Recall 16V487 covers 482,002 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid, and Ct Hybrid vehicles for air-bag inflator ejection. Repair is free at a franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 482,002 2010-2012 Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid, and Ct Hybrid vehicles because a weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator can crack and send one or both inflator pieces into the passenger cabin. That raises the risk of injury to occupants, and Toyota dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The curtain shield air bag inflator in these 2010-2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Prius, and Ct Hybrid vehicles is part of the side-window air bag system. In a side impact or rollover-type event, the inflator is supposed to release gas that fills the curtain air bag along the side glass. That air bag helps cover the window area for occupants in the cabin.
On affected vehicles, a weld inside the inflator can crack. The filing points to weld contamination during production as the condition behind the weak weld. If that weld breaks, one or both portions of the inflator can separate and eject into the passenger cabin instead of staying contained inside the air bag assembly.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem is inside the inflator weld, an owner will not hear, feel, or see a clear symptom before the part breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid, and Ct Hybrid across 2010-2012, all tied to the side air bag system.
| 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | side air bag |
| 2011 Toyota Prius | side air bag |
| 2012 Toyota Prius | side air bag |
| 2011 Lexus Ct Hybrid | side air bag |
| 2010 Toyota Prius | side air bag |
| 2012 Lexus Ct Hybrid | side air bag |
| Units affected | 482,002 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific hatchback.
What's the safety risk?
If a curtain shield air bag inflator section ejects into the passenger cabin, occupants face a higher injury risk. This recall concerns the air bag hardware above the side windows, so treat it as a passenger-safety repair and schedule it soon. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Prius, or Ct Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free retention-bracket repair for the curtain shield air bag inflators.
- Reference recall number 16V487 when you call, and mention Toyota recall G0U or Lexus recall GLJ if your notice includes it.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota has mailed one. The dealer repair is free.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 with questions before your appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician installs retention brackets on the curtain shield air bag inflators so the inflator sections stay secured if the weld cracks. The parts and labor are free under recall 16V487. Toyota has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall repair. If you have prior curtain shield air bag repair paperwork, ask Toyota Customer Service or the dealer how to submit the documented expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 30, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| July 25, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 17, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V487?
Recall 16V487 covers 482,002 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid, and Ct Hybrid vehicles with a curtain shield air bag inflator weld that can crack. If part of the inflator ejects into the cabin, occupants face increased injury risk. Toyota dealers install retention brackets for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, Prius, or Ct Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V487. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the curtain shield air bag retention bracket installation. Reference recall number 16V487 and Toyota campaign G0U when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Toyota says dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury to occupants if part of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin. The defect involves a cracked inflator weld, not normal air bag deployment. Confirm your VIN, then have the free dealer repair completed.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you never received Toyota's owner notice, check your VIN and give the dealer recall number 16V487 when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V487000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V487 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V487000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →