TOKYO — The Japanese government is finally applying some muscle to Toyota to look into its safety issues — not with faulty floor mats or accelerator pedals, but with potentially defective brakes on its iconic 2010 Prius.
In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has already received 110 complaints from consumers about brake problems on the 2010 Prius. The Japanese government so far has received only 14 complaints, but that was enough to persuade the Ministry of Transportation to order a defect investigation.
The incidents in Japan included at least one collision, in which two people were injured. Most of the complaints have been received over the past two months.
The redesigned Prius was released in most major markets last year. It is Japan's best-selling car and the top-selling hybrid in North America and Europe.
Toyota in Japan said it is still investigating and could not say when it could provide more details or whether the Prius will be recalled.
Inside Line says: Now, when will the Japanese government start putting more pressure on sticking pedals in other Toyota models? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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mikedrud says:
10:52 AM, 02/23/2010
Besides the safety concerns, Toyota's apparent blunders/oversight could hurt Japanese business, so it makes sense that the govt over there finally acts.