TSB: Coolant leakage at front exhaust pipe (Prius & Prius Prime)

There’s been reports here, 4th Gen owners with this issue take it to the dealership, it’s misdiagnosed as head gasket failure, or correctly diagnosed as Exhaust Heat Recover (EHR) component failure, but dealership makes no mention of the TSB, asks owner to foot the bill, at full retail cost of course.

the next hurdle: even though it’s a common issue, the EHR component (which is incorporated with the catalytic converter, is chronically in short supply, back-order being the usual euphemism. Corporate Toyota being passive-aggressive?

when you take it in keep an open mind, let them do their diagnosis, see how it goes. Keep in mind if the EHR coolant leakage had dragged on long enough that the engines ever been starved of coolant, the head gasket “might” be failing as well. But bring along a printed copy of the TSB.

 

Thanks for all the information. I own a 4th Gen 2017 Prius. The heater stopped working. The diagnosis was a coolant leak. I need to replace the front exhaust pipe 17410-37d42 and the gasket 17451-2010. The mechanic told me he cannot order the parts as they are on back order. I guess I should not be surprised that Toyota is not providing a recall to fix this problem. The cost for the parts is $2,000. Am I missing anything? Thanks!

 

Good Morning Sir. Can you tell me the year this TSB was published? I am having that problem in Pennsylvania and I was wondering if it is covered under warranty outside California. My dealer is spending a lot of extra time on diagnostics and doesn't seem to know about the TSB or the issue at large. He has told me there is no warranty coverage here. Thanks very much for your time and attention. Andrew Lyons

 

Same car, same problem John. I was trying to get an idea of the gentlemen who referenced the warranty and whether it was a California only type situation. I'm sure my dealer in Pennsylvania has seen the issue and knows how to defend/milk it for all its worth. I'd hate to junk the car over it, but 2 grand po
Elektroingenieur said: ↑
On September 26, Toyota issued Service Bulletin T-SB-0135-19, “Low Coolant, MIL ON DTC P148F00, and/or Poor Heater Performance” (PDF), for 2016–2019 Prius and 2017–2019 Prius Prime cars, if they have low coolant level, diagnostic trouble code P148F00 (Engine Coolant Pump Over Revolution), or poor heater performance.

The bulletin asks dealers to check for “signs of coolant leakage into the exhaust system from the front exhaust pipe heat exchanger,” and if such signs are found, initially or after pressurizing the cooling system to 122 kPa (17 psi), to replace the front exhaust pipe assembly with a new one of improved design. The repair is covered under the emission control warranty.
arts cost might make me throw in the towel at 185k miles. Thanks for responding and Mr. Leisk is always a great help and very current.

 

As stated, it's covered under Fed or State Emissions control warranty. If your state ascribes to CARB (California Air Resources Board) policies, you've got a longer warranty. Since there's a TSB out, you may be able to get it covered, if your just outside of the Federal or State warranty period.

Good Luck.....

 

Thanks Biomed. Too many miles on it I'm afraid. Happy New Year!

 

Sorry to hear that; you can stop by your local dealership to gauge how reluctant they are and if they're willing to cover it - in the spirit of Xmas. You won't know, if you don't ask....
If they don't cover it, just bypass it. No harm - No foul, the ICE will just take a bit longer to warm-up along with cabin heat.

Merry X-mas and hope you'll have a joyous new year too...
'

 

Remember how Toyota handled this, the next time you're car shopping.

 

Don't throw in the towel yet. unless you want a stealership to replace parts for what they quoted you to do the job.
Shop around for the parts needed and a service facility that can do the work.
And don't forget this helpful hint that many with this issue have used both as a temp and or permanent fix.
4th Gen DIY heat exchanger bypass solution | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

The outcome of this known issue being resolved 6at the local dealership. Due to time constraints and present circumstances, I had to get it done expeditiously. After a big diagnosis $424, front exhaust pipe assembly and gaskets $1676, labor $387 plus tax $2,637.92 (US). No holiday cheer. Found a good video that shows the underneath workings of the 2017 Prius with this issue in CA for the benefit of anyone else who experiences the issue. I suppose it could have been worse if I had driven it and overheated. As always, thanks to the senior members and others who helps so readily and promptly on the very few occasions involving unhappy motoring and best wishes for a great new year. Andy 2017 Toyota Prius Coolant Leak from Exhaust You Tube - Toyota Maintenance Channel

 

Good luck with this John. After getting hosed by the dealer as described below to the tune of $2,600, I guess a better course of action might have been to find the part somewhere and have it put on by a trusted independent repair shop. The bypass can work and there are several welll made videos on UTube showing you how to do it or have a shop do it. Andy

 

Ok I posted my situation with my prius Heat exchanger/ front pipe replacemeit all due to the TSB0135 -19 and Trying to find out if it was covered under that california emissions federal warranty. Dealership said I wasnt...they denied my repairs being covered They told me it was not Vin.Specific for that tsb and i'm over the 80,000 mileage I had 82,000 ...I called B.S.on them went straight to toyota Corp and Open an arbitration Case against them. Well After a lot of back-and-forth and getting different answers from different people. NOT 1 person could actually verify and tell me what the warranty months and mileage was for the calif. Emmisions warranty geeze
I can't believe how hard they make it to play by their own rules. So what that being said:

Well all I can say is VICTORY After fighting back-and-forth, many phone calls with the brand engagement department of Toyota and them denying my claim. And making me pay the $2300 out-of-pocket. I open an arbitration case and I just got a phone call from them today. Stating that they reviewed all my documentation and my situation and my car is covered. They are issuing me a full refund? Note And lesson learned if anybody is unclear about your prius. And your Coolant is low no heat , white smoke , and it's within 180 mo or 150 000 miles And you haven't ruined anything else like overheated.The car to ruin the head...please DONT GIVE UP YOU ARE COVERED UNDER THE CALIF. EMISSIONS FEDERAL WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT VIN SPECIFIC. and its 180mo /150,000 miles. IM so excited so thanks to this site I would've never known. All I did was google my car symptoms and this site came up with all kinds of people having problems god bless this site you saved me!!

 

yes! congrats, and thanks for the advice!!!

 

Wow! You were dealing with a corporate villain; it's very obvious what their priorities are. When a company tries that hard to dodge responsibility, there should be some sorta punishment, and oversight to see they toe the line in future. Incredible.

 

Awesome! I paid $2,600 out of pocket for the repair at my Toyota dealer recently so very glad to hear of your success. Andy

Ques

 

Forgot to ask. Did you buy the car in California?