February 8, 2010 - Toyota Motor Sales
(TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety
recall on approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and
14,500 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
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 to owner concerns
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.
"We're committed to doing everything we
can - as fast as we can - to restore consumer trust in Toyota, and
these recalls are part of this effort," said Jim Lentz, President and
Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor Sales. "We regret the
inconvenience this recall will cause to Prius and HS 250h owners, and
will do our best with the support of our dealers to make sure that it
is conducted in the most trouble-free manner possible."
The recall will allow Premier Toyota to
perform the software update on 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to this
running production change. Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009
and all HS 250h 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 HS 250h is
similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment planned for HS
250h 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 HS 250h owners
within the next few weeks, to let them know when to bring their
vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their
vehicle is involved in the recall.
Detailed information about these recalls is available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
