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NHTSA Tracking Braking Loss on Prius Hybrids

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by RobertMBecker, Dec 24, 2009.

  1. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    I refuse to post anything more in that thread because I sincerely believe that it's just a thinly disguised attempt by the OP to be stroked. 'Oh poor me.' It's nothing more than what a cat does when it rubs your leg or bumps your hand. 'Hey you up there, I want attention.'

    Some of that here too IMO. The OP is the subject of the original article. 'Hey look at me.'
     
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  2. RobertMBecker

    RobertMBecker New Member

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    After you've gone to the dealer repeatedly to report the problem, had it examined by the regional technical specialist (who acknowledged the existence of the braking issue), written 2 letters to Customer Experience, spoken with them on the phone, written a letter to the President of Toyota, spoken with the President's Office, and no one seems the least bit interested in exploring the issue further, despite all the other Prius owners who have reported the same exact issue, you do start to feel like you are running out of options.

    You can certainly sell the car or trade it in, and my salesperson, who was empathetic to my issue, did offer that option, but why should one have to take such a significant financial loss for a safety issue that was present the moment I drove the car off the lot? I have no illusions that Toyota is going to buy the car back, but you do feel somewhat cheated when an issue like this is present within days of taking ownership. And I don't really want to sell the car--I bought it based on Toyota's reputation for quality and customer service and my interest in environmental issues. Believe me, I want to love my car, just like anyone else.

    At a minimum, Toyota HQ should have provided better customer service on this issue - and maybe they still will. But as folks have been alluding to, let's see what Toyota and/or NHTSA finds out, and let's hope the braking issue, whether one believes it is a safety issue or not, gets resolved. Clearly people want a conclusive explanation and resolution for what is taking place.
     
  3. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    DeadPhish,

    "From the mouthes of babes?" maybe? It might also be that it's an issue that doesn't effect EVERY Prius out there. And it is, obviously, an issue that many first/early adopters have learned to accept with the technology as just part of the way the system works. Just because you and others feel it's part of the way a driver has to adjust to the technology doesn't mean that it's right and proper behavior for a car to exhibit. And, I'm guessing that it may be G3's that are more effected by it somehow...and I doubt that youv'e ridden in 2000 to 3000 G3's.
    Go back and read all the posts about it from users who've had the issue. It's a legitimate issue that many have described. It isn't ABS kicking in. It isn't "inexperienced drivers". The issue is real...those of us who have had it happen to us (in particular in our G3's) know exactly how real it is. Or are you saying that we're all making this stuff up? Now- I've ONLY had it happen to me once- and since then I've adjusted my driving as everyone else probably has as well. If it happens again I won't be freaked out or feel my brakes are gone- I'll just calmly keep my insistent foot on the brake pedal and will wait for the friction brakes to kick in.
    This is going to get national attention. I sincerely hope Toyota steps forward with some comment soon BEFORE the national news stations pick it up.
     
  4. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    This is simply your opinion. You are in the minority in holding your opinion. Why should a business react to someone's opinion when their own research and tens of millions if not billions of miles have been driven with no instances of any 'defect' other than an isolated 'feeling' or 'opinion'.

    If you dislike the 'feel' of your vehicle, sell it.
    If you are of the 'opinion' that your vehicle is unsafe, sell it.
    If you don't like the service you've received, shop elsewhere.

    Stop whining.
     
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  5. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    It still isn't clear to me that this is any different in the Gen 3 than the Gen 2. I asked that question in my initial post - for someone who has driven both the Gen 2 & Gen 3, is this problem worse or different in the Gen 3 than Gen 2? One or two people in that category said it was worse, at least 2 people said it was the same, at least one person says it is less likely to occur in the Gen 3. Inconclusive. Is it a safety issue? I don't think so based on my experience.
     
  6. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    Truth does not respect a majority.

    Why do some of you feel the need to insult and trash the OP when his tone has been nothing but civil and polite???

    If TMC issues a statement and recognizes the issue as legit, who wants crow??? Will those of you who say the issue is not real NOT take your cars in for adjustment/repair? They'll have to do something soon, this will go nationwide in a few days I predict once the San Francisco news does their story on it tonight.
     
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  7. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    I'm afraid this phenomina is not new:

    98_chicken_little.gif

    The brakes are failing! The brakes are failing!
    The braaakees are faaaiiillliiinnnggg!
    This time I'm not kidding!


