Accelerator Problem

XJASPX · 09-29-2006, 05:34 AM

I just decided to post this on here to get an advice on how to handle this situation. I just want to start off by saying that the Prius I own is AWESOME and its the best car I ever owned... however, in the past three days, the accelertor got stuck not once, but twice. First time it got stuck was when the light turn green, I steped on the accelerator and the car took off and I had to manuver the car through traffic while trying to get the car to stop which I did by hitting the breaks and reaching down and used one of my hand to pull up the accelerator. I thought that was a fluke and thought that it could just be the Toyota Prius All Weather floor mat so I removed it... tonight, it happened again, but as I was getting onto highway 5.. the floormat was removed and there was nothing obstructing the accelerator and the same thing happened, knowing how to resolve the issue, I just gently step on the breaks to slow down the car than quckly put my feet under the accelerator to get it unstuck and than the car started to act normally again... As soon as I got to where I was going, I took a look around the floor of the driver side to see what could of cause it to get stuck and it was clean. I am clueless as to what could of happen, the car does have alittle over 30,000 miles on it. I'm going to try and get it into the shop ASAP, however, like always, its about a week wait before I can actually get it into the shop because the dealership here MUST go by appointments and no walk up. Anyways, has any one encounter similar situations and how was it handled? Should I submit it as a potential safety hazzard to the address in my manual? Any advice would be awesome! Thanks!

SomervillePrius · 09-29-2006, 08:46 AM

Wow that sounds pretty serious. If it happens again just hit the gear shift level into "N"eutral. The engine will probably rush but at least you will be safe (the engine will not be harmed). That way it should be easier to slow down.

Oh! and take it to the dealer right away!

eagle33199 · 09-29-2006, 09:21 AM

Definately take it to the shop... with only 30k, you're still under warrenty, so it really should be covered for you.

Ari · 09-29-2006, 09:36 AM

If the problem is that severe, maybe you should take it to your dealer now - regardless of their 'policy'. (If I have a broken leg, do I wait a week to have it looked at?) Or.... find a better dealer!

seasalsa · 09-29-2006, 10:48 AM

There is more than one Toyota dealer in Sacramento. Try another, your warranty is good anywhere.

Don't wait! This sounds like a sasfety issue.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-29-2006, 11:01 AM

wow. Sorry your first post had to be an issue. Welcome to Priuschat btw!

Definitely take it in if it's sticking. I was going to suggest the floormats but you've already got it covered.

XJASPX · 09-29-2006, 09:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 29 2006, 10:01 AM) [snapback]325573[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Welcome to Priuschat btw!

[/b]

THANKS!
just as an update, I called every Toyota dealership today in Sacramento area from Elk Grove to Folsom to Roseville and only MAITA Toyota said its ok to take it in today. The service advisor said he is clueless as to what could of cause it though admit that the first generation model had similar problems but the car should of came to a slow stop instead of accelerating. Now of course, I did get the whole "we can't fix it unless we can recreate the problem" speech but I think they can recreate it since the first and second incident happened within 3 days of each other with only about 75 to 100 miles of driving between the 2 incident. Anyways, thanks for the feedback and I'll post updates here for anyone else that is having similar problem or experience this type of problem in the future.

tochatihu · 09-30-2006, 09:33 AM

The only Prius accelerator problem similar to what you describe has happened when the carpet mat got loose and interfered with "pedal action'. Unlikely that this is your situation but maybe give it a check.

There are springs in the mechanical part of the pedal and if they were broken (boy does that sound unlikely), it might not 'return' with your foot lifted.

Frank Hudon · 09-30-2006, 10:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Sep 30 2006, 06:33 AM) [snapback]325991[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The only Prius accelerator problem similar to what you describe has happened when the carpet mat got loose and interfered with "pedal action'. Unlikely that this is your situation but maybe give it a check.

There are springs in the mechanical part of the pedal and if they were broken (boy does that sound unlikely), it might not 'return' with your foot lifted.
[/b]

Did you move?

