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Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 MY Prius

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Prius Team, Feb 9, 2010.

  1. Prius Team

    Prius Team Toyota Marketing USA

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    First, the press release is up. Second, we know before you've even read it that it won't answer all your questions. We know and we're working on it. Lastly, I will say to our community, thank you for your patience and understanding. It has been painful to watch your frustration with what must seem like willing silence from us on this issue. It's even more painful for me to not be able to dive into this forum like I normally would and just discuss all the issues out in the open. But because it is critical that we comply with all the regulatory protocols for this issue, I have not been able to do so. Hopefully, in the near future, we will have more uplifting Prius-related stories to discuss together. Doug Coleman Prius Product Manager Toyota Motor Sales, USA Press Release: Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Model-Year Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h Vehicles to Update ABS Software
    Inspection of Power Steering Hose Position on Certain 2010 Camry Also Announced
    Recalls Underscore Toyota’s Commitment to Address All Vehicle Quality and Safety Issues Promptly and Effectively
    TORRANCE, Calif., February 8, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.​
    The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some 2010 model year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the ABS is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.​
    Toyota has responded to owner concerns with a running production change for 2010 Prius that was introduced last month, improving the ABS system’s response time, as well as the system’s overall sensitivity to tire slippage. The production change for the HS 250h is planned for later this month.​
    “We’re committed to doing everything we can – as fast as we can – to restore consumer trust in Toyota, and these recalls are part of this effort,” said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor Sales. “We regret the inconvenience this recall will cause to Prius and HS 250h owners, and will do our best with the support of our dealers to make sure that it is conducted in the most trouble-free manner possible.”​
    Mr. Lentz continued: “As part of the quality improvement program announced by Toyota President Akio Toyoda last week, our company is undertaking a top to bottom review to ensure that our vehicles meet our own high standards of safety and reliability, now and for the future. We are taking steps to implement more stringent quality control across the company, to investigate customer complaints more aggressively and to respond more quickly to any safety issues we identify.”​
    The recall will allow Toyota dealers to perform the software update on 2010 Prius vehicles sold prior to this running production change. Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009 and all HS 250h vehicles are subject to this recall. First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in this campaign.​
    The ABS system on the Lexus HS 250h is similar in design to the Prius. The software adjustment planned for HS 250h production and dealer modification is being finalized and will be announced very soon.​
    Toyota will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their vehicle is involved in the recall.​
    Separately, Toyota will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 7,300 early production - 2010 model year Camry vehicles equipped with the 4 cylinder engine to inspect for a power steering hose that may be in contact with a front brake tube. This contact could lead to a hole in the brake tube and cause a brake fluid leak, increased brake pedal stroke and greater vehicle stopping distance.​
    Owners of the involved 2010 Camry vehicles will be notified by mail starting in the middle of February.​
    Detailed information about these recalls is available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.​

     
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  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Thank you!

    This matches the one event I was eventually able to replicate on a Huntsville rain-slick street after a speed bump. But I remain curious about:
    We picked up our Prius in May 2009 and then I noticed:
    Should the " Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331" be able to check our VIN to see if we're impacted?

    I spent about 4-6 weeks trying to replicate the braking pause (it is not easy with ours) but do I have to tell my wife? She is a little 'lead footed' and maybe she'll back off.

    LATE NOTE: Thank you Team Prius. Since the UK and Japanese announcements are for all 2010 Prius, I think it is safe to say all ZVW30 Prius. I'm a happy camper.

    Bob Wilson
     
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Thank you!

    As someone who works for a large company and has seen enough hungry ambulance chasing lawyers running around, I totally understand your position. Saying/doing the wrong thing can expose one to financial and/or legal liabilities.

    I also recognize there are some aspects that are confidential/proprietary and in some cases, if released, can give a competitor an advantage. I'm sure there are also many other things going on behind that scenes that need preparation besides just regulatory stuff (testing, input from legal, rollout plans, contingencies, etc.) that some here aren't aware of/haven't thought of.
     
  4. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I think it's fair to say, Bob, that it means Vehicles produced since April, 2009 and delivered in May 2009. I can't imagine that the earliest cars wouldn't be affected (mine is, and it has an April 2009 build date).
     
  5. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    What about earlier editions of the Prius? The Gen II models don't seem to be immune from brake system issues: Early Priuses may have braking issues - Autos- msnbc.com
     
  6. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    Uh, I believe the legal exposure is already a done deal. Expect this to be fought over in the court system for the next few years.

    Since the braking switchover looks like a safety issue affecting all hybrid tech, Toyota should share what info it has, even more so given that the details will be made public one way or another either through a legislative or legal process. The ball has already started rolling.
     
  7. Rhino

    Rhino New Member

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    I am glad you are such a big fan. I love my Toyota too - but not as much as you. I'll say it is not a major problem and I don't want to roast Toyota for this. However, I don't think you have considered all the issues in your justifications. I humbly suggest your post does not help Toyota at all.

