Model year record

2009 Toyota Prius

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 660 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V014000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected
3,235
Reported to NHTSA
2013-01-16
Owners notified
2013-03-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V536000

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Component
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
350,662
Reported to NHTSA
2012-11-14
Owners notified
2013-01-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V537000

Steering: gear box: shaft sector

Component
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
669,705
Reported to NHTSA
2012-11-14
Owners notified
2012-12-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V036000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
Vehicles affected
153,418
Reported to NHTSA
2010-02-03
Owners notified
2010-05-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V035000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.
Vehicles affected
271,417
Reported to NHTSA
2010-02-03
Owners notified
2010-05-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V388000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
4,445,056
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-05
Owners notified
2009-12-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Exterior lighting10980,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic8211,850 mi
Vehicle speed control6810,000 mi
Service brakes67116,000 mi
Electrical system54100,000 mi
Service brakes, electric4410,000 mi
Unknown or other2414,000 mi
Engine2080,000 mi
Power train1543,000 mi
Traction control system1511,850 mi
Air bags1481,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline144,900 mi
Steering1368,440 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1212,000 mi
Structure: body1281,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module111,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking8
Fuel/propulsion system877,771 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7480 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel5157,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling53,340 mi
Suspension548,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility4102,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission45,000 mi
Structure425,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal410,000 mi
Air bags: frontal313,500 mi
Fuel system, other38,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights246,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift27,000 mi
Seats280,000 mi
Visibility/wiper264,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery129,000 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery1
Electrical system: starter assembly15,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.12,000 mi
Power train: driveline1490 mi
Seat belts123,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1236,425 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate160,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments170,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Tires19,719 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems19,719 mi
Wheels1

The 2008 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 2010 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.