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 (48.9% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 8.7× 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 | 979 · 48.9% | Investigation closed | PE09019 |
| Electrical System | 235 · 11.7% | Investigation closed | DP22005 → recall 22V063000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 130 · 6.5% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes | 127 · 6.3% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 117 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 09V388000 |
| Structure:body | 96 · 4.8% | 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 2,003 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 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
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.
“2007 PRIUS HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON. THIS HAS…”NHTSA complaint 10255254 — filed 01/15/2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS DANGEROUS!!!!”NHTSA complaint 10255246 — filed 01/15/2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“1. DRIVERSIDE FRONT HEAD LIGHT SHUTS-OFF BY ITSELF WHEN IN THE ON MODE, PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT STAYS ON. 2. OCCURS AT RANDOM, THERE IS…”NHTSA complaint 10254959 — filed 01/14/2009 · 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 979 of 2,003 NHTSA complaints (48.9%), followed by electrical system (235), service brakes, hydraulic (130), service brakes (127). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
2,003 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 124 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 70 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 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.
