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Toyota Prius Brake Problems

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Comments

  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "..I thought it may be "normal"..."

    You thought correctly.

    It is perfectly normal for the brake pedal to vibrate violently while ABS is in use.

    The problem being expressed concerning ONLY hybrid vehicles is the transition from regen braking ONLY into friction braking at the instant impending wheel lockup due to braking is detected. If the ABS "event" is momentary then all that the driver feels is the brief "lurch" forward for the 100 or so milliseconds it takes to release regen braking and then extend the brake pistons outward to bring the brake pads into contact with the brake rotors.

    Since the brake pedal never goes into violently vibrating mode the drivers see this "lurch" as an anomaly when it reality it is uniquely SOP to hybrids.

    And yes, on a highly slippery downslope I have often had to apply the e-brake to bring the vehicle to a final full and complete stop.
  • chebertchebert Member Posts: 2
    With my Acrua, the period of violent pulsing of the brake pedal and loss of braking action could be measured in seconds, not milliseconds (1-2 seconds). Of course, my car doesn't use a flywheel for regenerative braking like the Prius, and maybe it still is normal to lose braking for a second or more when slamming on the brakes over a bumpy road in an emergency stop.
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    Toyota 4Runner exhibits acceleration, brake symptoms

    Toyota’s massive recall of many of its high-volume models has, surprisingly, led to few credible reports of similar symptoms in non-recalled models. Yet a 2004 Toyota 4Runner in California is said to be experiencing exactly the same issues as its recalled brethren.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    The 100 or so milliseconds quote relates to the transitional time for a hybrid to go from regen braking to frictional braking. Vibratory motion of the brake pedal under ABS activation will last as long as the brakes are applied and any wheel is tending to lock.
  • brendabeibrendabei Member Posts: 6
    My 2005 Prius does exactly what yours does. I have noticed those problems since I had the car. I also noticed that if you are going down a slight hill it also lurches and slips too. I always think I need new tires with this car because of that slipping issue. One time my brakes failed when I was on a trolley track with cobblestones in a light rain. THank goodness no one was there. I have filed a complaint with nhtsa.
  • tryingedmunds2tryingedmunds2 Member Posts: 8
    A question

    ABS is capable of PWM, Pulse Width Modulation, down to 10's of milliseconds is good, but does that allow enough time for the wheels to grip and the driver to take advantage of the grip? I have a feeling the Mark/Space ratio might have to be say, 70/30 of brake/"no"-brake to maintain steering. I see that as about 30% less stopping ability. Realistic?

    (I've seen estimates of 20% longer stopping distances, but I don't know how this was measured.)
  • johnlskijohnlski Member Posts: 1
    I own a 2007 Toyota Prius and have experienced occasional momentary loss of braking (my foot firmly on the brake pedal) while driving over a bumpy surface. While braking over small pot holes, railroad tracks, rough patches, etc., the car seems to lunge forward apparently as the brakes release for a split second (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 second). The road conditions can be wet or dry. At the same time, my traction control light will flash on and off until the road smooths out. That split second is enough to cause an accident with the car in front of me if I don't give myself extra room or slow down prior to the bumpy condition (1/2 second at 20 MPH = 15 feet of unwanted travel). I drive over the same railroad tracks just prior to a traffic light every day and I have had to adjust my driving habits to keep this dangerous, additional stopping distance from reoccurring. I have seen similar complaints with earlier models up to the new 2010s on this and other websites. Some believe that this is a software delay that occurs when the braking switches from the electro-magnetic to the mechanical braking system. I would hope Toyota is aware of this (what I consider a design issue) and that earlier models will be included in the recall. So far it's only 2010 models. If you are experiencing the same problem, please contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 to make sure Toyota gets the word to include all affected model years. You may also report a safety complaint at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    Toyota Prius braking issues may predate 2010 model; other problems reported :lemon:

    Toyota Prius braking issues may predate 2010 model; other problems reported

    Could the apparent braking problems reported on the Toyota Prius – which Toyota admits was an issue on the current model prior to being resolved earlier this year – extend past the recently released 2010 model? According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the answer is a resounding... maybe.

