Early 2010 Prius Brake Recall-real

I watched a segment on the Today Show around 7:10am EST and was waiting for the word RECALL, but never heard any official words from Toyota, only questions whether there would be one.

 

Press release from UK Toyota says software change addresses ABS problem but no recall for UK and Europe

TOYOTA STATEMENT ON PRIUS BRAKING ISSUE

 

I saw the 7:10 segment and also the guy from Consumer Reports who was on a bit later. The CR guy was very fair to Toyota, pointing out that there was a small number of complaints (and no injuries), and he thought that it was more of a perception than safety problem (as has been debated ad nauseum here). He also said he would continue to drive Toyotas and that CR would re-recommend Toyotas after the whole thing passes over.

 

Here's the article on MSNBC:

Toyota cites design flaw with Prius brakes - Autos- msnbc.com

--DotComCTO

 

CNN reports that Toyota has not issued a recall.

Toyota: Software to blame for Prius brake problems - CNN.com

 

Sounds like they misspoke or you misheard. Maybe there should be a recall, but I would be surprised if a recall can be set up so quickly as to be announced today.

 

If it is a software issue, why not tell customers that they will correct it at their next scheduled maintenance?

 

Slow down guys.

This is the downside to "breaking news" and "up to the minute". Takes the information chain a few to get everyone caught up.

Let's give it a day rather than going back and forth all day.

 

Maybe that is good enough, but they need to say something about it soon. The gas pedal issue causing deaths on the other Toyota models is going to keep them busy, so there may be some delay before they can focus more attention on the brake issue since people aren't dying over this problem.

 

Or just post a hex file and some instructions.

Tom

 

CNN just reported that the US HTSA is investigating the 2010 Prius brake issues.

 

I hope the recall will also be in the UK - currently, they seem to be denying all knowledge here.

 

They probably have to field test any reprogramming. The last thing they want to do is for the reprogramming to fail. Imagine headlines, I took the car to be reprogrammed and not it is now a brick. You cannot underestimate the number of things that can go wrong - the car could be running when reprogrammed, the computer may run out of battery, the cable can be misplugged and fry the memory, what if the tech hit the wrong button, is your car bricked. What is someone pressed the remote?

What if the car is reprogrammed but it don't test out? Do you let the customer leave - could be dangerous.

What if some guy comes in with 20 inch rims, will the program work? Should you refuse? Is reprogramming an admission by Toyota that the modification is OK?

What if someone have a heavily modified aftermarket plug in? Do you refuse?

When you reprogram a phone, the worse that can happen is the phone is dead. If you mess up a car, somebody could be dead.

So even if they have a program, it will take some time to establish all the criterias.

 

This sucks. I hope they issue a fix quickly.

 

So what's the recall protocol? Mine is definitely an early 2010 Prius and I believe I have felt the problem. Am I going to get something in the mail, or do I just call and make an appointment?

 

I suppose you could wait for a letter from Toyota, but I decided not to. After reading the Toyota press release announcing the recall, I logged into my Toyota Owners Online account, where the recall was listed. I took the car in last week and got the ABS ECU reflashed.