Featured Why aren't Prius's part of this recent massive faulty fuel pump recall ?

To answer the question, it is because hybrids with that system don't stall to a stop, but have enough energy in the battery to pull off the road.

 

A cynic might suggest the high MPG of the Prius means the pump doesn’t have to work so hard.

Bob Wilson

 

I assume it is because all Prius are made in Japan, and perhaps more importantly all the parts are made in Japan.

Many Toyotas are made in the US/Canada using North American parts.

 

Just the LC and LS 500h, which don't use HSD. They use a RWD system that tacks what is basically a 4 speed automatic onto the back of the HSD.

From the article, "In documents provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in January, the automaker said that although some hybrid vehicles use this same fuel pump, the Lexus LS500h and LC500h are the only hybrids included in this recall. Other hybrid vehicles will enter what Toyota calls a “fail-safe” mode—in which the vehicle can be still driven for short distances but with reduced power—if the pump fails."

The hybrids go into EV mode, just as if they ran out of gas. I'm guessing those Lexus can't do the same.

US made hybrids aren't part of the recall. The LS ones are made in Japan.

 

Yeah, which is why Toyota has a courtesy campaign to replace failed pumps in the hybrids. They likely have a supply issue with replacement pumps, and want them to go to those in the recall first.

 

what about freeway driving? battery will not be enough to maintain a high speed.

 

No, it won't even be enough for but a couple miles at a low speed, but there will be enough energy to get the car safely to a shoulder. Maybe even crawl to an exit.

An ICE car won't just lose the engine, but likely also power steering and brakes.

 

But they lose only the power assist to those functions. The vehicle is still maneuverable with manual steering and manual brakes. While requiring more muscle, these are still manageable in the absence of other difficult circumstances.

Though do beware Bob Wilson's findings that Gen3s don't give any explicit warning when the ICE stalls from fuel starvation. The car keeps going, drivers may not notice anything unless they ask for more power than the battery alone can provide. Only when the HV battery is also low does the car give a warning -- and that warning is of electric power steering failure. Fortunately, a Prius has easier manual steering than most ICE vehicles.