This Link is a Babelfish translation of the Japanese announcement of a recall of many Toyota Vehicles that seems to include the Prius (NWH20 is a code for the Prius). Here's the translation: "1. Circumstance of trouble (1) Because form of the contact point section for the electric load which works in the contact point of the switch for the brake lamp is inadequate, oxide is formed by the contact point and there are some which contact resistance increases. Because of that, the switch becomes continuity defective, there is a possibility the brake lamp stopping lighting up. (2) Because removal of the foreign material is insufficient when producing the electromotive type fuel pump, wiring coating of the internal motor being damaged by the foreign material, it shorts, the fuse of the fuel pump circuit is cut off, there are times when the motor brush wears abnormally. Because of that, the fuel pump stops operating, there is a possibility the engine not be able to restart stopping and becoming. 2. Contents of improvement (1) all vehicle and the particular switch are exchanged with the measure item. (2) all vehicle and the particular fuel pump are exchanged with the non-defective item. VIN: NHW20-0001006 - NHW20-0086574 Productin Date: 2003 May 28th - 2004 June 11th" And a Dow Jones Newswire Report: Toyota, Isuzu Combined Recall Over 500,000 Vehicles-Kyodo (DJN) NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling a total of 544,172 vehicles in 12 models, including the Prius and the Vitz, for replacement of defective parts, Japan's transport ministry said Thursday, Kyodo News Service reports. The brake lights in the vehicles, manufactured between January 1999 and August this year, could fail to work due to faulty switches, the biggest Japanese automaker said in a report to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The vehicles could also fail to operate as a result of defective fuel pumps, Kyodo said. The 12 models include the Corolla Fielder, the Raum, the Estima Hybrid and the Harrier as well. Isuzu Motors Ltd. (7202.TO) also notified the ministry the same day that it will recall 2,335 of its Forward trucks for replacement of defective front hub bearings which could make the vehicles unworkable due to overheating or cause fire, Kyodo reports. The trucks were made between August 2000 and May this year, but the defective parts were supplied by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. (MTA.XX) which has been involved in a series of defect coverups. Isuzu is also recalling 328 Giga trucks to replace faulty hydraulic pipes in the power steering mechanism to prevent fire. The trucks were manufactured between September and early November this year, Kyodo said. (END) Dow Jones Newswires Doesn't sound too serious, but it does sound like the parts manufacturer is going to be in some serious trouble!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(techogurl\";p=\"51326)</div> Very high...same parts, same problems, same VIN numbers...and now we all know!! :wink:
Hmmm the Babelfish translation said cars through June 11, 2004 but the Dow said through August. Guess I'll have to wait for a recall letter as mine was made in August. Thanks for the heads up Evan
Boy, this is becoming a long list for a Toyota based car. Is it new technology design flaws, or are Toyota's parts vendors declining in quality? I'm only glad that they're finding and rectifying these issues before they become wide-spread and appreciate Toyota's willingness for proactivity.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceha_2000\";p=\"51340)</div> The "through June 11" is for Prius and Dow's "through August" is for all models. Please note that the lower 7 digits of VIN is common worldwide. My record of total Prius sales until the end of June was 83,051 in Japan plus in the US. Regards, Ken@Japan
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"51324)</div> Please be informed that this (2) fuel pump exchange does NOT affect Prius. Regards, Ken@Japan
