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Safety Recall - brake lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kenmac, Dec 7, 2004.

  1. kenmac

    kenmac New Member

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    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
     
    #1 kenmac, Dec 7, 2004
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    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.
     
    #2 efusco, Dec 7, 2004
  3. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    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
     
    #3 tag, Dec 7, 2004
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yea, know about the general recall, just not the specifics from Toyota.
     
    #4 efusco, Dec 7, 2004
  5. kenmac

    kenmac New Member

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    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
     
    #5 kenmac, Dec 8, 2004
  6. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    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 ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
     
    #6 Tempus, Dec 8, 2004
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Doh! Didn't notice the Australia address under your Avatar...sorry.
     
    #7 efusco, Dec 8, 2004
  8. kenmac

    kenmac New Member

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    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
     
    #8 kenmac, Dec 8, 2004
  9. babesp

    babesp New Member

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    Are people being notified by Toyota that their car needs this? Are there particular VINs involved? thanks
     
    #9 babesp, Dec 20, 2004
  10. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Yes, and yes. Mine doesn't qualify.
     
    #10 DanMan32, Dec 21, 2004
  11. aforkosh

    aforkosh Active Member

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    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.
     
    #11 aforkosh, Dec 21, 2004
  12. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    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?
     
    #12 tochatihu, Dec 22, 2004
  13. aforkosh

    aforkosh Active Member

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    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.
     
    #13 aforkosh, Dec 22, 2004
  14. babesp

    babesp New Member

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    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!
     
    #14 babesp, Dec 22, 2004
  15. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #15 Frank Hudon, Dec 22, 2004
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