| Toyota recalls again: 437,000 Prius, and other hybrids globally |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Weston Sedgwick |
| Tuesday, 09 February 2010 08:03 |
|
"I apologize for causing trouble and worries for many customers over the quality and safety of Toyota," President Akio Toyoda said at a press conference Tuesday 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." The recall is 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 that are slow to return to the idle position and can cause sudden unwanted acceleration. The Prius wasn't part of those recalls. The issue of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles has been linked to 19 deaths and several hundred complaints to federal regulators, which caused Toyota to recall of approximately 2.3 million vehicles last month. Last year, the Japanese automaker recalled 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus models over problems with stuck accelerator pedals, which Toyota has attributed to the floor mat problem. Some 1.7 million Toyotas are subject to both 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 delay doesn't indicate a brake failure. The company says the problem can be fixed by reprogramming the software that controls the braking system. According to Japanese media, Toyota officials went to Japan's Transport Ministry earlier Tuesday 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. Speaking in English at the end of his statement Tuesday, Toyoda said, "We will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company. We will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers." Comments (1)
 Write comment
|
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 recalls that has consumers questioning the world's largest car company's long-held commitment to quality.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Related Articles
Green News. Delivered. Green Technology Daily Newsletter |
SIGN UP & WIN!
Sign up for our Daily News Briefing to win a new product each month from Tuwa.com!
Learn more about the Solio Charger from Tuwa.com!
Green Voices
- Balancing the pros and cons of an all raw food diet
- How much electricity will plug-in hybrids use?
- EarthTalk discusses the environmental effects of melting polar ice caps
- EarthTalk discusses efforts to deal with increasing traffic congestion
- EarthTalk: How to go green with car detailing
- 'The meat of the matter': Questions and answers about veganism
- EarthTalk addresses the issue of inhaling pollutants in urban environments
- EarthTalk tells you all you need to know about "vertical farming"
Social Networks
The Broncos brought in a cache of quarterbacks to challenge Orton, acquiring Quinn from Cleveland in March and thennfl jerseys wholesale drafting Tebow, the two-time national champion and Heisman Trophy winner out of Florida.