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Class Action Lawsuit for 2010 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by PriusPhile, Feb 4, 2010.

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  1. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I don't think anyone, Toyota included, knew about these issues as they rolled off the assembly line back last April/May of 2009. Where a breakdown might have occurred, however is getting the individual dealer reports to filter back upstream.

    The BEST way to reproduce a problem is find a way to do so reliably, THEN take the tech alongside. Simply dropping the car off with a vague description and no reliable means of reproduction isn't going to do either party any good.

    Any time you buy a first year model, you're somewhat of a tester. Us early adopters (especially those who bought the Gen I or first year Gen II) have experienced this as well. In my opinion, that's what warranties are for. Mind you - a serious safety problem should be treated slightly different, but I don't agree that this braking issue is a serious safety issue because of the circumstances in which it occurs.

    If you want a trouble-free car WITHOUT bugs or teething problems, buy the second model year. Just like in the software world, no amount of beta testing can reproduce every single real-world scenario. This is applicable for any brand, make, or model. Some are more pronounced than others, but I can't name off the top of my head a car that carried over from first to second model-year without any "revisions" to fix minor to moderate problems.


    Some examples of bugs that I've had to resolve as an early adopter:

    * 1993 Probe (first of the Gen II, bought used) - bad hydraulic lifters that collapsed in traffic (out of warranty, never resolved) - fixed in the 1994 model year
    * 2002 Prius - faulty steering rack that jittered against the driver (mine was replaced twice, the second time finally w/ a revised part) - it was a PITA getting this to reproduce for the dealer, but once it was, they took it quite seriously. One or other two service campaigns surrounding battery.
    * 2004 Prius - melting tail lights - couldn't see the brake elements over time due to heat - Toyota replaced w/ revised parts that didn't melt. Brake switch malfunction that caused cruise control to disable. Several other service campaigns. Icky traction control and yes, it too "suffers" from the braking problem, though not a severely.
    * 2010 Prius - poor cargo-net installation process pulling panels apart - they've since revised the process. Now we have a braking concern as well.

    In none of the cases would I sue - in every Toyota case, the mfg has made it right, either through replacement (even at the edge of my warranty, or in some cases out of warranty due to SSC). Unless it posed a life-safety risk to me due to a manufacturer defect, I wouldn't even consider legal action. And - my legal action would be asking to get the car fixed, not for any frivolous compensation.
     
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  2. PriusPhile

    PriusPhile New Member

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    Like I said, have we heard ANYTHING from Toyota about this problem and it's fix? Nope. Just chatter on PriusChat and internet rumors. Toyota knows that Prius owners are a loyal lot. Suffer well, fellow 3Gers.

     
  3. bottomfeeder

    bottomfeeder New Member

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    We all knew Toyota was a very large company--with large beaurocracy--when we bought the cars. We can't expect them to be very nimble especially with a problem of the magnitude of this size. That's life in the huge multinational lane.

    They have to ensure that they have a good solution, not one that will make it worse. One that will not bankrupt them fixing it or defending it. It doesn't happen overnight.

    Like it or not, a little patience and trust is in order. If you can't do that, there is always the $1000 conquest incentive down the street.

    Pissing and moaning about it here is not going to make them move any faster than they are at the moment. You might be better served by going out to a lumpy parking lot and practicing how to deal with it--like learning how to drive in the snow.

    Personally, I alway just try to coast to stop.:D
     
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  4. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    for the OP


    sell your prius


    buy a Chrysler minivan



    drive for 12,100 miles


    hear break squeal


    find out pads are gone



    ask Chrysler to fix under warranty



    hear large amounts of laughter

    or


    knock knock

    who's there?

    Subarus 2009 turbo engine

    knock knock knock knock CLUNK CLUNK SPUTTER SPUTTER ..CCCRRUUUNNNCHHHH

    or


    Do you want to go on a Honda Odyssey?








    good, look all over the road for transmission parts
     
  5. Mickey9201

    Mickey9201 Junior Member

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    Compensated? You can use a rental while being fixed. If that was the case there Phile not one manufacturer would be in business today. That's not just guy. You're basically wanting something for nothing. They may give you a couple of oil changes or detailing the car but your tone dosen't sound like that is what you want.
     
