2004 - 2005 Prius Repairs

No issues with an '04 just past 90K now, except for an early-on
and very odd failure in one of the pressure sensors in the braking
system. Replaced actuator under warranty, and of course it was
the Toyota tech's maiden run at doing anything with a Prius
braking system. I knew way more about its theory by the end of
that week than he did, nonetheless...
.
Oh, and NONE of the ecu reflashes or steering shaft recalls have
been done; they did the brake-light switch before I took ownership
but I think that's about the only TSB-type fix it's had.
.
_H*

 

I've had nothing I'd call a failure, so I voted no failures. I did, however, break the cruise-control stalk, which was fixed under warranty. I also had the gas-gauge & filler pipe TSB performed. These were not "failures" but they were design problems that Toyota fixed for free. There were also a couple of recalls to reprogram the computer. I had to have part of the front bumper replaced after I hit bottom entering a parking lot with a bad ramp. And I've had a couple of fender-benders, which resulted in body work.

All in all very happy with the reliability of my Prius, which has never left me stranded.

I've had it since January, 2004. Over 4 1/2 years.

Once I thought the computer had gone haywire. Turned out a door was ajar and the MFD gave me confusing warnings. Once I shut the door properly all was well.

 

I just had the MFD failure at 55300 miles (beyond Warranty=$720 parts+labor+tax).

 

I had the Headlamp leveling sensor for the HID lights replaced at 99,099 miles under the Platinum warranty. I'm now at about 106k and that's the only problem I've ever had.

 

Patrick:
2004....6 CD changer inop, inverter coolant pump died and at 92k miles the transaxle gave up.
2005...the AM radio reception is horrible at 89k miles.
Overall not too bad. Ron

 

just replaced my 12v battery today at 97000miles, other than that...no failures...

 

feb 2021
2004 silver prius pkg 7 (nav)
Purchased 2014, at -T dealer at 108k
Currently 180,000+ mi

1. 2016 or 17? Invertor Coolant pump went - approx 150k
2. 2018 mouse or rat ate wires in engine cabin (ignition wire?) - bro fixed, they also set up house and collected avocados, above air filter housing. Had to wash all very well, becuz they came back, and used moth balls then irish spring soap if i let her sit.
3. 2018 LED lights in rear went out 1 by one - the six.. Replaced both left and right fixtures. purchased on line. (id rather have regular bulbs that can be replaced, as in the bottom. Headlamp very yellowed. One was replaced - accident.
4. Bumber replaced - HIt snow bank ice and sliced front bumber like tin foil. Replaced with OEM - realized it was alot more durable, then the probably the after-market that was on car (when purchased car, it was obvious the bumbers were replaced before, per paint).
5. Three years 2018-2020 in a row she sat in Dec/Jan for 4 weeks (New Jersey winter)., Then,
6, 2020 - replaced HV Battery module #15 the middle blk, ( 6.3v), my bro and I did it. . The other HV module serial #'s were not in order, so I think she may have had other mods replaced somewhere along the line.??? Cleaned corrosion, replaced bus with nickle plate. Prior to replacement drprius bat ck said 17%. (sorry i do not have new # yet.
7. Oil started depleting in 2020. Had belt replaced by dealer in 2020. Maybe i should check cover gasket again, but no evidence anywhere. Trying seafoam.
8. 2020 Clockspring going - the 'Info' button on stearing wheel does not work. ASll else ok.
9. 2020 - driver window squeeks when closing and noticed more wind noise happening.
10. 2020 - suspension bumpy - can feel every bump. Shocks not leaking but definately not as smooth as before.
11. Leak in trunk - comes from driver side between trunk hood and top of rear tailight .Small, also weeping from back trunk weld behind bumper - probably from accident. small.
I changed front brakes about 2015, just cause she was not stopping on a dime. Rear brakes in yellow zone last time checked - she will be due soon i expect.
Routine maint done - Plugs about 160k , pvc, cleaned oil screens etc. fluids changed.
12. Radio Tuning dial button fell off. Cap on cigarette light under passenger dash broke off. Drivers visor needs Rx - wont stay up.

