Pocono News Section

Toyota Prius Problems Haven't Hit Our Area

Toyota Prius Problems Haven't Hit Our Area - Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 4:35PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 @ 05:35pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- There have been two more reports of sticking gas pedals on Toyota Priuses. The two accidents are putting more attention on the troubled automaker.

Toyota Scion of Scranton's repair shop is busy although we didn't find a Prius on Wednesday afternoon. Two crashes involving the Prius in California and New York have Prius owners in our area asking questions but not bringing their cars in.

Toyota Scranton Operations Director Vito Sampogne said, "Phone calls have been coming in just briefly for concern. No one has actually had any problems but they obviously see it on TV so they're asking if they should bring the car in."

All Prius models are covered in a massive Toyota recall. Drivers have been asked to take out floor mats to prevent problems.

Braking and acceleration problems have plagued Toyota since late last year. It's led to Toyota scion making recall repairs and an aggressive ad campaign.

According the Toyota, the company’s 0% interest for 5 years deal is the most aggressive in it's history. Toyota Scranton Sales Manager Joe Gatto said, "I've never seen deals as customer friendly from top to bottom on virtually every model we have. From the financing side to the lease deals it's never ever been this aggressive."

Toyota Scion says it sold 32 cars under this new deal Saturday. That’s a huge day according to the dealer.

June Hafner of Moscow just had her Toyota Camry acceleration unit replaced Wednesday. She's heard of the new Prius problems. "Maybe they did make a mistake but they seem like they're trying really to correct it and I'm grateful for that."