Problems With My Prius

[Alan1572]

It has recently been in to my local toyota for a brake problem, when I put any kind of force on the brake pedal I get a kind of dry squeak from the engine bay, it's gets quite loud at times and is actually embarrassing, when they had done their test he inspector came back with a £2.500 quote for repairs to the braking system, can't remember the jargon he used but basically it's obviously not a standard system and different parts are linked together which results in a £2.5k Bill, I told him that there's no way I can afford it and he said it also flashed up a load of fault codes which he cleared and said he would see what toyota had to say about the brakes, the next day he called and said that they point blank refused to have anything to do with it but that the dealers would pay a contribution towards it and it would cost me £1200, sadly that too is beyond my means, add to that a new 12v Battery (my fault) an already replaced drivers front strut, rear suspension that needs replacing, a new fitted carpet due to the original having 3 holes in it where shoe heels go, a drivers door card that needs swapping thanks to a crack (quite common I've found) the material on the center arm rest in the front has come away ( the least of my worries ) but apart from that I've had 2 trouble free years ;) really don't think I would buy another toyota after this one pops it's clogs

[FROSTYBALLS]

Presumably the dealer had asked Toyota if they would consider a goodwill contribution towards the cost of repairs. However, manufacturers (not just Toyota) commonly refuse goodwill if the car has been taken outside of the dealer network for repairs and/or servicing.

An example of this is the timing chain problem on Mini engines - as featured on BBC Watchdog. BMW won't provide any goodwill if the car has been taken outside the dealer network.

Has the car got a full Toyota service history?

[Alan1572]

No, the first 3 stamps are from the dealer I bought it from, the next 2 are not, I will try to figure out how to upload a video of the noise the brakes make when stationary

[Raistlin]

Did he say exactly what was wrong with the brake that causes the noise...

[Alan1572]

He did but I was in shock with the price and stopped listening after he said £2.500

[Raistlin]

Could the noise be coming from the master cylinder ?

Does it sound like this:

[Alan1572]

No, mine is on YouTube but don't know how to post here, if you search "prius braking problem noise" you'll find it

[Raistlin]

No, mine is on YouTube but don't know how to post here, if you search "prius braking problem noise" you'll find it

Right found it, I still think it may be the master cylinder because there are other Prius videos that are making a similar noise.

Do you have any local Kwik Fit type establishments that do brake repairs near you, I would go and see if they can give you an idea of what's wrong.

NB. Ask them to tell what it is before quoting you... :)

[Alan1572]

[Alan1572]

I have a kiwi fit about 1 mile from where I am, when they open I'll go in

[Alan1572]

Just found this

jalopnik.com/a-prius-brake-master-cylinder-is-$2700-i-guess-i-didnt...

by Jason Torchinsky - in 117 Google+ circles

25 Apr 2013 - This seems to be a fairly complex part with a great deal of functions, and not just a master cylinder unit, but also a controller. The more complex ...

[Awebb180]

wouldnt trust kwikfit with brakes. they destroyed my fathers audi a3 breaking system. started out with a simple brake fluid change when they let the system run dry and once you do that you need vag com to sort the issue out. They then blew the seals on the master cylinder and were going to send someone on a course to learn vag com and we would be without a car........ car was trailed to audi who sent the bill to them.

Find a good independent or decent local dealer to sort the braking issue out

Alex

[Alan1572]

Kiwi fit wouldn't touch it, they weren't sure exactly what the master cylinder runs

[pmf]

I think this will be your fault TSB BR001-07 brake actuator noise. If you do an internet search you will find this Toyota service bulletin. Have they tried bleeding brakes to solve issue as per bulletin. Replacing the actuator as you can see from bulletin is a 4.4 hour job if bleeding alone doesn't cure it.

There are a lot of Prius appearing in breakers now, is it worth considering that route for a part. The concern would be if the supplied part were faulty but I don't think its that common a fault yet..... also given the labour costs plus getting somebody to fit, a lot of places won't touch complex jobs on the Prius and normally its specialist equipment to bleed the brakes on a Prius.

In this case I think the dealers offer is probably the best option.

[johalareewi]

There is a recent TSB about the brakes on early gen3 prii (issued June this year). Grumpy cabbie has his replaced as a recall. Would be worth checking this out.

[MeGuinness]

There is a recent TSB about the brakes on early gen3 prii (issued June this year). Grumpy cabbie has his replaced as a recall. Would be worth checking this out.

Were can I find more info regarding Grumpy cabbie problem and solution? Thanx

[johalareewi]

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&mid=84742

[Grumpy Cabbie]

There is a recent TSB about the brakes on early gen3 prii (issued June this year). Grumpy cabbie has his replaced as a recall. Would be worth checking this out.

Were can I find more info regarding Grumpy cabbie problem and solution? Thanx

I think mine was the brake pressure pump thingy which I believe is a recall on easy Gen3's. It was an expensive part and involved lots of labour.

My car is much quieter when the brake pump presurises such as when you first open the door. I had had one or two times when the brake pedal had been solid after the car had started up. Not sure if that had been logged by the dealers who then replaced the part when a fix was available or whether it was a recall for all cars with the issue.

I know this is a case of closing the stable door once the horse has bolted but I'd always get a car serviced by the main agent, if only for the peace of mind outside of warranty. I have seen a number of occassions when main agents will replace parts on a good will basis as others have mentioned. My inverter was replaced in such a manner. It would have been an expensive part and I only had to pay the diagnostic and labour costs.

And before you say main agents are expensive, you can often get them to price match a genuine quote - obviously consisting the same items etc etc.

The extra I've possibly paid has been more than repaid in good will later. Also helps to sell the car on.