September 7, 2018
On September 5, 2018, Toyota issued a recall for its Prius hybrid vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2018 due to a risk of fire. The recall involves a problem with wire harnesses that connect to the vehicle’s power control unit. The protective wire harness contains a bundle of wires, located in the front of the vehicle, which can wear out after contact with the cover of the power control unit. The insulation on the wires can wear down over time due to vehicle vibrations. When the wire harness fails to perform properly, it can cause an electrical short circuit that can generate heat and lead to a vehicle fire.
Toyota will contact owners in late September of 2018, and owners can contact Toyota directly at 800-331-4331.
One incident has been reported in Japan. Vehicle identification numbers can be checked for the recall on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls.
