Whether you've got a brand spankin' new or an aging 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, & 2015 3rd Generation Prius, you can learn how to take care of your Prius. Wed, 20 May 2026 22:56:46 +0000 Wed, 20 May 2026 22:56:46 +0000 PriusChat https://priuschat.com/forum/gen-3-prius-care-maintenance-troubleshooting.97/ Wed, 20 May 2026 18:04:26 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/engine-overheating-and-coolant-overflow.259591/ https://priuschat.com/threads/engine-overheating-and-coolant-overflow.259591/ invalid@example.com (niftypsycho) niftypsycho
I ended up doing the headgasket myself; the headgasket was definitely blown in places so it wasn't a total waste of time, and drove it around for a few days after with no issues. Today the same thing happened, white smoke from under hood and temp...

Engine Overheating and Coolant Overflow]]> 21 Wed, 20 May 2026 14:59:40 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/3rd-gen-model-year-and-oil-consumption.201346/ https://priuschat.com/threads/3rd-gen-model-year-and-oil-consumption.201346/ invalid@example.com (Mendel Leisk) Mendel Leisk
3rd gen model year and oil consumption]]> 127 Wed, 20 May 2026 14:48:17 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/random-codes-on-after-dongle-insertion.260066/ https://priuschat.com/threads/random-codes-on-after-dongle-insertion.260066/ invalid@example.com (PriuSocal) PriuSocal
I then hooked up my BlueDriver to it to see what had happen and had the following codes:

- U0073 Control Module Communication Bus “A” Off
- U0123 Lost...

Random Codes ON after Dongle Insertion]]> 11 Wed, 20 May 2026 12:07:51 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/persistent-coolant-venting-under-load-good-cap-0-misfires-216%C2%B0f-peak-graph-attached.260083/ https://priuschat.com/threads/persistent-coolant-venting-under-load-good-cap-0-misfires-216%C2%B0f-peak-graph-attached.260083/ invalid@example.com (Asfand) Asfand
I’m dealing with a persistent coolant venting issue on my 2010 Gen 3, and it's driving me crazy. I'm attaching a Torque Pro graph of my coolant temps from a recent long highway trip for context.
The Symptoms: After long, sustained highway trips (ambient temps are very hot right now, around 95°F-100°F / 35°C-38°C), my engine coolant reservoir level drops, and I get pink crust spraying around the cap threads and around the side of the coolant reservoir.

BEFORE...

Persistent Coolant Venting Under Load: Good Cap, 0 Misfires, 216°F Peak (Graph Attached)]]> 1 Wed, 20 May 2026 04:13:42 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/intake-manifold-condensation-causing-cold-start-rattle-shudders.260048/ https://priuschat.com/threads/intake-manifold-condensation-causing-cold-start-rattle-shudders.260048/ invalid@example.com (RubioM) RubioM TLDR summary below.

Hi fellow Prius owners,

I have some issues with my Prius, and I'm having a hard time getting it resolved. It's a 3rd gen from 2009 (2010 model year), with about 230k km (143k mi).

First the symptoms. Since a few years I've had intermittent cold start rattles. It's usually only a few knocks that go away in less than a second. In a handful of cases the knocking has persisted for 5-10 seconds. In addition to this, the car occasionally shudders while accelerating in...

Intake manifold condensation causing cold start rattle / shudders]]> 7 Tue, 19 May 2026 18:36:46 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/egr-delete-instructions.241539/ https://priuschat.com/threads/egr-delete-instructions.241539/ invalid@example.com (Paladain55) Paladain55 Step 1: Pop the hood.
Step 2:...

"EGR DELETE" Instructions]]> 122 Mon, 18 May 2026 13:22:39 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/brakes-from-the-ground-up-actuator-booster.260052/ https://priuschat.com/threads/brakes-from-the-ground-up-actuator-booster.260052/ invalid@example.com (BrakeMyPrius) BrakeMyPrius
First time poster here looking for a bit of guidance I've got a few things already including posts from this very forum but wanted to see if anyone could confirm a few things.

For Context/Backstory, My kiddo had been looking for a car, we found a gen 3 prius at a pretty good price point leaving him with a bit of extra cash for repairs. Initially I thought this thing might just need a Brake job and call it good but as we dug deeper we found it would be better to replace a...

Brakes from the ground up Actuator/Booster]]> 1 Mon, 18 May 2026 13:15:43 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/do-i-need-to-do-anything-special-to-bleed-front-brakes-only.260046/ https://priuschat.com/threads/do-i-need-to-do-anything-special-to-bleed-front-brakes-only.260046/ invalid@example.com (Matt98svt) Matt98svt 7 Sun, 17 May 2026 23:12:03 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/14-years-and-115k-miles-on-original-12-volt-battery.260025/ https://priuschat.com/threads/14-years-and-115k-miles-on-original-12-volt-battery.260025/ invalid@example.com (GFO) GFO
Battery still works as it should as far as I can tell, car starts and runs normal, but I'm going to change it out with an Optima Yellow this weekend or the next just for peace of mind.

Anyone else get extended life out of their factory 12 volt?]]> 19 Sun, 17 May 2026 14:59:41 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/head-gasket-or-not.259993/ https://priuschat.com/threads/head-gasket-or-not.259993/ invalid@example.com (we9v) we9v questions.

Background first:
Long time Prius owner (14 years, 2010 w/~255k miles, most miles were from 80mi/day commute at 72-82MPH, now retired), long time lurker, rare poster. I'm in the middle of a head gasket job, my first after 255k. Uses 0.5-1qt per 10k oil change, Mobil 1 0w20. Besides DIY suspension work, rear hubs, and upstream O2 sensor, the car has been rock solid. I've not even changed plugs in 255k. Just religious 10k oil changes and several sets of tires.

