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Prius Hatch opens too high - Major safety concern!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by F8L, Feb 7, 2010.

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  1. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Most PriusChatters are at this point tired of all the recall talk, so they've decided to do something about it: Start making up new problems for the Prius. In what has got to be one of the funniest threads of all time on PriusChat, F8L and efusco have teamed up to tackle what they see as a major safety problem with the Toyota Prius - the rear hatch. Apparently the migratory patterns of the Sandhill Crane are being affected by the Prius' hatch, leading to cranes becoming trapped in the Prius, or even worse - killed. Thankfully, Toyota has put out a Safety Recall to take care of the issue. Read the full thread below to find out how you can avoid these deadly conditions by adding Thermoplastic elastomer restraining bands and a manual elevator/lift mechanism (as pictured above). The issue presented by F8L. Toyota's press release addressing the issue and announcing a safety recall
     
    #1 F8L, Feb 7, 2010
    14 people like this.
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Toyota has acknowledged that this is a problem when I took my Prius to the dealer he actually said "Whoa".
     
    #2 efusco, Feb 7, 2010
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    LMAO!

    You're pretty awesome Evan. :)
     
    #3 F8L, Feb 7, 2010
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Good thing you guys have your "reputation" button removed ROFLMAO
     
    #4 paprius4030, Feb 7, 2010
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    :D
     
    #5 F8L, Feb 7, 2010
  6. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    damm i am happy driving a gen 2prius that dont have thise major safety problem.

    i am thinkng about never buying a toyota ever again.....

    wy dont i have major safety concern about my gen 2 prius? i feel attention.. i want attention... i want a mjor safety concurn with my gen 2 prius .. dam it toyota wy did you build a good car like this.
     
    #6 Flying White Dutchman, Feb 7, 2010
  7. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Oh My God! I mean, like this is so totally a global safety issue of like
    cosmic proportions... like REALLY!

    Toyota needs to recall all garage doors manufactured in N. America
    since 1952, and all migratory birds hatched since Adam and Eve were
    given the boot from the Garden of Eden. When was that, like what,
    1936? God, I totally hate history, it's so, you know, like boring and all,
    there are totally just too many dates and names and facts and all.



    I'm so totally not going to drive any vehicle that has pneumatic tires
    until I get a sign from Heaven that God approves of humanity as an
    existential reality. Well, like OK, I'll totally take a text message, or a
    Twitter, or oh my God, like, even an email, you know, if that's what
    it takes.

    And like I just realized that Priuses totally kill bugs and things that
    get smashed on the beginning part, you know, the front of the car!
    Like, just imagine what's the last thing that goes through it's little mind.
    Toyota should just recall everything that's, you know, like, transportation
    related. REALLY! I mean like trains and the flying things, and even
    bicycles! I'm like hoping that the little Green Men will totally understand
    how like totally important this really is.

    (I borrowed the video from this thread. Many thanks to Flying White Dutchman.)
     
    #7 Rokeby, Feb 7, 2010
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol. Open hatch and wheelie eh? I think that's called Ricer mode.... you know.. the giant wing in the back.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Feb 7, 2010
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    three camry's and two prius' later, i have never gone back to the dealer for anything after the purchase. however, this hatch issue has me concerned. will it affect my trade in value? what a disappointment in toyota!:rolleyes:
     
    #9 bisco, Feb 7, 2010
  10. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

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    I think you can fix the problem with the hatch by taking out your floormats.
     
    #10 Stev0, Feb 7, 2010
    10 people like this.
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I'm so glad you guys can see the humor in this. I had to poke some fun. :)

    Now back to the issues. I didn't even think about poor bugs! Rokeby you are so right on.
     
    #11 F8L, Feb 7, 2010
  12. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    OMG the bugs hitting the windschield and front bumper.

    YES thats a bit design fail...
    those need to be removed so no bugs can be hit with them.... murders.. its a hit and run al the time.
     
    #12 Flying White Dutchman, Feb 7, 2010
  13. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

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    I know it really belongs in the joke thread, but the last thing that goes through the poor little bug's mind when he hits the windshield is his a$$!
     
    #13 MJFrog, Feb 7, 2010
  14. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    [​IMG]
    For Immediate Release
    SSC-6969
    Affected Vehicles: all 2004-2009 MY Toyota Prius--all VIN ranges

    Problem: The rear hatch in the affected vehicles are known to open too a height were certain weather patterns can be affected. Further, flying wildlife have been known to collide with the elevated hatch doors and be killed. Finally, it is believed that some customers have been thrown into the sky and never returned to earth by the dramatic opening of the hatch.

    What you Should do:
    Do NOT, under any circumstance, open the rear hatch of the vehicle. If possible, have it arc welded closed until you can have this service work performed.

    The Repair:
    Call your dealer and schedule an appointment for SSC-6969. The repair could take up to 2 weeks due to the complexity of installation and acquisition of the new opener system.

    Toyota will install 2 new components.
    The first is a installation of [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoplastic_elastomer"]Thermoelastomer[/ame] restraining bands to prevent the hatch door from rising excessively high or at an excessive rate of speed. These are attached via existing D-loops and hatch clips, but if the installer isn't too bright could take days.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    The second part to be installed will be a manual elevator/lift mechanism in the form of a young child. Acquisition of these parts will take some time and hence the delay in repair for the over 1/2 million Prius in the USA. The owner may request a specific race, age and sex for their elevator/lifter, but this could delay their repair until such time the specific race, age, and sex of a child can be acquired.
    [​IMG]

    Customer safety and our vehicle's reliability are of utmost importance to the Toyota Corporation and we will strive to make every effort to resolve the customer's concerns and problems as part of the Toyota kaizen.
     
    #14 efusco, Feb 7, 2010
    7 people like this.
  15. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    OMG hahahah you even made pics ahaha

    maybe we need to post this on the VW and other forums?
    just to let them know prius owners are all over the prius problems solving.
     
    #15 Flying White Dutchman, Feb 7, 2010
  16. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    IMHO, we have been seeing far more than our fair share of splattered bugs
    around here of late.
     
    #16 Rokeby, Feb 7, 2010
  17. jloss

    jloss New Member

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    Jeez...'awesome Evan'? Get a life!
     
    #17 jloss, Feb 7, 2010
  18. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    LOL, after the weekend we've had here in the Mid-Atlantic region, this really just made my weekend!

    All I can picture, is a hatch flying open and a car doing a bunch of end-overs flying through the air (picture those car jumping trips)....

    And I love the pictures that you guys came up with!

    I actually had someone at Sears today ask me if the brakes on my Prius worked.....Wanted to say "Nope, I decided to walk here and push the snow blower I wanted to buy back home"....Reminded of a Bill Engvall "Here's your sign" moment.
     
    #18 wick1ert, Feb 7, 2010
  19. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Wouldn't know what to do with it if I had one...:hurt:
     
    #19 efusco, Feb 7, 2010
  20. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    LMAO your soooo funny

    did you hear about the bug problem?

    its a hit and run for what al those bugs are concerned
     
    #20 Flying White Dutchman, Feb 7, 2010
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