Will we be getting a recall notice?

Pray for a buy back! I have too many miles on mine

 

According to a NY Times article this morning, Toyota ". . . left open the possibility of a recall." In the current environment, I think the company would be insane not to modify the other vehicles.

 

Just seen this over here in the UK;

BBC News - Toyota rues Prius brake software problem

Sounds like an admission to me. Will wait to get it fixed under recall.

 

If it's a software issue, I would think it would be an easy fix. Just flash the computer with the updated software.

If Toyota says it "fixed" a problem in the newest January builds, I would think a recall is inevitable.

 

Just rung Toyota UK and got a useless guy at an African call centre who said that there are no reports of a problem in the UK and as such the car is safe. When I begged to differ and refered him to the above news story which has just broken, he hung up on me!! Nice.

Also, I've had the BBC contacting me wanting to know details of the brake issues, probably because I use my vehicle as a taxi. I am holding back as I think Toyota will fix it soon and don't really want to 'put the boot in' but the experience with their useless call centre hasn't helped!

 

I think the fix will be done by SSC (special service campaign), not recall.

Ken@Japan

 

If it's not a safety problem, that seems reasonable

 

I'll be happy if they do one.

 

Had the PR Manager from Toyota UK call me just now (obviously I've kicked off enough ) and they are aware of the issue here in the UK too. I believe they are going to 'fix' the problem with a Special Service Campaign here also.

I'm happy with that and this issue is now so big they won't be able to back track. Whether the damage has already been done to their reputation or not remains to be seen.

 

Its a safety problem, so a recall is definitely needed.

 

What's the difference between that and a recall?

 

Completely agree. Especially with the microscope on Toyota.
The impact of this issue can definitely affect safe operation - for the 1st owner, and subsequent owners. The fix (really) must be tracked to ensure complicity. I don't think that Toyota can afford anything less. Especially with their flagship product. And if not, the competition will use it as ammo against the Prius.

 

I think, and correct me if I am wrong, a recall is for something serious that can affect safety. So they don't want to miss anyone. In computerspeak, it is an essential upgrade. The government is more involved.

A service campaign is an update. Made to improve the product. Not that anything major was wrong with the product in the first place. If you miss it, no big deal. In computerspeak, a minor update. The govt may or may not be involved because there was nothing terribly wrong in the first place. It is not a matter of public safety.

I had a service campaign on my lexus - to make the headlights harder to steal. That would be an example.

Something like that.

 

From MSNBC 18 min. ago:
Toyota recalling 270,000 Priuses

Toyota announces it will recall the popular hybrid car in the U.S. and Japan due to a possible braking problem, the Nikkei News Service reports; U.S. opens investigation

 

Japanese Nikkei Net reports this.
Toyota to recall Prius about brake problem fix (Japanese only)

Toyota's intension was the fix will be done as SSC, but the US government pushes to be considered it as more serious problems.
Then, it looks Toyota decided to do a recall for the Gen3 brake problem fix.

Toyota is also investigating brake problems on other hybrid models.
Maybe, other hybrid models will be listed on the recall at the same time as Gen3 Prius or sometime later.

Ken@Japan

 

Hi Ken,

I also do not understand the difference between Special Service Campaign (SSC) and "recall". In the past, all important 2G safety-related programs were designated SSC, such as the ECU reprogramming (SSC 40D and SSC 50P) and the intermediate steering shaft replacement (SSC 60C).

With an SSC, affected customers receive owner notification letters and are urged to promptly bring their car to their local dealer for repair. It's unclear to me how a "recall" could be more urgent.

 

Hi Patrick,
My understanding about difference between recall and SSC is as follows;

recall: a fix about serious problem, especially safety issues. Has to work with government (NHTSA in the US).
SSC: a minor fix or function improvement. Decided by car manufacture alone. I think no report is required to government if it is not related to safety issues.

Ken@Japan