US safety agency closes probe into Toyota Camry hybrids brake problems

An eight-month investigation into brake problems with some older Toyota Camry gas-electric hybrids has been closed without a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began the probe in January after getting complaints of malfunctions that reduced power-assisted braking in 2007 and 2008 Camry hybrids. The probe covered about 100,000 cars.

The agency says a review of nearly 1,600 complaints and warranty claims found that in most cases, the cars warned drivers and there wasn't a complete loss of power-assisted braking. Investigators drove the cars and found that they could be stopped with a reasonable increase in pedal pressure.

One crash and two injuries were reported, but the agency says the crash happened after the owner decided not to repair the problem.