Toyota just announced a big(>500k vehicles) safety recall yesterday that includes a stop sale for vehicles currently in the pipeline. For Priuses, it only affects Limiteds and XSE Premiums that also have the Panoramic View Monitor(360 cameras) that's part of the Advanced Tech Package(not quite 20k vehicles produced so far, and only 120 currently on lots). There have been instances of the backup camera video momentarily freezing up or blanking while reversing. The issue is in the software/firmware of the Parking Monitor ECU. No fix is available yet, but it will just be a software update when it's ready. Owners will receive notification letters by late December. My Prius is affected by the recall, so I'll be keeping on top of it. Don't know if this applies to all Priuses worldwide, or only North American models. Again, this is a Toyota/Lexus-wide issue, not a Prius-only issue. And it's not a super dangerous situation as long as you visually double check when reversing(which you should be doing anyway).
Lol... All our Gen2 cameras do that every once in while, not sure about other generations... And because of that Prius drivers don't back up solely with their back up camera.
The difference is that it wasn't federal law to have backup cameras back then. That's the reason for the stop sale. To comply with the current regs, the cameras have to always be functional.
From page 26 of the NTHSA Part 576 Recall Report: "Toyota conducted vehicle testing to confirm if (1) the interruptions, or (2) the abnormal camera optical alignment data could occur on a vehicle during actual customer usage, and what the phenomenon was if the conditions occurred. For (1), the testing and analysis found that, if the vehicle is shifted into reverse within 0.7 to 2.6 seconds after ignition on, a vehicle speed is detected during the first image frame process, and the first image frame process occurs within 1.1 to 1.4 seconds after shifting into reverse, then the rearview image could freeze for up to 1.8 seconds. For (2), the testing and analysis found that two 23 millisecond camera optical alignment data writing processes occur randomly during the first 12.5 seconds after ignition on and if the Parking Assist ECU powers off during either of these two data writing processes, the data for camera optical alignment becomes an abnormal value, causing the rearview image not to display on the next ignition on." So it appears that one of the following conditions must occur for the problem to occur: 1) You shift into reverse and let the car start moving within 3 seconds or 2) You start the car and do something to turn off parking assist functions with 13 seconds. For this one, the problem occurs the next time you turn the ignition on. Thus, you should be OK if you don't make hasty moves.
It is about time for Arene. These problems won’t go away until the Arene framework is used, which will debut in the 2026 RAV4 in early 2026. Even if there is a problem then, it will be a matter of a simple OTA update.
Yep -- heard about this a couple of weeks ago. Follow the YT channel 'LFST', which reports on Lexus issues primarily but can't avoid including Toyota since shared components. Rather embarrassing flub, in a string of embarrassing ones for the company. Seeing all the paper-tag'd turbo Tacoma TRDs here racing around like their transmissions aren't made of soda glass... hope the company takes care of them.
I'm actually having a hard time training myself to use the backup camera most of the time. But it's got such a better field of view to the sides that I'm really trying to. At least in parking lots where I've got trucks/SUVs on either side blocking my view.
This took me a while too. It's profoundly contrary to how I learned to drive to stare at my dash while backing up. I rely on it more now because the rearward visibility is so poor in a prius. Even though my mirrors are set to my blind spots, I still turn to look.
Seconded... I mean... got thru the '80s, '90s, Y2Ks & 2010s w/o a backup camera, so why let a 'muscle' shrivel when it has so much other utility, is my thinking... Before covid, Honda's excuse for a dash-mounted backup camera in the 10th-gen Civic Sport, was a 4.5", basically smartphone screen (at least par for back then, and not the mini-tablets accepted now) -- trying to see anything behind, when the damned screen's almost an arms-length away and not angled towards you (reflections)... yeah, used mirrors 99% of the time (which on that model were generous, unlike my older Civic, even older Escort, and Paseo). This XW6#'s the first car I've owned with a dash display that actually works for backing up -- 8" in the LE, is I feel the minimum screen size to serve this purpose. Use it more to see 'around corners', as the fisheye effect allows seeing to the side backing up, as well as behind you. Should be noted I also rapidly switch gaze to side and interior mirrors always. If in an older car (love my friend's old pagoda-top M-B 280SL) side-hug the passenger seat back and peer to the rear to get the skinny, as done 40 yrs. Am of the opinion we're making worse drivers, if we do too many things for them. Parking, parallel or end-in? Doesn't need effing robotic assist. I do however, like the panoramic feature that blends all camera views into one virtual one. Driver-assist tech tends to train drivers to give all responsibility to the car, thus removing reinforcement of self-responsibility, in case tech's not present. I'd be literally death-gripping my grab handle, if a kid who were raised w/ nothing but coddling 'driver aids', suddenly gets caught in a flood or fire, and has to drive their uncle's antique ('90s / Y2K-era ) car or truck to get around. OMG, driving at night w/o pedestrian detection, rain-sensing wipers, self-toggling headlamps, or parking assist...? Just let me out right now, the bus stop's only a block away, thanks Mirrors don't need s/w updates, or even power to work. Like learning to ride a motorcycle, you never should start w/ all the bells/whistles. Start on something super-analogue, no coddling tech to sugar-coat anything. Then drive modern tech -- now you appreciate it, but don't have to crutch on it. This is why I love seeing Zoomers / Alphas taking shines (and doing the wrenching) on restoring their own VW Bugs, Toyota AE85/86es, or even an old squarebody Chevy -- know how far we've come, before the fallible tech of Now, becomes your slippery foundation. Perspective is everything