    The third generation of the popular hybrid hatchback hit the market in 2009 as a 2010 model, and some 300,000 vehicles are thought to have a software glitch that could cause the car to lose braking power for up to one full second under certain circumstances. But that's not all. Apparently, reports of braking issues have been pouring in since 2005 or even earlier. If true, over a million second-generation Prius hybrids could potentially be affected.

    Perhaps it's worth mentioning that previous electronic issues have also been reported, such as headlights that burn out too quickly and malfunctioning traction control system. As pointed out by TheDetroitBureau.com, "ABS, traction control, electronic stability control and various other technologies all rely, at least in part, on braking to improve the stopping, handling and stability of today's cars, including Prius."
  • phatersphaters Member Posts: 2
    Please see my previous post #81
    I took my Prius in and had them look at it on Dec 15th a couple of weeks after I had the accident. They said that everything checked out fine and that it was probably my anti lock brakes kicking in(I moved to Seatlle from Minnesota and I know what anti locke brakes feel like, that wasn't the problem). Since then going down the same hill the car has accelerated when going over a pothole in the road. I called Toyota back and they said that my car is not part of the recall and that when they looked at my car in December they checked the brakes and the accelerator and all checked out! I feel like there is not much else to do. I called them again today and left a message that I want them to take another look. My insurance company said to just keep bugging them. After reading the other posts, the service guys at Toyota must have been told to tell people that they have never heard of this problem! I also feel Toyota should fix the bumper that was dented from the brakes failing to work! URG
  • jskr1977jskr1977 Member Posts: 2
    Have you filed a report with the NTSA? They have an online form. I personally believe you as someone who's had the same problem.I think unless people start to complain to the right people, this will be swept under the rug. I encountered the problem one time in my 2007 Prius in December during an ice storm. I live in minnesota and am all to familiar with the feeling of Anti-lock brakes on ice. This was a completely different experience. I had it happen a second time yesterday. I hope it never happens in a busy intersection.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Hybrid vehicles, unlike ABS implementations in non-hybrid vehicles, have two modes. Mode 1 simply disables regen braking and brings frictional braking online if it is not already. This transition, when frictional braking was not already online, is the cause of the "lurch" or "surge" seat of the pants "sensor" feeling, in reality a brief "lessening" of braking HP.

    Once frictional braking comes fully online and if impending wheel lockup detection persists then ABS goes into mode 2 and you get that standard vibratory brake pedal feedback "signal".

    In the case of a short bump, pertubation, in the roadbed that causes a brief separation of a driven wheel with the roadbed it is highly likely there will be no cause for ABS to enter mode 2.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "...ABS is capable of PWM, Pulse Width Modulation down to 10's of milliseconds is good.."

    While electrically/electronically the solenoid voltage can be switched on and off at those rates the mechanical time constants involved only allow a "switch" rate on the order of 100's of milliseconds.

    The PWM dutycycle is controlled by the ABS ECU in real-time, and it has two "masters". First, it will not allow the front wheels to slow very much more rapidly than the rear wheels, and vice versa. Second, if it detects that ANY wheel is too rapidly approaching lockup it will instantly release brake fluid pressure on that wheel and will not re-apply pressure until the wheel rotation rate has again risen to some "target" as defined by the current roadspeed.
  • phydophydo Member Posts: 1
    Might as well add my two cents worth here. My 2005 Prius (bought new) acts as if I have slammed on the brakes with only a very light touch on occasion. Mostly mornings. This since the very first year I had it. Toyota of Tampa Bay says they know nothing unless they see the problem. Even just an amateur search on the web shows this is fairly common problem. I filled out the little complaint form at the DOT site of "Office of Defects " and I received back a notice saying if I wanted to file a complain .......call this number.That after already filling out a complaint form. LOL. I notified Toyota but they have yet to give me any indication that this is something they are interested in fixing. It's OK though I have kept records and so if we get in a wreck at least my kids can sue everyone involved and maybe get a few bucks out of the criminals.
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,497
    Do the brakes WORK; i.e, do they stop the car?
  • bwilson4webbwilson4web Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2010
    I'm still testing but preliminary data indicates A0B fixed the brake pause. I used the following pothole for pre-patch testing:
    http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/Prius_bump_240.jpg

