Nav features turned off after 3 years

Yeah, that's not something that Toyota does. My car's older than yours, and the original nav disk works the same as it always did.

Some other possibilities I could see:
You mention being away from your home dealer - did you leave the 3-to-8-state area covering your home state? I think this mainly affects the results returned when you search for a location, but don't know for sure. (For Oregon, that means that if you leave Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, you need to change the map's search area - press Dest, then Address, then Search Area at the bottom.)

Are you in a location that you have successfully used navigation before? Not all areas are supported by the navigation system. Sometimes, the roads will show up on the map, but it can't give you directions, or the directions are a little weird. I get this when heading into the Sierras, or far Northern California, for example. The Garmin undoubtedly has an advantage here, since its maps are generally cheaper and easier to upgrade.

Maybe something is goofy in the Nav system? Perhaps disconnecting the 12V battery from the car for a half hour or so would reset it (though it would also reset your radio presets and some other things too, I think).

 

Ditto. My 2010 (Oct '09) had the same disc in it until I traded it in this past July. I had no issues.

And, since when has navigation been considered a safety item? Sheesh...drama drama drama.

 

Yeah, try all those things before you swear-off Toyota forever.

 

So use the Garmin.

I have a Garmin in my Prius, too. I never use the Prius nav. Garmin cost me under $200 at COSTCO, has lifetime traffic and map updates, and I just like it better. We have the same unit in out CR-V. Mainly I know how the Garmin works, can move the screen to avoid sunlight issues -- and use the car's display for other purposes. All good

Phil

 

I used both a Garmin Nuvi 2555LMT and the Prius nav on our recent 7,400 mile trip. I liked the integrated speaker that I could hear above the radio, but the Garmin let us find POIs, etc., quicker while the car was moving and showed speed limits. Once I found something on the Nuvi, I transferred it to the Prius if I could. If I couldn't, I turned on the Nuvi speaker and let it get me there. IIRC, this only happened twice. I added a cardboard visor about the screen when needed, so never had any difficult seeing the screen. The Nuvi sits near the small side window out of the way, but still within easy reach. The Nuvi lets me take in in when we stop for lunch, overnight in the motel, etc. I usually save destinations while my wife is getting ready in the morning, so I don't have to use the Nuvi much while moving. I do wish Toyota hadn't crippled the nav while moving though.

I assume you're out of warranty or you'd have taken it to the dealer to have it looked at. I suspect the whole unit would have to be replaced and that would cost a lot. Your situation is why I generally don't like built-in nav units. Still, while I have it, I'll use mine as much as I can. I should note too that the Nuvi (up-to-date with latest maps) made the only mistake on the trip, wanting to take me off the freeway and right back on at the same exit for no apparent reason.

 

That's great. Sometimes it's the simplest things. Did they charge you?

 

All's good then. Thanks for the reply.

 

Wow.... wouldn't think that would work loose on it's own, but happy that your concern that Toyota would somehow try to give you the shaft to update after 3 years is off the table.
I have found Toyota to be nothing less than reputable with great products and service with both my current Prius and previous 4Runner.

Roland

 

Good for you

 

Hogwash

I don't know where you get this paranoid conspiracy nonsense from, but put it back.
The only feature I can think of that has a limited time use was the XM radio service, and Toyota was VERY clear that it was a limited time promotion.