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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TMS-015-10
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
TORRANCE, Calif., 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 14,550 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. The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this
month.
“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.”
Mr. Lentz continued: “As part of the quality improvement program announced
by Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, our company is undertaking a top
to bottom review to ensure that our vehicles meet our own high standards of
safety and reliability, now and for the future. We are taking steps to
implement more stringent quality control across the company, to investigate
customer complaints more aggressively and to respond more quickly to any
safety issues we identify.”
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. 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.
Separately, Toyota will conduct a voluntary safety recall on
approximately 7,300 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
http://www.toyota.com/recall/ and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at
1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-255-3987.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359
In order for you to effectively answer your customers' questions we have
also provided the following frequently asked questions:
Customer FAQ: Prius/HS250h recall
1.What is the problem with the 2010 Prius?
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) in the 2010 model-year Prius, in normal
operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the
control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some owners have
reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady
application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the
anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire
traction.
2.How is Toyota responding to this Prius issue?
Toyota has responded to owner concerns with a running production change for
the 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 recall will allow Toyota dealers to perform this software update in the
anti-lock brake systems of 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to this
production change.
3.Why does this only impact 2010 Prius models?
First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and
are not involved in this campaign.
4.What is the problem with the Lexus HS 250h?
The anti-lock brake system on the Lexus HS 250h shares similar component
design to the 2010 Prius, so it has been included on this recall.
5.How is Toyota responding to this Lexus issue?
The software adjustment planned for the Lexus HS 250h production and dealer
modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon.
6.How many vehicles are impacted?
This recall involves approximately 133,000 2010 model year Prius vehicles
and 14,550 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles.
7.What should 2010 Prius and Lexus HS 250h customers do if they experience
this braking issue?
If a Prius or Lexus HS 250h owner were to experience this condition,
pressing hard on the brake pedal will stop the vehicle safely.
8.Are these vehicles safe to drive until they get their update?
The vehicles are safe to drive because pressing hard on the brake pedal
will stop the vehicle.
9.When can I get my vehicle fixed?
Toyota will begin sending letters to Prius owners included in this recall
by mail next week and Lexus 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.
10.How long will it take for a dealer to repair my vehicle?
The software update should only take approximately 30 minutes to install,
depending on technician workflow.
11.Is the repair covered by warranty? Will drivers have to pay any money
out of pocket for this work?
Toyota will cover all repair costs associated with this work.
12.Is this recall related to the ongoing Toyota recalls associated with
sudden unintended acceleration?
No, this recall is unrelated to the ongoing recall of Toyota vehicles for
sticking gas pedals and floor mat entrapment issues.
13.What is the problem with the Camry?
On certain early production 2010 model year Camry vehicles equipped with
the 4-cylinder engine, a power steering pressure hose in the engine
compartment may be the incorrect length. If this condition exists, a crimp
on the power steering pressure hose may come in contact with the No. 7
front brake tube.
Should this condition continue, a hole may wear in the brake tube and
deplete the brake fluid in the vehicle. As a result, the brake pedal
stroke will increase and lead to greater vehicle stopping distance.
14.Which and how many vehicles are involved?
Approximately 7,300 Camry vehicles in the U.S. are involved.
15.Are there any warnings that this condition exists?
No, there are no specific warnings that this condition exists.
16.What is Toyota going to do?
Any Toyota dealer will inspect and, if necessary, adjust the space between
the brake tube and the power steering pressure hose crimp. Based upon the
inspection results, the dealership may need to replace the brake tube.
The inspection/adjustment and, if necessary, the brake tube replacement,
will be performed at no charge to the vehicle owner.
17.When will Camry owners be notified?
Toyota will notify owners by mail starting in mid-February 2010.
18.Where can I get more information on this recall?
Information for Toyota customers can be found at http://www.toyota.com/recall/and
at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Information for Lexus customers can be found at lexus.com and at the Lexus
Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-255-3987.
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