According to a piece in the Wall Street Journal, being reported on CNN’s website, the NTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has 13 reports of engine shutdowns on Toyota Prius hybrids due to computer crashes while driving at highway speeds. Edmunds.com has had an equal number of complaints on its Prius forums. Toyota identified one software glitch last year and notified owners to come plug their cars in for a one-hour upgrade at the dealership. It was not made clear by Toyota whether these recent reports are related to that problem or a different one.
It’s one thing to have your Windows PC crash, or your TiVo-tuned TV, it’s another thing ENTIRELY to have your car “crash” when you’re barreling down I-95!