Toyota has issued a global recall of the latest, third generation Prius model to fix a potential problem with the brakes.
The move affects 8,500 models of the popular hybrid model sold in the UK, along with around 436,000 hybrids worldwide.
So far, there has been no accidents reported in Europe linked to the fault but the latest action comes after a series of embarrassing recalls for the troubled carmaker. In the UK alone, seven models were affected by a previous recall for a fault identified with the accelerator pedal.
The world’s top-selling hybrid model has received complaints from customers in the US and Japan about an ‘inconsistent’ braking power when the car is driven over rough road. The carmaker explains that this is due to a fault in the ABS system and requires a software update.
The Japanese carmaker is now in the process of contacting affected owners of hybrid models. Those who have bought a third generation Prius which went on sale in UK in September will be contacted soon as Toyota completes work with the DVLA to locate affected vehicles. Cars built up to January 27, 2010 will be recalled.
In total the recall affects 200,000 Prius cars sold in Japan, the country’s top selling car in 2009. The recall will also affect the Hybrid Sai model, sold only in Japan, and Lexus HS250h, which is sold globally.
Toyota is expected to repair 133,000 2010 Prius models in the US too and 14,550 Lexis Division HS250h 2010 models.
The repair takes around 40 minutes and will be carried out by the firm’s engineers free-of-charge.
The carmaker insists that the cars are ‘safe to drive’ adding in a company statement that ‘at no time are drivers without brakes’. The subject of this week’s GreenPiece, hybrid cars like the Prius are not thought to pose a specific braking risk.
Toyota Customer Relations can be contacted on 0800 1388 744 or visit the website at www.toyota.co.uk for updates.