  6. Mickey9201

    Mickey9201 Junior Member

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    What's bad there Kieth is that Ford Hybrids are having the same brake issue and you don't see it in the news. The Milan and Fusion brakes are having similar issues.
     
  7. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    Is this car the first Toyota Prius you have owned?

    How long have you had it and how many miles does it have?
     
  8. Mickey9201

    Mickey9201 Junior Member

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    Ford's Escape has the same just google it. Phile anything made by man will break period. It's how the dealership takes care of it's customers. I had my Chevy and Fords. Every new vehicle I ever owned back to 92 GMC had recalls and TSB's. If you don't have customer support then I can agree with you about being totally bummed but you have to give the customer support a chance to help you. Has Obama and any other President tell you everything? All manufacturer's go through this. Toyota isn't the only one.
    New Hybrid Braking Issue: First Prius, Now Ford Fusion Hybrid - Green Car Reports
     
  9. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    So is driving in ice and snow!
     
  10. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    Whenever you buy a new model car in its introductory year, you become by definition a "test driver" as you put it. Try and exercise some patience for Toyota to fix you perceived "problem".

    With the massive media frenzy occupying Toyota and its dealers 24/7 on its other products, I can just imagine the frenzy occurring there. It reminds me of the difficulties Boeing experienced back in the mid-70s. I quote:

    "The objective of all dedicated employees should be to thoroughly analyze all situations, to anticipate all problems prior to their occurrences, and to move swiftly to solve them when they do occur .... however, when you are up to your nice person in alligators it is difficult to remind yourself that your initial objective was to drain the swamp"!
     
  11. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    Ron as an engineer you should know that a mis design in a safety system can multiply the chances of accidents.

    For those that point to other recalls - I don't quite get it. You are saying that we should not expect toyota to fix their mistake, because others have made the same mistake?

    If you remember there was a huge media frenzy on the explorer. Ford deserved it. Toyota is acting the same way on the unintended acceleration problem as ford did.

    Those that seem to believe that since multiple players have a defect it should not be fixed I ask you this. If you see two neighbors driving drunk every day, but you like one and not the other, would you stand quiet when the neighbor you like, covered up hitting your mailbox?

    My father, my brother, and I all have toyotas. Both my brother and I bought hybrids as a vote for toyota to continue its r&d. The chairmans apology today fell short of my expectations. If there is not a swift change I doubt anyone in my family will buy a toyota again. Toyota definitely knew about the problem when I took delivery at the end of november, and if I had known about their handling of the unintended accelleration I surely would not have bought my prius. Before you tell me to sell it, remember that that will constitute a large financial loss, and the money can not be taken back from toyota. IF toyota would buy my car back I would definitely do it.
     
  12. Daveymo

    Daveymo New Member

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    what evidence do you have that the updates are on their way ?
     
  13. Malarkey

    Malarkey New Member

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    I'm in exactly the same boat. Love the car, but holy crap I am amazed at: 1. Toyota's behavior and 2. That some people on this forum are like Mac/PC Fanboi's in defending them.

    I've been a member here for years and a die-hard prius evangelist and fan. I'm heartened by the rational people who recognize that what happened here was wrong and maybe even illegal. If Chevy behaved this way on the Malibu I bet a lot of you would be singing a different tune.

    Really am sad to see people I respected taking the stance some of you are.

    The problem is real, not imagined. Loss of value to the car is real, not imagined. Is a lawsuit the best answer? I hope not. I'm waiting to see what Toyota does.
     
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  14. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    We've had Prius updates in the past. They were no big deal. Values did not go down. In fact, it actually went up. Study the history of Prius. It's an interesting story.
    .
     
  15. Randall Rash

    Randall Rash Member

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    You got dat right. I know mine won't be worth anything because I'm keeping this puppy until it won't run anymore. I love it and now have an excuse not to drive coworkers to lunch (for their own safety (ha ha).
     
  16. Randall Rash

    Randall Rash Member

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    And after the break thing is fixed, won't it again be the BEST?
     
  17. Randall Rash

    Randall Rash Member

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    I have experienced it 3 times since my July 21 pick up day. I won't be the first in line when recall notices come out. I will just get it fixed at my next oil change. I agree it's not THAT big of a deal.
     
