Updated: Toyota Recalling 270,000 2010 Prius Hybrids in Japan & US for Brake Issue

[digitalsingularity]

Sweet, now I get to experience the recall nightmare. I assume my dealership is already crazy busy because of the other recalled vehicles. I'm glad they fixed the problem, but sheesh, I'd imagine it's going to be quite the experience getting in the queue for the fix.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Danny

...I would guess that Gen 2 Prius will get the software update later. They already have the fix for the 2010 since it has already been put in place in the factory.

We should not assume that G2 will get a firmware update just because the 2010 model will. According to NY Times, Toyota thinks G3 has a different brake design.

Answers to Questions About Prius and the Toyota Recalls - Question - NYTimes.com
"The problem does not appear to affect earlier versions of the Prius because the brakes were redesigned for the 2010 model."

U.S. Starts Inquiry Into Brake Problems on Prius - NYTimes.com
"The company said the 2010 Prius has a new type of regenerative brake system different from the ones used in previous generations."

[austingreen]

This is a good thing. There were probably many more injury accidents than the 3 so far directly reported. I'm sure it took toyota sometime to test their fix.

Originally Posted by Danny

No word out of the UK yet. As soon as their PR guys update me, I'll update you.

I would guess that Gen 2 Prius will get the software update later. They already have the fix for the 2010 since it has already been put in place in the factory.

Hopefully we'll have more to share soon.

whaaaa? Danny as the moderator have you considered that that the Gen 2 people saying the problem was not a safety issue were right about that, and those same people saying it was the same problem were wrong about that. There are mountains of evidence that the gen 2 has different hardware and software. If the gen 2 has the same problem, and I've seen no reliable evidence of this, the fix would likely be different.

please deal in facts, and don't act as an echo chamber for misinformation.

[Danny]

That's why I said "I would guess". Perhaps I should amend it to say "If Toyota wants to shut up everyone, they will have an update for the 2nd gen".

[Danny]

Originally Posted by austingreen

This is a good thing. There were probably many more injury accidents than the 3 so far directly reported. I'm sure it took toyota sometime to test their fix.



whaaaa? Danny as the moderator have you considered that that the Gen 2 people saying the problem was not a safety issue were right about that, and those same people saying it was the same problem were wrong about that. There are mountains of evidence that the gen 2 has different hardware and software. If the gen 2 has the same problem, and I've seen no reliable evidence of this, the fix would likely be different.

please deal in facts, and don't act as an echo chamber for misinformation.

That's exactly why I would say "I would guess" that the 2nd gen would get it later.

In my opinion as a user of both generations of Prius, the "issue" is the same and is a result of the regen braking. I'm fully aware of the difference between the hardware and software between the generations.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Danny

..."If Toyota wants to shut up everyone, they will have an update for the 2nd gen".

Well, Toyota would also have to provide free HID bulb replacements for life, a new fuel tank w/o bladder, and new floor mats. Those four items should take care of 90% of the complaints...

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Danny

That's exactly why I would say "I would guess" that the 2nd gen would get it later.

In my opinion as a user of both generations of Prius, the "issue" is the same and is a result of the regen braking. I'm fully aware of the difference between the hardware and software between the generations.

I agree completely with this statement. The hardware and software have been changed, but the root cause is the same. This is because both systems take the same approach to blending regenerative braking and friction braking.

The changes for the Gen III probably account for why the braking problem is more pronounced in the Gen III.

Tom

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Well, Toyota would also have to provide free HID bulb replacements for life, a new fuel tank w/o bladder, and new floor mats. Those four items should take care of 90% of the complaints...

And I want the real "Jill" to sit next to me and navigate.

Tom

[Tom183]

Comments that make sense:
The 2010 is being recalled because there is a fix already implemented in production since the end of January. (Gen II's aren't being produced anymore, so any fix is probably still "in the works" somewhere - any recall won't happen until they have a fix.)

The Gen III has a different braking system (fundamentally the same, but the software and hardware are both different from Gen II - the major difference being more regen at lower braking speeds. So the fix for the Gen II will likewise be different.)

Last but not least, the Gen II has been around for 5 years and the problem hasn't been considered significant enough for a recall - although in light of recent events and Toyota's need to rebuild customer sentiment, a Gen II recall may be right around the corner. So Gen II owners, if you've waited this long, just sit tight a little longer - I wouldn't be surprised to see a Gen II recall within the next few months, although it may be characterized as a "just in case, to reassure our customers" fix rather than a safety issue.

[austingreen]

Q. What is the problem that led to the Prius investigations?
A. The investigations focus on the anti-lock brake systems on the 2010 Prius, which was introduced in Japan and the United States last spring. There have been 124 reports of problems in the United States, and 77 reports in Japan. The problem does not appear to affect earlier versions of the Prius because the brakes were redesigned for the 2010 model.

From toyota in todays NYT. Toyota has consistenly said the braking system is different. The NHTSA has consistently said the reports were on the 2010 model.

Originally Posted by Danny

That's why I said "I would guess". Perhaps I should amend it to say "If Toyota wants to shut up everyone, they will have an update for the 2nd gen".

As a driver I am much more consered that toyota fixes there unsafe cars. I don't really care if people talk about it. Taking safety issues seriously is important for all automakers. In this case I think Toyota acted well. In the unintended accelleration, I think they acted without any honor. As a moderator I would think you should read some of the information coming out from the NHTSA and make educated guess. I take posts by you with high credibility, and ignore most of those by the whiners and fan boys.

Both Toyota and the NHTSA want you to report problems to the NHTSA if there is a safety issue. For those readers that think there is an issue with their Gen 2 brakes please report it, so those at toyota can evaluate it.