New federal investigation into braking problems w/ Toyota's Prius hybrid

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened formal investigation into 2010 Prius

Agency received 124 complaints from drivers of brief loss in braking power

Blamed in 4 crashes, 2 of which resulted in injuries

Reports from Japan that recall affecting 270K Priuses imminent

Toyota has been asked to study braking problem by Japanese government

New investigation just 1 in a series of possible glitches

May be linked to the vehicle's complex electronics

Recall-related losses would cost $2B

Prius prone to number of other safety issues that motorists complain have not been resolved

"It's becoming alarming because it looks like there's a pattern here. We believe this involves the entire electronic control system." -- Melissa Harnett, attorney, Department Head for the Class Action Department, Wasserman, Comden & Casselman LLP