Toyota recalls 1,335 Prius cars in Israel over faulty brakes

Israel's official Toyota importer, United Motors, announced on Tuesday that it would recall 1,335 Prius vehicles as part of the general recall to repair faulty parts in several of the Japanese company's car models throughout the world.

Last week, Toyota mailed out notices to 4,518 owners of Toyota vehicles in Israel, asking them to come to the company's garages to fix faulty accelerator pedals in the models Auris, Yaris, Avensis and Verso.

Unlike the previously recalled models, the company fears there is a problem in the Prius brake pedal, and not the accelerator. However, the company noted in its message to car owners that the brake itself is not defective, but described a "faulty feeling" when using the brakes.

The repair service will take about 40 minutes and will be free.

More than 33,000 Toyota vehicles have been recalled in Israel thus far.

Last week, Union Motors received the list of cars that need to be checked from Toyota's European headquarters. The importer then located the cars' owners through the Transportation Ministry's licensing database and sent out the notices.

Customers can look on Union Motors' Internet site to see if their cars are included in the recall, or they can call a Toyota service center.