NHTSA Campaign 14V053000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Issued by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · Reported Feb 12, 2014 · 698,457 vehicles affected

What's wrong

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.

Consequence

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
TOYOTA PRIUS 2010 698,457
TOYOTA PRIUS 2011 698,457
TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 698,457
TOYOTA PRIUS 2013 698,457
TOYOTA PRIUS 2014 698,457

Source: NHTSA Campaign 14V053000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.