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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
41,000 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HIGH DENSITY HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE BURNED OUT QUICKLY, AFTER ONLY 2+ YEARS OF DRIVING. DEALER GARAGE REPLACED AT NO COST - SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER THE FULL EXTENDED WARRANTY. HIGH DENSITY HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT WENT BACK ON LATER THAT DAY, AND HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE, BUT MOSTLY NOT WO…

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HIGH DENSITY HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE BURNED OUT QUICKLY, AFTER ONLY 2+ YEARS OF DRIVING. DEALER GARAGE REPLACED AT NO COST - SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER THE FULL EXTENDED WARRANTY. HIGH DENSITY HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT WENT BACK ON LATER THAT DAY, AND HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE, BUT MOSTLY NOT WORKING. JUST STARTED RESEARCHING REPLACEMENT BULB PRICES WHEN I FOUND OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. WIGGLING THE BULB, SOCKET AND WIRING GOT THE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493570

68,000 miles · Jan 18, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

RECENTLY PURCHASED USED 2008 PRIUS. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT I NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THEY GO BACK ON BY TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND ON. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHEN DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES ON A DARK ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493449

65,929 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF SPONTANEOUSLY EITHER SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. SOMETIMES WILL COME BACK ON BY TOGGLING THE LIGHT SWITCH. CAN BE EITHER HEADLIGHT WHEN FAILS SINGLY. PROBLEM IS VARIABLE BUT CAN HAPPEN WHEN PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING. MOST RECENT EPISODE BOTH LIGHTS FAILED AT 50 MPH THEN AFTER TOGGLING THE SWITCH CAME BACK ON. *…

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HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF SPONTANEOUSLY EITHER SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. SOMETIMES WILL COME BACK ON BY TOGGLING THE LIGHT SWITCH. CAN BE EITHER HEADLIGHT WHEN FAILS SINGLY. PROBLEM IS VARIABLE BUT CAN HAPPEN WHEN PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING. MOST RECENT EPISODE BOTH LIGHTS FAILED AT 50 MPH THEN AFTER TOGGLING THE SWITCH CAME BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493131

45,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT HAND HEADLIGHT STARTED TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR OR DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED. TODAY THE LEFT HAND LIGHT START REMAINED OFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IT TURNED ON ONCE I CYCLED THE LIGHT SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK EXPERIENCED BOTH LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF INDIVIDUALLY AND SIMULTANE…

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RIGHT HAND HEADLIGHT STARTED TURNING OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR OR DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED. TODAY THE LEFT HAND LIGHT START REMAINED OFF WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IT TURNED ON ONCE I CYCLED THE LIGHT SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK EXPERIENCED BOTH LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF INDIVIDUALLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ABOUT TEN TIMES. AFTER CYCLING THE SWITCH THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492307

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2013
Electrical System

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT REGULATE SPEED, GAS LEVEL, OIL, ODOMETER, ETC DO NOT LIGHT UP. DURING THIS TIME, THE ODOMETER READING IS ALSO DISABLED AND NOT CALCULATED. THE DASHBOARD AREA IS COMPLETELY DARK. THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ALSO DISABLED AND THE INFORMATION FOR MPG, ELECTRICAL ENGINE ALSO DO NOT WORK.…

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WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT REGULATE SPEED, GAS LEVEL, OIL, ODOMETER, ETC DO NOT LIGHT UP. DURING THIS TIME, THE ODOMETER READING IS ALSO DISABLED AND NOT CALCULATED. THE DASHBOARD AREA IS COMPLETELY DARK. THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ALSO DISABLED AND THE INFORMATION FOR MPG, ELECTRICAL ENGINE ALSO DO NOT WORK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE ISSUE CHECKED BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RECREATED. THE CURRENT WORK AROUND THAT I DISCOVERED IS TO TURN ON THE LIGHT SWITCH BEFORE TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE YOU ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE YOUR SPEED, GAS, AND OIL LEVEL AS WELL AS ANY OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I DETERMINED THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491730

