Toyota Motor Corp. reported to the transport ministry on Wednesday that it is recalling some 342,000 hybrid vehicles due to defects in the power system that could make the cars unable to run.
The recall covers two models produced between February 2011 and November 2014, including the Prius Alpha and the Daihatsu Mebius, which was built under the direction of Toyota, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said.
According to the ministry, a defect was found in the control program of the hybrid system that causes an electronic part in the power inverter to become heat damaged, turning off engines and making vehicles unable to run.
Since February 2014, 78 cases were reported where the hybrid vehicles would not start due to faulty engine systems, the ministry said. No accidents have been reported.
Toyota will deal with the approximately 280,000 hybrid vehicles sold abroad according to the regulations of each country, the ministry said.
Separately, Daihatsu Motor Co. reported Wednesday to the transport ministry that it will be recalling some 292,000 vehicles of four models including the Esse produced between March 2006 and August 2011 due to defective Takata air bags.
According to the ministry, the number of vehicles subject to Takata air bag recalls in Japan now stands at about 9.76 million.