2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT *TGW ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
2009 Toyota Prius
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Prius years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Prius are substantially higher than the model-year median of 164.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prius years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
402 reports with mileage · 100 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 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
502 reportsRE: 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. APPROX. 23K MILES. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN - ALL SYSTEMS AND ALL INFORMATION DISPLAYS. IN SPITE OF COMPROMISED STEERING AND BRAKING WE WERE ABLE TO STOP CAR. CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO TURN …
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RE: 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. APPROX. 23K MILES. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN - ALL SYSTEMS AND ALL INFORMATION DISPLAYS. IN SPITE OF COMPROMISED STEERING AND BRAKING WE WERE ABLE TO STOP CAR. CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO TURN ON HAZARD SIGNAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER JUST INFORMED US THAT THE CAUSE WAS A WATER PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO GO INTO A "SAFE" MODE SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR TIME FOR THE DRIVER TO FIND A SAFE RESPONSE. UPON QUESTIONING, THE DEALER ALSO SAID THIS WOULD ALSO HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHICH IN OUR OPINION, COULD POSE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR THE OPERATOR BUT FOR THOSE VEHICLES AROUND HIM. FURTHER WHEN ASKED, THE DEALER SAID IT DID NOT KNOW IF THE FAILURE OF ANY OTHER COMPONENTS WOULD CAUSE A SIMILAR SHUT-DOWN. OBVIOUSLY, TOYOTA'S DEFINITION OF "SAFE" MODE IS 180 DEGREES OFF AND THIS IS A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A TRAGEDY (IF IT HASN'T ALREADY DONE SO). *TR
THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN DAYS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED WHERE CHECKED AND JUMPED. I WAS TOLD TO NOT LET THE CAR SIT IDLE. TODAY I CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY AT 800-331-4221. I WAS GIVEN CASE # 1108121588. REPRESENTATIVES WERE VER…
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THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN DAYS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED WHERE CHECKED AND JUMPED. I WAS TOLD TO NOT LET THE CAR SIT IDLE. TODAY I CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY AT 800-331-4221. I WAS GIVEN CASE # 1108121588. REPRESENTATIVES WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CHECKED WITH TOYOTA TECHNICIANS FOR THE 2009 PRIUS. APPARENTLY, THE CAR SHOULD NOT SET FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS, (7 DAYS AT THE OUTSIDE) WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. CONCERN: DEALER AND TOYOTA DO NOT MENTION THIS SERIOUS FLAW. AS A SOLE FEMALE DRIVER IN THE HOUSEHOLD, I WOULD NO HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR GIVEN THIS VERY PERTINENT INFORMATION. IT MEANS THAT SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS TAKING THIS CAR TO THE AIRPORT FOR A TRIP IS NOT A PRUDENT POSSIBILITY. TRYING TO DO A PERSONAL PART TO USE LESS GAS AND LESSEN EMISSIONS COMES WITH A SERIOUS AND NOT STATED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES ARE FAULTY. THE BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY ON SLIPPERY ROADS AND ON A DECLINE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER IN 10/2010 AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I CHANGED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE CAR IN 2/2011 AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 5/24/11 AND AGAIN …
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MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES ARE FAULTY. THE BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY ON SLIPPERY ROADS AND ON A DECLINE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER IN 10/2010 AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I CHANGED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE CAR IN 2/2011 AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 5/24/11 AND AGAIN THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THEY MENTIONED "ABS SYSTEM" AND IMPLIED THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING THE ABS SYSTEM KICKING IN. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND THUS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. BUT, I DO NOTICE THE PROBLEM MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT RAINS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 6-MONTH OLD 2009 PRIUS ONE SUMMER DAY ON A DRY, PAVED, SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD INCLINE WHEN THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURRED. AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES, MY CAR JUMPED FORWARD FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND A GOLD LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS BRIEFLY VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERIPHERAL VISIO…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 6-MONTH OLD 2009 PRIUS ONE SUMMER DAY ON A DRY, PAVED, SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD INCLINE WHEN THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURRED. AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES, MY CAR JUMPED FORWARD FOR ABOUT A SECOND AND A GOLD LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS BRIEFLY VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERIPHERAL VISION. BECAUSE I WAS FAMILIAR WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS, I THINK THAT I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THOUGH I MAY HAVE REFLEXIVELY RELEASED IT IN MY STARTLE. AT ANY RATE THE CAR STOPPED A FEW FEET LATER. