Toyota Recalls 223,000 Cars to Correct ABS Software

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces a recall related to the software program that controls the antilock braking system (ABS) in current-model "Prius", "Prius Plug-in Hybrid", "Sai" and "HS250h" sold in Japan. The recall, for which TMC submitted notifications today to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, pertains to approximately 223,000 vehicles.

Photo: Toyota Recalls 223,000 Cars to Correct ABS Software

"Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as the lifeline of our company. With myself taking the lead, all of us at Toyota will tackle the issue in close cooperation with our dealers and with our suppliers. Together, we will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers," said TMC President Akio Toyoda, regarding the recall, MarketWatch reports.

The world's largest automaker is under fire for two other recalls covering more than 8 million vehicles worldwide due to problems with slipping floormats and sticky accelerator pedals.

It also faces a potential rush of litigation for crashes linked to those problems and blamed for 19 deaths and numerous injuries in the United States over the past decade.

Chastised by safety authorities and members of the Obama administration for moving too slowly on those recalls, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said he never believed the company was infallible, but it had always tried to repair defects swiftly, Reuters informs.

Parallel importer Hybrid Motor was first to confirm the recall, followed soon by authorised agent Borneo Motors. Borneo Motors managing director Koh Ching Hong said 71 affected cars belonged to its customers, whom 'we are in the process of contacting'. Two other cars are showroom demostrators. And 27 others are at the port.

The Land Transport Authority said parallel importers registered 20 latest generation Prius cars last year. Together with cars sold by Borneo Motors, about 120 Priuses are affected here.

Borneo Motors' Mr Koh said it received the upgraded software on Tuesday morning, Straits Times reports.