NHTSA Complaint #10683120 — 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), BRAKE LIGHT, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS (4) ON THE PRIUS ALL CAME ON AND VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE WHILE OUT OF TOWN. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE CONTACTED AND CAR SHOULD BE TAKEN IN IMMEDIATELY FOR SERVICE. SINCE NO DEALERSHIP WAS AVAILABLE AT THE IMMEDIATE LOCATION, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME (60 MILES) IN VERY UNSTABLE CONDITIONS. UPON BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD IT WAS A MIRACLE NOTHING BAD HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE THE "COMPUTER SKID ASSEMBLY" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1570.97 FOR JUST THE PART!!! I FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT THE PART WAS READILY AVAILABLE AS IF I WERE REPLACING AN OIL OR AIR FILTER. AFTER CONFIRMING THE COST WITH OTHER DEALERSHIPS, I CONSENTED TO THE WORK TO BE PERFORMED. IS THIS JUST ANOTHER "BUILT IN OBSOLESCENCE" FEATURE? THERE APPEARS TO BE NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THIS NEW PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE PART POSSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN TO CONSUMERS. IN ADDITION, HOW CAN ANY REASONABLE CONSUMER BE CERTAIN THAT THIS PART FAILURE WAS NOT INPUT BY THE MANUFACTURER INTO THE CAR'S CONTROL SYSTEM. MAKES ME LONG FOR THE DAYS OF MANUAL VEHICLES AND SHADE TREE MECHANICS. *TR