Only? So 27 dead people are Okay with you? 54 if you add the faulty transmission people. LOL! Listen the auto industry MUST strive for perfection. They won't reach it but that is the goal inwhich they should try to manufacture. Because one failure is one failure too many. Yes, I think MUCH has been blown out of proportion BUT again Toyota had no choice but to fix their pedals. It's unfortunate for Toyota but the reality is they needed to execute the recall. The Pinto issue did result in standards for safety across the industry being re-evaluated and increased. Which ultimately was a good thing for everyone. Even Toyota is admitting this is a wake-up call of sorts for them. If things get improved? Then great. In a way this is just evolution. It's how evaluatory standards get improved and then hopefully end product. It's not unique to Toyota, it's how the industry works. Most of my childhood I rode in a 67 Mustang. Loved that car. For the standards of it's time it was considered "safe". The standards of today would define it as a laughable death trap. As much as I loved that automobile and would even own one today if it made sense, I'm glad that things have improved. I'm glad for safety glass, unibody construction, airbags and shoulder strap seatbelts all things that did not exist in a 67 Mustang. If future versions of The Prius or all Toyota's have an improved brake system including new override features...then this painful episode for Toyota will have resulted in evolution and better products for all consumers. I for one do not want to go back to The Ford Pinto.
Ford never learned from the pinto gas tank expolsions. the latest crown vic has the same problem. a few police officers were killed when there cruisers were rear-ended and the gas tanks exploded. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/crown_victoria_police_cars_sti.html http://www.alertinternational.com/Misc/Ford_page.htm
If Toyota recalls the 2010 model Prius and ignores the same problems with all the gen IIs then I consider that an insult to all gen II owners, even though I do not consider the brake sensation dangerous. It is Toyota's disingenuity that bothers me.
If GenII owners are experiencing the same problem and my car just happens to be flawless then I agree. They should all be fixed.
We agree then. Check out some threads right here - many gen II owners experience the braking sensation. And I'm sure Toyota is aware of this. But all the media only refers to a problem with the 2010 model.
I only have 96,000 miles on my 2G Prius...and have never had a problem with this like described with the 3G. While there is a regen cut out it's a very smooth and almost unnoticeable transition. Those who moved from 2G to 3G describe the issue in the 3G as more pronounced/noticable....though not less safe.
If it's any consolation every news report I've seen now that talks about the 2010 issue shows stock footage of 2009 and older models!!!! I HATE that kind of sloppy news coverage! One news report I saw even had the reporter drive around with the driver in a GenII~!!!!!
The media we deserve No worries. Wait until 60 minutes does an "expose" on Toyota and uses nothing but Corollas in the video.
And that what's puzzling me. I feel the opposite. I know that split second loss of braking (for the lack of a better term) in the '05 going over manhole covers or railway tracks but I haven't felt anything like this on the 2010. I know it exists in the '05 and frankly I never thought it was a safety issue. What's wrong with pressing harder on the brake? 10-20ft extra? more like 1-2ft if you ask me since railway tracks are usually on surface streets and you're not going that fast anyway. If you had to brake because of a car in front of you, you would've been going slow anyway.
I just had a thought, don't have many of them anymore, but Toyota and Toyoda aren't suffering from hubris, more likely a lack of experience dealing with this bullsh1t storm. The dummies should have hired some of the boys over at Gumment motors and Ford. They have plenty of experience dealing with recalls and NHTSA inquiries. probably could have swept the whole thing under the rug by now.
Generally, I try to avoid braking when going over railroad tracks at slow speed. If I am forced to because of slowing cars ahead of me, that means I am probably following too close and am likely to get left on the damn tracks anyway! Not exactly the preferred outcome!
