http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051013/ap_on_bi_ge/prius_recall

CBS Radio news carried it on their hourly national newscast. They described it as a "software problem".

Maybe the spectre of having their Prius "go dead" on the I-405 during 70-MPH rush-hour traffic will cut down on the Christmas Prius rush a little.

Okay, anyone got the actual technical details on which vehicles are affected?

I'm not worried personally, as I don't fit the generic description of "some 2004 and early 2005", but it would be nice to know what VINs or option packages are specifically affected. I'm a little confused about the "some 2004" part -- it's like they introduced a bug in a revision of the software.

Anyway, those affected will certainly get letters, but I'm curious...

so what are they doing adding a few more vin's on the SSC-40-D campaign? and a bit of grease on the igniton coils? All I know is there not flashing the computer in her car. They can grease it all they want but don't flash the computer. It's working better than ever since it was replaced and your not going to touch it. Period. It's now at 20K and it works just fine. This is just a formal declaration that the SSC-40-D was required on some, just to get NHTSA off their ass.

With luck, it will help prevent the price of the 2006 model from rising very much over the 2005.

Microsoft inside?

Cnn Today

I've never experienced anything like this, but if it's a problem and I get the letter I will definitely bring my Prius to the local Toyota. I just wish I knew the vin numbers in question... and wasn't this made public months ago? I wasn't too familiar with the SSC-40d campaign so I googled it:

SSC-40d

I'm sure a call to one of the Toyota 800 numbers will get any questions answered regarding individual vin's.

The recall affects any Prius manufactured from November 2003 through February 2005. You can identify when your car was made by looking at the black sticker (label?) on the driver's door frame. The date is in the upper right corner and is in the MM/YY format.

Is there any reason NOT to bring car in for recall if we get the letter? Ours was manufactured in 02/05. We bought in 03/05 and have had NO problems.
Carl

It only applies to cars made before Nov 21 04

Last 7 Digits of the VIN

04 Models

0001002-0130298 MFG Dates 2003 August 1st - 2004 October 13th

0130301-0133242 MFG Dates 2004 September 23rd - 2004 October 12th

05 Models (first number is plant, they made the 05s in two different plants)

3000002-3013252 MFG Dates 2004 September 30th - 2004 November 16th

7000000-7003412 MFG Dates 2004 October 6th - 2004 November 20th

lots who had the SSC-40-D reported a drop in mileage. If your car hasn't had the problem why respond? This recall has been initiated by 66 complaints out of the total production. Take it in if you want, but why fix what's not broke? Also there were lots of reports of the early cars not flashing properly and having to have the HV Battery computer replaced and cars being down waiting for the comps to come to the dealer. We got a new computer because of this. They can put the di-electric grease on what ever connector they want but don't try and flash the computer.

my husband has the new VIN ranges, the campaign has been named SSC 52. i will post all info i can get when we are both home tonight if someone doesn't beat me to it. my car was manufactured 2/05 and he said our VIN is in the range...

involves a reflash and grease, like Frank Hudon is saying.

The NHTSA had 428 complaints about it.

It's certain the number of affected people was significantly larger.

It's certainly your choice whether to get it done or not, but it is something that may happen to you at any time if you don't.

This is classified as a "Voluntary Recall". That means Toyota did it voluntarily, instead of being ordered to, but it is a Recall.

I saw the dates I mentioned listed in several news websites this morning. For example:

http://www.nbc4.tv/money/5097740/detail.html

The NHTSA has also closed the investigation.

THANK YOU for posting the SSC- 4OD link! I called Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371 Monday through Friday, 5:00 am to 9:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:00 am through 3:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. Withing five minutes I gave my VIN number and was told it was not part of the recall.

http://toyota.jp/recall/campaign/051013.html

I'd be very interested to know how many of those were people who ran out of gas as lots were prone to do in the early days of the Prius. No doubt there is a small number that need the flash and how many have all ready had it done, just by taking the car to the dealer for some other problem and it was done just as a matter of fact without even telling the customer that it was done. The grease on the connector is another part of the recall that I'd like to get done.

I spoke with my Toyota Service Team this morning and they haven't heard anything from Toyota about any of this. That seems odd....

Viro

You will always learn these things here before the Toyota Dealers do