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2008 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

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

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,248 reports with mileage · 249 unknown

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

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

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

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

152 crash reports6 fire reports50 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

579 reports
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62,535 miles · Sep 24, 2016
Exterior Lighting

MY WIFE, 2 CHILDREN, AND I WERE ON A ROD TRIP LAST NIGHT. ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE TRIP, I NOTICED THAT I THOUGHT ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS APPEARED TO BE FLICKERING (BUT BOTH HAD BEEN FINE ART HE BEGINNING OF THE TRIP). WE STOPPED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER TO REST, AND I SAW THAT THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. WE DECIDED THAT THE FLICKER…

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MY WIFE, 2 CHILDREN, AND I WERE ON A ROD TRIP LAST NIGHT. ABOUT AN HOUR INTO THE TRIP, I NOTICED THAT I THOUGHT ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS APPEARED TO BE FLICKERING (BUT BOTH HAD BEEN FINE ART HE BEGINNING OF THE TRIP). WE STOPPED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER TO REST, AND I SAW THAT THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. WE DECIDED THAT THE FLICKERING MUST HAVE BEEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILING, AND THAT WE NEEDED TO GET IT REPAIRED AFTER GETTING TO OUR DESTINATION. OUR REAL PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING 65MPH AND WE WERE PLUNGED INTO TOTAL DARKNESS. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE APPROACHING AN EXIT OFF RAMP, AND WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND TO A GAS STATION USING THE LIGHT OF OUR HAZARD LIGHTS. AFTER GETTING TO THE GAS STATION, WE WERE ABLE TO GET BOTH HEADLIGHTS BACK O BY TOGGLING THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL ON AND OFF. WE DECIDED THE SAFE THING TO DOSAS TO GET A HOTEL AND RESUME OUR TRIP IN DAYLIGHT. THE HOTEL WAS ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE DOWN THE ROAD, ONE OF OUR HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING AGAIN AND WENT OUT AGAIN IN THE SHORT TIME IT TOOK US TO GET THERE. TOGGLING THE CONTROL AGAIN GOT THE LAMP BACK ON, BUT NEED TO TAKE OUR CAR TO GET SERVICED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE DRIVING IT AT NIGHT AGAIN. AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND SEVERAL ARTICLES ON LINE, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTAPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/PRIUS-HEADLIGHTS/ THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS NOT ISOLATED TO OUR CASE OR EVEN JUST A FEW CASSIE'S. I URGE THE NHTSA TO REOPEN THEIR INVESTIGATION, AS MANY DRIVERS' AND PASSENGERS' LIVES COULD BE IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10909448

60,000 miles · Sep 20, 2016
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. SOMETIMES THEY ALSO GO VERY DIM. WHEN EITHER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT, I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM ON AGAIN. I HAVE ALMOST GONE OFF THE ROAD A FEW TIMES ON A WINDY STRETCH OF ROAD WHERE THE LIGHTS KEPT GOING OFF EVERY FEW SECONDS. I'VE ALREADY …

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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. SOMETIMES THEY ALSO GO VERY DIM. WHEN EITHER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT, I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM ON AGAIN. I HAVE ALMOST GONE OFF THE ROAD A FEW TIMES ON A WINDY STRETCH OF ROAD WHERE THE LIGHTS KEPT GOING OFF EVERY FEW SECONDS. I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN A TICKET OVER THIS, WHEN I WAS ON A WELL-LIT MAIN ROAD AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW A LIGHT HAD GONE OUT. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR 9 MONTHS. EVERYTHING I READ SAYS THAT BUYING THE EXPENSIVE NEW HEADLIGHTS AGAIN DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I TRY TO AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT, BUT I CAN'T ALWAYS, AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. NOTHING DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF THE COPS LIKE BLINKING YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAD A FEW REALLY STORMY DAYS AND MY CHOICES WERE TO LEAVE MY HEADLIGHTS OFF, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY UNSAFE IN THAT HEAVY OF A TUCSON MONSOON, OR TO DRIVE KNOWING I'D ONLY HAVE ONE HEADLIGHT ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES, AND I WOULDN'T KNOW WHICH ONE, OR TO DRIVE IN A STORM, CALLING ATTENTION TO MYSELF FOR ONLY HAVING ONE HEADLIGHT, AND INVITING A SECOND TICKET.

NHTSA ODI #10908296

77,000 miles · Sep 18, 2016
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON NORMALLY BUT THEN WILL DIM AND GO OUT WHILE IN OPERATION (PARKED OR IN MOTION). HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON AGAIN BRIEFLY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, BUT THEN DIMS AND GOES OUT. MECHANIC SAID BULBS ARE FINE, THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER.

