I was hoping to get 200,000+ miles out of my 2005 Prius, but last Thursday it died. I had 183,800 miles on it, but got a sudden shaking in the engine, and limped along to the dealer. 1st diagnosis was that (2) ignition coils needed replacing, due to a short caused by a leak noted below the windshield area. After replacing the coils and sealing the leak, it was found that a connecting rod had broken, and that the oil was down ~2.5 quarts. They said that this wasn't common for the Prius, but that if I had neglected oil changes (which I hadn't) this may have contributed to this condition. Way out of warranty, I was offered a used or new engine, but due to cost, recommended I take the trade-in value and buy another vehicle. End result, I'm now the proud owner of a new 2011 Prius, so kind of a happy ending to the story, since the 2011 is awesome. Anybody have a similar experience?
I have not heard of that sort of catastrophic failure before. Sounds like you are one of the very unlucky very very very very few to experience it. There have been mutterings of water collecting on the coil areas if there is heavy rain or a damaged cowl in earlier models. I am not particularly versed in this problem so I will let someone else explain it. I just know I have read it somewhere, but it may have been in GenI, I am not entirely sure. Neglecting oil changes is one thing, and you say you didn't. What about ATF changes? Did you ever change the sparkplugs? What maintenance did you do over the life of the car?
Actually, this is the second time I've heard of this. 183,000 is high mileage though. I have a 2005 and I'm only at ohhh 76k
It's yet another Prius owner, trades in on another Prius story. Win for Toyota and Prius. That's one of the best endorsements of Prius I can think of...most people with most vehicles, especially one that has broken down..for any reason...will change vehicles...Prius owners are extremely loyal. Enjoy the 2011. Hopefully you can break 200,000 miles with this one.... Out of curiousity how much did they quote you for a new or used engine?
Admittedly, very little maintenance. Brakes at ~168,000, (2) water pump replacements, no ATF or sparkplugs replaced, basically tires and oil. Mostly highway driving.
LOYALTY. I was at the auto show several years ago with my wife on a bad weather day so the crowd was light. We spent a long time in the Toyota area at the Prius. We were shocked at how many people came up and introduced themself andvising they were prius owners ( several dozen) and further said they would replace their Prius with another one or with a second Prius. We now stand in that group.
It was at the Auto Show in Boston in 2004 that got me hooked. The next week I went to the dealer and met with the guy (from that dealer) that showed me the car at the show, test drove, and was lucky to be able to drive away with one, where there was normally a waiting list. When people would ask me if I would buy another one, I never hesitated with an answer, and now I put my money where my mouth was!
