Brake fix didn't work!!!!

I am not defending Toyota.

But what do you expect the dealer to do? They will look at the car and make sure it is up to spec. That's it. If the Toyota fix does not work, as you alleged, then only Toyota can fix it.

 

How did you expect him to react? From your tone here I can tell you I would have been hard pressed to be nice to you during that phone call.

"Tom" is an employee who's employer is dealing with a huge recall. He's been under tremendous stress I'm sure.

Cut the guy some slack.

 

Toyota is loosing it.

That said, i looked at your prior posts, and IMO, what you have experienced in (prior) posts has nothing to do with the Prius brakes.

You wrote in another thread:

"The first time it was pretty minor like the car had slipped a bit on the roadway so I didn't think anything of it. Earlier this evening it happened again. This time is was much bigger as if someone had hit the car from behind. It was big enough to slam my head back into the headrest. There was no one around me so I definitely didn't get hit from behind."


This does NOT sound like any Prius braking phenomena that I have experienced, or read about. To "slam your head back into the headrest", takes some major acceleration (ie force). Maybe you have a different problem?

While a week ago I might have defended Toyota, I'm now critical of this company. I'm not yet in a position to sell mine...but the first good opportunity, I will unload this junk. There's nothing impressive about toyota, and people need to realize this. They may not be any worse than (name the company)...but I have now come to realize, they're really not any better, either.

No longer drinking the coole-aide.

 

hockeydad, perhaps the Prius is not for you. Perhaps it's best for you to get rid of it. I on the otherhand have no issues with mine, or with Toyota in general.

Mitch

 

Within about an hours driving after I had the recall done, I finally found a place to test it. Coming down a hill in the rain was a manhole cover just before a light I had to stop at. I rode the brakes fairly hard over it and the car did indeed have a reduced "slowing" as that wheel lost traction on that side. It felt exactly like any normal car would have that momentarily looses traction at one wheel. I wonder, do people expect the car to maintain its rate of deceleration even while it encounters something slipery?

Note; my comments are meant to be generalized and are not directed at the OP.

 

Contact the number in your owner's manual when there is a safety related complaint. It should be the NHTSA. If the fix did not work for you, and Toyota cannot remedy it, take it to the next level.

 

I'm from and L.A. and I'm not going to name dealerships, but, for the amount of Prius we have on the road here, it is really really shocking how little the service managers at the dealership really know.

My service manager actually asked me "what is synthetic oil?", and it had also taken them about a hour to figure out how turn off the backup beep.

If anyone knows a competent and professional dealer in the Los Angeles area, please let me know. Thank you.

 

I have no brand loyalty, my loyalty is with the manufacturer that sells me a product that gives me durability and reliability. I've owned many differant cars from many differant manufacturers at the age of 50. I owned my 05 Prius for 89k miles. The only thing I ever had to do is put on struts and tires, and oil changes. I never even had to change the brake pads yet. I have a Ford truck that cost twice as much as my prius. At 50k I have leaky seals, have had to replace all the brakes. My wife has a chrylser which already has had problems with brakes needing replaced at 33k. I now own the 2010 Prius, and I've experienced the brake issue. Although not a great feeling for a split second, I just don't see how it will be a significant issue. I can't imagine that it will ever cause an accident with my driving habits. So, if I weigh repair troubles I've had with other vehicles compared to the Toyota's I've owned.. I'm still sticking with the Toyota. I'm not happy with what is going on, but it still will be my manufacturer of choice, because the alternative just doesn't sound appealing enough yet.

 

I asked earlier whether they're going to eliminate it completely or simply reduce it to Gen II braking characteristics, which aren't as severe as found in the Gen III. The latter could be what's happening here so don't be alarmed if this is the case.

Remember the Gen II isn't recalled so it'd make sense if it's just reduced to the Gen II's level.

 

What is the street address or Goggle location?

B0b Wilson

 

Fullogas,

Go online and check your vehicle's service record. The dealer should provide details to what's done on all your services and you can confirm online whether you're brake ECU was updated.

You need to create your online account for yourself if you haven't already done so:
http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/

 

These?
Landfair,UCLA, CA - Google Maps

Bob Wilson

 

It's pointless to make any noise if it's simply reverted back to Gen II's behavior as the Gen II isn't recalled at all.

For those who don't realize it, the Gen II also exhibits the perceived temporary loss of braking power when braking over potholes (to a lesser degree than the Gen III) and this has been happening since 2004.

 

I don't think I am going to have mine done. I'll leave an open recall on it. I like it the way it is (no problems).

 

Pure speculation right now unless Toyota says something. We, as customers really shouldn't have to wonder or even ask these questions.

Side note...Is there a reason why the Prius ABS is so overly aggressive? My last car was a ford, owned for 10 years.. 150,000 miles, and I only activated ABS maybe three or four times tops the entire time.