2 million Toyota Prius hybrids recalled due to software glitch

Toyota is recalling 1.9 million of its Prius hybrid vehicles due to a software glitch. Also under recall are Rav 4, Tacoma and RX350 models.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday that 997,000 Prius cars in Japan, some 713,000 in North America, another 130,000 in Europe and the rest in other regions are being recalled for a problem in the software to control the hybrid system.

While no accidents have been reported, this brings to light an issue with newer and more technologically advanced cars where not just mechanical recalls are possible but also software recalls because cars are increasingly relying on computers to manage onboard systems. This is true for hybrid vehicles as well as electric vehicles which have fewer mechanical components.

Toyota Canada says 13,791 Prius cars are being recalled in the country.

The software could cause transistors to become damaged, causing warnings lights to go off, driving power to be reduced or the car to stop. The recalled Prius vehicles were manufactured between March 2009 and February 2014.

Source: CTV News.ca

Jeep recalls 435,000 vehicles due to airbag software glitch

It's been tough times for Chrysler and Jeep. After a much publicized issue affecting the fuel tanks of  2.7 million Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models that could be ruptured in severe rear-end collisions, which the company refused to recall, they have now owned up to a separate airbag software glitch that can delay airbag deployment on 254,000 2010-2012 model year Patriot and Compass vehicles.

Jeep is also recalling 180,000 Jeep Wranglers from model year 2012 and 2013 because of a fluid line leak that can damage the transmission system.

Chrysler said in an official statement it is not aware of any injuries or accidents associated with the recall issues. The begins in July.

Apple sets up replacement program for first-gen iPod Nano

Got a hot first generation iPod Nano? It might be up for recall replacement.

Apple has determined that, in very rare cases, the battery in the iPod nano (1st generation) may overheat and pose a safety risk. Affected iPod nanos were sold between September 2005 and December 2006.

This issue has been traced to a single battery supplier that produced batteries with a manufacturing defect. While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages. More after the break.

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Motoring: VW recalls 30000 2011-2012 Jettas for extra long tailights

Das ist Hot! Volkswagen will recall 30,294 of its 2011-2012 model year Jetta sedans for possible tailpipe finishers that extend beyond the vehicle's rear bumper and may prove dangerous.

According to VW, certain Jettas with stainless steel exhaust tips sold at the point-of-purchase and installed at port during importation may extend beyond the original length of the factory-installed exhaust pipes, a situation that could result in burns if bumped or touched while hot.