2008 Prius blows up.

Maybe we should start a poll with 2 questions: Arson or Spontaneous Fire. Here's one for arson, here's why.

1) The fire started at the right front of the car on the sidewalk side, where someone is less likely to be seen starting a car on fire.

2) Seems more likely for a car to spontaneously light up if its powered up, not after sitting for hours (Fords excepted). There's no fuel flow if the car is off. Actually, my Prius usually has no fuel flow even if its running! When car is off the HV battery is disconnected. 12v battery is connected, so a simple 12v wiring short is probably the only possible non-arson cause, but this is not a German car so not likely.

3) Was not an explosion, just a fire. There's nothing to explode under the hood of a Prius, unless you're talking about tires overpressurizing from the fire.

4) Prii have been sabotaged in the past, don't know if its more frequent than with any other car but it might seem so to us.

5) I'm a really big fan of Occam's Razor, all things being equal the simplest solution is usually the right one. Arson is very simple. That the fire dept didn't call the Arson Investigators is not surprising, they didn't really care.

 

I work for Toyota and would like to update you on the situation regarding the recent fire reported by a Prius owner. First, we are in contact with the customer and are sorry that she experienced this situation. We are also starting an investigation this week to determine the cause. At this point, we have not received any information that the fire was caused by the hybrid system or the vehicle itself. Any conclusions will be determined after a careful investigation, including a review of fire department reports. We believe this is an unsual, unfortunate incident and not something that affects other Prius vehicles. If you have any concerns with your Prius or other Toyota vehicle, please call our toll-free help number at 1-800-331-4331. Thank you.

Brian R. Lyons
Corporate Communications
Toyota Motor Sales USA

 

Thanks for the info Brian! I'd always heard that Toyota reps pay attention to what's here, but never seen it first hand. And, thanks for making us such a fantastic car!

 

Way to step up to the plate Mr. Rep!
GM/Ford,etc.-take notes....

 

Cool. Direct communication from the manufacturer. This is unprecedented! I hope Toyota continues to participate in this forum.

Thank Brian.

Tom

 

:amen:

 

+1 please keep us posted!

 

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

Much as we hate the thought, our favorite cars could have a serious design flaw, or some of them could have serious manufacturing errors.

 

Poor Prius!!!
Zooey, has toyota gotten back to you yet?

 

Here is an update to our posting from yesterday. This morning, we completed the preliminary investigation of the vehicle. Although it’s too early to definitively establish the root cause, the source of the fire appears to be on the ground, at or around the right front tire. The Los Angeles Fire Department has inspected the vehicle and I have contacted them for an initial analysis. In conversations with area residents, it appears that there have been some random fire-related acts of vandalism in the area recently, including at least one other vehicle. Please call our toll-free help number at 1-800-331-4331 if you have any concerns with your Prius or other Toyota vehicles.

Thanks,

Brian R. Lyons
Corporate Communication
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

 

This is excellent news. Thanks, Mr. Lyons, and please keep us updated.

 

hi all,

yes...got the news this afternoon that it was arson. so, not good news that there is an arsonist in the neighborhood, but i feel very relieved to know for sure the cause.

toyota corporate was fantastic and sent inspectors over yesterday to look at the car and then they called me today. (and just a side note that l.a. arson investigators went yesterday as well and came to the same conclusion)

have to say, i was really impressed with how seriously toyota took the matter and with the care i received from corporate. i will definitely be replacing my prius with another.

thanks again to everyone on the board for the help.

 

Good to see you got to the bottom of it.. Hopefully if there are any surveillance cameras in the area the authorities can at least get a description of the perps who set your car on fire.

Any word from your insurance company (if you got a full coverage policy)?

 

i have been in touch with my insurance company since this happened last friday. they were waiting to find out the results of the investigation. hopefully everything will go smoothly and i will be able to replace my prius quickly and as pain-free as possible.

 

ZOOEY1118 - sorry about your car, but good to know that it was arson. my suggestion would be to try to park your car inside in a gated parking structure.

BRIAN LYONS - I think i can speak for the majority of the PC site here that we appreciate your input. it's really important that you posted and kept us up to date, that you assured us of the toyota reputation and safety. i purchased this car because of the superior reputation TOYOTA has. thank you sincerely for your post.

I hope they catch this criminal. enough of arson/fires in the so-cal area.

 

ZOOEY1118, Sorry about your car, but it is good to know that it was not a Toyota defect. Arson was my thought from day one. I hope you don't have to wait too long for a replacement and that your insurance company gives you a fair settlement.

 

zooey1118, do you have a secure place to keep the next one? If not maybe a beater is the best idea.

 

so whe ave a official toyotausa member now?