Hi All, i'm considering purchasing a used 2012 Prius v with an open recall. its a good deal and in excellent condition and works for my budget. My concern is 2 things: 1) does the recall effect mpg, the motherboard, the engine or damage the battery? and 2) i'd be buying it from an Infinity dealership so its not a toyota certified car. does that matter? Advice please for a newbie!
There have been several recalls, I think the latest was a software upgrade for the engine. It won't impact the mpg but you will want to get it updated, which is free. How many miles on the car?
welcome! shouldn't be any problem at all. you may want to have it gone through at a toy dealer before purchasing. all the best!
it has 44,000 miles and is a five. lease turn in so it had all its oil changes every 5000 miles and maintenance. excellent condition inside and out.
The latest recall is new software to avoid over heating the inverter. As such, it makes no hardware changes.
The price is low because it is competing with cars with a certification which extends the warranty. But the entire Prius line is so reliable, statistically that doesn't matter much at all. The recall is a nothing, think of it as a software update. It has no impact that anyone has reported on MPG, etc. The forum has been watching for any. They will do it for free at the Toyota dealers and there is a good time to combine any routine service to establish a relationship. I've been treated so well, I just 15 minutes ago dropped off my wife's car for her 35k service. It too is out of warranty. I could go to the fast-lube place a half mile down the road. But I have a relationship based on them servicing the cars and I figure that can help on the off chance I need something in the future. It already has on one of the map updates pricing.
So did you purchase it?? We bought a 2012 Prius v Three w/open recall from a local GMC Buick dealer. It had 55k miles on it.. we took it to our regular Toyota dealer for the recall update and have had no issues w/it.. we're loving it and have averaged 48MPG's over 2500 miles (already) We purchased it used for ~$14k if that helps any. I assume & still thing we got a good deal on it. -j
Yes Dogdaze I did! At first I was nervous that I wasn't purchasing a Toyota certified used car but it was exactly what I wanted and in my price range so I took the chance. I love it! I had the recalled fixed too. Sounds like we both got a good deal!
Ah, cool beans.... What color is yours? I would liked to have found a Five option, but ours is a Three.. So I picked up a factory fog light option (yet to be installed) Wife says no on the bigger wheels... (lol) Are you in an area where you might have a need for remote start? Our v sits out & I had no idea if ours had it or not.. So I tried it and it works!!! So it appears the previous owner had it installed.. (which is nice since it does sit out) We got black, which wasn't my first color choice (wanted Blizzard Pearl) but it's grown on us since we've had it.. btw, I am envious of only 44k miles vs: the 55k our had when we bought it.. but so far have been very happy w/it.. I like it better than our liftback.. (don't tell my wife I said that tho.. lol) Glad you got it & all is good!! -j It was the Recall for the MG ECU Software update..
Yes, here is the description: Description: Inside the Hybrid Inverter Assembly is an Intelligent Power Module (IPM) which contains a control board equipped with transistors. In certain Model Year 2012-2014 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) vehicles, the current software settings for the motor generator ECU and power management ECU could result in higher thermal stress in certain transistors, potentially causing them to become damaged. If this happens, various warning lights will illuminate and the vehicle can enter a failsafe mode. In rare circumstances, the hybrid system might shut down while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in the loss of power and the vehicle coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash. Mine is black too! with a tan interior. I was looking for the Blizzard pearl as well with a tan interior but couldnt find one. How did you discover the remote start?
Hi Cookie, thanks for your note.. I guess I just saw it.. (sorry) There's a post here somewhere.. but if you press the Lock Button 3 times on your remote (while within range) holding it for a second longer on the final press IT should start. It will beep once each press, but when you hold it on the 3rd press (if it has the remote start) it should beep and you'll see the parking lights come on.. and then the engine will start in a few seconds.. It will run for 10 minutes and then turn off.. or until you open the door.. you'll need to restart it once you get in.. they do this as a anti theft feature... I've found that it's helpful to plan ahead in that I try to remember to put the defroster on the night before if I think I'm gonna remote start it.. otherwise, I've found the engine to be warm, but not thaw or defrost the windshield. Give it a try and see if it starts.. it took me a couple times to get used to the button press sequence.. Hope this helps.. -j
I am interested in getting a Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) I know where there is a 2015 RED for sale Fullerton Ca under $20K and it has less than 2K miles on it. Forget what number it is but I am way in Baton Rouge a lot would have to be involved in my acquiring this one getting my wife off red phobia. Then getting her to agree to buying a car for 20K vs 10K. I try to tell her this car is one hella deal but she could care less, I guess I should be happy since I can save my money but she figures if her 215K mile 05 is pumping keep riding. The phone number to that sales is 714-515-6200 I have called there talked about the car and if I am to go for it I would hire an inspector to check it out mostly to insure it is a car for sale. Sales man is all for this even said he could get me at the airport should this go through. One of the better deals I have found seems the better deals are all on the West coast. Hope this helps somebody LMK if any of you get the car it should not last long I would jump on it but my wife is not in agreement and we roll together or not at all.
