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

Summary of problems reported on Prius 2010

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by CivicQc, Aug 15, 2009.

  1. CivicQc

    CivicQc The world needs more prius

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2009
    233
    99
    6
    Location:
    Planet Carbon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    List of problems reported on the Prius 2010

    Note to all Prius 2010 owners: if you have observed any of the problems described below on your Prius, please post the problem name and your Prius build date (in this thread). This way we can keep track of problem resolution and update this list accordingly.

    Display / electronics

    Category: Problems


    Problem: Air Conditioning display is cloudy/blurry
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/64855-cloudy-blurry-ac-screen.html
    Solution: Solved. Toyota has issued a TSB and is replacing the AC display under warranty. See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...5-cloudy-blurry-ac-screen-21.html#post1041196

    Problem: Delay in answering calls with Nav and Bluetooth
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ics/67277-delay-in-answering-phone-w-nav.html
    Solution: Pending
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Oct 2009

    Problem: Satellite radio signal is weak
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...2-2010-prius-satellite-radio-signal-weak.html
    Solution: Pending
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Oct 2009

    Problem: FM radio reception is weak
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...07-weak-fm-radio-reception-in-2010-prius.html
    Solution: Pending
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Jan 2010

    Category: Vehicle does not meet user's expectations

    Problem:
    Car computer overestimates MPG
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...vs-computer-mpg-please-post-your-results.html
    Solution: Pending (Toyota has been made aware of the problem)
    Last observed on a Prius built on: June 2009


    Category: Annoyances / potentially bad design

    Problem: Red arrow in energy monitor hard to see in daylight
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...monitor-screen-in-daylight-2010-prius-ii.html
    Solution: Pending
    Last observed on a Prius built on: January 2010

    Problem: Satellite radio display is truncated to 16 characters
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...s/65641-satellite-radio-character-length.html
    Solution: Pending
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Oct 2009

    Problem: Ghost image on speed display
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/66711-double-vision-speed-display.html
    Solution: Pending, although some have observed that the intensity of the ghosting effect depends on the driver's head position.
    Last observed on a Prius built on: June 2009

    Problem: Can't hear nav voice over stereo
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...cs/67610-cant-hear-nav-voice-over-stereo.html
    Solution: Pending

    Problem: Phone numbers disappear from contact list
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ng/66655-phone-numbers-keep-disappearing.html
    Solution: Pending. It is unclear whether the issue comes from the phone or the car.
    Last observed on a Prius built on: June 2009

    Problem: Built in microphone is weak (muffled)
    Description:
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...nics/72878-low-microphone-volume-gen-iii.html
    Solution: Pending

    Problem: Cruise control is slow to engage
    Description:
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...cussion/79468-cruise-control-slow-engage.html
    Solution: Pending
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Jan 2010

    Category: Hard to reproduce, under investigation

    Problem: Slip indicator comes on when at a full stop
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...6952-slip-indicator-comes-when-full-stop.html
    Solution: Pending

    Problem: Apparent screen burn-in
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/69614-energy-monitor-burning-in.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...64058-anyone-else-notice-any-screen-burn.html
    Solution: Pending, although it is not totally clear whether the burn-in effect is permanent or temporary.

    Problem: Navigation DVD not detected at car boot up
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/65834-insert-dvd-navigation-disk.html
    Solution: Pending


    Other interior features

    Category: Problems


    Problem: Cargo net panel separation
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...o-net-issues-resolution-panel-separation.html
    Solution: Solved. Toyota is now selling cargo nets with an updated version of the hook, that is much stronger. Also see: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/71397-cargo-net-fix-tsb-0347-09-a.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...argo-net-fix-tsb-0347-09-a-2.html#post1041197

    Problem: Tonneau cover won't retract at low temperature
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...deep-15cm-loose-snow-results.html#post1015276
    Solution: Pending.
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Oct 2009

    Category: Annoyances / potentially bad design

    Problem: Auto-dimming mirror sensor wrongly positioned
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...g/67020-homelink-mirror-auto-dimming-not.html
    Solution: Pending, although some have found temporary fixes as detailed in the link above.
    Last observed on a Prius built on: Oct 2009

    Problem: Seatbelts on the rear seats are difficult to fasten
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ear-seat-buckling-problems-in-2010-prius.html
    Solution: Pending, although some have found ways to make fastening a bit easier.

    Problem: Rattle noises from various sources inside the cabin
    Description: Several threads, including: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ooting/71142-do-you-hear-rattling-noises.html, http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ing/69128-gen-3-dashboard-rattles-creaks.html, http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-care-maintenance-troubleshooting/55591-b-pillar-rattle.html
    Solution: Pending.
    Last observed on a Prius built on: January 2010


    Mechanical

    Category: Problems

    Problem: Brakes grabbing in reverse
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/65875-braking-in-reverse.html
    Solution: Pending, although some have found ways to avoid it, and others claim the problem goes away after a few weeks.

