Prius

Make
Toyota
Segment
Hatchback

Automakers know it's not worth taking any chances when it comes to the safety of its vehicles and their occupants. When it comes to issues around safety, money should be no object. That's why Toyota is about to issue a recall for around 1.03 million vehicles globally.

These include the Prius hybrid and C-HR hybrid compact crossover in North America, Europe, and Japan. The problem has been pinpointed to, according to Reuters via Automotive News Europe, an issue with engine wire harness. This connects to the hybrid power control unit and comes into contact with the covering at the connection point.

The problem is if too much dust accumulates on the wire harness or the cover, the wire's insulation could wear down thanks to vibrations coming from the vehicle itself. The result could potentially be an electrical short circuit. Basic knowledge tells you this short could generate heat and thus lead to a fire risk. Toyota says the affected vehicles were built in Japan between June 2015 and May 2018.

The plug-in versions of the Prius and C-HR are also affected. About half of the recalls are in Japan. In the US, fortunately, only the Prius is affected because the C-HR hybrid is not sold in this market. About 192,000 US market Prius models will be recalled.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. However, there was a single incident in Japan where that short circuit did happen with smoke coming from the vehicle as a result. Even so, Toyota won't be taking any chances, hence its decision to launch one of its biggest recalls ever, after the Takata airbag and unintended acceleration disasters.

We're still waiting for an official statement from Toyota regarding this recall, which we assume will provide affected owners with instructions and a timeline as to when the necessary repairs, free of charge, will get underway.