2007 Toyota Prius recalls and problems

The 2007 Toyota Prius has 4 safety recalls and 2,004 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
2,004
Crashes / fires
124 / 9
Injuries / deaths
70 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2007 Toyota Prius vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2007 Toyota Prius recalls

Recall 12V-537: Steering

Reported Nov 14, 2012 · 669,705 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 12V-536: Hybrid Propulsion System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Nov 14, 2012 · 350,662 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.

Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 10V-036: Equipment

Reported Feb 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles affected · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Problem: Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Recall 09V-388: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Oct 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

2007 Toyota Prius problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting1,068
Electrical System248
Structure186
Service Brakes, Hydraulic150
Service Brakes127
Vehicle Speed Control124
Unknown or Other67
Service Brakes, Electric59
Air Bags54
Power Train42
Latches/Locks/Linkages42
Traction Control System38

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 96
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 86
  • Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate — 19
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module — 12
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
  • Structure › Body › Door — 9
  • Structure › Body › Trunk Lid — 7
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 6

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 50,400 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2007 Toyota Prius complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Oct 23, 2026
In October 2026, my 2007 Toyota Prius experienced a serious mechanical steering failure at approximately 187,310 miles. The steering wheel could rotate without properly controlling the front wheels, resulting in a loss of steering control and creating a significant safety hazard. On October 6, 2026, an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle. Its written diagnosis, documented on an October 21 invoice, identified worn gearing at the intermediate steering shaft connection to the steering rack. The technician also identified a failed steering wheel spiral cable. The steering system has…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jan 15, 2026
2007 Toyota Prius touring edition WILL NOT TAKE ANY FUEL PROPERLY AND WILL OVERFILL AND "BURP" CAUSING GAS TO FLOW EXPLOSIVELY OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND HOLE. Tank will not fill, at all, causing risk of running out of gas while on highway. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. FUEL TANK will not fill properly, if at all, overfills and burps causing fuel to blow out of the filler hole with force. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD as gas can spill all over near the filler area and possibly catch fire. Stopping the filler hose will not help, as the tank refuses to take any gas, even when close to empty. People…
Service Brakes · reported Jun 5, 2025
The brake actuator failed. When the car was diagnosed by the Toyota dealership, they identified the problem as an internal leak within the brake actuator. Luckily, nobody has been hurt attempting to drive the car, but it is still being driven to get it from home to the repair shop so anything is possible. The first symptom I could link to this was in 2023, when the car would not accelerate via the gas pedal after the brakes were pressed during cruise control. Turning off the car and turning it back on fixed the problem. Afterwards, the red brake symbol was turned on. From that point on, the…
Service Brakes · reported Mar 26, 2025
Check engine light came on with codes C 1256 & C 1300. Primary issue is Brake actuator failure. Toyota is ignoring this known and repeated issue and it may lead to a dangerous/ deadly situation if brakes go out while driving.
Service Brakes · reported Nov 5, 2024
Failing Brake Actuator Assembly. This is known issue by Toyota and they issued a brief warranty repair program, but have since stopped and refuse to fix the issue or provide assistance.

Other Toyota Prius years

Compare all Toyota Prius years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2007 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2007 Toyota Prius: 12V-537 (steering), 12V-536 (hybrid propulsion system, engine and engine cooling), 10V-036 (equipment), 09V-388 (vehicle speed control). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2007 Toyota Prius?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (1,068 reports), followed by electrical system (248). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 50,400 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.