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Toyota brake problems hit Australia

  • By Karla Pincott
  • Carsguide
  • 05 February 2010
  • image

    The brake and accelerator pedals as seen in a 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid car February 4, 2010 in San Francisco, California. More than eight million Toyota Prius vehicles have been recalled in the US Europe and China to address braking problems.

Toyota's world-wide woes which have culminated in millions of cars being recalled to address safety issues may have reached Australia with reports of problems with brakes in the new generation Prius hybrid.

More than eight million of the marque’s most popular models have been recalled in the United States, Europe and China to address sticking accelerators caused by at least two separate problems -- slipping floor mats and a design fault in the pedal.

To date Australia has been isolated from the problems, but the latest safety concerns over inconsistent brake feel have hit closer to home.  Toyota Australia says it is investigating reports that some owners have experienced inconsistent brake feel when the vehicle is driven over potholes, bumps or slippery road surfaces.

There have been more than 100 complaints of brake problems on the Prius in the United States and the world's biggest car manufacturers says that 77 similar concerns were reported in Japan to the end of last year. Toyota has not released the number of Australian complaints.

Toyota Australia says that while it is investigating the reports of Prius brake problems in Australia and will make no further comment or supply numbers of complaints the company believes there is no relationship with the earlier overseas recalls.

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 26 comments

  • This accelerator issue happened to me twice in the last week only in a 6 month old car - Corolla 2011 model. Toyota are looking at it but as it has not happened to them whilst they were driving it they can do nothing about it. I travel on one of Australia's worst highways daily and I would have been in a lot of trouble had this happened with a truck in front of me. Its not good enough to say the problem isn't there when peoples lives could be at risk.

    Kylie of Singleton Posted on 30 March 2012 4:38pm

  • Dear Jonny and Vicki, I had problems with the same model car. I reported the incident to many people and should be able to track the VIN of the car. And it had nothing to do with floor mats. I could have died in that car. The accelerator pedal was flat to the floor and didn't release. It was very scary and I think that there is a problem with the 2008-2009 Toyota Corolla's that no one is talking about. Glad to hear that you are safe.

    Marianne Jones Posted on 10 September 2011 11:30pm

  • Brisbane 8 July 2011. My accelerator stuck in my 2008 Toyota Corolla today! - oh what a shock!!! I stood on my brakes but kept going faster up a hill!! As I was fast approaching cars in front of me I lent on the horn, hit the hazards and knocked the auto gearstick into a lower gear. The engine screamed...I eventually was able to stop and fortunately before I hit anyone. Took it to my local Toyota dealership who had it for the day and has tried to tell me there is nothing wrong with it and the floor mat is the culprit...this is absolute rubbish- I have a cheap carpet floor mat which did NOT and could NOT hold down a pedal anymore than a piece of paper could. NOT HAPPY and am not going to let them brush me off so easily. Is there anybody out there who can help with what to do now????

    Vicki L of Brisbane of Brisbane Qld Posted on 08 July 2011 8:07pm

  • 2008 Camry Altise manual pulls left constantly regardless of road conditions will even pull into side wind very unstable at speed weaves side to side under acceleration had multiple wheel alignments next to no change Toyota say car is ok.anyone else with this problem. Rod Victoria

    rod cameron of laralea victoria Posted on 11 April 2011 12:49pm

  • My Toyota Hilux 2007 TD had a seized front brake caliper. When I took apart the assembly, the bolts which the caliper slide on had no grease in them, they had never been greased.

    Tim Parsons of Perth Posted on 09 March 2011 8:42pm

  • I have a 2004 Sahara, V8 petrol that develops a large irritating roar type noise as the vehicle is pushed up a hill for example, it sounds just like its labouring within the engine. One mechanic said it was air induction. My sons 2006 GXl is so quiet that proves there must be a problem with mine. Also when the airconditioner compressor cuts in, a load noise comes from behind the glove box, sounds like a calf bellowing. then it goes as the compressor is deactivated. Anyone with any idea as to what the two complaints I have could be, I would be interested to know if someone has or had a similiar problem with engine noises

    Peter Michajlow of Australia Posted on 25 January 2011 3:11am

  • Not another media beat up FACT Mr Toyoda said in his first press meeting that the feel was the changing between electric and hydr systems. what do the customers want. I don't know about you but when I buy a car, I don't think I want a car from the Flinstones. Suffer Toyota your finally getting your up and comings, I just feel sorry for all those millions of customers you have let down and in some cases have injured. You get what you pay for, we make cars with only the best quality parts and save on the interior and we have copped it for ages no it's your turn. Mutton dressed up as lamb

    Holden mad of Brighton Vic Posted on 16 February 2010 3:49pm

  • I have a 2003 Landcruiser Sahara and I have had the brake feel problem for a while now, i have taken it to toyota and they say it is normal, I do not believe it is and will be very interested to see what they have to say now.

