BrewMaster
06-01-2005, 03:29 PM
link (http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/01/Autos/toyota_prius/index.htm)
Officials eye Toyota Prius stalling
Regulators plan to conduct investigation over engine stalling.
June 1, 2005
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - After a string of consumer complaints over engine problems,Toyota's popular hybrid vehicle, the Prius, will face an investigation, the government announced Wednesday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has received 33 complaints on both the 2004 and 2005 models, said it will evaluate the problem which could affect approximately 75,000 Prius vehicles.
According to the agency, over 85 percent of Prius owners who reported problems said that the vehicle stalled without warning between speeds of 35 and 65 miles per hour.
Some reports noted that the Prius, which utilizes a gas-electric hybrid powertrain to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency, continued to operate in electric mode after the vehicle stalled. At least 50 percent of those complaints said that after the vehicle stalled it could not be restarted.
The Prius, which has become wildly popular and boasts higher resale values than its sticker price in some regions, bears a fuel efficiency rating of 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 miles per gallon on the highway according to 2005 EPA estimates.
Officials eye Toyota Prius stalling
Regulators plan to conduct investigation over engine stalling.
June 1, 2005
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - After a string of consumer complaints over engine problems,Toyota's popular hybrid vehicle, the Prius, will face an investigation, the government announced Wednesday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has received 33 complaints on both the 2004 and 2005 models, said it will evaluate the problem which could affect approximately 75,000 Prius vehicles.
According to the agency, over 85 percent of Prius owners who reported problems said that the vehicle stalled without warning between speeds of 35 and 65 miles per hour.
Some reports noted that the Prius, which utilizes a gas-electric hybrid powertrain to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency, continued to operate in electric mode after the vehicle stalled. At least 50 percent of those complaints said that after the vehicle stalled it could not be restarted.
The Prius, which has become wildly popular and boasts higher resale values than its sticker price in some regions, bears a fuel efficiency rating of 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 miles per gallon on the highway according to 2005 EPA estimates.