
4808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light in red (warning buzzer)*1
•Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light in yellow
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative brake system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

4818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
Release the parking brake.

4838-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
*1: Brake system warning buzzer: When there is a possible problem that could affect braking perf ormance,
the warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer P. 207, 492
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer: Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the power
switch is turned to the “ON” position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If
the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once.
If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Onc e the power
switch is turned to ON mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. I f the vehi-
cle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the
seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermit-
tently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfasten ed, the buzzer
will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the fron t passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds on ce if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt i s still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently fo r 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sou nd in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
Tire pressure warning light When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 4 8 4 )
• Flat tire ( P. 505)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in t he tire pressure warning system
( P. 4 8 5 )
Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

4858-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U■
If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
P. 440
■
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after bl inking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after bl inking for 1
minute when the power switch is turned to the “ON” position (ve hicles
without a smart key system) or the power switch is turned to ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) , have it checked by your Toyota
dealer.
■ Customization that can be configured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disab led. (Cus-
tomizable features: P. 560) However, Toyota recommends that the seat belt
reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front pa ssenger when
seat belts are not fastened.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy pla ce or an
audio sound.
WARNING
■ When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust t he tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inf lation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Chec k the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the f lat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires dete riorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

4908-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The Automatic High Beam system
• The LED headlight systemA buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates that:
• There is a high possibility of a frontal collision;
or
• The pre-collision braking function is operating A buzzer also sounds.
Check the vehicle's surroundings and take
evasive action if necessary.
(If equipped)
• Indicates a malfunction in the smart key system
• Indicates a malfunction in the steering lock sys-
tem
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control sys-
tem
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override
System
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)

4928-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_UIndicates that the back door is not fully closed
If the vehicle reaches a speed of 3 mph (5
km/h), flashes and a buzzer sounds
to indicate that the back door is not yet fully
closed.
Close the back door.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the moon roof is not fully closed
(with the power switch off and the driver’s door is
open)
A buzzer also sounds.
Close the moon roof.
Indicates that the parking brake is still engaged If the vehicle reaches a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h),
flashes and a buzzer sounds to indicate
that the parking brake is still engaged.
Release the parking brake.
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that all maintenance according to the
driven distance on the maintenance schedule
*1
should be performed soon.
Comes on approximately 4500 miles (7200 km)
after the message has been reset.
If necessary, perfo rm maintenance.
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that all maintenance is required to cor-
respond to the driven distance on the mainte-
nance schedule
*1.
Comes on approximately 5000 miles (8000 km)
after the message has been reset.
(The indicator will not work properly unless the
message has been reset.)
Perform the necessary maintenance.
Please reset the message after the mainte-
nance is performed. ( P. 410)
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(U.S.A.) (Canada)

4938-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_UIndicates 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. 529)
Indicates that the Automatic High Beam switch is
pressed while the headlights are in low beam.
Turn the high beam on.
Indicates that, since the VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system was turned off, the pre-collision
braking and pre-collision brake assist are dis-
abled (The pre-collision warning function will be
operational)
Turn the VSC on. ( P. 240, 267)
Indicates that the pre-collision system is disabled.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
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.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)

4978-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedals
are being depressed simultaneously, and the
Brake Override System is operating. (P. 173)
Release the accelerator pedal and depress
the brake pedal.
Indicates that, as the shift lever was shifted while
the accelerator pedal was depressed, Drive-Start
Control was activated. ( P. 173)
A buzzer also sounds.
Release the accelerator pedal immediately.
Indicates that the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in P
Release the accelerator pedal.
The system is temporarily canceled because the
operating conditions of the front sensor (tempera-
ture, etc.) are not met.
The following systems may be suspended:
• PCS (Pre-Collision system)
• LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
• Automatic High Beam
The system can be operated when the
operating conditions of the front sensor
(temperature, etc.) ar e met. Turn the system
off, wait for a while, and then turn the sys-
tem back on.
The area of the windshield in front of the front
sensor is fogged up or covered with dirt, rain, ice,
snow, etc.
The following systems may be suspended:
• PCS (Pre-Collision system)
• LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
• Automatic High Beam
Turn the system off, clear the windshield of
dirt, fog, ice, etc. then turn the system back
on. ( P. 228)
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)