    Not correcting a problem or perceived problem fast enough can also expose a company to liability.

    I certainly hope a company does not put their secret advantage above the safety of its customers. Assuming this is a safety issue.
     
  8. georgew

    georgew New Member

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    wooo! any reason someone would not want this update implemented?
     
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I can't speak personally speak to the 3rd gen's behavior vs. my 2nd gen and the perceived problems. I'm simply trying to give some insight into what might be happening behind the scenes.

    My examples weren't meant to be an exhaustive set of things that could be going on behind the scenes during an investigation and that need to be done and in place before a recall. I've never worked in the auto industry nor on the regulatory side.

    As for confidential/proprietary, I'm speaking in general terms. I'm sure Doug and other Prius Team members can't go into detail partly because of this.

    Do you think an automaker would like to disclose all aspects of their design, testing and validation methodology and processes along w/all their lessons learned along the way to the public? (So a competitor can gain an advantage?) How about all the data files from their CAD/CAM software needed to fabricate all their parts and cars? How about raw data from tests or raw data about things like supplier defect rates? How about all the process improvements implemented internally? How about complete project schedules including that of unreleased and unannounced products? How about contact info for everyone in the company? The list could go on and on.

    I wish some of you worked in a large company on unreleased products in an extremely competitive marketplace. You'd understand where I'm coming form.

    No, I'm not implying that Toyota is putting some hypothetical "secret advantage" above the safety of its customers.
     
  10. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Perhaps, but you must admit that people could slip up and make things FAR worse than they already are.

    By financial, I'm also speaking of a hypothetical. Let's say a company decided to rush out a "fix" for something but it turns out to end up being the wrong fix and makes things worse. Well, now they have to take the hit (cost of labor + parts, at minimum) for validating the wrong fix, applying the wrong fix, finding, validating and applying the right fix and any consequences that might result (embarrassment, loss of credibility, damage to machine/vehicle, etc.)

    Although not all the documentation/correspondence is posted for the unrelated sticky accelerator recall and none up about this recall yet, to give some insight as to the correspondence between an automaker and NHTSA along w/accompanying documentation, see http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/documentList.do?docId=09V338&docType=RCL&fromPublic=true for example. You can click on "Document Search" after looking up any car recall at www.safercar.gov. One should be able to see that it took many man hours to plan for and put together the documentation, write the repair procedure, validate it, come up w/a rollout plan, etc.
     
  11. SkipPrius

    SkipPrius New Member

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    If there is an update such as this, wouldn't you have to get it updated for insurance purposes? Otherwise, without the upgrade, are you driving an unsafe and un-insurable vehicle? I'm not sure about this one but I think I read it in one of the posts somewhere...

    SKIP
     
  12. Stan Ames

    Stan Ames Junior Member

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    To the Prius team

    Thank You!

    Stan Ames
     
  13. guinness_fr

    guinness_fr Junior Member

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    Any chance to hear a little bit about how the fix is implemented?
    In other words, does it involve resuming regen braking sooner after the cut-off or is it the hydraulic brakes that are used at the cut-off or something else?

    I don't have any problems with my genIII so I'd love to know more before bringing in my car (in fact I'd be happy to wait until the first service in 6,000 miles).
     
  14. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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  15. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    Thank you Toyota. I appreciate that you heard, listened to and responded to those of us who brought the attention to you via your customer experience website. I, for one, will have the remedy applied as soon as my dealer has it available.

    Out of curiosity, I do read in the offical release the following (bolding is mine):

    "Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius vehicles..."

    Is it a safety issue, right? (i.e. not just a normal characteristic of the car) If so, why is it voluntary- or does "voluntary" mean it's a recall that Toyota volunteered to do and they aren't be required to do it by some governing agency?
     
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  16. moner

    moner New Member

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    Is there any news for the Prius recall in Canada yet?
     
  17. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    According to the Toyota press release, "First- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in this campaign." It would be nice if Doug could elaborate upon that statement.

    My guess is that we will not see a recall on G2 anytime soon, because 1) Toyota senior mgmt in Japan would have to become convinced this was necessary and 2) it would take time for a firmware change to be created and validated (assuming that the G2 skid control ECU could be reflashed, which may or may not be true.)

    Yes, voluntary means that in this case, TMS USA decided to proceed with the recall, prior to being hit over the head by NHTSA.
     
  18. bighouse

    bighouse Active Member

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    But, how about the word "safety" in the recall notice? I'm assuming that it means that the issue has been identified by Toyota as a safety issue. Or, does 2 + 1 = 2?
     
  19. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I'd say that your assumption is valid.
     
  20. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I was assuming that the issue was identified as a "Customer Experience" issue, not a safety issue. I based my statement on the numerous owners who have reported the exact same problem but do not believe it compromises their safety.