2010 2011 Toyota Prius Engine Knocking - Defect

Listen to this and it will make you think to twice to purchase 2010 2011 Toyota Prius.

I bought a car from the first boat load of 2010's delivered to the US. I have never had this problem in over 30k miles. Think twice - I don't know why?

 

"They are not fixing the issue unless I leave it with them for a few days."

Then leave it with them for a few days.

Yes, it's a bummer they aren't giving you a free rental car, I'd lobby for one. But if you can afford a New Prius IV with Advanced Tech Package...then I assume you can afford a rental car for a few days?

If you are really unhappy with the dealership? Try a different dealership. But you have to give "somebody" the chance to fix it, with or without a rental car.

 

I agree with bounce88's post. I have been reading these posts and threads concerning the two TSB's that have to do with the vibration and engine knocking. I have about 45k miles on mine and I am also hoping that enough people will complain to get Toyota to issue a recall and stop this nonsense of having to be able to duplicate this problem before performing the engine knocking TSB. I hope this happens before my car approaches 60k miles and will no longer be covered by the warranty.

The only two times that this has happened to me has been under two particular combinations that will be very difficult to reproduce. When it does happen it sounds like ball bearings clanking around in your engine which cannot be very good for your engine.

I also bought mine at the end of the summer 2009 so one of the first ones off of the boat.

 

Cause Toyota does not provide rental cars and they never said they would. Other brands such as GM will back up their cars with a loaner if it needs to be in the shop over a day. Same reason Toyota does not provide a 100k powertrain warranty.

 

That is one of the most disturbing sounds I have heard coming from a newer car. Did the car do it from the start? I have a 2011 with 10k, and have never had that.

Unfortunately, a recall probably won't happen unless a safety issue arises from the knocking.

 

^ Mine did about 1-2 months after I got it (Sept, Oct) twice. Hasn't done it since. Got the new intake manifold installed last month.

 

What's your priority? What's your problem?

Is it the defect with your vehicle, and do you want it fixed? Or is it that the dealership you happen to be using, isn't willing to provide you with a free rental car?

Many times with a newer car, and at a dealership they WILL offer you a rental car, but not always. As stated, it's NOT part of your new vehicle warranty.

IMO the priority should be with getting your vehicle fixed.

If you aren't happy with the attention from your dealership? You can seek out another, describe your problem and ask before hand if they would offer a loaner.

 

I had a jeep that made the same noise. They had to replace a piston in the engine because the hole that was drilled in it to accept the connecting rod was too big. The con rod would rattle inside the hole when the engine was running causing the knock.

 

Having the same issue...just bought my 2010 from a Toyota dealer two days ago...taking it back tomorrow so they can fix it. lets hope that they give me loaner if it needs to stay..if not I am stuck there till I can get a ride back home since it is about 30 miles from my house...fun huh. lol Wish me luck.

 

For me, the noise only occurs if I start the car, allow the ICE to start, turn the car off before the ICE has warmed up (e.g. move the car a few feet and shut it off), and then start the car a number of hours later. Voila, there's a bag of hammers under the hood.

If I move the car and turn it off before the ICE starts, I don't get the noise on the next restart. If the ICE starts, I allow the ICE to warm up and turn itself off before turning off the car. Following this routine, I haven't had any startup hammering for many months. I have not had the TSB performed.

 

Well, the TSB was preformed and went back to the dealer yesterday to pick up the car...as I was waiting and could see my car from the place I was standing, as the porter turned the car on, it made the same noise and freaked the hell out of the porter. He then got off and yelled, "Its gonna blow" and ran away...a bit dramatic but true. So they kept the car another day. They called today and said it did it again this morning but seems to only happen on start up from cold. So they changed a few spark plugs, did a pressure test and will try again tomorrow morning...thank goodness they provided me with a rental.

 

I'm sorry for your troubles. Unfortunately, a warranty is a contract between you and Toyota and the dealer is the designated service organization. When a problem cannot be reproduced easily, the techs are just guessing.

This noise does not sound internal to the engine. It is something knocking against something at the rpm of the engine. Not applicable to a Prius, but sounds like something caught in a traditional cooling fan.
I would want it repaired immediately and find a way to leave it with them. Unfortunately, it may take more than one repair session.
Best of luck!

 

Our car has about 75,000 miles and it just started this problem this weekend. It's in the shop right now. At breakfast this morning our three-year-old heard a motor cycle start up outside and said, "Right, that's a Prius?" I am the first in my family to buy a Toyota. Come on Toyota, don't prove me wrong. Issue a recall.

 

My experience exactly with my 2010 (spring 2009), no problem unless I turn the engine off without a full warm up.

Also, I find another trick that works in our far northern climate, is the engine vibrates when first started on well below O F temps when the engine is very cold and stiff.. Start the engine and immediately shift to neutral to stop battery charging load on the engine. The cold engine will run faster and smoother with no charging load.. After the engine warms enough to run smooth(15-30 seconds), shift to drive to restart the battery charge / battery warm up cycle.

 

Word is that the problem has to do with condensation inside the intake manifold; later versions have a changed shape. It apparently took quite a while for Toyota to finally nail the problem; there's at least one TSB on how to handle it.

KBeck

 

Which intaaake manifold did u get

 

What did they say fixed it

 

? model #?