Toyota Prius Brake Defect Recall

Toyota Prius Brake Defect Recall by San Antonio and Austin, Texas Automobile Defect Attorney Justin A. Hill

At a time when Toyota could benefit from positive publicity, they are set to announce another recall. This time they are recalling the 2010 models of the popular eco-friendly Toyota Prius. The recall is to fix a glitch in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. The New York Times reports:

Toyota said Tuesday it would recall 437,000 of its 2010 flagship Prius hybrid and other gas-electric models worldwide to fix a glitch in the braking system, as the Japanese automaker moved to contain a crisis over defects in a range of its vehicles. About 223,000 of the cars recalled are in Japan. Some 155,000 are in the United States and another 53,000 in Europe. In addition to the standard 2010 Priuses, Toyota is recalling 270 plug-in Priuses, 28,000 Lexus HS250hs, and 11,000 Sai hybrids. Older Priuses are unaffected by the problem, Toyota has said. Separately, Toyota also recalled 7,300 of its latest-model Camrys in the United States to fix a power steering pressure hose in the engine compartment that may be the incorrect length. This could cause a hole in the brake tube and deplete the braking fluid, interfering with braking, Toyota said in a statement. Toyota’s president, Akio Toyoda, said Tuesday a software glitch was behind the failing brakes, and that the fix, which would be handled by dealers, would take about 40 minutes for each car. Toyota had found that on slippery or frozen roads, “the brakes falter for just split moment,” he said. “But if you make sure to push firmly down on the brakes, they will work without fail.” “I apologize for the concern and inconvenience we have caused our customers,” he said. “We will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company. Together, we will do everything to regain the confidence of our customers.” In recent months, Toyota has recalled about eight million cars worldwide over gas pedals that could stick or become caught on floor mats. As more details have emerged about the problems, the automaker is facing questions over whether it routinely fixed potentially dangerous defects in new models without recalling those already on the road.

As the Prius recall evolves, it is likely much more information will be made public regarding the defect, reports of the defect, accidents relating to the defect and Toyota’s knowledge of the problem with the Prius’s braking system.

If someone you know was injured or killed as the result of a defective vehicle encourage them to immediately contact a competent attorney for advice. It is extremely important to do this quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved, statements are taken, and the rights of all are protected.