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2008 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

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

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,248 reports with mileage · 249 unknown

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

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

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

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

152 crash reports6 fire reports50 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,497 reports
127,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

THERE IS A LEAK INSIDE THE 12V BATTERY COMPARTMENT THAT HOUSES THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE CAR'S HATCH LEAKS WATER IN FROM RAIN AND CAR WASHES AND IT COLLECTS AROUND THE 12V BATTERY. IN THIS PRIUS, THIS AREA HAS THE BATTERY, ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER, AND FURTHER BACK IS THE HV BATTERY. THERE SHOULD…

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THERE IS A LEAK INSIDE THE 12V BATTERY COMPARTMENT THAT HOUSES THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE CAR'S HATCH LEAKS WATER IN FROM RAIN AND CAR WASHES AND IT COLLECTS AROUND THE 12V BATTERY. IN THIS PRIUS, THIS AREA HAS THE BATTERY, ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER, AND FURTHER BACK IS THE HV BATTERY. THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY WATER THAT CAN LEAK INTO THIS AREA WITH THE ELECTRONICS. THERE ARE MANY GOOGLE THREADS REGARDING OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INSIDE THE CAR'S BACK AREA. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE THE BATTERY AND BRAKE BOOSTER IS IN THIS EXACT AREA WHERE IT CAN AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR WHEN DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566912

97,450 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE HID HEADLAMPS ON THIS VEHICLE WERE PART OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT SEVERAL YEARS AGO ALLEGING THE LAMPS FAILED PREMATURELY. TOYOTA SETTLED THE SUIT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. I WAS FORCED TO HAVE BOTH HEADLAMPS REPLACED RIGHT AT 50,000 AS ONE HAD GONE OUT AND ALM…

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THE HID HEADLAMPS ON THIS VEHICLE WERE PART OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT SEVERAL YEARS AGO ALLEGING THE LAMPS FAILED PREMATURELY. TOYOTA SETTLED THE SUIT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. I WAS FORCED TO HAVE BOTH HEADLAMPS REPLACED RIGHT AT 50,000 AS ONE HAD GONE OUT AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE OTHER STARTED GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. IT CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD AT THE TIME. ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2014 I HAD ANOTHER HEADLAMP GO OUT WHILE ON A DARK STRETCH OF RURAL HIGHWAY IN CENTRAL MISSOURI. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET HOME, BUT WAS FORCED TO HAVE THE LAMP REPLACED AT SIGNIFICANT COST ($247.38) THE NEXT DAY. THIS HEADLAMP LASTED APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ITEM WHICH I FEEL IS CREATING A VERY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. WHILE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE IN A DARK AREA AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE THAT MADE THE ISSUE QUITE OBVIOUS, DRIVERS IN A MORE URBAN ENVIRONMENT WOULD HAVE EASILY NEVER NOTICED. EVEN FOR THOSE WHO DID NOTICE MOST DRIVERS WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THE PROCLIVITY FOR THESE LAMPS TO FAIL AND THE IMMINENT DANGER THEY ARE IN DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A SINGLE LAMP WITH THESE PARTICULAR LAMPS. UNFORTUNATELY HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN SUCH A RELIABLE PART THAT MOST DRIVERS WILL FEEL IT'S A ONCE IN A BLUE MOON EVENT AND THERE IS NO URGENCY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IT APPEARS THAT WHILE THEY SAID AS PART OF THE SUIT SETTLEMENT THAT THEY HAD RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH THE LAMPS FAILING PREMATURELY THEY QUITE CLEARLY HAVE NOT. THEY ARE MOST DEFINITELY PUTTING DRIVERS IN DANGER. IT IS MY HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566827

118,000 miles · Mar 1, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. I HAD THE SAME EXACT HEADLIGHT REPLACED ONLY ONE YEAR AGO. A FEW DAYS LATER, BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY WOULD FLICKER AND THEN JUST GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING THEY SOMETIMES…

