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2006 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Prius are substantially higher than the model-year median of 164.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,253 reports with mileage · 186 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 941 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

82 crash reports5 fire reports38 injury reports

Traction Control System complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System

ABS OR TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES UNNECESSARILY WHEN BRAKING ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES, POTHOLES, BUMP IN ROAD, OR ON WET SURFACES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305744

35,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF BRAKE SLIPPAGE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE DURING DECELERATION OR ACCELERATION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH AT PRIUSCHAT.COM, AN ONLINE COMMUNITY OF PRIUS OWNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS "BY DESIGN" SINCE THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER THOUGHT THAT LOS…

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I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF BRAKE SLIPPAGE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE DURING DECELERATION OR ACCELERATION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH AT PRIUSCHAT.COM, AN ONLINE COMMUNITY OF PRIUS OWNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS "BY DESIGN" SINCE THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER THOUGHT THAT LOSS OF TRACTION WHEN GOING OVER AN OBSTACLE WAS CONSIDERED AS A STABILITY ISSUE HENCE DIS-ENGAGING THE BRAKES (ABS). I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FENDER BENDERS WITHOUT THE AIR-BAG DEPLOYING THOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305625

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE AGENCY AWARE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE 2010 MODEL BUT I HAVE VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH MY 2006. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND OCCURS REGULARLY FROM TIME TO TIME (AND HAS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW)…

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I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE AGENCY AWARE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE 2010 MODEL BUT I HAVE VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH MY 2006. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND OCCURS REGULARLY FROM TIME TO TIME (AND HAS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW). WHEN PASSING OVER ROAD SURFACES THAT CAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE TO ACTIVATE (WET ROAD, GRAVEL, POT HOLE, SNOW, ETC.), BRAKING AND ACCELERATION CONTROL IS TEMPORARILY LOST. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL PERSISTS FOR 1-5 SECONDS WHEN BRAKING, AND INDEFINITELY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE (I.E. WHEN ON SNOW). BRAKING DISTANCE IS CLEARLY INCREASED, AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AT ALL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE I HAD MAINTAINED A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE, BUT NEARLY RAN INTO CARS STOPPING IN FRONT OF ME (DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT BRAKING APPROPRIATELY). MERGING IS ALSO AN ISSUE AT TIMES, AS IS ACCELERATING (INTO TRAFFIC OR OUT OF A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON SNOWY/WET ROADS). I FEEL THAT THE BEST SOLUTION WOULD BE THE ABILITY TO DEACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY TOYOTA IS NOT CURRENTLY OFFERING A WAY TO DO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305558

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BRAKES AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND HAS BEEN ONGOING AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I AM THE FIRST OWNER. THE FAULT IS AS FOLLOWS: WHEN PASSING OVER ROAD SURFACES THAT CAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE TO ACTIVATE (GR…

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BRAKES AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND HAS BEEN ONGOING AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I AM THE FIRST OWNER. THE FAULT IS AS FOLLOWS: WHEN PASSING OVER ROAD SURFACES THAT CAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE TO ACTIVATE (GRAVEL, POT HOLE, SNOW, STANDING WATER, ETC.), BRAKING AND ACCELERATION CONTROL IS TEMPORARILY LOST. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL PERSISTS FOR 1-3 SECONDS. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN ARE INSTANCES IN WHICH A YIELDING SITUATION ACCOMPANYING A MERGING OR TURNING MANEUVER PRESENT THEMSELVES. IN THESE SITUATIONS, IF THE CAR PASSES OVER A ROAD SURFACE WHICH CAUSES AN ACTIVATION OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, I AM UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR OR TO ACCELERATE OUT OF DANGER. I FEAR THAT I WILL FIND MYSELF IN THE SITUATION WHERE I AM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN TO YIELD TO A VEHICLE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A RED LIGHT AND WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO DUE TO THE LOSS OF BRAKING/ACCELERATION CONTROL ACCOMPANYING THE ACTIVATION OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. IN SUCH A SITUATION, I WOULD BE UNABLE TO AVOID A HIGH-SPEED COLLISION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE LIVED WITH THIS DANGER FOR THE LAST 4+ YEARS, BUT IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, I FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RAISE THIS ISSUE THROUGH THIS COMPLAINT SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304621

