Is the 'runaway Prius' really a hoax?

I wondered the same thing after hearing about this. There’s a huge number of “See! It wasn’t my fault” claims going back to insurance companies. There was another case a little while ago that sounded suspicious to me as well where an elderly woman claimed the car accelerated from a stop and she jumped a curb and ran into a building.

This case smells to me. I'm interested in seeing who it was who revealed this man's confidential credit history to the media to try to discredit him.

Whoooops

What I don't get is why can't these people simply shift the damn car into neutral? Sure you might over rev and seize the engine but it beats the hell out of running into something.

Many (most) automatic transmission cars have interlocks that prevent you from shifting into neutral above certain speeds. This is so the tranny doesn't grenade on you, a problem that can actually be a tad worse than being out of control.

Many (most) automatic transmission cars have interlocks that prevent you from shifting into neutral above certain speeds. This is so the tranny doesn't grenade on you, a problem that can actually be a tad worse than being out of control.
Hmmmm which way do I wanna die? Slamming into something or shrapnel?
Decisions, decisions.

My wife points out that when we're on the road we now stand a chance of getting killed by a runaway Toyota.

Many (most) automatic transmission cars have interlocks that prevent you from shifting into neutral above certain speeds. This is so the tranny doesn't grenade on you, a problem that can actually be a tad worse than being out of control.

There is a video around where people test the various ideas about the Prius.

The only transmission lock is to prevent you from shifting into park at speed - they were able to shift into neutral no problem.

Prius has a system where if you apply the brakes, after about 3 seconds the gas is cut off - they were able to stop the car without incident.

I'm thinking this guy wanted Toyota to buy back his Prius at full value, since he was going broke.

Many (most) automatic transmission cars have interlocks that prevent you from shifting into above certain speeds. This is so the tranny doesn't grenade on you, a problem that can actually be a tad worse than being out of control.

Park yes, neutral no

Anyone owning a Toyota in the recall will claim it was the car's fault in all kinds of accidents now. Rear end someone? The car did it.

That's the problem with class action type lawsuits. Everyone and their dog wants to get in while the getting is good but all they end up doing is screwing it up for the real victims.

BTW does anyone know when the Japanese head of Toyota will be committing ritual Seppuku?