Stuck Accelerator
-
Let's recap. After 18 months, recalls totaling 9 million Toyota, Lexus, and Pontiac models, and investigations by Toyota, Congress, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unit ... what have we learned? (1) A few accelerator pedals did stick open, for one of two very different reasons. First, some dealers or owners fitted unapproved floor mats that were too thick, which could prevent the accelerator from returning to its usual position. In the case of the horrifying and highly publicized crash of a Lexus that sped along a...
-
Most Popular Posts of 2010: Mazda2, Prius Crashes, Leaf, Volt, and Other EVs
We love looking back to see what's been popular over the course of a full year. And 2010 was definitely chock-full of green car news. Our 10 most popular posts this year are a little less random than last year's most popular, which featured Muslims and ethanol, urine, hybrid Ferraris, and our...
John Voelcker -
Photos: Padgett's Post-Recall Prius Pedal, Accelerator Shortened
While the dust is now settling on a year's worth of recalls by a beleagured Toyota, the company is still working to modify millions of vehicles that are potentially involved in recalls over sudden acceleration or other safety issues. Toyota Prius models built from 2004 to 2009 are part of a recall...
John Voelcker -
Car Batteries, Diesel Golfs, Prius Crashes: What's the Link?
Like many site editors, we read our traffic stats religiously. Perhaps unlike other site editors, ours frequently make us laugh. We try to provide practical information on navigating your way through the confusing claims made about 'green' cars, whether they're hybrids, clean diesels, or just very...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Prius Owners Are Sensible and Level-Headed, In Other Words
Ah, yes, it must be about time for another outburst of Prius stereotyping. Three, two, one ... there! Did you hear it? Over there, in the slightly shrill tones of the ever-shrinking but still testy New York Observer (still printed on orange paper, so Nineties)? The paper attempted to survey New...
John Voelcker -
U.S. DoT Asks Scientists, NASA To Probe Toyota Acceleration
In the face of continuing suggestions that random electronic interference may be causing unintended acceleration in the Toyota Prius and other vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation has asked for independent studies on the topic from two scientific organizations. Despite multiple recalls...
John Voelcker -
We thought we should provide a short update on two highly publicized so-called "runaway Toyota Prius" cases, one in San Diego and one in Harrison, New York. The reputed phenomenon of "sudden acceleration" has been debated at least since a 1986 controversy around the Audi 5000 model. But the two recent cases involving Toyota Prius models appear to exonerate the cars. Instead, the fault may lie with the drivers. 90 mph in San Diego In the first incident, a 61-year-old real estate agent, James Sikes, claimed to highway patrol officers that his 2008 Toyota Prius had suddenly accelerated and sped...
-
The Punching Bag Hits Back: Prius Crash Was Driver Error, Toyota Says
Few automotive engineers believe in so-called "sudden acceleration". But until recently, there's been no way to determine what a driver what doing when he (or she) swears that he was pressing the brake pedal with all his strength even as the car accelerated. Now, that's changed. Federal...
John Voelcker -
The Strange Saga of Sikes and His Suddenly Accelerating Prius
As we've noted before, so-called sudden acceleration is a confusing, messy, and very uncertain subject. Now a certain San Diego citizen seems to be caught in the cross-hairs of media scrutiny over what is and isn't technically possible in a Toyota Prius--let alone smart to do--if the driver claims...
John Voelcker -
2010 Toyota Prius Reigns As Japan Sales Champ Despite Recalls
Unlike some of its Toyota brethren, the 2010 Prius hybrid was never pulled off sale due to recalls. But U.S. sales fell 6.1% in February anyway, against the previous month, though they rose versus February 2009, when the new 2010 model hadn't yet hit dealers. Currently, the 2010 Prius is the...
John Voelcker -
2004-2009 Toyota Prius Recall Will Reshape Accelerator Pedal
Owners of Toyota's iconic Prius hybrid model who thought they'd escaped the rash of Toyota recalls need to think again. The company is working on a fix to reshape accelerator pedals so that they cannot be trapped by floor mats, and will issue details within weeks. The upcoming recall took center...
John Voelcker -
Toyota Prius Recall Guide: Sudden Acceleration & Brake Safety
Everything you need to know about the recalls affecting the 2010 Toyota Prius, and the 2004-2009 Prius too
John Voelcker -
As expected, Toyota has announced a recall for its 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Lexus HS 250h models to update the anti-lock braking system (ABS) software. The new software improves the response time of the anti-lock system and alters its sensitivity to tire slippage. The update is intended to reduce inconsistencies in brake feel that many owners experienced as brake failure. The recall is voluntary, meaning that owners need not have their cars updated if they are satisfied with the brake feel. Interaction of ABS, regen & hydraulic brakes In the 2010 Toyota Prius, the problem occurs when...
-
UPDATE: Braking Issue In 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid, Recall TBD
UPDATE: The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a formal inquiry into the brakes of the 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid. It has now received 124 complaints of faulty brakes, out of roughly 37,000 of the cars sold to date in the U.S. Toyota said it would cooperate fully with the...
John Voelcker -
UPDATE: Toyota Admits Braking Problems, On 2010 Prius Only
Things are moving fast in the land of Toyota safety issues and recalls. Yesterday, we told you that the 2010 Toyota Prius was being investigated for braking problems in Japan. Today, Toyota has admitted that most 2010 Prius models (those built between the start of production last spring and late...
John Voelcker -
Is Woz's Prius Acceleration Just Toyota's Wacky Adaptive Cruise?
UPDATE, February 8, 2009: Speaking in a sort-of-webchat on Digg, Toyota president Jim Lentz said of the Woz complaint, "We are working with him on the operation of the cruise control." Please forgive us while we quietly smirk. ++++++++++ It's obviously pile-on-Toyota week. Transportation Secretary...
John Voelcker -
2010 Toyota Prius Investigated In Japan For Braking Problems
Citing allegations of braking loss or slippage, Japan's Ministry of Transportation ordered Toyota to launch an investigation into possible brake problems in the new 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid. That car, currently in short supply globally and also the best-selling car in Japan, is the subject of 14...
John Voelcker -
Most Popular Prius Posts for November: The Recalls Have It
Ack! It's December! Wha'ppened? Well, to avoid thoughts of the holiday shopping you haven't done yet, here are the most popular posts of the past 30 days on AllAboutPrius.com, three of them returning from October's most popular posts. This month, it's all about safety and recalls. The...
John Voelcker