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Famous geek says his Prius could be dangerous

Summary: Toyota's woes hit the hybrid Prius.

Harry Fuller

By Harry Fuller for GreenTech Pastures |

UPDATE ADDED FEB 4: Toyota's now looking into the brake problems on the 2010 Prius. Apparently earlier models are not involved as they have an earlier, different brake system. No recall here yet. But lots more bad PR for Toyota.

Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, says his Prius accelerates on its own. Prius has not been involved in the recent avalanche of Toyota recalls. It is the highest selling hybrid car in the U.S.

Wozniak said he tried to notify both Toyota and the feds. Nobody would listen. Steve who?

Now that his problem has gotten publicity, Toyota's going to borrow the 2010 Prius for a week of testing. Wozniak's view: no new product is perfect and he'd buy another Prius.

Meanwhile, the complaints about new Prius brakes seem to be piling up. These complaints center on the third generation Prius which came to market last year. The new models' brakes are supposed to give it even more fuel efficiency and higher mileage. Toyota has not yet decided whether this brake prob warrants another recall. You can bet they are nervous and paying attention. Prius 2010 model. Courtesy: CNET

Here's the Prius's official website.

None of this is going to help hybrid car sales, of course. Not to mention what lost revenue is doing to both Toyota's cash flow and its stock price. Reputation? That's a longer term question.

Now drivers of Toyota models already involved in the accelerator prob recalls are warned they could be in violation of the law. The drivers may be liable, not just Toyota. One lawyer warns drivers of recalled models could be deemed in operation of a dangerous vehicle. [poll id="221"] [Full disclosure: the author of this blog owns and drives a 2005 Toyota Prius.]

Topics: Apple, Legal

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7 comments
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  • Why the higher than usual standards

    Toyota most likely expected the quality of it's green cars to be as
    comparatively good as other greentech, whilst allowing for subsidies and
    the feel good factor to offset it's limitations.

    Brakes that don't work? Nothing, how about energy capacity that doesn't
    produce when the wind stop or at night and more than double the cost;-
    )
    Richard Flude
    Reply Vote

    • Could you think of anything more foolish to say?

      How about a car that only drives when you put gas in the tank, or an oil rig that only produces fuel when it sucks it out of the limited reserves underground, or a power plant that only generates electricity when it spews acid rain generating sulphuric acid into the atmosphere.

      How else do propose wind and solar should work? Osmosis?
      T1Oracle
      Reply Vote

      • No I couldn't

        But where one fails there's always some else prepared to give it a go.

        "How else do propose wind and solar should work? Osmosis?"

        It's just that I like reliability in my power supply, kinda got use to it.
        Richard Flude
        Reply Vote

        • It is reliable

          It will reliably transform the available wind into electricity. When the supply varies you need a back up. That will come from either storage and/or another means of producing electricity when the supply is inadequate.

          None of this means wind power is inferior or wasteful, it simply means that wind power has different design requirements. The same is true of solar.

          This isn't an insurmountable issue and it no way negates the benefits of having a sustainable source of power.
          T1Oracle
          Reply Vote

          • Funny

            "When the supply varies you need a back up. That will come from either storage and/or another means of producing electricity when the supply is inadequate."

            This is the whole point. Since you've solved the issue please supply details for your backup & costs

            "None of this means wind power is inferior or wasteful"

            It does it you're after reliable power.

            "This isn't an insurmountable issue"

            Of course not, but it has yet to be surmounted.
            Richard Flude
            Reply Vote

    • RE: Famous geek says his Prius could be dangerous

      The Toyota Prius is one of the cleanest vehicles out on the market today with its cool <a href="http://www.carparts.com/Taillight-Covers/600023037.car"><font color="black">taillight cover</font></a>. It is very efficient and a great car to own. However these days some problems are being noticed with the Prius. The Toyota Prius battery problems are very annoying for the Prius owners and they are losing their trust with the car.
      lackneramanda
      Reply Vote

  • Good article, Harry

    Since I'm usually criticising your blogs, I felt compelled to throw you a compliment when well deserved.
    nikacat
    Reply Vote
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