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

Three defects so far in my 2008 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by RhythmDoctor, Sep 26, 2008.

  1. RhythmDoctor

    RhythmDoctor Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    135
    1
    0
    Location:
    Swarthmore, PA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I love our two new 2008 Priuses, but I have to comment that our first one (Metallic Grey Pkg 2 purchased new but now w/5400 miles) has had more defects than any car since my 1974 Pinto. Out of the showroom, the dashboard clock was defective. Since I bought it 100 miles away I had to get it fixed at another dealer who did not provide a loaner car (since I had not bought it there). It had to stay for TWO days because they did not have the part in stock.

    Now I have two more defects. First, I have started getting a metallic clicking noise when driving on over bumps at 10-25 mph. I told them it sounded like the engine shock mounts were loose, and sure enough that is what it was! They said they have a TSB for it (#0300-08) and had to order a LH Engine Insulator Mount PN 12372-21111. Of course, this means the car has to go in for a second day once the part comes in. :( (Could somebody please upload the TSB document for this? I'd like to see it and keep it on file in case the problem recurs.)

    The other defect is a loud screeching noise in one of the front brakes when backing up with the brake partially depressed. Initially they said that they could not duplicate it, but upon picking the car up I immediately showed them what the problem was. They said there is a problem inside one of the brake calipers. Does anyone know of a TSB that covers this?

    It sure seems to me like Toyota's quality must be falling down to have three defects like this after only about 5000 miles.
     
  2. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2008
    1,125
    15
    9
    Location:
    Sanford FLorida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    we have two Prii in our household also. We have had only one annoying issue.

    The cars eventually need to be gassed up again! Harumph!

    oh and cleaning the sloping front windshield is a toughy for me!
     
  3. Ogo

    Ogo Prius Owner since 2008

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2008
    220
    44
    9
    Location:
    Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Just as curiosity: Prii sold in USA are Made in Japan or in USA?
    In Europe they come from Japan. But Europe is much smaller market for Prii due to being full of diesel lovers :) , so it does not make sense to manufacture them locally.
     
  4. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2008
    1,314
    193
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    All 2004-2008 and i think 2009 Prius' are Made in Japan
     
  5. MagneticGrayIndy

    MagneticGrayIndy 06Prius;94M Miata;65Rambler770

    Joined:
    May 22, 2008
    208
    1
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
  6. MagneticGrayIndy

    MagneticGrayIndy 06Prius;94M Miata;65Rambler770

    Joined:
    May 22, 2008
    208
    1
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I'm sure it sucks to have ANY defect in a Toyota. Having said that, the defects you describe are very minor and a total rarity. Toyotas are far better built cars than just about any other brand out there, but I would agree that their quality does seem to be slipping a bit as they get larger and larger. While I've not had any serious defects in my '06 Prius, there have been a couple of small issues like condesation in the headlamp (replaced for free) and water leaking in the spare tire well (again, fixed for free). Now some friends of mine (who are TOTAL car buffs) have an '07 or '08 Camry that they say "rattles like a piece of #^$* GM".... I guess it's the price you pay for being such a large corporation... overall though, defects are far fewer than most other brands.
     
  7. jpadc

    jpadc Type before I think too often

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    343
    34
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis and Northern Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I too would like to see that service bulletin if someone has it. Did the clock work when you picked it up and then stopped?
     
  8. JHSmith

    JHSmith 2020 Avalon Hybrid Owner

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2006
    184
    5
    0
    Location:
    King George, VA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Comparing the Prius to a Pinto! OUCH! :sick:

    First, let me start with a caveat: :typing: 1) This information is for an '07 Camry Hybrid.

    There is/was an '07 TCH (and straight Camry) TSB concerning the brake noise you are complaining about. TSB == BR008-06 - FRONT BREAK SQUEAK. The symptoms are identical to what you mention:
    "Some customers may experience front brake squeak noise when the car is traveling in reverse and light pressure is applied on the brake pedal. The noise usually occurs when backing out of a parking space and/or turning in reverse. Updated front disc brake pad support plates (“fitting kitâ€) are available to improve this condition."
    The TSB had a terminating VIN, giving me the impression that later cars had the problem corrected during manufacturing.

