Possible design flaw with my Toyota - should courtesy car be offered by Toyota?

moleymoley1970

Hi all - first time posting here but hope someone can help. In the past couple of weeks my Prius has twice lurched forward (as if I were accelerating) when in fact my foot was on the brake. The second time it happened the car travelled 5ft before coming to a stop, no amount of breaking would stop it. My local Toyota garage asked me to bring the car in and they have had it for a week now. They have to fill in a bunch of forms and send these back to Toyota who then direct them in what to look for. I've been told someone from Toyota may come down personally to look at the car. There seems to be no urgency about returning it to me (I do appreciate if there is a flaw with the car it needs thorough investigation) and I desperately need transport. I asked about getting a courtesy car and was told they would only cover the cost if they found a problem. While I am sure this is entirely likely, I don't like the idea of hiring a car at £20 a day only to have Toyota possibly try and worm out of paying. Does anyone have a similar experience?? Thanks Annette:(

johnnyreggae

Do an internet search on USA Prius recall - no-one could prove anything other than driver error

On this basis they are testing your patience as much as anything as so far the evidence does not help you - indeed quite the reverse

PS you say no amount of braking would stop it - how then did it stop in five feet ?

flashg67

In my experience, (I work in the motor trade), you will need to agree hire car costs with the manufacturer/dealer first, and they'll pay only once the fault is confirmed, as you've said. It is extremely unlikely you'll get anything back retrospectively without a huge fight.

It is unfortunate, but unless a car is actually recovered in (and the breakdown service provide a car), there isn't usually an automatic right (as far as the warranty terms anyway) to have a replacement vehicle.

Doesn't stop you pestering the dealer and/or Toyota customer service to death though..

cootuk

Wasn't there a glitch between switching from regen braking to normal braking/ABS once you got to about 5mph, requiring the foot to be placed down a lot harder? I think there was a software update that sorted it as it was catching quite a few people out as there was a noticeable lag in the switch that people described as accelerating.