TSB: Debris stuck in active grille shutter (DTC P05A072)

On November 27, 2017, Toyota issued Service Bulletin T-SB-0319-17, “MIL "ON" DTC P05A072 Due to Debris Stuck in the Active Grille Shutter,” applicable to 2016 and 2017 Prius and 2017 Prius Prime cars sold in the U.S., but only if:

• There is a “Grille Shutter Inoperative” message, diagnostic trouble code P05A072, or both;

• Inspection of the grille shutter finds “debris or witness marks where debris may have caused the grille shutter to stick open”; and

• The vehicle was made before the relevant production change, i.e., it has a VIN earlier than JTDKBRFU#H3050432 (Prius, Tsutsumi Line 1), JTDKBRFU#H3570595 (Prius, Tsutsumi Line 2), or JTDKARFP#H3039725 (Prius Prime).

The countermeasure is to replace the radiator shutter sub-assembly, lower front bumper absorber, and swing grille actuator assembly with new parts, presumably of improved design. The bulletin includes work instructions but also refers to the Repair Manual for parts of the procedure. The repair is covered by the Federal, California, or state-specific emissions warranty, subject to its terms.

At this writing, the bulletin appears to be available only by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com; I’m not aware of a free source.

 

That’s right, at least in the automotive context.

A technical service bulletin provides information or explains how to fix a problem, and it applies only to vehicles that have the problem or meet the criteria stated in the bulletin. Owners are generally not notified about bulletins; you can think of them as supplements to the Repair Manual.

In contrast, a service campaign or safety recall is an instruction to dealers to repair or inspect every vehicle in a certain group, even if it doesn’t have any related symptoms. Owners are notified about campaigns and recalls.

 

The bulletin is now posted on NHTSA’s website (PDF).