Toyota Motor Corp. on Tuesday formally filed with the Japanese transport ministry for a recall of 223,068 vehicles, mostly the latest model of its Prius hybrid, to fix brake problems.

The recall will start from Wednesday in Japan, followed by the United States, Europe, and other countries and regions, which will eventually involve more than 400,000 vehicles globally.

In Japan, the recall will include over 170,000 vehicles of the latest model of its iconic Prius hybrid, which was admired worldwide as the leading model because of its use of clean technology, over a brake problem that has led to 94 complaints in Japan.

The world's largest automaker will also recall three other models including the luxury Lexus HS250h sedan and the hybrid-only Sai compact sedan, which employ a similar brake system to the Prius, according to the papers filed to the Japanese transport ministry.

"I am sorry that we have caused trouble again. Let me assure everybody that we will redouble our commitment to quality as our lifeline, with myself in the lead," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in English at a live broadcast press conference in Tokyo Tuesday.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety and well-being of our customers," he added.

Toyoda also said they have stopped shipping cars that use a similar system to the Prius' and will halt production of models until the problem is rectified.

The brake problem is thought to have affected 100,000 units of Prius in the US. A further 40,000 have been sold in around 60 other countries.

The reputation crisis for Toyota already escalated in the US when a Californian woman sued Toyota Motor Sales for its negligence and breach of warranty over a 2010 Prius she bought last August, alleging that the car has severe braking problems that make it dangerous to drive, according to the court papers.

Toyoda said at the press conference that he planned to visit the United States to "encourage our workers, sales agencies and business partners," and "to explain (the recalls) in my words to the relevant people."

Toyota blames a software glitch for the brake problem. When the recall is carried out, a Toyota user can bring the Prius to a nearby dealer where the problems can be fixed by improving the software for the antilock brake system. The procedure itself is expected to take up to around 40 minutes.

The President said Tuesday that "if the phenomenon occurs, if you brake the pedals strongly the car will stop for sure, so please be prepared."

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told a press conference Tuesday that "I would like the company to deal with it properly so that it can alleviate concern among users."

The trouble is likely to further dent the automaker's reputation for safety, after a recall in the United States last year involved 5.55 million vehicles over a fault with the gas pedal that could lead the car to suddenly accelerate.

In Japan, Toyota has benefited greatly from the "eco-point" series of stimulus measures, which reward consumers for purchasing products that are more friendly to the environment.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2010)