Comments on: Prius Brake Failure Complaints Rising as Toyota Prepares to Launch New Subcompact Hybrid http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/ What is the future of fuel? What's new? What's next? Since 2007, Gas 2 has covered a rapidly changing world coming to terms with its oil addiction. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:40:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Laura Morrissey http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-13541 Laura Morrissey Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:27:10 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-13541 I have experienced that lurch-while-braking-over-a-bump ever since I bought my 2007 Prius (new in May 2007). I wonder when Toyota will start admitting that it is a problem with models earlier than the 2010 model. Like many of you, I was blown off when I reported the problem to my Toyota dealer. I recently filed a complaint online with the NHTSA, and I STRONGLY encourage all of you to do the same. More of our numbers will add force to our argument. My Prius is otherwise such a wonderful car; let's clean up its engineering. I have experienced that lurch-while-braking-over-a-bump ever since I bought my 2007 Prius (new in May 2007). I wonder when Toyota will start admitting that it is a problem with models earlier than the 2010 model. Like many of you, I was blown off when I reported the problem to my Toyota dealer. I recently filed a complaint online with the NHTSA, and I STRONGLY encourage all of you to do the same. More of our numbers will add force to our argument. My Prius is otherwise such a wonderful car; let’s clean up its engineering.

]]> By: Laura Morrissey http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-37065 Laura Morrissey Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:27:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-37065 I have experienced that lurch-while-braking-over-a-bump ever since I bought my 2007 Prius (new in May 2007). I wonder when Toyota will start admitting that it is a problem with models earlier than the 2010 model. Like many of you, I was blown off when I reported the problem to my Toyota dealer. I recently filed a complaint online with the NHTSA, and I STRONGLY encourage all of you to do the same. More of our numbers will add force to our argument. My Prius is otherwise such a wonderful car; let's clean up its engineering. I have experienced that lurch-while-braking-over-a-bump ever since I bought my 2007 Prius (new in May 2007). I wonder when Toyota will start admitting that it is a problem with models earlier than the 2010 model. Like many of you, I was blown off when I reported the problem to my Toyota dealer. I recently filed a complaint online with the NHTSA, and I STRONGLY encourage all of you to do the same. More of our numbers will add force to our argument. My Prius is otherwise such a wonderful car; let’s clean up its engineering.

]]> By: Calderon21 http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-13540 Calderon21 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:59:28 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-13540 My wife and I bought a 2010 Venza and during the test drive I mentioned the brakes felt a bit unresponsive to the salesman. My wife didn't feel any difference when she test drove it. They both came to the conclusion that since I drove a pick up truck this vehicle has a different feel to it. I agreed and we purchased the car. I don't know if the 2010 Venza has similar braking systems as the Prius, but I thought I was the only one feeling the sensation of hitting the brakes and not stopping. And it often happens as I drive the car first thing in the morning. My wife has gotten used to the brakes and as she drives it more often, I have agreed to wait to see if Toyota sends us a letter to "repair" the car. As a post script I'd like to add that when I tried to sell the car to a Ford dealership they wanted to give me 20k for a 36k car which I bought a month earlier. Carmax also offered me 20k to take it off my hands. Toyota is no longer a company with a good reputation and that means low resale value. My wife and I bought a 2010 Venza and during the test drive I mentioned the brakes felt a bit unresponsive to the salesman. My wife didn’t feel any difference when she test drove it. They both came to the conclusion that since I drove a pick up truck this vehicle has a different feel to it. I agreed and we purchased the car. I don’t know if the 2010 Venza has similar braking systems as the Prius, but I thought I was the only one feeling the sensation of hitting the brakes and not stopping. And it often happens as I drive the car first thing in the morning. My wife has gotten used to the brakes and as she drives it more often, I have agreed to wait to see if Toyota sends us a letter to “repair” the car.

As a post script I’d like to add that when I tried to sell the car to a Ford dealership they wanted to give me 20k for a 36k car which I bought a month earlier. Carmax also offered me 20k to take it off my hands. Toyota is no longer a company with a good reputation and that means low resale value.

]]> By: Calderon21 http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-37064 Calderon21 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:59:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-37064 My wife and I bought a 2010 Venza and during the test drive I mentioned the brakes felt a bit unresponsive to the salesman. My wife didn't feel any difference when she test drove it. They both came to the conclusion that since I drove a pick up truck this vehicle has a different feel to it. I agreed and we purchased the car. I don't know if the 2010 Venza has similar braking systems as the Prius, but I thought I was the only one feeling the sensation of hitting the brakes and not stopping. And it often happens as I drive the car first thing in the morning. My wife has gotten used to the brakes and as she drives it more often, I have agreed to wait to see if Toyota sends us a letter to "repair" the car. As a post script I'd like to add that when I tried to sell the car to a Ford dealership they wanted to give me 20k for a 36k car which I bought a month earlier. Carmax also offered me 20k to take it off my hands. Toyota is no longer a company with a good reputation and that means low resale value. My wife and I bought a 2010 Venza and during the test drive I mentioned the brakes felt a bit unresponsive to the salesman. My wife didn’t feel any difference when she test drove it. They both came to the conclusion that since I drove a pick up truck this vehicle has a different feel to it. I agreed and we purchased the car. I don’t know if the 2010 Venza has similar braking systems as the Prius, but I thought I was the only one feeling the sensation of hitting the brakes and not stopping. And it often happens as I drive the car first thing in the morning. My wife has gotten used to the brakes and as she drives it more often, I have agreed to wait to see if Toyota sends us a letter to “repair” the car.

