Apparent problem of nearside front brake squeal, though may be surface rust on the discs.
Seems to be a fault with the double locking security system. One press of the remote is supposed to lock the car. A second press locks the car's systems but allows windows to be left slightly open for a dog or person left in the car. But does not always work and dealers don't seem to be able to fix it.
Corrosion occurring in the rolled front seam (aluminium/aluminium) of the bonnet that shows up as bubbling of the paint along the front edge of the bonnet. Toyota is replacing bonnets FOC on cars up to 4 years old.
Just one report of a failed battery, at 60,000 miles, replaced without quibble together with associated ECU. These failures are very rare within the 8 year hybrid drive warranty.
14-3-2011: Seems to be a voluntary TSB recall to replace the water pump.
2-4-2011: The bugbear is the little auxiliary battery (lead-acid one about the size of a biggish motorcycle job under the floor on the right in the tail). All this thing ever does is run the ancilliaries that require juice when the inverter unit is off (eg alarm), provide a base load to kick the inverter over when you hit the "start" button and then get charged up again. As a result, in normal daily use it only ever gets very slightly discharged and spends most of its time being charged, which doesn't do it any favours. Once the inverter is operating, the 12v feed to the ancilliary components is satisfied by the inverter drawing from the main battery pack and/or Motor/Generators. This also feeds the charging circuit for the aux battery.
Even kicking over the inverter doesn't take much, mine lost two cells taking it down to nine volts but it would still start the car. However, this one did cause it to throw the "red triangle" on start, triggering me to take it into the dealer (who had kittens when he put the diagnostic reader on it 'til he figured out what was up - most of the electronics had logged some sort of error due to the undervolt on startup and/or standby). More usually it just dies in the conventional fashion, still providing a nominal 12v potential but having very little capacity. As a result, the thing can be on its last legs and you won't notice anything untoward until you leave the car for an appreciable length of time, it goes completely flat and will not start the inverter.
If I were planning to leave one for four weeks, needed it to work on my return and wasn't 100% sure that the auxiliary battery was OK, I'd get it checked first! This one's a bit of an old chestnut on priuschat.com as it's quite common for these to give up within a couple of years (that's all mine lasted), especially on cars that are used daily. Note also that Toyota have a policy in place that they'll only admit it's faulty after a test showing failure, a day's trickle charge and then a retest also showing failure. Presumably they know they have a serious issue here and are trying to avoid replacing them under warranty as much as possible.......
11-5-2011: Hybrids should be trickled charged, not jump started (bulletin from Toyota how to do it correctly). If a recovery agent connects jump leads directly to either hybrid battery and then to his battery the sudden charge can damage circuits within the hybrid system (not necessarily the ECU). It seems that not all recovery companies are familiar with the correct jump start process . Damage can be caused which will not be apparent at the time.
7-1-2012: If the cars are not driven distances regularly then the 12v auxiliary battery gradually loses its capacity to hold a full charge. Owners are advised to consult their Toyota dealer and use a suitable trickle charger to keep the 12v battery at full charge.
30-5-2012: First report of a Power Steering system failure on a 48k mile 2005 Prius. Quoted £1,274 to fix.
5-6-2014: Report of hybrid drive battery failure at 10 years old. Toyota dealer quoted £1,400 to replace.
30-9-2015: 2006/56 Prius suffered failed water pump in 2013. Pump was replaced then 15 months later the replacement failed.
3-10-2015: Another Prius reported as needing a water pump. This was a 2008 model and the waterpump was needed at its 2014 service. Seems to be a known problem that Toyota dealers look for at services.
19-6-2018: Reader replaced hybrid battery of 108k mile 2006 Prius at a Toyota dealer for £1,250 + VAT. (Another Toyota dealer had quoted £2,000 + VAT.)
10-12-2018: Spate of thefts of catalytic converters reported from Prius II models (2003-2009) because of the high amount of precious metals in them and ease of removal. Prius IIs are particularly vulnerable after a crash while awaiting repair. Thefts not as prevalent from Prius IIIs and IVs because the cat converters are harder to get at and contain less precious metal (but, of course, a stupid thief might not know this).
17-4-2019: Another report of cat converter being stolen from a Toyota Prius Mk II (a 2008). The thieves use electric hacksaws to cut them off. There are devices to protect cat converters from this type of theft: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281977526814 or Google <catalytic converter theft prevention>
28-9-2019: Report of another cat converter theft from a Prius.
4-10-2019: Toyota advice on catalytic converter theft: https://blog.toyota.co.uk/catalytic-converter-theft-how-to-protect-your-car Toyota recommended prices for a bundle that includes a new catalyst and a Catloc are £1,000 for Prius Gen 2.
17-12-2019: Catalytic Converter Theft Protection. This is one make of clamp: http://www.catsafe.org.uk/ This is the type recommended by Toyota: https://www.vtstore.co.uk/accessories/security/catloc-catalytic-converter-lock This is Toyota's advice: https://blog.toyota.co.uk/catalytic-converter-theft-how-to-protect-your-car
December 2004: Recall to replace brake light switch which can be affected by oxidation (affects 1,109 UK Prius IIs built before May 2004).