  18. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I have. Here are the four most recent emails:
    ==========
    Update on Current Toyota Situation
    2/4/2010 12:00 PM

    Dear xxxx
    ...
    As you may be aware, Toyota has been in the news recently regarding a recall of some of its models. We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with the latest information on this recall situation. Please see the attached information below. (This information can also be found at Toyota Recall Information - 2009-2010 Toyota Recall List)
    Recently, Toyota announced two safety recalls that cover some of its models. Both recall campaigns address conditions related to the accelerator pedal. The first recall, "Floor Mat Entrapment," regards the potential for an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal and cause it to get stuck in the wide-open position.
    The second recall, "Pedal," is being conducted because there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.
    As part of the recall campaign, new car sales of vehicles subject to the pedal recall have been temporarily suspended until the problem is remedied.
    In addition, we've temporarily halted production at some of our North American plants to focus our resources on remedying the vehicles we've recalled. Why have we taken this unprecedented action? Because it's the right thing to do for our owners.
    Is your Toyota subject to one or both of the recalls? Please visit www.Toyota.com/recall to learn whether either or both of these recalls apply to your Toyota vehicle and what you should expect regarding the recall remedies.
    If you have additional questions or concerns that have not been addressed here, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. The Toyota Customer Experience Center hours are: Mon.–Fri. 5:00 am-6:00 pm PST, Sat. 7:00 am-4:00 pm PST. Any future updates can be found at Toyota Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Accessories .

    Synovate, Inc. | 222 S. Riverside Plaza | Suite 350 | Chicago, IL 60614
    ...

    ==============
    Email News Alert from Toyota
    2/4/2010 11:30 AM

    Hello xxxx,

    Thank you for your interest in news from Toyota. Click below to see the latest updates:

    2/4/2010 11:18:07 AM
    Updated Statement From Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue
    Toyota Vehicles : Updated Statement From Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue / Toyota


    ________________________________________________________________________________

    Click below to unsubscribe from Toyota email alerts:
    ===========
    2/4/2010 9:20 AM

    Hello xxxx,

    Thank you for your interest in news from Toyota. Click below to see the latest updates:

    2/4/2010 9:09:07 AM

    Statement From Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue
    Toyota Vehicles : Statement From Toyota Regarding Prius Brake Issue / Toyota

    ==============
    2/3/2010 5:50 PM

    Hello xxxx,

    Thank you for your interest in news from Toyota. Click below to see the latest updates:

    2/3/2010 5:20:26 PM
    Customer FAQs Regarding the Sticking Accelerator Pedal and Floor Mat Pedal Entrapment Recalls
    Newsroom : Customer FAQs Regarding the Sticking Accelerator Pedal and Floor Mat Pedal Entrapment Recalls / Toyota
     
  19. Randall Rash

    Randall Rash Member

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    But surely you can understand a certain amount of time between a reported problem----a known problem----discovering cause of problem-----develop a solution. If TOYOTA discloses the "known problem" at that stage, they have people on them like sharks on chum before they have a chance to fix the problem. I think that's where we are now. TOYOTA is not delaying (or hiding anything), they are developing the best solution. I would rather have a fix that DOES work next week, rather than a fix that they just SAY works today.
     
  20. PriusChuck

    PriusChuck New Member

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    Having news outlets stuffing everyone with sky's falling Toyota stories are just making people react. It's insane.

    I used to own a Volvo S80 which I routinely got software updates to fix various drive train problems including one where the engine would not rev on gas pedal. You can imagine this one could have been a disaster if the car wouldn't move suddenly in a middle of a busy intersection. Volvo didn't recall their damn cars. They quietly fixed them as customers complained.

    Why is Toyota under such scrutiny? Because of politics. Government Motors wants to bring down the big competitor looking for every little crack they can find. It's dirty and crooked.

    My 2010 Prius is the first Toyota I have owned. I think it's a great car. I notice the brake problem shortly after I bought the car. I figured I would have the dealer fix it on my first oil change. I didn't think people would make such a big deal out of it.

    Shame on all of us for being so petty and using the opportunity to get rich(or get the lawyers richer).
     
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