Toyota Motor, reeling from a public-relations nightmare over accelerator problems, yesterday reported dozens of complaints in North America and Japan about brake failure on its top-selling Prius hybrid.
Toyota is a pioneer in fuel-sipping hybrids and any new question marks over the safety of the Prius could deal a major setback to its efforts to recover from massive recalls and heavy losses inflicted by the global economic crisis.
“As of the end of last year, we had dozens of complaints from dealers in Japan and North America,” Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki said.
The automaker is investigating the reports, which involve the new Prius model rolled out last year, she said.
Japan’s transport ministry said it had received at least 13 complaints about Prius brakes in the two months to last month.
Another Prius driver complained that his brakes failed last July, leading to a collision that slightly injured two people, a ministry official said.
“Many complaints were submitted in a short period of time. We are investigating the cases to determine what measures the ministry should take,” the official said, without ruling out the possibility of a recall.
Japanese media said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US had received more than 100 complaints about the new Prius’ brakes.
Toyota shares slumped 5.7 percent to ¥3,400 (US$37.63) yesterday as investors reacted nervously to the reports of problems with the Prius and figures showing a sharp drop in the automaker’s US sales last month.
Prius cars made between 2004 and last year are among the models being recalled because of the risk of the accelerator pedal getting trapped in the fully open position by the floor mat.
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