Prius Brake Recall – A Little More Information

[Prius Team]

As promised, we have a little more information for you. PC asked, we listened. Now here’s a few more answers. We hope there’s more to come.


Q1. Does the update change the way the ABS works?
A1. We are shortening the braking force timing and the lowering the pedal pressure. These changes will make the Prius ABS equivalent to non-hybrid vehicles.

Q2. Will the software update affect full emergency braking?
A2. The stopping distance will be slightly shorter

Q3. Is there a fuel-economy impact or effectiveness change for regenerative braking that comes with the update?
A3. As this remedy involves the ABS braking force timing and pedal pressure, there is no impact to the regenerative braking system or fuel economy.

Q4. How will the solution be rolled out across the country? When can customers begin contacting their dealers for the software update?
A4. The software was made available via our web based Toyota Information System application early on 2/9. As of close of business on 2/9, dealers had remedied approximately 25,000 customer owned and in-stock vehicles.

Q5. Is the update to the production line the exact same one that the current owners will receive? Why did you implement the update in the factory and ignore the NHTSA and Toyota Customer Care customer complaints about already sold vehicles until now?
A5. The update is the same, the software is slightly different. Reprogramming “remedy” software requires more code than programming “production” software. This also explains the slight delay between production and recall remedy timing.

Q6. Can Toyota provide in-depth technical details on the software update?
A6. The precise technical details are not available. The result of the software change is to shorten the ABS braking force delay and to lower the pedal pressure required to stop. The result is shorter stopping distance and a more positive braking feel.

Q7. Can you tell us the number of complaints, accidents, or incidents in the US?
A7. NHTSA has recorded over 125 complaints.


Q8. Why are there over 400 complaints registered in the NHTSA data base for braking conditions on a second generation Prius? This seems to indicate the brake recall for the 2010 MY Prius also should apply to the 2004-2009 MY Prius.
A8. Because the ABS system and software is completely different between the second and third generation Prius, we need to evaluate complaints separately. We are willing and eager to evaluate concerns observed on second generation Prius that are similar to A0B on third generation Prius. Please help us identify and remedy any issue by contacting your local dealer. Please keep in mind that posts on PriusChat (a third-party forum) or other similar sites are NOT in any way an official registration of your concern, and cannot help us diagnose the issue.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

[Paradox]

Thank You Doug for the information. Great to know fuel economy will not be affected amongst all the other information. Shorter stopping distance is always a plus too.

[Tideland Prius]

Thanks Doug! This thread has been "stickied".

[HTMLSpinnr]

Thanks - this should be enough for most of us. I'm curious on the definition of reduced pedal pressure. I may need to go do a panic stop or two to validate

[Airbalancer]

How many 2010 Prius sold?
125/ # sold?

[jburns]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

As promised, we have a little more information for you. PC asked, we listened. Now here’s a few more answers. We hope there’s more to come.


Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Thanks for the information.

[Prius Team]

Originally Posted by Airbalancer

How many 2010 Prius sold?
125/ # sold?

Over 100k and counting.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

[John2010]

Thanks for the update Doug.

[HTMLSpinnr]

I said what the heck - updated my TIS subscription to view the campaign info. $15/2 days well spent.

According to the campaign letter Q&A, approximately 133,000 2010 Prius vehicles are affected (and 14,550 Lexus HS250h vehicles)

Some may be interested to know that the braking calibration software is different for 15" wheel vehicles than 17" wheel vehicles.

[spiderman]

Probably not the place to ask, but... is there any reason this programming wasn't in place to begin with? I mean, more positive brake feel, shorter stopping distance...

Is there a downside to this update at all?