Toyota Prius Brake Recall Announced

You may recall last week we discussed new issues that have surfaced with regard to the braking system on 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus Hybrid models.

Complaints from Prius owners describe the problem as occurring on uneven surfaces like a bumpy road. The driver steps on the brake and does not get the feeling of braking taking place as expected. One U.S. driver complained that when braking on an uneven surface, the car seemingly accelerates for a split second before braking takes place.

Toyota described the problem as a software problem that causes a “disconnect” of less than one second of the vehicles anti-lock braking system. At 60 mph, the delay causes a vehicle to travel an additional 90 feet before the brakes engage. Obviously the faster one is driving the further one will travel before the brakes engage. This could create a serious problem.

Toyota has now announced that it will conduct a recall of 133,000 Prius and 14,500 Lexus vehicles due to this problem. Toyota will update the software in the anti-lock braking system in order to apparently remedy the problem.

Although Toyota is limiting the recall to 2010 model year vehicles, there are reports that similar problems have been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is unclear at this time whether any additional model years will ultimately be affected.  

Notice of the recall will start going out next week to let owners know when to take their vehicles to a dealership for repair. In the meantime, BE CAREFULL PRIUS/LEXUS 250h owners!!!!!