TOYOTA ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY RECALL ON 2010 MODEL-YEAR PRIUS AND 2010 LEXUS HS 250h VEHICLES TO UPDATE ABS SOFTWARE

Inspection of Power Steering Hose Position on Certain 2010 Camry Also Announced

 

Recalls Underscore Toyota’s Commitment to Address All Vehicle Quality

and Safety Issues Promptly and Effectively

 

TORONTO, ON., February 9, 2010 – Toyota Canada Inc (TCI), today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 3,273 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and approximately 309 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS).  No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall. 

 

            The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage.  Some 2010 model-year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel momentarily during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction. 

 

Toyota has responded with a running production change for 2010 Prius that was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage.  The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this month.

 

 The recall involves a software update on 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to this running production change.  Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009 and all HS250h vehicles are subject to this recall.  First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in this campaign.

 

            The ABS system on the Lexus HS250h is similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment planned for HS250h production and dealer modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon. 

 

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.  New vehicles currently at dealerships will be provided with the updated software before delivery.

 

            Separately, Toyota 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.

 

Detailed information about these recalls is available to customers at www.toyota.ca and at the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8 or www.lexus.ca and at the Lexus Customer Interaction Centre at 1-800-26-LEXUS.

 

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