Toyota recalls that hybrids have worried about vehicle fires: NPR

Toyota Prius models from 2016 to 2018 have been recalled by the manufacturer for potential fire hazards.

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

Toyota Prius models from 2016 to 2018 have been recalled by the manufacturer for potential fire hazards.

Bloomberg via Getty Images

Toyota announced on Wednesday a voluntary recall of some hybrid models, including some Prius cars. The manufacturer has invoked a vehicle fire risk as the reason for the announcement.

In a press release, the company said that about 192,000 Prius vehicles from the 2016 to 2018 model years would be assigned to the United States. They are part of a global recall of about one million hybrid vehicles that may have an electrical fault.

"Part of the wiring harness could come into contact with the cover at this connection and wear over time, causing an electrical short circuit, which can generate heat.If enough heat is produced, there is has a risk of fire ". Release.

Toyota said the majority of the vehicles involved were in Japan, with about 550,000 vehicles with potential defects.

Owners of affected vehicles can receive maintenance to solve the problem for free.

"If a wire is exposed, the wire harness of the motor will be replaced by a new one that includes a protective sleeve.If a wire is not exposed, a protective tape will be installed on the wire harness of the motor" says Toyota. The version.

Homeowners can also expect to receive letters by mail before the end of September, asking them to bring their vehicle for specified maintenance. According to Toyota, this shipment must be made within 60 days of notification by the manufacturer of the National Road Safety Authority.

Until then, affected customers could enter their vehicle identification number or license plate information on Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov to keep up to date with the recall information.

In the United States, the vehicles involved do not include the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Prius Prime, Prius C or Prius v. However, according to a Toyota spokeswoman, the global recall includes.

Toyota said it could not comment on the fact that one of the vehicles it was manufacturing caught fire due to an electrical fault.