Summary of problems reported on Prius 2010

[1 mad scientist]

Originally Posted by raidbuck

I'm still struggling to find the most comfortable position and I have a IV. I compared the seat with the cloth one on my Kia (I had an adjustment period with it too) and noticed the Kia had a protruding bulge where the back meets the seat while the Prius is smooth (the lumbar support is hard, while the bulge in the Kia is padded). I think it is getting better (still lower back stiffness, less pain after 2 months). I hope so, since I drive 1000 miles per week. Other than that the car is great. I have a wedge cushion to reduce the bucket seat effect, which seems to be my particular problem.

I consider me the defect, not the car, since only a few have a problem out of all the PRIUS 10 owners. If a seat were made to fit me it might not work for many others.

Rich N.

Rich,
We have 3,700 on the 2010 V. We both find the Prius seats uncomfortable on trips much over an hour. I have no lower back issues with my 08 Sienna. I also took note that the Sienna has an angled part where the seat back meets the lower seat and that small section seams to provide some support to the lower back. I have been looking for a cushion to add to do the same thing. I did purchase a Temperpedic bottom cushion that helped a lot on the most recent 200 mile trip. I found a 2006 Sienna right side seat at a used parts dealer. The seats are similar in size and I believe I can make it fit. The Sienna seat also has the side curtain air bags and the added benefit of power adjust. They do not have the left one and I want them both to match in the 3 month old pri.
Bob

[jburns]

Originally Posted by ggood

Hadn't noticed this, but if I have plenty of time to think about it, I just press the button anyway (rather than the brake).

One has nothing to do with the other and is not a solution. If the accelerator pedal didn't work I could get out and push but I wouldn't be happy.

[ggood]

Originally Posted by jburns

One has nothing to do with the other and is not a solution. If the accelerator pedal didn't work I could get out and push but I wouldn't be happy.

OK. I probably shouldn't have bothered to state the obvious. In any case, by the rules of this thread, you are supposed to start and link to a separate thread regarding the "problem", both to establish it as a problem and to see if there are any proposed solutions.

Of course, IMHO this is another tiny niggle or design choice that doesn't really qualify as a "problem", and there are still only 2 or 3 items on the list that qualify as actual problems. Maybe we need a poll!

[windstrings]

Pressing the brake is not a big deal, but its noticeable.
The prius brakes are so powerful with their power assist that by the time the cruise disengages the brakes grab enough to slow the car and makes the transition rather noticeable.

I don't use cruise anyway, but still think a little fine tuning is in order.

[jburns]

Originally Posted by ggood

In any case, by the rules of this thread, you are supposed to start and link to a separate thread regarding the "problem", both to establish it as a problem and to see if there are any proposed solutions.

Noted and complied.

Releasing Cruise Control with Brake

[CivicQc]

Originally Posted by ggood

Of course, IMHO this is another tiny niggle or design choice that doesn't really qualify as a "problem", and there are still only 2 or 3 items on the list that qualify as actual problems. Maybe we need a poll!

I agree that some of those are not really bad problems - we perhaps need to extend the definition of the word "problem", or split the list in 2 parts: "problems", and "annoyances" - but then that would include a whole bunch of things that people dont like. A poll is a potential solution - but then we would have to se-send it regularly for each new problem found. Any other suggestion is welcome!

[ggood]

I went ahead and created a poll for the current batch, including the new cruise cancellation issue.

Go to this thread for the POLL:

Poll: Are any of these really problems?

Originally Posted by CivicQc

I agree that some of those are not really bad problems - we perhaps need to extend the definition of the word "problem", or split the list in 2 parts: "problems", and "annoyances" - but then that would include a whole bunch of things that people dont like. A poll is a potential solution - but then we would have to se-send it regularly for each new problem found. Any other suggestion is welcome!

[MPGen3]

My radio display clouds up when a/c is is on.

[tumbleweed]

Thanks for the poll Ggood, it point's out what peoples concerns are.

IMHO the cruise control cancel problem may exist because the cancel switch is pressure activated by the braking system. With regenerative braking you get quite a bit of braking before the the system applies pressure to the pistons in the calipers. So when you push your foot down on the brake pedal you have to apply all of the regen braking available plus a little more to pressurize the friction brakes before the cancel switch can close.

EDIT: The above paragraph is apparently wrong, Jburns post below is correct according to my service manager. See post 126.

The solution would be to use a switch mechanically activate by the brake pedal mechanism that would close when you push the pedal down a quarter inch or so. Some cars use this kind of swithch for CC cancelation and it works fine.

I suspect that because it isn't considered a safety issue and because it would cost some money to fix we won't see a fix. Maybe the 2011 will get a more useable cancel switch?

I don't even try to cancel the CC with the brake pedal under normal conditions, I just use the CC stock which is an OK work around.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by tumbleweed

I don't even try to cancel the CC with the brake pedal under normal conditions, I just use the CC stock which is an OK work around.

I guess your right Tom.
If you need to stop cruise in a hurry, you want braking anyway.
If your doing it casually, then the workaround is fine.