SINGAPORE - Seventy Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid vehicles sold here are affected by Toyota Motor's latest recall.

In a statement yesterday, local distributor Borneo Motors said the cars involved were produced between January 2009 and last month.

Customers are being informed to send their cars in for a software upgrade, to improve "brake feel" when the anti-lock braking system is activated. The upgrade will take about an hour.

The global recall affects the latest generation of the Prius, and three other models - Prius Plug-in Hybrid, SAI and HS250h. However, none of the other three models are distributed or sold by Borneo Motors.

It appears that no Singapore owner has complained of the Prius displaying "inconsistent brake feel".

Borneo Motors said this is the first time it is asking its Prius customers to send their vehicles for a service upgrade. The last recall in Singapore was in 2003, with Toyota's 9th generation of Corolla cars.

When contacted, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said all vehicles here are "subject to type-approval before they can be registered for use in Singapore".

Motor agents are also required to submit documents from vehicle manufacturers to certify that the vehicles and their components conform to internationally recognised vehicle safety standards, such as those adopted in Japan and Europe.

Said an LTA spokesperson: "All motor vehicles registered for use on public roads in Singapore are required to undergo periodic inspection to ensure that owners maintain their vehicles in good mechanical condition. LTA enforcement officers also conduct spot checks on vehicles running on the road to ensure that they are being maintained regularly." MUSTAFA SHAFAWI AND ZUL OTHMAN