Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Rear bumper.. can't pop it back into place

invalid@example.com (beepboopbeep) — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:45:38 +0000

See photos attached. I can't seem to pop it back into place, and I can't find out how to fix it. I would like to also replace the light that was damaged when rear ended.

The shop wants $300 to fix. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Tapping Knocking anyone know?

invalid@example.com (dig4dirt) — Sun, 17 May 2026 19:33:45 +0000

I have this tapping/knocking happening

This only happens during the warmup stages.
Once warmed up, it does not happen.
Also, if there is any load on engine during warmup, it does not happen.

Could this be lifters, rockers, valves?
I would be interested in replace the lifters, but I just don't know if that is what it is.

I recently purchased this car just shy of 200k miles. it is a 2017

- YouTube <<< yt shorts link

part number for front abs sensor wire retention clip

invalid@example.com (hox) — Sat, 16 May 2026 00:55:30 +0000

Was doing a front strut change on my 2020 prius prime limited. The small black plastic clip that retains the abs sensor wire to the strut broke on both sides. The clip has a serrated post that inserts into a hole and has the clip mechanism on top.
If anyone knows the part number, I would really appreciate it.

Edit: I did check with the dealership and they said these clips only come with a complete speed sensor cable.

If that is the case, has anyone fond a generic one that will work?

Do I have the wrong dipstick?

invalid@example.com (PHEVisthefuture) — Sat, 09 May 2026 00:08:16 +0000

New (to me) 2017 Prius Prime owner.

I have put about 6,000 miles on the car, and during this time the dipstick never changed in level, whether hot or cold. It’s up to the dot where Toyota marks the “normal” Full level of the crankcase, so I thought that’s perfect.

Recently I had some cold start rattling that was louder than what I felt comfortable with, so I checked the dipstick and it was still Full. Put a half quart of 0W-20 and checked after wiping off with a rag, no change. Put the...

Do I have the wrong dipstick?

Do you need brake-fluid replacement?

invalid@example.com (Gokhan) — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:49:08 +0000

I always get hustled at the dealer to buy a $300 brake-fluid replacement, even though the car has only 37,000 miles.

This is not mentioned in the Toyota maintenance manual. Is it really needed?

Alarm problem

invalid@example.com (Charly Lowry) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:01:42 +0000

My car alarm keeps going off for no apparent reason.

I have been through so many of the threads on this site addressing problem alarms. None of them seem to really apply to my situation.

I have a 2018 Prius Prime Advanced
I had it at the Toyota dealer service department last week. They checked the car battery, replaced the fob batteries, and did a once over of the entire car. They then reassured me that there was nothing they could find wrong.
Additionally...
Following additional...

Alarm problem

Acceptable Coolant?

invalid@example.com (Andrew Murdoch) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:31:42 +0000

Good Day

I noticed my coolant level is very low, and I want to fill / top it up. I can't make it to the dealership, so does anyone know what off the shelf coolant is safe to put in a Prius Prime? I can't find any clear information, as the owner manual and many online posts say use “Toyota Long Life Coolant”.

Would something like work: Prestone Dexcool Extended Life ?

Thanks

Windshield Replacement

invalid@example.com (chrisrappl) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:28:06 +0000

I haven't posted here in a while. We are now driving a 2025 Camry LE which we like very much.
Our daughter is driving the 2017 Prius Prime Premium (no heads up display).
She called me this morning and told me that rocks fell out of a truck in front of her on the interstate and two of them hit and cracked the windshield.
She somehow managed to take some pictures, but I don't think that they are clear enough to read the plate or identify the truck.
She did file an incident report with the...

Windshield Replacement

Servomotor from hell

invalid@example.com (Jeff Horwitz) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:40:06 +0000

Hey everybody — I’ve got three servomotor-related problems in under a year on a Prius prime and am not dumb enough to believe they are all unrelated (note: I totallu AM dumb enough to believe the first two were unrelated, but the service center is pushing its luck by going for the hat trick).

All three times the symptom’s been the same: the car abruptly starts blowing hot air only, all the time. The problem first appeared when the car was still under warranty, thus the service center.

On...

Servomotor from hell

Prius Prime Engine moving and making a creaking metal noise!

invalid@example.com (Tuga) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:17:47 +0000

Hi all,

I have a Canadian 2020 Prius Prime that has recently developed a concerning noise.

