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Spike in Prius complaints may not be all it seems

Associated Press -- NEW YORK – Reports of sudden acceleration in the Toyota Prius have spiked across the country. But that doesn't mean there's an epidemic of bad gas pedals in the popular hybrid.

Experts on consumer psychology say the relentless negative media attention Toyota has received since the fall makes it much more likely that drivers will mistake anything unexpected — or even a misplaced foot — for actual danger.

"When people expect problems, they're more likely to find them," said Lars Perner, a professor of clinical marketing at Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California.

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Submitted Mar 10, 2010 By: zornave

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texasvet Champion Author Texas Posts:1,402 Points:160,930 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:20:50 PM Ignore texasvet Report Abuse Sounds like what I've been thinking. Every time a Toyota driver drops his cell phone or is looking down texting and rear-ends somebody, he's going to blame the gas pedal.
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:11,709 Points:2,060,235 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:20:49 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse I can't believe we allow Toyota to keep building defective cars.
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,666 Points:962,635 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:20:47 PM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse Sounds like a problem to me.
mwhals Champion Author Charleston Posts:8,655 Points:1,469,910 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:17:39 PM Ignore mwhals Report Abuse I guess electronic too.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,998 Points:771,435 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:08:24 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse I wonder how many of these claims will prove to be false.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,885 Points:1,003,695 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:08:05 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse I think it is still in the electronic control system. Forget drive by wite. The old linkage systems did a pretty good job for many years.
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,941 Points:817,855 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:07:42 PM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse mob mentality, groupthink, or just plain bein' a "copycat"
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,938 Points:1,409,435 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:05:47 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse One would expect...
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:248,124 Points:1,134,725 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:05:12 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse Send Toyota a message in clear language: show us what's in the black box or CEASE selling cars in the U.S.!
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,117 Points:1,501,390 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:01:35 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Think I'd be dumpin' mine...
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,216 Points:1,114,420 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:00:36 PM Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse It just keeps geting worse for Toyota.
Kamakani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:1,867 Points:575,350 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:57:48 PM Ignore Kamakani Report Abuse Better to be safe than sorry.
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,206 Points:624,700 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:56:14 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse This is becomming harder to analyze with the number of complaints and variations.
rugbyphil Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:13,761 Points:2,550,220 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:55:10 PM Ignore rugbyphil Report Abuse public perception is much stronger than reality
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,776 Points:523,325 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:54:58 PM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse It's typical for the News media to grab on to something they think will get people to read or watch their show etc. They frequently blow things out of proportion instead of reporting facts in a balanced manner. It's too bad but even a little Bad publicity will hurt someone far worse than all the good publicity in the world will help them. Human Nature I guess.
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:11,482 Points:2,241,650 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:53:04 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse Number 43; How can you sit there and make such an asinine statement as to wish that something would happen to someone driving a Toyota. Man you are a little touched, I think. I would never wish anything terrible onto anyone.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,512 Points:679,200 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:50:49 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse It is because of the ridicule that many people are reluctant to come forward a report things. Most people avoid the spotlight . Tell that to the Toyota professor. Bad things do happen to good toyotas.
toyrunner300 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,124 Points:1,003,810 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:50:19 PM Ignore toyrunner300 Report Abuse Like the Audi problem in the past....
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,938 Points:1,409,435 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:49:38 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Gettin' kinda skitish...
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,512 Points:679,200 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:47:40 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse How can anyone not have feelings for those poor people who have been injured or killed by toyotas. To All you hard cases out there, I hope it's happens to you or your family next. Git your head out of the sand and realize that it really could be YOU that is next in line.
jat60 Champion Author California Posts:1,421 Points:556,145 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:43:26 PM Ignore jat60 Report Abuse As time goes on, Toyota madness will become old news, and the media will lose interest. At which point in time, the masses will lose interest. And then we can all move on.
twinhauler Rookie Author Virginia Posts:30 Points:724,470 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:40:13 PM Ignore twinhauler Report Abuse I really feel sorry for the people who have had a defective car & a bad experience but it makes me sad to hear people say they would never buy a Toyota even after the years of having the best service rating of the auto business. I own one & would buy another. I am sure they will fix the problems & resume their good vehicle production.
Jeannemarie Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:24,725 Points:1,639,675 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:38:49 PM Ignore Jeannemarie Report Abuse Bert, I agree with you 100%. I drive a Prius and have never had any problems with the little wonder. It gets great gas mileage, is a smooth running car and I never tromp on the gas which may be why I don't have problems. Who knows?
Bert2010 Sophomore Author Columbus Posts:235 Points:105,565 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:35:24 PM Ignore Bert2010 Report Abuse Finally, a bit of sanity regarding this topic.
silvolvo Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:244 Points:578,620 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:33:13 PM Ignore silvolvo Report Abuse absolutely agree!
outlaw329 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,791 Points:462,145 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:32:25 PM Ignore outlaw329 Report Abuse agreed dbatw
dbatw Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,686 Points:341,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 10:31:03 PM Ignore dbatw Report Abuse mass hysteria