    The pothole, near side, was used for testing: ~4-5 inches deep and 7 feet long. I approached the pothole at ~20 mph since 19 mph is a documented threshold for braking transition. Before the patch, the regenerative indicator showed ~75% but after the pothole it dropped to ~20-15% and there was about a 50% reduction in braking force:
    http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/Prius_brake_080.jpg

    After the patch, the same test scenario showed ~50% regeneration and no reduction in regeneration after the pothole. Accelerometer testing showed no reduction in braking force:
    http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/Prius_brake_070.jpg

    It took a while to realize that the brake pause was not the same as our rain-slick Huntsville streets. I have one more test to run but it will take drizzle wet streets. But based upon the pothole tests run on Saturday, Feb. 13, the patch A0B works.

    Bob Wilson
  • dmaysdmays Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2007 and a 2010. The 2007 has always had this type of issue. Living in NJ I also notice it on snow and ice bumps..especially with the recent snow accumulation.

    The 2010 has not engaged the VSC or AB as much as the 2007...but it has happened.

    I honestly take this as normal...a Prius may start with a P but it ain't a Porsche.
  • kcbcarmichaelkcbcarmichael Member Posts: 5
    Couldn't figure out how to edit my original post, so I just replied to it. I did find that the ABS brakes were working BUT only if I pushed the brake pedal down far enough. On snow and ice, I don't mash them - I have always applied them lightly. Anyway, I still apply lightly, but if I need the ABS to kick in, I'll go ahead and push them down til the ABS kicks in. It does help me stop. My dealer also disabled the beeping in reverse for me. They tried to use the "but how will others know when your backing up" line, but when I responded that I wasn't sure how an internal sound was going to help those outside of the car, they agreed and did it for me.
  • kcbcarmichaelkcbcarmichael Member Posts: 5
    I have also experienced the surging (brakes disengaging) in my 2010 Prius II. Like others, it happened as I was braking and ran over some rough spots in the road. It really felt like a surge, but I can see how it was the brakes disengaging. It's happened twice now - I can totally see how someone could rear end someone.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "..It does help me stop..."

    Pushing down harder on the brakes will always help you stop.....EXCEPT if you push so hard or the road is so slippery that ABS activates. There is no condition known to man wherein Anti-lock braking will not extend your stopping distance.

    The idea behind ABS is to "reserve" a portion of your front wheels' roadbed traction coefficient for directional control. The bad news is that it will do that regardless of whether you need, or use, that "re-apportioned" lateral traction.

    Some day soon I expect that VSC will be used to activate ABS only if it is needed.
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,497
    I have also experienced the surging (brakes disengaging) in my 2010 Prius II............ It really felt like a surge, but I can see how it was the brakes disengaging. It's happened twice now - I can totally see how someone could rear end someone.

    That's one of the reasons why it's not good to tailgate.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    edited February 2010
    Trust me, you don't have to be "tail-gating" in order to rear-end another car, all it takes is a momentary release, TOTALLY UNEXPECTED momentary release, of FULL/PANIC braking.
  • masterpandamasterpanda Member Posts: 19
    I had the ABS recall appointment this morning on my 2010 and learned from the dealer's service staff something I must have missed in the 450-page manual and all the media coverage and blogs.

    The car does have brake over-ride. It only works at >30mph. Feet on both accelerator and brake pedals simultaneously will stop the car.

    I have not experienced any unanticipated acceleration on this car bought in December, but I know the complaint shows up in NHTSA complaints, but not to the degree of cars being recalled for UA. I had already practiced shifting to N and killing the engine by holding the start button for 3 seconds; yes, I know the brakes can overpower any engine surge.

    I continue to like this car a lot and have confidence in the company. The bashing from the GM crowd is pretty entertaining, in any case.
  • tryingedmunds2tryingedmunds2 Member Posts: 8
    Thanks for clarifying some of the operating characteristics of ABS. More than ever I want to have the option of temporarily turning off the ABS on any vehicle I drive.

    I'm apalled to learn that ABS is highly undesirable when driving on snow or ice or loose sand or loose gravel when what you most want to do is get stopped ! This is particularly aggravating when I think of the $1000 I invested in Toyo ice tires, that are being hobbled by ABS just when they could be most effective. Maintaining directional control seems to be a less frequent occurence to me, although mighty nice when you can benefit from it.

