Braking problem

Not all ABS systems are detectable. While I have triggered ABS on my Gen II on several occasions, I have never felt or heard the buzzing or thumping common with older systems.

Tom

 

Mind linking to those threads? From all the crap that I have waded through the experience is much mo0r pronounced on the GENIII and in no way could be considered a safety issue on most GenIIs.

 

In case Toyota -- or the world -- is watching, I've experienced this problem as well. Whether it poses a significant safety problem is subjective, and depends upon each person's (or company's) stake in the matter. Judging by the anecdotal evidence, it seems the car is not stopping as fast as many people expect during certain situations that occur during normal driving conditions. Depending on the speed, the car can cover many feet in the fraction of a second that braking is lost. If the consensus of consumers (with a vast amount of experience driving many vehicles -- almost all with ABS in the last 10 years) is that this braking behavior is a problem that needs to be rectified -- then it's a problem that needs to be rectified.

I think we, as consumers, should not accept or "get used to" these failures of engineering. I find it disheartening that the media is reporting that only 100 complaints have been filed, when these forums are full of reports. Please go to Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), File A Safety Complaint and file a complaint and make your voice heard. Even if you've gotten "used to it", or you don't think it's a big deal, filing a complaint tells car manufacturers that we expect better quality out of our vehicles.

 

Rattles aren't limited to economy cars. I'm not sure what his story is on his dealer fixing/not fixing them. He should take it in to get fixed before his 3 year/36K warranty runs out. If his dealer sucks, find one w/a better service department. If they stop, he can stop griping about that aspect.

My 02 Maxima had rattles that I had to take in to get fixed at least 2x. My Z had rattles and buzzes that I got fixed but I have more and am way out of warranty (not worth the expense).

Please post up locations like from Google Maps or even better, Google Street View. Bwilson4web likes collecting such data and it's helpful for him/others to go there to try to repro. They could help Toyota too.

 

Re: Japanese Government Orders Toyota To Investigate Complaints Over 2010 Prius Breaks

FYI,
The ECU software of following VIN Prius had been modified since late January production.

0124257 or later (Toyota Tsutsumi #1 production line)
1157314 or later (Toyota Tsutsumi #2 production line)
5118118 or later (Toyota Auto Body Fujimatsu production line)

Ken@Japan

 

Toyota fesses up to Prius brake problem

Toyota Says Prius Brakes Had Design Problems - NYTimes.com

 

below -20 degrees Celsius

Who would be crazy enough live in place where it below -20C more then a day :boink:

 

You can reproduce the "brake loss" generaly on each bumpy road with speed higher than 25 km/h and with the constant, moderate brake pedal pressure. I never experienced the issue with my regular braking habbits. I usually start to brake little bit harder and easy the pedal after that to make a smooth car stop.

 

Funny thing.. I heard on the radio this morning that Toyota says there has been "100 complaints about the braking issue" for the 2010 Prius.. really? only 100?

Hopefully they find the problem soon and get a fix so we can all bring our cars in

 

Ice Road Truckers.

 

You are absolutely WRONG. If I am trying to brake and the brake is not engaging (even if for 1/2 a second), both time and distance to stopping have and did occur. Maybe you have not had this happen, but I can tell you that distance to stopping was longer, if only a few feet and had I wanted to stop at the actual point of occurance, I could not have done so. Most times I am traveling slowly when this occurs and I could not , I repeat not have stopped on the rough road or metal grating that initiate this problem.

 

I'll just chime in here. I picked up my blue III on August 31, and now have about 5200 miles on it. I have also experienced this "braking problem" a few times, mostly a low speeds and very soon after starting up the car. I must say the first time it sort of freaked me out.

I just hope there is a simple "software fix" or something.....now I remember why I have NEVER bought a new model or redesign of any car before when it is first introduced, I used to wait until they had all the bugs taken care of, but I just couldn't wait with the Prius, my bad....

 

Wow, you guys can gripe, can't you. It's happened to me a few times, and I've found that after the first time, it's no big deal. Instinctively, you press the pedal harder, right? Go out and enjoy your cars. You guys talk about these cars like an unwanted son-in-law (yes, that was a nagging mother-in-law bash). Lighten up a little.

 

I can't disagree more. Not about the "griping".... but "no big deal". Are you kidding? When a vehicle design/manufacturing problem involves going and stopping - and not having complete control of same... that IS a big deal. It's not like a rough idle or rattle - this involves safety. Owners must have confidence that their vehicles can be trusted - and not have to remember to compensate for defects.

 

I bought the Gen III because it contains the fixes they worked out for the problems with the Gen II. I'm still not sorry I bought my car, I'm still confident that Toyota is working diligently to figure it out and solve the problem.

I'm also aware that this is relatively new technology. Can we really expect to have the latest greatest in regards to function, form, technology, and cost and not be prepared to deal with unintended consequences ( or flaws?)

I think the archives here will prove to be a gold-mine for Toyota and expect they already have. Once something like this becomes publicized, The complaints will escalate and it becomes much harder to figure out which are legitimate and which aren't. There is information here about people who were noticing this problem before it made headlines. If I were Toyota that's where I would start.

Geesh... listen to me. Maybe I should send them my resume, I'm clearly defending them!

 

Well, Toyota does deserve to be defended. They make great cars and I think the Prius is a very important car for the advancement of high FE and pushes forward the entire "green" mentality in the Automotive world. It's unfortunate that they've had the recall issues they've dealt with and the braking issue too, but they'll remedy it all I'm sure.

 

I think most people would be happy if Toyota just said we hear you. There are others like you. We don't think it is a life threatening problem and we admit no guilt, but we will look into this and see if it is a problem. If it is a big problem, we will issue a service bulletin and or a recall. Please give us some time to study it. These are some of the compromises in making a hybrid. By the way, please feel free to exchange your ideas with us and other owners at Prius Chat.

Instead, what we get from some posters (not all) are:

1. It does not exist.
2. It is not a problem.
3. You got to know your vehicles more.
4. If you can't reproduce it, we can't fix it.
5. When, where, how, conditions, - as if you are lying.
6. It is not a problem with me and my extended family, why are you so uptight.
7. You are driving dangerously.
8. Don't panic, cool down.
9. Your driving skill can be improved.
10. We are trying to provide facts but you an alarmist.
11. Name calling ("chicken little"). etc.


While this may provide the posters with momentary fun and a feeling of superiority, it has a long term bad effect. It gets people more upset. And instead of calming them down, it has the exact opposite effect. They become even more vocal to defend the perceived slight.

What's the best way to fight back against someone who just called you "chicken little"? Keep the issue alive by constant posting. So calling people names or insulting them keeps this issue on the forefront.

I am going to wait this one out and see what happens. Everyone knows at this point what it is. Arguing won't help now.

 

It's important to clarify that PriusChat is NOT Toyota.

Correct me if I'm wrong mods but I think PriusChat is a public site, moderated by volunteers, for Prius enthusiast. I do not believe the owner of the site is formally affiliated with Toyota.

I do think however that Toyota is aware of PriusChat and takes advantage of the concentration of Prius owner/fans to announce things here or there and get a sense of how people are responding to things.

Your points are well stated and I agree. Some of the original complaints were met with those very things. I also think it's important to remember that they were responded to from other Prius owners, not Toyota.