Officials eye Toyota Prius stalling

[PARAGON]

<Table><SPAN class=storysubheadline>Officials eye Toyota Prius stalling</SPAN>
<SPAN
class=storytease>Regulators plan to conduct investigation over engine
stalling.</SPAN>
<SPAN class=timestamp>June 1, 2005: 1:18 PM EDT </SPAN>



NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - After a string of consumer complaints over engine
problems,Toyota's popular hybrid vehicle, the Prius, will face an investigation,
the government announced Wednesday. </P>


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has received 33
complaints on both the 2004 and 2005 models, said it will evaluate the problem
which could affect approximately 75,000 Prius vehicles.</P>


According to the agency, over 85 percent of Prius owners who reported
problems said that the vehicle stalled without warning between speeds of 35 and
65 miles per hour.</P>


Some reports noted that the Prius, which utilizes a gas-electric hybrid
powertrain to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency, continued to operate in
electric mode after the vehicle stalled. At least 50 percent of those complaints
said that after the vehicle stalled it could not be restarted.</P></Table>