40,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE SINCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CONSTRUED THIS TO BE A PART OF THE PRIUS AND DID NOT THINK OF LODGING A COMPLAINT. BUT BASED ON TODAY'S (2/3/10) REPORT ON PRIUS' BRAKE ISSUES FROM JAPAN, I FEEL COMPELLED TO POINT OUT THAT: THERE HAS BEE…

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I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE SINCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I CONSTRUED THIS TO BE A PART OF THE PRIUS AND DID NOT THINK OF LODGING A COMPLAINT. BUT BASED ON TODAY'S (2/3/10) REPORT ON PRIUS' BRAKE ISSUES FROM JAPAN, I FEEL COMPELLED TO POINT OUT THAT: THERE HAS BEEN A TYPICALLY RECURRING PROBLEM OF THE TIRES SKIDDING AS THE BRAKES LOOSE THEIR GRIP WHEN I HAVE HIT THE BRAKE AS I AM CROSSING A POTHOLE OR A ROAD EXPANSION JOINT OR MINOR BUMP (NOT SPEED BUMPS) OR JUST A WET SPOT. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN NOTED REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES - MEANING EVEN ON BRAND NEW TIRES. THE VSC LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR GLIDES/SKIDS OVER AND MOVES PAST THE POINT WHERE I HAD WANTED TO SLOW DOWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE TYPE OF BRAKE IN THIS VEHICLE SO I WILL BE CHECKING OFF ALL 3 KINDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304425

1,000 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Electrical SystemTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE ROADWAYS WERE SLIPPER THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE TRACTION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ONLY THE 2010 MODELS HAD A SWITCH THAT WOULD DISENGAGE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE ROADWAYS WERE SLIPPER THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE TRACTION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ONLY THE 2010 MODELS HAD A SWITCH THAT WOULD DISENGAGE FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 12/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/21/09

NHTSA ODI #10293014

85,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Traction Control SystemCrash

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE HAD 3 ACCIDENT CLAIMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ( AND NOT ONE CLAIM IN THE 12 YEARS I'VE BEEN WITH STATE FARM PRIOR TO THIS). ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS THE TRACTION CONTROL SLIPPED AND I PUT IT IN A DITCH. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA MULTIPLE TIMES REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS JUST GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HA…

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I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE HAD 3 ACCIDENT CLAIMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. ( AND NOT ONE CLAIM IN THE 12 YEARS I'VE BEEN WITH STATE FARM PRIOR TO THIS). ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS THE TRACTION CONTROL SLIPPED AND I PUT IT IN A DITCH. I'VE CONTACTED TOYOTA MULTIPLE TIMES REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS JUST GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF AND ON AGAIN TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK. NOW, AT 85,000 MILES I HAD NEW BRAKES PLACED. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE MECHANIC HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER AND NOTHING KICKED OUT. HE RESET IT AND WARNED ME ABOUT IT. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE THE OVERRIDE TO TURN THE ABS BACK ON DUE A "SAFETY" MECHANISM INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE THAT ONLY ALLOWS A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS "COMPLETELY SAFE TO DRIVE". SO, I DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY. A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I HIT THE BRAKES AND SPUN A 180 INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS HURT! IT IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO TURN THE "SAFETY MECHANISM" BACK ON. PLEASE, PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED GET TOYOTA TO BUY-BACK AND DESTROY THESE VEHICLES. THEY ARE A DEATH TRAP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281294

33,000 miles · Aug 8, 2009
Traction Control System

THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS (2006) IMPROPERLY ENGAGES WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THERE IS SOME SAND OR GRAVEL UNDER THE FRONT TIRES. THERE IS OFTEN AN ACCUMULATION OF SANDY MATERIAL AT MANY INTERSECTIONS, PARTICULARLY ON SIDE STREETS THAT ENTER A HIGHWAY SERVICE ROAD. AT THESE INTERS…

