Toyota to recall nearly 200,000 Prius

Toyota is recalling nearly 200,000 of its signature Prius green cars in Japan for braking problems, the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world's largest carmaker.

Toyota Motor Corp president Akio Toyoda will hold a news conference at the company's Tokyo office later today to outline details of the braking problem, including plans for a possible recall in the US.

Separately, a Toyota official told The Associated Press that the Prius gas-electric hybrid will be recalled in Europe in addition to Japan.

The number of Prius gas-electric hybrids involved in the recall would swell to about 300,000 if there is a recall in the US and other regions.

The braking problem for the third-generation remodelled Prius is the latest safety woe for Toyota, which is already trying to fix problems in millions of vehicles recalled for other defects, including a sticky pedal.

Toyota officials went to Japan's Transport Ministry to formally notify officials the company is recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid - the world's top-selling hybrid car - and two other hybrid models.

In total, the recall involves over 223,000 hybrid cars. Toyota will recall nearly 200,000 Priuses sold in Japan from April last year until yesterday, according to papers the carmaker filed with the ministry.

There have been nearly 200 complaints in Japan and the US of drivers experiencing a short delay before the brakes kick in. The delay doesn't indicate a brake failure.

A fix requires new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes, the papers said.

Toyota had earlier said a fix was already in cars in production starting late last month, but it was unclear if the recall includes those cars as well.

The two other hybrids being recalled are the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the US and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan. The new software for those models is still being worked out, Toyota said.

"We have decided to do a recall," said Hiroyuki Yokoyama, a Toyota manager, as he handed papers for the recall to a government official. "We will do our best to regain customers' trust."

Toyota's plug-in hybrid is also being recalled in Japan - a largely experimental model for rental and government use, with 159 sold.

US safety officials launched an investigation into problems with the brakes.

The problem is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating the matter. Toyota says it's cooperating with NHTSA's investigation.

Toyota is in the midst of recalling more than seven million vehicles worldwide because of problems with floor mats, which can trap gas pedals, and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position. The 2010 Prius wasn't part of either recall.

Problems with hybrid braking systems haven't been limited to Toyota. Ford Motor Co said last week it plans to fix 17,600 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion gas-electric hybrids because of a software problem that can give drivers the impression that the brakes have failed.

The carmaker says the problem occurs in transition between two braking systems and at no time are drivers without brakes.

The Prius is Toyota's top-selling model in Japan, but not in the US, where the company sold 140,000 last year, far less than the 357,000 Camrys. But it holds a cherished spot in its lineup and is symbolic of Toyota's leadership in the "green" car market.

Toyota later said it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems.

Mr Toyoda made the recall announcement this afternoon at a Tokyo press conference.

Mr Toyoda said: "We sincerely acknowledge safety concerns from our customers. We have decided to recall as we regard safety for our customers as our foremost priority."

Today's recall affects models that went on sale last year. There have been around 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes were pressed in some conditions.