    On reflection, it seems to me that ABS may be largely responsible for the recent accounts of runaway Toyotas that couldn't be stopped by standing on the brakes. That's the way ABS is supposed to work ! IE: ABS will prevent wheel lock-up, and it will continue to function until the brakes overheat. At this point ABS shuts off but the brakes are probably too hot to be effective and there is no hope for the driver stop his runaway.

    Also horribly ironic when, before the advent of ABS, one good brake application could have brought almost any car to a halt by locking up the brakes in the first place!

    Realistic?

    Thanks
  • jacquescjacquesc Member Posts: 13
    That is right! I was not tailgating when my accident happened. I was starting from a stop light and the car in front of me stopped hard in the middle of the intersection for a rescue vehicle as I was trying to do the same. However, my brakes did not work at all for a few seconds as I pushed my foot through the floor. Then, w/o adjusting anything I was doing, my brakes all a sudden started working - but, I was 3 feet from the car at that point with not enough distance to stop and therefor hit them.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    edited February 2010
    I seem to remember reading a report some years ago that statistically non-ABS equipped vehicles were slightly more safe than ABS equipped vehicles. If I remember correctly the disparity had to do with an inordinantly high number of ABS single vehicle run off the road accidents.

    "..On reflection.."

    I myself was somewhat stunned to see that C & D test wherein the Mustang took almost 1000 feet to come to a stop at full throttle and HARD braking. Being RWD I would have thought, at first thought, that the brakes would have been able to bring the front wheels, and therefore the Mustang, to a QUICK stop.

    What I forgot was that ABS would have prevented the front wheels from braking heavily with the rear wheels still being "spun" by the engine torque.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "...It only works at >30mph..."

    Are you saying the BTO only works if your speed is above 30mph....???
  • masterpandamasterpanda Member Posts: 19
    Yes, by a seemingly articulate service service person at 355 Toyota in Rockville, MD, this morning. If I find this was BS, I will go to the media and NHTSA. And, yes, she said it only works above 30 mph, but I did not ask why. The brakes alone could stop the car easily at <30, and would be needed in any case because killing the engine won't elminate momentum.
  • tryingedmunds2tryingedmunds2 Member Posts: 8
    I think we're on to something here. If you think of a steep grade instead of a runaway engine providing thrust, it's possible to visualize a condition where the grade exerts more than the reduced braking force under ABS and the vehicle will never come to a stop. Without ABS the same situation could develope but it would tqke a steeper grade to overcome the more effective non-ABS situation. Once again, a situation where ABS cuts into safe driving limits.

    On a second issue: BA or Brake Force adjustment seems to be a rather ill-conceived driver aid. Suppose a prudent driver carefully removes his/her foot from the throttle and has it resting on on the brake pedal before maximum braking is required. Since there was no panic switch from throttle to brake does the braking computer remain stuck on minimum brake force? Is it only the inattentive drivers that benefit from automatic extra brake force?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I have had instances, extremely slippery sloped roadbed, wherein I had to resort to the use of the e-brake to bring my '92 Jeep to a full and final stop since the ABS would now allow such.

    I think BA watches the brake fluid pressure sensor to determine the rate at which brake fluid pressure rises in order to activate BA functionality.
  • tryingedmunds2tryingedmunds2 Member Posts: 8
    ------e-brake -------
    I'm assuming is Emergency/Parking Brake, also comes up short on the 2010 Tacomoa Automatic because it's the foot operated toggle-latching style. So, in an emergency one has to lift one's left foot to find it and then it locks on until you release it and then re-apply your foot to remove braking, then re-apply your foot again to get braking. Not at all a good design for slippery conditions when your trying your best to do threshold braking! (I test drove a standard shift and it had the very nice manual, hand operated proportional brake so I was a bit disapointed on this feature --- more so as I realize how useful it is)

    As for BA sensing the brake fluid pressure rate increase, that might still miss the mark if a prudent driver is gradually applying pressure in search of threshold braking. I'll explore this a bit more. Maybe I can build up a few good reflexes.

