Ford Joins Toyota in Hybrid Braking Woes
By Chris Weiss
Well, misery loves company, and after weeks of dominating headlines with its own recall troubles, Toyota now shares them with Ford. Ford stated yesterday that it will need to update the regenerative braking software on some 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid models.
According to a Ford statement: “We have received reports that some drivers have experienced a different brake feel when the hybrid’s unique regenerative brakes switch to conventional hydraulic braking. While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes.”
That sounds a lot like the issue Toyota reported yesterday on its 2010 Prius.
Complaints by owners have been filed with the NHTSA and Consumer Reports noted the problem during testing. So far, no official recall has been issued, but Ford plans to contact owners and reprogram the system at dealerships for no cost to the owner. [via Inside Line]
Friday, February 5, 2010 9:10PM
Wow, interesting points. I didn’t mean the scope of the problem was the same, but it sounds similar because it happens when the car is switching between the regenerative and standard braking–like the Prius. But you’re right the Toyota problem runs much deeper.
Saturday, February 6, 2010 1:33AM
….hardly like the prius problem – other than the word 'brake'. 14 accidents involving defective prius' in Japan w. dozens of complaints – I hardly think that the fusion issue is the same. Brake 'feel' and low speed brake 'failure' are two different animals. No documented cases of Fusion hybrids not being able to stop and hitting something as with the prius' issue. Let's get something straight here! current gen. prius 1st production run customers are only ones in Japan with problem claims Toyota(where japan is concerned), while admitting that fix was already in production months ago, and also admitting that essentially people with the problem Prius' were driving around for a year with a defect and Toyota KNEW it! Anyone who does 10min. of research on Toyota will learn than Toyota has knowingly allowed it's customers to drive defective vehicles for sometimes years on end – see 03 Sienna Van recall – 80's/90's steering defects across nearly entire line w. spotty or no recalls issued! Current unintended acc. problem going back 10 yrs search LA times Dec. 23 09 Toyota. 600 documented accidents/incidents 17 deaths, many more injuries and counting. Toyota lovers cry obama gm /media conspiracy while these same clowns jumped all over ford over the cruise control engine fire issue featuring well over 10 mil vehicles only 6 fires/no injuries/ one burned down garage – statistically a none event! All over an outsourced potentially defective circ. module that had nothing to do with Ford! Ford got rolled over the coals by the media and import lovers to this day. I invite Toyota loyalists to open their damn eyes and do some research on Toyota they will be horrified!
Saturday, February 6, 2010 4:12PM
ts not a defect in either vehicle. Its a feeling the cars can give you the split second it switches from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking when the traction control / anti-lock brake system detects a wheel slipping. If you re-read the Ford Statement "While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes.” Notice the word PERCEIVE. The truth is that every single hybrid does this. Its a non issue.