As largely expected, Toyota has recalled its new Prius hybrid over an issue in which the brakes are delayed after a driver pushes the pedal. This is now the third major recall for the automaker in just a few months. The other two dealt with unintended acceleration.
Here is what The Associated Press is reporting about the Prius recall:
TOKYO – Toyota is recalling about 170,000 Prius hybrid cars in Japan for braking problems and will soon disclose its global plans for a fix as the automaker scrambles to repair damage to its reputation from a spate of safety problems. in
Toyota’s president Akio Toyoda will hold a news conference at the automaker’s Tokyo office later Tuesday to outline details of the braking problem, including plans for a possible recall in the U.S., a company official told The Associated Press.
The number of Priuses being recalled would swell to about 300,000 if there is a recall in the U.S. and other regions.
The braking problem for the third-generation remodeled Prius is the latest safety woe for Toyota, which is already trying to fix problems in millions of vehicles recalled for other defects, including a sticky gas pedal.
Toyota Motor Corp. said it will inform the Transport Ministry later in the day it is recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid — the world’s top-selling hybrid car
Also being recalled are two other hybrid models — the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the U.S. and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.
U.S. safety officials have launched an investigation into problems with the brakes.
The recall in Japan will cover about 170,000 of the 2010 model Prius, which went on sale in May. The automaker has fixed the programming glitch in Prius models that went on sale since last month, but had done nothing yet on the cars sold before then, according to Toyota.
There have been nearly 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. of drivers experiencing a short delay before the brakes kick in — a problem that can be fixed with a software programming change. The delay doesn’t indicate a brake failure.
The problem is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating the matter. Toyota says it’s cooperating with NHTSA’s investigation.
Please stay tuned for more information as we get it on Tuesday, including what you can do if you own a 2010 Prius.