    I'm beginning to think all our vehicles have been designed by "bare roads" designers, (regulators too, as ABS is becoming mandatory on all new vehicles.) Surely no one with winter driving experience would have put such systems (ABS, BA etc) in place. They have no place on slippery roads.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    That rachet lock on the foot operated e-brake can be easily disabled.
  • tryingedmunds2tryingedmunds2 Member Posts: 8
    Re: "That rachet lock on the foot operated e-brake can be easily disabled"

    Thanks. Can I make it user choice? Using the parking brake feature is nice, and apparently regular use of the Tacoma parking brake is necessary to maintain it in a functional state (keeps the lubrication moving in the mechanism)
  • whitey9whitey9 Member Posts: 138
    VSC ( Vehicle Stability Control ), TRAC ( Traction control system ), ABS ( Anti-Lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Force Distribution ), and BA ( Brake Assist ) all come standard equipment on '10 Priuii.
    Not just ABS like on older cars. The affect is completely different that just plain-old ABS. There is no basis for comparison.
  • whitey9whitey9 Member Posts: 138
    You drove a Tacoma with a hand-operated emerg/park brake? I am surprised at this developement. Generally speaking, hand brakes are generally on smaller, lighter ( cheaper ) cars/trucks.
    Some cars come with foot applied/hand released e-brakes. Even then, during driving and braking, one must use a hand to keep the brake from staying engaged.
  • monte8monte8 Member Posts: 75
    "There is no condition known to man wherein Anti-lock braking will not extend your stopping distance. "

    Not correct. Testing has shown that ABS will extend braking distance in only two circumstances: 1. Loose gravel; and 2. Loose/soft snow. Stopping distances were longer as compared to braking by a very skillful professional driver (yes, I know, we all are better than average drivers). ABS will stop in the same distance as the skillful driver when the road is 1)dry; 2)wet; 3)ice covered; and 4)covered with compacted snow.

    Remember that maximum braking deceleration happens not with the wheels locked up, but with 5% rotation.
  • biomanbioman Member Posts: 172
    I called my Toyota dealer Friday, 2/19/2010, and asked for an appointment to have the ABS software update on my 2010 Prius. I was expecting a runaround, and/or a bunch of excuses as to why the update could not yet be performed. What a got totally disarmed me. The service advisor was pleasant and informed me that I could have the recall performed at a time I choose. So, I picked Friday at 10:00 AM. I arrived at the dealership, Newark Toyota World in Newark, Delaware, at 10:00 AM and by 11:15 AM I was on my way home. My ABS ECM flashed and my car washed. Could not ask for better service.
  • 07prius07prius Member Posts: 10
    I have read many posts about the momentary loss of braking occurring after driving over a pothole or bump in the road. In my case, I have test driven my Prius on smooth, paved roads, driving 25-30 mph, and then "standing" on the brakes. What consistently happens is the ABS light flashes and I come to a rolling, seemingly extended stop. I have never rear-ended another car before I had my Prius (I have been driving for about 8 years - not very long but long enough). Several weeks ago, I was driving about 35-40 mph in a 45 mph zone, and as I never tailgate, I was not tailgating the car in front of me. This car came to a sudden stop, as the car in front of him had illegally stopped to let a car waiting at a stop sign into the road, which was a main arterial and had no stop sign or light. I had been watching the road carefully as there had been a couple sudden stops in front of me as I was driving. I was still at least 40 feet behind him. I immediately slammed on the brakes, yet my Prius came to a rolling stop, and I rear-ended the car in front of me. I only dented his rear bumper, and dented the front bumper and hood on my car. It just seemed like it could have stopped sooner. I have since read that in such a scenario, you can push the gas pedal and brake pedal simultaneously to the floor to achieve braking without the ABS system kicking in. If that is the case, then why is this not pointed out to the consumer beforehand? I have read alot of message boards online that talk about the "quirks" of driving a Prius - it seems that new Prius owners should be educated about such quirks for safety reasons? My previous car was a 1982 Mercedes 240D. I was completely unprepared for what I experienced. :sick:
  • roho1roho1 Member Posts: 318
    Sorry for your accident. At 35mph you are traveling at 51 feet per second. So if you were 40 feet behind him there is no way you could have stopped in time considering driver reaction time and braking distance required.
    I think we all underestimate the gap we really need to stop safely.
  • masterpandamasterpanda Member Posts: 19
    I have a 2010 and was told by my dealer last week that my car has it--brake override--but it only kicks in at 30 mph and above.

