Toyota Recalls Prius

Toyota formally recalled some 270,000 Prius hybrid cars on Friday from owners in the United States and Japan.

The Japanese auto-making giant chose to recall all 2010 Prius models after reports surfaced in recent weeks about the vehicle’s defective braking system.

Toyota Recalls Prius

In the new Prius model, Toyota installed a brand-new “regenerative” braking system which was designed to channel energy from the wheels to power the car’s battery. In addition, the system incorporated two different braking mechanisms. The problems in the system occur when the vehicle attempts to shift automatically between the two braking systems while riding over rough ground, bumps or potholes.

When this happens, drivers experience a sudden though short-term loss of braking ability.

The recall only pertains to 2010 Prius models, which were the only ones to receive the new brakes. However, Toyota is currently investigating claims of brake failures in two other vehicles, including one Lexus model.

Since releasing the vehicle in May of 2009, Toyota has sold over 170,000 2010 Priuses in Japan and over 100,000 in the United States. The massive sales of these vehicles reflect the fact that the Prius is the best selling hybrid car of all time.

This is the second major problem with Toyota vehicles discovered recently. On Thursday, the Japanese automaker acknowledged the defectiveness of its acceleration pedals in some cars.