1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Bought used 2010 Prius - found evidence of rodents

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jrusch, Nov 5, 2015.

  1. jrusch

    jrusch Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    5
    9
    0
    Location:
    Baraboo, WI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    A few weeks ago I purchased a used 2010 Prius from a Toyota dealer in Wisconsin. After taking it for a test drive I inspected the inside. When I looked where the spare tire is I found evidence of a rodent (chewed salad dressing pouch). I also found droppings in the glove box and the cabin air filter.

    I mentioned it to the sales person and he assured me that they would thoroughly clean the vehicle and it was inspected and there was no damage done.

    We purchased the vehicle and I am very happy with it.

    Last night I was checking the engine air filter. I found a bunch of dryer lint stuck to the underside of it. When I removed the air filter I found in the housing under the filter: a bunch of dry dog food (about a cup), a dog bone (milk bone, about 2 inches long), and the remains of a full-size chocolate/nut candy bar (no wrapper).

    The car had been on the dealer's lot for about 5 months. This was a one-owner car, so my guess is the previous owner had a dog and the rodent(s) entered the vehicle when they had it.

    So my questions are:

    1. I would like to remove the air filter housing and inspect the whole air intake system. Where can I find some pictures and instructions for this?
    2. Any other areas I should inspect for more debris or damage?
    3. Do you think a dealer should have found this in their "multi-point" inspection process before selling the vehicle?
     
  2. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    1. It might be a good idea. There are other chambers in the intake that might have debris in them.
    2. Behind the glove box is you cabin air filter access. It's a simple process to remove the glove box door and remove the cabin air filter. It's pretty intuitive. A little research might help.
    3. Last but not least, one of the basic inspection points is the air filter inspection. Yes, the dealer should have caught this. I would be inclined to take the car back to the dealer and voice a complaint.
     
    GrGramps likes this.
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    No, I wouldn't expect it.
    But that's because I always have dubious confidence in any dealership "multi-point" pre-purchase inspection. I find them routinely to be sales tools, more than tangible reflections of the vehicles condition.

    But a rational complaint might result in something for your time and trouble
    And at least you know what probably attracted the rodents to start with. .

    It's probably in your best interest to complain, if only to establish a record. Just in case there is more damage than you've found thus far to more sensitive systems.
     
  4. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2003
    7,093
    2,100
    1,174
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    This is exactly why I would have them re-check the car. You need to create a paper trail of the signs of rodents and establish that they possibly did not inspect it as well as they said.
     
    The Electric Me likes this.
  5. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    May 12, 2011
    645
    223
    0
    Location:
    Nature coast, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    If the owner had a dog, I would also inspect and clean the HV Battery Fan. If it is clogged, it will not cool your HV Battery efficiently. This would also contribute to premature failure.
     
    The Electric Me likes this.
  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If there's no hole chewed in the air filter and the engine runs normally, the rest of the intake system (i.e., between filter and engine) fortunately is probably unaffected.
     
  7. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,799
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Be careful they are all dead. Friend parked a Prius outside and the squirrels ate the wiring to the point it had to be towed. 3K to fix it all.
     
  8. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    As some have also said, I would bring it back to the dealer and make it clear to them you are unhappy. It should be someone's task there to ensure you become a returning customer. See if they will provide the necessary cleaning it should have gotten before you drove it home.

    In my mind, this would be their only chance to redeem themselves.

    Good luck!