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THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS (2006) IMPROPERLY ENGAGES WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THERE IS SOME SAND OR GRAVEL UNDER THE FRONT TIRES. THERE IS OFTEN AN ACCUMULATION OF SANDY MATERIAL AT MANY INTERSECTIONS, PARTICULARLY ON SIDE STREETS THAT ENTER A HIGHWAY SERVICE ROAD. AT THESE INTERSECTIONS, IT IS NECESSARY TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE TO ENTER THE ROADWAY AT THE SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES DUE TO THE CONDITIONS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE TRACTION SYSTEM ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE WHEELS BRIEFLY IN ORDER TO BREAK THE TIRES FROM SLIPPAGE. HOWEVER, IN A HYBRID VEHICLE, THIS PULSING OF THE DRIVE SYSTEM ONLY ENCOURAGES FURTHER SLIPPAGE AND THE TRACTION SYSTEM CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGE WITHOUT ANY WAY TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM. THE DANGER IS THAT WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN TO ENTER THE ROADWAY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT IS FAILING TO ACCELERATE, CREATING AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE A COLLISION IS POSSIBLE. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED A COLLISION YET, BUT HAVE NEARLY BEEN INVOLVED IN ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279743

10,000 miles · Jun 5, 2009
Traction Control System

TOYOTA PRIUS TRACTION CONTROL IN THE MODEL INCLUDING 2006 HAS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DESIGN FLAW. IT SHUTS DOWN ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS WHEN IT DETECTS SLIPPAGE, ESPECIALLY IN FRESH SNOW. IF SOMEONE WERE COMING AT YOU ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD, YOU'RE AT RISK OF HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND BEING PARALYZED…

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TOYOTA PRIUS TRACTION CONTROL IN THE MODEL INCLUDING 2006 HAS A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DESIGN FLAW. IT SHUTS DOWN ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS WHEN IT DETECTS SLIPPAGE, ESPECIALLY IN FRESH SNOW. IF SOMEONE WERE COMING AT YOU ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD, YOU'RE AT RISK OF HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND BEING PARALYZED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A SITTING ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATE PROVED FUTILE. THEIR CORPORATE LINE WAS THAT THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THEY WERE RESISTANT TO ACCEPTING THAT "OPERATING THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO" WAS THE PROBLEM. THE PRIUS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN REDESIGNED ON THE 2010 MODEL WITH A TRACTION CONTROL OVERRIDE SWITCH DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE AND FROM MECHANICS WHO I SPOKE WITH THAT WORK AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS. NONETHELESS, THERE IS NO WARNING GIVEN TO CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASE THIS CAR AND I HAVE SEEN REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS THAT RESULT OF TRACTION CONTROL SHUTTING DOWN ALL POWER AT THE PRECISE MOMENT WHEN YOU NEED THE ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF AN ONCOMING CAR TO AVOID A COLLISION. IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT A COSTLY RECALL THAN ABOUT PASSENGER SAFETY. MY REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CORPORATION TO RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINTS AND ACT RESPONSIBLY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM HAVE PROVED FUTILE. AT LEAST IT SEEMS THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT WITH THE IMMORALITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO ACT RESPONSIBLY THAT PLAGUES SO MANY CORPORATIONS AFRAID OF LOSING MONEY, THEY CONTINUE TO PUT LIVES AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272922

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.

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.

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.

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

PE09019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Apr 17, 2009 · Closed Aug 27, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, OR EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS THAT OPERATE ON INDEPENDENT LAMPS AND ECU'S (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS) FOR EACH HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT EACH HEADLIGHT RUNS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER, AND A FAILURE IN ONE LAMP OR ECU DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE OTHER.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORTY CONSUMERS WAS CONTACTED BY ODI IN A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO VERIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES.THE CONSUMERS STATED IN COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.ODI DISCOVERED THROUGH TALKING WITH THESE COMPLAINANTS THAT IN FACT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN CUT OFF.THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL.IN A FEW CASES WHERE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, SOME COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MONTHS BOTH HEADLAMPS WOULD BEGIN TO FAIL RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER NONE REPORTED THAT BOTH LAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.COMPLAINANTS ALSO STATED THAT THEY COULD TOGGLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON AND OFF TO TEMPORARILY RESTORE LIGHTING WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, EVEN IN CASES WERE BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE EXTINGUISHED.THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE LARGELY CONSISTENT WITH ODI'S ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA.TOYOTA SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ONE LAMP FAILED AT A TIME, AND THAT TOGGLING THE SWITCH RESTORED THE LAMP.TOYOTA REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ODI AND ON AUGUST 6, 2009, PRESENTED THEIR ASSESSMENT OF HEADLAMP FAILURE.TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT A HEADLAMP COULD EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BULB FAILURE, AND THAT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLAMPS WAS RARE AND UNLIKELY.TOYOTA ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS CONSUMER DISSATISFACTION WITH HID BULB FAILURES.SINCE THERE IS STILL ONE HEADLIGHT OPERATING WHEN THE OTHER ONE CUTS OFF, THERE IS STILL LIGHTING AVAILABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY.THUS, A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:headlights

