2001 Prius transmission failure

Peter Gazzinia · 06-01-2007, 05:14 PM

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a complete tranmission failure on the early Prius. While I was driving about 50 mph on I-395 coming out of Washington DC, every warning light I have ever seen came on. Suddenly, I had no power, except accessories, and had to let the car coast to a halt. Had it towed to Ourisman Toyota in Fairfax, VA, where I had regular service done on schedule for past six and a half years. Car now has 72,000 miles on it; never had a problem with it. Service manager called yesterday and said transmission had to be replaced, cost would be $6,500 to $7,000, and transmission warranty was only 60,000 miles. He said Toyota district manager would be in on Monday and that Toyota might cover some or all of it, and it was a good thing I had met all regularly scheduled service at the dealer. Has anyone else had this problem with the tranmission on the early Prius and, if so, what did you do?

michigan · 09-03-2007, 04:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VAFairfaxHybrid @ Jun 1 2007, 04:14 PM) [snapback]453533[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a complete tranmission failure on the early Prius. While I was driving about 50 mph on I-395 coming out of Washington DC, every warning light I have ever seen came on. Suddenly, I had no power, except accessories, and had to let the car coast to a halt. Had it towed to Ourisman Toyota in Fairfax, VA, where I had regular service done on schedule for past six and a half years. Car now has 72,000 miles on it; never had a problem with it. Service manager called yesterday and said transmission had to be replaced, cost would be $6,500 to $7,000, and transmission warranty was only 60,000 miles. He said Toyota district manager would be in on Monday and that Toyota might cover some or all of it, and it was a good thing I had met all regularly scheduled service at the dealer. Has anyone else had this problem with the tranmission on the early Prius and, if so, what did you do?
[/b]

I have experienced the same problem. My 2001 Prius just hit 100,000 miles. I have had the car serviced regularly since its purchase in June 2001. I was driving on the interstate when every warning light came on. The dealer says the transmission is going out. I'm debating whether it makes sense to replace the transmission on this car. I can't help but wonder what other unusually expensive repairs lie in the near future.

Any advice?

fan-atic · 09-03-2007, 04:47 PM

1. The Prius doesn't have a transmission. Do you mean the Hybrid Synergy Drive? Transmissions are complicated. The HSD is dead simple from a mechanical standpoint.

2. I thought the HSD was covered for 100K miles.

3. Has your car ever had a recall for the software on the HSD? There was a recall in 2003 or 2004. Symptoms sound similiar...

tochatihu · 09-03-2007, 08:39 PM

From 2001-2003 Toyota called it a power split device but I see no reason to object to the term transmission. I guess the 60 k warranty was correct also. Unf. you must disregard comments strictly related to the 2004 - newer hybrid synergy drive.

There have been some trans replacements. The best way, perhaps, to get Toyota involved in the cost is to phone 800-331-4331, get case numbers (both of you) and do some firm/polite nagging.

F'rinstance, you communicate with the world's largest Prius internet group and 1000s of Prius owners (plus many potential ones) are watching to see how well Toyota supports this vehicle.

I am aware of no current compilation of these replacements, but it could be done from the Prius Chat, Prius Online, Green Hybrid, and Yahoo toyota-prius group archives. It seems hard to get someone to volunteer to do such research though.

Some are changing their transmission fluids at 60k (or much shorter) intervals, and tests suggest this should not be regarded as a 'lifetime' fill. Either of you did change fluid earlier? If you had it tested now, it might buttress you claims with Toyota. In any case it would reveal more about Prius maintenance.

All I have for the victims. Good luck and please describe your progress.

All other readers, please consider that you *might* be able to prevent/postpone this heartache by timely maintenance of the transmission fluid.

michigan · 09-04-2007, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the information and advice. I will definitely pursue this with my dealer. I have no idea whether the transmission fluid has been changed at all, but I have taken this car to the dealer for every suggested maintenance in the book. So if it should have been changed and wasn't, then it's the dealer's fault. I'll go back over all my records and check on it. And I'll look at the other sites you suggested to see whether anyone else has had this problem.

