NHTSA Tracking Braking Loss on Prius Hybrids

The state is beyond broke and roads get worse each year. No option here. Perfectly paved surfaces can only be found in Fantasyland, Disneyland.

 

So, the breaks ARE as responsive
But, perception by some can be misleading, like a placebo effect

 

I find it laughable that you want me to post "proof" of a proprioceptive sensation. What exactly would you like me to post a video of?

Perhaps I could have been more clear on the second point - when I say that this is 100% reproducible, I mean that on a per-vehicle basis. I understand that not all vehicles experience this problem, but of those that do, it is easy to recreate by simply hitting the same pothole or rough surface. Additionally, as another poster pointed out, this failure could result in unintended travel of approximately 20 feet - I don't know how you couldn't consider that severe.

I'm not trying to be a troll, I'm just offering my honest opinion, and trying to back up the statements of those people who have experienced this problem and are being dismissed as "trolls" by people like you.

 

Then there are people who actually look up data and facts before letting their fingers run amok on the keyboard. Well done, TYVM

As other sites would have noted ...pwnd

 

Hi Folks,

I realize I'm joining this thread a bit late; I've read through about 23 pages and decided to turn to you for advice.

I was going to purchase a gen-III Prius a couple weeks ago, having decided it's my dream car

When I took one for a test drive, it so happens that I encountered the phenomenon described in this thread (momentary feeling of "floating forward" while braking in very low speed).

I did find the feeling alarming, and I do think it prolonged the stopping distance by couple of feet at least, relative to what I had expected.

I then searched the web and found all the info about the NHTSA complaints, this thread, etc.

I'm now at loss, don't know what to do. I really want a Prius, but I'd hate to buy a car with a (perceived?) safety issue, and I'm not sure about the meaning of the NHTSA thing - will there be an investigation? How long does it usually take before there are conclusions? And then, what are the consequences? loss of value? a recall? How much of this story is just PR? etc.

I realize this is not a very focused question but I wanted to share my feelings, and if anyone has any information, opinion, or advice for a prospective buyer in doubt, I'd appreciate if you share it.

Thanks!

-Meyer

 

After 23 pages and a test drive, you want more opinions? What nuggets of fact or opinion do you think you still lack to help you make a decision? At this point Master Yoda's advice should be followed: Buy, or do not buy, there is no vacillating.

Rumple

 

Can you be more precise about where this occurred? Road surface? Location?

The reason I ask is I have been trying for a month to replicate the complaints. I found one pot hole near the dog park were maybe there is a momentary release but it is over before I can tell anything has happened. My experiments have included:

• speeding at 'speed bumps' - maybe at 35-40 mph something happens but too brief to characterize
• rail road crossings - nothing in Huntsville
• snow and ice madness - we don't get much in Dixie but I tried my hardest and could not find any braking, steering or mashed accelerator problems

I've seen one photo of an area but still not had any luck finding a Huntsville equivalent and we even have those 'dip' style speed bumps. I'm not doubting the reports but stuck in that I can't replicate it.

Bob Wilson

 

I've had the effect happen once, right in front of my own house. However, I would not let it keep me from purchasing the car. I've had mine for four months now and I love it and the loss of brake pedal pressure sensation hasn't happened, that I'm aware of, since that first and only time. I do pay particular attention to avoid potholes and when I'm driving on rough road or across railroad tracks I try to re-create the effect but haven't been able to so far.

I'm rather surprised you managed to have it happen on a test drive. If I were the conspiracy type, I'd be suspicious that this was your first post here and it was on this thread. Fortunately, I'm not that type.

So if I were you, I'd still buy the car if it's (otherwise) the car of your dreams! If it turns out to be a real safety issue I'm confident that Toyota will remedy it.

 

First off, welcome to PriusChat. There is a lot of good information here.

However, I will repeat what others have said. Since this is your first post and your a making a claim of a phenomenon most of us has never expeienced, if you will not return and document your experience, it will tend to be dismissed.

 

The "phenomenon" only occurs at low level braking or gradual slow down(Via regenerative braking) so the extra couple of feet is not an issue. In a quick stop situation (friction braking), the Prius does as well as any car. Don't let a propaganda push scare you away from the car you want.

 

meyer,

Yet another person seeking advice on whether to buy the Prius..
Here's my opinion: Meyer - Don't buy the Prius. Find a car that nothing bad is written about it, and that's the car you should buy. Really.
Yikes!


Does the prius attract a lot of people that: (1) don't know anything about cars, OR, (2) are unnecessarily influenced by any and every thing they read on the internet...OR (3) simply have a hard time making a choice?

 

i still say the majority of Prius owners suffer from OCD. that being said, they also tend to make a mountain out of a molehill. the drive-by-wire systems of the Prius work as they were designed... there is no problem.

will you experience the same feeling of braking a car with a manual connection whether or not ABS is activated? no.

sometimes i get the feeling that all this worrying comes from people who have never driven a car with ABS in the winter time. abs in the winter time sucks. some cars i've owned actually disable ABS in wintery conditions.

that being said:
1. if you're shopping for a car and are worried about Prius brakes... move on, Toyota isn't going to change things anytime soon.

2. if you own a Prius and are that worried, sell the car... and buy something else.

