Toyota Australia Recalls Prius Vehicles due to Hybrid Control ECU Software
September 23, 2021
Categories:
Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate a safety recall involving Prius vehicles produced between June 2021 – July 2021. There are 17 vehicles involved in the Australian market, of which 7 have been delivered to customers.
In the involved vehicles, a software error can cause a control computer (hybrid vehicle ECU) to erroneously determine that it does not have the correct information about the transmission position. This can occur if the shift position is changed during a short window of time when the computer is checking the system status.
In this instance, warning lights will illuminate and the hybrid system will shut down resulting in loss of motive power. If the vehicle loses motive power while being driven at a higher speed, this could increase the risk of a crash.
For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will reprogram the hybrid control ECU software free of charge to vehicle owners.
It is expected that the remedy will take approximately 1 hour. However, the Dealer’s work schedule may require the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.
Toyota Australia will contact all owners of involved vehicles with details of this safety recall campaign by SMS, email and/or mail to their last known address and phone number. Owners are asked to keep their contact details up to date with Toyota so future communications can be received.
Owners with additional questions or concerns are asked to please contact their local/preferred Toyota Dealer in the first instance or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-6.00pm AEST). Please quote your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Q&A
Q1: What models are involved in Australia?
A1: There is a total of 17 Prius vehicles involved in the Australian market.
| Model Name | Version | WMI | VDS | CD | VIN Range | Production Range | Qty | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | From | To | ||||||
| Prius | ZVW50 | JTD | KB3FU | # | 03095451 | 03095722 | 01/06/2021 | 30/07/2021 | 17 |
Note:
Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN ranges, not all vehicles in these VIN ranges were sold in the Australian market.
(#) indicates additional check digit (alpha or numeric).
SQ1. How many of these vehicles have been delivered to customers?
Of the 17 involved vehicles, 7 have been delivered to customers and 10 are in control of the Dealer network.
Q2: What is the condition?
A2: The subject vehicles are equipped with a hybrid vehicle ECU which, among other tasks, validates a signal reporting the transmission shift position by checking that the signal status remains consistent within an approximate 0.1 millisecond window during each check.
Due to incorrect programming for this task, the hybrid vehicle ECU can incorrectly determine that this signal is erroneous if the shifter position status happens to be changed during this approximate 0.1 millisecond window.
If this occurs, warning lights will illuminate and the hybrid system will shut down, resulting in loss of the motive power. If the vehicle loses motive power while being driven at a higher speed, this could increase the risk of a crash
SQ1. Are there any symptoms/warnings before the loss of motive power occurs?
There is no warning before the condition occurs.
Q3: What does the remedy involve?
A3: For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers will reprogram the hybrid control ECU software free of charge to customers.
Q4: How long will the remedy take?
A4: It is expected that the remedy will take approximately 1 hour. However, the Dealer’s work schedule may require the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time.
Q5: Can I continue to drive my vehicle until repairs are completed?
A5: Yes, you can continue to drive your vehicle, however we request owners to get in contact with their local/preferred Toyota dealership to arrange the software update. In the meantime, if you have any concerns or experience any problems with your vehicle, please contact your local/preferred Toyota dealership or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8.00-6.00pm AEST).
Q6: Does this condition affect other Toyota models?
A6: Only models mentioned in the VIN range in the table at question 1 are involved in the Australian market.
Q7: My vehicle is in the affected production range. What should I do?
A7: Please contact your closest/preferred Toyota dealer to verify if your vehicle is affected. Alternatively, please contact the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline on 1800 987 366 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-6.00pm AEST). Please quote your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)..
Q8: Where can I find my VIN?
A8: VIN number location varies by model. For information on how to find the VIN position specific to your vehicle, please search “vehicle identification number” in the alphabetical index at the rear of your Owner’s Manual.
Q9: I’m reluctant to visit a Dealership due to COVID-19. How can you help?
A9: In areas impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, recall repairs are permitted as an essential service. You can be assured that Toyota dealers are well-positioned to assist you in ways that prioritise your well-being and that of our dealership staff. For your peace of mind, our dealers have implemented intensive cleaning, hygiene and social-distancing measures, based on best-practice advice from governments and health authorities. Your preferred/local dealer will be able to assist in addressing your specific concern as well as any other questions you may have.
