Did bankrupt James Sikes fake unintended acceleration in his Toyota Prius?

Posted: Mar 11, 2010
Filed under: Hybrids, Green News, Industry News, Toyota

As the days go by, we learn something new about James Sikes – the popular owner of a Toyota Prius that experienced a dangerous 94 mph speed in his hybrid after claiming that the accelerator was stuck.

Yesterday, we learned that Sikes is a member of the Chevrolet Corvette Owners Club – what that has anything to do with his Prius incident probably means nothing, but it’s cool knowing nonetheless.

According to the latest research by the folks over at Jalopnik, Sikes filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and has over $700,000 in debt. It’s also been said that Sikes hasn’t been making payments on his Prius. Sikes has continuously said that he has no intentions of suing Toyota or any financial remuneration from Toyota other than a new vehicle.

Of course, this information about Sikes background may be useless if his Prius actually has a stick pedal issue but we’re pretty sure it’ll raise some questions.

Head over to Jalopnik to read Matt Hardigree’s research.

- By: Kap Shah

Share |  Email  Print |

Tags: , ,



  • I read a report today in the WSJ that state the drivers were at fault.
  • siked out... not!
    Sikes obviously wanted to speed without the consequences. This fraudulent dirtbag ought to put the brakes on his lying lips.
  • siked out... not!
    Sikes obviously wanted the thrill of speeding without the consequences. This fraudulent dirtbag ought to put the brakes on his lying.
  • Geraldine Ferraro
    The US gov't and plaintiffs' attorneys everywhere need to bankrupt Toyota by bringing suit after suit after suit until Toyota is flat ass busted defending them. It doesn't matter whether the claims have any merit or not. Some American consumer might have been hurt and this company needs to pay dearly!
  • Ferraro Rocher
    Says the guy working for GM
  • Sam
    Why did'nt he put the car in Neutral?
  • ratard3213
    Sikes shouldnt have a license or be considered a man...A Prius is a 100hp car...I can stop it with my bare hands...People are making these cars out to be some kind of racecar. The most horsepower one of these cars makes is 120 so what’s the dam problem people hit the brakes or put it in neutral. Idiots

