Software Glitch Forces Toyota to Recall 1.9 Million Priuses

Toyota’s hybrid system is a marvel of technology, except in one really inconvenient way.

While all that raw computer and software engineering allows for infinite gears and enviable mileage, the Toyota Prius lacks one of the basic features of every modern computer, mobile phone and tablet: the ability to connect to the Internet and download an update.

For that reason, a glitch in the third-generation Prius has forced the automaker to recall 1.9 million vehicles. It doesn’t sound like that big a deal. According to The Verge, the software patch should take about 40 minutes, and Toyota says the cars are safe otherwise.

Still it makes you wonder. We’re just getting used to the idea of mobile devices as computers. Now the original mobile device, the car, is a computer. We rue the day when we have to run a malware check on our hybrids.

Certain RAV4, Tacoma and Lexus RX 350 vehicles are also being recalled. Get more information from Toyota here.

— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer