Toyota recalls more than 30,000 Prius hybrids in UK

Toyota

Toyota is recalling 1.9 million Prius models worldwide as it seeks to correct a software fault in the control system for the hybrid drive system. That’s more than half the total number of Prius cars produced since the hybrid was introduced in 1997.

The recall affects the current, third-generation Prius, which has been in production since March 2009. In the UK 30,790 cars will need to be looked at as part of the amendment process.

The problem is related to the hybrid system’s "boost controller" software, and has come to light via Toyota’s on-going quality control programme.

There have been no reports of any accidents or injuries in relation to the issue

Or, to put it in plainer language, hard standing-start acceleration might cause some of the hybrid system’s components to overheat.

At which point a warning light will come on, prior to the Prius going into a "failsafe" mode or, in the worst case scenario, coming to a stop altogether.

There have been no reports of any accidents or injuries in relation to the issue, but there have been 11 "field reports" of the symptoms occurring in Europe. It’s unclear whether any of these were recorded in the UK, but all potentially problematic Prius models are being recalled as a precaution.

Fixing the hiccup is simply a matter of updating the software that controls the components in question.

The work takes about 40 minutes and will be carried out free of charge at an authorised Toyota centre; the company is currently in the process of contacting the cars’ registered keepers in order to arrange a convenient time for the modification to be made.

If you own a third-generation Prius and don’t want to wait for the phone call or letter, Toyota has also created a handy number plate look-up tool on the owners’ section of its main website.

No other Toyota hybrid models are involved in the recall process, "as these use different transistor structures and control logic".

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By CJ Hubbard, contributor, MSN Cars