2017 Toyota Mirai

The automatic braking system will lock up when there is nothing in front of the car. It will not give a warning like it supposed to. I have gotten whiplash and I’ve hurt my back several times due to this incident. It has also caused major anxiety when driving the car. It’s almost caused an accident several times. The dealership keeps telling me that nothings wrong however the issue keeps happening. Nobody’s fixing it. A specialist has been checking it out and they also were not able to find anything however the issue is still happening. There have been no warning signs or messages when the brakes lock up for no reason.

NHTSA ID

11437548

Incident

Oct 12, 2021

UNTIL TWO (2) DAYS AGO, I WAS THE HAPPY OWNER OF A 2017 TOYOTA MIRAI (VIN [XXX]). AT THE TIME OF MY INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 19,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON FRIDAY 24 AUGUST 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 1615 (4:15 PM), I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO THE CLEANERS. I WAS ON ALMADEN EXPRESSWAY JUST SOUTH OF THE CAMDEN INTERSECTION IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR LOST POWER. THE CAR MONITOR SCREEN INSTRUCTED ME TO PULL OFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TO CONTACT MY CAR DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD AN FC FAILURE. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT A SMALL ROCK HAD COMPLETELY PASSED THROUGH THE RADIATOR. THE TOYOTA MIRAI IS A HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE. THERE IS NO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. HYDROGEN FUEL FEEDS A FUEL CELL WHICH COMBINES THE HYDROGEN WITH FREE OXYGEN TO MAKE ELECTRICITY. THIS ELECTRICITY THEN POWERS TWO MOTORS AND/OR THE BATTERY. THE FUEL CELL REQUIRES A RADIATOR FOR COOLING. THIS RADIATOR IS THE ACHILLES HEEL OF THE MIRAI. IT IS PLACED LOW, IN FRONT, ON THE PASSENGER?S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO BUMPER TO PROTECT IT FROM COLLISIONS WITH CURBS. IN MY CASE, THERE IS NO PROTECTION FROM ROCKS AND GRAVEL HITTING THE RADIATOR AND DISABLING THE VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11122867

Incident

Aug 24, 2018

Mileage

19,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA MURAI. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE DASHBOARD REFLECTED ON THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE DEALER (SAN FRANCISCO TOYOTA IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 415-559-1981) WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT RETURN THE CALL, AS PROMISED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.....UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *TT

NHTSA ID

11034052

Incident

Jun 12, 2017

Mileage

1,000 mi

THE CHILD SEAT LATCHES FOR CAR SEATS ARE NOT VISIBLE AND PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN AND MATERIAL OF THE SEAT, IT TAKES A LOT OF STRENGTH AND EFFORT TO PROPERLY FIND THE LATCHES AND CONNECT THEM TO CAR SEATS. MY WIFE HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONNECT OUR CAR SEATS TO THE LATCH SYSTEM. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH CAR SEAT SHE TRIES IT WITH, SHE IS UNABLE TO CONNECT THE LATCH BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SEAT IS DESIGNED AND THE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH YOU NEED TO HAVE BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU HAVE TO CONNECT THE CAR SEATS. ON MOST CARS, I CAN CONNECT A CAR SEAT IN UNDER 5 MINUTES TO THE LATCHES. SOME CARS IN A MINUTE OR LESS. WITH THE MIRAI, IT TAKES ME 5-10 MINUTES TO GET THIS INSTALLED. THE LATCHES WERE MADE MANDATORY TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH EASE OF CAR SEAT INSTALLATION BUT THE DESIGN OF THE MIRAI HAS MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO MANUVER THE SEAT AND JAM THE CAR SEAT CLIPS THOUGH THE SEAT BOTTOM.

NHTSA ID

10985565

Incident

Jan 16, 2017

Mileage

100 mi

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.