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What, if anything, is a problem with the GIII?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by David Beale, May 6, 2012.

  1. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    OK, we all know the GII had some problems. Water pumps, early steering issues. I have yet to see anything in the GIII that is showing up.
    Anyone?

    I'm having a hard time resisting trading up to a 2012!

    Oh, don't tell Pearl!
     
  2. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

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    1. Uncomfortable seats on long drives. See if seats are different from your 2007. Get the power seats if they are.

    2. No auto/on/off headlights.

    3. No auto day/night mirror.

    4. 6" Nav is crude and quirky with maps and addresses and Entunes.

    5. You can't get all the options you want on car. Have to sacrifice some for others.

    6. No nice factory standard alloy wheels. All hubcaps or 17" with lots of performance and wear issues.

    2013 is almost here. Depending on your option mix etc. you might want to wait and see if Toyota adds some "std" features as as it did in 2012 with DRL's, another item like Auto/on headlights, power seats, day/night mirror that should be standard or added on any but the base model.
     
  3. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Hands down.....the seats.
     
  4. andrew13

    andrew13 New Member

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    yeah the seats hurt my back after a few hours, still more comfortable than my old car though.
     
  5. sooperedd

    sooperedd Junior Member

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    #1 the seats.

    But it's still a great car :D
     
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    There is an ever-increasing list of mechanical issues for 2010-2011:

    1. Engine knocking at startup.
    2. Engine mount vibration.
    3. Front and rear brake hardware rattles/squeaks/noises.
    4. Fender rattles.
    5. Battery fan susceptible to clogs (like GII)
    6. Oil change "door" falls off.
    7. 12V battery is same as GII.
     
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  7. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    We are talking about a Prius here and this is PriusChat... there is nothing wrong with the GenIII, upgrade now. ;)

    The only recall was the re-flash of the brake ECU for the latency issue.
     
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  8. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    No major flaws for me at 24K miles/3yr. Tire rotations and oil changes is all.
     
  9. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Those are all minor complaints/areas of improvement, not major issues in the likes of water pump failure, etc.

    The 2012 does have auto on headlights if you select the appropriate trim. They've just refreshed the 2012 so expect no real change for 2013.
     
  10. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    So far I've experienced:

    • the engine knock a few times in cold weather, once while in traffic when the engine restarted.

    • the steering column clunking randomly while steering tight turns. Seems to happen more often at start up.

    • the uncomfortable driver's seat, but got improvement by jacking it up to the full height. That tilts it forward which seems to help a lot.
     
  11. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

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    My 2012 Five is solid so far.
    None of the issues listed above (mine has auto headlights), except for Entune being finicky but I guess that's what happens with new software. At least it's free for now.
     
  12. tach18k

    tach18k Member

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    2012, yeah seats, I still think my seats are not square with steering wheel
     
  13. krazypriuslady

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    I kind of feel that too in my 2011!! :eek:
     
  14. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Funny some are mentioning stuff they didn't get in packages. That stuff is "window dressing".

    Also note I'm in Canada, where the GII was $34,000 mid trim "B" package (and we do have automatic headlamps, though I'm not sure about the GIII).
    The GIII is much less expensive, even when "fully equipped" (AKA "technology package"), comparing a GIII with everything including nav. and a lot of extra stuff at $26,000 to the GII with nav. which was $38,000 (I'm rounding off numbers here, but you get the picture).

    Stuff you don't get or you don't like are not "problems". A water pump failing is a problem. Or a steering rack jamming. Or how about a minor accident destroying the "thermos" and costing upwards of $2000 to replace. Perhaps rear alignment issues.

    The same 12V battery could be considered a problem if it craters after less than 4 years of use. Time will tell with it. The 2010s are almost old enough now for it to show up.

    Stuff like that. I haven't seen any common complaints. I'm a little envious.

    Pearl has had two water pumps replaced (warranty), the belt driven one and the inverter one on recall. But other than that she has been rock solid, but only 70,000 km so far on her.
     
  15. Big Steve

    Big Steve ramblin wreck

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    With the Four you do get power seats, auto headlights (maybe other trims too). Got the 7" Nav and love it.
     
  16. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Alignment is definitely one to watch.

    At 31k, my total rear toe is very close to the max allowed by Toyota.
     
  17. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

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    Mike,

    Do you think the springs and/or sway bar contribute to your current situation?
     
  18. NiHaoMike

    NiHaoMike Member

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    That brake "problem" is a non issue. From what I've read, it happens on basically every hybrid.

    In fact, a similar issue happens with some of the hybrid buses at Texas A&M. When coming to a stop, those buses would make the distinctive sound of a motor winding down, followed by a hard jerk and a "cogging" sound. It jerks hard enough that standing passengers not used to it occasionally lose their balance.
     
  19. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    No problems, not to be confused with annoyances!:rolleyes:
     
  20. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    At first I thought it was related to the springs, but after some thought, I think it is just a sign that the rear suspension is starting to age.

    At about 30k now, I am starting to see the right-rear corner have toe in the 0.25 range. Per Toyota, as long as the total rear toe is below 0.58, it is OK due to the toe-correction bushings.

    Also, the rear is technically a solid beam. Lowering it should not have any effect on the camber or toe.