    Standards for car making companies shouldn’t be raised. Standards for licensing drivers should be raised. Individuals should not be on the road if they don’t know the basics about cars this is why people get in accidents because there are so many stupid human beings out there. If one of the Toyota drivers hits me It’s on!!!!
  • Geraldine Ferraro
    The Prius makes 100 hp. The Prius makes 120. Which is it, sh*t for brains?
  • Bumblefoot
    I encourage you to try and stop a speeding Prius....or even a speeding Hyundai accent. Those don't even have 100hp but would squash you just the same. Speeding car v.s. any person = meatloaf
  • kravitz
    The simple issue is the Prius was recalled for brake tracking software and floormats that could catch. It's not clear any Prius has sped up on its own. Lurching while braking, or not braking correctly, that's the Prius problem. In this case, I would want Toyota to show the brakes were ever engaged. The officer said he could smell them. So if the car is designed to override the accelerator and Sikes was trying to imitate the "SUA" problem, the brake override didn't work. If Sikes was reapplying the accelerator when sensing himself the override was coming on, the officer didn't indicate the vehicle ever slowed down. The only real way to solve this? Toyota will have to present the computer and black box data.
  • Rick
    only the 2010 prius had that "software" problem i should know, im a tech. For A Toyota/Lexus/Scion Dealer
  • ratard3213
    If thats the case is a computer programing problem and thats a big problem!!!!
  • disgusted
    Who CARES if he filed bankruptcy. Toyota has covered up these defects and people have died as a result. I guess only people with perfect personal and financial histories have a right to drive safe cars?
  • Rod
    Sikes is a fraud. There is no possible way his Prius could accelerate like that without human intervention. I hope Toyota Crucifies this sap for the lying bastard he is.
    Here are some facts to consider;
    Toyota had almost 17 percent of U.S. car sales in 2008, it accounted for merely 8 percent of
    total claims for deaths and injuries in the first quarter of that year, according to NHTSA. Edmunds.com found that while Toyota was third in U.S. car sales from 2001 through 2010, it was 17th in NHTSA complaints. Thus, even if every sudden-acceleration complaint proved valid, Toyotas are among the safest cars made.- The Detroit News.
  • Roger Wintzel
    Rod, you dingleber*ry, it doesn't matter how "safe" Toyota thinks it is. If one of their cars killed even one nincompoop, it should be crucified at the stake. If there's even one teentsy-weentsy problem...kaplooey - no more Toyota.
  • Mr. Bungle
    Even though it just happened to kill more people than other recalls. Yeah, I'll believe they are safe. I'll also buy from a company that lies and puts blame on the majority of it's customers....and hides results from NHTSA.....and congress....
    I've owned a few Toyota's in the past and my Mom drives a Prius. You can tell the fit and finish is far below par. They are not the cars they used to be, and anyone that has their hands on the structure of these things will tell you that. These people that are "poor Toyota" need to get a clue. Major corporations will and do lie, even if they are spelled with 8 brush strokes.
  • Martin
    Ok, JS can't be called a liar until it has been proven.
    But I would stronly recommend to take his drivers licens away since he has proven that he is not capable to operate a motor vehicle. Not only faulty vehicles but also disabled drivers are dangerous.
  • GMfan87
    no reason to jump all over toyota or sikes at this point, wait until the investigation is finished and then start biting peoples heads off...crikey people
  • wwide4082
    Toyota and others knew they were having issues and attempted to hide it. All Car Companies should have came forward with a full disclosures of what car were dangerous. Instead of waiting for a huge media blitz and tons of public pressure. I never seen so many car companies GM - NISSAN - TOYOTA - HYUNDAI having recalls all at the same time. I had no idea my car was affected until I looked on http://www.carpedalrecall.com and found I had a bad Anti Lock control unit on my 2008 Pontiac G8 , my co workers Ford Truck had a recall also. So be careful
  • dkw
    I am sick of this Dog and Pony show orchestred by the US congress. They will not let Toyota alone as they have a vast interest in saving GM. Don't forget they own over 60% of it. It is sad to see how the American society has become, dishonest and always ready to make a few bucks on the back on someone else back. No doubt Toyota had problem with floor mats and gas pedal but common now uncontrollable Toyota are popping out everywhere. Everyone who had an accident or will have an accident with a Toyota will be blaming the car. This is ridiculous. People need to be responsible for their actions or should not be allowed to drive. This kind of non-sense happens only in America especially in California. And the Medias are just adding fuel to the show! Oh boy, that's pretty sad!
  • PCL
    If his bankruptcy is is in progress, he should be on his way to clearing the $700,000 debt. He'll probably loose the Prius, though he seems to be through with it at this point anyway. None of this proves that he staged the runaway event, though that possibility should be explored. If Toyota had gotten its act together with respect to the black box logs, they would be able to rout out any blatant fraudsters, but the data on this incident might not exist. Too bad; a clear answer to this would be in everyone's interest.
  • TiredOfLiars
    Throw him in jail.
  • Antinous
    The author of this piece of garbage is a freaking idiot. Are you not smart enough to wipe your butt, or just a run of the mill Toyotaho.
  • Jason X
    Why don't you go back to pleasuring canines at the local shelter, mate. GTFO this site.
  • 394923@yahoo.com
    Jason, you S oh B, if I need any more sh*t out of you, I'll squeeze you, 'kay? Get back to mas*urbating at the keyboard, will ya?
  • Antinous
    You go to hell asshole.
  • Jason X
    I live in hell, pal. And who the f**k calls himself Antinous?? Where'd you find that name, in a comic book? Did you know Antinous liked it up the pooper?
  • Antinous
    Yep, JasonX, you're real smart, smart enough to wipe your butt, but dumb enough to lick your fingers.
  • an*s_licker@yahoo.com
    Shut the f*ck up the both of you before I make you lick each others' an*s while the rest of us watch.
  • Bumblefoot
    Butt out. This is great
  • Jason X
    What is it with you and wiping butts? You talk like that's how they measure intelligence in your house, the way you wipe your butt. So what do you normally wipe off your butt, ANTINOUS?
  • GMfan87
    loving this mature sensible conversation...
  • snakes
    hopefully the truth comes out and toyota sues this guy....or jail time....this way people can stop blaming there toyotas instead of their bad driving
    go toyota go
  • Sam
    Yes, toyota should sue that mother f*****er for bull shit.. Just put the car in Neutral.. He probably had one leg on the brake and another on the accelerator.. Hope toyota sues him. He could have put the car in neutral...
  • Mr. Bungle
    Toyota's problem is that they go and go....even when you don't want them too!
    And what if they find it is the car? Will Toyota execs see any jail time? Just because Toyota is in the crosshairs of many groups, doesn't mean they are the victims. If they have been making shody vehicles they should be punished and no one should hold back. Those who are taking this as an easy way out of a lease (or whatever other reason) should be held accountable though.
  • joseyw
    Finally people are starting to investigate the claims instead of jumping on to Toyota gang bang pile.
blog comments powered by Disqus