    From: 101 Uses for a John Howard - #98: Chicken Little
     
  8. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    I see it as an issue with those that may have been surprised by the characteristics of the new technology. It's analagous to the the 10 second delay at start up. Nothing happens. It's similar to the 'shut down at a stop light.' The vehicle feels like it's stalled. The Prius is different and it's new technology. It does 'feel' different.

    Because it doesn't 'feel' the same as the vehicles of the last 100 yrs that we learned to sense and feel doesn't mean that there's a defect involved. That part is absolutely only opinion.

    Real world data from millions of drivers over hundreds of millions of miles have not shown there to be any kind of loss of braking. This is the database from which to make any judgments. If the OP doesn't like the 'feel' of the vehicle...sell it. No one put a gun to his head in the beginning when he made his choice now he doesn't like it. Sell it. Life comes with no guarantees and trying to make a Federal issue out of it - literally - is a) an attempt to get attention or b) a simple attempt to get money back by coercion.

    Stong reply to follow.
     
  9. RobertMBecker

    RobertMBecker New Member

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    Interesting and unbiased response from someone who works at a Toyota dealership and has "Senior Hybrid Specialist" in their signature. See, that kind of response from someone who works at Toyota is not going to sit well with the public.
     
  10. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    If I felt a vehicle was "unsafe" I would have a VERY hard time selling it. My sense of internal responsibility wouldn't allow me to.
     
  11. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    If you designed a building and I didn't feel safe while occupying it, would you give me my money back? Would you buy it back from me? I know that it meets all applicable building codes and regulations, but I don't feel safe in it. I've never been injured, but if there was a major earthquake, I believe that the roof could fall down on top of me and I might get killed. So I think you should buy the building back and give me back my money. Because I don't think its safe. :madgrin:
     
  12. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    Dogfriend,

    I'd work with you to remedy the items you felt were unsafe if you, and others, and the local news, and the national news and building officials/safety regulators all felt too, that there might be a safety issue in the building.

    This is NOT one person crying "the sky is falling"! Many otherwise very satisified Prius owners have commented on this disconcerting issue not just the original poster for this thread. If, however, you were the ONLY person who felt my building was unsafe for some very personal reason I'd suggest you reevaluate your feelings...or maybe suggest counseling. ;)

    I'm waiting for TMC to issue a statement about this matter in the near future. They'll have to soon enough as this thing is only going to grow larger as more cars get sold and the news stories start. Then we'll see if the "feelings" of many of us are legit or not. I feel bad for them really- this is not a good thing for them at this time with the other recall issues and PR problems they are battling...deserved or not.
     
  13. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    Another opinion^^.

    Contrary to your factless opinions my view is based on the facts that have been developed over 10 yrs of on road experience. You have no facts, only 'feelings', that formed your judgement and opinion.

    If you don't like the vehicle then sell it and stop whining. Move on.
     
  14. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    But I don't think any of your explanations would help and even if the building officials and safety regulators signed off on it, I still wouldn't feel safe in that building. So would you buy it back? :madgrin:
     
  15. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    No, and if TMC and the safety regs all say it's a non-issue, then it'll be a non-issue with me as well. It's already a non-issue with me really- I have adapted. My entire argument has been all along that it MIGHT be a potential safety issue for other drivers who might do the wrong thing at precisely the wrong time!

    Please quit comparing apples to oranges..or cars to buildings. Besides, I really doubt I'd take you on as a client. ;)
     
  16. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    It may indeed be the ABS kicking in. Please see my previous post from the G2 owners manual. I'm assuming that the same behavior would still hold true for the G3.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...raking-loss-prius-hybrids-14.html#post1029679
     
  17. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    If I tripped and fell down the stairs in the building you designed, would that be your fault for designing the stairway or my fault for not using the stairway properly? :madgrin:
     
  18. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    Your fault. I design my stairs properly to code. I might suggest you cut back on your drinking however. ;)
     
  19. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    Well, if it is the ABS kicking in, then it's unlike any ABS I've ever felt before. I felt no pulsing in the pedal, the braking just went away entirely and my pedal felt like mush.
     
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  20. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    So if Toyota designs a car, and someone stabs the wrong pedal when they meant to stop the car, who's fault would that be? :madgrin: