Reply #6: I've had ABS on my last several cars [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

And live near Pittsburgh which is noted for potholes. Never had this sensation after hitting a pothole. Sounds to me like the Prius problem is more than ABS.

The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has started tracking customer complaints of brake failures and lackluster braking capabilities in the just-released 2010 Prius. To date, there have only been 33 complaints lodged, but given the nature of the problem, it seems that as the issue gets more and more coverage, owners will start to realize that what they may have attributed to personal fault is more of a mechanical problem with the car.

The issue stems from the operation of the brakes after the car hits a bump or a pothole while braking. Apparently, the transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking that occurs in such a situation is slow enough to be perceptible to the driver and results in a period of time after the regen shuts off and before the hydraulic braking kicks in that no braking is occurring. This has caused drivers to feel a sudden sense of acceleration and loss of control while stopping at intersections—in some cases only leaving inches between other vehicles and pedestrians.

The NHTSA investigation is only just now beginning and no recall or engineering investigation has been initiated. According to The Detroit Bureau, Toyota says that it is aware of the situation, but that it is too early to tell if the NHTSA will deem the issue a true problem.

http://gas2.org/2009/12/25/prius-brake-failure-complaints-rising-as-toyota-prepares-to-launch-new-subcompact-hybrid/