Models Prius, Prius V, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid Vehicles 1,120,512
A defect petition covering 1,120,512 Toyota hybrids from the 2010 through 2015 model years has been open at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since November 22, 2023, and the agency’s record still shows no decision. The petition, DP23-005, alleges that the brake actuator valve wears over time. NHTSA lists the 2010 to 2015 Prius, the 2012 Prius V, the 2012 and 2013 Camry Hybrid and the 2013 to 2015 Avalon Hybrid. This is a petition review, not an investigation and not a recall: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is evaluating the request so it can grant or deny it. No recall is attached to the record. Owners can run their VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see any open recall on their own car.
Who asked for what
The petition is dated September 19, 2023. It came from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V, who asked ODI to reevaluate its decision to deny an earlier petition, DP19-004. According to NHTSA’s summary, the petitioner reported “experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights.”
NHTSA says the new request rests on two things. One is the petitioner’s direct experience. The other is the petitioner’s assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because the petition that prompted it was withdrawn by the person who filed it.
What the petition alleges
In the opening resume, ODI sums up the problem in a single line. The petition alleges that the brake actuator valve wears over time, that this may eventually turn on a malfunction indicator light (MIL), and that it may eventually lead to a possible increase in stopping distance. The component is filed under hydraulic service brakes. The resume describes the vehicles as certain 2010 to 2015 Prius, Camry hybrid and Avalon hybrid models built by Toyota Motor Corporation.
The failure report summary in that resume counts one incident, from ODI’s own records, and lists zero crashes or fires, zero injury incidents and zero fatality incidents. Owner reports to ODI are not verified, and a count of reports is not a failure rate. The one report on file carries ODI number 11553736, which is also the number NHTSA gives for reading the petition and its related materials.
Where it stands
The action listed on the resume is “Further evaluation of the Defect Petition for a grant or deny decision.” ODI says it will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and look at any additional related complaints and crashes as part of the new petition.
The record has no closing date. The newest item in the public file is an acknowledgment letter to the petitioner dated December 1, 2023, which NHTSA posted on April 22, 2026; its public copy is redacted under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6). The record gives no date for a decision.
The reference numbers are DP23-005, titled “Brake Actuator Valve Wear,” and the earlier petition DP19-004. NHTSA lists no recall number under DP23-005.
What to do
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The DP23-005 record lists no recall.
- Know that this is a petition under review, not a recall. NHTSA has not decided whether to grant or deny it.
- If your car has had a sudden loss of brake power with warning lights on the dash, report it to NHTSA, which says it will review related complaints and crashes under this petition.
- Watch the DP23-005 record for the grant or deny decision.