MFD issues on '04/'05 Prius

[efusco]

I just sent the following message to Toyota Customer Service via their online reporting system.

I'm a moderator at Priuschat.com, the largest online Prius community in the US. We are noting growing frustration and numbers of complaints about failing MFDs on '04 and early '05 model year cars. Increasingly Toyota seems resistant to replacing these even when the car is just barely out of warranty.

I think this is a big mistake on the part of TMS. Considering that the Prius is cutting edge technology and those of us who purchased an '04 MY Prius were taking a bit of a chance and putting our faith and confidence in Toyota to put out a reliable product it seems like a bit of a slap in the face to now not acknowledge that the MFD's in those early models were faulty and replace them at no cost whenever they fail...at least for the first 60-100k miles. If/when large numbers of people start reporting these failures and are frustrated when dealers charge them $3000 to replace them (which is happening as dealers are not telling people they can get remanufactured displays for $400) dissatisfaction will grow, word will spread, and Toyota's reputation for building reliable durable cars will be tested.

I strongly encourage Toyota, at the highest levels, to reconsider their policy on the Prius MFD in the models mentioned and replace all of them for free, under warranty, both to acknowledge those who helped get the Prius off to the amazing start it is enjoying and to bolster Toyota's reputation as the manufacturer of the most reliable cars.
Sincerely,
Evan Fusco
P.S. Mine failed while under the 3/36k warranty and was replaced, so this is NOT a personal issue for me.

[hobbit]

I'd like to know exactly what part of the MFD is failing, and if
there's *any* chance that an electronically-clueful person could dig
in there and fix it. I remember Galaxee hinting a while back that
it was bad solder joints under a BGA, so if that's true then it's
out of reach of most home soldering rigs, but what if it's actually
something else? Or something that Toyota could do a mail-order parts
swap for just the board in question, for some nominal cost, for
people who aren't afraid to disassemble the MFD and just bolt on
a replaement? The one in my '04 is still okay, but you can be sure
I'll be all over the thing if/when it starts to go on me.
.
_H*

[Skwyre7]

I know it sounds bad, but I kind of hope yours does go, hobbit. I know you'll dig in there and see what you can find. Of course, I hope yours doesn't go. You know what I mean.

Evan, very nicely put. Luckily, mine is (probably) not an early enough '05 to have this problem. But if it should arise, I'll be sure to get it fixed at Toyota's cost.

[efusco]

Got a preformated response:
Subject Prius MFD replacements Discussion Thread Response (James) 06/19/2007 02:14 PM Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. We apologize for the concern you are experiencing regarding the MFD and we regret to hear of your dissatisfaction in this matter.

The warranty coverage for the MFD is three years / 36,000 miles, whichever comes first from the vehicle’s date of first use. Once the vehicle is outside of these warranty guidelines the cost of repairs becomes the owner’s responsibility.

However, in the interest of customer satisfaction, we may review individual requests even when the factory warranty has expired. A review of this sort is handled by our corporate contact, the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership. The Customer Relations Manager will take into consideration a number of factors such as:

• Vehicle age and mileage in comparison to the manufacturer’s original warranty
• Nature of repair
• Inspection of the affected parts
• Maintenance and repair history

If this type of assistance can be offered, the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership would coordinate it with Toyota, following Toyota’s guidelines and procedures. We feel confident that he or she will address any concerns in a courteous and professional manner.

We also invite you to review our Warranty Coverage FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding the warranty parameters for your vehicle.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #200706191325. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Toyota Customer Experience

[Priusaurus110]

Evan: thanks for taking the time to bring this to Toyota's attention. So far I have been lucky with no MFD problems in my early '05 Prius.

Any thought about another on-line poll of chat members to get specific numbers of failed units?

[williaeh22]

2004 Prius with 43000 miles experienced a MFD failure. The car had the extended warranty, but, here lies the rub. When the Service Manager filled out the service invoice he listed the repair at $4200. Even though the Warranty paid for the service and MFD, it gets a lot of future customers attention when there are informed of this incident. Toyota must be out to sell Extended Warranties with advertising such as this.

[p626808]

I'll vote for a campain now!!

Mine just died today.. 115K miles..

What to do

I can probably replace it myself.. just need to get the part..

Anyone have a 2004 MFD cheap!!!

Any help would be appreciated...

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(p626808 @ Aug 22 2007, 07:28 PM) [snapback]500670[/snapback]</div>

I'll vote for a campain now!!

Mine just died today.. 115K miles..

What to do

I can probably replace it myself.. just need to get the part..

Anyone have a 2004 MFD cheap!!!

Any help would be appreciated...

[/b]

Coincidentally, I saw one on e-Bay today, though I think it was a 2005. Might still work. If I'm not mistaken, the seller is the guy in Indiana who let Hobbit play in his Prius junkyard.

EDIT: Here's the link. It's for either 2004 or 2005 without factory NAV.

[p626808]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Aug 22 2007, 07:35 PM) [snapback]500676[/snapback]</div>

Coincidentally, I saw one on e-Bay today, though I think it was a 2005. Might still work. If I'm not mistaken, the seller is the guy in Indiana who let Hobbit play in his Prius junkyard.
[/b]

Thanks.. I emailed steve about that one..

Question for you guys who got one under the exchange program...

Is it one of the newer style.. that will not have this issue again?

I am afraid if I get one out of a junked prius.. that it will eventually wind up failing also?

Thanks for any help

[mellowyellow]

does any body know if the 2006 mfd will work in a 2004 ?