Question about all 2010 Prius's

Sorry BigBear2010, I did not mean to reply to your post but to reply to OP!


I think your mention of your mechanic working with company and government fleet vehicles probably explains a lot. They are less likely to maintain the cars as well as private owners.

Mine is an August 2009 build with 117,800 miles and no problems to date other than some annoying rattles and squeaks. I want to note that I have always changed my oil at 5,000 miles and used only Toyota 0W20 oil.

 

I traded my 2010 (IV) with 130,000 miles. Other than oil change, one set of new tires, and a Toyota computer adjustment .... it was never in the shop, still provided 50 plus mpg, and really did't rattle. Based on the strength and experience with the 2010 .... I bought a 2015 Avalon hybrid. Great car.

The local Toyota Service Manager told me that our local shop had never replaced a G3 HV battery ... only G2's.

 

One way used to be to check whether the inside of the tailpipe is clean, or sooty and oily. That still works, if oil consumption is bad enough to have killed the catalytic converter.

Interview the previous owner, if possible.

I wouldn't worry too much about consumption under a quart per 4000 miles or so, as long as it's stable.

 

Didn't they do the model refresh in 2012?
Which added the MFD screen.
The 2010's did not have these.

I hope there aren't too many problems with aging 2010's because I don't think much was changed throughout the Gen 3's run.
I tend to avoid 1st year models. BUT....if I really, really, really like a vehicle? That won't stop me. If I can wait? I'll pass until the bugs are worked out.

 

At least in Canada, some 2010's had the Multi Function Display, some not. Our Touring doesn't have MFD, has back up camera display in the left corner of rear view mirror.

 

Do note that there are a lot more units of 2010s on the road than of any other model year. That particular production 'year' was about 20 months, much longer than any adjacent production years. This could noticeably skew the perceptions of the mechanics.

 

I have a 10/10 build date, I would have assumed by the 10th month, 2011's were being built? What month did the 2011's start production?

 

I recall the 2011s arriving here rather late, after New Year's 2011, so would not make that assumption. Better to look at the paperwork, or decode the VIN.

 

104k miles 2010 here. No issues, I change oil every 6 months. Avg 45mpg with my pirelli p4 tires but it should go up if I get a lower resistance tires like Michelin energy savers.

I am satisfied with my 2010.

 

I have a 2010, just thought by October 2010 the 2011's would be rolling out the factory

 

By the normal American automotive calendar, that would be normal.

But the Gen3 Prius calendar was usually quite abnormal. The 2010s reached the U.S. market in May 2009 (I ordered mine only after seeing several on dealer lots, and took possession a month later in June). My memory (known to be less robust now) was that 2010s were still the only version available for a while in or even after January 2011.

 

I have 2010 purchsed in Aug 2014 with 70k miles on it. It has 172k miles on it now. During my ownership it never had any issue. I did preventive maintenance on it myself over the time period which includes oil changes with Mobil1 every 10k, toyota ATF for transmission every 30k, replaced spark plugs at around 130k, cleaned intake manifold from carbon deposits at around 130k, changed valve behind engine (dont remember name right now) at around 130k. No oil leaks or oil burning at 172k. Still running on original brake pads and battery. Never had any issue at all and i have been driving it for past 102k miles. tires i bought it with were changed at around 125k and the ones i replaced them with still have plenty of tread left.
This is Prius III trim and i paid $15500 for it back in aug 2014.

Edit: Forgot to mention i am still getting somewhere from 44 to 50 mpg depending on how i am driving. My mpg started going low at around 34-36 mpg no matter how i drive then i cleaned intake maniforl changed spark plugs and that small PCV valve in the back of engine and also ran 3 to 4 chevron techron for fuel injector cleaners and eventually it climbed back up.

 

You seem to be the only person talking about head gasket problems, I cannot recall anyone on Prius Chat having head gasket issues?

 

Prii any year are some of the most reliable cars on the road. It's a machine, it you don't take care of it and follow the maint. schedule or be even more proactive then Toyota advises you can see problems.