Report: Toyota Prius braking issues may predate 2010 model; other problems reported
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Green Daily
2009 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res gallery
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. Apparently, though, 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, "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."
