NHTSA Complaint #10151801 — 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

2005 TOYOTA PRIUS: IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, WHEN A FRONT WHEEL SLIPS, BOTH WHEELS STOP ROTATING AND THEN THE WHEEL THAT DID NOT SLIP IS GIVEN POWER. THIS TAKES ABOUT 1 SECOND. DURING THAT TIME THE MOTOR HAS SHUT DOWN, LOSING SUBSTANTIAL FORWARD MOMENTUM. IF THE SECOND WHEEL SLIPS,THE PROCESS IS REPEATED GIVING THE ORIGINAL WHEEL POWER. THE 1 SECOND TIME INTERVAL OCCURS AGAIN AND MORE FORWARD MOMENTUM IS LOST. ON A SLIPPERY HILL, THIS BASICALLY STOPS THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE AUTO VERY QUICKLY. IF BOTH WHEELS CONTINUE TO SLIP,THE AUTO JUST SITS THERE , WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTOR STARTING AND STOPPING AS THE POWER IS SWITCHED BETWEEN FRONT WHEELS. IF THERE ARE CARS BEHIND YOURS, THEN BACKING UP IS IMPOSSIBLE. IF THE WIFE AND KIDS ARE IN A BAD NEIGHBOR HOOD AND THIS HAPPENS,THAT COULD MEAN REAL TROUBLE. THE CONDITION IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. ALL THE PRIUS' SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL REPROGRAMMED TO ALLOW REDUCED POWER TO THE SLIPPING WHEEL, NOT ZERO POWER. THIS WILL TEND TO MAINTAIN FORWARD MOMENTUM AND KEEP THE MOTOR FROM SHUTTING DOWN. I SPOKE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE DESIGN FLAW. *NM