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO COLLISION, LARGELY DUE, I BELIEVE, TO MY HABIT OF COASTING TO A STOP WHEN PRACTICAL. HOWEVER, THIS WAS A BIT UNNERVING, AND ALSO SINCE IT WAS DURING THE PERIOD OF CONCERN ABOUT TOYOTA PRIUS' UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, I MADE A POINT OF REPORTING IT TO MY CAR DEALER. I COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHICH DASH LIGHT HAD FLASHED FOR A SECOND. THE DEALER'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY AN UNEVEN SURFACE ON THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH, THERE HAD BEEN BOTH A SHALLOW POTHOLE AND A BIT OF GRAVEL WHERE THE STOPPING PROBLEM OCCURRED. HOWEVER, I TAKE ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S BLAMING ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHEN CLEARLY THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR CANNOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY EVEN DURING VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HASN'T RECURRED BECAUSE I AVOIDED THE POTHOLE AFTERWARD AND NEVER HAVE TO STOP ON A DIME, POTHOLE OR NO. I HAVE HAD CARS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS) AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM WITH THEM. THEREFORE, IMO TOYOTA NEEDS TO IMPROVE THE ABS OR THE (THEN NEW) STABILITY CONTROL FEATURE ON PRIUSES, BOTH OF WHICH MY CAR HAS. IN ALL OF THE HYPE ABOUT TOYOTA CARS' SUSTAINED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, I DO NOT REMEMBER THAT THIS OTHER EVENT THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED WAS ALSO BEING ADDRESSED. HOW COME? WHERE ARE NHTSA, NASA, AND TOYOTA ON THIS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BLADDER FUEL TANK PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BLADDER FUEL TANK UNDER WARRANTY. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A BLADDER FUEL TANK PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BLADDER FUEL TANK UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA PAID FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUES TO BE INACCURATE AND THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO PUT NO MORE THAN SIX GALLONS OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. UPDATED 06/30/11
WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS I HIT A CURB AND THEN LOST ALL STEERING. STEERING WHEEL TURNED COMPLETELY 360 DEGREES WITHOUT TURNING THE WHEELS. WE WERE ABOUT TO DRIVE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH NUMEROUS TURNS AND STEEP GRADES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND SPIRAL CABLE SUB ASSEM…
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SQUIRRELS WERE ABLE CHEW THROUGH THE WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE SQUIRRELS HAD ALSO CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC RADIATOR COVER AND SUPPORT PANEL FOR THE FAN AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE DAMAGES. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SQUIRRELS WERE ABLE CHEW THROUGH THE WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE SQUIRRELS HAD ALSO CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC RADIATOR COVER AND SUPPORT PANEL FOR THE FAN AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE DAMAGES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COVER FOR THE UNDER THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE SQUIRRELS OR RODENTS FROM ENTERING AND DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,091 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,373.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET 10KW KIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WITH THE 10KW PLUGGED IN WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE STANDARD HYBRID VEHICLE TO BECOME AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET 10KW KIT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WITH THE 10KW PLUGGED IN WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE STANDARD HYBRID VEHICLE TO BECOME AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT THE FIRE HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE 10KW WAS AN AFTER MARKET PART, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,126.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (EVERY BULB, NOT JUST THE MAIN HIGH-INTENSITY BULB) WENT OUT. WIGGLING THE CONNECTOR AT THE BACK OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHEN THE HEADLAMP GETS IN THIS CONDITION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN GET THE ASSEMBLY BACK IN WORKING CONDITION BY TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURN…
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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (EVERY BULB, NOT JUST THE MAIN HIGH-INTENSITY BULB) WENT OUT. WIGGLING THE CONNECTOR AT THE BACK OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHEN THE HEADLAMP GETS IN THIS CONDITION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN GET THE ASSEMBLY BACK IN WORKING CONDITION BY TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS! WHEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN, IT WAS SLIGHTLY FLICKERING AT FIRST AND NOW SEEMS DIMMER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT. I HAVE ALSO HAD CONNECTOR-RELATED ISSUES ON THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, WHERE THEY GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF DOES NOT WORK TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE TO MANUALLY TIGHTEN THE CONNECTOR AT THE BACK OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY TO GET THE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Official recalls
613V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats
Jan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
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.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
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
2DP22005 · 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
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