Toyota Motor Corp. implemented another enormous recall of nearly half a million of its hybrid vehicles yesterday, including the latest version of its popular Prius model, after an issue arose with the braking systems in the vehicles.
The latest recall at Toyota, affecting 4,37,000 of its hybrids worldwide, involves the sophisticated technologies contained in their computer-controlled braking systems that cause an "inconsistent feel" at times when the vehicle is travelling at low speeds on slick or rough surfaces.
The sensation is triggered by a 0.2- to 0.3-second lag when the vehicle shifts between its regenerative braking systems to the standard hydraulic system, said Marc Stuyver, Toyota Canada's complex technology and powertrain manager.
The regenerative braking system is used at low speeds to both slow the vehicle and confine the energy created in the braking process to recharge the vehicle's batteries, Stuyver said. The problem arises when the vehicle's anti-lock braking system causes the tire to slip slightly after a hit triggering the hydraulic system, he added.
You will sense a change in the rate of deceleration, which, in engineering terms, we call a jerk, Stuyver said. At no position are you not braking. In order to stick the issue, Toyota will implement software fix on the recalled vehicles that will decrease the sensitivity of the system that causes the hydraulic system to kick in and should eradicate the issue without compromising safety, Stuyver said.
Ford Motor Co. announced a similar problem with its Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids last week. But unlike Toyota, Ford said it will realize a software patch as part of a "customer satisfaction program" on 17,600 vehicles, including about 1,000 in Canada, rather than a formal recall.
The U.S. Department of Transportation also announced a official investigation into the braking system on the Prius. As a result, Toyota announced yesterday that it will recall exaggerated 2010 models of its Prius, Sai, Prius plug-in hybrids and Lexus HS 250hs to implement the software fix, including almost 3,300 Prius vehicles and more than 300 Lexus vehicles in Canada.
This isn't a recall since there is something wrong with the system. This is a recall because some of the customers feel unease because of that lag, said Sandy Di Felice, a Toyota Canada orator.
U.S. officials obtain more than 30,000 consumer complaints a year, and launch 100 similar investigations to one launched on the Prius last week.
The problem (Toyota has) is that it only takes one exemption to disprove the rule. If your rule is that the car is absolutely safe and you have one accident, well then it's not safe, said Chris Piper, a management professor at the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
The latest recall at Toyota, affecting 4,37,000 of its hybrids worldwide, involves the sophisticated technologies contained in their computer-controlled braking systems that cause an "inconsistent feel" at times when the vehicle is travelling at low speeds on slick or rough surfaces.
The sensation is triggered by a 0.2- to 0.3-second lag when the vehicle shifts between its regenerative braking systems to the standard hydraulic system, said Marc Stuyver, Toyota Canada's complex technology and powertrain manager.
The regenerative braking system is used at low speeds to both slow the vehicle and confine the energy created in the braking process to recharge the vehicle's batteries, Stuyver said. The problem arises when the vehicle's anti-lock braking system causes the tire to slip slightly after a hit triggering the hydraulic system, he added.
You will sense a change in the rate of deceleration, which, in engineering terms, we call a jerk, Stuyver said. At no position are you not braking. In order to stick the issue, Toyota will implement software fix on the recalled vehicles that will decrease the sensitivity of the system that causes the hydraulic system to kick in and should eradicate the issue without compromising safety, Stuyver said.
Ford Motor Co. announced a similar problem with its Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids last week. But unlike Toyota, Ford said it will realize a software patch as part of a "customer satisfaction program" on 17,600 vehicles, including about 1,000 in Canada, rather than a formal recall.
The U.S. Department of Transportation also announced a official investigation into the braking system on the Prius. As a result, Toyota announced yesterday that it will recall exaggerated 2010 models of its Prius, Sai, Prius plug-in hybrids and Lexus HS 250hs to implement the software fix, including almost 3,300 Prius vehicles and more than 300 Lexus vehicles in Canada.
This isn't a recall since there is something wrong with the system. This is a recall because some of the customers feel unease because of that lag, said Sandy Di Felice, a Toyota Canada orator.
U.S. officials obtain more than 30,000 consumer complaints a year, and launch 100 similar investigations to one launched on the Prius last week.
The problem (Toyota has) is that it only takes one exemption to disprove the rule. If your rule is that the car is absolutely safe and you have one accident, well then it's not safe, said Chris Piper, a management professor at the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
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