Prius "Died" 500 Miles from Home

[Wolfpack]

My wife and I are vacation in FL and were on our way to a families member's wedding when our Prius decided to display the red triangle of death, starting to think Microsoft might have written the software for the car. We were turning into the church when we got the "Problem" signal. Lucky enough we were able to pull into the parking lot and get the car towed pretty easily. The dealer was only 4 miles away too, Thank you Nav system.

This happened Saturday and today the dealer called and said the car needed a new ECM and it was going to take 3 weeks to fix. Two weeks just to get the ECM from Japan. We are looking to get home, NC, by mid week.

Has anybody had a similar experience with replacing the ECM? The car is exactly 1 year old, we got it last June 18! It was made in April 04. I was concerned that this might be one of the cars under investigation for stalling while driving.

Our current plan is too have the car shipped up to NC and repaired up there and get a rental car to get home. Any similar failures out there?

[galaxee]

Aww, sorry to hear about the car crapping out on you. Especially on vacation! I imagine this would be covered under warranty and they will provide you with a rental car... is this the case?

I know Prius parts are hard to get since most have to be shipped in from Japan. Hopefully once the part comes in the fix will go well.

Let us know what happens, good luck!

[DaveinOlyWA]

hmmm scary. your car was made and delivered just about the same time as mine. mine was built in May 04 and delivered June 15.

hope everything goes well for you. it would be a major bummer for me to be without my car for 3 weeks.

[jeromep]

You have my sympaties and concerns. I hope that Toyota, either the dealer or corporate is giving you some kind of free rental for the time your vehicle is going to be out of service. I certainly would push corporate for one if the dealer isn't budging because you deserve to have some alternate wheels for such a long period of vehicle unavailability.

As for electronic failure rates. Most of the time they are very low. With as many Prii that are out there, I'm inclined to believe that your situation is very rare. That probably doesn't make you feel very good right now, but all the same I don't think there is a lot of alarm for those who have not been affected by this.

My best to you.

[Wolfpack]

Quick Update!

First off thank you for the kind words and encouragement.
Toyota got us home on time! As frustrating as it was to lose the Prius, Toyota has stepped up to the plate and helped us out when we need it. We have received excellent involvement from the local dealer and the corporation.

Here is the deal:
There is a TSB out to flash the software for some of the models to prevent this from happening. However, our car's ECM would not accept the new software and thus we need a new ECM. As we all know, they are cranking the Prii out as fast as they can so the supply of the ECM's state side are non existent. We are looking at about 2-3 weeks to get a new one over here. People with early 04 models see if you need this flash!!!

As for the trip home, Toyota provided a rental car to get us home and has arranged for another car until the Prius is fixed. Not only that but they are shipping the car from FL back to our home dealer in NC. The dealer who diagnosed the issue, Mike Erdman Toyota, was absolutely great to us. If anyone is looking for a dealer around Cocoa Beach, FL their service is the best I have seen yet.

As aggravating as this was, Toyota really did come through with excellent customer service. Can't wait to be driving the Prius again!

Thanks again!

Wolfpack

[rick57]

Hi Wolfpack. Sorry to hear about your troubles while on vacation. But sounds like you found a great dealer to deal with. In all the reflashes I have done, I have never had to replace an ECU. But there is always the first time, . And like was said earlier, parts from Japan or the supplier for the Prius sometimes take a while. Hope everything comes out well for you.

[galaxee]

wolfpack, which area dealer are you using?

[Wolfpack]

The car is down at Mike Erdman Toyota in Cocoa Beach, FL and will be shipped up to Leith Toyota in Raleigh where we bought the car. I actually got a call yesterday from corporate that said that the part came in and the service dept fixed the car down in FL. So when they ship the car up it will be fixed already. I don't know how they got the part so quickly but I am happy that they did. I talked to the service dept dept at Mike Erdman and they confirmed that they did install the new ECU and everything seems to be working fine. Now I just need to figure out when it will arrive up here. The rental Corolla is nice but I want my Prius back!! :wink:

[galaxee]

Wow, glad to hear the car's fixed! I know the feeling of missing your Prius! We rented a Cavalier last week when we flew back home.

Well, if you ever need a recommendation for a good Prius Tech, my husband works with one smart guy here in Durham who knows the Prius inside out. But I'm glad you don't need a recommendation!

Let us know how things turn out!

[IALTMANN]

Wow Wolfpack., what a bad scene..Glad Toyota and the dealers helped out. This car has a good reputation despite the news out there. Yea I heard the early 04's and maybe a few others seemed to have a program problem or software. It is rare the ECU had to be replaced, usually the Flashing works. Everyone here in Texas (my town) says the car is going to die., everyone asks me if it still works....!!!! Much of it is bunk, but out of 80,000 units I hear about 17 developed a problem to the point Toyota and NHSA have become envolved, and I am sure they will find the cure, if not already. Even though they have had this generation car since 2003-4, they had previous generations and systems for many years. These cars are very complex and computer controlled, and many things can cause problems, especially add ons and the likes. Texas has a lemon law, if your car fails like this again and again, check with your state, Toyota may have to totally replace your car, failure must be the same systems or reasons, so keep yourself informed. Best of luck and sorry your vacation was "interupted". We're fixing to go too, soon and will be testing our 6/05 silver one, hoping for good MPG., so far only have gotten 40-41, but that is TX in summer heat., lots of small trips +AC..so I am being patient., and learning tricks in driving to help the car out.

Best Regards