Toyota Confirms Prius Has Braking Problems

And the hits keep on coming... Following yesterday's reports that Toyota's hybrid Prius is experiencing braking issues, officials of the Japanese held a press conference in Japan confirmed the Prius is subject to antilock brake system glitches in the Prius. The strangest part is that, according to the statement below, Toyota knew about the problem, as they have already redesigned the ABS system blamed for the glitches...

"We have redesigned the ABS system for the new generation Prius starting this January and we will let those who already own a Prius what step to take. As a carmaker, we will take certain steps to explain the problem to our customers. An official announcement will be made shortly," Toyota executive Hiroyuki Yokohama said, according to Automarket.

The fact that the carmaker knew about the glitches in the ABS system on the Prius was also confirmed by spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi, who, according to CBC.ca, also said the design faults in the new Prius have been corrected for vehicles sold starting this January. So far, no word on a possible new recall...

Until more information becomes available, here's how Toyota explains this new problem and what advice they give:

"Yes, the brakes are slow, but if you keep pressing them, the car will stop. When the ABS system is functioning, there is a little delay in the switch between the energy recovery system used with the brakes and the hydraulic brake. But the car will stop if you press it down hard."

When asked by reporters whether a recall for the Prius is to follow, Yokohama said Toyota would "like to be given a little time." In the latest development, CNN reports Toyota is believing a software problem may have caused the one-second lag in the ABS...