Research into complaints filed with the federal government and other sources suggest the problem may not be restricted to new, third-generation 2010 Priuses and could involve vehicles dating back to the 2005 model year or even earlier.
Problems afflicting the Prius are compounding the woes of Toyota, the world’s biggest carmaker, which already has recalled 8.1 million cars worldwide for unintended acceleration issues. Toyota is expected to announce a recall soon of some 300,000 Priuses, a model that is the world’s most popular hybrid and the best-selling car of all types in Japan.