Who has done their recall?

We got ours done two weeks ago, we've driven several hundred miles since and have had a significant mpg loss! We went from 57 average to 45 driving exactly the same! We've checked the tire pressure, it's at 40 (tires are rated at 35) and we only get shell gas. We are very upset and don't know what to do, the dealer denies it and says the flash can't do that. I'm calling BS and Toyota needs to fix this ASAP!

 

If an oil change was done, you may want to check the oil type and level, as too much oil or oil of the wrong type has been known to reduce MPG. Also, was your battery disconnected for the flash update? If so, it's possible that could have reset some ECU settings, which might take time for them to be relearned. Have you checked your e-brake? Are the tires, especially the rear ones turning freely?

 

[QUderider, post: 2055027, member: 90146"]

The software flash also changes how much current goes through the transistors during regen braking too. Not doing the update will still expose the transistors to stress during braking down long grades.[/QUOTE]
My experience since the update is that the battery doesn't recharge as good as it usedand now the gas engine runs twice as often as ut used to, I havevto drive like a total snail to achieve even 50mpg when 55-60 was just driving like eveveryone else before. It's terrible, makes me want to se

We took it back to the dealer today and after an hour and a half they said they reflashed it, I topped off the tires and did a 20 mile test. It's now getting above 50mpg again. Not sure what could have gone wrong the first time, but people should know this can happen with the update.

 

^ Sounds like the software update is poorly designed. Good it's at least back on track now.

Our update was ok, only diff I notice was it seemed easier to slip into EV. One hitch: when I first turned on the car, post update, there was a warning saying "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM". They took it and did something I guess. Warning gone, all good. More flakiness...

 

Mine goes in tomorrow.

Do I lose my presets?

What do they take off to access the ECU? Interior parts, under the hood, or is it just hook up to the obdii?

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the update. This should be helpful for a few people who complained about it. I was skeptical about it, but I stand corrected.

 

Presets stuck around. Near as I can tell they hook it up to the OBDII port and do their thing. In my case, they also cleaned the car, a nice touch in the dead of winter. (But maybe they were afraid of touching the thing, it was pretty filthy.) You'd have to read the detailed service instructions to know any more, but nobody's posted them to the forum.

Come to think: Why don't you ask them? It's not likely to be a state secret.

KBeck.

 

I think they need access to the ECU behind the passenger side footwell trim as well.

SCH-I535

 

Thanks. I am picking the car up in an hour, I will ask them.

 

I am curious, what was causing inverters to fail? My 2014 has a tag in the door jam stating that it had the recall preformed on it shrtly after my dealer took delivery on the vehicle.

 

You haven't read this thread, have you? :

SCH-I535

 

Sudden, hard acceleration I think.

 

There's tons of info on it in this thread, especially towards the beginning. Short answer: on rapid changes in electrical power being transferred to or from the battery, heat is created in a pair of switching, "boost" transistors in the inverter. These transistors have Highly Superior thermal connections to an underlying heat sink, which in turn is coolant-cooled. When there's a quick boost going on, the transistors get hot before the heat sink does; during that brief interval, the transistors expand before the heat sink does, leading to mechanical stress. If the stress is big enough, cracks can develop in the solder underneath the transistor die; after enough of that, over time, the transistors in question can pop right off the heat sink, leading to bad karma, up to and including a massive stall in the middle of traffic, which is why it's a safety recall.

It is presumed that the software update slows down the rate-of-change of power dissipation, reducing thermal stress, and thus preventing the trannies from flying around. The reported change in MPG is nothing to minimal; the 0-60 times have gotten a trace longer, but that trace is within the measurement noise. (Kudos to the couple of posters who were nice enough and had the equipment to make the before-and-after checks.)

There are some who have had inverter failures after the update. This has led to speculation as to whether these failures were due to damage before the update, or as to whether Toyota is Hiding Something. However, only squeaking wheels get heard and look for fixes, so those first time posters who show with problems are possibly vastly outnumbered the the silent majority who haven't. And inverters, being complex as they are, may fail for reasons unrelated to popping transistors.

KBeck

 

Yep! Just what I was afraid of. Mileage went down around 10 mpg. I took a 106 mile trip as soon as I picked up my car and what would normally be about 50 mpg drive was a 39.2 mpg drive.

I did notice that it drove like it was in Power mode. Very responsive throttle. But it was in ECO the whole time.

I will give the dealer a call and see what they say.

 

Very disconcerting ;(

FYI: the only change I noticed was it was slightly easier to slip into EV, and slight improvement in mpg.

Several here have needed a second visit.

 

Well said on the silent majority. Inverter failures in the 3rd gen are not just to cars that had the recall. 50% of the cars my dealer has with failed inverters have NOT had the recall.

 

All,

I had my recall done earlier this as well. I also noticed mileage drops. Also, my monthly average fuel console all suddenly become constant at about $50. Meaning, once it reach $50, the display will not update further. I told the dealer this and they reset the meter for me... now it is happening again. I have included an image. Has anyone experience this?

 

Hi everyone. Can someone with Toyota Care insight help me with a question? I own a 2010 and the car is in currently in Bucharest, Romania and was wondering if they would have the same software or be able to do this update if I bring them the letter I received in the states? Thank you

 

What did Toyota say? Did you ask the dealer in Bucharest?

 

I have not, I will be going back there in a few weeks so I wanted to get some opinion before I do so.