Recall affects 30,790 UK-registered Prius manufactured between March 2009 and February 2014
No reports of any accidents or injuries relating to this issue
Customers registration look-up function on www.toyota.co.uk
Toyota has announced a recall today for some of its current, third-generation Prius models to correct a potential problem with the hybrid system’s boost converter software.
The recall affects 30,790 UK-registered Prius cars. Worldwide, there have been no reports of any accidents or injuries relating to this issue. In Europe Toyota has recorded 11 field reports of the issue occurring.
The issue
Toyota has identified through its stringent quality reporting programme that there may be an issue concerning the software used to control the boost converter in the Intelligent Power Module, part of the hybrid system’s inverter assembly. The boost converter is required when driving with a high system load, for example when accelerating hard from standstill.
Toyota has identified that the software setting could lead to higher thermal stress occurring in certain insulated-gate bipolar transistors in the boost converter which may lead to them deforming or being damaged.
Should this happen, warning lights may be illuminated and the car is likely to switch to “failsafe” operation – it can still be driven, but with reduced power. In limited cases the hybrid system may shut down, causing the vehicle to stop. The driver will not experience any change in the vehicle’s behaviour or performance prior to the problem occurring.
Toyota can confirm that this issue will not occur in other Toyota hybrid vehicles, as these use different transistor structures and control logic.
The recall
All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that the control software can be updated.
Vehicle owners will be contacted by Toyota within the coming weeks by post or telephone and asked to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota centre, in accordance with Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) guidelines.
The software update will take about 40 minutes to complete; the work will be carried out free of charge.
Customers can check whether their vehicle is affected using a registration look-up function in the owners section of the main Toyota website.
If owners require additional information they can contact Toyota Recall Helpline on 0800 1388744.
for a bipolar transistor they are two way to reduice temp:
– evcuate the heat
or
– reduice the current.
If the second way is choose by Toyota the Prius will use more ECI and more gas.
Hi Volkan
Thanks for your post.
Our engineering division in Japan has carefully investigated this and we are changing the software to avoid excessive thermal stress on the transistors. There will be no difference in the performance of the vehicle in terms of acceleration or fuel consumption.
Great news!
Thanks
As a 2010 Prius owner, I’m curious about something.
The transistors could have already become thermally damaged over time due to the current level of software, during prolonged acceleration or full-load events, even if it’s not enough to trigger a DTC or limp-home activation.
Reflashing updated software will not undo any physical damage already done to the transistors, even if it will prevent further deterioration.
If the transistors subsequently proceed to fail in the future due to thermal related issues, will the system be repaired FOC?
Hi Pavel
Thanks for your post.
If the transistor becomes damaged after updating the software then we will replace the power module with new one at no cost, subject to confirmation that the failure is in relation to this issue. Just to reassure you though, we have only received 11 cases of this occurring in Europe out of 130,000 cars so the chance of this happening is rare.
Hope this helps.
Does this problem course Loss of power when pulling away like stuttering and then behaves normal. At one time it hesitated and then with fast flowing traffic I almost got hit by a VW transporter
Hi Richard,
Thanks for getting in touch. There should be no noticeable loss of performance such as what you have described. We would therefore advise taking the vehicle to your nearest Toyota Centre for inspection as there could be an underlying fault.
Hope this helps.
Hi,
Is the CT 200h affected? The Lexus shares its powertrain with the Prius.
Thanks.
Hi there CT200h owner.
Thanks for your post.
We can confirm it is the Prius only because although they share the same powertrain they use different software.
Hope this helps.
My Prius is subject to the recall. I called Toyota this morning and was told that I should not drive my car for long distances until the new software is fitted. I have also been unable to find out when the new software will be available. What a crazy way to run a business!
Hi Terry
Thanks for your post.
We are currently in the process of liaising with our network regarding the software update and this will be with them early next week. We apologise for any confusion caused. Just to reassure you though, we have had 11 cases in Europe out of 130,000 cars so the chances of this happening are extremely rare. In the meantime we do have a Helpline of 0800 1388744 if you did want to discuss this matter further.
My Prius is affected by the problem as confirmed by entering my registration number into this website. I rang my local Toyota dealer who had no knowledge of the recall nor record of my car being affected. They booked the vehicle in for this Friday to update the software.
I don’t know who is more confused, the dealer or myself.
Hello Peter
Thanks for your post and we apologise for any confusion caused. We are currently in the process of arranging to send this software to our network and if you let us know which dealer you use we will contact them directly.
Just booked in my Prius for the software update – was advised it will take 90 minutes. Most of the 90 minutes is taken up becuse they insist on washing the car first – totally ridiculous, why can’t they just do the software update and give you the car back in 40 minutes like you say in the press release.
In Japan, when a recall happens Toyota come and collect the car from you and deliver back to you as soon as the work is done – real service – unlike Toyota UK which makes the customer do all the legwork with no thanks at all.
Thanks for your post A Maxwell.
It is always worth checking whether your local dealer operates a collection and delivery service which can be booked in advance. The valet is part of the service from our network but thank you for your feedback.
I have bought my 2012 Toyota Prius and it has the inverter problem (the code : P0A08 _264 DC/DC converter status circuit), the dealer contacted Toyota and he says that it has no recall related to this issue.
what should I do???
Hi Mazen. We recommend you contact our customer relations team for further guidance. You can do this here: po.st/fH3m6j. Thank you.
Upon hearing about the recall I phoned local dealer who said Toyota would be in touch . That was a month ago , I realize there are a lot of cars to do but not hearing anything from you a month after the press release,come on Toyota.
Hi Roc
Thanks for your post and sorry about the delay on this.
The first batch of letters has already been sent this week, for practicality we cannot send them all out at once so they will be despatched in batches of 5,000 per week. Your dealer will already be in possesion of the necessary software, so they can book in your vehicle from now if you would prefer this to be undertaken sooner rather than later.
Just to explain that in the event of a recall we do have to follow VOSA guidelines as well as obtain the necessary customer data from the DVLA. We do this as quickly as possible and over the next few weeks all customers will be contacted in relation to the recall.
Hope this helps.
If all of a sudden you get a “check hybrid system” warning on the display along with all kind of warnings lights (including motor) and the Toyota dealer tells you that the dc/dc converter is defect, would that be related to the software glitch? Even after Toyota updated the software! What else could cause this problem? Perhaps software update wasn’t performed correctly? Would Toyota replace the unit FOC, anywhere in the world?
Hi Sam,
Due to the nature of this query we are unable to comment on what would be fixed/replaced. We would have to point you to Toyota customer services or your local Toyota Centre.
Hi I recently got error message on my car and after that it’s not going in ready mode , can it be picked up from my home and delivered back ASAP as it’s my work vehicle I’ll loossing business.
Hi Adnaan,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are sorry to hear that you have received an error message, in this case, we would advise contacting your local Toyota Centre as they will be able to advise the best way of inspecting your vehicle.
Thanks.
Hi Toyota UK
I took my vehicle for recall on 21-02-2020 to Crawley branch, in March vehicle didn’t start and all lights appeared in dash but didn’t go in ready mode, it seemed power lost, due to Covid-19 we were gone in self-isolation because my daughter is child in need and now Toyota is closed.
What should I do
Hi Hamza,
Thanks for your message. We’re sorry to hear about this issue you’re experiencing with your car. Your nearest Toyota centre is best placed to help you further with this. We will email you directly to gain additional details and put them in touch with you.
Thanks.