PIP Reliability

Based on my forum reading since Jan 2013, none. If there were, it would be a definite major topic of interest. Long term, we'll have to wait and see. Most PIPs are less than a year old.

 

nothing here, practically perfect in every way!

 

Same here nothing, practically perfect in every way.

 

Compared to what I read on the Volt and CMAX forums, the PIP is the most reliable plug in available. Not surprising given the Prius platform reliability.

 

interesting. if you listened to the few trolls here, you'd think they were all bulletproof.

 

It's not as bad as it first appears when looking at the specific forums but still. There are a lot of little issues like seals, sensors and connections that make you question the long term reliability.

Problems/Issues, Driver Warnings or DTCs -Chevy Volt

 

Totally reliable thus far. Almost a perfect car.

 

Checking online for reliability information is a double-edge sword. People are far more likely to seek out a forum if they have a problem than an owner who is quite pleased with their purchase. Then sometimes, they are embarrassed by their observation actually being a misunderstanding, leading to the posts taking an unproductive turn or just abruptly coming to an end. We have encounters with people claiming to be owners in distress actually being someone wanting to stir trouble. The key is to look for detail and watch for patterns.

In my particular case, I've been driving Prius for almost 13 years. Despite all that, there still isn't much to say about reliability. It works. I haven't had any problems. So, my comments about reliability are quite brief.

 

Since the Volt is a totally new car not surprising that there are a few more issues. But at true-delta it is the lowest service rate (highest quality) of any GM product ;-) Many of the early owners, like me with a 2011, may have had less issues as the first year the production speed was lower and Q&A may have been higher. Same may be true for first year PiPs.

Keep in mind that many of the post about Volt in that thread are not true quality issues owner issues with externalities like DTCs that are caused by using poor power for charginging or problems with commercial L2 chargers (the Volt is a bit finicky about its power). Others include DTC from accidents, water damage etc, or not understanding how the vehicle actually works or what the beeps or other user feed back means. (Just like the many Pip complaints about battery and temp.. but most are not real issues)

Going for quantitative data, JD Power result give the 2012 Volt 4.5 power circle points overall 4 for predicted reliability. The 2011 Volt earned an overall 5 point rating from JD Power, but its plausible that the first year of production they went slower and did a better Q&A process and that first year buyers are just more postive,

The 2012 Prius JD power rating overall was 4 power circle points and 4 for reliability. I guess there is not sufficient data for rating the PiP yet, as it has only 4 power circle predicted reliability (which is the same prediction for 2013 volt) and no overall rating.

The C-MAX is also in the 4-power circle points with only predicted reliability.

TrueDelta puts the servie rate for the 2012 Volt at 13 visits per 100 cars per year, though that includes some "battery tunnel" customer services enhancements, and "missing air filters" (The car does not come with one standard but some people think it should as it as a canister..) True delta does not track the Plug-in-Prius separately. The service rate for the Prius V is also 13 visits per 100 cars per year. The 2011 Prius was also 13, though the 2012 is currently listed at 5 visits per 100 per year, so better than the V or the Volt.


PiP reliability seems to be keeping up the Prius tradition of excellent quality.

 

No problems here, let's hum, hum, hum, hum, let's hum.

 

As does the 2012 Prius C, with zero visits!

 

A quick search reveals two error messages.
Error Code P0A3F Hybrid Warning Light | PriusChat
Check Hybrid System....message received | PriusChat
Apparently similiar incidents and the dealer just cleared the codes.

 

I feel bad for the guy that has to sell extended warranties for a living. I guess they can go work for Honda though ;-). (FYI, I owned 6 Hondas, but quality has gone way down.)

 

Our last 4 Hondas have been nearly trouble free. Our last 2 Toyotas not so much. Our 2006 Corolla has been so expensive to maintain that I almost swore off Toyotas for good. The Prius Plug-in was a Hobson's Choice. I have my fingers crossed.

 

My filler cap failed to open the first time I went to a filling station, which was embarassing...I mean, I know it's an eco car, but there are more sophisticated ways to reduce consumption, surely?

Other than that, fine in the c13K miles I've driven.

 

so how did you open it?

 

The manual release inside the left rear?

 

oh, the door. i thought he meant the cap.

 

It could be the cap, but more often than not, the door solenoid is what fails.