Check Engine Light is illuminated!

Could be something as simple as the gas cap is loose. These cars are pretty hardy. Don't worry until they look it over.

 

I'm not going to tell you to not be disappointed and or worried.
I know I would be both worried and disappointed in your position.

However?

I would try not to be too worried, and at least postpone the disappointment.

Right now, you've only experienced the knocking start (relatively common, there is TSB concerning it) and your check engine light is on.

Without knowing why? As pointed out above it could be something incredibly minor....

Delay as much angst as possible...until you have some more information. You'll either have reason to be happy again, or REAL reason to be disappointed.

I wish you the former.

 

Under warranty?

 

yes.

 

Your hit and run response aside, let's hope so. That can get quite expensive.

 

That's too bad. I was hoping for a simpler, and cheaper reason to manifest.

But I'd like more details too....

If it is covered under any warranty, it certainly isn't the end of the world.

It's too bad though. In the past I've had experiences with used vehicles and when you purchase one and immediately start having problems it can be really disheartening.

That being said, sometimes you are getting the "problems" out of the way, and once repaired you can still have many, many years of reliable service.

Really how upset I'd be about this, would hinge on the cost, and whether any or all of it was covered under warranty.

 

True enough... that 10' is likely out of the warranty range for the TSB.

 

If it makes you feel any better, 2 vehicles ago...I bought an older Honda Accord..."As Is" with no warranty from a Honda Dealership.
Naively, I bought it trusting in the dealerships own infamous "40pt inspection" that supposedly had the vehicle check out as being in great shape and pristine.

Almost immediately after I bought it I discovered it needed some pretty serious front end work, new front axle...about another additional $1000 worth of work for everything.

I was really upset and had no warranty covering anything. But decided to go ahead and invest into the additional work the vehicle needed.

So long story short, the vehicle ended up actually costing me about $1000 more, to make it reliable.

The good part of the story is after that initial hit, I drove that Accord for many, many years and it was a bullet as far as reliability. Even when I eventually traded it in, at about 16 model years old....it was still running great.

This has lead me to a philosophy of always trying to buy vehicles from manufacturers with good/great reputations for quality and reliability. Then I feel if I am forced to invest into unexpected maintenance or repair, at least I'm investing into something "good". I'd rather invest into a new axle for a Honda Accord than a Dodge Neon. There is every reason to believe and hope that you can have your Prius fixed....thankfully under warranty, and enjoy many years of reliable service.

 

this is a common issue and you're covered. nothing to worry about, all the best!

 

If it is covered under the CPO, great but the IM TSB was only valid to either 30 or 50K miles IIRC. In any case, I would verify with the dealer what they are planning on doing.

From T-SB-0010-12:

APPLICABLE WARRANTY
• This repair is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60
months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
• For California specification Prius vehicles sold, registered, and operated in California,
Connecticut, Maine, Maryland (’11 MY), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont, the Intake Manifold is covered under the California
Emission Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 180 months or 150,000 miles, whichever
occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
• For California specification Prius vehicles sold, registered, and operated in Pennsylvania and
Washington, the Intake Manifold is covered under the California Emission Control Warranty
which is in effect for 84 months or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s
in-service date.
• Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in this
bulletin.