    If desired, I could attach/upload the TSB. (But, as I said, it is for the '07 TCH, not '08 Prius.) :car:
     
  9. jelloslug

    jelloslug It buffed right out!

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2008
    813
    54
    0
    Location:
    Greenville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My question is why did they keep your car for 2 days to fix the clock? Normally when you bring a car in for a non critical (ie the car does not work anymore) warranty repair they just give you a call when the part comes in.
     
  10. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2004
    951
    116
    0
    Location:
    Coconut Creek, FL
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I know how troubling it can be to have issues with a new car. That said, overall, the Prius ownership experience for me has been wonderful. I have an early build 2004 (picked up in Oct 2003) with now issues whatsoever since day one. All I've had done are oil changes and other routine maintenance. I have 52,000 miles. Unfortunately all manufacturers sometimes create a lemon. Even Toyota.
     
  11. RhythmDoctor

    RhythmDoctor Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    135
    1
    0
    Location:
    Swarthmore, PA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    At the end of the first day they had the dashboard all taken apart, so they asked me to let them keep it overnight until the part came. This avoided them having to reassemble the whole thing for one night, and then take it apart again the next day.

    My main frustration about this was I had asked them to order in the part before I brought the car in, since it was very likely that was the problem, and they could return the part for Toyota if they did not need it. They did not do that.
     
  12. johnford

    johnford Old Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2007
    105
    0
    0
    Location:
    Malvern, AR
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Our o8 has performed very well. Only problems we have had is the passenger side window button quit working and we keep getting the low tire light. Can't bitch about it however since we use ours to deliver papers on a 87 mile per day round trip and the window goes up and down over 50 times a day and all paper boxes are located on the sholder where everyone throws their unwanted nails..... OUCH!
    OH, and talk about gas mileage.... only 42 mpg with constant stop and go driving. Now, if the wife could just hit those little boxes at about 20 mph we'd have it made.... jf
     
  13. Celtic Blue

    Celtic Blue New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2008
    2,224
    139
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    First, sorry to hear about the problems.

    So they wouldn't give you a loaner for a part that they should have ordered in advance and because they had torn your dash apart for something trivial? You essentially let the dealer walk all over you for their mistake. If this was an inconvenience you should have given them the option of reassembling the dash or providing a loaner. They made it their problem, so put the onus on them.
     
  14. Celtic Blue

    Celtic Blue New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2008
    2,224
    139
    0
    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    You just need to put a bit of wedge angle into the box mounts so that she can hit it on the go. :bounce:
     
  15. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    BROKEN CLOCK?!! OMG!!!

    what are you waiting for?? take it back!!...

    just kidding. ya, like its an inconvenience no doubt especially two days to change a clock?? i would have told them, call me when the part comes in AND when you have a few hours to install it and i will drop it off for an afternoon...

    as far as that excuse for the dash, i ve taken my dash apart 4 times (twice was because i had not installed CANVIEW correctly so my fault!!) and its not that big of a deal.
     
  16. Devil's Advocate

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2005
    922
    13
    1
    Location:
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Well it sounds like you got yhe Friday afternoon Prius. The number of things you've had go wrong are not usual. Every car has issues, too many parts and hands in th epie to avoid it, but not three olegit issues like yours. I just had a faulty O2 sensor which manifested itself after about 20,000 miles. (plus a new frotn wheel bearing assembly at 100,000) that's it.
     
  17. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    1,340
    26
    0
    Location:
    san jose, ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    today i was cleaning the windows and the rear passenger door seemed more wobly
    then the other doors, hmm
     
  18. TravelBliss

    TravelBliss It's worth the wait !!!

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2008
    158
    1
    0
    Location:
    Sunny Prius heaven :)
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Were these defects only in 1 of your 2 new Prii??
    How's the other one?
     
  19. RhythmDoctor

    RhythmDoctor Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    135
    1
    0
    Location:
    Swarthmore, PA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Our other Prius has had no defects. Apparently that one was not a Friday afternoon Prius!
     
  20. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2006
    1,213
    23
    0
    Location:
    Chatsworth, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Sorry for your pain of ownership. no car is perfect, but our 06 is the most perfect we've ever owned, including two Subarus, which are also like solid gold, reliability wise. I have never set foot in the dealer since I picked the car up (now at 70,000 miles). Hope you get your problems resolved soon.