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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
158,000 miles · Oct 5, 2012
Exterior Lighting

WHILE NEGOTIATING A CURVES, BOTH HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, LEAVING US IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. WE COULDN'T TELL IF WE NEEDED TO KEEP TURNING OR STRAIGHTEN OUT. FINALLY FIGURED OUT YOU CAN RESET BY TURNING THEM OFF & THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER AND/OR GO…

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WHILE NEGOTIATING A CURVES, BOTH HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, LEAVING US IN COMPLETE DARKNESS. WE COULDN'T TELL IF WE NEEDED TO KEEP TURNING OR STRAIGHTEN OUT. FINALLY FIGURED OUT YOU CAN RESET BY TURNING THEM OFF & THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER AND/OR GO OFF. HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE POLICE. DEALERSHIP WORK/CHARGES HAVEN'T RESOLVED THIS. I KNOW YOU'VE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS FROM PRIUS OWNERS, AND THAT THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION. TIME FOR YOUR TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478692

71,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE GEAR WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE GEAR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE LEVER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE GEAR WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE GEAR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE LEVER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10478274

40,000 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Exterior Lighting

DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT OR REPLACED, IT WORKS. WILL GO OUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES, BUT WILL TURN BACK ON WHEN I TURN OFF/ON HEADLIGHTS. THEN IT WILL DIM AND GO OUT AGAIN AFTER A FEW MILES. I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS, BUT…

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DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT OR REPLACED, IT WORKS. WILL GO OUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES, BUT WILL TURN BACK ON WHEN I TURN OFF/ON HEADLIGHTS. THEN IT WILL DIM AND GO OUT AGAIN AFTER A FEW MILES. I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM TOYOTA FOR THIS, BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO GET THE ACCELERATOR RECALL FIXED, THEY TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA WOULD COVER IF I HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS OFF AND ON ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE THE LIGHT WORKS PART OF THE TIME AND I ONLY KNOW THAT IT IS OUT WHEN SOMEONE TELLS ME THEY SAW ME IN TOWN WITH A HEADLIGHT OUT. TOYOTA QUOTED ME $150 FOR THE BULB AND ADDITIONAL $105 FOR LABOR TO INSTALL BECAUSE I AM OVER THE 50,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY COVERED BY TOYOTA AS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477472

38,800 miles · Sep 26, 2012
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. SOMETIMES JUST ONE, OTHER TIMES BOTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477101

97,000 miles · Sep 21, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES WHEN THE "RED TRIANGLE" RED PROBLEM LIGHT CAME ON THE SCREEN. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER WHEN THE CAR MADE A SERIES OF SHORT DINGING SOUNDS AND THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE ENGAGED--IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS…

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I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES WHEN THE "RED TRIANGLE" RED PROBLEM LIGHT CAME ON THE SCREEN. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER WHEN THE CAR MADE A SERIES OF SHORT DINGING SOUNDS AND THE CAR WAS AUTOMATICALLY PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE ENGAGED--IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS FORCED TO FLEE THE VEHICLE AS THERE WERE ONCOMING CARS THAT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO STOP. WHEN THE SIGNAL CHANGED, I WENT BACK TO THE CAR AND PUT ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. THEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT BUDGE FROM NEUTRAL. I THEN SWITCHED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED EVEN 5 MINUTES LATER, MY 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACT AS QUICKLY AS I DID. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC BY AAA FOR DIAGNOSIS, BUT AT THIS TIME IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THIS WAS AN ERROR, BUT A DESIGN FLAW THAT PUT MY SAFETY IN CRITICAL DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476635

75,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED THEM SELF OFF ON ANY GIVEN TIME EITHER ONE ON A TIME OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME SAME THING HAPPENS IF THE HIGHBEAMS ARE ON DAY OR NIGHT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM TEMPORARILY YOU HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF QUICKLY AND YOU HAVE NO GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL STAY ON I SPOKE TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATION AN…

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MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED THEM SELF OFF ON ANY GIVEN TIME EITHER ONE ON A TIME OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME SAME THING HAPPENS IF THE HIGHBEAMS ARE ON DAY OR NIGHT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM TEMPORARILY YOU HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF QUICKLY AND YOU HAVE NO GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL STAY ON I SPOKE TO THE TOYOTA CORPORATION AND THEY WILL NOT HELP BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 90,000 MILES MY CAR IS 2008 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING $1200 I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR BUT ELECTRICAL IS NOT COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475626

55,000 miles · Sep 14, 2012
Structure

AT ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD THE HANDLE TO THE BACK HATCH RELEASE MELTED INTO A TARRY GOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475414

70,374 miles · Sep 9, 2012
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON 8/29/12, I GOT INTO MY 2008 PRIUS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE EASTON, MD GIANT FOOD-STORE TO RETURN HOME. THIS LOT IS ON A SLOPE JUST ABOVE A PARKING LOT FOR WALMART, WITH A PAVED ROAD BETWEEN THE 2 LOTS. THE PARKING LOTS WERE VERY CROWDED. I NEEDED TO GET TO THE ROAD SEPARATING THE 2 LOTS IN ORDER TO GO HOME. I HAD JUST ST…

