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Brakes worn out at 45,000KM / 28,000 miles?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by greendoh, Feb 10, 2016.

  1. greendoh

    greendoh Junior Member

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    I just dropped my 2014 Prius off at the dealer for regular service and they tell me the brake pads are rusted and 'locked up' into the calipers. They want to replace the front brakes. I told them that this sounds like premature wear - especially given the Prius' reputation for brake longevity - my dad had a Camry Hybrid that went 170,000km before he sold it - never having changed the damn brakes. Of course, they are claiming that this is normal wear and tear. What have you guys experienced with your brakes? Is this normal wear and tear, or is there something wrong with the car? - or worse, is the dealer trying to milk some cash out of me?

    I'd love to hear some opinions!
     
  2. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Id ask them to show u. At 28k miles the brakes will still be new. I went 140k miles in my 2012 before they needed replacing.


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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Prius brakes are a funny paradox. Generally the linings last for freakin' ever, because they are used so little, with regen taking the bulk of the load. In the first couple years I had my car, I made repeat measurements of lining thickness, and projected them out in a straight line to necessary replacement in (I am not making this up) 2017 (for a 2001 car).

    The paradox part is: this crazy lining longevity usually makes Prius owners get complacent, and not do the regular simple checks, like, do the parts still move, are things getting stuck or rusted in place? Those checks only add a few minutes if you just do them every other time you rotate tires or so, and any problem you find should be cheap and quick to fix. But if you don't check and don't catch it or fix it, yes, it will turn into an unexpectedly early brake job.

    -Chap
     
  4. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    2nd opinion needed
    There's a tsb for unusual rear brake wear(gen3), the service writer get's a percentage of what they wright, cleaning and oiling the pins once a year is a good idea, replacing dirty but not worn parts isn't.
     
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    If they are truly "locked up" on the calipers, you will be getting really bad MPG's. Are you? Hybrid friction brakes (brake pads/rotors) can and do become grabby due to light use since the car uses regenerative braking via the hybrid drive. This is frequently felt the first time brakes are applied after a complete cool down like first thing in the morning.
     
  6. greendoh

    greendoh Junior Member

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    So I called Toyota Canada about the issue - they said to go back to the dealership and talk to a manager and THEN get a second opinion... a call which hilariously triggered an email to the dealership with details about the complaint. I got back to the dealership and talked to a manager, and the service adviser storms in to the room and claims he never said the brake pads were seized into the calipers - he just recommended a 'regular' brake service - which of course is NOT what he said on the phone. So either miscommunication or an attempt at deception in order to sell a brake service. Either way, the brakes are apparently magically fine - not seized up. Bloody stealerships.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! good call.(y)
     
  8. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Typical Stealership behavior but glad things worked out in ur favor


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  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    You know, I'd really like to have some faith in the honesty and integrity of a dealership service department. So far the one I go to hasn't done anything egregiously fraudulent or excessively out of line.

    But repeated stories similar to this keep me from having too much faith.

    The sad thing to me, is with most modern vehicles, Dealership Service Departments are the front runners for providing services for most peoples new and newer vehicles. They are almost a necessity through the initial warranty period.

    But actions like this? Undermine any confidence many people might even want to have in the dealership and the service department. Which drive people to look for either different dealership service departments OR independents they feel they can trust.

    It shouldn't be that difficult to get trust worthy, honest service for your vehicle. Unfortunately, it seems it is.

    This criticism isn't aimed specifically at Toyota, as I think it's a problem throughout the entire dealership/repair industry, with all manufacturers.
     
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  10. greendoh

    greendoh Junior Member

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    This is really the issue. I had a similar experience last week at Chrysler - they quoted me $1000 worth of worthless flushes and engine shampooing that my van 'needed'. It must be a slow month in the service department or something.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i've experienced these things for 45 years. i go for warranty only, then it's been diy or local mech after that.
     
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  12. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Thank goodness I've never experienced this myself but hear all to often.

    I'm there for warranty & free maintenance. Aside from that I'm doing all my own work.


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  13. Cirrus

    Cirrus Junior Member

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    I have experience working in a dealership. The pay of the technician and the service writer is directly tied to monthly or bi-weekly sales volume. When the tech inspects the car, he is on a fishing expedition to find anything that he can fix. The service writer is trying to sell everything he can. Their bonus is tied to higher volume so its no wonder you get these recommendations. Everyone should question every recommendation they get, including tires, "Tires abnormally worn, will need to be replaced soon" is an oldie but a goody. Serious, its no joke..... an oil drip on the engine block will get a recommendation for a leaking gasket diagnosis.
     
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  14. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    @greendoh, buy the way......welcome to PC


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