63,274 miles · Jan 7, 2013
Engine

A SUDDEN JERK AND A BUNCH OF WARNINGS LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. THE CAR MADE IT 20 MILES TO MY HOME BUT I WAS RUNNING ON A DAMAGED ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, ALLEN TOYOTA OF GULFPORT, MS, AND THEY FIXED IT SAYING WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED CHARGING ME $295. I HAVE RECEIPT. DEALER TOLD ME TO APPLY TO THIS …

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A SUDDEN JERK AND A BUNCH OF WARNINGS LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. THE CAR MADE IT 20 MILES TO MY HOME BUT I WAS RUNNING ON A DAMAGED ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, ALLEN TOYOTA OF GULFPORT, MS, AND THEY FIXED IT SAYING WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED CHARGING ME $295. I HAVE RECEIPT. DEALER TOLD ME TO APPLY TO THIS WEBSITE AS I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PART PROMISING THEY WOULD REIMBURSE IF THE PART HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE BEFORE RECEIVING RECALL LETTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491683

31,000 miles · Jan 5, 2013
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AT DESCRIBED IN THE TOYOTA WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT - ZTV FOR THE COMBINATION METER, WHERE THE DISPLAY PANEL WON'T LIGHT UP WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. THE CAR WILL ALSO NOT POWER DOWN WHEN THE POWER BUTTON IS PUSHED. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SPEED, MILEAG…

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MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AT DESCRIBED IN THE TOYOTA WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT - ZTV FOR THE COMBINATION METER, WHERE THE DISPLAY PANEL WON'T LIGHT UP WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING. THE CAR WILL ALSO NOT POWER DOWN WHEN THE POWER BUTTON IS PUSHED. THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SPEED, MILEAGE, OR FUEL LEVELS IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. EVENTUALLY AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING THE CAR CAN BE POWERED OFF AND THE PANEL WILL LIGHT UP AFTER STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. MY CAR CALLS WITHIN THE 2004-2009 YEARS LISTED, BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALLED CARS. TOYOTA SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491518

78,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Exterior Lighting

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND NOTICED THAT BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. AFTER FLICKING THE ON/OFF SWITCH, THE LIGHTS CAME BACK. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR NEW BULBS, BELIEVING THIS TO BE THE CAUSE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HID BULB ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE LIGHTS, THE PASSENG…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND NOTICED THAT BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. AFTER FLICKING THE ON/OFF SWITCH, THE LIGHTS CAME BACK. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR NEW BULBS, BELIEVING THIS TO BE THE CAUSE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HID BULB ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE LIGHTS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. WE TRIED TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY, BOTH LIGHTS STAYED ON. WE PUT THE OLD BULB BACK IN AND IT WORKED AGAIN, ALTHOUGH IT FAILED AGAIN QUICKLY AND HAD TO BE TURNED BACK ON BY FLICKING THE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT MODULE(S). THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR HAD THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO OF OWNERSHIP BECAUSE TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN OAKLAND OFFERED TO DO IT FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE, AS THEY TOLD HER, "ALL OF THE HEADLIGHT COMPONENTS WERE ABOUT TO BE RECALLED." THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEVERAL PRIUS OWNER FRIENDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2ND GENERATION PRIUSES. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER CAR THAT NEEDS NEW HEADLIGHT MODULES REGULARLY AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490766

21,234 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Exterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 327 NORTH OF HIGHWAY US 20 AND TRAVELING ALONG AT 45 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. IT WAS DARK. I SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEY CAME ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT AT TIMES ONE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF OR THE OTHER. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT…

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 327 NORTH OF HIGHWAY US 20 AND TRAVELING ALONG AT 45 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. IT WAS DARK. I SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEY CAME ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT AT TIMES ONE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF OR THE OTHER. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE HEADLIGHT OUT AND I MIGHT GET A TICKET, BUT WHEN I CHECK THEM AND ONE IS OUT I JUST SIMPLY TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THEY USUALLY COME ON. I THOUGHT ABOUT CHANGING THE HEADLIGHTS BUT SAW A VIDEO ONLINE THAT SAYS THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. SO PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490693

78,000 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Exterior Lighting

INTERMITTENLY EITHER HEADLAMP MAY GO OUT. TURNING OFF AND ON THE HEADLAMPS TURNS THE DEAD LAMP BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490371

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