The recall affects 30,790 UK-registered Prius, cars. Worldwide, there have been no reports of any accidents or injuries relating to this issue but in Europe Toyota has recorded 11 reports of the issue occurring.
Toyota says it has identified a potential issue concerning the software used to control the boost converter in the Intelligent Power Module, part of the hybrid system’s inverter assembly. The boost converter is required when driving with a high system load, such as accelerating hard from standstill.
The company believes the software setting could lead to higher thermal stress occurring in certain insulated-gate bipolar transistors in the boost converter, which may lead to them deforming or being damaged.
In a statement Toyota said: ‘Should this happen, warning lights may be illuminated and the car is likely to switch to “failsafe” operation, in which the car can be driven with reduced power. In limited cases the hybrid system may shut down, causing the vehicle to stop.’
They add the driver will not experience any change in the vehicle’s behaviour or performance prior to the problem occurring, and that the fault will not occur in other Toyota hybrids as they use different transistor structures and control logic.
The software replacement will take about 40 minutes to complete at no charge to the customer.
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Note to Evil Villain/Dave 2020. Thatcher was PM for _11_ years, from 1979 to 1990 so no one under the age of 34 was even born when she left office....