Toyota Acknowledges Design Problems In 2010 Prius Brakes, Modified Models Built After January

It isn't a big deal as long unless you are doing an emergency stop and the extra stopping distance makes the difference between having an accident. Even an extra 10 feet could make the difference.
According to CNN, at highway speeds, it could add 90 feet, so even at much slower city speeds it could be a problem in an emergency stop. The brake delay could either cause an accident or make an accident that was unavoidable even if the brakes worked perfectly worse because the car didn't slow down as much as it should have at the point of impact.
Just because 99% of the time a few extra feet of stopping distance won't make a difference in your daily commute, doesn't make this problem a non-issue that should be just ignored.

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

 

Re: The Woz Knows What He's Talking About- Toyota Admits Software To Blame For Prius Problems

Reading comprehension issues here. Wozniak is still a dope because he didn't RTFM. Did many in your clan get past 6th Grade?

 

I think an SSC will be issued for the brake ECU program update.

Ken@Japan

 

...did someone just say "Swine Flu"? :flypig:

 

I see this in a different way:

After the series of evens happen over the last 2 months:

1. Fixing the lose carpet problem with zip tie?
2. Keep public in the dark of the problem on the gas paddle for a week. (They setup a recall without any fix ready!?)
3. Quietly fix the dangerous 6 years old Prius brake problem and try to hide it to avoid costly recall.

I totally lost my confidence with Toyota.

 

Neither statement you made above is applicable.

1. It's not an issue at highway speeds, only at low speeds.
2. In an emergency stop at low speeds it's not an issue either because the Brake Assist and hydraulic brakes bypass the regeneration mode.

In fact in Toyota's statement today they said that the way to avoid the issue is simply to press harder on the brakes in order to bypass the regen in order to get to the hydraulic / friction braking quicker.

Read:

Toyota Says Prius Brakes Had Design Problems - NYTimes.com

 

No, to totally lose confidence with Toyota you need to ring their next to useless UK Recall Helpline which is based in Africa. Losing the will to live doesn't come close!

 

Gosh I get so excited by unemotional fact-based boring posts.

 

Noted. OTOH on my Gen 2 with 142,000 miles I couldn't be happier. We move on.

 

Re: The Woz Knows What He's Talking About- Toyota Admits Software To Blame For Prius Problems

In every car I've ever owned, if you held the accel button until reaching your desired speed and then released it, the acceleration would stop. If, as you say, holding the accel button sends a "series" of requests that do not stop when the button is released, that is a serious safety issue. I haven't tried it in our Prius yet, I rarely drive it and the wife never uses cruise control. But I'll try to make it happen next time I have it on the highway in light traffic.

 

Re: The Woz Knows What He's Talking About- Toyota Admits Software To Blame For Prius Problems

Sure pick on the poor FUDster, just because he can't tell stop from go. He is not going to get anywhere in his job to sabotage Toyota if he sticks to facts.

 

It's quite refreshing after all the hysteria and assumptions.
.

 

This confirms our theories and speculation: the drop-out occurs during the transition from regenerative to friction braking, where friction braking comes in too lightly to fully make up for the loss of regenerative braking. Toyota also confirmed our workaround, which is to press harder when the drop-out occurs.

It's good that Toyota has formally identified the cause. While not a dangerous problem, it certainly is disconcerting and diminishes the driving experience. Tweaking the control software should improve the response.

Tom

 

People say the problem with delayed brake response is often caused when braking after hitting a bump such as a pot hole or manhole cover. Does the brake system become confused or knocked out of service for a split second when jarred by bumps in the road?

 

That's my guess too.

 

Re: The Woz Knows What He's Talking About- Toyota Admits Software To Blame For Prius Problems

Woz admits that it was user failure with the cruise control. I'll post an article once I get home regarding.

 

I've had my 2010 V since June and very happy with the car. I was a PriusChat junkie months before purchase and months after. But over the last few months found the forum to be repetitive and, honestly, boring. But I had reviewed some of the postings over the past weeks and must comment:

1. Shame on Toyota. It appears the planets aligned on these supposed technical issues and they are paying the price. And it may be dear.

2. Shame on NHTSA. This government agency was virtually rudderless (no leadership) for well over a year. This, and typical politics, allowed past investigations to be swept under rugs. Now they are IMO over-reacting and CYA-ing. Witness LaHood's stupidity of a public comment yesterday.

3. Back to Toyota - another shame. Exec management states they would never put growth or revenue above safety and quality. Current events may well disprove this.

4. Media - especially U.S. media. Sharks in the water with "Foreign blood". And U.S. Feds protectionism. And promotion of Big 3. Of course this is big news, but perhaps quite overblown, irrational, and inaccurate at this point.

This all said - Toyota BETTER design a program to fix the braking issues with 2010 Prius shipped pre-Jan. I cannot see them stonewalling on this loyal group at this time. I have felt the braking sensation a few times (minor) and very thankful for the Forum to share information and educate me and others.
But I expect and demand a fix from Toyota for this potentially damaging issue.

I'm tempted to report the defect to NHTSA - not to pile on, but to substantiate the problem.

 

Re: The Woz Knows What He's Talking About- Toyota Admits Software To Blame For Prius Problems

A picture is worth 1000 words....