Recall 18V684 affects 807,329 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and Prius V vehicles for hybrid-system stall risk. Free repair at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 807,329 2010-2014 Prius and Prius V vehicles because excessive voltage in the inverter's Intelligent Power Module can shut down the hybrid system while the vehicle is moving. A sudden stall increases crash risk, and Toyota dealers will complete the recall 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 Intelligent Power Module, or IPM, in the 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and Prius V is part of the inverter that manages high-voltage power for the hybrid drive system. The inverter turns battery power into the electrical flow the motor uses, while the control software helps keep heat and electrical stress in check.
Under recall 18V684, Toyota says excessive voltage in the IPM can damage a transistor inside the inverter assembly. A transistor works like an electronic switch for high-voltage current. When that switch is damaged, the hybrid system can shut down instead of continuing to propel the vehicle. If that happens while driving, the Prius can stall.
Before shutdown, owners can see various warning lights and a warning message on the instrument panel. Treat those warnings as a sign to get the vehicle checked, because they point to a hybrid system fault tied to this recall.
Who's affected?
Spans 2 Prius variants across 5 model years, all tied to the hybrid propulsion system.
| 2010 Toyota Prius | Hybrid propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2014 Toyota Prius | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2013 Toyota Prius | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2012 Toyota Prius | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2011 Toyota Prius | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2012 Toyota Prius V | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2013 Toyota Prius V | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2014 Toyota Prius V | Hybrid propulsion system |
| Units affected | 807,329 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected hybrid system shutdown increases the risk of a crash. Warning lights and an instrument-panel message can appear before shutdown. If they appear, pull over when safe, stop using the vehicle, and call a Toyota dealer for guidance. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2014 Toyota Prius or Prius V is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free ECU software update that addresses excessive inverter voltage and hybrid-system shutdown.
- Tell the dealer this update is needed even if prior recall software work was completed under 14V-053 or 15V-449.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V684 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the update is complete, and pull over safely if the hybrid system shuts down or the vehicle stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician updates the motor/generator control ECU software and the hybrid control ECU software as needed. The software update is free under the recall, including vehicles that received earlier Toyota inverter software updates under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449. If you paid out of pocket to have this condition repaired before this campaign, Toyota's General Reimbursement Plan gives you a way to request repayment. Bring your receipts and repair documentation to the service desk or contact Toyota customer service for the reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 4, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 5, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 22, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 22, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V684?
Recall 18V684 covers 807,329 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and Prius V vehicles with excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module inside the inverter. The hybrid system can shut down while driving and stall the vehicle. Toyota dealers will update the motor/generator control ECU and hybrid control ECU software for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2014 Toyota Prius or Prius V is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V684. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the ECU software updates. Reference recall number 18V684 and Toyota recall number J0V 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 will perform the ECU software updates free of charge at any franchised Toyota dealer. This recall repair is needed even if software was updated under recalls 14V053 or 15V449.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected hybrid-system shutdown while driving. If that happens, the Prius or Prius V can stall, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Toyota dealer repair and ask the service desk what to do if the vehicle has already stalled.
What if I bought my Toyota Prius or Prius V used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you never received Toyota's owner letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Prius or Prius V is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall number 18V684.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V684000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V684 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V684000 |
Source documents
-
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 Owner Notice (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →