Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting (57.2% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 10.8× the median for that category across the 720 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 823 · 57.2% | Investigation closed | PE09019 |
| Electrical System | 148 · 10.3% | Investigation closed | DP22005 → recall 22V063000 |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 121 · 8.4% | Investigation closed | PE09019 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 84 · 5.8% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 81 · 5.6% | Recalled | Recall 09V388000 |
| Service Brakes | 73 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 1,439 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 12V537000 · 2012 · reported 11/14/2012
Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V536000 · 2012 · reported 11/14/2012
The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V388000 · 2009 · reported 10/05/2009
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V096000 · 2006 · reported 04/03/2006
THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V188000 · 2006 · reported 05/31/2006
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, PACKAGE #8, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THEY CAN EITHER GO OUT ONE AT A TIME OR BOTH…”NHTSA complaint 10235481 — filed 07/23/2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHT (HID) ON MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. ONE HEADLIGHT…”NHTSA complaint 10235356 — filed 07/22/2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…”NHTSA complaint 10235164 — filed 07/21/2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior lighting issues are the most-reported category, cited in 823 of 1,439 NHTSA complaints (57.2%), followed by electrical system (148), exterior lighting:headlights (121), service brakes, hydraulic (84). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,439 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 82 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 48 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V537000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
