TOKYO — Toyota has been hit by more than 100 complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems with the popular Prius hybrid, the latest in a spate of quality troubles for the automaker as it grapples with massive global recalls.

The Japanese company's sales are being battered in the U.S. after recalls of top-selling models to fix a gas pedal that can stick in the depressed position.

The new Prius gas-electric hybrid, which went on sale in Japan and the U.S. in May, is not part of the recalls that extend to Europe and China.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes of the new Prius model. Two involved crashes resulting in injuries.

Japan's transport ministry said today it also has received 14 complaints since July about brake problems with the hybrid.

The 14 complaints included an accident in July, in which a Prius crashed head on into another car at an intersection. Transport ministry official Masaya Ota said two people were slightly injured in the accident.

The ministry ordered Toyota, the world's No. 1 automaker, to investigate the complaints. The other 13 cases happened from December to January.

Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said the company has received reports about the Prius complaints in North America and in Japan and was now looking into the matter.