Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker, was sued in Canada in a class-action case revealing problems in the braking system of its Prius and Lexus hybrid vehicles, a law firm revealed.

Merchant Law Group claimed that it issued a claim yesterday in Victoria, British Columbia, against the automaker on behalf of Canadian owners of 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h hybrids, seeking compensation of purchase prices or payment equal to a loss in resale value,

"The energy reclaiming nature of these vehicles as part of braking makes them dangerous for use", attorney Tony Merchant said in a statement sent to Bloomberg. "As the vehicle switches to the brake pad system, there is a lapse where the vehicle has no braking power".

Toyota is reported to have endured at least 30 class-action, or group, lawsuits in the U. S. and Canada linked to numerous recalls over sudden acceleration of its vehicles.

Toyota has reflected a recall of about 270,000 vehicles in Canada and 4.2 million around the world to fix a defect with sticking accelerator pedals. The company claims a friction device in conjunction with a spring in the accelerator pedal assembly may fail to operate properly.

This week, the automobile giant quoted that it had altered the design of Prius brake software at the end of January to deal with the problem. Moreover, it is initiating steps dealers can take for current Prius owners, including exchanging some parts.