Toyota has issued a recall of roughly 192,000 of it vehicles including the Prius and C-HR crossovers in the US pertaining to engine wires that pose a potential fire risk. The models recalled in the US are a part of the total 554,000 models out of which a majority operates in Japan.
The company's decision is likely to have been made after an alleged incident that occurred in February this year when a wire harness in the car's hybrid power control unit shorted out. According to the company, this harness of wire is likely to contact the cover at this connection and wear over time causing an electrical short circuit which might later lead to a vehicle fire.
If the vehicles are found to be exposed to the risk, the company aims to fix the problem by replacing the harness assembly with a new one that will include a protective sleeve. Additionally, in case the wire is not exposed, a protective tape will be installed on the engine wire harness system.
The company claims that the vehicles affected with the said defect include the current generation Prius and the hybrid version of the C-HR that was produced until May of this year.
This news comes after millions of vehicles with Takata airbags were found out to be vulnerable to sudden explosions due to extreme heat and moisture. The Japanese automobile parts manufacturer is one of Toyota's suppliers of airbags too. Reports suggest that as of currently, tens of millions of cars that have been fitted with the faulty airbags have been recalled by the NHTSA.
“Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata airbags are under recall,” an NHTSA site set up for the recalls says. “Long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these airbags to explode when deployed. Such explosions have caused injuries and deaths.”
