NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horwitz, Horwitz & Paradis,
Attorneys at Law, today filed a nationwide class action lawsuit in the
United States District Court for the Central District of California on
behalf of a class comprised of all persons and entities who purchased
or leased any of the following Toyota (NYSE:TM) or Lexus Hybrid
vehicles: (i) model year 2006 through 2009 Prius; (ii) model year 2010
Prius; (iii) model year 2005 through 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid;
(iv) model year 2005 through 2010 Lexus RX 400h; (v) model year 2009
through 2010 Lexus RX 450h; and (vi) model year 2009 through 2010 Lexus
HS 250h (collectively, the "Toyota Hybrids") (the "Class").

The Complaint alleges that the brake system in the Toyota Hybrids is
defectively designed and does not function properly when the Toyota
Hybrids encounter slippery or uneven roadways, resulting in the
activation of the anti-lock brake and vehicle stability control
systems, and the inability of the Skid Control electronic control unit
to cause the brakes to function properly. The design defect in the
Toyota Hybrids is caused by a flaw in software which controls the
Toyota Hybrids' brake system.

Specifically, the Complaint alleges that the design defect in the
Toyota Hybrids causes a delay between the time the brake pedal is
engaged and when the brake system begins to slow the Toyota Hybrids.
With the delay, a Toyota Hybrid traveling at 60 miles per hour will
have traveled an additional 90-100 feet before the brakes even begin to
engage -- creating a grave safety issue for Class members and the
public.

Finally, the Complaint alleges that Toyota has known of the defective
brake system in the Toyota Hybrids for years, but that Toyota has
refused to publicly acknowledge the existence of the defect or recall
these Toyota Hybrids in order to repair them so that they can be made
safe.

The complaint seeks certain relief including the replacement and/or
recall of all the Toyota Hybrids equipped with the defective brake
system, restitution and damages.

If you have any information concerning the defective brake system in
the Toyota Hybrid vehicles, or purchased or leased a Toyota Hybrid that
you believe is equipped with a defective brake system and would like
further information regarding this nationwide class action, please
contact Molly Briere at 212-986-4500 or e-mail at mbriere@hhplawny.com.

Horwitz, Horwitz & Paradis, Attorneys at Law, has been retained as one
of the law firms to represent the Class. The attorneys at Horwitz,
Horwitz & Paradis, Attorneys at Law, have extensive experience in
prosecuting class action cases. The firm has been appointed as Lead
Counsel in numerous major class actions by federal courts across the
United States and has obtained major recoveries on behalf of injured
parties.


CONTACT: Horwitz, Horwitz & Paradis, Attorneys at Law
         Plaintiff's Counsel
         Michael A. Schwartz, Esq.
         (212) 986-4500
         Fax: (212) 986-4501
         405 Lexington Avenue - 61st Floor
         New York, NY 10174