Toyota May Recall 2010 Prius

this isn't about whether you or I have encountered the problem, it is about whether it has been encountered at all by anyone and if it has, is it possible software problem

Believe me I know that Woz is a complete fool, and I know how cruise control works. I understand the breaking thing and am not fearful about it. My issue is the possible software problem and WOT. If there is no such problem, I feel a lot better. I am just very concerned. I thought I read about it online -- hence my post. I'm going back to look again.

 

Hmm I wonder if this is what has been causing my horrible brake noise on my 2010 that Toyota REFUSED to fix! I for one miss my 06 Prius more and more and would be thrilled to trade my 2010 for a different car altogether. Sighhhhh!

 

Even if it only takes a second for the brakes to grab, at 60 mph, that is another 90 feet. What if a child runs out into the street? Or if a mother loses control of the jogging stroller (like just happened in a town south of here in Oregon)

It's not just about being a conscientious driver, it's also about the vehicle responding to the driver's action.

 

Jay Leno said his 2010 Prius accelerated unexpectedly after applying the brakes the other day. He said his Prius got all the way up to 35mph before it stopped.

 

Be careful, someone might take you seriously!!!

 

Why is a child playing/mother jogging on a street where cars are going 60MPH? I believe "a second" was used loosely referring to a fraction thereof.

 

You obviously haven't lived in a Los Angeles suburb. ...

 

Nikkei News is reporting that the 2010 Prius will indeed be recalled in US & Japan.

Does anyone know how difficult or long it will take to do the software upgrade on the braking ECU?

 

I have experienced this four times. I placed my 2010 Prius in my "test chamber (test being a large garage/warehouse wind-tunnel in my backyard)".

From many previous experiments (showing mudflaps actually *increase* mileage among others), I mounted the Prius from its previously installed eye hook centrally mounted within the ceiling supports. This allows tension measurements (along with vertically mounted tension measures).

We decided wind speeds at this point would be meaningless, so that was not used in our backyard chamber.

We noted that when continuously braking from 30 to 10, and with an induced "ice hole (meaning a 3 cm deep x 36 cm wide hole placed in front of the right front tire)", we saw a repeated acceleration in braking.

The theory here is that when the sensation occurs, you actually stop 3.14% quicker.

This mostly disproves some theories running around, but clearly shows we should not be so alarmed.

 

You were right a1a1a1!

Thanks rrolff, we needed that! lol

 

There is a video or documentary somewhere showing wave dynamics of traffic and if everyone kept car lengths between vehicles, traffic would flow smoother. Fat chance changing human nature though.

:focus:
I just read that the Ford Fusion and Milan hybrids are having similar issue:
Ford Motor Co. says it will fix 17,600 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion gas-electric hybrids that can give drivers the impression the brakes have failed. The automaker says the problem occurs in transition between two braking systems and at no time are drivers without brakes.

Ford decided to fix the 2010 model cars after a test driver for Consumer Reports magazine experienced the problem as he was testing a Fusion Hybrid.

I've only experienced the brake loss thing a couple times. It was only for a fraction of a second. I am bothered by Toyota's response over the last few months. They rolled out a fix while denying/investigating a problem. GRRR. Even if they don't issue a recall they should offer a free fix whenever a vehicle is brought in for service.

 

At first, I thought that all these bad press around Toyota is a little bit unfair. I would be surprised if other manufacturers do not have similar issues.

And for the record, I have experienced this sudden loss of braking one time during my last 6000 miles of owning a 2010 Prius. It scared the daylight out of me. I was on an on-ramp to the highway going about 15mph. I braked for the on-ramp traffic light and I felt that I had no brake for about 1-2 seconds. The road was dry and smooth (newly paved), but it was on a curve. I told my dealer about this and they just said it's "normal" and that I have to "LEARN" to get used to the regenerative brakes.

I thought that was a bunch of BS but I couldn't reproduce the problem, so I thought may be they are right.

And then reading the news, it is apparent now that not only Toyota knew about the problem, that they had fixed the problem in the new cars and YET DECIDED TO KEEP THIS IN THE DARK from current owners.

Now THAT has completely blown all the trust I have in this brand. I hope the recall includes buying back my car. I will be glad to give it back.

 

I am disappointed that Toyota not only knew this but had it fixed since last week yet still let dealers say "nothing wrong or it is normal" to the current owner. If Toyota can pinpoint the problem and find the solution and have it fixed, I believe Toyota recognized the problem from several months ago. I had experienced it numerous times in seven months on uneven road and had learned where to slow down and try not to brake at certain locations to prevent the brake issue. Dealer keeps saying "this is not an issue" but Toyota quietly fixed it let me feel very uncomfortable.

 

I bought mine on Jan 16, 2010 ... My Prius was manufactured on Nov/2009. I guess I'm not the one have the fixed software one. Nevertheless, I believe in Toyota will do it right. Seems like Ford knew they had the similar problems as well. They also kept everyone in dark ... but the media wanna only continue to drag Toyota down to the bottom ....

 

I'm a salesman and can tell you that i get my data about this stuff from the same sources as all of you owners.
Toyota doesn't give us direction until they've made an official decision or stand. We get it when it goes public.

At our dealership and the vast majority of dealerships, you guys matter more than anything. Recalls and TSBs and customer complaints about a car are all serious. Your feeling about the brand that I sell is my lively-hood.

Reading the bad things that are posted here, the suggestions that Toyota is some evil company and is trying to cover things up matters to me and the entire dealership.
We want a quick answer and a correct response from Toyota to address you problems.
We as dealership employees want to implement the fix quickly and perfectly.

We do it as thanks for doing business with us.

 

I love my Prius. I have gotten use to the extra braking and have learned to let up as I come to a stop, back to the drivers ed days. I have no doubt that Toyota will back it's product. I'm a Toyota believer since 1996 when I bought my brand new Camry, then a 2001 4 Runner and now 2010 Prius.:cheer2: