As high gasoline prices have consumers eyeing hybrid automobiles that get better mileage, the maker of the most popular of those fuel-efficient gas/electrics is recalling more than 70,000 of the cars.
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. said Thursday that it is advising owners of 75,000 Prius models to bring them in to fix a software problem that could cause the car’s gasoline engine to stall. The affected vehicles are 2004 and early 2005 models built from August 2003 to February 2005. Owners will be notified by mail late this month.
Hybrids save fuel by using an electric motor part of the time to reduce reliance on a gas engine. This is the first time a hybrid has been recalled in such big numbers and comes as Toyota and other manufacturers are increasing production to meet demand.
Toyota spokeswoman Allison Takahashi said the problem centered on the program for the Prius’ electronic control module, which could cause dashboard warning lights to illuminate and trigger a “fail-safe” mode that shuts off the gas engine.
The electric motor continues to operate, as do the electric power steering and brakes, allowing drivers to pull off the road.
Takahashi said owners should schedule an appointment to have their cars fixed “because we can’t take them all at once.”
Prius is the most popular hybrid, with sales more than doubling this year to 81,000 through September. Toyota added hybrid Lexus RX400h and Toyota Highlander sport-utility vehicles this year and plans to roll out the technology in all models.
Toyota’s goal is to raise U.S. hybrid sales to 600,000 early next decade from about 150,000 this year.
American Honda Motor Co. has three hybrids and Ford Motor Co. two, with plans to add at least two more by 2008. General Motors Corp. plans to roll out several in the next two years. Nissan North America will introduce one next year and DaimlerChrysler AG will introduce one in early 2008.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that issues recalls, opened an investigation into the Prius May 31 after receiving more than 60 complaints from owners. No deaths or accidents were reported in connection with stalling, and most vehicles could be restarted.
Toyota, which cooperated with NHTSA in the investigation, calls its action a “special service campaign” instead of a safety recall. NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said a safety recall is unnecessary, and the agency will close its investigation.
“They have showed us to our satisfaction that what they’re doing will address the issues related to the problem,” he said. “We will continue to keep our eye on it.”
About 35,000 Prius models built from May 2003 to June 2004 were recalled in November 2004 to replace a brake-light switch. That recall was not related to the hybrid system, and about 145,000 Lexus RX330 gasoline-powered SUVs were recalled at that time for the same reason.
———-
rpopely@tribune.com
