TOKYO — Toyota says it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems — the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world’s largest automaker.
“I apologize for causing trouble and worries for many customers over the quality and safety of Toyota,” company president Akio Toyoda said at a press conference today in Tokyo.
“We sincerely acknowledge safety concerns from our customers,” he said. “We have decided to recall as we regard safety for our customers as our foremost priority.”
It’s the latest blow to Toyota Motor Corp., which is in the midst of recalling more than 7 million vehicles worldwide because of problems with floor mats, which can trap gas pedals, and faulty gas pedals slow to return to the idle position. The Prius wasn’t part of those recalls.
There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads. The company says the problem can be fixed by reprogramming the software that controls the braking system.
The problem is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating.
Toyota officials went to Japan’s Transport Ministry earlier today to formally notify officials the company is recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid — the world’s top-selling hybrid car. The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the U.S. and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.
The 223,000 cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200,000 Priuses sold from April through Monday, according to papers filed with the ministry. The Prius is Japan’s top-selling car. In the U.S., Toyota will recall 133,000 Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles. The Prius is also being recalled in Europe.
Toyoda has been criticized for being largely invisible during the two weeks after the company announced the gas pedal recall Jan. 21.
At the end of his statement today, Toyoda said in English, “We will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company.”
