$6K to replace generator?

Within the Prius family, I believe the 2010 has the most engine issues, based on the posts around here. I was comparing the Prius to other makes and models, which has shown the Prius engine to be very reliable.

The newest CR used car issue was cut off at model year 2011. The 2011-2018 Prius all rate at much better than average for the engine (reliability). Last year, the 2010 Prius had much better than average reliability ratings for the engine- again, compared to other makes and models. (Out of 17 categories, my 2014 is much better than average in 16 of the 17 categories.)

By comparison, the Subaru Forester has a much worse than average rating for engine reliability for '11/'12/'13. My '00 Subaru needed new head gaskets at 110k miles and had transmission issues, which coincided with what other owners reported back then. That's one of the reasons why I went back to Toyota.

 

Yeah...but as a hybrid it has lots of parts that other vehicles just don't have.
But yes, I think the Prius is a remarkably engineered vehicle. And Toyota I think, in an effort to build and bolster Hybrids, built Prius to be very reliable.
I would DEFINITELY put Prius on the "reliable" side of the ledger.

 

It's always nice to have a newer low mileage car especially if you travel much and still under warranty.
This is my second new Prius and it has never left me stranded.

 

I have had to replace my head gasket... There is a place in the LA area called Hybrid 911...

 

I know this thread is old, but the Prius actually have less mechanical complexity than non hybrids, less moving parts, and less things to wear and break.

 

Been following scotty kilmer for some time. A few of his videos make sense, I repeat A FEW. The rest are only for fun. I have seen he is basically focused more on turning down other people's opinions than on actual car work.... He is particularly against Chrisfix... I would follow Nutz about Bolts in regards to YouTube videos for prius than this clown

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

How stupid...
I thought this guy (Scotty) was smarter till I saw this video.
Every used car with high mileage may have serious issues. Yes it is a gamble to buy a used car but it is for EVERY used car not just Prius.
Despite the several flaws (one of which I think is the head-gasket issue), Prius is one of the most reliable and efficient cars out there. If it wasn't, would Toyota keep making them?

I bought a used Prius in 2017 at 142k miles from its 3rd owner. (I am the 4th). I put 40k miles so far and the only thing I did were: regular oil changes, tire replacement and headlight bulbs. Plus some preventative maintenance (I didn't have to, I chose to).

I never heard anyone burning a motor/generator so far. Can it not happen? Yes, it can. Just very rare.

The OP of this thread is just helping Scotty K. with more views.

 

Has the Exhaust Gas Recirculation and intake manifold been cleaned?

 

It's obvious Scotty hasn't done much, if any, work on the Prius.
It's a very easy car to work on with very little service needed.
Yes, things were out on the Prius too, and they have there problem, just like every other car.
I just turned 226,000 miles on mine this morning, still no problems.
I've done the EGR system twice. The first time took a while because I was watching video's as I went.
The 2nd time, about 2-3 hours? It wasn't very long, and a lot easier.
The front and rear hubs were easy, as where the brakes.
Struts and shocks are next, but they look easy also.
To get 100,000 miles out of any car is really good, to get 200,000 is great.
98% of them will need some type of work, some major.
Depending on what you were driving before the Prius the fuel saving is probably 25-50%.
Mine was cut about 55-60%. HUGE for me because I drive 6-700 miles every week.

The Prius is not for everyone. And if someone doesn't like it and is always complaining about it,
get rid of it and get something else.

 

Window shopping for new transaxle assembly:


2010 Toyota Prius Transaxle assembly, hybrid vehicle. Transmission, fcv, driveline - 3090047084 - Genuine Toyota Part


Genuine Toyota 30900-47084 (3090047084) TRANSAXLE ASSY, HYBRID VEHICLE - Amayama

Last but not least, McGeorge Toyota Parts, comes in at $2434.75 USD:

https://parts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-trans-axle-3090047084

Verifying fit, says it doesn't fit 2010, but this one, at $2434.14, does:

https://parts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-trans-axle-3090047062?c=YT10b3lvdGEmbz1wcml1cyZ5PTIwMTAmdD1iYXNlJmU9MS04bC1sNC1lbGVjdHJpYy1nYXM%3D

Then there's the labour. Assume pull the engine, then the transaxle, from above. Ten hours??

 

Scotty gave me worry , but I have faith in the members statements

 

The guy is obviously a clickbait engine. If he were a decent mechanic, he’d at least have a garage.

I watch a lot of car repair videos on YouTube and there are excellent ones, and there are terrible ones, and there’s fifty levels of crap below terrible, and then there’s Scotty Kilmer below that.

He made one video titled “Volvos are the worst car ever” and another titled “Why Volvos are the best cars.” The guy is just a lying bucket of swill. you cannot trust his advice at all.

 

A net search delivers a truth (he's earning) Kilmer is likely earning about $116,000 per month in ad revenue.
So he has to keep coming up with topics to keep being an influencer .
Todays TRUTH into my new hybrid world order . Todays round trip to work trip equaled 165 miles
& yeah for 8 months - Same Over an Over I was handing over the cash like I had Stockholm Syndrome
my gas gauge was on blinking E (but not long ) like 5 miles worth I put in $10 & after 165 miles I still have more then a half tank previous cars $40 to $50 and empty .
My car is used at 138,000 and 14 years old .Each time I start that car I say thank you . I don't want any bad luck but before the Gen2
fuel for work & pleasure Minium $9,100 a year when fuel was under $2 life was ok
I cant survive with out that GEN 2 .
The Prius , must be amazing , so far Customizers make Rat rods , Off roaders , Limos & more

 

Watch his video starting from last year to the beginning, he doesn’t say use stands and the hydraulic jack is only to elevate. He’s got Hydro lift holding the car up only Lack of basic safety procedure should make you run, not worry.

 

Pretty sure I’ve seen Scotty connect both red and black jumper cables to one battery, then wandering around with the other end, clamps inches apart.

 

I've done that. I put the far ends in my other hand first, making sure I've got them with my fingers between so they can't touch.

But that was all back in the day when I used plain cables at all. Now I use a jump pack with cables so smart they won't even conduct until they've checked the polarity for me.

 

Scotty was always a media mechanic in Houston long before the internet. He offered advice on the local CBS TV station sort of like the famous Car Talk radio show. Mostly humor with a fair amount of warnings about ripoffs. He did service cars out of his one car garage in Houston's Montrose area until a couple years ago when he moved to Tennessee. But those repairs were always for content rather than direct income.

 

Here it is 2022 and here in Phoenix, you can get a re-furbished battery with 3 year warrantee for $1500 installed. That makes holding on to my 2009 Prius with 50K miles a pretty safe bet.

 

As long as you have a several hours waiting for them to come replace the battery,
when it fails.
They usually use old cells and just enough to make them work.