After its disastrous 2009 recall due to accelerator control issues, Toyota faces a new challenge as it recalls over 240,000 Prius automobiles due to a flaw in the design of their braking systems. The company will recall over 240,000 cars worldwide, with 5,000 models based in the UK, to replace the affected parts with a revised version.
The design flaw affects Prius models constructed during 2009, with cars made from March to October subject to review and replacement. Vibrations from bumpy roads could cause cracks in the braking system, Toyota engineers report, resulting in slow braking distance for vehicles affected by the design error.
Unlike Toyota’s previous major recall, which was caused by accelerator pedals in a variety of vehicles reportedly operating without a driver’s involvement, the design flaw is relatively easy to spot. Cars that are affected by the issue display a warning light on the dashboard, alerting drivers that there is an issue with the brakes.
While no accidents have been reported due to the braking error, Toyota claims that over 90 customers have complained about the issue. The company plans to replace the affected parts free of charge for customers with 2009 model Priuses at one of its many dealerships and repair locations throughout the UK.
The majority of affected vehicles are based in Japan, where over 117,000 Priuses are believed to have been sold during the 2009/2010 periods. 91,000 affected cars will be recalled in the United States, with just 30,000 Priuses to be recalled in Europe.
Since its Japanese introduction in 1997 and its worldwide release in 2001, Toyota has sold over 3.67 million Prius vehicles. The car remains the top-selling hybrid in many markets, and was the top-selling car by volume in Japan throughout 2009.
