Prius adds to Toyota problems

Toyota has been dealt another blow as it struggles to cope with recent recalls worldwide more than 100 complaints have poured in both from the United States and home country Japan. But this time not about defective gas pedals, but about brake systems in its popular Prius hybrid.

The environmentally friendly Prius model, which runs on gas and electricity, hit American and Japanese markets in May last year. But since then,the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes in this hybrid model. Two involved crashes resulting in injuries.

While in Japan, the transport ministry has, as of Thursday, also revealed receipt of 77 similar complaints since July last year. It has ordered Toyota to carry out investigations into the problem.