Who has done their recall?

Got my letter today. I did my update last week. The letter has plenty of detail for those folks who have a conspiracy problem.

 

My wife n I used to watch that moving car screen display when the 3rd Gen first came out and we were renting them every week Pretty neat

Mike

 

Had the recall done today. Afterwards as I drove home after 2 miles my car stated shaking. I pulled over & jumped out. My damn car changed into a Lexus Hybrid!!!! THANK YOU TOYOTA!!!!

Besides that my car is driving fine! No change, if anything it seems to have pedal response. But it may just be me.

 

When I first got mine I did the same thing...but my ADD took over and I had to get rid of it. I use the HSI now because it helps my drive more and is less distracting to me.

Can't imagine having the charging/discharging screen on both the display AND the radio...

 

Would you care to share the newfound details with us that explains everything?

 

Done software update few days ago Prius 2013 with 10K + miles
My daily commute ~82 highway miles at 65-75mph

Here is 500 miles test report:
1. Approximately 10%-15% power/ torque loss
2. Engine noticeably louder
3. Lost 2-3 Mpg high speed highway cruising @ 70mph+
4. Lost 3-5 Mpg on hilly roads
5 Regenerative braking very weak

 

Hi !

Got the update done about 10 days ago, after 1 full tank same MPG but as a PWR mode user it does feel slower on WOT

 

I don't like to think of it as a "conspiracy problem"...I prefer to think of it as "Conspiracy Identification Asset". Or CIA syndrome.

Just because I am paranoid doesn't mean I am wrong.

 

Got my letter yesterday. After reading this thread I'd rather take my chances by not getting the firmware update if performance will suffer. I don't tow trailers, occasionally need to punch the accelerator and thought one of the great benefits of a hybrid was regenerative braking, which according to most here is compromised after the update.
But then I noticed on the second page that I must get it done or they won't register the car here in the Nanny State of California.

Seems like the "Safety Recall" is mostly for the protection of Toyota's bottom line rather than for their customers benefit. Their cost/benefit gurus told them that flashing software to "turd up" the car was cheaper than replacing parts and potentially incurring another billion dollar judgement on those miniscule few who burn out the transistors.

 

??????????

 

Haven't received the letter yet, but I had to schedule my 30K service anyway. They are quite backed up, couldn't get an appointment till 2 weeks out. Other than the oil/filter change, and software flash, I'm going to have them replace the transaxle fluid as well.

 

Got mine done today. (2012 model 4) Took just over an hour with 20K service. I did not notice any difference in performance or engine noise. Like others, I noticed that the battery charge level seems to have increased. Two trips in town resulted in 52.5 mpg after the service. Slightly better that before, but it may be related to warmer weather here.

 

Rang my dealer today to make the appointment. While booking me in he told me that all the Prius techs in Victoria, Aus, were at a workshop to learn to operate revised software for reprogramming. Apparently some dealers had experienced blown ECUs when using the original software. He also told me that not all vehicles needed the revision. First they would assess my vehicle and would only upgrade if necessary. This sounds different to the North America experience. (??)

 

Had my recall done last week. Went to visit my parents today, about 200 miles round trip. I had a 2011 Prius before, and never got better than about 50 mpg on the car computer on the drive. Same with my 2013 until the recall. Today I got just over 60 mpg on the round trip on my car computer. The trip was mostly highway, some interstate, a few hills and stops. Used some heat in the morning and AC on trip back. Temperature was ideal (about 55 F starting out and low 70's returning), but have made the trip before under similar temperature conditions. I used to wonder how other Prius owners got such great mileage. I never could before. So, assuming the car computer is reading the same as before, I am very, very happy.

 

Have mine scheduled for next Wed along with my 5k mile service and turning the seatbelt beeping off.

 

My recall is scheduled for tomorrow hope it goes well. Had oil changed yesterday and Valvoline mechanic said engine oil filter was stuck and that I needed to take it to Toyota said they would pay for any charges. Good thing i scheduled this LAST month on the 22nd!

 

HUGE CAVEAT....

I just had the software "flash" done. Drove it home on highway and inner suburban. Both City and Highway mixed. BUT...just too early for me to want to comment on whether I can notice any driving or functional difference. Not enough time behind the wheel. I'll comment on that in a few weeks if I notice anything.

The only thing I would say I immediately seemed to notice is that the battery charge level seems to be reading higher. Again very early in the game, but my "normal" baseline hovered around 3 bars down from full on the dashboard screen. Of course it would occasional fill higher...occasionally with use, lower...but the "norm" was about 3 marks down.

I immediately noticed that my Battery Icon was only 2 marks down from top...and pretty much stayed that way. On one portion of my drive home I have a pretty large hill...all down hill. Descending it in "B", my Battery icon went all the way to full. Can't say this hasn't happened before but it is pretty rare. Most of my entire drive the battery icon showed full, near full (one mark down) or 2 marks down. This represents a change at least immediately from what I have observed since owning the vehicle.

I would also say, "again very early" that it doesn't feel to me like the vehicle is working any harder to maintain the charge, I don't notice the engine running more, it just seems what ever the calibration for what the charge visibly appears to be...or the vehicle is told it is..seems to have been adjusted higher.

My only other comment is that the recall took a little over an hour, and I was a little disappointed that the dealership performing mine did NOT put a sticker in my vehicle denoting that the recall had been done. I was given a service sheet denoting the work had been done, and assured that the recall work would be noted in the national service data base, but no sticker on my vehicle that "proves" it was done.

Everything else? I just have to say give me some time. There is no noticeable immediate "up in smoke" change. But I'd like to reserve real comment on driving feel or change for at least a couple of weeks maybe longer. Too early to tell anything yet.

 

Doesn't registration in the national service data base "prove" it was done more so than a sticker that could be peeled off one car and stuck to another? Does the sticker have the VIN on it?

 

You would think so. I'll bet in order for the dealership to get paid by Toyota, they need to verify the VIN before reimbursement.

 

Yeah sure.

I don't have a problem with this,- just some people who have had the recall done have said that their dealerships actually put a sticker on the car with the date and the fact that the recall was done noted on it.

I think this would be "nice", especially if someday you are going to sell the car private party, and perhaps the buyer was aware of the recall. You could simply pop the hood and show them the sticker.

The sticker isn't a "big" deal. Hell, I can go make a sticker if I want...but some type of attached to the vehicle proof I think is nice. But as long as the information is entered into the national data base, I'm good with it.