Now it’s the Prius—Toyota’s problems run from the gas to the brakes

One question and one point: (1) What about all the people driving Toyotas that aren't on the recall list (yet), but are concerned with the safety of them giving the breadth of vehicles in the recall and the absence of information about what precisely is causing the problems? (2) This issue isn't just of concern for Toyota owners. Everyone should be concerned because an uncontrolled vehicle can plow into anything or anybody in its path.

Regrettably, the alarmists are allowed to carry too much weight. In the not too distant future—much like the airline industry—we will not be allowed to control our cars as we drive down the road. They will function autonomously. Want proof? Volvos can stop themselves before hitting an obstacle. Lexus cars can park themselves. We've had cruise control for some time and now our cars know where they are by virtue of GPS. When the time is right Honda will take ASIMO's head off and plant it on top of the dash board. The automobile experience as we know will be dead... This is what comes of manufactures and governments being sued relentlessly, they will collectively declare us as incompetent and take away our keys. We should muzzle the alarmists.

I own 2 new Toyota's that are part of the recall. I don't understand why the public is not being told that as soon as the gas petal sticks they should put their car in Neutral thus disconnecting the motor from the drive train. I went so far as to practice this on both of my cars and had my wife practive also. It is probably impossibe to be creative enough at the time it is going on to think about putting it in Neutral, so knowing ahead of time and practicing, regardless of the kind of car, could save a life. Why isn't this helpful, maybe life saving tip being broadcast on Radio & TV and all over the News Papers?

There should be some really good deals on used Toyotas in the immediate future. Several friends of mine bought used Audis in the 80s when the unintentional acceleration scare was all the news. Those were excellent cars at very good prices. If I didn't already drive a new Toyota I'd certainly take advantage of this mass hysteria and buy one.

ms morrison,
i was waiting in queue to make my comment, but you ran out of time. iwas not able to post until now.

i believe mr. lunsford gave a very dangerous piece of advice when he said you can turnoff your engine, if you experience uncontrollable acceleration. if you do so, you will lose all power assist for braking and steering.

Consumer Reports magazine (consumerreports.org/safety) suggests braking hard, putting the car in neutral and, once it stops, turn off the engine. Don't shut if off before you stop because that will make your car lose power-assisted steering and braking. And never pump your brakes.
Wiki.Answers.com suggests If you cannot get the accelerator unstuck quickly and you feel you are endangered, SIMPLY PUT YOUR CAR IN NEUTRAL (N) . It's not a good idea to turn off the key. Some cars will lose power steering or even lock the steering wheel.
turning off the engine should only. be a last resort.

i believe this correction should be mentioned to your listeners on air.

try to turn your steering wheel with engine turned of. it is almost impossible.

try to turn your steering wheel with engine turned of. it is almost impossible.

i do not mean to criticize mr. lundford. he is a person in a very tough situation. he sound like he really cares about his customers. good for him!

We own a 2007 Prius and love it, but are concerned. "Putting it in neutral" is not easy as was described on your program. It also is very skittish on leaves or wet pavement. The Pasadena dealer has ignored a strange problem we have had with the brakes (not acceleration, rather creeping). They also claimed that the brake problem was all a trumped up press problem, actually the day the big recall was announced. I had just left the dealer and heard about the recall on, where else, KPCC, as I drove out the driveway. I sent an email about lack of candor and confidence and received an automated answer. There is no way our floor mat can interfere with the accelerator.

Pat, this is in regard to your discussion on the 2010 Prius, Feb 3. I am also experiencing the skipping brake issue over bumpy surfaces. Today I took my 2010 Prius to Symes Toyota in Pasadena with this problem. I was handed over to 3 different service representatives, including the manager. None of these people admitted awarness of the problem and one of them said he never heard about it. I left the car there for their examination. I asked the last service rep four questions: 1. WhatToyota's policy was with regard to this particular issue. He said I need to speak with the manager. 2. What the fix was. He said he did not know until he looked at the brakes. 3. If he was familiar with issue. He said he heard a little about on TV this morning, but he was very sick the past 3 days and was out of circulation. 4. If Symes would report the braking slipping problem for my Prius. He said he did not know and the manager should be able to answer.

Well, it turns out those complaints about 2010 Prius brake behavior aren't imaginary or merely unfamiliarity with ABS brake feel. Toyota is expected to announce recalling the 3rd-generation Prius this week for exactly that problem:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-08/toyota-said-to-plan-recall-of-prius-hybrids-in-japan-this-week.html