Business And Leadership, Ireland's Business News Service

Toyota said the recall would affect approximately 52,903 Prius 2010 models in Europe, adding that to date no accidents linked to the braking problem have been reported in Europe.

The car maker also said it would recall some 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles in the US.

Toyota said some of its customers had reported “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”.

"The recall will allow Toyota dealers 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," the car maker said in an official statement.

The company said customers will be contacted by letter in the coming weeks informing them of the recall and the need to contact their dealership at their earliest possible convenience to have modification work on the Prius’ brakes completed.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda and the company’s Vice-President Shinichi Sasaki are due to hold a press conference in Japan today regarding the recall.

The company had previously announced a global recall of some eight million vehicles due to problems with sticking accelerator pedals and slipping floor mats.

Toyota had previously estimated the worldwide recall would cost it in the region of US$2bn. The Prius recall announced today is expected to push this figure even higher.

High standards
Toyota President Akio Toyoda admitted in an op-ed piece in the Washington Post today that Toyota “has not lived up to the high standards we set ourselves”.

“More important, we have not lived up to the high standards you have come to expect from us. I am deeply disappointed by that and apologise.

“As the president of Toyota, I take personal responsibility. That is why I am personally leading the effort to restore trust in our word and in our products,” Toyoda wrote.

The Toyota President said that he had launched a top-to-bottom review of the company’s global operations and that a “blue-ribbon safety advisory group” made up of outside experts in quality management will independently review Toyota’s operations to make sure that it has eliminated any deficiencies in its processes.

He also vouched to “more aggressively” investigate complaints the company hears directly from consumers and to move more quickly to address any safety issues identified.