Dreaded MFD disfuntion

Claude · 03-22-2007, 12:03 PM

I have a 2004 Prius with 45K miles on it. My MFD has started to glitch, shutting off the audio, blanking the miles, temp, MPG etc. It happens intermitenly.

In reading online about this, it seems Toyota has know about this for quite a while and has not offerd up a free fix. I read that one way to test if you have a faulty MFD is to see if you can switch from Energy to Consumption using the INFO switch on the steering wheel.

My Toyota dealer claims he has never heard of this problem and that they have not had any complaints on this before. He deny's ever recieving a service bulliten form Toyota on this also.

Has anyone else been able to successfully deal withthis problem? If so, what steps need to be taken to get Toyota to replace this MFD for low cost or free?

I have made an appointment withthe dealer for tomorrow so any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks

MegansPrius · 03-22-2007, 12:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claude @ Mar 22 2007, 01:03 PM) [snapback]410206[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have a 2004 Prius with 45K miles on it. My MFD has started to glitch, shutting off the audio, blanking the miles, temp, MPG etc. It happens intermitenly.

In reading online about this, it seems Toyota has know about this for quite a while and has not offerd up a free fix. I read that one way to test if you have a faulty MFD is to see if you can switch from Energy to Consumption using the INFO switch on the steering wheel.

My Toyota dealer claims he has never heard of this problem and that they have not had any complaints on this before. He deny's ever recieving a service bulliten form Toyota on this also.

Has anyone else been able to successfully deal withthis problem? If so, what steps need to be taken to get Toyota to replace this MFD for low cost or free?

I have made an appointment withthe dealer for tomorrow so any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
[/b]

Run an advanced search with the keyword MFD in the Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting forum and you'll see a number of threads on this, and tips for buying aftermarket MFDs.

There was a Toyota Service Bulletin on this problem for the 2004s (attached).

mikepaul · 03-22-2007, 12:53 PM

It may be costing Toyota too much money by now to have them offer to 'good-will' the fix for free. After I paid $89 for the diagnosis, and handed the service rep a copy of the Service Bulletin and repeated several (dozen?) times that it seemed like Toyota was letting these units die in the field despite the fact that they knew ALL of the bad ones would eventually fail, the actual repair was covered by Toyota under good-will..

Take your best shot, be firm that it sucks to find this out, point out how Toyota HAS fixed it for free on other cars, and see what you get. I'm not sure doing it for one means they HAVE to do it for all, but you can try that tactic...

**efusco** · 03-22-2007, 02:47 PM

http://priuschat.com/Source-for-refu...Ds-t26072.html

Oh, and find a different service dept or at least speak to the service dept. manager. This is a well known problem, there's clearly a TSB on it. So either they're lying or do so little work on the Prius that they're probably not competent to work on yours...in either case you're probably better somewhere else.

Again, speaking to the service manager...the head guy, not one of the service desk jockeys, and let him know about what you were told and ask how he thinks it should be dealt with. If you get satisfaction then maybe it's worth staying with them, if not then you have no choice, IMO, than to find a better service dept.

Oh, if you have the extended warranty it should be covered under that. If not you can expect to have to pay at least the $400.

Frank Hudon · 03-22-2007, 09:51 PM

failing to get Toyota to "good will" at least part of it, I'd look for a salvage one. That would be my first line of action then if unable to find one, I might consider the refurb ones that Toyota are selling. And the time to replace it is a bit more than the 2/10ths that Toyota pays but more like about 3-maybe 4 tenths. If your the least bit handy with tools and working on vehicles it's not a big job to re and re it yourself. Instructions are posted here on PC.

tvgaffer · 03-23-2007, 01:39 PM

I am having problems with mine as well and would like to know what your dealer said before I take mine in. Could you please send me a reply or an emailtvgaffer@mac.com

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claude @ Mar 22 2007, 12:03 PM) [snapback]410206[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have a 2004 Prius with 45K miles on it. My MFD has started to glitch, shutting off the audio, blanking the miles, temp, MPG etc. It happens intermitenly.

In reading online about this, it seems Toyota has know about this for quite a while and has not offerd up a free fix. I read that one way to test if you have a faulty MFD is to see if you can switch from Energy to Consumption using the INFO switch on the steering wheel.

My Toyota dealer claims he has never heard of this problem and that they have not had any complaints on this before. He deny's ever recieving a service bulliten form Toyota on this also.

Has anyone else been able to successfully deal withthis problem? If so, what steps need to be taken to get Toyota to replace this MFD for low cost or free?

I have made an appointment withthe dealer for tomorrow so any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
[/b]

jrmgkia · 03-25-2007, 01:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tvgaffer @ Mar 23 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]411032[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am having problems with mine as well and would like to know what your dealer said before I take mine in. Could you please send me a reply or an emailtvgaffer@mac.com
[/b]

I got Toyota to pay for half of the cost, I also had them use a refurbished unit so it was about $500 cost to me. Check out the full story on my My Website.

03-22-2007, 12:53 PM	#3
mikepaul Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,676 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It may be costing Toyota too much money by now to have them offer to 'good-will' the fix for free. After I paid $89 for the diagnosis, and handed the service rep a copy of the Service Bulletin and repeated several (dozen?) times that it seemed like Toyota was letting these units die in the field despite the fact that they knew ALL of the bad ones would eventually fail, the actual repair was covered by Toyota under good-will.. Take your best shot, be firm that it sucks to find this out, point out how Toyota HAS fixed it for free on other cars, and see what you get. I'm not sure doing it for one means they HAVE to do it for all, but you can try that tactic... __________________ 2004 Seaside #9/BC as of 1/3/2004 Oil now any GOOD synthetic I can get on sale Goodyear TripleTred 195/65R15 tires since 5/19/05 80,000 miles as of 8/22/2008

03-22-2007, 02:47 PM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,247 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	http://priuschat.com/Source-for-refu...Ds-t26072.html Oh, and find a different service dept or at least speak to the service dept. manager. This is a well known problem, there's clearly a TSB on it. So either they're lying or do so little work on the Prius that they're probably not competent to work on yours...in either case you're probably better somewhere else. Again, speaking to the service manager...the head guy, not one of the service desk jockeys, and let him know about what you were told and ask how he thinks it should be dealt with. If you get satisfaction then maybe it's worth staying with them, if not then you have no choice, IMO, than to find a better service dept. Oh, if you have the extended warranty it should be covered under that. If not you can expect to have to pay at least the $400. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

03-22-2007, 09:51 PM	#5
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	failing to get Toyota to "good will" at least part of it, I'd look for a salvage one. That would be my first line of action then if unable to find one, I might consider the refurb ones that Toyota are selling. And the time to replace it is a bit more than the 2/10ths that Toyota pays but more like about 3-maybe 4 tenths. If your the least bit handy with tools and working on vehicles it's not a big job to re and re it yourself. Instructions are posted here on PC. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

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03-22-2007, 12:03 PM	#1
Claude Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a 2004 Prius with 45K miles on it. My MFD has started to glitch, shutting off the audio, blanking the miles, temp, MPG etc. It happens intermitenly. In reading online about this, it seems Toyota has know about this for quite a while and has not offerd up a free fix. I read that one way to test if you have a faulty MFD is to see if you can switch from Energy to Consumption using the INFO switch on the steering wheel. My Toyota dealer claims he has never heard of this problem and that they have not had any complaints on this before. He deny's ever recieving a service bulliten form Toyota on this also. Has anyone else been able to successfully deal withthis problem? If so, what steps need to be taken to get Toyota to replace this MFD for low cost or free? I have made an appointment withthe dealer for tomorrow so any advise would be appreciated. Thanks