University of St. Thomas and HOURCAR have decided to pull both 2010 Prius cars from the rental program based on the vehicle’s reported brake problems.
Recent investigations have found problems with the antilock brake system of the 2010 Toyota Prius, which were introduced in the United States last spring. Reports have cited trouble with the brake system on slick or rough surfaces.
HOURCAR had originally loaned St. Thomas two 2010 models. Those have now been parked, and are unavailable for use. One 2009 Prius has been substituted in place of both cars until Toyota releases more information.
Toyota has yet to recall the 2010 Prius. HOURCAR spokesperson Ari Ofsevit said safety is top priority and further decisions will be made after hearing from Toyota.
Those who wish to reserve the car through the HOURCAR program can still do so. The available car is located in Lot A.
Gina Dolski can be reached at grdolski@stthomas.edu.
You can check out HOURCAR information at their website.
They have a blog on this issue. http://www.hourcar.org/blog
2010 Prius update
Friday, February 5, 2010 — 2:04pm
As you may have heard, there are concerns about the safety of the braking systems on the 2010 Prius. While we have not had any first hand reports, we are pulling the 2010s from service (we only have two cars, at the new Saint Thomas hubs). Until these concerns are addressed, we will have a 2009 Prius—which does not have these issues—at the Selby hub at Saint Thomas (car #25). We apologize for any inconvenience, but your safety is always our top priority.