Toyota Australia has issued a recall for previous versions of the Prius and Corolla Hybrid lines, over concerns about a software problem with the hybrid system.
Some 847 Prius vehicles and 5118 Corolla Hybrids are affected by this recall, spanning the 2014 and 2015 model years for the Prius, and model years 2015 through 2018 for the Corolla.
Toyota Prius (ZVW30)
“These vehicles use software to control the hybrid system. The software is designed to put the system into a fail-safe mode if there is an internal component failure. This allows the vehicle to travel a limited distance at reduced power,” Toyota says in its recall notice.
“In certain situations, such as hard acceleration immediately after a component failure, the hybrid system may shut down rather than go into fail-safe mode. If this happens, the vehicle may illuminate various warning lights and in some models may display a warning message to the driver in the instrument panel.”
“If the vehicle does not enter a fail-safe driving mode when required, the vehicle will behave as if shifted into neutral, coasting to a stop. While power steering and braking would remain operational, this behaviour of the car could increase the risk of an accident and injury or death of vehicle occupants and other road users,” Toyota adds.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid (ZWE186)
- 5118 Corolla Hybrid (ZWE186) vehicles affected
- 847 Prius (ZVW30) vehicles affected
- VIN list for these vehicles is attached here
- The original recall notice is attached here
Owners will be contacted by Toyota Australia via mail, and requested to make an appointment with their preferred dealer to perform a software update to the vehicle’s Power Management control unit, free of charge.
For more information, contact the Toyota Recall Assist helpline in 1800 987 366.
