POLL: Did the ECU Update Recall work for you?

Glad you got your baby back and in good health.

 

Glad you got it back and everything is fixed.

 

Sorry I haven't tuned in for a while and missed the poll. I had the problem, got the fix and notice no improvement.

 

Bummer. Is there a place where you can get it to happen nearly all the time? If so, drag a Toy Tech with you and demonstrate.

 

Expereinced the braking problem once before the update...got it...experienced the exact same probalem at the exact same location last week. Didn't solve anything.

 

I had the car for the recall last month and after the remapping I noticed that the brake action is more gentle and adaptable than before.

However in the past I didn't note any braking failure.

BUT I also noted that gas consumption has increased (approximately 15%).

In particular, in certain situations, ICE starts for no apparent reason ( battery is almost charged or 3/4 , and \or the speed is constant).

The more, I didn't noticed it before, looking at the monitor displaying the car + the ICE+electric engine + battery, while I can see no arrows between the ICE and the other devices, at the same time, on the other display of the instant fuel consumption I can see 3-4 bars for 5\10 seconds.

Bye:rapture:

 

Expereinced the braking problem all the time in the exact same places before the update. After the update I still experienced the exact same problem at the exact same locations. Didn't solve anything. Service manager says its normal for the brakes to react the way I described, that the fronts brake independently from the rears. Thats why I feel a surge when braking over large expansion joints in asphalt or over slick sewercaps..

 

Off topic. Removed by OP.

 

I had the update done shortly after it was first announced. Prior to the update, it was apparent when I was lightly braking and driving over a rough surface.
After the update--same thing happens (As much or as more--can't really tell if it's significantly different, but it still happens).
When I went in for my 10k service last week, mentioned to the apppointment person to have them ck to see if everything was OK. When I went in for service--they had no record of that part of the conversation. So, I mentioned it to the service advisor. WHen I came in to collect the car--once again, no record of checking it out or if everything was OK in that regard. As I was in a hurry, and assumed that they would have done what I had asked for 2x previously--I had to leave.
Dissapointed in that it seem that nobody wants to address something that they probably don't have the tools to fix.

 

Toyota Help

• 800-331-4331 - give them a call on Monday

Address a letter with your comments to:
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
19001 South Western Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
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Then let us know what happens.

Bob Wilson

 

Same here. I've had the fix for months. I experienced no improvement with the update.

That said, CalTrans finally fixed the on ramp pothole I would pass over daily as my "test" spot. So, I guess for this problem I can rely more on the Government than Toyota in "fixing" it!

That all said, despite my "aux" button going out twice and my 'tracer' display going out once, I love my Prius.

 

For the first time since the firmware update in February 2010, I think I (again) experienced the "agressive 'creep' just after initial startup".

Not positive, but at least it was something similar to that old, well-described "problem".

 

The fix is working in low speeds but if you are going more than 40Km/h it is like the old time.

 

I reported my braking problem on the 2010 forum back in August, 2009. My first experience occurred in late June, 2009, shortly after I took delivery. My car has been to the dealer twice for the updated software fix - the first update resolved the problem for approximately two weeks, the problem was resolved for about 45 minutes after its second trip to the dealer. My car has 5.5K miles on the odometer - I considered trading it on another hybrid until I found out that the trade-in value was $13K less than I paid. I am extremely disappointed with my purchase.

 

Sorry to hear that you are so disappointed with your Prius.

 

I purchased my Prius (2010) two days ago, and so far, no problems. Is this an issue I need to concern myself with, or has this been taken care of on the most recent cars? (I put 169,000 miles on my 2004 Prius with almost no problems. I bought a 100,000 mile Platinum warranty and never used it.)

 

This post suggests that the software fix somehow dissipates over time. It doesn't. The first fix and the second fix would have been the same, and both would have worked until the poster experienced the exact set of driving conditions to set off the problem. In the second case he was unlucky enough to experience the problem 45 minutes after getting his Prius back from the dealer. That doesn't mean the fix failed after 45 minutes. It means that he experienced the problem again after 45 minutes. Given better roads he may have gone six months before the fix "failed".

At issue is the nature of this problem. The problem relates to a short reducing in braking effort. While not actually dangerous, the reduction in braking effort produces a sensation that some drivers find alarming, often referred to with terms such as "accelerated" or "lurched forward".

The software fix, as it were, does not actually fix anything, but changes the timing and application of the friction brakes. In most cases this fix reduces the length and severity of the reduction in braking, making the sensation less apparent and less scary. It does not alter or improve the ultimate braking characteristics of the Prius, which remain unaffected by this problem.

The poster's displeasure demonstrates a frustrating part of this sort of problem. Nothing is broken, so there is nothing to fix. The core issue is one of physics, relating to regenerative braking, ABS, and the transition from one to the other. Some percentage of owners and potential owners will remain unsettled over this aspect of hybrid braking. Sadly, there is not much Toyota can do about that other than to offer conventional cars to these buyers.

Tom

 

all the update did for me was tighten it up a bit where it slips less.. but it still slips.

I estimate if they could make a change that much again I would be in good shape.

Seems there is a balance between allowing the tire to skid verses letting it roll.

I don't think they have achieved the perfect balance yet.. I still feel a "let go" when I encounter bumps or ripples on the pavement will decelerating with the brake..

 

Thanks for the last two posts. I experience it the same way. That said, my 2004 never seemed to have this problem, or if it did, it was not as apparent. I am used to it by now, so it does not bother me too much.

 

It is hard to draw hard conclusions from the numbers but the counts suggest a range:

• 15/160 ~= 10% - still perceive a problem
• 15/(24+17) ~=36% - still perceive a problem (depends on base)

Probably a little more work on the regenerative brake, traction control, and transition behavior makes sense. Personally, I don't see it as a big problem but solving this would probably payoff in the future and become a 'trade secret.'

Polls have a finite life and once voted, folks can't go back and update a vote. It may make sense to re-run the poll in February 2011 for a month and see how folks view it then. I suspect we'll be closer to 10% but that is why we run polls . . . to find out.

Bob Wilson