Took the PRIUS to Exclusive Hybrid [google them]- They found my problem - Brake Actuator

Yeah that might be an installed price or something that should be a $1,200 part or something like that new and all mine are used.

 

Is it rusty underneath? (Silly to put good components into a rust bucket.)
Is it in good shape other than these two items?

 

So they're charging you $1,200 to install the brake actuator bleed the brakes and hand you the car back wow that is pretty steep that only takes me like 2 hours 2.2 hours to do the change in about 35 minutes to bleed the brakes the way I take it apart I wouldn't want to do them all day long even for $1,200 a pop but still it's a pretty boring job.

 

Only you can decide to fix it or get rid of it. We do not know the overall condition and miles on the car. We do not know your finances or if you own a second car. ETC, ETC, ETC.

 

if it's been in Northeast winter salt, and is now 17 years old, and appears to need $5k+ in repairs in the near future? I would check out of that situation, time for a new ride.

But you need to decide for yourself.

 

FYI, the price of gen2 oem battery from dealer just went up this year. It used to be around 2k but now it’s 3k. The price increase is incredible!

 

FYI. The oem battery has gone up this year from 2k to 3k.

 

Almost certainly not; the brake actuator doesn't generally just start applying the brakes for you.

The feeling "like the brakes are engaging" is probably something else increasing the forward rolling resistance of the car. A matter for investigation.

Of course, if it's at all possible somebody knocked the shifter into B instead of D, that's just what it'll feel like.

 

Is it? As always, one must shop for this part, and it is usually less to order it on line than to show up at the parts counter. These are all around $2k

Toyota OEM Battery Assembly Hev Su G9510-76013 | Toyota OEM Parts Giant
Battery Assembly Hev Su G9510-76013 | Desert Toyota of Tucson Parts
Battery Assembly Hev Su G9510-76013 | Camelback Toyota Parts

this one is over $3K (so don't buy it there)

Battery Assembly Hev Su G9510-76013 | Parts Toyota Carlsbad

The price on packs fluctuates with time. At the moment it seems to be only a couple of hundred higher than it was when I bought mine.

 

The OP could drive around for a while and then park and feel near the hub of each wheel. If a brake is dragging (or a bearing has gone horribly wrong, but this would be really rare) one wheel will be much hotter than the others. Worst case the OP may even see a disk or drum glowing from the friction.

Also look under the car and around each wheel to see if something is dragging on the ground or on a tire.

Driving with the emergency brake on would feel something like that too.

 

My experience is Gen 3 so fwiw: if my foot’s right off the gas the car will impose a slight regen drag. You can see it on the display. Touch the gas pedal just slightly dispels it, and the car rolls easier.

 

dump it like a bad habit

 

Have the braking system inspected by someone experienced with this type of work.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Is the brake actuator keeping you from driving it? Many ignore the lites on the dash, as in some cars all they mean is the ABS is not working. My last 2 have been in this condition, they passed PA inspection and I drove them that way. On the battery a rebuilt one could be under $1K installed. Why put a 100K battery in a car this old?
As others have typed, rust is the only ultimate killer of these, so take a look underneath or ask your mechanic. Speaking of mechanics, in your shoes I would be looking for a more reasonable independent shop. The brake system number sounds like they have not done it before and really don't want to.
If this was my car and rust is not a problem I would definitely keep it. With mileage that low your car is only at half life and the cost to keep it running for another 100K should be less than the options.

 

Only consider keeping if you're able to install both yourself. Also note that replacing the brake actuator is very difficult and time consuming if you've never done it before. Replacing the hybrid battery is relatively easy but also time consuming if you've never done it before. Then if you choose to buy a used brake actuator pump, make sure to choose the updated part number which will lessen the risk of it being defective. I bought mine for around $500 and installed it myself.

 

The Gen2 Battery Part No is G9510-47033 and the price is now around 3.5k from 2k last year.
Toyota has raised the prices on all their batteries start of the year. This is not good news.

 

I wouldn't have them necessarily limit the inspection to the brake system. That's not the only way a Prius could produce a resistance to forward motion that feels "like the brakes are engaging".