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, OR EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS THAT OPERATE ON INDEPENDENT LAMPS AND ECU'S (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS) FOR EACH HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT EACH HEADLIGHT RUNS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER, AND A FAILURE IN ONE LAMP OR ECU DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE OTHER.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORTY CONSUMERS WAS CONTACTED BY ODI IN A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO VERIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES.THE CONSUMERS STATED IN COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.ODI DISCOVERED THROUGH TALKING WITH THESE COMPLAINANTS THAT IN FACT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN CUT OFF.THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL.IN A FEW CASES WHERE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, SOME COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MONTHS BOTH HEADLAMPS WOULD BEGIN TO FAIL RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER NONE REPORTED THAT BOTH LAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.COMPLAINANTS ALSO STATED THAT THEY COULD TOGGLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON AND OFF TO TEMPORARILY RESTORE LIGHTING WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, EVEN IN CASES WERE BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE EXTINGUISHED.THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE LARGELY CONSISTENT WITH ODI'S ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA.TOYOTA SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ONE LAMP FAILED AT A TIME, AND THAT TOGGLING THE SWITCH RESTORED THE LAMP.TOYOTA REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ODI AND ON AUGUST 6, 2009, PRESENTED THEIR ASSESSMENT OF HEADLAMP FAILURE.TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT A HEADLAMP COULD EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BULB FAILURE, AND THAT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLAMPS WAS RARE AND UNLIKELY.TOYOTA ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS CONSUMER DISSATISFACTION WITH HID BULB FAILURES.SINCE THERE IS STILL ONE HEADLIGHT OPERATING WHEN THE OTHER ONE CUTS OFF, THERE IS STILL LIGHTING AVAILABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY.THUS, A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT, OR EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLAMPS THAT OPERATE ON INDEPENDENT LAMPS AND ECU'S (ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS) FOR EACH HEADLIGHT, MEANING THAT EACH HEADLIGHT RUNS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER, AND A FAILURE IN ONE LAMP OR ECU DOES NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE OTHER.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A RANDOM SAMPLE OF FORTY CONSUMERS WAS CONTACTED BY ODI IN A TELEPHONE SURVEY TO VERIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES.THE CONSUMERS STATED IN COMPLAINTS TO TOYOTA THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.ODI DISCOVERED THROUGH TALKING WITH THESE COMPLAINANTS THAT IN FACT ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD BEGIN TO FLICKER AND THEN CUT OFF.THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL.IN A FEW CASES WHERE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, SOME COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT AFTER A FEW MONTHS BOTH HEADLAMPS WOULD BEGIN TO FAIL RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS; HOWEVER NONE REPORTED THAT BOTH LAMPS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY.COMPLAINANTS ALSO STATED THAT THEY COULD TOGGLE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON AND OFF TO TEMPORARILY RESTORE LIGHTING WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, EVEN IN CASES WERE BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE EXTINGUISHED.THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE LARGELY CONSISTENT WITH ODI'S ASSESSMENT OF THE REPORTS AND WARRANTY DATA.TOYOTA SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER THAT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ONLY ONE LAMP FAILED AT A TIME, AND THAT TOGGLING THE SWITCH RESTORED THE LAMP.TOYOTA REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ODI AND ON AUGUST 6, 2009, PRESENTED THEIR ASSESSMENT OF HEADLAMP FAILURE.TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT A HEADLAMP COULD EXTINGUISH WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BULB FAILURE, AND THAT IT COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESTORED BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLAMPS WAS RARE AND UNLIKELY.TOYOTA ALSO BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THEIR INTENTION TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS CONSUMER DISSATISFACTION WITH HID BULB FAILURES.SINCE THERE IS STILL ONE HEADLIGHT OPERATING WHEN THE OTHER ONE CUTS OFF, THERE IS STILL LIGHTING AVAILABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY.THUS, A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.