Software bug forces Prius recall

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/10/14/prius_recall.reut/index.html

Toyota recalling Prius
Hybrid owners to be notified of stalling glitch on '04 and '05 models.
October 14, 2005; Posted: 9:39 a.m. EDT (1339 GMT) 

DETROIT (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it will notify about
160,000 Prius owners around the world about a potential software problem
that may cause the popular hybrid cars to suddenly stall or shut down. 

Japan's top auto maker said the fault may cause warning lights in the cars
to illuminate. That can prompt the vehicles to enter a "fail safe" mode that
may cause their gasoline engines to stall.

Hybrid vehicles twin a gasoline engine with an electric motor and batteries
to boost fuel economy. In addition to powering the car, the gasoline engine
also charges batteries for the electric motor which also provides power to
the wheels.

Toyota spokeswoman Allison Takahashi said that, if the gasoline engine
stalls, the electric motor will have enough power to allow the driver to
pull the vehicle over and away from the traffic.
_______________________________________________
Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts.
https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec
Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list.