FML: Toyota Edition – Investigation Ordered For Prius’ Brakes

When it rains, it pours… that’s probably the understatement of the year for Toyota. Seriously, 2010 has so far treated the company like a used piece of toilet paper.

First, Toyota had to recall eight of its new models for sticking gas pedals/floor mat issues (most of which were volume sellers such as Corolla, Camry and RAV4), then it got slammed (and may now get fined) for not initiating the recall sooner, then Toyota’s rivals GM, Ford, Chrysler and Hyundai offered specific incentives to lure away disgruntled customers, then it got its ‘recommended’ status stripped from Consumer Reports as result of the recall, then this all became the subject of an investigation by the U.S government which then called the company “safety deaf”, then it became the subject of a class action law suit over the sticking pedals and now the Japanese Government has officially ordered an investigation into the brakes on the 3rd generation Toyota Prius.

In Japan, there have been dozens of complaints of temporary brake loss at low speeds or in slick road conditions. This is obviously another safety issue that the biggest car company in the world now has to deal with. No word on if only Priuses in Japan are affected by these alleged issues. UPDATE: The U.S government is now launching an investigation for the same issues after receiving over 100 complaints about the Prius’ brakes.

U.S Transportation Secretary Says to Stop Driving Your Recalled Toyota, Blasts Automaker

Not driving a car that may or may not have a sticking gas pedal probably goes without saying, but does hearing it from a U.S government rep help create a sense of panic, or is it just the government covering its rear end?

The Transport Secretary (who also goes by Ray Lahood) says it’s best to take it to your local Toyota dealer straight away where they will immidiately remedy the sticking gas pedal/floormat issue.

But Lahood also had more to say about Toyota which shouldn’t bode well for its already shattered image.

UPDATE: LaHood retracts what he said against Toyota, hit the jump.

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Oh, Hi: The 2011 Kia Sportage Shows Its Face

Well this is quite an improvement.

The Kia that unfortunately started the whole “AAAYYYEEEEE!!!!” campaign looks way more mature and grown up.The previous generations were, um, less than inspiring in terms of design and performance. But at least it costed less than it’s competition.

The Sportage at least fixes the styling problem and now resembles the rest of its family with a front facia similar to the Sorrento and even the Forte.

This new Sportage is expected to get the same 2.4 litre engine found in the new Hyundai Tucson, but should undercut its DNA brother in the price category, without sacrificing too much style.

In fact, we’re going to go on record as saying it looks even better than the redesigned Tucson.

More pics at Autoblog.