Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Toyota, NHTSA to Investigate Runaway Prius

SAN DIEGO, CA - Toyota Motor Corp. and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration both dispatched teams on Tuesday, March 9, to inspect a Prius that sped out of control on a freeway in the San Diego area a day earlier, Reuters reported.

by Staff
March 10, 2010
1 min to read


SAN DIEGO, CA - Toyota Motor Corp. and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration both dispatched teams on Tuesday, March 9, to inspect a Prius that sped out of control on a freeway in the San Diego area a day earlier, Reuters reported. 

Ad Loading...

Toyota's engineers are investigating what caused the 2008 Prius to suddenly accelerate. Two investigators from NHTSA are also studying the vehicle. 

Ad Loading...

During the sudden-acceleration episode on Monday, driver James Sikes called 911 for emergency help when his braking wouldn't slow the car down. The car sped up to over 90 miles per hour while traveling on Interstate 8 in San Diego County. 

A California Highway Patrol officer caught up to the Prius and instructed Sikes to apply both the brakes and the emergency brake. Eventually, he was able to shut off the engine and bring the car to a stop. The CHP officer pulled his car in front of the Prius as a precaution, the Wall Street Journal reported. Sikes was not injured. 

Toyota previously announced plans to recall MY 2004-2009 Prius models in the future. The automaker said it is now working on a remedy for the Prius recall. Toyota has blamed the problem on floor mats that can pin down the gas pedal.

More Safety

Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover of the AgileFleet white paper "Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks" with the AgileFleet logo and a photo of fleet vehicles parked outside a government building.
Sponsored•August 7, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks

Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness

Read More →
conference attendees watching a speaker
Safety•by Staff•August 6, 2026

NETS Sets 2026 Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference for Indianapolis

The Sept. 15–17 program will feature fleet benchmarking data, case studies, emerging technologies, and implementation strategies while running alongside the NSC Safety Congress & Expo.

Read More →
NETS crash statistics overlaying an accident photo
Safety•by Chris Brown•August 5, 2026

Off-the-Job Crashes Account for 43% of Employers’ $61.7 Billion Crash Burden

NETS quantifies costs dispersed across fleet, risk, HR, and other departments while providing new per-crash benchmarks for employers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
red ram recall image
Safety•by Faith Howell•August 3, 2026

Ram Recalls More Than 1.27 Million 1500 Pickups for Seat Belt Anchor Issue

The recall affects certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 pickups that may have improperly attached second-row seat belt buckle anchors.

Read More →