Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

711 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 4:23 AM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback

Messages Page 11 of 72

#100 of 711 Re: Toyota Prius Owners: Problems & Solutions [paulette1] by pmichaels1

Dec 24, 2004 (11:06 am)

Replying to: paulette1 (Nov 17, 2004 8:59 pm)
I had the same issue with my 2001 Prius. I know I left my interior lights on before it happened. It's something I do somewhat frequently. My neighbors usually tell me when this occurs.
 
The cost to fix it was about the same as yours. My dealer is only 2 blocks away, and it was only afterwards that i realized I could have rolled it into the dealership myself, given that the car is so light.

#101 of 711 Quality issues with 2004 Prius by pmichaels1

Dec 24, 2004 (11:17 am)

I purchased a 2004 Prius in July of this year after having owned a 2001 Prius for almost 4 years. Compared to the old one, I have had numerous quality problems with the 2004. A list of issues include:
 
- Replacement of navigation system
- Work on dashboard to stop noises coming from center speaker
- Additional noises coming from dashboard that dealer cannot find or fix
- Vibrations coming from hatchback that makes car sound like an old pickup truck going over bumps
- Check engine light coming on for no reason
- Left rear seat having to be locked in place every once in a while to keep noises from occurring
- Outside thermometer has a wide margin of error
- I think the driver side mirror warped the first time I took it to a car wash
 
Nothing major unfortunately. I'm hoping for the transmission to fall out so I can press a "lemon law" case.
 
Has anyone else had these problems? I bought Option Package #9 which is $26K MSRP. I find the fit and finish of this car at that price to be terrible. I never had those issues with my old Prius. Would love to hear others' experience.

#102 of 711 Re: Catalytic Converter Problem [gagrice] by carln3

Jan 01, 2005 (9:22 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Dec 01, 2004 3:12 pm)
How about tis: Rav 4 catalytic converter $1000
Volvo ABS sensor $650
1990 Cutlas cierra A/C compressor $900
1990 Cutlass cierra alternator $450
 
Prius parts are all made and imported from Japan..
Good luck to all of us...

#103 of 711 Engine dies after starting by bobo44

Jan 06, 2005 (7:43 am)

I own a 2002 Prius with 39,000 miles. For the last year I've had this problem:
With the engine cold, start the car. Engine runs for a few seconds and dies. I can usually re start the engine on the next try and drive to work. Of course all the engine warning lights are on. After the car starts successfully three more times, the warning lights go away and the display returns to normal. I've had the car into the deal and they couldn't find anything wrong since the engine codes has cleared by the time they got the car. The frequency of occurrence is increasing. Has anyone seen this problem?

#104 of 711 Re: Quality issues with 2004 Prius [pmichaels1] by ahurst

Jan 08, 2005 (3:56 am)

Replying to: pmichaels1 (Dec 24, 2004 11:17 am)
Hi,
 
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I have a 2004 and now have over 20,000 miles (33,000 km) on mine. I have had none of your problems and have been generally very pleased. Unfortunately it sounds like your vehicle may have been a victim of Toyota's push for more volume when the backlog of buyers was at it's worst. Yours is the first such story I've heard. If I were in your position, I would be starting talks with my dealer and Toyota about a replacement, lemon law or not, Toyota is successful because they have generally done the right things to maintain a reputation for consistent, reliable, well built vehicles - yours is clearly an anomoly. Good luck.

#105 of 711 Re: Engine dies after starting [bobo44] by ceric

Jan 10, 2005 (1:34 am)

Replying to: bobo44 (Jan 06, 2005 7:43 am)
You should leave your Prius overnight with Toyota dealer and have them try it in the morning. If they can't fix it three times, then you can claim Lemon Law protection.

#106 of 711 Re: Quality issues with 2004 Prius [pmichaels1] by findir

Jan 10, 2005 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: pmichaels1 (Dec 24, 2004 11:17 am)
I am very sorry to hear of your experience. We purchased our 04 Prius in January 2004 (our first Toyota) and now have 12000 miles on it, with no problems whatsoever. We have taken it from CT to Fla and back, and use it as a daily driver, and other than oil changes/tire rotations, it has required nothing. We would not hesitate to buy another one, and I too believe your experience is an anomaly.

#107 of 711 Starter battery short lived by engin2

Jan 26, 2005 (12:03 am)

My wife drives our '02 Prius around town, mostly short trips like shopping,etc...We live in the SF Bay Area. She parks her car outside. The car only has 17K miles on it. Last week she couldn't start it because dead battery. The warranty expired just two months passed three years' coverage. After jump started car and took same to dealer, I was told these gel-type batteries don't last much longer than that. I had the shock of my Toyota life. The dealer contacted Toyota and they gave me a heavy duty upgraded battery on a good-will gesture, no charge. Though I appreciate their PR move, I've never paid more than $100 for a good, 6-year warranty battery in my entire life. This new battery only has two years' warranty on it. However, I still had to pay over $200 for new installation kit to accomodate the new battery.
 
HELP!!!
 
We're a family of devoted Toyota cars in the pass and my wife's '93 Tercel's battery lasted over 8 years, never dies and starts every single time.
 
Now We're beginning to have second thoughts about our '02 and '04 Prius that costs an arm and leg just for run-of-the mill item replacements. The heavy duty battery itself would have cost me over $200.
 
Would anyone out there who may have similar starter battery problems share some light and experiences on this. It would be much appreciated as we may end our relationship with Toyota hybrids. Thank you in advance.

#108 of 711 by stevewa

Jan 26, 2005 (12:50 am)

Methinks your dealer is blowing smoke.
 
We have 55000 miles on our '02 and have had no problem with the 12v battery.
 
It's critical that the car be run for at least 30 minutes (without turning the key off) every week or so to allow enough time to recharge the 12v battery. While the HV battery can recharge very quickly the 12v battery is recharged at a slower rate to prevent it from overheating. It's not necessary for the gas engine to be running, but the key must be in the "on" position so the inverter's battery charger function is running. Your owner's manual should have something to say about this.

#109 of 711 Re: Starter battery short lived [engin2] by tempusvn

Jan 26, 2005 (7:31 am)

Replying to: engin2 (Jan 26, 2005 12:03 am)
"Now We're beginning to have second thoughts about our '02 and '04 Prius that costs an arm and leg just for run-of-the mill item replacements. The heavy duty battery itself would have cost me over $200."
 
The Car Giveth and the Car Taketh Away
 
Yeah, the 12v battery is one of the things in the Prius that is more expensive, and touchier than in other cars.
 
But, by the same token, there are some things that you either have to do regularly or can expect to do at least once over the life of a regular car that you don't have to worry about with the Prius.
 
The Prius is very good on brakes. So, you don't have to do that brake job every 35K miles. Maybe you'll do it at 100K, maybe not
 
The Prius doesn't have a transmisison per-se, so if you're someone who keeps cars a long time (like me), it's nice not to have to sorry about the huge cost of modern transmission repairs.
 
On the 04 at least, the entire exhaust system is Stainless Steel, so hopefully I won't have to visit MIDAS for that either. On my other cars, living in the Salt Belt, the most you can expect to get out of mufflers and such is 50K.
 
Taking a look at the big picture, I think it's likely that it's quite likely the Prius lifetime repair/maintenance costs for things that wear out may be less than other cars.
 
But yeah, the Battery is a potential annoyance

Messages Page 11 of 72

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement