Reliability: Have a gen3, thinking of a 2016 gen4

it's a Toyota which is Japanese for reliability. LOL!
i don't expect it to be less reliable than the gen 3

i only have my 2020 for 2 weeks. i can feel the difference with the new TNGA platform that Toyota use. ( started 2016 if i'm not mistaken)
the build quality is better than the Gen 3. The ride is better especially on corners andit;s more comfortable.

 

Consumer Reports surveys have given the Prius a 5 out of 5 for reliability every year since 2009.
The Toyota Prius and Other Cars Most Likely to Take You to 200,000 Miles

Here's a pretty good assessment.
Which Toyota Prius Generation Lasts The Longest | Torque News
Essentially, the Gen 4 looks very solid, but it's still a little early to call it. So far, so great.

 

^^^ except for the recalls involving the inverter

Overall, quite reliable.

 

There apparently was one for the earliest of the 2016s for the inverter. Plus a few less critical recalls. (although an unexpected airbag deployment might well be considered critical to anyone who might be in its way. )

In fact, according to this thread (All Known Gen 4 Prius Recalls/Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) | PriusChat) , all gen 4 recalls were on 2016 MY except one limited to Gulf States Distributorship spare tires on 2017s.

This could prove to be the most reliable generation yet. And it should be that way with all the things Toyota must have learned over the years.

 

after 5 years, i would venture to guess more reliable. if they can beat the egr/brake actuator/inverter problems, your way ahead of the game.

your 2010 may be on borrowed head gasket time, or maybe not.

 

FWIW.......me thinks I'd go for the 2017-1/2 .......some "Safety" upgrades worth having.......ymmv

 

Wrong. I know the 2017 had some.

Early 2017 got caught in the parking brake clip recall, I believe. There was definitely a wiring harness recall where they stripped back the covering looking for damaged wires and then wrapped with a more abrasion resistant covering. A covering for the harness could wear through, damaging the wires.

if you have the VIN is is always advisable to enter on the Toyota Owners site to determine what recalls apply and whether they have been performed.

 

Yep! My 2017 was purchased in April 2017 and was affected by the wiring harness recall.

 

In my case i drive 150 miles to my preferred dealer. No way was I going to trust my local dealer. They even documented the tire pressure totally wrong on the first free service

I had that recall done and then Toyota modified it to include both parts of the harness. I called Toyota Corporate to see if my local dealer could finish the recall. They said I needed to drive back to the other dealer. They then called their service manager. He called me and argued that although the recal had been updated,
I was wrong. I was driving in my car at the time and didn't want to argue. He checked with his master hybrid mechanic and realized I was correct. He called me back to apologize. I made the 300 mile round trip again to get the recall completed.

In my opinion that is a sign of a good, caring dealer with an adult manager who admits when he is wrong. I also saved money by using them & their Gen 1 Prius owning salesman over dealing locally.

 

In what country are you located? There is a London Ontario Canada in addition to the one in the U.K.

London (disambiguation) - Wikipedia

 

This is good advice. I always do that. Neither of our 17's show any open recalls and the service records don't show any being completed. It was other research that didn't turn up any recalls other than what I mentioned. I saw it on the internet so it had to be true. Anyway, apologies for the misinformation.

 

Like you, I have a 2010 Prius with 100,000 miles that has been totally reliable and runs like new.

Many gen 3 owners have reported that the EGR cooler becomes completely clogged which may lead to the engine running hotter than it should and therefore increasing the risk of head gasket failure. I have followed this issue closely. EGR cooler clogging does indeed happen frequently but nearly all head gasket failures that have been reported on PriusChat have occurred after 150,000 miles. At your rate of use, you could easily go another 5 years without doing extra maintenance. If you have the time, tools and space, you can clean the EGR system yourself at minimal expense but it would be costly to pay someone else to do it.

That said, it sounds like you would like to move on to a newer vehicle as would I eventually. I am waiting to find out whether Toyota will release a 5th gen Prius for the 2022 model year as they normally do with their usual 6 year cycle. There is uncertainty about this because Covid could delay release and because Toyota is releasing hybrid versions of just about everything they make which leaves the future of Prius in doubt. I would think that we will know the future of Prius by the Spring of next year.

 

If you opt to stay with the 2010:

1. Clean the EGR and intake thoroughly, now. Pay attention to the EGR passageways in the intake, in particular the small diameter passages, one per intake port.

2. Consider stemming the swill the PCV system regularly dumps into the intake, with an effective oil catch can(s).

I think the woes don't happen overnight; it's a slow but inexorable process, brought on by neglect of the above.

 

we don't know the cause. some people have problems and some don't. we have discussed oil change frequency, driving style and etc., but so far, no conclusions.