Why is there a recall on the Toyota Prius in Japan?”
By SHINO YUASA, Associated Press Writer Shino Yuasa, Associated Press Writer – Wed Feb 3, 7:12 am ET TOKYO – Toyota Motor Corp. has been hit by over 100 complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems with the popular Prius hybrid, the latest in a spate of quality troubles for the automaker as it grapples with massive global recalls. The Japanese company’s sales are being battered in the U.S. — Toyota’s biggest market — after recalls of top-selling models to fix a gas pedal that can stick in the depressed position. The new Prius gas-electric hybrid, which went on sale in Japan and the U.S. in May 2009, is not part of the recalls that extend to Europe and China, covering nearly 4.5 million vehicles. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes of the Prius new model. Two involved crashes resulting in injuries. Japan’s transport ministry said Wednesday it has also received 14 complaints since July last year about bra
Citing allegations of braking loss or slippage, Japan’s Ministry of Transportation ordered Toyota to launch an investigation into possible brake problems in the new 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid. That car, currently in short supply globally and also the best-selling car in Japan, is the subject of 14 complaints from drivers in Japan and more than 100 in the U.S. 2010 toyota prius first drive 010 2010 toyota prius first drive 010 Enlarge Photo Pre-Production 2010 Toyota Prius in Orlando Pre-Production 2010 Toyota Prius in Orlando Enlarge Photo 2010 Toyota Prius rolls onto the Detroit stage at its global debut in January 2009 2010 Toyota Prius rolls onto the Detroit stage at its global debut in January 2009 Enlarge Photo 2010 Prius only, not earlier models Toyota’s investigation will be restricted to the third-generation 2010 Prius, introduced in the U.S. early last year. It will not cover either the first-generation (2000-2003) or second-generation (2004-2009) Prius, at least initially. Driv
The Japanese government has called on Toyota to investigate a number of complaints about the 2010 Prius in North America and Japan, potentially spreading the carmaker’s largest recall ever to its home country. “We have been notified by some of our dealers in North America and Japan that customers are contacting them about issues with the brakes,” Toyota spokesperson Paul Nolasco told ABC News about the Prius reports. “They experience an inconsistent brake feel when going over bumpy roads, over potholes or slippery surfaces.” The Traffic Safety and Recall department in Japan has received 14 notifications about the 2010 Prius since July 2009, including one accident report due to “unsmooth brakes,” according to the Ministry’s Kenji Sugai.
