Prius+ Recall

[cootuk]

Toyota is issuing a worldwide recall for the Prius because of a software glitch that can potentially shutdown the hybrid system while on the road. According to Reuters, this campaign includes about 625,000 vehicles around the globe. In the US, the automaker reports that it covers 109,000 examples of the 2012-2014 Prius V.

The current software for the motor/generator control and hybrid control ECUs can cause high heat to develop around some transistors and damage them. If this happens, lights on the dashboard would warn drivers. However, in some instances the problem could result in a failure of the hybrid system.

Dealers will upgrade the software for both ECUs to fix the issue, and Toyota will notify owners in the US by mail about scheduling repairs. According to Reuters, there are also 340,000 vehicles in Japan and 160,000 in Europe that need this, as well.

Toyota's popular hybrid has been subject to at least two other recalls in the US in recent years. One was to adjust the Occupant Classification System for the 2014-2015 Prius V. The other was for an ECU software issue in the 2010-2014 Prius.

[FROSTYBALLS]

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33532673

[Lesolee]

Just out of interest I tried the Toyota Recall Checker site and got this (remarkably unhelpful) report.

Recall.pdf

I phoned the “Contact Us” line and they actually only know what is on the recall checker site, that is they know no more than I already knew = pointless waste of time.

I used the dealer check link provided on the form. Entered “Oxford” and there is no Oxford dealer listed, and all listed dealers are zero miles from my location (=another pointless waste of time).

So I googled my Oxford dealer, phoned the service department, and they had to go away and think about it for 5 minutes before saying that there will probably be a recall for the Auris for this “Prius” fault, even though it probably doesn’t actually affect the Auris, it has the same ecu.

[Lesolee]

This webpage explicitly mentions the Auris Hybrid ...

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/69006/20150716/toyota-recalls-625-000-prius-and-other-hybrids-due-to-software-glitch.htm

[FROSTYBALLS]

There is no recall listed on the DVSA website for either the Prius or the Auris, but as it was only announced on 15th July, it may be too early to show.

[Peter Sale]

Got a text from dealer today asking me to contact them about recall - didn't say which car, we have two hybrids, 1st and 2nd gen Auris.

Found a link searching so it looks like it is two trips to dealer for me - to get ECU software updated.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Still nothing listed on the DVSA recall website - latest listed recall was March 2014. If it were a formal recall, Toyota would be contacting owners by letter using the formal DVSA/DVLA system rather than dealers contacting people by text.

[Parts-King]

This campaign is currently being registered with the DVSA and may not show yet

You will get a LETTER from DVSA if your car is affected. If you get a text from your dealer, it will NOT be about this recall.

The Toyota recall website will be updated when they have an EXACT list of VIN numbers affected, until such time you will not be able to check

More information will be released as and when Toyota have it and it is too early to speculate what exact models are to be recalled

Kingo

[Peter Sale]

Appreciate this, however the Toyota website shows that both our cars are subject to recall. Until I speak to dealer next week I can't be exactly sure which recall but it does appear to be a coincidence.

might struggle to get a letter about my wife's car as DVLA haven't processed V5 sent to them at the beginning of June although they confirm they have it. Prevoius owner unable to sign new keeper form as his ashes are in our spare room.......

[Parts-King]

Toyota send chassis numbers to DVSA/ DVLA who cross match them to owners, so you will get a letter, but maybe not in the first batch.

[delbois]

Toyota send chassis numbers to DVSA/ DVLA who cross match them to owners, so you will get a letter, but maybe not in the first batch.

Just got my recall letter from Toyota today ... not sure whether to book in now or wait until the next service in February (best to go sooner than later I guess)

[Peter Sale]

Dealer's advice is that it might only be a problem on a long run and not worth worrying about for smaller journeys.

The job will get quicker when they have found the files and don't need to download afresh. Takes them about an hour to pull down files they need.

The good news is that it doesn't lose any of the customisation such as changing the reverse beep to a single beep.

[Lesolee]

Just got my recall letter from Toyota today ...

Me too.

[delbois]

Dealer's advice is that it might only be a problem on a long run and not worth worrying about for smaller journeys.

The job will get quicker when they have found the files and don't need to download afresh. Takes them about an hour to pull down files they need.

The good news is that it doesn't lose any of the customisation such as changing the reverse beep to a single beep.

Just booked into my local dealer. The soonest they can take the car is 5th October as they are waiting for 'parts to arrive from Japan', which was a bit confusing for an ECU Reflash. I was told the parts were precautionary based on inspection(?). And it can't be done as an 'as you wait' job so it'll have to be booked in for the whole day. They said they had already received about 25 calls from other owners.

They stressed there was no urgency for the work and hadn't heard anything about the increased risk for long runs (although I'm sure Peter's information is correct). Sods law - I'm off on a 600 mile round trip the weekend before the soonest date the work can be done.

[Peter Sale]

Waiting for parts from Japan ?. They don't seem confident about doing the job or don't have anyone trained it seems to me - unless they have ordered an official Toyota memory stick ! Maybe you should contact Toyota and ask them why so long ?

The dealer I used is sorting them in just over an hour now. They have to check which ECU and software level to know what to apply and then if they have it already it is straightforward. Otherwise they have to download what they need.

Maybe your dealer has ordered replacement ECU's in case it goes wrong, apparently at least one dealer has installed Prius software on an Auris and wiped out the ECU which has cost the dealer a fair amount.

I believe that the original article discussed the ECU overheating and I believe this why the advice that it would only be a problem on longer runs when the car gets hotter but then the summer we are having that appears to be unlikely.

[delbois]

Points taken! My preferred Toyota dealer is excellent but is a 160 mile round trip away so that means a day off work so not really feasible for what should be a straightforward re-flash. The nearest main dealer is only three miles away and has been generally OK. I only spoke to the person on service reception but she did know about the recall and said over 20 had been booked in already. She also said it's normally a simple process but sometimes takes longer on some cars, hence their preference to have the car for a full day. I'll stick with the existing booking and hope that they have had plenty of practice by the time they get to my one!

[unclepoo]

Has anyone had this re-flash done yet, if so, is there any difference to the drive of the car of mpg ?....mine`s booked in for friday 28th

[Tbolt]

When I had my car (1st gen Auris) serviced two weeks ago the dealer told me they had to update the software but did not tell me there was a recall for this. Letter from DVSA has now arrived.

The whole service and upgrade took less than an hour.

I have found no change in the performance of the car.

Gerry

[unclepoo]

That`s good to hear......when I`ve had diesels serviced at main agents and they`ve re-mapped the ecu, it`s came back worse and slower than before..(it was a transit van from work so not too worried about it).

[bigblock]

Had my 2014 Auris Hybrid Icon done a week ago. I got a recall letter to flash the ECU's for motor/generator and hybrid control. Took just an hour. No change to performance. Did not alter my customised settings either. All seems fine. As you were so to speak.