ABS system failure

The "Team Prius" are pretty busy right now dealing with the ZVW30 and NHW20 issues. I've met them and they are good people but right now ... really overworked.

Without the failed parts, no one can tell. But I suspect they may have had no choice.

SPECULATION:
Some road debris or other 'action' causes a brake fluid leak. When you parked the car, it had enough. But during the night, too much fluid leaked out so when the accumulator pump started, there was no fluid.

Brake fluid is a very high quality oil and helps lubricate moving parts. The accumulator pump without fluid ran so hard it started shearing off bits of metal (we could tell if you had the old part.) Once you have a contaminated brake system, it becomes a question of replacing all of the parts along with cleaning everything. The brake system has to be nearly immaculate.

It is possible that the dealership noting that you had an extended warranty (a type of insurance) versus collision (a type of insurance,) diagnosed a 'road hazard' or other failure that could fall under the collision. I'm not saying that was the case because I wasn't there and we don't have the parts. But adding the wrong kind of brake fluid to a car system would also be a sabotage ... perhaps without malice but sabotage none the less.

Although in theory one might be able to get used parts from a junkyard, they have to be removed in a way that does not contaminate the parts. Most junkyards are dusty, dirty fields, not really nice places to be.

Without a sample, I can't say. But some brake fluids are incompatible with others. If someone didn't realize this, they might have used 'any old can' they had laying around and put it in ... The chemical reactions can take time measured in years before the eventual failure.

Without the old parts and samples of what the dealer found, it will be hard to put together a credible case. Remember, my "SPECULATION" is based upon what can happen that is consistent with the symptoms reported.

I wish I could help you more but without the parts, the physical materials, all I can make is an educated guess.

One last thought, you've gotten some help covering the bills but there is still the unresolved part. Yet you also have a car that otherwise drives fine and gets good mileage. IMHO, get what you can from using it while planning an eventual upgrade.

Bob Wilson

 

Mercedes replaces brake fluid on a regular basis(yearly?). I thought that this was over-kill(and didn't have it done) until the rear disks brakes failed to retract on my 1985 Turbo-Diesel. I had to take a screwdriver to the pistons to get them to 'reset'. This was in 2003 and i traded the car shortly afterward.

 

Yes, most European manufacturers recommend brake fluid replacement every year or every other year. They are expecting that you'll be driving on the autobahn and want your brakes to be in peak condition. Brake fluid is hydrophilic, and can absorb water vapor which lowers the boiling point. In extreme conditions this may result in brake failure after heavy use.

I understand from your msg above that you didn't replace the brake fluid for 18 years? I'm surprised that the brake components lasted that long.

 

Since your insurance company was involved I would have thought they would declare the car a "total loss" since the repairs were more than 66% of the value of the car, which it would be if the car was worth 8,500 and the repairs were 7,500.

 

Unfortunately the dealer originally estimated only $3K for the repairs according to the OP's post #10. I agree that the insurance co probably would have totaled the car if the original estimate was $7,500.

I'm also surprised that the insurance company agreed to pay for those repairs as a comprehensive claim.