October 2005: Worldwide recall of up to 160,000 Prius built August 2003 to November 2004 to have engine sofware reprogrammed and waterproof grease applied to prevent petrol engine stalling problem. 68 reports of this happening in the US. Affects 75,000 cars in USA, 70,000 in Japan and 15,000 in rest of the World. Source Kyodo News.
September 2006: Unofficial UK manufacturer recall for steering mod (not on VOSA recalls database on 25-9-06).
September 2006: Official Safety Recall: Concern : STEERING MAY FAIL It is possible that the connections at the intermediate shaft and sliding yoke of the steering column may become loose and if the symptoms are ignored steering control can be lost. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the steering intermediate shaft. In addition, inspect the sliding yoke and intermediate shaft extension and replace if necessary. This recall is staggered starting with Prius and Corolla. Avensis customer letters will be sent out over the next three months.
13-09-2006 R/2006/103 TOYOTA Avensis, Corolla, Prius steering may fail. VIN JTDKB2#U#03000017 to JTDKB2#U#03139876, build dates: 01/08/2003 to 30/11/2005
13-09-2006 R/2006/103 TOYOTA Avensis, Corolla, Prius steering may fail. VIN JTDKB2#U#00001083 to JTDKB2#U#00133153, build dates: 01/08/2003 to 01/11/2005
13-09-2006 R/2006/103 TOYOTA Avensis, Corolla, Prius steering may fail. VIN JTDKB2#U#07000039 to JTDKB2#U#07059085, build dates: 01/08/2003 to 30/11/2005
27-11-2006 R/2006/130 TOYOTA YARIS, YARIS VERSO AND PRIUS engine may stall. VIN JT153FU1#00024214 to JT153FU1#00046747, buld dates: 31/01/2001 to 08/11/2001
14-3-2011: Seems to be a voluntary TSB recall to replace the water pump.
14-11-2012: Toyota GB registered recalls for certain Avensis and Corolla models (July 2001 to March 2009) and for Prius (July 2003 to April 2009) with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). All models are previous generation, i.e. not new models currently on sale. On Prius models there is a possibility the water pump in the hybrid system may fail. Should this happen it will be indicated by a warning light being illuminated on the dashboard. There have been three reported cases in Europe. There are no reported accidents related to this issue. There is an electrically driven water pump that circulates coolant through the hybrid components. There is a possibility that the electric motor installed in the water pump may stop functioning, leading to illumination of various warning lights in the instrument panel. In limited instances, the water pump electric power supply circuit fuse may open, causing the hybrid system to stop while the vehicle is being driven. In full compliance with VOSA requirements, Toyota GB will contact the owners of all affected vehicles within the next six weeks, asking them to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota dealer. It is possible that some Prius will require attention for both issues. According to model, the dealer will replace the hybrid system water pump and/or inspect the steering shaft. If the steering shaft does not meet Toyota inspection criteria, it will be repaired.
22-9-2016: R/2016/152: 2006 - 2012 Toyota Prius. Fuel may leak. The vehicles are equipped with a fuel evaporative emission control unit (canister) assembled to the fuel tank. There is a possibility that a crack could develop on the resin channel for the emission gas flow due to an improper shape of the channel edge at that location. The crack could expand over time, and eventually fuel may leak from the crack when the vehicle has a full tank. Fuel or fuel vapour in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the fuel suction plate sub-assembly. VINS: 02000007 to 0E073365; 02000110 to 02233251; 01000105 to 01015894. Build dates: 27-4-2006 to 29-9-2012.
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November 2003
Groovy new body on Prius for November 2003 is bigger, faster, more fuel efficient, puts out less emissions and is more fun to drive. 70bhp petrol engine combined with 50bhp electric motor providing total of 478 (353 lb ft) torque). Length: 4,445mm; height: 1,490mm; width: 1,725mm.
Simple and good to drive. Excellent digital instrument layout. Eight year hybrid powertrain warranty.
May 2005
Ride, handling, noise, vibration and harshness improvements from May 2005, together with option of full black leather upholstery at £1,350.
January 2006
Improvements for 2006 include adjustment to the hip point for passengers sitting in the back, new upholstery colours, soft-touch paint finish for the dash and introduction of leather-trimmed steering wheel across the range. New all leather upholstery option replaces previous leather and Alcantara.
Three new met paint finishes – Vermillion Red, Verbier Green, and Tyrol Silver. Fourth new colour, Decuma Grey, follows in April. Option pack of rear parking camera (as in Mazda 5) coupled to Intelligent Parking Assist which 'steers' the car into the avalable space for top T-Spirit only. Prices up £250 to from £17,795OTR. IPA is a £400 option on the T Spirit.
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Much better than the original. An enjoyable, practical, safe, economical hybrid. Looks good, too. Prius Taxis have run to 400,000 miles plus with very little trouble.
It isn't a fault, but don't expect to achieve astonishing mpg on a clear motorway run. Hybrid drive doesn't regenerate at constant speed. Catalytic converters vulnerable to theft.
What is your car like to live with?
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