Have you heard of any other expensive problems with these cars as they hit 100,000 miles? I've always liked this car but am considering going back to something with a proven track record, as I really cannot afford such expensive repairs. I realize that all cars have issues as they age, but a transmission at this point seems unreasonable. I was really hoping to get at least 200,000 miles or more from this Prius and am disappointed. Any thoughts?

donee · 09-04-2007, 01:06 PM

Hi All,

I would consider the motors and wiring in the Transmission case (MG1 and MG2) to be part of the HSD system, and should be under waranty to 100 K miles. But, I wonder if Toyota does, or if this is a Dealer snafu? They see the problem inside a transmission case, and assume its a transmission waranty item ? Hmm. If the problem is a motor or wiring fault, I would push Toyota to cover it.

As there are no bands or clutches, the transmission parts in the transmission case should last a very long time, with proper lubrication maitanence. Possibly the chain failed ? But you would have heard something rattling if that happened.

Winston · 09-04-2007, 02:30 PM

I realize the OP is very old, but I would like to know exactly what "failed". I conventional automatic transmissions, the clutches fail from overheating or age. There are no clutches in the Prius transmission. In a manual transmission, the synchros fail and some bearing might wear out and get noise. There are no synchros in the Prius but of course there are gears and bearings. Maybe the whole planetary gear cage broke?

I hope we find out exactly what failed.

michigan · 09-04-2007, 07:47 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Winston @ Sep 4 2007, 01:30 PM) [snapback]506853[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I realize the OP is very old, but I would like to know exactly what "failed". I conventional automatic transmissions, the clutches fail from overheating or age. There are no clutches in the Prius transmission. In a manual transmission, the synchros fail and some bearing might wear out and get noise. There are no synchros in the Prius but of course there are gears and bearings. Maybe the whole planetary gear cage broke?

I hope we find out exactly what failed.
[/b]

I spoke with the service department manager today and was told the problem was "overheating of the electric motor" in the transmission. I will go there tomorrow, try to get more specific details, and post them. The manager told me that the warranty on this part is only 60,000 miles, though there are several other things that are covered to 100,000 miles (battery, battery control unit, inverter, & control module). I'll also call Toyota tomorrow. I know nothing about cars, so I appreciate all the input you folks are offering. Thanks.

C.RICKEY HIROSE · 09-04-2007, 08:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michigan @ Sep 4 2007, 08:53 AM) [snapback]506736[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thanks for the information and advice. I will definitely pursue this with my dealer. I have no idea whether the transmission fluid has been changed at all, but I have taken this car to the dealer for every suggested maintenance in the book. So if it should have been changed and wasn't, then it's the dealer's fault. I'll go back over all my records and check on it. And I'll look at the other sites you suggested to see whether anyone else has had this problem.

Have you heard of any other expensive problems with these cars as they hit 100,000 miles? I've always liked this car but am considering going back to something with a proven track record, as I really cannot afford such expensive repairs. I realize that all cars have issues as they age, but a transmission at this point seems unreasonable. I was really hoping to get at least 200,000 miles or more from this Prius and am disappointed. Any thoughts?
[/b]

Hello Michigan.

Sorry to hear about your Power Split Devise incident. Hope Toyota can intervene and pick up the tab for you.
I have many customers of mine driving the 01~03 Prius and the highest accumulated miles in one of them is 185 thousand miles. No problem although.. He has been doing the PSD fluid flush every 60k miles or so according to him. So 70k miles seems very low for the PSD to fail. Please let us know as to what caused this early mileage failure.

Good Luck.

Winston · 09-04-2007, 08:16 PM

Thanks for getting back to us.

So, it sounds like they consider the motors to be part of the "transmission unit". I would think that you could just replace one of the motors. Hmmm.