    Problem: Rough engine start
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...troubleshooting/70128-rough-engine-start.html, http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...eshooting/72095-violent-shaking-start-up.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...7-prius-condition-after-2-weeks-vacation.html
    Solution: Pending.

    Problem: Unintended acceleration when backing up

    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...m/65875-braking-in-reverse-16.html#post995838 and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ems-reported-prius-2010-a-19.html#post1025753
    Solution: Pending.

    Problem: Coolant is leaking from the transaxle coolant drain plug
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...673-inverter-coolant-leak-t-sb-0352-09-a.html
    Solution: Solved. Toyota has issued a TSB and tightens the plug under warranty. See: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-coolant-leak-t-sb-0352-09-a.html#post1039339

    Category: Disputed

    Problem: Momentary loss of braking power when navigating over a bumpy surface, pot hole or water
    Description: The problem seems to be caused by the delay in switching from regeneration to friction braking. See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/67528-braking-problem.html, http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...here-something-wrong-my-traction-control.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/63956-floating-feeling-when-braking.html
    Solution: Solved. The problem was fixed on the production line on January 1st 2010. Toyota will recall all 2010 Prius that have the problem. See FAQs on the 2010 Prius Recall | PriusChat

    Problem: Squeaking sound from wheels during rolling start
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...eaking-sound-wheels-during-rolling-start.html
    Solution: Solved. Toyota has issued a TSB. See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...g/79014-rear-brake-squeak-t-sb-0098-10-a.html

    Category: Annoyances / potentially bad design


    Problem: Disengaging cruise control requires a firm push on the brakes
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...eleasing-cruise-control-brake.html#post971358
    Solution: Pending. The problem would be related with the position of the brake light switch, and apparently cannot be adjusted without altering brake light behavior. According to http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...asing-cruise-control-brake-6.html#post1074160, the sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted easily.
    Last observed on a Prius built on: June 2009

    Category: Hard to reproduce, under investigation

    Problem: Occasional traction power killed in deep snow
    Description: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...deep-15cm-loose-snow-results.html#post1015276
    Solution: Only rarely observed, cannot be reproduced easily. Pending.


    Battery

    Category: Hard to reproduce, under investigation

    Problem: Small (12 v) battery discharges too much when car not used for more than 10 days
    Description: See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-volt-battery-dead-after-17-days-parking.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ng/75497-12-volt-battery-dead-2010-prius.html
    Solution: Only rarely observed. The Prius is apparently equipped with a system to prevent it from happening. Disconnecting the battery when the car is not used for long periods prevents the problem from happening. Observations described in http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...9-battery-lives-after-parking-full-month.html showed the battery can remain ok for 1 month.
     
    63 people like this.
  2. CivicQc

    CivicQc The world needs more prius

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2009
    233
    99
    6
    Location:
    Planet Carbon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    In an attempt to summarize the various problems that have been reported on the Prius III, I suggest we hold a list of those in this thread. If you find a problem that has been reported in one of the Prius III forums, add a reply to this thread, and I will update the first post with the data you provided. Hopefully we can make a list that can be useful to the other members (and to Toyota).

    The rules when submitting a problem:
    1- It must be a real problem (e.g. not things like: "I don't like the color...")
    2- The problem must be on the vehicle (e.g. not with vendors, warranty, price paid, etc.)
    3- You must provide evidence that at least 2 people have noticed/experienced the problem
    4- You must provide a hyperlink to the thread that describes the problem
    5- If a solution to the problem was described, you should also add a hyperlink to it.
    6- New rules may be added in the future...
    Notes:
    1- I will do my best to update the list as often as possible - but it will probably not be every day.
    2- The more replies we get, the more complete the list will be.
    3- If members are not happy about the list - I will withdraw.
    4- When reading the list, please take into account the fact that English is my second language...
    5- If you feel this thread should appear in a different Prius III forum, feel free to make the suggestion.
    6- If you believe one of the problems in the list is not a problem (e.g. if the feature operates the way it was designed), please do not hesitate to say so.

    All suggestions are welcome!
     
    3 people like this.
  3. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    2 people like this.
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,191
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Excellent idea--stickied.
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    4 people like this.
  6. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    A prospective solution is one of the dealer-enabled personalized settings that adjusts the brightness of the instrumental panel. See post below. However, KJF never reported back to us with the results.

     
  7. CivicQc

    CivicQc The world needs more prius

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2009
    233
    99
    6
    Location:
    Planet Carbon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    True - thanks for adding this. I was thinking of that very thread when writing the lines on that problem. I'll stick to "Pending" for now, but will update it as soon as we hear from someone who can confirm that the proposed solution (or any other) actually solves the problem.
     
