(NECN/ABC) - The problems for Toyota continue to accelerate. After receiving nearly 200 complaints in the United States and Japan, the Japanese government has ordered the embattled auto company to probe Prius problems with the design of the anti-lock brake system.
A Toyota spokesperson said the company discovered the design flaws and corrected it for Prius models since late January. The automaker is investigating how best to inform people who bought them prior to the fix.
In the United States., the government is investigating if electronic problems are causing sudden acceleration, which was behind the company recall of 2.3 million U.S.-sold vehicles. And a congressional hearing later Thursday will examine if sticky gas pedals place the public at risk.
Thursday, relieved dealers around the country will begin receiving the repair parts that will solve the pedal problem, according to instructions provided by Toyota.
Wednesday, the transportation secretary's advice to confused and concerned Toyota drivers created a stir.
"My advice is, if anybody owns one of these vehicles, stop driving it," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood first said.
He later clarified his statement to lawmakers, saying, he misspoke.
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"What I meant to say, and what I thought I said, was if you own one of these cars, or if you're in doubt, take it to the dealer and they're going to fix it," LaHood said.
Although these problems have not totaled Toyota's reputation, the auto brand once known for quality is seriously dented
Toyota on Thursday reported a quarterly net profit of $ 1.7 billion in the October-December period, but these results do not reflect the recalls linked to faulty gas pedals announced on January 21st.
Analysts warn the damage from the current recall crisis will negatively impact profits in the coming year. Since the U.S. recalls were announced two week ago, the automaker's shares have lost as much as 23-percent, or about $ 30 billion.
ABC's Viviana Hurtado reports in the video player above.
Portions of video in this report courtesy of APTN, TV TOKYO.