As a post script I’d like to add that when I tried to sell the car to a Ford dealership they wanted to give me 20k for a 36k car which I bought a month earlier. Carmax also offered me 20k to take it off my hands. Toyota is no longer a company with a good reputation and that means low resale value.

]]> By: cblackwell http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-13539 cblackwell Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:20:42 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-13539 the "lurch" or "brake release" that Prius owners describe happens - inconsistently - in my 2009 Venza when slowing down to a stop light or sign. It's been happening since we bought it. Toyota just blows it off as if my wife and I are lying about it. Wonder if any other Venza owners are experiencing it the “lurch” or “brake release” that Prius owners describe happens – inconsistently – in my 2009 Venza when slowing down to a stop light or sign. It’s been happening since we bought it. Toyota just blows it off as if my wife and I are lying about it. Wonder if any other Venza owners are experiencing it

]]> By: cblackwell http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-37063 cblackwell Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:20:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-37063 the "lurch" or "brake release" that Prius owners describe happens - inconsistently - in my 2009 Venza when slowing down to a stop light or sign. It's been happening since we bought it. Toyota just blows it off as if my wife and I are lying about it. Wonder if any other Venza owners are experiencing it the “lurch” or “brake release” that Prius owners describe happens – inconsistently – in my 2009 Venza when slowing down to a stop light or sign. It’s been happening since we bought it. Toyota just blows it off as if my wife and I are lying about it. Wonder if any other Venza owners are experiencing it

]]> By: Steve http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-13538 Steve Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:58:30 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-13538 I filed my complaint today with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) through their website. I first noticed the issue when approaching a traffic light that had turned red. I was braking as I hit a small unavoidable pothole, and to my surprise, my car lurched forward for about a second, nearly hitting the car in front of me. Even at just 25mph, 1 second of brake loss means the vehicle will travel over 35 feet without slowing! For almost two month I have had to routinely drive that road, and consistently when I am braking as I hit the pothole, the brakes fail for a brief second. I now give myself a rediculous amount of space to stop whenever I approach this intersection - that has saved me from getting into a wreck - but I am now familiar with that intersection/pothole scenario. It's far too easy to get into an upredictable stop scenario. Hit a bump - and you might not be able to stop in time - leading to a possible brake related fatality. I called my dealership today - they offered me a rental car while they wait for a fix from Toyota. I am nervous about that - they have no concrete word from Toyota as to when the fix will be released. Please! For your own safety, if you have a Prius (especially 2010), do the following test: 1. Find a street or parking lot with a small pothole or uneven pavement (doesnt have to be huge - just enough to cause a good bump as you drive over it) where you can safely test the brakes. 2. Drive over the pothole at about 20mph - making sure brakes are applied before you drive over the bump 3.) As soon as you hit the bump, you will feel your car 'lurch' as the brakes shut off. 4.) If your car exhibits this behavior - file a report as soon as possible with NHTSA. I filed my complaint today with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) through their website. I first noticed the issue when approaching a traffic light that had turned red. I was braking as I hit a small unavoidable pothole, and to my surprise, my car lurched forward for about a second, nearly hitting the car in front of me. Even at just 25mph, 1 second of brake loss means the vehicle will travel over 35 feet without slowing! For almost two month I have had to routinely drive that road, and consistently when I am braking as I hit the pothole, the brakes fail for a brief second. I now give myself a rediculous amount of space to stop whenever I approach this intersection – that has saved me from getting into a wreck – but I am now familiar with that intersection/pothole scenario. It’s far too easy to get into an upredictable stop scenario. Hit a bump – and you might not be able to stop in time – leading to a possible brake related fatality.

I called my dealership today – they offered me a rental car while they wait for a fix from Toyota. I am nervous about that – they have no concrete word from Toyota as to when the fix will be released.

Please! For your own safety, if you have a Prius (especially 2010), do the following test:

1. Find a street or parking lot with a small pothole or uneven pavement (doesnt have to be huge – just enough to cause a good bump as you drive over it) where you can safely test the brakes.