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WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. I HAD THE SAME EXACT HEADLIGHT REPLACED ONLY ONE YEAR AGO. A FEW DAYS LATER, BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY WOULD FLICKER AND THEN JUST GO OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. IF I TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING THEY SOMETIMES COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON. THIS ISSUE IS NOT SAFE! PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566618

125,899 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF SUDDENLY. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT AND SOME TIME RIGHT HEAD LIGHT.THE HEAD LIGHT COMES BACK ON AFTER TURNING OFF AND ON. IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT AT NIGHT. MECHANIC FIND NO PROBLEM. HWEVER, THE HEAD LIGHT CUTS OFF SUDDENLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565988

107,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. THEY TURN OFF RANDOMLY, AND YOU MUCH SWITCH THEM ON AND OFF AGAIN TO GET THEM TO CONTINUE TO WORK. THEY AT TIMES MALFUNCTION AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT BULB IS ASTRONOMICAL AT APPROX. $200 PER BULB. MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, EVEN AFTER BULB REPLACEMEN…

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THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. THEY TURN OFF RANDOMLY, AND YOU MUCH SWITCH THEM ON AND OFF AGAIN TO GET THEM TO CONTINUE TO WORK. THEY AT TIMES MALFUNCTION AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT BULB IS ASTRONOMICAL AT APPROX. $200 PER BULB. MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, EVEN AFTER BULB REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565718

36,318 miles · Feb 15, 2014
Power TrainStructureCrash

ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE WILL POP OUT OF D OR WILL HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING INTO D. THIS DAY I PARKED, LEFT THE VEHICLE RUNNING (ON) SINCE IT WAS COLD IN BOSTON AND MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. EXISTED THE CAR, RETRIEVED A PACKAGE I WAS DELIVERING FROM THE BACK SEAT AND LEFT. ABOUT 5 MIN LATER, MY WIFE SAID THAT ALL O…

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ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE WILL POP OUT OF D OR WILL HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING INTO D. THIS DAY I PARKED, LEFT THE VEHICLE RUNNING (ON) SINCE IT WAS COLD IN BOSTON AND MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. EXISTED THE CAR, RETRIEVED A PACKAGE I WAS DELIVERING FROM THE BACK SEAT AND LEFT. ABOUT 5 MIN LATER, MY WIFE SAID THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE FEELS THE CAR MOVING FORWARD AND BEFORE SHE CAN STOP IT THE CAR CRASHED INTO A TRUCK WITH A VERY LARGE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY. THE CRASH NAILED MY FRONT HOOD VIRTUALLY DEAD CENTER. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE BUT SEEMS FROM OTHER ONLINE COMMENTS THAT THIS IS NOT UNKNOWN ABOUT GEAR DIFFICULTY ALTHOUGH POPPING OUT OF P SEEMS LIKE A NEW ADD-ON OR MAYBE FEW OF US EVER LEAVE A CAR RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564473

54,000 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DRIVER OF 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN DRIVER WAS STRUCK ON LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, HIT BLACK ICE AND STRUCK A CURB THEN A TREE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND DRIVER COLLIDED WITH AIRBAG AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP DRIVER IN PLACE AND DRIVER STRUCK THE TOP OF HIS HEAD ON THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD…

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DRIVER OF 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN DRIVER WAS STRUCK ON LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, HIT BLACK ICE AND STRUCK A CURB THEN A TREE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND DRIVER COLLIDED WITH AIRBAG AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP DRIVER IN PLACE AND DRIVER STRUCK THE TOP OF HIS HEAD ON THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564334

79,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

WAS DRIVING TO NOVA SCOTIA 10/18/13. STOPPED FOR COFFEE AFTER 2 HRS OF DRIVING. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. RETURNING TO MAINE10/20/2013 WAS PASSING A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK WITH ANOTHER TRAILER TRUCK PASSING BEHIND ME AS WELL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AT ANY TIME DURING THE TRIP. SUDDENLY,ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBO…

