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

2016 Prius four Coolant leak ruined engine

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Bud T, Oct 10, 2022.

  1. Bud T

    Bud T New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2022
    3
    2
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a 2016 Prius four bought new that I regularly took to dealer for checkups/oil changes - Last checkup was May 2022 where it got a clean bill of health, including coolant. It is now Oct 2022 and it has 90K miles. Without me noticing any idiot light, the car made a few seconds of grinding noise (or at least I only noticed a few second over the road noise) and then quit (while on the interstate). I had it towed to the same dealer who tells me it developed a crack in the exhaust cooling system, losing coolant and overheating the engine... So it needs a new engine. Two questions: 1. Is there any liability of Toyota and/or the dealer that I can claim on this repair? 2. As these are complex vehicles, is it even worth it to pay to install a new (or actually a used) engine. I don't have a complete estimate yet, but I think I'm looking at $8 or $9K if I have to pay the whole bill.
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    You probably can take this up with Toyota Corporate, this seems to be quite a common issue with these cars, losing coolant in exhaust coolant system. Maybe they'll help you fix it.

    Alternatively last time a friend of mine needed a 4th gen engine, he paid $3000 to put another engine in the car from a private shop.
     
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Pretty odd if there was no temperature light. I'm sure Toyota might be able to read codes. If so, you should ask them what codes are in the system that supports the overheat situation.
     
  4. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    This video shows what properly happened.



    The warranty on the exhaust system is covered by the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.

    Unless you are in California that is in effect for 180 months or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date.
     
    dacoobob likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    oh, what a feeling, thank you toyota
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. Bud T

    Bud T New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2022
    3
    2
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thanks for the replies I've received. I found out today that there is a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0135-19 that says "Some 2016 - 2019 model year Prius and 2017 - 2019 model year Prius Prime vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions due to a coolant leakage at the front exhaust pipe heat exchanger:
    - Low coolant level
    - MIL ON accompanied by Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P148F00
    - Poor heater performance "

    The TB goes on to remedy by Repair & Replace Front Exhaust Pipe Assembly. Of course I got this problem 10K miles out of warranty but still well within the expected lifetime of a Toyota engine. Why didn't Toyota make this a recall effort rather than just a TB? I will call Corporate and see what they might do.

    TSB 0135-19.jpg
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Hopefully they’ve fixed the problem in the replacement components. And the supply problem.
     
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Extremely doubtful an emissions warranty will cover the engine. I always warn people to stop within two or three minutes when a temp light comes on. Overheating can happen quickly from a leaking hose or heat exchanger. Its death to an aluminum engine.

    I would call corporate and hope for a half price new engine. When that failed I would go for a low mile used engine from a source like LKQ Salvage, nationwide and they will ship. They probably have a store in the Seattle area.

    LKQOnline
     
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    You may have a chance on the exhaust cooler with corporate but the engine warranty expired at 60,000 miles. Still a healthy discount on an engine would be a good outcome in my view. Otherwise you should find an independent shop to swap in a good used engine, ideally with less miles than yours.
     
  10. Bud T

    Bud T New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2022
    3
    2
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Oddly, I didn't see a temp light. Perhaps it came on, but the cluster on this model Prius is very busy. Every other car I've owned the temp light (and gauge, which this Prius does't have) was obvious. This one apparently not so much.

    And yes I'm still stumping for a healthy discount, but word is yet to come.
     
    bisco likes this.
  11. Mukunda

    Mukunda Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2023
    67
    11
    0
    Location:
    75063
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I am new to this forum.
    I own 2016 Prius Two
    Miles 51K.
    Got same 170171 P fixed by Toyota Dealer in Irving Tx.
    Not sure that guy followed that TSB properly or not.
    My engine stopped now and technician (Richardson Toyota) is saying Head gasket at 51K.

