Prius, Lexus, Camry models recalled in latest Toyota woes

Toyota Canada said it’s recalling more than 3,000 Prius and Lexus hybrids, together with some Camrys, as part of a worldwide recall of the best-selling models because of braking problems.

The voluntary recall affects about 3,273 2010 model Prius vehicles and approximately 309 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles in Canada.

Toyota will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS250h owners within the next few weeks, to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership to update software in the vehicles’ anti-lock brake system, it said.

The latest recall at the world’s biggest carmaker affects nearly half a million Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide and takes total recalls this year to about 8.5 million. The company suspended sales of eight models last month on problems with a sticky accelerator, while other complaints have concerned floor mats jamming the gas pedal.

The Japanese company estimated last week that the recalls would cost it some $2 billion in lost revenue by March, clouding its outlook as global car sales began to pick up after the recession.

Toyota Canada also said today it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on 393 early production 2010 model year Camry vehicles equipped with the 4-cylinder engine to inspect for a power steering hose that may be in contact with a front brake tube.

This contact could lead to a hole in the brake tube and cause a brake fluid leak, increased brake pedal stroke and greater vehicle stopping distance. Owners of the involved 2010 Camry vehicles will be notified by mail starting in the middle of February, Toyota said.

U.S. safety regulators said last week they were opening a formal investigation into the Prius problems after receiving 124 complaints from consumers, including four reports of crashes.

They also said today they are reviewing dozens of complaints about potential steering problems in newer Toyota Corollas.

“Toyota has acknowledged a safety defect," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement regarding the Prius. "When I spoke with Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, he assured me that his company takes U.S. safety concerns very seriously.”