What is this, the king has no clothes???
>The Fuel savings from owning a Prius are soon overshadowed by the
>>costs involved in maintenance: alignments up to twice or more a year,
>>replacing "special" tires that cost $150 each up to every 7,000 miles,
>>power and fuel economy "mystery" drops, software crashes that leave
>>you dead on the 65mph freeway. Toyota needs a big boot up
>>their rear for this lemon. Let us all sue the bastards for allowing
>>this known defect to continue to roll.
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>> Janet of Sarasota FL (11/24/04):
>>After less than two years and 16,000 miles my front tires are falling
>>apart on my 2002 Toyota Prius and back tires practically threadbare.
>>Neither the car dealer nor the Bridgestone dealer is willing to give
>>any compensation for tire replacement. I have photos of the tires and
>>had my husband not looked at them recently I could have had a major
>>accident on I-75 from a blowout. The manufacturer and Toyota both knew
>>about this problem and they now use different tires on the 2004 Prius. >>
>>It is costing me over $400 to replace the tires and have car aligned
>>so the savings in the gasoline was moot. They should have had a recall
>>on them before someone is maimed or killed.
>>
>>Howard of Inver Grove Heights MN (11/12/04):
>>I have a 2002 Toyota Prius. It came with Bridgestone 175/65-14
>>Protenza tires. At about 24,000 miles the right front blew out at
>>highway speed. I was able to pull to the side of the road without
>>incident and change the tire. Upon examination I discovered that the
>>sidewall at its junction with the tread had separated with about a 4"
>>tear. The tire was evenly worn. I purchased a replacement tire from
>>Bridgestone but they would give only a $10 discount on a new tire. >>
>>Several weeks later I noticed that a tire appeared to be
>>underinflated. Upon examination I discovered that this tire had the
>>same defect as the one stated above but the tear was only about 1
>>inch. I replaced this tire also. The Prius went in for scheduled
>>maintenance about a week later and they found yet another tire with
>>the same defect. (I cannot totally fault the manufacture here as this
>>tire did show a wear pattern indicative of underinflation) I have
>>replaced all tires with another brand. I will neither buy new tires
>>nor purchase a new vehicle with Bridgestone/Firestone tires on it. >>
>>Andrea of Plano TX (7/8/03):
>>My complaints are numerous (2001 Toyota Prius):
>>1. Front end alignment -- cause unknown. Several alignments, still >>doesn't track well.
>>2. Gas tank problems -- went from 45.0mg to 29.5 mpg - took several
>>trips to get the problem "solved" -- not sure that it is totally
>>solved. Consumption screen is screwy and so is the gas gauge. Also
>>told car loses gas mileage as they get older -- car was only a year or
>>so old and a Prius doesn't use gas when stopped.
>>3. Rack and pinion steering -- several trips to service before they
>>agreed there's a problem and fixed it.
>>4. 3rd set of tires -- 18,000, 36,000 and about 45,000 miles
>>5. Accelerator assembly quit in rush hour traffic -- fixed, took two
>>trips. There's still a noticeable drop in power, almost daily.
>>
>>Most problems "fixed" but I don't trust this car nor do I trust Toyota
>>The second trip for the accelerator I was told there was nothing wrong
>>with the car, but the "sticky" place disappeared after second trip. They
>>didn't want to admit they were wrong.
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mike