Toyota Motor Co. is now recalling nearly half a million of its flagship Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide for brake problems.

This latest problem involves some 2010 models that have a delay when drivers hit the brakes in certain conditions.

Toyota's president Akio Toyoda said the company is working with dealers and suppliers to regain customer confidence.

"Let me assure people we will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company," Toyoda said.

U.S. safety officials are looking into complaints that Prius brakes can fail momentarily. About 100,000 Priuses in the U.S. could be affected by the recall. The recall will cut the vehicle's value and could hurt Toyota's reputation worse than two other bigger recalls.

Yoshi Inaba, Toyota's top executive in North America, will take the hot seat this week when he is scheduled to address safety concerns on Capitol Hill.

Kentucky State Rep Requests Prayers for Toyota

Meanwhile, a Kentucky lawmaker encourages prayers for Toyota.

State representative Charlie Hoffman, whose district includes a Toyota plant, is urging his constituients to pray for the automaker and its employees.

Hoffman says his prayer request is a natural response, because so many families depend on jobs provided by the automaker in these though economic times.

"We definitely need to be pulling for them and praying for them to get through this situation," he said.

Toyota's production plant in Georgetown, Kentucky employs more than 6,000 full-time workers.