Toyota seen readying global Prius recall

Toyota Motor Corp. is preparing a recall of its new Prius hybrid car in Japan as early as today, followed by similar steps in the US, Europe and other markets, a source familiar with its plans said.

Toyota, which has earned a reputation as the green-vehicle front-runner with the fuel-sipping Prius, has said it is discussing with safety authorities worldwide how to fix a software glitch that delays braking on the model in certain road conditions.

Toyota has come under intense scrutiny, with US safety authorities and members of the Obama Administration accusing it of responding too slowly on problems related to uncontrolled acceleration that have been linked to up to 19 crash deaths in the US over the past decade.

An announcement to recall the Prius, cumulative global sales of which total more than 300,000 units, will likely come from a filing with Japan's Transport Ministry today, followed by plans elsewhere, the source said.

The Prius was Japan's top-selling car last year and is arguably Toyota's most important model, as car makers around the globe prepare for a new era in low-emission vehicles.

Toyota will likely announce a recall of the 2010 Prius as early as today, said the source, who asked not to be identified before an official announcement.

The recall could also include the Toyota Sai and its sister model under the premium Lexus brand, HS250h, which debuted last year and use the same brake system as the third-generation Prius.

A Toyota spokesman said the company was still discussing plans with safety authorities in the US and Japan. The new Prius model is sold in some 60 countries.