Toyota’s Prius recall, announced as part of a 139,000 vehicle programme on Wednesday, is 106,000 first-generation (sedan, not hatchback) models with a possible steering problem. Small iQ hatchbacks are also being recalled.
The recall covers nearly 48,000 Prius cars in Japan and 58,000 units overseas, including 52,000 in the United States. This generation was launched in Japan in 1997 but not exported until 2000.
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Toyota Motor Sales, USA, (TMS), said its “voluntary safety recall” would have dealers replace electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts.
“If the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, there is a possibility the nuts securing the pinion shaft in the steering gear box assembly may become loose. If the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, over time, the customer will gradually notice significant increased steering effort when making a left turn,” TMS said in a statement.
Dealers will install improved nuts in a repair taking about four hours.
This generation was also sold in Germany and the UK.
Toyota is also recalling about 21,000 iQ compact cars in Japan to fix the braking system plus another 12,000 exports in other countries including Britain.
“The concern relates to an inadequate cleaning process during manufacture of the brake tubes which could lead to foreign material passing into the brake master cylinder,” Toyota (GB) said in a statement.
“This could lead to brake force reduction and increased pedal travel.”
