Toyota Motor stated on Wednesday it prepared to recall around 1.03 million vehicles, consisting its gasoline-hybrid Prius model, in Japan, North America, Europe and other regions due to a concern with the engine wire harness which can pose a fire risk.
After a domestic recall announcement by Japan’s transport ministry, Toyota stated that in affected vehicles, the wire harness which associates to the hybrid power control unit can come into contact with the covering at the connection point.
If dust accumulates on the wire harness or the cover, the insulation on the wires could wear down over time because of vehicle vibrations. This could result in an electrical short circuit, which could generate heat and result in a risk of fire, Toyota stated.
The issue affects vehicles produced in Japan from June 2015 and May 2018, and consists the plug-in version of the Prius and the C-HR compact crossover SUV sold in Japan, Europe, Australia and other nations.
Approximately half of the recalls would take place in Japan, Toyota spokesman Jean-Yves Jault stated.
Only the Prius model is going to be recalled in the United States, where about 192,000 vehicles were affected. he stated.
Jault added that the issue had resulted in one incident of a short circuiting in Japan which produced smoke from the automobile.