NHTSA ODI #10907423

98,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
Exterior Lighting

EVER SINCE MY FIANCE AND I HAVE HAD THIS CAR (LATE 2015, BOUGHT USED WITH ABOUT 98,000 MILES ON IT) THERE HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE! WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FIRST OF ALL, THE SPECIFIC HEADLIGHT TYPE FOR THIS VEHICLE (VIN [XXX]) IS VERY EXPENSIVE. ABOUT $100 PER…

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EVER SINCE MY FIANCE AND I HAVE HAD THIS CAR (LATE 2015, BOUGHT USED WITH ABOUT 98,000 MILES ON IT) THERE HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE! WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FIRST OF ALL, THE SPECIFIC HEADLIGHT TYPE FOR THIS VEHICLE (VIN [XXX]) IS VERY EXPENSIVE. ABOUT $100 PER BULB! SECONDLY, THEY ARE SO DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THAT MY TRUSTED, LONG-TIME AUTO SHOP HAD TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER TO REPLACE THEM, COSTING ME $300 IN LABOR. THAT'S A TOTAL OF $500 FOR REPAIRS, JUST FOR HEADLIGHTS! THEN, JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE STARTED AGAIN. IT IS HAPPENING NOW (SEPT 16, 2016) AND IS A THREAT TO MY SAFETY. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE BY THE POLICE FOR HAVING A "BURNED OUT HEADLIGHT," BUT I SWITCH THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND THEY WORK FINE FOR ANOTHER 20 MINUTES OR SO. THIS PROBLEM IS ABSOLUTELY A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS, PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT ITSELF IS SO OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE THAT IT IS ABSURDLY UNFAIR THAT UNSUSPECTING VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I AM AFRAID THAT IF TOYOTA DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY BE SUED BY SOMEONE WHO IS HURT IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, WHILE TURNING, WHILE GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD, AND REVERSE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10907176

170,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) INDICATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW HID LIGHT. THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) INDICATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW HID LIGHT. THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10906338

63,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT GO OUT WHILE DRIVING CAR . SOMETIMES ONE LIGHT GOES OUT AND BOTH HAVE GONE OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10904662

115,000 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT FADES OUT AFTER 9-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS IT'S DUE TO SOME "OVERHEATING" ISSUE AND WANTS $600+ TO REPLACE!!

NHTSA ODI #10902970

50,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PROBLEMS STARTED IN 2010 DRIVER HEAD LIGHT WOULD GO OFF, REPLACED THE RELAY WITH NO EFFECT, JUST LIVED WITH IT WOULD TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND WOULD THEN WORK. NOW AT 72,500 MILES BOTH HEAD LIGHTS AND ALL RUNNING LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING! YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING AND OTHER DRIVERS CAN'T SEE YOU! VERY DANGEROUS! W…

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PROBLEMS STARTED IN 2010 DRIVER HEAD LIGHT WOULD GO OFF, REPLACED THE RELAY WITH NO EFFECT, JUST LIVED WITH IT WOULD TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND WOULD THEN WORK. NOW AT 72,500 MILES BOTH HEAD LIGHTS AND ALL RUNNING LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING! YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING AND OTHER DRIVERS CAN'T SEE YOU! VERY DANGEROUS! WATER PUMP WENT OUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH A RECALL A YEAR LATER BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE PART.

NHTSA ODI #10894476

71,322 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Exterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 11:30 GOING 70MPH WHEN BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO FLICK THE SWITCH OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEY CAME BACK. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT HAS INTERMITTENTLY BEEN SHUTTING OFF BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI #10886015

208,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE STARTED TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF -- SOMETIMES JUST ONE OR THE OTHER, OTHER TIMES BOTH TURN OFF AT THE SAME TIME, REQUIRING THAT I TURN THEM ON AGAIN MANUALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK ON THE INTERSTATE, ALONG A RURAL STRETCH WITH A 70MPH SPEED LIMIT IN MAINE.

NHTSA ODI #10885742

Official recalls

4

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

Nov 14, 2012

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.

Consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.

Consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

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

Nov 14, 2012

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Steering

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Oct 5, 2009

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP13001 · Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation

Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Apr 8, 2020

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:linkages

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606

Additional source detail variants (3)

Steering:column

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606

Steering:linkages

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606

Steering

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.Reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.Reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.Examined the Petition Vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.Reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.Assessed Safety Recalls 06V-188 and 12V-537; and, 6.Requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information from Toyota.ODI's review revealed that the petition vehicle had been recalled (Recall 06V188) to remedy a defect in the system identified in the petition with the remedy taking place prior to the failure that prompted the petition. Circumstances point to incorrect reassembly of the petitioner's vehicle by those who performed the recall remedy.ODI examined the issues raised by this petition to identify any related safety defect trend in the general subject vehicle population.That review identified a low rate of related consumer complaints (twenty-five over a eight year period from a population of over 600,000 vehicles) and no pattern that would identify either a safety defect not already covered by the two existing steering safety recalls by Toyota or a systematic problem with either recall remedy.Based on this evaluation, ODI does not believe that additional investigation will lead to a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more information, see the Federal Register notice in the public file for this action (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle, select NHTSA ID, enter: DP13001)The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed on-line (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vehicle) under the following NHTSA ID numbers:10407520, 10418710, 10429551, 10473654, 10478195, 10478053, 10437229, 10489425, 10510722, 10639984, 10648277, 10499778, 10712626, 10723196, 10787530, 10808124, 10838803, 11071646, 11098144, 11099507, 11102659, 11160767, 11192607, 11287550, 11287606