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Toyota brake problems hit Australia

  • By Karla Pincott
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    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 20 comments

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  • 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
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