Recall Roundup: Toyota Recalls 700K Prius Hybrids; GM Recalls More Than 600K Cobalt, G5 Compacts

Nearly 1.7 million vehicles, produced by GM, Kia, and Toyota, are subject to recall, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation. Details are below, in alphabetical order by manufacturer.

2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt

2007 Pontiac G5

General Motors is recalling 619,122 model-year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, weight on the key ring, adverse road conditions, or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 13454; owners may also reference NHTSA recall campaign ID number 14V047000.

2014 Kia Sportage

Kia is recalling 11,961 model-year 2014 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured September 30, 2013, through January 11, 2014. The certification label has incorrect tire-pressure information printed on it, listing a specification that is one or two pounds per square inch below the correct information. Maintaining tire pressure below the recommended specification could result in premature tire wear.

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will correct the label information. Owners will also receive a sticker to put into the owner's manual, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2014. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC103; owners may also reference NHTSA recall number 14V023000.

2010-2014 Toyota Prius

Toyota is recalling approximately 700,000 model-year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power, allowing it to drive only a short distance. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely, resulting in a vehicle stall.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall is expected to begin in late February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and refer to NHTSA recall number 14V053000.

2012-2013 Lexus RX 350

2012 Toyota RAV4

2012-2013 Toyota Tacoma

In addition to the Prius recall mentioned above, Toyota is also recalling 261,114 model-year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX 350 vehicles, and certain model-year 2012 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance, resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, anti-lock brake system (ABS), and traction control system. If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance.

Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and refer to NHTSA recall number 14V054000.