Toyota recalls Prius as lawmakers take aim

Toyota announced a new recall of its Prius models amid concerns regarding its brake systems.

The Japanese automaker will recall 133,000 Prius 2010 models, along with 14,500 Lexus HS250h models.

The recall is the second in the week for the foreign auto giant, which was forced to recall 5.6 million models over concerns about accelerator pedals becoming stuck, leading to safety issues.

"We’re committed to doing everything we can — as fast as we can — to restore consumer trust in Toyota, and these recalls are part of this effort," Toyota Motor Sales USA President and COO Jim Lentz said in a statement announcing the recall.

Congressional committees in both the House and Senate have launched inquiries into the first Toyota recall, and now lawmakers are clamoring to look into the Prius defects.

Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.), for instance, asked Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday to hold hearings into the safety issues with the Prius. Lentz also said the company would undertake a comprehensive review of its vehicles' safety.

"As part of the quality improvement program announced by Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, our company is undertaking a top-to-bottom review to ensure that our vehicles meet our own high standards of safety and reliability, now and for the future," he said.

Cross-posted to the Briefing Room.

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