Prius Recall: Potential Braking Fault

[FROSTYBALLS]

Seen today (5th June 2013) on the Auto Express site:

"Toyota is recalling 4,947 third generation Prius models in the UK due to a potential braking fault. A total of 242,000 cars will be recalled globally due to the problem.

In a statement, the manufacturer said: “In accordance with its commitment to zero tolerance for quality issues or concerns, Toyota has today registered a recall through the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) for a number of its current (third generation) Prius models.”

The issue concerns the brake pressure accumulator, which consists of a metal plunger containing brake fluid, encased in a metal housing. The plunger has metal bellows beneath it sealing nitrogen gas between the plunger and the housing.

Toyota says there is a possibility of a fatigue crack developing in the bellows. If this happens, nitrogen gas could leak into the brake fluid and cause the pedal travel to increase and reduce braking force.

Should the fault occur, a warning light will appear on the driver’s dashboard. If this happens, Toyota has warned that the car should not be driven.

The manufacturer says that it has had two reports of the problem in the UK, and 93 worldwide. However, there have been no accidents or injuries related to the issue.

Models affected by the recall were built between March and October 2009, with owners of the cars contacted by Toyota in the coming weeks.

Customer can also check whether their car is involved in the recall using a registration look-up function in the owners section of the Toyota website at www.toyota.co.uk.

Owners affected will be asked to make an appointment with their nearest dealer, while the maker claims that the work will take between three and three-and-a-half hours."

[Ancient Nerd]

Strange that these are all cars supplied with the Weasel Warranty.

[Parts-King]

Strange that these are all cars supplied with the Weasel Warranty.

They knew you were watching

[Sagitar]

I took mine in for the recall work today.

The dealer spent time examining the car before deciding whether the work was required and decided that it was. The service record says "CARRIED OUT BRAKE BOOSTER RECALL - REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER UNDER TOYOTA WARRANTY.

The part requiring replacement was "PUMP ASSY, BRAK T04002-20247 (listed cost £175.29).

The work was done expeditiously and I drove a free courtesy car while it was being done. The dealer staff also washed the car (and made a good job of it).

On the drive home the brakes felt significantly "sharper" than previously.

Ten out of ten for Steven Eagell Toyota at Bromham.