  8. pdxrose

    pdxrose New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    175
    25
    6
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    While not for your list, I think rolling out a new edition of an auto without offering most standard assessories is a problem :D

    I am fortunate to have another vehicle to drive that is under lease for another year. So for me, its not as pressing to have mud flaps but a hood deflector and side body molding were since you can't turn back the clock (without a body shop : )

    A local dealer found me a hood deflector that looks like the picture on Toyota Canada's 10 Prius. Then, I considered the sportwing side molding but because of my color, thought the smaller profile of Toyota Canada would look better (thanks to our Canadian members for input).

    So after hours of research on how to import something in to the US (including a call to a trade specialist at the US Embassy in Toronto and a auto specialist at border patrole in WA), I finally got it done. Took me over a week (then ironically, UPS ground delivered in only two day for $18). I called over ten BC dealers before one agreed to sell to the states - now I see why as it was a huge hassle. Shout out to Open Road Toyota in Port Moody BC - though don't think they want any more yankees bothering them unless you drive in :eek:

    Back to my original comment - don't roll out a car without standard assessories.
     
  9. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
  10. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2007
    3,083
    407
    23
    Location:
    Chicagoland (West)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Agreed. Please add to the first post in this Sticky.

    I've experienced this delay. I also have the Cargo Net problem (but only since May 25). And, I've also documented the 5% overstatement of MPGs on the 2010's MID.

    I would say that I have the color viewing problem, but I've just given up on that display. I think I'll include that as something to have fixed when I schedule my final Cargo Net fix.

    Very valuable thread.

    Before someone decides this thread is about complaining . . . it isn't. This is a very constructive way of directing not only PC readers to issue discussions, but also to share with Toyota which issues are either universal or widespread.
     
    2 people like this.
  11. nparker13

    nparker13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2009
    121
    13
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    1 person likes this.
  12. NovaStu

    NovaStu New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2004
    102
    23
    0
    Location:
    Fairfax, VA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Satellite radio only displays firsts 16 characters of text strings.

    Occasionally, that leads to funny truncations. Ive seen several that made me laugh, but this is the most recent:

    While Listening to the broadway channel, The Scarlet Pimpernel displays as The Scarlet Pimp.
     
    1 person likes this.
  13. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    :heh: Maybe it wasn't the show you thought it was!
     
  14. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2004
    949
    115
    0
    Location:
    Coconut Creek, FL
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for starting this thread and thanks to the Doc for making it a sticky. I'm curious about this phone answering issue. I am wondering if that is the same issue I have with my 2004 Prius. When I use my iPhone (or any other previous BT phone) to initiate the call there is a delay in the voice transfer to BT. What happens is that the recipient of the call fails to hear you (or vice versa) for a few seconds. You will always hear the person saying, hello? HELLO!!??? I think you all know what I'm referring to. Is this the same issue with the 2010?
     
  15. CivicQc

    CivicQc The world needs more prius

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2009
    233
    99
    6
    Location:
    Planet Carbon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    djasonw,

    I believe you will have better chance of getting an answer to your question by asking it directly in the phone delay thread referred to in the first post. This thread is just for posting references to problems that have already been described, experienced and discussed.

    Thanks!
     
  16. CivicQc

    CivicQc The world needs more prius

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2009
    233
    99
    6
    Location:
    Planet Carbon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    NovaStu,

    Thanks for the info.

    If you can find (or start) a thread that describes the problem, and that shows that other people have experienced the problem too, etc. (see the rules in post #2), post the information on this thread then I will add it to the list.
     
  17. NovaStu

    NovaStu New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2004
    102
    23
    0
    Location:
    Fairfax, VA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Here is a short thread under Audio and Electronics from July 20
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...s/65641-satellite-radio-character-length.html
    and I mentioned it in the middle of this thread on July 6
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-audio-electronics/64780-satelite-radio.html

    It's not a high priority problem, to be sure, but it is an obvious software error which should be able to be easily fixed.

    Thanks...

    Stu
     
    1 person likes this.
  18. hawkmoon77

    hawkmoon77 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    233
    162
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I still think that the double image in the speedo display is a problem. I started a thread about this an many have reported the seeing the same double image. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/66711-double-vision-speed-display.html
     
    1 person likes this.
  19. PrincessPri

    PrincessPri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2009
    37
    1
    0
    Location:
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    During the past week, I've gone past several of those machines that digitally tell you how fast you're travelling. I've driven past 5 of them this week and I noticed that the MPH on the car is 2 MPH greater than what was being tracked by the machine. (I was the only car in range that the device was reading).

    I don't know if the car is incorrect or all 5 of those tracking machines are incorrect.

    Maybe Toyota is looking to slow down the leadfoots by making them think they're going faster than they actually are. :rofl:
     
  20. skyking

    skyking Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2009
    5
    2
    0
    Location:
    merlin, or
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Same observation using my Mio GPS car showing 2 mph higher than actual. My Gen 1 was spot on at all speeds.