Toyota to recall 8,500 cars in UK over brake problem » Communities » 24dash.com

Around 8,500 Toyota Prius cars are to be recalled in the UK because of a braking problem in the latest blow to the reputation of the giant Japanese company, it was announced today.

Part of a 400,000-vehicle recall worldwide, the UK recall involves the third generation of the hybrid electric-petrol Prius and affects models manufactured from last summer up to January 27 this year.

Toyota said the problem related to what it described as "inconsistent brake feel" during slow and steady braking on bumpy road surfaces when the anti-lock braking system is actuated.

The beleaguered company added that there had been no accidents linked to this issue in Europe.

Apologising to customers, Toyota GB said the recall would consist of a software upgrade in the anti-lock braking system. The procedure will be carried out free of charge and will take approximately 40 minutes using standard test equipment in use at all authorised Toyota service centres.

The company said it would write individually to every owner or keeper in the next few days.

It went on: "In the meantime, the cars are safe to drive. At no time are drivers without brakes.

Toyota GB guarantees to every customer its utmost attention to making this upgrade as quickly and efficiently as possible."

The announcement about the environmentally-friendly, ultra-low emissions Prius follows the recall of around seven million Toyotas worldwide - including about 180,000 in the UK - over problems with accelerator pedals.

Lawyer Nick Freeman - dubbed "Mr Loophole" for his court defences of celebrities accused of driving offences - today urged Toyota owners affected by the recalls not to drive their cars until the problems were sorted out.

Mr Freeman said: "If I had a Toyota I would not even drive it to the dealership for the repair work to be done. What if you had an accident on the way? You could be criminally liable.

"Toyota owners should not drive their cars until their vehicle has got a clean bill of health. If owners find work needs to be done on their car then they should get the dealer to come to them and pick up their car and take it in themselves."

He went on: "It's not just a legal problem. It's also a safety problem. If a car is said to be faulty then it may not be safe to even take it a few miles to the dealer's.

"My advice to Toyota drivers is to find out if they're affected by the recalls and even if they are not they should ask the company for written confirmation that their vehicle is safe to drive."

Toyota GB said that insurance cover on Toyota cars was unaffected by the current safety recall. The company added that in a statement issued last week, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) had said: "The ABI confirms that motor insurance policies will continue to cover Toyota owners affected by the recall of certain models.

"Any claims will be dealt with in the normal way, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy. If they have not already done so, anyone who thinks they may be affected should contact their local Toyota dealer and follow their advice."

Toyota GB added today: "Should this clear reassurance by the ABI not be enough, Toyota will happily offer cover to any Toyota driver via the Toyota insurance service, replicating the same terms as their existing policy."

As many as 96 Toyota Prius cars are in the ministerial fleet of 240 vehicles organised by the Government Car and Dispatch Agency.

But a Department for Transport spokeswoman said none of the Priuses in the fleet were involved in today's recall.

"Our Prius vehicles were made before the third-generation ones that are subject of today's recall," she said.