Toyota recalls 437,000 Priuses, hybrids globally

[Ghost in the Machine]

Toyota recalls 437,000 Priuses, hybrids globally
Posted: Feb 08, 2010 10:58 PM EST
Updated: Feb 09, 2010 11:18 AM EST
By YURI KAGEYAMA
AP Business Writer
TOKYO (AP) - Toyota is recalling 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems - the latest embarrassing safety lapse at the world's largest automaker.

"I don't see Toyota as an infallible company that never makes mistakes," President Akio Toyoda said at a news conference Tuesday. "We will face up to the facts and correct the problem, putting customers' safety and convenience first."

The number of vehicles recalled globally by Toyota Motor Corp. now has ballooned to 8.5 million, including for floor mats that can trap gas pedals and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position. The 2010 model of the Prius - the world's top-selling hybrid and Japan's top-selling car - wasn't part of the earlier recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads. The delay doesn't indicate a brake failure. The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

"Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as the lifeline of our company," Toyoda said.

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11954675

[jmowreader]

1. Toyota apologism in 3, 2, 1...

"Gee boss, maybe we shouldn't have computerized the whole car..."

[Teaser]

2. fix it, move on.

I'm down with it.

[frazzled]

3. 3rd generation Priuses only. Not all Priuses.

[NYC_SKP]

4. I nearly smashed into a car a couple days ago in my 2007 Prius.

It was my fault, totally, trying to turn left onto a busy street- looking left and right but failing to see a car coming toward me crossing the same busy street.

It's easy to do, looking very hard left and right and forgetting (in the case of the very un-busy street I was on) to look for a car right in front of you.

I stepped on the gas, then saw the car.

I thought for sure it was all over, I was gonna hit that car.

Brakes to the floor, and because of the anti-lock no screech, no slide, and they had stopped too (why I don't know) and I swear, my front must have ended up 1/2 inch from their driver side door.

So, no brake problem here.

Also, I have factory all-weather mats so have disregarded the one TSB I received.

:P

[Kokonoe]

6. Thank Goodness it was all OK.

Also, I think I read the brake problem happens when its bumpy or shaky at the same time.
But Toyota says they have a fix so don't forget to let em work on it. Be Safe.O8)

[NYC_SKP]

10. Thank you! I've got to be more careful, slow down! Darned post office...

I let things get me frustrated, it affects my driving.

Over the past year or two, the USPS has taken more and more, and finally it seems, ALL the curbside mailboxes away.

So now, when I have something to mail, I have to drive over to the nearest actual post office, where they still have mailboxes at the curb.

Getting there, I saw a PROTEST!!! Signs read "save our post office" with lots of neighborhood folks, mostly retired age.

Well, if that doesn't just piss me off even more.

Worse, these good people were really interfering with visibility of oncoming traffic from my right, so I had to crawl out beyond them to see.

Thus the rush to speed into my turn.

Thank you for the good thoughts...

And, SAVE OUR POST OFFICE!!! :silly:

[vadawg]

14. rofl classic grumpy ole man post "get off my lawn" award..

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. why couldn't they be huge gas guzzlers - why hybrids!

[vadawg]

7. new technologys have blimps, though thanks for wishing my brakes to fail in my truck

:P

[Snow Bird]

12. The Germans had problems with new technology also

*blimps* *get it?*

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. I hope that they don't fail!

but you get my point?

[dmallind]

8. Hey if they double all their recent recalls into one they could be number 1....

Ford/GM apolgism in 3...2...1...

[MadHound]

9. This could seem to be simply a problem with regenerative brake technology

Ford is dealing with what seems to be similar problem on its hybrids.

<http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100204/ts_alt_afp/uscompanyautofordsafety_20100204214251>

I find it funny how some folks are denigrating Toyota, especially since it is the one of the most American made cars around.

<http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0707>

[DoBotherMe]

11. That's what it is

It's kind of a feeling of flying when you hit a pot hole or ice while breaking slowly and then have to slam on the brakes. I guess there's a split second where the abs kicks in from the regenerative. So I've just slowed down and avoid potholes, not that I'm afraid the brakes won't work (because they do)but I want to avoid unneeded wear and tear on the mechanical parts. Some of these owners were probably shocked the first time the car stopped running at the stop sign(LOL). Dana ; )

[ddeclue]

15. I heard about a Prius, gas pedal got stuck and it accelerated out of control..

it was travelling nearly 45 mph!

:rofl: