Brakes
-
Tesla has issued a voluntarily recall for roughly 53,000 of its Model S and Model X electric cars to address an issue in which the parking brake might stick in the engaged position. The recall was first reported yesterday by CNBC. The vehicles affected were built between February and October of 2016, and 31,000 of them were sold in the U.S. It is Tesla's first vehicle recall in a year; the company replaced third-row seat backs in 2,700 of the earliest Model X electric crossover utilities. That recall was announced a year ago. DON'T MISS: Tesla Model X recall replaces third-row seat backs (Apr...
-
2016-17 Toyota Prius hybrids recalled for emergency-brake issueCertain Toyota Prius models are being recalled because of potentially-faulty emergency brakes.
Stephen Edelstein -
Nissan Leaf recall: brake software update for cold-weather use
Nissan is recalling 2013 through 2015 Leaf electric cars because of an issue that could affect cold-weather braking performance.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla Model S Double-Pedal Behavior Still Inconsistent: A Safety Plea To Elon Musk
Last summer, I wrote an article patting Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk on the back for being so responsive to Model S electric-car owners. Of whom I am one. But in 2015? Not so much. I ended that article with a plea to Musk for a safety upgrade on the Model S: a firmware change to cut off power to the...
David Noland -
2007-2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Recall For Brake-Fluid Reservoir Issue
Toyota will fix faulty brake-fluid reservoirs in previous-generation Camry Hybrid models.
Stephen Edelstein -
Life With Tesla Model S: UPDATE On Pedal Placement Problem
Two days ago, I described in this article a frightening incident in my Tesla Model S. Approaching a downhill intersection, I inadvertently stepped on both the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously. The car barely slowed, and it appeared I was headed for a collision with another car...
David Noland -
If you drive a plug-in car or a hybrid, the chance are you’ll be familiar with the concept of regenerative braking. But although regenerative braking might be the preferred way to slow down a plug-in or hybrid car, it could mean that your car’s traditional friction brakes don’t get used as much as they should. According to BMW ActiveE driver Don Louv, that means you should go out and exercise your car’s friction brakes once in a while to keep them operating at peak efficiency. But before we explain why this is a good idea, we need to examine how regenerative and...
-
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 -
New Hybrid Braking Issue: First Prius, Now Ford Fusion Hybrid
Another day, another hybrid braking problem. Only this time, it's not Toyota. It's Ford. Late yesterday, Ford announced a "customer satisfaction program" that will ask that owners of 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid models built before October 17 to bring the cars to their...
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 -
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 -
Toyota Prius vs 2010 Honda Insight: Kyle Drives Each One
Yesterday we introduced Kyle, our Silicon Valley teenage reviewer who's only ever driven hybrid cars. He's now been using a 2010 Honda Insight for two months after driving the family's Toyota Prius for six. Our first piece yesterday covered Kyle's overall impressions; over the next few days, we'll...
John Voelcker -
Complaints about so-called sudden accleration in the 2004-2008 Toyota Prius occur at roughly the expected rate
![Tesla Model S in Albuquerque's 'snowstorm' during NY-to-California road trip [photo: David Noland]](https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/ibimg/hgm/1600x900-1/100/500/tesla-model-s-electric-car-road-trip-upstate-new-york-to-southern-california-photo-david-noland_100500017.jpg)
![2013 Tesla Model S electric sport sedan [photo by owner David Noland]](https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/ibimg/hgm/640x360-1/100/421/2013-tesla-model-s_100421969.jpg)