3. if you own a Prius and aren't worried... just drive!

life is too short to worry about something you have no control over i.e. what Toyota will or won't do. so to paraphrase a previous poster, and yoda (techno-geek is another symptom of Prius owners): just buy it, just sell it, just drive it.

ok, i'm done venting

 

If you can wait a while, that's what I'd suggest you do. I think Toyota will eliminate this issue through a software update or by the 2011 model. Whether the issue is of actual safety or a public relations dilemma, the Prius is too important to Toyota for them to not address it.

The 2010, being the first year of a new generation, was bound to have some issues needing correcting. There may even be issues that have not become apparent yet, but of course, this assumption applies to all makes and models, especially 1st year models.

If you can't wait and you feel too apprehensive about the current state of the braking system, then you might want to follow the advice given by some members here and look over other cars. As long as your car meets

(1) your needs,
(2) your finances, and
(3) your desires (yes, that's put last on the list),

there's nothing wrong with buying a different car. Whatever you decide, I'd be interested in hearing which car you chose and what convinced you to get it.

 

Love it or Leave it? Whenever I hear that phrase I get defensive. I'm hearing a lot of that within this thread. I don't think it's fair. If someone is a non-owner, potential owner, or owner that has experienced this phenonema, telling them to love it or leave it, buy or don't buy, or show video proof is imo ridiculous.

I think this "feeling" has been reported enough that we can assume it's real. So immediately or convienently defining anyone who reports it as a troll, or unreasonable Prius critic and/or "unworthy of Prius ownership...just go buy something else..." is unfair.

Before you get the torches out for me...I'm NOT saying the braking problem/sensation IS something that will result in a recall or a tangible change. It very well might simply be a sensation that is within the normal parameters of the regenerative braking system under very specific circumstance.

A couple of days ago Doug Coleman said that 77% of the Prius sales were first time Hybrid purchasers, that lends credence to the idea that we might have a lot of new owners that are simply not used to the regenerative braking system of The Prius.

However as we as individuals investigate, as organizations like the NHTSA investigate, whatever our personal opinions and/or tangible scientific findings might be, or come to be, why the imo over zealousness on the part of some people? If a person is concerned either as a new owner who believes they have experienced the "sensation" or as a potential owner accusing them of being trolls and/or demanding video proof of something that is even as reported a random, sudden and usually intermittent action, that even if it happened I think would be incredibly hard for the average person on the street or in the car to get any video proof of anything happening is IMO unfair.

Defend The Prius! Fine...I understand this is Prius Chat...but NOT everyone with criticism of some aspect of The Prius has a sinister motive. Seems to me the best way to initiate improvement is to voice concerns.

I also realize that I myself am criticizing a vocal minority. Most people within this thread have been reasonable, and have offered well balanced insight and commentary and investigation.

However sometimes I feel **Fictionally** something could happen like Prius could start ejecting drivers through the roof and some of you would be in here going "Not a Problem! Move Along...Nothing to see Here....It's all part of the Hybrid Prius Experience...love it or leave it....What you don't like fresh air?"

By the way, it is my opinion that The Prius, if you make a generalization, does often, not exclusively, but often appeal to an analytical bunch. So especially if we are talking about 1st time owners, or people considering a Prius, I think you are going to find a higher degree of evaluation, desire for information and maybe even pre-purchase insecurity...I think it's better to start from a starting point that someone is asking a question, or even illuminating a concern/outright gripe..with a valid motive, whether we agree with it or not. Love it or Leave it, is not a good answer.

 

Driver ejection is a standard part of the Advanced Technology package. This is a feature, not a problem.

Tom

 

LOL. That sums it up.

 

I can see NHTSA investigating James Bond's car because of the complaints if it were available to the public.

 

TheElectricMe,

The issue is not whether first time hybrid/Prius owners (or prospective buyers) have questions - we do. The issue is that some people simply can't digest (or want to digest) what has been written, ad nauseam, or evaluate their own test drive expereinces on their own. They need assurances from the masses - Am I doing the right thing? Help me, I don't know what to buy? It's like some therapy group session for those who are paralized by indecision. Maybe what's needed is for some local Prius owner (in your area) to accompany you to the Toyota dealership...would that help if someone held your hand during the process?

All the data that is needed, to make an informed decision, is already out there by way of this forum and endless car magazine reviews. Now, if that's not enough, take the car out for a test drive, again, and again. Until you are satisfied that you are make the right decision to buy - or not. It's NOT the end of the world, and chances are, if you buy and it turns out you don't like the car...sell it. The re-sale value is quite good for these cars.

To the point of this thread - I have zero, nada, no issues with the brakes on the G3 Prius, A bit touchy/grabby, but after I learned to adjust to a different feel from what I was use to, they are fine. From what I have read, there are something like 33 formal complaints filed...out of about 100,000 new G3 owners. Does not mean there isn't a problem, it just means that either the problem is not widespread, or what some people experience and label as a problem, is not a problem to others. To those prospective buyers who have expereinced it, and find it to be an issue, then I would strongly suggest they not buy the car...and move on to something more their liking. How 'bout a Ford Fusion hybrid? I hear they could use the business.

 

Thanks for the comments and insights, some of which I did find helpful.

It appears that the topic of this thread is somewhat sensitive here. My initial post was worded quite carefully, but if I still caused you any inconvenience, I apologize.

- Meyer

 

@codybigdog
As you, I have NO issues with the brakes on my Prius 3 Luna and as many Europeans I like to discover that car what often imposes a modification of our behavior (of conductor).
Many EU people are in love with their Prius (2 or 3).