NHTSA Complaint #10441922 — 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS

THE DRIVERS SEAT DOES NOT RAISE FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW SHORTER DRIVERS TO SEE OVER THE DASH BOARD , BASE OF WINDSHIELD AND REAR OF HOOD. THIS PREVENTS SHORTER DRIVERS FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE THE THE GROUND ANYWHERE NEAR THE CAR. GIVING THE DRIVERS A 2 DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF THE TRAFFIC AND OBJECTS BETWEEN 3 AND 5 FEET HIGH. ANYTHING BELOW 3 FOOT TALL IS NOT VISIBLE FOR 30 TO 50 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE RAISED BELT LINE IS ALSO CAUSING THIS PROBLEM OF 2 DIMENSIONAL VIEWS VERSES 3 DIMENSIONAL VIEWS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.. IT COULD BE FIXED WITH INCREASED TRAVEL HEIGHT FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT. AS I HAVE HAD TO OFFER SEVERAL FRIEND CHAIR CUSHIONS TO PROP THEM UP SO THEY COULD SEE.. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE CAR. I DON'T THINK DO TO THE WINDSHIELD ANGLE.. THAT I BEING ALMOST 6 FOOT TALL COULD SEE THE GROUND ANYWHERE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE CAR EITHER. I DON'T FIT IN THESE CARS. *KB