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WAS DRIVING TO NOVA SCOTIA 10/18/13. STOPPED FOR COFFEE AFTER 2 HRS OF DRIVING. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. RETURNING TO MAINE10/20/2013 WAS PASSING A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK WITH ANOTHER TRAILER TRUCK PASSING BEHIND ME AS WELL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AT ANY TIME DURING THE TRIP. SUDDENLY,ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH. TRIED NOT TO SLOW TOO QUICKLY WITH TRUCK BEARING DOWN BEHIND ME ,BUT COULD NOT ACCELERATE EITHER. CAR HAD POPPED INTO NEUTRAL . GOT OFF ON LEFT OF TWO LANE HIGHWAY .CAR WAS DEAD. WOULD NOT START. HAD TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER IN AMHERST. DIAGNOSTICS FOUND NO CAUSE. HAD TO DRIVE 4 HOURS BACK HOME NEXT DAY NOT KNOWING IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER 45 MILES FROM MY HOME IN US. THE FOLLOWING WEEK .NO CAUSE FOUND. HAPPENED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER ON MAIN STREET, BLOCKING TRAFFIC . TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC. WAS THERE ONE WEEK. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. TOWED 45 MILES TO TOYOTA AGAIN. THERE ANOTHER WEEK. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUSE BOX ASSEMBLY. SHORTLY AFTER, THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS A WARNING SYMBOL ON THE TOUCH SCREEN MEANING 'MALFUNCTION IN HYBRID SYSTEM.' TOWED AGAIN TO TOYOTA DEALER. FRONT BATTERY REPLACED. NOTED TODAY THAT PRIUS RECALL ON '09-'14 MODELS FOR EXACT SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO MY '08 MODEL. TOTAL COST $600.00 PLUS $270.00 TOWING AND $120.00 FOR HOTEL . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564026

187,411 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

MY BROTHER WAS KILLED IN A CAR WRECK ON 1/14/2014 AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ARTICLE OF WHAT HAPPENED. NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF DURING THIS WRECK. THERE IS VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE SEVERITY OF THE WRECK. 54-YEAR-OLD [XXX] WAS KILLED IN A THREE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-75 TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 14, 2014. [XXX] I-75 ACCIDENT…

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MY BROTHER WAS KILLED IN A CAR WRECK ON 1/14/2014 AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ARTICLE OF WHAT HAPPENED. NOT ONE AIRBAG WENT OFF DURING THIS WRECK. THERE IS VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE SEVERITY OF THE WRECK. 54-YEAR-OLD [XXX] WAS KILLED IN A THREE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-75 TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 14, 2014. [XXX] I-75 ACCIDENT.ACCORDING TO GEORGIA STATE PATROL, TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF I-75, NEAR EXIT 64, FOR AN EARLIER ACCIDENT. [XXX], OF ORLANDO, WAS EITHER SLOWING OR STOPPED IN HIS TOYOTA PRIUS IN THE INSIDE LANE WHEN A GMC ENVOY CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF [XXX] PRIUS, FORCING IT INTO A STOPPED SEMI-TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE LANE. TRAGICALLY, [XXX] PERISHED FROM HIS INJURIES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563801

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2014
Exterior Lighting

ALTHOUGH THE INVESTIGATION OF HID HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 2006-09 ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS WAS CLOSED IN 2009, I WANTED TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO YOUR FILE. I JUST PAID TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS' SIDE HEADLIGHT FOR THE THIRD TIME. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, COMPED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER AND NOW I HAD TO PAY $1,022.24 TO REPLACE…

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ALTHOUGH THE INVESTIGATION OF HID HEADLIGHT FAILURE ON 2006-09 ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS WAS CLOSED IN 2009, I WANTED TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO YOUR FILE. I JUST PAID TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS' SIDE HEADLIGHT FOR THE THIRD TIME. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, COMPED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER AND NOW I HAD TO PAY $1,022.24 TO REPLACE IT AFTER THE COMPANY REFUSED TO. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THIS HEADLIGHT AND THE COST OF REPLACING IT IS OBSCENE, MAKING IT A SAFETY THREAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563497

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