Repeated P013A (O2 Sensor Code)

Hey all,

Long time lurker and decided to make a proper account and join the forum!
Diving right in, does anyone else get repeated P013A codes?
(O2 Sensor Slow Response - Rich to Lean, Bank 1 Sensor 2)

Context:
I got my 2023 Prime XSE Premium last November. This code has appeared 3 times now since last September... The 2nd time the check engine light came on the estimated fuel mileage dropped considerably. A 20km trip would see a 40-50km reduction in estimated distance remaining. Toyota replaced the rear O2 sensor and that solved it for maybe a month or two.

Sitrep:
The code came back a 3rd time and my Prius has been at the dealership for a month now... Service department have been helpful and providing weekly check ins. Unfortunately they seem completely stumped and apparently in regular contact with Toyota HQ. They claim to have already inspected the sensor, catalytic converter, muffler, etc. They also tried to determine if there's a pinhole leak somewhere. After considerable back and forth with Toyota they are quote "getting ready to load up the part cannon" and just swap in new parts and hope it solves it. Fingers crossed it does just that.


What if this keeps happening when the 3 year warranty expires next year? I assume Toyota would claim it is not a hybrid component and isn't covered under the 8 year warranty. Either way this seems odd. Is this a known issue with the 5th gen? Could this be a potential lemon issue?

Any feedback and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!

 

Right, I thought the same as you. Then I double checked and perhaps it's a bit different in Canada.
My coverage has both a 3 year and 8 year warranty for emissions. Depending on whether the components are classified as ITEM 1 or ITEM 2 determines which warranty they fall under.

An O2 sensor is an ITEM 1 component (3 years). Some exhaust components are also ITEM 1. Whereas a full catalytic converter is ITEM 2 (8 years). I intend to keep a close eye on the parts replaced and hopefully avoid having to go through additional sensors when the 3 years are up. But at this point I think the O2 sensor issues are a symptom of something else.

 

JJNY - Thanks for the insight! I'll ask during the dealerships next check in if that has been considered.

BiomedO1 - Thank you for confirming the doubt that has been growing in the back of mind hahaha.
Based on the CARFAX I got before buying this vehicle in Nov it was used as a "fleet vehicle" for a dealership... Perhaps that's a red flag that I should have paid more attention to? Either way, perhaps they tinkered with something that isn't reflected in the service history.

In any case I'm starting to suspect this particular dealership doesn't have a hybrid specialist and hesitant to mention it to me.

Okay this is exactly what I had assumed, especially with modern hybrid vehicles. I tried to go to a different Toyota dealership for this 3rd code and they called me back saying "it's better to stick with the service department that has troubleshooted the issue thus far". Which I chalked up to "I don't want to have to pick up someone else's problem midway through"...