Toyota, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have had issues with electric and hybrid vehicle models this month, including several recalls.Toyota announced Thursday a voluntary recall involving an unspecified mix of 87,000 2010 Prius vehicles and Lexus HS 250h hybrids for a brake pressure accumulator that could develop a fatigue crack on an internal part due to vibration. Toyota says it has not reports of any accidents or injuries associated with this condition.
Toyota says once owners bring in their vehicle the company it will inspect the brake booster pump to see if it is equipped with an involved accumulator. If so, the dealer will replace the brake booster pump assembly with an improved one at no cost to the customer.
Last year, Toyota recalled 670,000 of its s2004-2009 model Prius hybrids in the US to fix problems with the steering system, according to a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mitsubishi issued its own recall last week of more than 4,000 plug-in vehicles because of battery issues, reported Automotive News.
The automaker formally recalled its i-MiEV electric vehicle and Outlander plug-in hybrid in Japan. The sales and production of the mini-car and the Outlander PHEV have been halted since a manufacturing problem caused a lithium ion battery pack to melt and another to catch fire in March. The mini-car also is sold as the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero in Europe.
A small number of affected i-MiEVs were sold in Europe and the United States, reported Automotive News. The company says it aims to resume production of new i-MiEVs and Outlander plug-in hybrids by the end of August.
Meanwhile, a glitch has popped up in a number Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Drivers have reported a "Stop Safely Now" light coming on and powering down the car, according to Autobloggreen. Ford said in a statement the warning appears in lieu of a check engine light found in other vehicles.
