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Feds Open Prius Probe

June 1, 2005
Federal investigators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have officially opened an investigation into complaints that the Toyota Prius hybrid engine stalls in traffic.

• EPA Lowers Prius Mileage Estimate • Prius Ranks #1 in Owner Satisfaction • Toyota Aims for Even Better Prius Performance • Toyota Prius Named in Patent Infringement Suit • A Wild Ride in a Prius • First Chinese Prius Ready to Go • Prius Supplies Will Remain Tight Through 2006 • Prius Runs Amok After Stalling, Hits Tow Truck • Toyota Boosts Prius Price, Cancels Fleet Sales • Toyota Continues to Sell Faulty Prius Hybrids • Greens Call Toyota a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing • Toyota Warns Prius Owners of Stalling • GM Sells Subaru Stake to Toyota, Which Increases Stake in Hybrid Battery Supplier • Prius Profiteering as Salesmen Squeeze Consumers • Prius Turns Profits in Used-Car Market • Feds Open Probe into Prius Stalling • Prius Problems Traced to Software Glitch • Toyota Probes Prius Stalling Problem

NHTSA has received 33 reports of the gas-electric hybrid shutting down without warning, typically at speeds between 35 mph and 65 mph. There have been no reported cases of injuries. The investigation covers about 75,000 vehicles.

In at least half the cases, the car wouldn't restart and had to be towed. Some of the complaints indicate the Prius hybrid engine operated in electric mode for a period of time after the gas engine stalled.

The Toyota Motor Corp. is aware of the official investigation and a spokesman said the company is cooperating fully. ConsumerAffairs.com reported the potential Prius problem in April.

Toyota Prius sales tripled in April to 11,345.

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