Shes doing well, so far. Was hoping for 200k, maybe she'll get 250,000.

Thank you for all you do for us!
Carolyn

 

Im continuing my bought used at dealer 2004 prius log from previous post.
January 2023, hey I hit 200,000k miles!!!

13. After HV bat module change in 2020, a year later another module went. As stated, she was not original hv pak as evidenced by various module serial #s and #ed marker numbers on the modules.. (dealer told me hv was all original?)
Anyway, June 2022 Bought new HV oem pack. $1950, $300 install... 3 yr warrenty, the dealer erroneously told me 2 yrs... Thereadter saw 1 for 1650. Glad i purchased it before inflation!
They changed ( taped it up) the huge terminal wire connectors near ecm.. hope that is SOP... Pak 6 months old per stickers. Mod Serial #s not All in contiguous order, but in 3 separate contiguous orders. Hmmm hope thats ok. Dr prius showed resistance in 20s. I read new should be 16... oh joy. Maybe i did it wrong... tba.

Increased mpg about 5 to 10 miles, depending upon season n driving .. 48, to 51 avg..

13. OIL 2022 Seafoam 1x reduced oil burn a bit to about 1/ 8th qt every few 1000... still on conventional for now but at $10 a qt. might not be in future. 1.5 yr later 3 changes) did another seafoam... no change. Might try 4k interval.

14. 1/2022, misfire #4 and 1, after a heavy wet snow fall parked downward on hill. bucking like a bronco... Water oil mix in boots. Cleaned them up. Spark plugs ok. All Good thereafter. 10/22 Coil 4 has oil on top rim . My bro said i spilt oil.. i didnt... tba a change... Sometimes i feel like she is straining. ???

15. Wind noise from windows increased. Chemical Guys gasket conditioner used. A bit better.

16. Antenna black rubber peeled off at bottom of stick.. And plastic coating peeling/ pitted on flat top of hatch (bottom of window ). wondering if from using Rainx?

17. Horn had nice french toot toots, now sounds like a toot and a growl. Tba...

18. Under dash 12v accessory charger blew fuse when phone charger came undone when i pulled it out.. Replaced fuse, greased outlet. all good.

19. my 3rd Invertor coolant pump since 2014, non oem, went on hottest day July 2022. Replaced w oem. Its noisiest ive had... needs reburping? (if recalling, non- oems lasted 3 yr, then the 1 yr ? )

20. 2021 Hole in pipe in front of muffler. Patch Welded hole before about 2 yrs ago, but needs new now. tba 2023.

21 Front brakes 2022 per dealer 1mm (Supposedly changed at dealer in 2015) 1/2023 while tire changing, mechanic said they were good, about half way, so???

22. 2021 Replaced struts oem, shocks rear kyb, frt stabilizers. Aligned. better... has a bit of vibration.. think its tires.?
If tires overinflated, it feels like jackhammer...

23. 12/2022 Engine coolant in reserve tank reduced about 1/8th or 1/4 of inch... 1st time in 8 years. No leaks seen above and below. Brief Slight smell once in cab in Jan23. Heat ok.. no wetness in cab. Need to check pump and control valve n plugs ??? Maybe thats whats straining???

24. 1/2023, Hit 200,000 miles... yea!

cv.

 

Continuing...
25.
May, 2023 , 203,000 miles.
P0446 EVAP code
Diagnosed valve.
Easy to get to on back of tank. By blue stripe. Not so easy to get off... We used dremmel to cut it off. Pictures attached.

We tested valve in front of car... under air filter housing toward passngr side. it seemed ok continuitywise.
Back one didnt click on off...

What is the code P0446 on a Prius?
Code Indicates an Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system vent control circuit malfunction. Typically, this indicates a faulty vent valve, a bad control circuit for that valve, or a blockage in the vent valve.


26. June 2024, Headlamp died. p
Passngr side changed... non oem pita to remove housing... Update: wentvout twice but came back once turned off on... guess that's why it was $35 vs $185 oem
Hmmm. I wonder if the pothole I hit messed up wires