Splash Guard Problem 2010 model

I have the aforementioned problem and am burning hot. I have all my maintenance done at the dealer, but that is about to change as the service is getting increasingly worse. And the price of the part has gone up to $471.
My question is, why would Toyota manufacture a car with what is apparently an important part--or so the boobs at the dealer say, and fasten it with plastic clips. I'm about to go over to the Prius Facebook page and ask that question.

 

Would this TSB be of any help? If your Prius is a 2010 then you might be in luck.

 

When I read this TSB and saw that it was applicable to my 2010 Prius, I showed it to the dealer and even though they said the cover was ok, it was replaced under warranty as a courtesy I guess!

 

I've taken to removing the entire cover for any-and-all (DIY) fluid changes. It's not really that hard, takes me maybe an extra 10 minutes on take off, and 5 minutes on re-install. It also gives better access, allows you to check the condition of drive shaft and steering arm boots, frame bolts. I take the time to hose off all the fasteners, get all the grit out. Makes them much less prone to locking up and breaking.

Maybe if you're getting dealership maintenance, and especially if you've just had the cover replaced, request that they remove the full cover? For them, especially with the car on a hoist, it wouldn't add more than 5 minutes each way. The main thing would be to keep on top of fastener loss: if they bust or lose or mix-up fasteners. Or re-install with something lapping the wrong way. It's pretty straight forward though, what could go wrong...

 

Hmm, we ran over an "alligator" (truck retread loose on highway) heading east on I-80 out of Reno, and it tore the panel from the bumper in the front. I was able to get some rope and tie it back up to get home. The dealer wanted to not only replace the guard, but the entire bumper as well for $1100. It seems that one of the openings for the clip was enlongated somewhat, so the bumper should be replaced.
At home, I pulled it up my ramp and was able to refasten all the clips. The front of the panel got worn a bit from grinding on the pavement at 80 mph, and I did have to add one nut and bolt to the center hole at the front. Now, based on what you are saying, I'm wondering if I should have something else there. I do not know what was holding it originally as I guess it was lost from the impact. I guess I'll go back to the thieves/er dealer and see if I can gt them to tell me. Thanks for the post.

 

I too have this splash guard issue, and have been given the run around by my dealer. They tell me it will cost 400 + to fix it (new splash guard + labor). I took it to a local mechanic, and he rigged it on for $20. Apparently they fix a lot of splash guards because they knew just what the problem was and had special bolts to fix it. It came loose again later during a long trip. It is currently being held on with duct tape.

 

I also had the splash guard hanging while driving one day (probably due to hitting the parking lot curb). Toyota stealership gave an estimate of ~$900 to replace it. Service adviser insisted the whole front bumper needs to be replaced (2-3 day job). Sounds unbelievable to me, so taking my car to a local body shop to get an estimate. Already placed an order for genuine Toyota engine cover (still cheaper than stealership). hope it works out. Getting to a point where I don't want to even look at any Toyota Dealership. Any recommendations for a good place for regular oil change/tire rotation (done with dealership)?

 

I've not had any problems with my new Prius "V" with only 400 or so miles on it.

However, I've had a lot of experience with these thin molded polyethylene panels of many cars that I've owned. They are led on with washered screws of those plastic "push in" two piece rivets.

The washerss are just too small and rigid to allow any "give" when a lot of tension is applied to the panel. The washers act like a "cookie cutter punch" and tear right off at the edge of the washer.

The first thing I did was to go to the local Ace Hardware and got 16 1/4 inch ID and 1 inch OD fender washers. I took off every 10mm hex flat M6X1.0 screw and place a fender washer under each read, where it contacts the plastic panel. Note also that the fender washers, being punched out on a punch press has a rounded edge on one side and a sharp edge on the other. You want to place the rounded edge side next to the plastic panel.

With this addition, I've NEVER hand a panel pull off of the car's frame, where screws are used to hold it on. Some of the vehicles were over 15 years old and have nearly 300K miles on them.

I polsted this recommendation on the Prius v section and got no replies. They will soon find out in 2-3 years, after their panels get torn off.

I put the washers on within a week of getting my new Prius v. $5 for the fender washers and 20 minutes under the car is worth it.

 

The flap cover that opens for oil changes dropped down and dragged on the road and was removed by a local garage mechanic who advised me to "just leave it" open. Thanks for the Service Bulletin reference. I printed it and took to the local Toyota dealer. He acted like he hadn't seen it before but, after checking my 2010 Prius he ordered a part for the car - to be installed when available.

 

I just had the oil door split at the hinge and drag along the pavement this morning. Currently in the process of trying to get either Toyota or the dealer pay for it as I am at 57,000 miles. I've had all of five oil changes, so this is a massive defect in my opinion. I will have fun printing out the TSB and a Google search results of all the people who had this problem and handing it to the service manager on Monday. NFW I am paying $471 to fix this.

 

39K and my oil flap cover fell down after my 4th oil change. It is ridiculously flimsy and is now being held on with a zip tie. Dealer wanted $425 to replace the entire lower cover - with no indication of a redesign that might be an improvement.

 

The new design is an improvement in my opinion. Probably not $425 worth though.

 

Any updates on this topic? The service manager told me it would do no harm to take the thing off. I've been without it for ...at least a year? Anyone else? It would have been too late to take advantage of the aforementioned recall issue as the cover didn't come loo0se until after 36,000 miles...of course.