Hi folks, I just received a Safety Recall notice from Toyota. The following is the relevant paragraph: "Investigations by Toyota reveal that under certain environmental conditions, the electrical contact points in the stop lamp switch can be affected by a build-up of silicon oxide, causing an electrical resistance within the stop lamp circuit. The reduced current flow can result in the stop lamps failing to illuminate, thereby not signalling to other motorists that the driver intends to slow down or stop. Vehicles produced between June 2003 and June 2004 are potentially affected by this condition." I will be taking the car in next week for this check. kenmac
Can you please post the campaign/recall notice number and perhaps a scan of the letter for those of us who haven't yet received it.
Link below (don't know if it helps much). Regardless, the service writer at my dealer could find absolutely squat yesterday regarding a recall, TSB, or whatever, for my car. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems...lls/results.cfm EDIT: Link doesn't work so here: SEARCH TYPE : VEHICLE YEAR : 2004 Make : TOYOTA Model : PRIUS Make : TOYOTA Model : PRIUS Year : 2004 Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V558000 Recall Date : NOV 18, 2004 Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH Potential Number Of Units Affected : 183090
Evan, The letter was from Toyota Australia and didn't quote any reference numbers. The only other relevant info is that the rectification action is free of charge and would take about thirty minutes. They give a free-call phone number, so I will call them tomorrow, ask for any reference numbers, and will post same. When I contacted the local service people they weren't aware of the recall, and are now also chasing details for their end. kenmac
Make: TOYOTA Model: PRIUS Type: ANY Year: 2004 Recall Number: 04V558000 Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. A SILICON OXIDE BUILD-UP OCCURS ON THE CONTACTS INSIDE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH CAN MAKE IT INOPERABLE. Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIONS AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
I see you have found the recall data . The only info I was able get from Toyota in Oz is that after the checks are done, they will apply a sticker with the number 4526K4. kenmac
Are people being notified by Toyota that their car needs this? Are there particular VINs involved? thanks
I had mine done today. It took well under a hour. I haven't scanned the letter, but attached is Toyota's filing with the NHTSA that describes the problem, the cause, the affected cars, and the solution.
Thanks for posting this fascinating document. I got the impression that the brake light switch becomes corroded only when there is low electrical current being drawn through it, by the LED brake lights compared to incandescent bulbs. Is this reasonable?
That was my take too. Toyota apparently used the same switches on many of their cars, but only the ones with LED brake lights (Prii and Lexi RX330) are being recalled. Apparently the higher current required for incandescent lights prevents the oxide from accumulating.
Thanks Chatters! My car does fall within the VIN #'s quoted and I have NOT received a notice yet. I have 18,000+miles on my Prius already so the switch should be really worn out! This will give me an opportunity to test my "new" dealer that I have started using for service after disappointing communication and lengthy service waits at the dealer where I purchased the car. Nice to know the Prii chatters are on top of things!
Only in the presence of silicone in the air inside the car, I found that part quite interesting, and the fact that there were two manufacturs of the switches.