    I have not tested.

    I cannot find it in my owners manual, on any Toyota official site or any other car site, in any media story, or in conversation w other Prius owners. I doubt it is true.

    If anyone is sure any year Prius has brake override, please tell me. I am a bit hesitant to try it because, among other things, I do not want to damage the car.
  • 07prius07prius Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2010
    Re: Post #198: "Sorry for your accident. At 35mph you are traveling at 51 feet per second. So if you were 40 feet behind him there is no way you could have stopped in time considering driver reaction time and braking distance required.
    I think we all underestimate the gap we really need to stop safely."

    There are too many subjective elements I think for anyone to say that there is "no way" I could have stopped in time. I have also used the calculator on http://www.csgnetwork.com/stopdistcalc.html which shows that it should have taken me 19.78 feet to stop. Nonetheless, the real issue is that after testing it as I described above I have real safety concerns, and to me it is not as important whether or not I was actually at fault in that accident - I have real concerns that I hope to have addressed, as I have a 93 mi commute and at this point do not feel safe driving my '07 Prius. BTW, I have nothing against hybrids or anything that can help save our planet - that is the whole reason I owned an '82 Mercedes 240D as I could use biodiesel in it (speaking to those who comment that there is some conspiracy against Priuses/hybrids/whatever nonsense).
  • steveeaststeveeast Member Posts: 158
    I don't think you used that calculator correctly. To get 19.78 feet as a stopping distance you must have plugged 35 into the km/hr field. If you put 35 into the correct mph field you get a stopping distance of 51 feet which seems much more reasonable. AND...it doesn't include driver reaction time.
  • 07prius07prius Member Posts: 10
    You seem to be correct; it looks like I did use the formula incorrectly. In any case, as I mentioned, that is not the main issue I am addressing.
  • 07prius07prius Member Posts: 10
    Interesting message post from http://reviews.cnet.com/coupe-hatchback/2005-toyota-prius/4864-10867_7-31352228-- 2.html?ord=creationDate+desc&tag=rtcol;uo:

    ""High Rate of Low Speed Brake Failure in 2004-2009 Prius"

    by ganderc on April 7, 2009

    Pros: Great car except for the brakes.

    Cons: Has a rate of low speed brake failures 31 times that of a traditionally-braked car (Corolla). Many result in rear-ending the car ahead with no injury.
    Summary: I read that they redesigned the braking systems for the 2010 Prius. That appears to be Toyota's response to the fact that the U.S. Generation 2 Prius (2004-2009) has had low-speed brake failures reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 31 times the rate of such failures reported for the 2004-2009 Corolla, which of course has traditional brakes. Many of the Prius low speed brake failures were in low-speed city traffic, resulting in rear-end collisions without injury. It appears that the several computers that control the complex braking systems were too busy calculating the most efficient way to apply the brakes, and did not get around to actually applying them, until it was too late. Toyota never took responsibility for the problem, but the 2010 redesign indicates they were aware of it. Unfortunately, the NHTSA never initiated an investigation despite the extremely high rate of failures. The detailed failure reports ("complaints") are available to the public on the NHTSA website. The details are these: To April 2009, 2004-2009 Prius has received 44 complaints of low speed brake failure. 2004-2009 Corolla has received 7 complaints of such failures. Given that at least five times more Corollas than Prius were sold during 2004-2009, 44/(7/5) = 31 times the rate of brake failure for the Generation 2 Prius."
  • bwilson4webbwilson4web Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2010
    You quoted a message someone had posted in a review thread.
    Where is the source data for this obvious nonsense?

    The problem is anyone can post a message saying any nonsense they
    wish. Don't bet your credibility on "ganderc on April 7, 2009" who appears
    to have made something up without citing a credible source.

    Bob Wilson
  • revitrevit Member Posts: 476
    Here you go....

    Answers to Questions About Prius and the Toyota Recalls

    Q. What is the problem that led to the Prius investigations?

    A. The investigations focus on a new version of the antilock brake systems on the 2010 Prius, which was introduced in Japan and the United States last spring. There have been 124 reports of problems in the United States, and 77 reports in Japan. The problem does not appear to affect earlier versions of the Prius because the brakes were redesigned for the 2010 model.

