TOKYO: Damage to Toyota's image is growing by the day with the automaker now considering a US and Japanese recall of Prius hybrids - the vehicle that's a symbol of its technological prowess and green car ambitions.

The beleaguered automaker faces probes of brake problems with the latest model Prius in the US and Japan but remains tightlipped about adding the gas-electric hybrid to the millions of cars it has recalled. Toyota is also investigating possible brake problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid and the luxury Sai sedan, also a hybrid.

Nihon Keizai, Japan's top business newspaper, said on Friday that Toyota Motor Corp would soon notify Japan's transport ministry and the US Department of Transportation of a recall of 270,000 Prius hybrids.