Issue...

Head Gasket, or not?]]> 6 Sat, 16 May 2026 22:57:00 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/what-else-should-be-replaced-when-replacing-the-water-pump.259938/ https://priuschat.com/threads/what-else-should-be-replaced-when-replacing-the-water-pump.259938/ invalid@example.com (gatorback) gatorback
If that is correct, what other parts should I replace while I am in there?]]> 19 Sat, 16 May 2026 19:43:09 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/rear-bumper-tab-reinforcement-bracket.248206/ https://priuschat.com/threads/rear-bumper-tab-reinforcement-bracket.248206/ invalid@example.com (HKz) HKz
Still getting around to installing a replacement blend door servo with my other thread but in the meantime, I got one of those metal brackets to fix our rear bumper which for the past couple years had some ripped tabs since some a-hole hit us while parked and didn't leave any insurance info -.-

Very easy to install, rear bumper removal is a cakewalk and the pieces do a great job with making fitment virtually perfect again. I notice a ton of 3rd gen Prius around with sagging rear...

Rear bumper tab reinforcement bracket]]> 6 Sat, 16 May 2026 12:08:29 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/has-anyone-here-experienced-a-failing-prius-ecvt-transaxle-on-gen-3.260019/ https://priuschat.com/threads/has-anyone-here-experienced-a-failing-prius-ecvt-transaxle-on-gen-3.260019/ invalid@example.com (Tom Mayor) Tom Mayor
A mechanic confirmed the transaxle fluid was slightly low due to a small inner axle seal leak, and the fluid looked very dark. At this point, it’s looking more and more like internal transaxle wear/noise.
The noise disappears immediately when I let off the gas or shift into Neutral while coasting.

I’ve already ruled out:
wheel bearings
CV axles
brake dust shield...

Has anyone here experienced a failing Prius eCVT/transaxle on Gen 3?]]> 3 Fri, 15 May 2026 22:25:14 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/diy-transmission-fluid-change.72896/ https://priuschat.com/threads/diy-transmission-fluid-change.72896/ invalid@example.com (dcoyne78) dcoyne78 277 Fri, 15 May 2026 03:04:31 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/beep-when-braking.197253/ https://priuschat.com/threads/beep-when-braking.197253/ invalid@example.com (mrstop) mrstop
Any ideas what might be causing the car to beep at me?]]> 27 Fri, 15 May 2026 01:04:52 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/a-c-compressor-wiring-harness-connector.198143/ https://priuschat.com/threads/a-c-compressor-wiring-harness-connector.198143/ invalid@example.com (nichos) nichos
So my A/C has not been working for around 3 years now, and I finally got around to have it checked. I followed the repair manual and found the connector from the compressor (the 12v one, not the HV) had one pin missing. I checked the wiring connector and sure enough the pin is stuck inside. I have tried everything to get the pin out but its really stuck in there.

So I'm going to need to replace the compressor (allready have a second hand one in my garage) and the wiring. The...

A/C compressor wiring harness / connector]]> 18 Thu, 14 May 2026 22:36:15 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/codes-p1a64-p1a67-p1a61-p31ab-check-hybrid-system.180982/ https://priuschat.com/threads/codes-p1a64-p1a67-p1a61-p31ab-check-hybrid-system.180982/ invalid@example.com (Paul Root) Paul Root
2013 Prius Plug-In Hybrid 77K miles. With these codes it won't even start, and it doesn't seem to want to charge with AC cord.

I found the 150 amp fuse blown, replaced it and it didn't help. New fuse did not blow but the codes stayed the same. Replaced the Voltage Regulator on battery pack. Codes stayed the same and car still will not start. Car is towed to my house now.

All battery cells read 3.62 or 3.62 volts with voltmeter.

Torque App shows V01 through V08 as...

Codes P1A64, P1A67, P1A61, P31AB "Check Hybrid System"]]> 26 Thu, 14 May 2026 14:20:34 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/headlight-fuses-on-2014-prius.213640/ https://priuschat.com/threads/headlight-fuses-on-2014-prius.213640/ invalid@example.com (markjuggles) markjuggles
So I went looking for fuses and found the "H-LP LH LO" fuse on the engine compartment fuse diagram. The only problem is that there is no fuse socket at that position and no fuse socket for "H-LP RH LO" right next to it. These are supposed to be 15 Amp fuses. There were no other pairs of...

Headlight Fuses on 2014 Prius]]> 7 Wed, 13 May 2026 17:42:56 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/brake-fluid-color.213417/ https://priuschat.com/threads/brake-fluid-color.213417/ invalid@example.com (ATlam) ATlam 19 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:31:11 +0000 https://priuschat.com/threads/mfd-black-screen-no-audio-on-2015-puzzled.230349/ https://priuschat.com/threads/mfd-black-screen-no-audio-on-2015-puzzled.230349/ invalid@example.com (jadd806) jadd806 Issue background information:

I have a 2015 Persona. Yesterday upon starting the car the issue began. It worked a few days prior. Figured it was a weird bug and would go away upon restarting the car but no dice.

What happens is, I start the car, the Toyota logo pops up on the MFD, then it goes black (but can still see backlight). No radio playing. If I shift in reverse, backup cam will flash up for half a second (indicating that something is partially working and the screen...

MFD Black Screen, No Audio on 2015. Puzzled.]]> 5