Toyota Recalls One Million Prius and C-HR Hybrids Over Fire Risk

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky
toyota recalls one million prius and c hr hybrids over fire risk

Toyota is recalling over one million Prius and C-HR crossovers due to engine wires that pose a potential fire risk. Involved in the call-back are roughly 192,000 vehicles in the United States, according to estimates made by the automaker on Wednesday. However, the vast majority of the 554,000 affected vehicles reside in Japan.

While no injuries have been reported, an alleged incident occurred in February 2018 where a wire harness connected to the vehicle’s hybrid power control unit shorted out.

Toyota claims this portion of the wire harness could contact the cover at this connection and wear over time. This could eventually cause an electrical short circuit in the engine compartment and generate heat. Assuming sufficient heat is generated, it all amounts to an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

If you’re new to the driving scene or not interested in automotive jargon, vehicle fires are typically undesirable — hence the recall.

Toyota says the issue concerns all models of the current-generation Prius and the hybrid version of the C-HR produced until May of this year. Dealers will check the engine wire harness assembly of all affected units. If a wire core is found exposed, the engine wire harness assembly will be replaced with a new one that includes a protective sleeve intended to prevent wear and potential shorting. If a wire core is not exposed, protective tape will be installed on the engine wire harness assembly. Whether you get the bandaid or the full surgery, both operations will be performed at no cost to customers. Owners should receive a notification by first class mail starting in late September.

However, if you’re freaking out already, customers can check their vehicle’s status by visiting Toyota’s recall website and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available through the NHTSA.

[Image: Toyota]

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  • Del My father bought GM cars in the 60's, but in 1971 he gave me a used Datsun (as they were called back then), and I'm now in my 70's and am happy to say that GM has been absent from my entire adult life. This article makes me gladder than ever.
  • TheEndlessEnigma That's right GM, just keep adding to that list of reasons why I will never buy your products. This, I think, becomes reason number 69, right after OnStar-Cannot-Be-Disabled-And-It-Comes-Standard-Whether-Or-Not-You-Want-It and Screw-You-American-Car-Buyer-We-Only-Make-Trucks-And-SUVs.
  • 3SpeedAutomatic Does this not sound and feel like the dawn of ICE automobiles in the early 20th century, but at double or triple speed speed!!There were a bunch of independent car markers by the late 1910’s. By the mid 20’s, we were dropping down to 10 or 15 producers as Henry was slashing the price of the Model T. The Great Depression hit, and we are down to the big three and several independents. For EVs, Tesla bolted out of the gate, the small three are in a mad dash to keep up. Europe was caught flat footed due to the VW scandal. Lucid, Lordstown, & Rivian are scrambling to up production to generate cash. Now the EV leader has taken a page from the Model T and is slashing prices putting the rest of the EV market in a tail spin. Deja vu……
  • Michael Eck With those mods, I wonder if it's tuned...
  • Mike-NB2 I'm not a Jeep guy, but I really, really like the 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe concept.
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