Not that it's any big surprise to ME, but... (*No* hybrids in my future as long as I can still get a plain old gasoline-engined vehicle.)
--Geoff
Hybrids having more engine woes
DETROIT, July 26 (UPI) -- Owners of first-generation gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles are experiencing more engine problems than gasoline-powered vehicles, a recent study said.
J.D. Power and Associates surveyed owners of 2001 model vehicles on problems during three years of ownership. Surprisingly, owners of 2001 Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrids reported experiencing twice as many engine problems as owners of conventional gasoline-powered Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics.
The hybrid vehicles needed repairs of engine computers and emissions-control systems more frequently, USA Today said.
Toyota and Honda have since introduced improved second-generation hybrids, a larger more powerful Prius and a Honda Civic hybrid.
Honda introduced the first gas-electric hybrid, the two-seat Insight, in the United States in late 1999.
Owners of Volkswagen diesel engine vehicles reported double the number of problems as owners of gasoline-powered VWs.