Recall 16V741 affects 91,585 2016-2017 Toyota Prius vehicles for a parking brake cable defect. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 91,585 2016-2017 Prius vehicles because the foot-operated parking brake cable can disengage from its mechanism. If the transmission is left out of 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves, the vehicle can roll unexpectedly, increasing crash risk; Toyota dealers will repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2016-2017 Toyota Prius uses a foot-operated parking brake, which means the driver sets the parking brake by pressing a pedal with a foot. That pedal pulls a parking brake cable, and the cable applies the parking brake so the vehicle stays held after it is parked. The system depends on the cable staying connected and properly tensioned.
On affected Prius vehicles, the parking brake cable can disengage from the foot-operated system. Once that happens, the pedal no longer applies the parking brake as designed. Toyota limited this recall to Prius vehicles that use these parking brake cable assemblies; no other Toyota or Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. use the same assemblies.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the cable disengages, the parking brake can fail to hold the vehicle after the driver sets it.
Who's affected?
Covers both Prius model years tied to the same parking brake component.
| 2016 Toyota Prius | Parking brake |
|---|---|
| 2017 Toyota Prius | Parking brake |
| Units affected | 91,585 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the parking brake cable disengages and the Prius is left out of Park while the ignition is on, it can roll after the driver exits, increasing crash risk. Always shift fully into Park before leaving the vehicle and schedule the recall repair. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Toyota Prius is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free parking-brake cable clip repair that keeps the cable from disengaging.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota sent one, and reference recall number 16V741 (Toyota recall G01) when you call.
- Avoid leaving the Prius with the ignition on and the transmission outside Park until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician installs a clip at the parking brake cable end so the cable stays engaged in the foot-operated parking brake system. The recall repair is free, and Toyota covers the related parts and labor. If you already paid out of pocket for a related parking brake cable repair, ask the dealer or Toyota customer service about Toyota's general reimbursement plan and bring receipts or other repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 11, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| October 11, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 14, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| November 10, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 11, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V741?
Recall 16V741 covers 91,585 2016-2017 Toyota Prius vehicles with a parking brake cable that can disengage from the foot-operated parking brake mechanism. Toyota dealers install a clip at the parking brake cable end for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Toyota Prius is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Prius is included in recall 16V741. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the parking brake cable clip installation. Reference recall number 16V741 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will install the parking brake cable clip free of charge at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What is the safety risk with this Toyota Prius recall?
The safety risk is unexpected vehicle rollaway. If the parking brake cable disengages and the transmission is left out of Park while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the Prius can roll, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Toyota Prius used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Prius is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 16V741.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V741000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V741 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V741000 |
Source documents
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Download Misc. Document (PDF)
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Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
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Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
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Download Owner Notice (PDF)
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Download Recall Report (PDF)
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Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
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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 →