Page 429 of 552
429
8When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)8-1.  Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 430
If your vehicle has to be stopped in 
an emergency ................. 431
8-2.  Steps to take in  an emergency
If your vehicle needs to  be towed ......................... 433
If you think something  is wrong .......................... 440
If a warning light turns on  or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................ 441
If a warning message  is displayed ..................... 449
If you have a flat tire.......... 462
If the hybrid system  will not start ..................... 473
If the shift lever cannot  be shifted from P ............. 475
If the electronic key does  not operate properly ........ 476
If the vehicle 12-volt  battery is discharged ....... 478
If your vehicle  overheats ........................ 483
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ............................... 487 
     
        
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4458-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors (front), side
impact sensors (rear), driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occu-
pant classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioners
(front), airbags, interconnecting wiring and power sources. ( P. 39) 
■ Front  passenger  detection  sensor,  passenger  seat  belt  reminder  and
warning buzzer
●If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage tempo-
rarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on
and the warning buzzer may sound.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Push-
ing the tire pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressure warning light will go off after a few minutes. 
     
        
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4538-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)Indicates that the hybrid system has overheated
This message may be displayed when driving
under severe operating conditions. (For exam-
ple, when driving up a long steep hill.)
A buzzer also sounds.
 Stop and check. ( P. 483)
Indicates that the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is low A buzzer also sounds.
 When  stopping  the  vehicle  for  a  long
period of time, shift the shift lever to P. The
hybrid  battery  (traction  battery)  cannot  be
charged with the shift position in N.
Indicates that the hybrid battery (traction battery)
power has dropped because a long period of time
has elapsed after shifting the shift lever to N A buzzer also sounds.
 Shift  the  shift  lever  to  P  and  restart  the
hybrid system when starting the vehicle.
Indicates that the driver’s door was opened with
the shift position in N, D or B A buzzer also sounds.
 Shift the shift lever to P.
Indicates that the accelerator pedal is depressed
while the shift position is in N A buzzer also sounds.
 Release  the  accelerator  pedal  and  shift  the
shift lever to D, B or R.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes) 
     
        
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4548-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)Indicates that the engine switch is turned to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is
turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off (vehi-
cles with a smart key system) and the driver’s
door is opened while the lights are turned on
A buzzer also sounds.
 Turn the lights off.
Indicates that the EV drive mode is not avail-
able
*2
The reason the EV drive mode is not available
(the vehicle is idling, battery charge is low,
speed is higher than the EV drive mode operat-
ing speed range, accelerator pedal is
depressed too much) may be displayed.
A buzzer also sounds.
 Use  the  EV  drive  mode  when  it  becomes
available.
Indicates that the EV drive mode has been auto-
matically canceled
*2
The reason the EV drive mode is not available
(the battery charge is low, speed is higher than
the EV drive mode speed range, accelerator
pedal is depressed too much) may be dis-
played.
A buzzer also sounds.
 Drive the vehicle for a while.
Indicates that the TRAC (Traction Control) sys-
tem has been deactivated
 Turn the TRAC on. ( P. 233)
Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedals
are being depressed simultaneously, and the
Brake Override System is operating. ( P. 167)
 Release the accelerator or brake pedal.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes 3 
times)
(Flashes) 
     
        
        Page 455 of 552
4558-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
*1: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s ManualSupplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.
*2: For the EV drive mode operating conditions:P. 194
Carrying out the corresponding action turns the message off.
Indicates that the shift lever is shifted while the
accelerator pedal is being depressed A buzzer also sounds.
 Release the accelerator pedal.
Other displayed message
Displayed messageDetails/Actions
Maintenance of the hybrid system (traction bat-
tery) cooling component is required
The filter may be clogged, the air vent may be
blocked or there may be a gap in the duct.
 Have  maintenance  performed  on  the  hybrid
system (traction battery) cooling component
at your Toyota dealer.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes) 
     
        
        Page 459 of 552
4598-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Once
• The electronic key could notbe detected when the
“POWER” switch was
pressed after the doors were
unlocked with the mechanical
key. 
• The electronic key could not be detected two consecutive
times when the “POWER”
switch was pressed. 
 Touch the electronic key to
the “POWER” switch while
depressing  the  brake
pedal.
Once
An attempt was made to start
the hybrid system with the shift
lever in a position other than P.
Shift  the  shift  lever  to  P
and  start  the  hybrid  sys-
tem.
Power was turned off due to the
automatic power off function.
Next  time  when  starting
the  hybrid  system,
increase  the  engine  speed
slightly  and  maintain  that
level  for  approximately  5
minutes  to  recharge  the
12-volt-battery.
Once
The electronic key has a low
battery.
Replace  the  electronic  key
battery. ( P. 413)
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes) 
     
        
        Page 473 of 552

4738-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
●Vehicles with a smart key system: The electronic key may not be
functioning properly. ( P. 476)
● There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle. ( P. 214)
● Vehicles with immobilizer system: There may be a malfunction in
the immobilizer system. ( P. 82)
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system.
● Vehicles with a smart key system: The hybrid system may be mal-
functioning due to an electrical problem such as an open circuit or a
blown fuse. However, depending on the type of malfunction, an
interim measure is available to start the hybrid system. ( P. 474)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The 12-volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 478)
● The 12-volt battery terminal connections may be loose or corroded.
( P. 394)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The 12-volt battery may be discharged. ( P. 478)
● One or both of the 12-volt battery terminals may be disconnected.
( P. 394)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if repair
procedures are unknown.
If the hybrid system will not star t
Reasons  for  the  hybrid  system  not  starting  vary  depending  on
the  situation.  Check  the  following  and  perform  the  appropriate
procedure: 
The hybrid system will not start even though the correct starting
procedure is being followed. ( P. 182, 186)
The  interior  lights  and  headlights  are  dim,  or  the  horn  does  not
sound or sounds at a low volume.
The  interior  lights  and  headlights  do  not  turn  on,  or  the  horn
does not sound. 
     
        
        Page 476 of 552

4768-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Use the mechanical key (P.  1 1 9 )
in order to perform the following
operations (driver’s door only):
Unlocks the doors
Locks all the doors
Turning the key rearward unlocks
the driver’s door. Turning the key
once again within 5 seconds
unlocks the other doors.
Ensure that the shift lever is in P and depress the brake pedal.
Touch the Toyota emblem side
of the electronic key to the
“POWER” switch.
When the electronic key is
detected, a buzzer sounds and the
“POWER” switch will turn to ON
mode. 
When the smart key system is
deactivated in customization set-
ting, the power switch will turn to
ACCESSORY mode.
If the electronic key does not operate prop-
erly (vehicles with a smar t key system)
If  communication  between  the  electronic  key  and  vehicle  is
interrupted  ( P.  140)  or  the  electronic  key  cannot  be  used
because the battery is depleted, the smart key system and wire-
less  remote  control  cannot  be  used.  In  such  cases,  the  doors
can  be  opened  and the hybrid  system  can be  started by  follow-
ing the procedure below.
Locking and unlocking the doors
1
2
Starting the hybrid system
1
2