Toyota admits Prius brake software problem

Shim'll fix it: A mechanic examines the small solution to the sticking pedal

Troubled carmaker Toyota has admitted a software problem in the new Prius's brakes, but says it has now been fixed.

The admission follows worldwide recalls of almost 8 million cars due to floor mat and pedal problems.

Toyota's managing officer, Hiroyuki Yokoyama, said the company had found a clash between the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and regenerative braking.

But he said more investigation needed to be done before deciding on whether to issue a recall on the Prius.

He told a press conference in Japan: "As for whether this will mean a recall, we are currently looking into what we can do as soon as possible for our customers to buy our vehicles. However, we hope for a bit more time before deciding on specific measures."

Limited problem

Mr Yokoyama said the clash occurred under limited circumstances, including on frozen surfaces.

As depressing the brakes further activated normal braking, Toyota said the glitch was not legally a safety hazard and said it had received no reports of any accidents related to it.

Mr Yokoyama said Toyota was listening and responding to its customers' concerns: "When we've been told something by our customers, our goal is to respond as soon as possible, and we have already changed the design for the Prius from January."

Toyota's admission follows 180 reports of complaints from drivers in the US and Japan. There have been no braking problems reported in Europe, the carmaker said.

In the UK, it confirmed that it would be nearly a week before it can start repairs on cars with defective accelerator pedals.

Profits surge

Toyota UK's Scott Brownlee demonstrates the accelerator pedal problem

Earlier, Toyota, which is the world's biggest carmaker, reported a huge swing back into profit in the last quarter of 2009.

Its net income was 153 billion yen ($1.68bn; £1.06bn) after a loss of 164 billion yen a year earlier.

Toyota confirmed its estimate that it would lose about $2bn (£1.23bn) in costs and lost sales from its worldwide recall of potentially faulty vehicles.

It added it had not yet worked out the cost of the latest reports of brake problems with the new Prius.

Still growing

However, the firm said it still expected higher sales and to make a profit this year - despite the heavy blow to the company's reputation.

Shares in Toyota hit their lowest level for 10 months on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with continuing concern about the safety of the company's vehicles.

Its eight million recall total includes 1.8 million cars across Europe - 180,865 of those in the UK.

The seven models being recalled in Europe are the Aygo, iQ, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Verso, and Avensis, and cover manufacturing dates going back to February 2005.

In the US, they are the RAV4, Corollas, Matrix, Avalons, Camrys, Highlander, Tundra, and Sequoia, and cover dates going back to October 2005.

The parts needed to repair the cars will not arrive in the UK until next week, with the first repairs scheduled for Wednesday. Toyota says the process, which should only be carried out by its dealers, takes about half an hour.