Toyota has finally admitted that its Prius suffers from braking issues on the 2010 models. But, the trouble does not stop there for the beleaguered car manufacturer. Toyota had planned to have the braking system fixed with a kit that it was sending to its dealers nationwide to patch the 2010 affected models. Now, there is discussion that the problems may have been even further reaching. They may have been affecting the 2005 models or even those Prius model cars released in earlier years.
Toyota has been able to revel in the fact that it is the world’s largest carmaker, and also a popular brand at that. Hopefully, there is not a situation of the pride before the fall in this case. There are upwards of over 8 million cars affected by this recall for the brakes on the Prius, and more vehicles may be on the list for further recall efforts.
If customer complaints are any indication of dissatisfaction, then, Prius customers prior to this last recall have been measurably “unhappy.” There have been problems with the braking systems on the Prius and accompanying accelerator issues that number in the hundreds. And aside from the brakes and gas pedal, some Prius owners have experienced other troubling issues such as headlights that suddenly go out, powertrains that shut down unexpectedly and other problems with the vehicles.
Apparently, the onboard computer systems have been known to “act up” from time to time, and it has been chalked up to a computer glitch. If you have never driven a Prius, you will not know what the articles describing computer glitches are about.
In a nutshell, the Prius is a feat of engineering. The car uses gasoline, and also is able to generate its own energy by producing energy while at a stop light or at rest. Many drivers consider the car a fun and completely fuel efficient vehicle to drive. The onboard computer is able to show how the car is using fuel, and it can toggle back and forth to show the driver the energy that is being saved. The fact that the Prius is having problems with the braking system is one that needs to be addressed by the manufacturer. If not, it would be a dangerous situation if the car is at rest, with the driver’s foot on the brakes, and the vehicle popped out of gear, with the chance that the car could move forward without the driver knowing it, or being able to stop this motion.
Toyota has been said to think that the ABS or anti-lock brakes may be the fault of the braking issues. This is more complicated than originally thought. In most cars, if a driver hits the brakes, the car stops, and the motor idles. In the Prius, the brakes are made to have the second function characteristic of a hybrid. The brakes are meant to stop the vehicle, and signal the car computer that it is time to regenerate energy that the car can use later when necessary. This energy is stored in the battery of the Prius, much the way energy is stored in a solar panel for use at a later time.
As a responsible car manufacturer, Toyota will most likely find a suitable way to fix the cars with issues that have been released to dealerships, as well as fix those still on the assembly line. Some Prius owners state that they have experienced problems in their 2005 Prius model cars. Whether an over sensitive ABS system is ultimately to blame, or whether there is another reason for the problem, Toyota as a reputable car company will no doubt come through with finding the answers sooner than later. And that is the good news.
If you have been in an accident with someone who owns a Prius, for the model years mentioned or for other years, you will want to call the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or email us at www.ledgerlaw.com. We are keeping up with the latest news regarding this issue and are ready to talk to you about your special situation if you have been in an accident with someone who was driving a Prius model car.
