Prius

Problem with Electronic Brakes in Hybrid Vehicles are reported by Toyota and Ford. The problem are due to a bug in the software controling the electronics brakes. Consumers worried that the cars won’t stop when needed.

The actions came as U.S. safety regulators are widening their investigation of electronic systems in vehicles, focusing on Toyota and Ford Hybrid models.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday it has launched a formal investigation into brake concerns on the 2010 Toyota Prius. The agency said it has received 124 complaints from Prius owners about braking problems, including four accidents.

Toyota said Thursday there was a brake design flaw with its Prius hybrid, in a major new blow to the world’s top automaker, already facing a two-billion-dollar bill from massive safety recalls.

The brake trouble comes on top of accelerator pedal problems that have now spread to Britain and raised fresh questions about whether Toyota sacrificed quality in its drive to overtake General Motors as global number one.