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

YOUR EXPERIENCE: COMMON GEN3 PROBLEMS

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dxta, Sep 17, 2019.

  1. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi guys! I have being recently seeing more of gen3s on our roads over here in Lagos, Nigeria.

    I'm trying to do a survey, of what are the common gen3 problems you've experienced, while owning one?

    For me, I think the gen3 have problems with blown head gaskets, and engine oil shortages.

    I would appreciate if you could drop how its being with you owning a gen3.


    Thanks.
     
    #1 Dxta, Sep 17, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2019
  2. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Bought mine with cash, one time payment so I owe no one payments. Owing money means debt to me, cant fall into that.

    Only issue I have is getting oil change at my own leisure or place, finding an oil change shop on that will allow me to bring my own oil and filter.
     
  3. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm so sorry for the mistake here.
    I meant to say own(in possession).
    What has being the problems you've encountered with your gen3?
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    mine is fine at 66,000 miles, but i have read that the egr clogging is a problem, along with inverter and brake actuator.
     
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    You spelled “owing” twice so I didn’t see it as “owning.” :D
     
  6. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks bisco for your time commenting.
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No problems with mine at 102750 miles, except a disintegrated window seal and clogged taillight drain. I read all the horror stories on this site, though.
     
    m.wynn likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,468
    38,103
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Our brake booster has been making a noise, off and on. As far as I know the warranty extension deadline on it is November 2020, so that's in back of mind to get checked out.
     
  9. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    They are extremely reliable cars.

    We have videos here which show all of the maintenance tasks which can prevent early failure.

    A few have had head gasket failures at 150,000 miles, and many have reached 300,000 miles or more without difficulty. I don’t think we’ve seen a specific, common failure, although we see that if the EGR/PCV isn’t cleaned, it will clog the intake and may lead to early failure. There are two water pumps, but it’s not clear that they fail early.
     
  10. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for your feedbacks.
     
  11. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It appears all generations of prii, have always had this brake actuator problems..
    Thanks for the feedbacks
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  12. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    No oil shortages also between oil replacements?
     
  13. Jetlifekc

    Jetlifekc New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2019
    11
    9
    0
    Location:
    Long island ny
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Mine has the p0a1a code the car has not had the "software fix" yet and most likely it has a failed inverter but i have yet to confirm awaiting tis
     
    Dxta likes this.
  14. Siward

    Siward Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2014
    296
    124
    10
    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Engine rumbles on startup which a lot claim is related to the EGR. For me, rear brake wear problems.
     
  15. PosauneGuy

    PosauneGuy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2011
    117
    87
    0
    Location:
    California, here I come...
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    On my 2011, I've had the EGR clogging issue at around 70,000. Currently at 95,000 miles and I think I'm having the wheel bearing issue (car in shop today). The car is also starting to lose oil, albeit slowly, so I'm preparing for head gasket. I'm realizing that with all the money I saved on gas with this car, I'm spending on these issues that I've never had in any other vehicle, especially with mileage under 100k.
     
    88skisupreme and The Critic like this.
  16. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2016
    1,932
    766
    0
    Location:
    Lagos
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That's what people over here keep telling me. I mean Lagos. They tell you, hybrid is like robbing Paul to pay Peter. I have to keep explaining benefits to them.
     
  17. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Not with mine.

    You’re asking for “common problems”. Every car eventually fails. Toyota Prius is widely believed to be one of the most highly reliable cars made.

    If you’re buying one used, in Nigeria, the most important thing is to understand how to inspect its condition. I would prefer to get a right hand drive model from Japan, and not a left hand drive model which was used in the US. But I don’t know if used cars from Japan get to Nigeria.

    A particular concern of any used car from the US is that it may have been water damaged from one of America’s many hurricanes. The other item to look for is collision repairs.
     
  18. Stu Wood

    Stu Wood Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2014
    13
    8
    0
    Location:
    Bellevue, NE
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Only problem I had with my 2010 was a noisy right rear wheel bearing I had replaced at about 60k miles. Now have 116k on it and it runs great with ~ 50 mpg during the summer. Less during winter.