    Damien of Melbourne Posted on 10 February 2010 1:22pm

  • This is an odd story. For one thing, the car mats in my car slip around, they aren't held down at all. They're basically just pieces of carpet sitting on the floor. I thought that's how floormats were? Secondly, who expects consistent brake feel over potholes and slippery surfaces? Thirdly, every review I've ever read has blamed the Prius' brake regeneration thing for interfering with the braking, it's been like that since the last generation Prius at least. Doesn't make much sense to me.

    Scott B of Mornington Peninsula Posted on 10 February 2010 7:49am

  • I drove a rental Camry last year and I had the sticking accelerator problem but didn't think anything of it at the time, I passed it off as a poorly maintained rental vehicle

    David Burns of Sydney Posted on 09 February 2010 8:14pm

  • The all conquering toyota, I will push my kia before i,ll buy a toyota overrated and overpriced.

    david of toowoomba Posted on 09 February 2010 7:42pm

  • hey at least Toyota are fixing the problems. I can tell you now that there are other car companies that wouldn't do anything to fix the problems *cough* FORD *cough*

    J of sydney Posted on 09 February 2010 7:29pm

  • I've had the same problem with both our 2007 Yaris (Japan) and current 2008 Aurion (Aust): the Toyota-fitted floor mats slide around freely, the plastic hooks hold them in place only briefly, consequently the driver's mat slides up under the pedals, restricting the movement of the brake pedal. there is the park-brake, but on the Aurion its located on the floor also, so if the mat should block both brake pedals at once, and given the fact both ignition key and gears are locked in motion... it could be a very nasty outcome! after contacting several people at Toyota's head office here, I was informed the problem is only in USA -- sure thing, apparently we have to wait for some people to get killed before they fix the problem here. I very much doubt I'll be buying another Toyota again given their attitude to customer service and public safety. their insurer AIOI, would be tripling their P.I./OH&S cover, except for the fact Toyota owns it!!

    kris of melbourne Posted on 09 February 2010 1:42pm

  • Just another media beat up.

    Wozz L Gummich of Eltham Posted on 09 February 2010 1:42pm

  • My Prius (2007 model) seems ok however the funny brake experience I have encountered is due to the anti skid technology. Ihave had the same experience in the BMW Z3. When you are braking and the road surface changes the brakes will partially release and grab again to ensure you do not skid and loose traction. This is scary and can add up to 3 meters to your braking distance and bring you uncomfortably close to the car in front. The Prius will also loose power if you try to accelerate too fast to ensure you don't spin the wheels and loose traction. This can be scary if you want to zip into a busy carriageway of cars traveling at 60+ KPH. Is it a problem? Or just safety "features" we need to get used to.

    David C of Melbourne Posted on 09 February 2010 1:12pm

  • heard in casualty room " oh what a feeling " no brakes

    Glenn of SA Posted on 09 February 2010 12:36pm

  • My wife's got an 06 Prado, the hand brake is hopeless, even when pulled up to the max stop, every service I complained about it and they adjusted it, but it made very little difference and I was never happy they were even interested in it. I considered it a design issue and felt that the service dept new it was a problem and just did the minimum to fix it. Car company arrogance I put it down to.

    GE of QLD Posted on 09 February 2010 12:17pm

  • I have a Rav4 delivered August '09. Accelerator stuck on 'kick down'. Reported at first service. Went through the usual questions of mats, thongs etc none of which were relevant. Told that the computer had recorded an 'incident' but could not be identified. No problems since but then again I have not been game to kick down either.Apart from that the car is just fine.

    Greg Brinkley of Sunshine Coast Posted on 09 February 2010 12:14pm

  • I'm having problems with my brakes on the 08' Corolla - same thing have to put my foot down hard to keep the car still in traffic... or else it rolls slowly. Of course Toyota said there was no problem...

    Lisa of Melbourne Posted on 09 February 2010 11:58am

  • HILUX unbreakable, PRIUS NON breakable BUGGER

    Danman of QUEENSLANDER Posted on 09 February 2010 11:57am

  • My Toyota Starlet has just turned over 200,000K and running like a dream I have definitely no concerns with Toyota designs ..

    Alan Lane of Yarraville Posted on 09 February 2010 11:26am

  • Sloppy reporting or editing.. 'More than eight million Toyota Prius vehicles have been recalled ' .. wrong. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No, David. The story says 'More than eight million of the marque?s most popular models have been recalled in the United States, Europe and China'. regards, Editor.

    David Posted on 09 February 2010 11:15am

  • My throttle was stuck in November 2009, had to put my full weight on the brake to stop. Toyota told me to take out the floor mat as it was not the specific floor mat for the 2008 Corolla... They said the mat had wedged the throttle.. Called them again last week and said it was not an issue in Australia.. Anyone had a similar problem?

    Johnny Melbourne Posted on 06 February 2010 9:39pm

  • HEY TOYOTA, ya forgot, ya number 1 around the world...Not for long.

    Wazza of SA Posted on 05 February 2010 11:35pm

  • stuck throttle no brakes oh what a feeling

    jason of melb Posted on 05 February 2010 2:35pm

  • Too much to lose?

    rentakeyboard Posted on 05 February 2010 11:13am
Read all 26 comments

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