALLED AND SOME REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY FELT THE GAS ENGINE STALLED.SOME CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A SHORT TIME, WHEREAS OTHERS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD THEIR VEHICLE TOWED.DURING PE05-029, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE ENGINE STALLING WAS ALLEGED OR WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE ONE OF THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT CAUSES THE GAS ENGINE TO STALL.IN ITS AUGUST 26, 2005 RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO EXPERIENCE A GAS ENGINE STALL.IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER IS ALERTED BY AN AUDIBLE SOUND AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS.THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE ELECTRIC MODE AND THE ELECTRICALLY-POWERED BRAKE AND STEERING OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. ANALYSIS OF THE WARRANTY DATA INDICATED THAT OVER 97% OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCING A GAS ENGINE STALL RESULTED FROM AN ISSUE WITH THE PROGRAM LOGIC IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SYSTEM, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ECM SYSTEM TO NOT START THE GAS ENGINE WHEN REQUIRED.AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER THE LIMITED OPERATION MODE DESCRIBED ABOVE.THE MAJORITY OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED THIS CONDITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE STALL. DURING OCTOBER 2005, TOYOTA INFORMED ODI THAT IT WOULD INITIATE A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) TO REPROGRAM THE ECM SOFTWARE ON APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MY 2004 AND EARLY 2005 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE GAS ENGINE STALLING CONDITION.DURING THIS SSC, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY SPECIAL DIELECTRIC GREASE TO A TRANSAXLE CONNECTOR TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION WHICH MAY ALSO CAUSE SIMILAR LIMITED OPERATION CONDITIONS.BASED ON ODI'S ANALYSIS, THIS REMEDY SHOULD ADDRESS MOST OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTING IN A LIMITED OPERATION MODE.GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES IN THIS MATTER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.