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ON 8/29/12, I GOT INTO MY 2008 PRIUS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE EASTON, MD GIANT FOOD-STORE TO RETURN HOME. THIS LOT IS ON A SLOPE JUST ABOVE A PARKING LOT FOR WALMART, WITH A PAVED ROAD BETWEEN THE 2 LOTS. THE PARKING LOTS WERE VERY CROWDED. I NEEDED TO GET TO THE ROAD SEPARATING THE 2 LOTS IN ORDER TO GO HOME. I HAD JUST STARTED THE PRIUS AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE WHEN IT STARTED TO ROAR LOUDLY, JUMPED OUT FAST, AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, EVEN THOUGH I BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO MAKE IT ACCELERATE FASTER. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR WAS ROARING AND OUT OF CONTROL. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE GIANT LOT, THE PRIUS HIT 3 CARS. THE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD, AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. PUMPING THE BRAKES OR HOLDING THEM DOWN DID NOTHING TO SLOW THE CAR, AND THE NOISE WAS TERRIFYING. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, AND THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO MAKE A VERY LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE SPEED OF THE CAR MADE STEERING DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES. THE PRIUS THEN LEFT THE GIANT PARKING LOT, WENT DOWN THE MULCHED SLOPE, CROSSED THE STREET, BUMPED OVER THE CURB, AND WENT UP THE WALMART SLOPE HITTING A SMALL TREE. THE CAR WAS PROBABLY GOING AT LEAST 40 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP ONLY AFTER IT PLUNGED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED BLACK CAR PARKED IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT. IT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND TOWED AWAY. NO ONE KNEW WHO THE OWNER WAS AT THE TIME THE POLICE ORDERED IT TOWED AWAY. AN OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.DURING THE ABOVE, THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONED, KEEPING ME UNINJURED. THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TOTALLY. FOUR VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, ONE OF WHICH WAS TOTALED. BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE WERE NO INJURIES??FOR WHICH I AM GRATEFUL. THIS PRIUS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD DESPITE HAVING ONLY 74,000 MILES AND ITS APPARENT GOOD CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474398

82,000 miles · Sep 8, 2012
Electrical SystemService Brakes

THE CAR WARNINGS WENT ON AND DISPLAYED THE SYMBOL FOR BRAKE SYSTEMS FAILURE. THE CAR BRAKES WENT OUT AND THEN THE CAR SPED UP SLIGHTLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND WAS NEAR MY HOME, SO NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BECAUSE THE CAR MANUAL SAID NOT TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 3 MPH WHE…

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THE CAR WARNINGS WENT ON AND DISPLAYED THE SYMBOL FOR BRAKE SYSTEMS FAILURE. THE CAR BRAKES WENT OUT AND THEN THE CAR SPED UP SLIGHTLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND WAS NEAR MY HOME, SO NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BECAUSE THE CAR MANUAL SAID NOT TO DRIVE IT MORE THAN 3 MPH WHEN YOU HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEMS FAILURE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AND THE MECHANICAL WATER PUMP. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED 2003-2007 ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS FOR THE PRIUS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IF WE WERE GOING FASTER. MY QUESTION IS WHETHER THE 2008 ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FOR THE PRIUS NEED TO BE RECALLED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474361

172,361 miles · Sep 1, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

ON 09JUL2012 4:00 P.M WHILE DRIVING MY PRIUS 2008 HYBRID, HEADING HOME ON I15N, THE ELECTRIC POWER ON THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING, OR ALERT. I IMMEDIATELY MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY CALLED AAA FOR A TOWING INTO TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO, LOCATED ON 231 LINCOLN PARKWAY…

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ON 09JUL2012 4:00 P.M WHILE DRIVING MY PRIUS 2008 HYBRID, HEADING HOME ON I15N, THE ELECTRIC POWER ON THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING, OR ALERT. I IMMEDIATELY MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY CALLED AAA FOR A TOWING INTO TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO, LOCATED ON 231 LINCOLN PARKWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92026 PH# (760) 746-0674. TODAY 09/01/2012 - CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH INTERMITTENT HID HEADLIGHT OPERATION: I'VE GOT A PACKAGE 6 2006 PRIUS. ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS KEEPS GOING OUT. I CAN'T REALLY TELL WHEN OR HOW IT GOES OUT SINCE I CAN'T SEE IT. I'LL NOTICE IT WHEN I SEE THE REFLECTION IN THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. IF I TURN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND OFF IT HAS NO EFFECT, BUT WHEN I TURN THEM ALL THE WAY OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT COMES BACK. REQUEST A SAFETY RECALL FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE CARE OF THE ELECTRICAL CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473249

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