Toyota Will Recall 270,000 2010 Prius Models in U.S., Japan

UPDATE: Toyota now says there is no recall planned at this time and that they will announce a decision on what to do with the Prius brake issue in the coming days.

Through its floormat entrapment and sticking accelerator recalls, Toyota’s third-generation 2010 Prius skated by unscathed. Then came reports of problems with the popular hybrid’s brakes, which culminated in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opening an investigation into some 37,000 Prius models today. Now Toyota is recalling 270,000 2010 Priuses in the U.S. and Japan, Japan’s Nikkei News Service reported minutes ago. Toyota has not yet confirmed the recall.

It’s not clear how many of those are U.S. models. But Toyota has sold some 103,000 2010 Priuses from the car’s May 2009 introduction through Jan. 31, 2010. Because this latest recall affects the U.S. and Japan, we have to imagine it could encompass most, and possibly all, Priuses in the U.S.

We were unable to reach Toyota, but Toyota spokesman John Hanson told the Wall Street Journal that the automaker has “no information” about the report.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.