The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | 2010 | 2,823 | 10 |
| Toyota Prius | 2011 | 521 | 6 |
| Toyota Prius | 2012 | 424 | 6 |
| Toyota Prius | 2013 | 414 | 3 |
| Toyota Prius | 2014 | 210 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2014
83 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the electrical system; Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing filed 245 campaigns in all.
| 14V827000 30 Dec 2014 | General Motors LLC |
| 14V813000 23 Dec 2014 | Elgin Sweeper Company Inc. |
| 14V795000 16 Dec 2014 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 14V749000 24 Nov 2014 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 14V722000 10 Nov 2014 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 14V714000 7 Nov 2014 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 14V699000 4 Nov 2014 | Keystone RV Company |
| 14V690000 3 Nov 2014 | Airstream, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2014