NHTSA Complaint #10314756 — 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS

REPRODUCIBLE LAG IN BRAKE RESPONSE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY CONDITIONS AT LOW SPEEDS (8-20MPH) ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. IF I BRAKE BEFORE A SHARP BUMP (E.G., POTHOLE BEFORE STOP SIGN), THERE IS A DELAY IN BRAKE ENGAGEMENT ON THE ORDER OF SECOND(S), AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKES WILL EVENTUALLY ENGAGE. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE AND REPRODUCIBLE WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS THAT IS IN THE FOOTHILLS OF SALT LAKE CITY ON A DECLINING AND CURVY ROAD. HOWEVER, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS BRAKE ISSUE PERIODICALLY WHEN HITTING POTHOLES OR SHARP BUMPS ON SLIGHT DECLINES AT OTHER VENUES. HOWEVER, THIS HAS LED TO SEVERAL EPISODES OF THE CAR STOPPING LATER THAN ANTICIPATED, AND I WORRY THAT MY SCENARIO REPRESENTS A "SENTINEL EVENT" FOR FUTURE SAFETY ISSUES. I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS AT A DEALERSHIP, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT "YOU JUST HAVE TO ADJUST TO THE BRAKE FEEL COMPARED TO YOUR OLD NON-HYBRID CAR." *TR