2. Drive over the pothole at about 20mph – making sure brakes are applied before you drive over the bump

3.) As soon as you hit the bump, you will feel your car ‘lurch’ as the brakes shut off.

4.) If your car exhibits this behavior – file a report as soon as possible with NHTSA.

]]> By: Steve http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-37062 Steve Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:58:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-37062 I filed my complaint today with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) through their website. I first noticed the issue when approaching a traffic light that had turned red. I was braking as I hit a small unavoidable pothole, and to my surprise, my car lurched forward for about a second, nearly hitting the car in front of me. Even at just 25mph, 1 second of brake loss means the vehicle will travel over 35 feet without slowing! For almost two month I have had to routinely drive that road, and consistently when I am braking as I hit the pothole, the brakes fail for a brief second. I now give myself a rediculous amount of space to stop whenever I approach this intersection - that has saved me from getting into a wreck - but I am now familiar with that intersection/pothole scenario. It's far too easy to get into an upredictable stop scenario. Hit a bump - and you might not be able to stop in time - leading to a possible brake related fatality. I called my dealership today - they offered me a rental car while they wait for a fix from Toyota. I am nervous about that - they have no concrete word from Toyota as to when the fix will be released. Please! For your own safety, if you have a Prius (especially 2010), do the following test: 1. Find a street or parking lot with a small pothole or uneven pavement (doesnt have to be huge - just enough to cause a good bump as you drive over it) where you can safely test the brakes. 2. Drive over the pothole at about 20mph - making sure brakes are applied before you drive over the bump 3.) As soon as you hit the bump, you will feel your car 'lurch' as the brakes shut off. 4.) If your car exhibits this behavior - file a report as soon as possible with NHTSA. I filed my complaint today with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) through their website. I first noticed the issue when approaching a traffic light that had turned red. I was braking as I hit a small unavoidable pothole, and to my surprise, my car lurched forward for about a second, nearly hitting the car in front of me. Even at just 25mph, 1 second of brake loss means the vehicle will travel over 35 feet without slowing! For almost two month I have had to routinely drive that road, and consistently when I am braking as I hit the pothole, the brakes fail for a brief second. I now give myself a rediculous amount of space to stop whenever I approach this intersection – that has saved me from getting into a wreck – but I am now familiar with that intersection/pothole scenario. It’s far too easy to get into an upredictable stop scenario. Hit a bump – and you might not be able to stop in time – leading to a possible brake related fatality.

I called my dealership today – they offered me a rental car while they wait for a fix from Toyota. I am nervous about that – they have no concrete word from Toyota as to when the fix will be released.

Please! For your own safety, if you have a Prius (especially 2010), do the following test:

1. Find a street or parking lot with a small pothole or uneven pavement (doesnt have to be huge – just enough to cause a good bump as you drive over it) where you can safely test the brakes.

2. Drive over the pothole at about 20mph – making sure brakes are applied before you drive over the bump

3.) As soon as you hit the bump, you will feel your car ‘lurch’ as the brakes shut off.

4.) If your car exhibits this behavior – file a report as soon as possible with NHTSA.

]]> By: Ed http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-13537 Ed Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:08:01 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-13537 My wife has a 2006 Prius, I have 2010. I have known about this problem (and yes it is a problem) for years. While braking on a bumpy or icy road, the brakes cut out for a fraction of a second. I have had several cars with anti-lock brakes. They never behaved like these cars do. I have also mentioned this to the dealer for years. They basically shrugged it off. Don't get me wrong, I love the car, or I would not have bought a second one. But these brakes needs to be fixed. My wife has a 2006 Prius, I have 2010. I have known about this problem (and yes it is a problem) for years. While braking on a bumpy or icy road, the brakes cut out for a fraction of a second. I have had several cars with anti-lock brakes. They never behaved like these cars do. I have also mentioned this to the dealer for years. They basically shrugged it off. Don’t get me wrong, I love the car, or I would not have bought a second one. But these brakes needs to be fixed.

]]> By: Ed http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/#comment-37061 Ed Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:08:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=4362#comment-37061 My wife has a 2006 Prius, I have 2010. I have known about this problem (and yes it is a problem) for years. While braking on a bumpy or icy road, the brakes cut out for a fraction of a second. I have had several cars with anti-lock brakes. They never behaved like these cars do. I have also mentioned this to the dealer for years. They basically shrugged it off. Don't get me wrong, I love the car, or I would not have bought a second one. But these brakes needs to be fixed. My wife has a 2006 Prius, I have 2010. I have known about this problem (and yes it is a problem) for years. While braking on a bumpy or icy road, the brakes cut out for a fraction of a second. I have had several cars with anti-lock brakes. They never behaved like these cars do. I have also mentioned this to the dealer for years. They basically shrugged it off. Don’t get me wrong, I love the car, or I would not have bought a second one. But these brakes needs to be fixed.

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