Display Gone Bad

I have experienced the exact same problem which, not surprisingly, the dealer said they could not duplicate! But within 20 miles of picking up the car, it happened again! This time I used my digital camera to photograph the display, so I have visual proof. I too get the air-conditioner connection failure warning when I press the climate button. My vehicle is a 2004 with 15000 miles.

 

What production month? Does your INFO button on steering toggle between consumption and energy screen? If not, you have the older problematic display.

 

also attempt to ensure that none of your buttons are sticking. this can result in an erratic display.

 

My display died on me yesterday. I got a '05 model package 6 w/ nav & every thing. The screen still responds to my touching since that I remember where those buttons are. Everything functions fine otherwise. All buttons on the steering wheels still function fine.

At first the display will show the initial blue startup screen for about 1-2 sec, then it goes off. Now, the display won't even show anything. I brought to my local dealer and he told me that this is a rather common issue among the Prius. I need a new monitor, he said.

Glad that I have no road trip to take any time soon. I need a back-up GPS just in case the display goes dead again......

 

It sounds like I have the same problem. A minute or two after I start the car, the MFD info screen shows without any real-time data. The audio cuts out regularly, which I found could be remedied (until the next cut out) by touching the mode button while I drive. 15-20 minutes into a drive, the system will work properly. It just started Friday evening. Took it to my dealer today and they said it was a $4,000.00 replacement. I have 42,000+ miles and no extended warranty. Looks like I'll be calling Toyota to see what they can do for me.

 

It happen to my Pri also since 2 weeks, being randombly but more often lately :angry: . Stering wheel control operate but screen freezes and no real data is being updated. I gess that the data/clock lines crashes :blink:
Will take my Pri to the dealer next week. Will keep the update.

 

This is a known issue and there's a TSB out on it.

EL002-05

Yes, it's only covered under the 3/36K warrantee, but it's such a common thing I'd at lest approach them.

First, I'd ask the dealer and Toyota CS if they'll cover you because it's so common, even though you're past warrantee. They may agree.

But, if they refuse, ask them about the 'exchange' program for remanufactured displays. You should be able to get one for about $400 which is much better than $4K. If you're handy you could even install it yourself.

 

My Toyota dealer called today about my bad MFD. They said that because I was such a good customer and the Prius was such new technology, Toyota and my dealer worked out a deal so that I could get a new MFD for a $100 deductable instead of the $4,125 MSRP. I'm completely ecstatic that Toyota and my dealer came through for me like this. I should have all of my MFD functionality back in my car sometime next week.

 

Good deal. Sounds like Toyota is Comping you the display (I'm sure remanufactured), and the dealer is just charging you installation

Toyota is being pretty good about this one. They almost have to though, because the failure rate of the early displays has got to be pretty high. Since they have the ability to rebuild them, it's not an outrageous cost to them, and it's certainly good PR.

I just feel bad for people who don't read the websites and may just pay the $4K. Hope there aren't too many of those.

 

My 2004 Prius has just over 40,000Mi, with no extended warranty. The MFD started acting up about two weeks ago, and it is now down at a dealership for diagnosis. All the classic symptoms you read about on PriusChat. Just got a call from the service department and...Surprise, surprise, I need a new MFD!

$4200.00 replacement NOT going to happen! Toyota Exchange Program(about $500.00), well maybe. Dealership and/or Toyota taking responsibility for manufactuing a series of defective parts, and replacing them as needed...MUCH PREFERRED.

Does anyone out there have any information about the how may current Prius owners have been stung by this problem? Is it something that is well known, and is Toyota making any moves to corrrect the problems? Does anyone know who or where best to complain to at corporate headquarters? Does anyone know where to begin?

From what I've read on-line, it seems as though this may be a common problem with the newer Prius models. In the past, I've driven Toyotas for almost 40 years and up to 250,000 hard miles without any problems. Anyone else out there having any luck dealing with this issue? <_<

Thanks!

Mark

Oops! Just posted this on a new thread. Now it's also back where it belongs.

Best!

Mark

 

As for the term Newer, if you mean the 2004+ design, yes, but only the earlier editions had the problem, as well as some other vehicles with NAV. Lets put it this way, I bought mine august 2004, produced July I think, and escaped the problem. Telltale sign you have the older display is that you can't toggle between energy and consumption screen with the steering wheel Info button. If you don't have NAV though, you don't have that button anyway to check.

 

the exchange program is set up to help people out who are past warranty and need a new MFD. i'd suggest taking advantage of it- after all, you are out of warranty.