I don't really understand the complaint about the Toyota Prius Brake recall. It was my understanding the customers of Toyota Prius were complaining about a fraction-of-a-second delay during which the brakes would not function. It was explained as a programed delay by which their Hybrid regenerative brake system transfers control from the Hybrid systems to the brake systems.
My 2007 Civic Hybrid also displays a funky brake feeling for a fraction of a second, whereby when the car is slowing from 30-40 MPH to a stop at a red light, the car will lose braking ability for a fraction of a second while the CVT "downshifts". During that second, the car will actually seem to be without brakes, or will feel like I am sliding on ice.
If the US Government is looking into the brake issue with Toyota, shouldn't they be also looking at Honda Hybrids for the same reason?
What am I missing here? Am I totally wrong in this comparison?

 

Here is the official reply in the UK, if you are interested.
Third-generation Prius brakes recall: your questions answered


11 Feb 2010 by Melissa Coulton

Toyota (GB) has provided official answers to some of the questions you’ve been asking about the third-generation Prius recall in the UK.
1. What is the problem with the third-generation Prius?
Customers have reported that under certain braking conditions, such as when hitting a bump, pothole or driving on a low-grip surface, they notice a change in the brake feel (the sensation transmitted to the driver during a braking action).
This change in brake feel is due to the specific set-up of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Prius braking ability is not compromised.
2. How is Toyota responding to this Prius issue?
To deal with the customer comments about the change in brake feel, an update in the software in the brake control system was made on Prius production from late January 2010. This change was made to give the driver a more consistent feel when applying the brakes.
The recall will involve this same software upgrade in the anti-lock braking system. The procedure will be carried out free of charge and will take approximately 40 minutes using standard test equipment in use at all authorised Toyota service centres.
3. Why does this only impact third-generation Prius models?
First-generation and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS system and are not involved in this campaign.
4. How many vehicles are impacted?
This recall involves approximately 8,500 cars in the UK.
5. What should third-generation Prius customers do if they experience this braking issue?
If a Prius owner were to experience this condition, pressing hard on the brake pedal will stop the vehicle safely. Prius braking ability is not compromised.
6. Are these vehicles safe to drive until they get their update?
Yes, the vehicles are safe to drive. At no time are drivers without brakes.
7. When can I get my vehicle fixed?
Toyota will begin sending letters to Prius owners included in this recall by mail next week to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their vehicle is involved in the recall.
8. How long will it take for a dealer to repair my vehicle?
The software update should only take approximately 40 minutes to install.
9. Is the repair covered by warranty? Will drivers have to pay any money out of pocket for this work?
Toyota will cover all repair costs associated with this work.
10. Is the Prius recall related to the ongoing Toyota accelerator pedal recall?
No, it is not related.
If you have any questions or concerns that have not been addressed here, please contact Toyota GB Customer Relations on 0800 1388 744, open Monday to Friday (8am - 8pm), Saturday (8am – 4pm), and Sunday (10am – 4pm).
Further information can also be found at toyota.co.uk/prius-recall.


Now my car has the same brake feel as you have described but, I think I an correct in thinking that it is not the CVT downshifting but, actually the regeration mechanism 'letting go' and allowing the brakes to function as normal. I suspect that the regen works over two speed ranges and hence, we notice the brake feel change when the two speed ranges are crossing over. The CVT is continuous and you shouldn't really notice any change in the transmission although I have to admit that there is also a change felt in my HCH2 at around 10 mph and I'm not sure if this is transmission or computer programming.
I have had two Fiats with CVT gear boxes and there was absolutely no changes felt through any of the gear range. (Ooops, don't know what has just happened to my fonts, I didn't mean to emphasize the last paragraph).
Any way I hope this gives food for thought.

 

I have a 2006 HCH2,
Whenever I am braking on potholed or undulated rough surfaces the ABS "releases" causing t funny pedal and a loss of braking and extended braking distance.

Is this what the Toyota recall is about?

 

ABS means Anti-Lock Braking System. ABS only comes on under extreme, threshold of skid braking conditions. Did you mean "brake" instead of "ABS"?

 

I don't own a '10 Prius but from the descriptions I've read it does sound more like an ABS brake "feel" problem more than anything.

I've actually always considered this "ABS lose the brakes" kind of feeling as the ABS actually kicking in as compared to "releasing". The ABS kicks in when the brakes are applied and the wheels slide so I always saw it as the ABS interpeting the wheel "sliding" as it momentarily loses road contact as it passes over a pothole.

Regardless of the specific technical reason, it's something that has been present to varying degrees in every car with ABS I have ever owned, it's a very short-lived phenomenon under normal driving conditions, and it doesn't affect braking distance, or at least it never has in any car I've driven. Again, I don't have a '10 Prius, so I can't speak to that, and Toyota has seen the need for a software fix, but at this point I expect it's a CYA move.

 

Mmmm... if you ain't losing braking distance then I wouldn't worry.

 

Steve, I don't agree with your use of the term "ABS", as this is not a feeling you feel through the brake pedal, as you do when ABS is rapidly clamping/releasing. This is a slipping-forward or almost what I would call a feeling of the the brakes cutting off for a split second DURING the braking. I am not describing that this is felt through the brake pedal. The brake pedal feels normal. This is a sensation of forward-slipping-motion in your whole body that tells you the brakes are turning off. Your foot pressure and brake pedal feel normal and you think you should still be slowing down ,when for a split second, you are not slowing.

In response to the other posts after yours, braking distance is indeed increased significantly by this issue I'm experiencing.