NHTSA Complaint #11308647 — 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS

THE PRIUS WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOUSE. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS ON THE INSIDE AND ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE GEARBOX (SHIFTER). THE CAR WENT OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLLED BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE CAR QUICKLY ROLLED 20 FEET INTO A TREE AND CAUSED 6200$ DAMAGES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND THE CAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE PRIUS CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED IN NEUTRAL IF ELECTRICAL IS ON IN THE CAR (IE RADIO) AND SOMEONE HAS THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND HITS THE GEARBOX BY ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO SAFETY ON THE SHIFTER TO PREVENT UNINTENTIONAL SHIFTING. MANY OTHER CARS REQUIRE A MANUAL BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER TO BE DEPRESSED PRIOR TO SHIFTING. THIS IS NOT THE CASE ON THE PRIUS. WITHOUT THAT SAFETY FEATURE, ACCIDENTS LIKE THIS ONE CAN HAPPEN AND POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. THE CAR CAN BE MADE TO BE IN NEUTRAL BY ACCIDENT RATHER EASILY.