Toyota to Recall Priuses Over Brakes Safety Issue

By: John Lester
02/05/2010 09:53 AM ET

Toyota has more problems on the horizon after it received numerous complaints about defects in its Prius hybrid cars. The Company which is struggling to maintain its image in the international market after a massive global recall affecting 8 of its popular models is likely to call back the Prius. The company’s stock is already losing shares as a result.

Prius is Toyota’s popular hybrid vehicle. The U.S. Department of Transportation, along with the transport ministry of Japan, are about to announce a Toyota Prius recall. This will have an impact of 270,000 hybrid cars that have problems. However, Toyota remains quiet and will probably wait until the last minute to acknowledge the announcement.

Recalls have haunted Toyota during the past two weeks. The earlier recall affecting millions of Toyota cars was due to a gas pedal problem. It forced the company to bring back some of its most popular models including the Camry, Corolla, and Highlander.

More than 100 complaints have been reported to Toyota about delayed braking in the 2010 Prius. Responding to growing criticism, President Akio Toyoda is to face the media for the first time on Friday. He will address the safety issues that have tarnished the company’s solid quality image.

Customers have reported a split-second loss in braking power. This happens when driving over bumpy or slippery roads. The delay occurs in the switch from the hybrid’s regenerative braking system to the traditional brakes.

Third-Generation Software Glitch

It will mark the third recall in three months for Toyota. The automaker is already in talks with Japanese safety authorities to repair a software glitch that interferes with braking on bumpy or slippery roads. The automaker has sold 311,000 hybrids since its launch last May.

The Toyota Prius has earned a reputation as the front-runner in green technology by pioneering the gasoline-electric hybrid system. The first-generation Prius was launched in 1999. The third-generation, 2010 model, was launched last year.

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