Toyota recalled certain 2010 Prius and other hybrid vehicles because braking could briefly weaken.
The issue involved software governing the anti-lock braking system. Under particular conditions, drivers could experience a brief reduction in braking effectiveness when the system switched between regenerative braking and conventional friction braking, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces.
Toyota announced a software-related recall affecting the 2010 Prius and other models. The action was separate from the company’s accelerator-pedal and floor-mat recalls, although all occurred during the same broader period of intense scrutiny of Toyota safety practices.
A common mix-up is treating the Prius braking campaign as a mechanical brake failure. The principal remedy was a control-system software update. The episode showed that vehicle recalls can concern electronic control logic as well as physical parts such as pedals, mats, or brake components.