09-03-2007, 08:39 PM	#4
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,802 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	From 2001-2003 Toyota called it a power split device but I see no reason to object to the term transmission. I guess the 60 k warranty was correct also. Unf. you must disregard comments strictly related to the 2004 - newer hybrid synergy drive. There have been some trans replacements. The best way, perhaps, to get Toyota involved in the cost is to phone 800-331-4331, get case numbers (both of you) and do some firm/polite nagging. F'rinstance, you communicate with the world's largest Prius internet group and 1000s of Prius owners (plus many potential ones) are watching to see how well Toyota supports this vehicle. I am aware of no current compilation of these replacements, but it could be done from the Prius Chat, Prius Online, Green Hybrid, and Yahoo toyota-prius group archives. It seems hard to get someone to volunteer to do such research though. Some are changing their transmission fluids at 60k (or much shorter) intervals, and tests suggest this should not be regarded as a 'lifetime' fill. Either of you did change fluid earlier? If you had it tested now, it might buttress you claims with Toyota. In any case it would reveal more about Prius maintenance. All I have for the victims. Good luck and please describe your progress. All other readers, please consider that you might be able to prevent/postpone this heartache by timely maintenance of the transmission fluid. __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Prius Transmission Lockout After Wheel Slippage	Woof	Prius Technical Discussion	8	03-11-2007 09:33 PM
Battery failure on '02 Prius	beantown1900	Prius Technical Discussion	3	09-23-2006 08:18 PM
How does the Prius Transmission work?	reesdude	Prius Main Forum	3	01-09-2005 05:26 PM
1998 Prius Transmission Oil Leakage sorted	hannah	Prius Main Forum	5	08-09-2004 08:48 PM
Prius engine failure on the road	evgnat	Prius Main Forum	8	05-02-2004 10:43 AM

06-01-2007, 05:14 PM	#1
Peter Gazzinia Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a complete tranmission failure on the early Prius. While I was driving about 50 mph on I-395 coming out of Washington DC, every warning light I have ever seen came on. Suddenly, I had no power, except accessories, and had to let the car coast to a halt. Had it towed to Ourisman Toyota in Fairfax, VA, where I had regular service done on schedule for past six and a half years. Car now has 72,000 miles on it; never had a problem with it. Service manager called yesterday and said transmission had to be replaced, cost would be $6,500 to $7,000, and transmission warranty was only 60,000 miles. He said Toyota district manager would be in on Monday and that Toyota might cover some or all of it, and it was a good thing I had met all regularly scheduled service at the dealer. Has anyone else had this problem with the tranmission on the early Prius and, if so, what did you do?

09-03-2007, 04:47 PM	#3
fan-atic Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Holliston, MA Posts: 59 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	1. The Prius doesn't have a transmission. Do you mean the Hybrid Synergy Drive? Transmissions are complicated. The HSD is dead simple from a mechanical standpoint. 2. I thought the HSD was covered for 100K miles. 3. Has your car ever had a recall for the software on the HSD? There was a recall in 2003 or 2004. Symptoms sound similiar...

09-04-2007, 09:53 AM	#5
michigan Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the information and advice. I will definitely pursue this with my dealer. I have no idea whether the transmission fluid has been changed at all, but I have taken this car to the dealer for every suggested maintenance in the book. So if it should have been changed and wasn't, then it's the dealer's fault. I'll go back over all my records and check on it. And I'll look at the other sites you suggested to see whether anyone else has had this problem. Have you heard of any other expensive problems with these cars as they hit 100,000 miles? I've always liked this car but am considering going back to something with a proven track record, as I really cannot afford such expensive repairs. I realize that all cars have issues as they age, but a transmission at this point seems unreasonable. I was really hoping to get at least 200,000 miles or more from this Prius and am disappointed. Any thoughts?

09-04-2007, 01:06 PM	#6
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,508 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi All, I would consider the motors and wiring in the Transmission case (MG1 and MG2) to be part of the HSD system, and should be under waranty to 100 K miles. But, I wonder if Toyota does, or if this is a Dealer snafu? They see the problem inside a transmission case, and assume its a transmission waranty item ? Hmm. If the problem is a motor or wiring fault, I would push Toyota to cover it. As there are no bands or clutches, the transmission parts in the transmission case should last a very long time, with proper lubrication maitanence. Possibly the chain failed ? But you would have heard something rattling if that happened.

09-04-2007, 02:30 PM	#7
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 553 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I realize the OP is very old, but I would like to know exactly what "failed". I conventional automatic transmissions, the clutches fail from overheating or age. There are no clutches in the Prius transmission. In a manual transmission, the synchros fail and some bearing might wear out and get noise. There are no synchros in the Prius but of course there are gears and bearings. Maybe the whole planetary gear cage broke? I hope we find out exactly what failed.

09-04-2007, 08:16 PM	#10
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 553 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for getting back to us. So, it sounds like they consider the motors to be part of the "transmission unit". I would think that you could just replace one of the motors. Hmmm.