- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 18 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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6 out of 11 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Redesigned Braking Systems!"
Pros: Hopefully the 2010 will have a lower rate of low-speed brake failures than the 2004-2009 Prius.
Cons: There is nothing I don't like about the 2010 Prius.
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.
- 4 replies to this review
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went to the NHTSA website, for 2004 there were 5 brake related complaints, when they sold over 80,000 cars. One of the complaints was someone who accidentally shifted the car with their hand. Nothing wrong with the actual brakes. In 2007, when they sold 180,000 Priui in the US, there are 7 complaints, inculding one rocket scientist who notes that in rainy conditions, car doesn't brake as well. Really?!?! We roads reduce traction, you don't say. One where the brakes supposedly failed at 20k miles, but they have 24,000 miles on the car now. Would you drive a car where the brakes supposedly failed on you?
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The Prius actually outsold the Corolla ganderc. And nice review of a product you haven't actually even driven, or owned.
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THanks ganderc: cnet and all the other motor mag articles never told us about this brake problem: kept quiet somehow by Toyota. Great coverup.
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How can you rate a product that is not out. People like you drive me crazy. Try the Prius when it is released. Judge for yourself how the car handles and if the brakes improved, etc. Then make a knowledgable assessment based on your experience instead of some info you read on the interwebs.
Where to buy
2010 Toyota Prius:
$27,270.00
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Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price From Edmunds.com
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$27,270.00 |
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