XJASPX · 09-30-2006, 03:46 PM

Just a update... The dealership called today and they said that its the floormat's fault and that they "reset" the floormats and that should fix it.... they can not find anything wrong with the accelorator itself... I guess the 2nd time it happened WITHOUT the floormat was just my imagination as I was going down a busy freeway. I guess I can have them recheck it if it happens again when the car is going back to the shop to have the dashboard replaced (the dashboard is warped on the passenger side, I told them to check the glove compartment since that could be causing it but I just think they didnt read the repair order since their not replacing the glove compartment).

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09-29-2006, 05:34 AM	#1
XJASPX Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I just decided to post this on here to get an advice on how to handle this situation. I just want to start off by saying that the Prius I own is AWESOME and its the best car I ever owned... however, in the past three days, the accelertor got stuck not once, but twice. First time it got stuck was when the light turn green, I steped on the accelerator and the car took off and I had to manuver the car through traffic while trying to get the car to stop which I did by hitting the breaks and reaching down and used one of my hand to pull up the accelerator. I thought that was a fluke and thought that it could just be the Toyota Prius All Weather floor mat so I removed it... tonight, it happened again, but as I was getting onto highway 5.. the floormat was removed and there was nothing obstructing the accelerator and the same thing happened, knowing how to resolve the issue, I just gently step on the breaks to slow down the car than quckly put my feet under the accelerator to get it unstuck and than the car started to act normally again... As soon as I got to where I was going, I took a look around the floor of the driver side to see what could of cause it to get stuck and it was clean. I am clueless as to what could of happen, the car does have alittle over 30,000 miles on it. I'm going to try and get it into the shop ASAP, however, like always, its about a week wait before I can actually get it into the shop because the dealership here MUST go by appointments and no walk up. Anyways, has any one encounter similar situations and how was it handled? Should I submit it as a potential safety hazzard to the address in my manual? Any advice would be awesome! Thanks!

09-29-2006, 08:46 AM	#2
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Wow that sounds pretty serious. If it happens again just hit the gear shift level into "N"eutral. The engine will probably rush but at least you will be safe (the engine will not be harmed). That way it should be easier to slow down. Oh! and take it to the dealer right away!

09-29-2006, 09:21 AM	#3
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,283 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 35 Thanked 70 Times in 40 Posts Friends: 3	Definately take it to the shop... with only 30k, you're still under warrenty, so it really should be covered for you.

09-29-2006, 09:36 AM	#4
Ari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 165 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	If the problem is that severe, maybe you should take it to your dealer now - regardless of their 'policy'. (If I have a broken leg, do I wait a week to have it looked at?) Or.... find a better dealer!

09-29-2006, 10:48 AM	#5
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,202 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	There is more than one Toyota dealer in Sacramento. Try another, your warranty is good anywhere. Don't wait! This sounds like a sasfety issue.

09-29-2006, 11:01 AM	#6
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 347 Times in 246 Posts Friends: 23	wow. Sorry your first post had to be an issue. Welcome to Priuschat btw! Definitely take it in if it's sticking. I was going to suggest the floormats but you've already got it covered.

09-30-2006, 09:33 AM	#8
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,413 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 39 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 14	The only Prius accelerator problem similar to what you describe has happened when the carpet mat got loose and interfered with "pedal action'. Unlikely that this is your situation but maybe give it a check. There are springs in the mechanical part of the pedal and if they were broken (boy does that sound unlikely), it might not 'return' with your foot lifted.

09-30-2006, 03:46 PM	#10
XJASPX Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Just a update... The dealership called today and they said that its the floormat's fault and that they "reset" the floormats and that should fix it.... they can not find anything wrong with the accelorator itself... I guess the 2nd time it happened WITHOUT the floormat was just my imagination as I was going down a busy freeway. I guess I can have them recheck it if it happens again when the car is going back to the shop to have the dashboard replaced (the dashboard is warped on the passenger side, I told them to check the glove compartment since that could be causing it but I just think they didnt read the repair order since their not replacing the glove compartment).