NHTSA complaint: 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN COLD WEATHER, UNDER 20 MPH. I LIGHTLY ACCELERATED TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP BECAUSE OF A CAR STOPPED IN THE LANE AHEAD. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES SO I RAN INTO CAR IN FRONT. THERE WAS HEAVY DAMAGE TO MY CAR (ESTIMATED AT $4,000 TO $5,000), VERY LITTLE TO CAR IN FRONT (LESS THAN $500). THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE BRAKES WORKED FINE FOR 2 YEARS, AND HAVE WORKED FINE SINCE ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR CHECKING THE BRAKES AND TO GET THE BODYWORK REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED BRAKES, STATED THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG (MECHANICALLY) WITH THE BRAKES. TOYOTA HAD A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE INVESTIGATE, AND TOYOTA LEGAL OFFICIALLY BLAMES IT ON ME NOT APPLYING BRAKES IN TIME. I HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DRIVE ON THE TEST TRACKS AT GM'S MILFORD PROVING GROUNDS, AND HAVE WORKED ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE FOR 14 YEARS, AND HAVE DONE A LOT OF TESTING ON THE TRACK AND ROAD. I KNOW HOW TO APPLY BRAKES, AND I KNOW THEY DID NOT WORK. SINCE THE BRAKES ARE NOT JUST THE MECHANICAL APPARATUS, I SUSPECT A COMPUTER PROBLEM. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation