Toyota recalls 2.4m hybrids in stalling fears

TOYOTA has recalled 2.43million hybrid vehicles over problems with stalling.

The Japanese firm said in rare cases the vehicles might malfunction in a ‘failsafe’ driving mode, lose power and stop. Power steering and braking would still work but a stall at high speed would increase the risk of a crash.

The global recall applies to some Prius and Auris hybrids manufactured from October 2008 to November 2014.

The models were involved in an earlier recall over a separate problem. Vehicle software will be updated to fix the latest malfunction for free.

Toyota said it had received three reports in Japan related to the problem by the end of September but none had led to accidents.

The company said it was difficult to assess how many cases had taken place elsewhere. The recall is meant to address situations in which component failure, coupled with hard acceleration, could cause the vehicle to lose power.

It affects 290,000 cars across Europe.