Is it worth to do the 180k miles maintenance at the dealer?

The manual repeats after 120,000 miles so if you read the 60,000 maintenance that is what they should do.
https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/07ToyMS_MS0003/pdf/07ToyMS_MS0003.pdf
Page 12. If it was mine I would consider changing the ATF WS in the transaxle, it is a simple drain and fill and should be about $100 (it is there as check front differential oil, if you haven't changed it by 180,000 I would)
You mention new tires, that counts as rotating them. They last longer rotated often.

And yes, do it all at once, now. The less time at the dealership, the less time they can mislead you.

 

Wow that steering shaft recall is really old like 6+ years old surprised your shaft has not failed. Very very dangerous the steering could fail. You need that recall done asap.

Letters of recall were sent out to the original owner but since you never saw a dealer they lost track of the car ownership.

There's another recall too where they cut 2 inches off the bottom of the gas pedal that was to stop the "the car is accelerating by itself" issue years ago where the bottom of the gas pedal gets stuck in an after market carpet mat and the pedal gets stuck floored and away you go. I recommend you get that done too you will not even notice the difference in length and its then above the floor mat. Much safer.
Doesn't bother me or my wife.

The airbag light is on probably because the clock spring in the steering wheel is broken. Do all the buttons for radio and ac work on the steering wheel? I bet not.

Its a tiny little car you really need the airbag system functioning in that car. Don't bother asking the dealer to fix that because it will be very $$$ at $140 an hour labor. Probably $150+ in Boston.

If your 12 volt battery is older than 3 years old don't be surprised if it starts acting up on you after the dealer visit. Dealer likes to work on the car with the doors open and you cannot turn off the door side lights and it will kill the little 12 volt battery so be aware of that.

The only thing that's a really must have is if its got the original water pump belt its a miracle it has not failed. There's only one fan belt on this car and its only job is to turn the engine water pump. If It breaks and falls off you will never know till a check engine light comes on indicating the engine has severely overheated and that usually warps the head and then the engine is toast. terrible system with no engine coolant temp indicator on the dash. It is not to be trifled with.

I would have that belt replaced no matter what it looks like when its on. When you take it off you will be able to see how cracked it is.
That little $10 belt could cost you thousands of dollars.

Lastly go to toyota.com/owners forum and join and then list the cars vin off your insurance card and you will see on that site every visit the car has ever seen at an authorized toyota dealer. You can also post and use it to keep track of your diy activity.

 

The original owner would have gotten the letter years ago when Toyota sent it out. We just had my wife's '07 steering recall done last year after we found out about it here on PC. We had had it since December of '15.

I'd like to second Ed's motion on the airbags and serpentine belt. Those are critical, as is the steering fix.

 

The steering shaft has been replaced on my 04 twice in it's 245,000 miles. It's a permanent problem? I've owned it since 225,000. Any symptoms to know it's going out?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Does anybody know if the 2008's were recalled for the steering shaft?

 

In general, or just yours

Here is the 'Safety Recall' in question, and not every vehicle qualified: http://media.fixed-ops.com/Toy_Campaigns/C0Tdlrltr.pdf

Without using the search feature, you've found the answer: Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns

 

dealer or a good mechanic who understands hybrid nuances, makes no difference

 

Could be:

 

General statement for all but mine is a 2008.

Toyota says my vehicle has no recalls on it.

Read the Recall notice from Toyota and a portion of my vin was included but Toyota further stated that about 1/2 actually need to be looked at. Guess I'll call Toyota tomorrow and check.

Thanks so much for these two links .... very helpful!
Stoner

 

Does anyone know what the "Install Premium Engine Protection" is all about

 

I wondered about that, too. <head scratching emoticon>

@Cibelly Aguiar and @Stoner, if you go to Toyota's website, you can set up an account and then register your car's VIN to see all the service records and recalls they might have for your car. Here's the link to the owners' page. Toyota Owners Official Web Site

 

I just signed up, thanks.