Faulty Electronics Force Toyota to Recall C-HR, Plug-in Prius Hybrids
Late last week, Toyota announced it will conduct separate U.S. safety recalls of around 28,600 C-HR crossovers from the 2018 model year and approximately 39,900 Prius Plug-in Hybrids from 2012-2015.
For the affected C-HRs, there’s a possibility that the electronic parking brake might not operate properly. Toyota claims there is a chance the parking brake won’t disengage after it is applied. There is also a chance the faulty electronics might prevent it from being applied in the first place, which is a little more serious. In addition to creating a possible rollaway risk in certain situations, the automaker says it would be in noncompliance with a federal safety standards.
The issues affecting the Prius specifically deals with plug-in models. Affected units may have a faulty fuse that can malfunction if the car is operated in “EV mode” under sustained high-load driving conditions (i.e. perpetually uphill or carrying a lot of extra weight). If the fuse does go, drivers will be treated to a dazzling array of warning lights and warning messages.
Toyota claims a busted Prius may be able to operate under its own power — but will act crippled. However, there is a chance the hybrid system could shut down entirely and leave owners stranded by the side of the road. Fortunately, steering and braking should not be affected, so there’s no chance of the vehicle coming to a screeching halt on the expressway. Still, it’s probably best to pull off swiftly and safely before calling for a tow truck.
Toyota will issue an update for the C-HR’s electronic control unit software before the end of the month. Meanwhile, Prius owners will have to to wait until January to get their notification in the mail. Obviously, the fixes will be covered by the manufacturer. If you’re curious if your vehicle is one of the models affected, you can input your VIN into the NHTSA recall database or contact Toyota directly.
[Image: Toyota]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I'm glad my C-MAX has a manual parking brake. It's a car that strokes a nice balance between traditional analog & advanced digital features. It's not all in on the 21st Century that way, like this Toyota, and neither am I.
Electronic parking brake, the solution to a question that nobody asked except cost accountants. No chance of modulating the braking force by how hard you tug on the lever. No, she's all or nuttin - kerang, yup, she's cast off the hawser, Mary! We're under way. But look at the console space we save, the PR doughheads keen, and darn me, well yes, there might be a few more square inches to store used Kleenex on. Life changing, that. Suitable for the digital crowd, ooh look, on/off. Sublety, wherefore art thou? Most suitable for the kind of people who find the C-HR kinda cute.