Toyota Recalls One Million Prius and C-HR Hybrids Over Fire Risk
Toyota is recalling over one million Prius and C-HR crossovers due to engine wires that pose a potential fire risk. Involved in the call-back are roughly 192,000 vehicles in the United States, according to estimates made by the automaker on Wednesday. However, the vast majority of the 554,000 affected vehicles reside in Japan.
While no injuries have been reported, an alleged incident occurred in February 2018 where a wire harness connected to the vehicle’s hybrid power control unit shorted out.
Toyota claims this portion of the wire harness could contact the cover at this connection and wear over time. This could eventually cause an electrical short circuit in the engine compartment and generate heat. Assuming sufficient heat is generated, it all amounts to an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
If you’re new to the driving scene or not interested in automotive jargon, vehicle fires are typically undesirable — hence the recall.
Toyota says the issue concerns all models of the current-generation Prius and the hybrid version of the C-HR produced until May of this year. Dealers will check the engine wire harness assembly of all affected units. If a wire core is found exposed, the engine wire harness assembly will be replaced with a new one that includes a protective sleeve intended to prevent wear and potential shorting. If a wire core is not exposed, protective tape will be installed on the engine wire harness assembly. Whether you get the bandaid or the full surgery, both operations will be performed at no cost to customers. Owners should receive a notification by first class mail starting in late September.
However, if you’re freaking out already, customers can check their vehicle’s status by visiting Toyota’s recall website and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available through the NHTSA.
[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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Thankfully this wasn't Ford. The number of comments would have crashed the website.
Not a single comment worth reading.