    In a statement, Toyota said, &#147;Some customers have complained of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the antilock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction. The system, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage.&#148;

    Owners are reporting that the brakes fail to work immediately when the car is on a bumpy or slippery surface, or when it drives over potholes. Toyota said Thursday that it had already identified the cause of the problem and corrected it on cars built since January. Toyota officials in Japan said Friday that the company was considering a recall of 103,000 new Priuses in the United States and 176,000 in Japan, but that a decision had not yet been made.

    image
  • masterpandamasterpanda Member Posts: 19
    BWILSON--I appreciate your effort, but your message confuses me. I was aware of the problem, which you describe, that led to a recall. I had the recall fix at my dealer on February 15 via a software flash upload. Your context seems to be of a recall yet to be announced.

    Are you referring to yet another aspect of the brake complaint on 2010 Prii? I bought mine on December 12--and am generally happy with it.

    Also, after listening to Mr. Toyoda's and Mr. Inabe's Congressional testimony last week, I presume that we will offered the installation of brake override--without the formalities of a recall.
  • hal_cathal_cat Member Posts: 11
    I called my dealer and got an appointment the same day - my computer has now been reflashed. Motivation? After feeling the symptoms just once since I got the car last August, this past Friday I felt it twice. I wish I could feel complete confidence in the upgrade, since I know that most software is not written from scratch but modified from previous versions, and I am convinced that eventually Toyota will need to fix the problem with the previous brake software in the 2005-2009 cars. Will that problem still be in my Prius?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    edited March 2010
    Your Prius, any Toyota, or Toyota "like" HSD systems have BTO by default. When you apply the brakes the HSD firmware is designed to enter regen mode. It is not possible to have regen active AND simultaneously DRIVE the wheels. Well, maybe the F/awd RXh or HH with 2 "drive" channels.

    While it is possible to specify firmware operation that would give priority to the gas pedal position over regen braking that is NOT very probable. That would not only be a serious flaw in the design but would border on intentional, criminal, action.
  • 07prius07prius Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2010
    bwilson4web: Why does your point have to be made in such a disrespectful way? My goodness, would you speak to me this way if we were talking in person? Right or wrong, I have been very respectful in my posts and expect the same in return. I am not betting my credibility on the review I posted...which is why I called it "food for thought" as opposed to "hard facts." What I experienced is real; I only said "40 feet" in my OP as a gross estimate; in truth I may have been further away, but I cannot be sure, which is why I said from the get-go that I wasn't making a claim that I was not at fault. The '82 MBZ 240D I drove for the past few years had quite a long stopping distance, but I knew what to expect, and never rear-ended anyone in it. I did not realize that the post would be dissected and discredited right out of the gate. I guess I am the kind of person who tries to fully understand someone's point of view before seeking to invalidate it.

    Thank you to those who are respectful on this and any forum.
  • bwilson4webbwilson4web Member Posts: 80
    Look, I'm sorry that it came across so harsh but it has to do with citing credible sources. Our local newspaper has a letters to the editor section and every now and then "people not in touch with reality" post complete nonsense. If I were to cite their letter as a source, any and everyone would be right to condemn me for introducing a bad source. Remember, even fibbers can post.

    If you go back to that original source, you'll notice I replied with the actual ratio of Prius and Corollas for those model years and the ratio is ~2.6 to 1, not the '5 to 1' ratio used in his numbers. If he can't get the ratio of cars in that model year right, how are we to trust his other numbers?

    Understand he may be right about the counts of "reports" but look at his own numbers:

    44 - Prius
    7 - Corolla

    The problem is 7 is not statistically significant. It is too small to draw any useful conclusions. So his ratio itself is suspect, as well as his counting.

    I won't complain if you 'do the math' other than if I follow the same procedure we come up with different numbers. Then we'll discuss methodology and make sure we are seeing the same data. But as it stands, that source suffers from a major self-evident problem and a factually inaccurate count of vehicles.

    The reason I knew the vehicle count is I've been looking at the Toyota December sales reports for the past couple of years. This has the total number of Prius and Corollas sold:
    http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota-reports-december-and-2009-150487.aspx

    Bob Wilson
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