TOYOTA IS to install a brake-override system in all its future models following a major recall in recent weeks of seven of its best-selling models over unintended acceleration and a further recall of its new Prius range over potential problems with its braking software.
The new mechanism will allow the brake to kick in first when drivers inadvertently press it and the accelerator at the same time.
At a press briefing yesterday, Shinichi Sasaki, executive vice-president in charge of quality control, said Toyota is also reviewing complaints over power-steering problems in the US version of its Corolla. He said there were fewer than 100 complaints in the US, but it was taking them seriously. The number of affected vehicles is unclear, but it refers to the US models sold in 2009 and this year.
After the briefing, Toyota said Mr Sasaki’s comments had been “misinterpreted” in some reports and there was a suggestion it affected all Corollas.
A spokesman for Toyota Ireland said the power steering issue concerned US Corollas only and did not affect those sold in Europe. He said: “Toyota has had no issues regarding the 2009/2010 Corolla steering here in Ireland”.
Complaints over the steering on US Corolla models are the latest blow to the car giant after a series of safety-related recalls that totalled 8.5 million cars worldwide, including 18,188 in Ireland.
