Toronto, Ontario – Toyota Canada will conduct a voluntary safety recall on certain 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS 250h vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). The recall will affect approximately 3,273 Prius models and 309 HS 250h models. A separate recall has also been announced for a small number of 2010 Camry vehicles for a potential brake fluid leak.

No other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.

In normal operation, the ABS engages and disengages many times per second as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some owners of 2010 Prius and HS 250h models have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel momentarily during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces, when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.

Toyota has responded with a running production change for the 2010 Prius that was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time and the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage. The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this month.

The recall involves a software update on 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to the running production change. Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009, and all HS 250h vehicles are subject to this recall.  First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in the campaign.

The ABS system on the Lexus HS 250h is similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment and dealer modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon.

Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners of Prius models included in this recall next week. Letters to HS 250h owners will be mailed within the next few weeks. The letters will let owners know when to take their vehicles to a dealership. New vehicles currently at dealerships will be provided with the updated software before the vehicles are delivered to customers.

Separately, Toyota will conduct a voluntary safety recall on early-production 2010 Camry vehicles equipped with a four-cylinder engine. The recall affects a total of 393 vehicles. The affected vehicles will be inspected for a power steering hose that may be in contact with a front brake tube. This contact could lead to a hole in the brake tube and cause a brake fluid leak, increasing the brake pedal stroke and resulting in a greater vehicle stopping distance. Owners of the involved Camry vehicles will be notified by mail, starting in the middle of February.

Details on these recalls can be found at Toyota. Customers can also call the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8, or the Lexus Customer Interaction Centre at 1-800-26-LEXUS.