    I bet fixing 170171 P recall, Toyota is not training the technicians properly to cut the corners.
    TSB clearly says test coolant leak to Exhaust.
    Toyota Irving, TX dealer gave report saying low coolant level
    Probably they did not identify detect coolant leaks? or they broke some thing in the line to fix Exhaust pipe recall.

    upload_2023-3-3_8-36-55.png
     

    Attached Files:

  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    What was the miles when they created this receipt? Clearly this receipt calls for a repair of the exhaust pipe recirculation leak. Did you have that done? Did it overheat after the repair?
     
  13. Mukunda

    Mukunda Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2023
    67
    11
    0
    Location:
    75063
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Repair was done at 45K .
    my understanding is they replaced Exhaust Pipe.
    They did not mention about any coolant related repair to be done.
     
  14. Mukunda

    Mukunda Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2023
    67
    11
    0
    Location:
    75063
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    my 2016 Prius Two is still at 51K.
    Toyota Corporate is saying 6 years/60K miles apparently my 6 years completed on May 2022.
    And I am seeing problem in March 2023, at 51K miles.
     
  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The repair on your receipt says the coolant system at the exhaust was fixed. A common issue.
     
  16. Mukunda

    Mukunda Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2023
    67
    11
    0
    Location:
    75063
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yes Service record also says Coolant was low.
    T-SB-0135-19 clearly says check Coolant leaks to Exhaust pipe.
    I am not sure if there are any holes in the hose or leak to Exhaust causing coolant to disappear in minutes.
    Dealer said Engine over heat needs to be replaced nothing more than that

    These are the codes Dealer shared with me on the report.
    P00B111, P011511, P148F AND P319000
     
  17. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If warranty has expired and the engine is bad its up to you. You can ask for a goodwill discount. If cost is the issue find an independent shop.
     
  18. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    What's interesting is that when I had the repair made when I had my 2017 Three Touring, the receipt indicated two gaskets in addition to the exhaust pipe assembly.
     
  19. Mukunda

    Mukunda Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2023
    67
    11
    0
    Location:
    75063
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Exactly.
    I strong believe whey they are doing Front Exhaust due to TSB either they did not fix in right way or they messed it up.

    Cost is different aspect.
    First I am trying to find what is the current state of my car.
    Is Engine overheat means, it has to be replaced?
    Are these codes saying Engine has to be replaced? or only overheat?
    Overheat engine really requires replacement of entire engine ? or Radiator, pump, coolant etc will solve the problem?

    What are these codes really saying ? At this point I lost trust on Irving TX, Toyota Dealer And also Richards , TX Toyota Dealer.
    P00B111, P011511, P148F AND P319000
     
  20. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,374
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    With an aluminum engine, driving it overheated for more than two or three minutes will warp the engine.

    So a dealer will usually recommend a rebuilt engine instead of spending several thousand dollars worth of careful disassembly just to turn around and tell you it needs an engine. An independent shop might try a head gasket repair with the engine in the car. However they are just as likely to find more issues than just a head gasket and then suggest an engine replacement. An unskilled independent might miss issues only to have the engine quickly fail again. Dealers don't want this scenario.

    Either shop might offer a used engine with more risk and less warranty than rebuilt but potentially saving some money for you. Rebuilt is always the better solution for longterm reliability.

    If you have not already burned your bridges with your diagnosing dealer, I would return and ask to speak to the mechanic who inspected the engine. He or she may be able to tell you what convinced them it needs an engine.

    I don't think you have a leg to stand on relative to the engine failure due to overheating if you did not shut it down immediately. Especially out of warranty since Toyota Corporate is not paying. You are then asking the dealer to pay. Which is why you should appeal to Corporate for a goodwill voluntary repair or discount.

    If it was shut down immediately, the engine damage would not have occurred. That will be their argument. Toyota Corporate is usually cut and dry so your tone and approach starting at the dealer and progressing to Corporate is critical. Someone agreeing with your outrage here on Priuschat will not help.
     
    #20 rjparker, Mar 7, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2023
    Mendel Leisk likes this.