Summary of problems reported on Prius 2010

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.