NHTSA Complaint #10331395 — 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS

IT IS A RECURRING INCIDENT/PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME ONE IS GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR DURING INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. WHEN BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR IS GOING OVER A MODERATELY ABRUPT BUMP OR PARKINGLOT DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING ENGAGES BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE DELAY - POSSIBLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWITCHING FROM THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE MECHANISM - CAUSING THE SENSATION THAT THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND OR 2 - QUITE A DISCONCERTING FEELING AND CONCERN THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT DURING A PANIC STOP. DURING INTERMITTENT SLIPPERY CONDITIONS - E.G. SNOW OVER THE ROAD, PARTIALLY PLOWED SNOW OR ICY CONDITIONS - THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING/TRACTION CONTROL IS OVER-ACTIVE, CUTTING POWER ABRUPTLY TO ONE WHEEL THEN THE OTHER CAUSING A WHIPPING ACTION FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE. THIS RANGES FROM ANNOYING TO TERRIFYING INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT THAT THE CAR SPUN OUT 3 TIMES ON ONE SECTION OF A RURAL SNOWY ROAD - FORTUNATELY NO ON-COMING TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT AND THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO THE DITCH. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED ABOUT THESE TENDENCIES THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL - SO NO ADJUSTMENT TO A PART OR SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BE MADE. *TR