NHTSA Complaint #10137217 — 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

I HAVE AN EARLY 2005 PRIUS WHICH HAS "STALLED" I.E. LOST AL ENGINE POWER ON TWO OCCASIONS. I BELIEVE THE "STALLING" IS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED INTO THE SOFTWARE TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION. I THINK A DESIGN DECISION INTENDED TO PROTECT THE CAR IS PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK. MY EARLY 2005 PRIUS HAS "STALLED" TWICE: ONCE ON THE FREEWAY AT 80 MPH WHEN I HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKES (SOMEONE CUT ME OFF) AND AGAIN ON SURFACE STREETS AT 30 MPH WHEN I FLOORED IT TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. IN EACH CASE THE TRANSMISSION'S INTERNAL COMPONENTS WOULD BE UNDER TREMENDOUS STRAIN UNLESS IT DISENGAGED. IN EACH CASE ALL LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, INDICATORS STAYED ON, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR CONTINUED COASTING (AS IF PUT IN NEUTRAL), AND THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE THROTTLE AND THE GEAR SHIFT. (IN NEITHER CASE DID I HIT THE GEAR SHIFT NOR POWER BUTTON BEFORE THE "STALL"). IN BOTH CASES I COASTED TO A SAFE SPOT (TRY CROSSING FIVE LANES OF 70+ MPH FREEWAY TRAFFIC AT NIGHT WHILE COASTING). ONLY AFTER PARKING, TURNING OFF POWER, AND RESTARTING POWER WOULD THE CAR OPERATE...AT WHICH POINT IT OPERATED FINE. DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG...IN FACT THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS TWO DAYS AFTER MY 30,000 MILE SERVICE! THEY APPARENTLY TOOK NO ACTION REGARDING THE CONCERN I EXPRESSED TO THE SERVICE REP WITH RESPECT TO STALLING...HE ASSURED ME THEY WOULD CHECK FOR ALL AVAILABLE SOFTWARE UPDATES, BUT CORPORATE TOLD ME TODAY THERE IS AT LEAST ONE UPDATE (RELATING TO THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM) WHICH WAS NOT DOWNLOADED, SO APPARENTLY THE DEALER IS NOT RESPONDING TO THIS LIFE-THREATENING CONCERN. I CALLED CORPORATE TODAY TO START A "CASE" AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE UNAWARE THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT ISSUE. THIS DESPITE DISCUSSIONS IN THE PRESS AND ON HYBRIDCARS.COM. I AM CONTACTING YOU IN CASE I AM KILLED OR INJURED BEFORE TOYOTA FIGURES OUT THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS AND RECURRENT ISSUE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AROUND JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2005, AND THE MOST RECENT WAS MONDAY SEPT 19 2005. *JB