Car accident

doctofor

Hello,

I need an advice. My case is rather interesting.

Yesterday my wife had a car accident. Luckily there were only scratches on both cars. Nobody was injured. She was guilty because she couldn't brake her car.
The reason was it that she "missed" brakes pedal. She told that she stopped feeling brakes pedal. The car is To..ta regno.59.

There was comprehensive insurance so all things would be fixed but I think that the accident reason was so called "inconsistent brake feel" which was explained in an article "Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Toyota Prius: Owners complain of inconsistent brake feel"

I am rather experienced driver but I tend to believe her because I used her car last weekend and had the same problem. Once when driving I had literally missed BOTH brakes and acceleration pedals on a couple of seconds. Hopefully the situation on the road was OK and I had finally "found" pedals but it was terrible felling.
It could look absurd but it was real accident.

I think that the car manufacturer is responsible for this fault. I don't want to lose NCB bonus as well.
Could someone advice on this case? What is the better way to deal with it? How can I claim the car issue?

Regards,
doctofor

Inactive

Read Wife cannot drive, she crashed her car, but the OP now wants to blame Toyota for her shortcomings.

She * missed * the brake pedal and that is the fault of Toyota?

Strider590

Loool, Toyota/Lexus bandwagon....... As far as I know despite all the bad press, there have to date been NO failures within UK borders. Unlike other manufacturers like Renault with their bonnets flying up on motorways and quite possibly every other manufacturer that sells cars in the UK has had more faults than Toyota.

doctofor

vaio wrote: »

again in english please

Thanks. It helped.
How about the topic.

flyingscotno1

How do you miss pedals in a footwell? Even if it was a huge footwell with a big gap or offset, they are usually the only things in there that stick out and you cover your foot with one of them at all times? In any case was this not noticed at a test drive?

Don't understand this in all honesty.

doctofor

Inactive wrote: »

Read Wife cannot drive, she crashed her car, but the OP now wants to blame Toyota for her shortcomings.

She * missed * the brake pedal and that is the fault of Toyota?

You are happy that it was not your wife or daughter or husband.
I had the same experience with car. It is reproducible.

Could you tell something more helpful?

tbourner

Do you mean she (and you) physically missed the pedal with your foot? Like your foot went past the pedal and onto the carpet?

Or do you mean you pressed on the pedal but got a spongy feeling like the brakes weren't doing anything no matter how hard you pressed?


I'm guessing this is a lost in translation thing, with the word 'missed' being misunderstood.

doctofor

I can't place the article link here so I public the article itself. I hope it will help.
==========================================================
February 4, 2010
Toyota Prius: Owners complain of inconsistent brake feel

Adding to Toyota’s troubles are mounting customer complaints about the brakes on the new Prius. The company has stated, “Toyota has received reports that some customers have experienced inconsistent brake feel or little deceleration when the vehicle is driven over potholes, bumps, or slippery road surfaces.”

The glitch is a momentary lack of braking when the pedal is pushed, less than a second, but braking is still maintained after the delay.

The Japanese Ministry of Transport is investigating complaints on the third-generation Prius. In the United States, where the 2010 Prius went on sale last May, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also received 124 complaints about the 2010 Prius, not all involving braking issues. Investigators have spoken with consumers and conducted pre-investigatory field work.

Toyota has addressed a software “glitch” in Prius cars built since January, according to a NY Times report. The company is said to be considering options to update cars sold previously.

NHTSA has opened an investigation into the 2010 Prius brake complaints, citing four related crashes.

Tags: Auto news | Hybrids | News | News & Issues | Safety | Toyota | All Cars Blog Categories
Comments

Posted by: jim metcalf | Feb 4, 2010 12:34:25 PM

Why haven't any of Toyota's problems shown up in your testing?

Posted by: Cale | Feb 4, 2010 1:10:41 PM

I read the "momentary lack of braking" described as a momentary lack of sensation from the brake pedal. Honestly, can Toyota cars afford any further decrease in sensation or driver feedback? Talk about adding insult to injury.

Posted by: Chuck | Feb 4, 2010 2:32:09 PM

Thank you for this article and all the recall articles. They are very helpful to be able to come to a source with logical and easy-to-find information. I purchased a new Toyota 2010 Prius in July and love it. However, on at least half-a-dozen or so occasions, I have had the feeling of acceleration after applying the brake to stop. Basically when you take your foot off the accelerator and push on the brake pedal, the car surges forward and you have to apply the brake a little harder. You actually surge ahead, though, for a moment. It happens quickly and it a little unnerving but no real harm. However, I am always afraid of someone else driving the car that isn't familiar with it. I have not submitted a complaint because I was not sure how to describe the actual issue and it happens seldom. I will put in a complaint now that there may be a general problem here.

Posted by: Brian | Feb 25, 2010 6:14:45 PM

I think that the recall should include all generations of toyota prius. I own a 2003 model and I have experienced the same lack of brakes on rough roads. When I call the dealer they say that my car is not listed in the recall so they cannot do anything about it!
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Hintza

What car was your wife driving?

What does this mean:- The car is To..ta regno.59?

tbourner

Hintza wrote: »

What car was your wife driving?

What does this mean:- The car is To..ta regno.59?

2009 59 plate Toyota. No idea why it wasn't written like that.

doctofor

Hintza wrote: »

What car was your wife driving?

What does this mean:- The car is To..ta regno.59?

Toyota Augo regno 59. It was bought new. Will it help?