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New 2013 Prius with 1000 miles showing P0171, P0441 & P0455 codes

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by sri81, Mar 5, 2014.

  1. sri81

    sri81 New Member

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    Hello There,
    Just 2 months old car with 1100 miles on it suddenly chokes, vibrates profoundly when it slows down from high speed and turns the check engine mailfunciton light on :(

    Dealer checks and finds following codes P0171(too lean), P0441 Purge & P0455 Gross leak. Advised to replace computer!

    Questions, will really appricate your insights
    1) Any thoughts why brand new car will run into such problems!?
    2) Do you agree with dealer service advise?
    3) Do you think once encountered these problem will reappear?
    4) Replacing computer will not fix the residual damage it made to engine. correct?
    5) How to deal with this unfortunate situation?

    Thanks & Regards
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! it's under warranty, why wouldn't you have the dealer fix it? computers usually fail early, or not at all. if it's an accurate diagnosis, the problem will not reoccur. i don't see what residual damage could have been done to the car. repair it, relax, enjoy. all the best!(y)
     
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  3. kbeck

    kbeck Active Member

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    Engine's not necessarily damaged. Remember, the Prius is a hybrid: torque on the electric side of things will make you uncomfortable. Others will have to speak about what damage, if any, might have occurred.

    Second: Speaking as a person who's spent too much time buried in reliability books, there is such a thing as infant mortality. First pass yields, system test faults, and so on: Stuff burns out quite a bit when it's new. That's why warranties. And lemon laws.

    Unless somebody says something about damage, let them fix it and go on with your life.

    (Speaking as the past owner of Honda Minivan, whose entire dash display, fuel pump, and fuel tank gasket had to be replaced in the first thousand miles. It happens.)

    KBeck
     
  4. Bingee

    Bingee Member

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    Let them fix it relax , as stated computers might go bad early , fix , no more trouble
    Your under a good warranty
     
  5. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    These codes are ICE related and judging from array of lean conditions I would make an educated guess that you left the fuel cap loose after you fueled up. No... I'm kidding.
     
  6. sri81

    sri81 New Member

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    Thanks all for your time and inputs.
    What are my chances if I pursue replacement or refund? is it fighting a losing battle?
    Does any one has more information on the error codes? esp. chances of reappearing and possible damage it made to other parts.

    Any insights are really appreciated.
     
  7. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    I would demand a BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT. I wouldn't want something that malfunctioned just weeks after driving it. It chokes when slowing down from high speeds? That could have messed up the cat converter too or the coils or cylinders. This is just my opinion, if I buy something new, it better not have problems until about after 40-50k miles or so. Depends on how you maintain it though.
     
  8. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I really have a hard time trying to understand people who want to demand a new car or there money back when they need a repair. That's why there is a warranty they will pay to fix it. Everything in life will break down. I'm willing to beat they wont just give you another new car when yours breaks down once or 3 times. People on here have paid thousands more to get another new car and the dealers love that. If it happens again as to speak the the owner of the dealer. If your nice and have a valid concern they may try to help you someway.
     
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  9. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Get in contact with Toyota Care at Headquarters and explain your concerns....
     
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  10. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Check with your state's lemon laws to see if it would apply. Toyota is not going to do a good will exchange if it can be repaired easily. They should at least give you a loaner vehicle while your car is in the shop.
     
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  11. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Lemon laws don't help with a car that needs a single repair. It helps with a car that needs to be in the shop 5 or 10 times in a year with it not running like 30 or more days in a year.
     
  12. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    I was offering the "check the lemon law" advice to show the futility in pursuing a new replacement car from Toyota. Sometimes you have to lead people to think rationally rather than just point out the error of their ways.
     
  13. sri81

    sri81 New Member

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    Thank you. If possible can you please elaborate on the possible damages you listed above? Also after check engine light went on, car was chocking pretty consistent when car goes in complete electrical(EV) mode, examples: slowing down for traffic, down hill drive (even when reversing car down hill) and clod start.
     
  14. Southbound

    Southbound Member

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    I too think you should let the dealer fix it,you have a full waranty. I would push for a loaner though .If this is a reputable dealer, they will stand by their product and warranty.
     
  15. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    Just a glimpse of what dealers have to put up with. WOW
     
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  16. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Seriously ? Your car needs a repair under warranty, so you think you deserve a new one ?

    Let us know how that turns out .... LOL.

    REV
     
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  17. michinnom

    michinnom Member

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    Unlike you, some of us have a very difficult time after plunking down LOTS of hard earned cash to have to get it fixed after a week and/or 1,100 miles. This is waaaay too early for a serious repair. We're not talking loose nuts or screws. This person has to take time off of work and/or personal time and do it again. And who knows what else could go wrong if there are problems already. Time is money and the stealership isn't paying this person for their time. So, just simply being covered by warranty isn't all that it's made out to be. You actually lose a lot more when considering your valuable time.
     
  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you were in Toyota's shoes, you would just replace the car? Why would you offer a warranty at all? Just offer a replacement instead? Maybe that's how low mileage cars get onto dealer lots, lemon returns



    SM-N900P ?
     
  19. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    A lot more time and effort would be spent in futile attempt to get the car replaced versus getting it fixed and moving on with your life. I wonder if Sri81 resolved the problem, or not?
     
  20. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    If we don't hear back from this individual it certainly wouldn't surprise me at all. In a lot of cases, it winds up being a problem that has a very simple solution. In his/her case, I think it was case of the individual going off half cocked. I will grant you, having a brand new car with a problem as discribed is a very disconcerting thing. This type of senario definitely exacerbates the situation. However, it is up to the owner of the car to , at least , show his/her due diligence by letting the dealer have the oppertunity to resolve the problem. Chances are, there has already been a solution . If not, then I side with the owner, unquestionably.