Toyota Prius
10-months ago on April 27. 2009, in the article, Prius Problems, the Judiciary Report wrote about a piece in the Miami New Times, regarding Toyota Prius vehicles accelerating without prompting and accompanying problems with its brakes and floor mats. It was leading up to a disaster. However, due to the fact Toyota had what they deemed a small number of complaints, drivers were labeled at fault, not the motor cars.
Fast forward 10-months. The new Toyota line with the same braking system is unveiled and massive trouble erupts. Over the past week, the national news has been dominated by reports of a Toyota recall, due to faulty brakes and floor mats. 2.6 vehicles have been recalled.
A family died in California, when the accelerator on their Toyota Lexus sped the vehicle up to dangerous speeds and refused to stop. The dad's last words to 911 were, "We’re in a Lexus. . . and we’re going north on 125 and our accelerator is stuck. . . we’re in trouble. . . there’s no brakes. . . we’re approaching the intersection. . . hold on. . . hold on and pray. . . pray.”
Today, a famous Toyota Prius owner, Steve Wozniak, who is co-founder of Apple Inc, stated his vehicle sped up as well and refused to stop, forcing him to pump the brakes.
Toyota recall: last words from a family killed as Lexus crashed
February 3, 2010 - The final moments of a family killed in a car crash apparently caused by a faulty accelerator on a Toyota vehicle have been made public as lawyers challenge the company’s safety record.
Four members of the same family died in a hired Lexus that allegedly accelerated out of control. Mark Saylor, 45, an off-duty California highway patrolman, died last August along with his wife Cleofe, 45, and daughter, Mahala, 13, and Mrs Saylor’s brother Chris Lastrella.
In a 911 emergency call made from the car just before the crash, Mr Lastrella is heard saying: “We’re in a Lexus. . . and we’re going north on 125 and our accelerator is stuck. . . we’re in trouble. . . there’s no brakes. . . we’re approaching the intersection. . . hold on. . . hold on and pray. . . pray.” ...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak says his Toyota Prius accelerates on its own
February 3, 2010 - Apple Inc. co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak has seen his share of software glitches in the gadgets he has created and in those he collects.
But Wozniak said he was surprised several months ago when his 2010 Toyota Prius started accelerating on its own -- to as much as 97 mph -- when he used cruise control to increase the vehicle's speed. He said he had to tap the brakes to stop the car from accelerating...
http://www.latimes.com
