Does the brake software fix work?

To those who bought a 2010 Prius since January 1, 2010:

Has anyone tried to duplicate the conditions that cause the reported momentary loss of braking action, and did the problem not occur?

I for one would have more confidence in the software patch if this were true.

Given it's Production starting some time in January, and Toyota has probably seen a drop in total sales including Prius, there might not be very many people that have the reprogrammed Prius yet.

I'm curious but I'm just thinking there can't be a big sample pool yet.

Good question. My 2010 is pre January.

I tried to initiate the reported problem on a no traffic, very bumpy road the yesterday. After 6 hard braking episodes I was unable to experience any braking abnormalities.

I do not dispute the problem at all. I am 100% confident that it is real.

I just want to know what it feels like so I can prepare accordingly until the "fix" is applied.

I am certain this will result in a recall as a compromised brake system carries too much risk.

How long does it take from the assembly line in Japan to the showroom in the USA?
Could a Prius with the software fix already be on the dealer lots?

My experience is when one of the wheel runs over a pothole and at that very moment you try to slow down the speed and step on the brake pedal, you would sense the ABS kicks in due to the pothole and a momentary loss of brake kind of feeling. It feels like out of control or no brake in short period of time. So far I am fine after several experiences on my daily route. My way to prevent it is to avoid certain spots or try not to brake on those spots on my routine route. Just a concern if there is a person or car right in front of me at that very moment. Or if I am on unfamiliar route in a rush....

It usually takes a month to get shipped to the USA East Coast, West Coast alittle less

How the heck would we know on February 5th?

I bought my Prius V in early January and I can tell you it does have the braking problem described elsewhere in the forums. For those of you who've owned previous versions (I just traded up from a 2007 model), I'd say the problem is somewhat more severe on the 2010. What was a glitch you could get used to on the 2007 version is now a very disconcerting feeling that the car is speeding up, or seemingly being nudged from behind, when it goes over certain types of bumps while braking at slow speeds. I have to say, if Toyota knew enough about the problem to institute a software change sometime in January, it bothers me that they sold me a car with that very problem in the January time frame. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to getting the update, whenever it's officially released!

On the driver-side door jam there month/year of manufacture.
Mine was 7/09 purchased 20 Aug 2009 in Southern CA.

You have to be in regen braking state, so no hard braking! If you brake hard the friction hydraulic brakes are deployed.
The downhill one side bumpy road, speed about 50km/h (30mi/h) works best.

I got the new firmware installed today, along with an oil change.

So far, no detected changes.
No reproduced problems either.

This is a very interesting question. If the fix does not work 100% and people are still complaining about the brake feeling, it could be very very bad for Toyota. A period of grumbling, govt inquiries, a second recall? That will have a very very bad effect.

So the incentive here is to overcompensate, fix it so nobody can complain ever again.

I'll be interested in the outcome.

With the mass hysteria created by the news media over this obscure anomaly, maybe drivers are way too sensitive about how their Prius cars are handling - especially now with a huge snow storm covering the east coast and heavy rains on the west coast.

Maybe Toyota should offer a free box of Depends to every Toyota owner until everybody calms down and things return to normal.

Keith

I've had soooooooooooo many people ask me about it (friends, family, etc.) and I have to explain each and every time this is a very rare event which I personally have never experienced, even on our bombed out LA roads... And even when it does happen, it's not a failure, just a blip. The media has made everyone hyper sensitive to everything.... Did you guys see the thing on the 09-10 Corolla with the steering?

GSM cell phones seem to cause the EPS to act funny when they are placed near the steering column.

Or a Costco-sized bottle of Xanax.

I worked for The Upjohn Company during the glory days of Xanax. We made a lot of money from that drug.

Tom

I have my appointment scheduled for Monday at 3pm, can't wait to notice no difference!

I have the fix scheduled for next week (fri) and will report here on what change if any I see. The issue happens every day for me at the same spot.

I had the update yesterday on my 2010 Prius.

It feels like I have new brakes in the car. The brakes start to grab sooner than before. I just hope my regenerative braking has not been reduced!

I put 33,00 miles on my 2005 prius before trading it in for a 2010 in Dec. I did not perceive a problem in the Gen ii, but did notice an improvement in the switching from regen to hydraulic brakes when stopping in the 2010 Prius. I had the brake upgrade this morning and cannot detect any braking change and I drove home in the rain on slick roads. I hope everyone is satisfied after the upgrade--Toyota is doing the best with a difficult situation( too much media attention)