Over the past few weeks I've noticed what appears to be excessive engine block movement that seems to be stressing one or more metal components, producing a noticeable creaking sound.

Right now the forum does not allow me to post a video but you can message me since I have one in You tube.

It doesn't happen all the time, but it's most visible at low speeds in EV mode, for example, when slowly...

Prius Prime Engine moving and making a creaking metal noise!

Stripped head off of license plate bolt... How to access interior bolt placement

invalid@example.com (TacoPrime) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:32:40 +0000

Hey everyone, new to the forums. I'm a long time viewer, having gained valuable information from these forums.

I'll cut to the chase — like the title says, I stripped the head off of one of the license plate bolts. I tried removing the interior liftgate trim. After inspection, it looks like the carbon fiber is blocking the area where the license plate screws are located.

I removed the liftgate button to see if I could get an angle on the screws... No luck...

At this point,...

Stripped head off of license plate bolt... How to access interior bolt placement

Best way to connect a electronic mouse repeller under the hood?

invalid@example.com (HappyHybrid) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:48:28 +0000

Hi folks,
I was a member of Prius Chat when I had my 2007, got out when it died and I temporarily got a RAV4 hybrid, but a year ago Jan, traded that in for a 2024 Prius Prime. So I'm back!

After my dashboard started flashing with all sorts of error messages on Monday, I took it to the dealership today and found that rodents of some sort have chewed through the wiring and caused all sorts of havoc.

After I get it back, am planning on trying one of those electronic things (a near perfect...

Best way to connect a electronic mouse repeller under the hood?

Replaced brakes and warnings after

invalid@example.com (Joe Wall) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:54:47 +0000

I changed the brakes with my dad. We had to waste some fluid.

Then I got a bunch of errors afterwards. The brakes were pumped.

What brake fluid is recommended for a 2017 toyota prius prime? Also what do you recommend? Guessing i just need to reset them.

2020 Prime - died!

invalid@example.com (DicCarlson) — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 01:00:29 +0000

Car was plugged in to charge the traction battery. I went out to start the car while it was plugged in and went back about 15 minutes later to shut it off. Well, it was off and wouldn't start - 12V battery dead! Jump started and it ran fine and still starts a day later.
What happened here??

Rear rotors

invalid@example.com (Marmot) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:41:35 +0000

I have a 2019 Prius prime. I have been told that there are two different rotor sizes for the rear brakes! How do I know which size I need without actually measuring the rotors? Does anyone know?

Couple questions about Prime coolant change.

invalid@example.com (The Big Sleaze) — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 17:51:55 +0000

I heard about some lengthy process, but this seems fairly straight forward.
1)Open engine and inverter coolant filler caps.
2)Drop the under panels to get to 2 yellow drains on driver's side.
3)Drain both coolants.
4)Close drain valves.

(now this guy IIRC replaces the under panels THEN fills and runs to 'burp'. I'm gonna fill, run to burp, check for leaks, let it cool back down, THEN do the under panels)
5)Replace panels.
6)Run to burp system and refill...

Couple questions about Prime coolant change.

Fuel Gauge shows empty with full tank of gas

invalid@example.com (basic element) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:00:58 +0000

I have a 2020 Prius Prime and filled up my gas tank a couple days ago. It rained overnight while I charged the car and this morning, I turned on the car forgetting to unplug the charger. It gave me a warning and so I unplugged it and then noticed the low fuel light was on. When I turned on the car ready to drive, I noticed the fuel indicator had no bars. Totally empty. I thought maybe there was a fuel leak? I took the car to the gas station to fill it up but it only took in .2 gallons before...

Fuel Gauge shows empty with full tank of gas

Driver side face vents not blowing

invalid@example.com (fkat) — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 21:23:33 +0000

I hope this helps others that may come across the issue I had.

Last week all of a sudden the driver side vents stopped blowing on our 2017 Prius Prime 68K miles. Upon turning the car on, the AC control grayed out for a minute or so before you can control it. Diagnostic mode (push AUTO and recirculate within 5 sec) displayed the code 43. Techstream also showed B1443 Air Conditioner-Air Outlet Damper Control Servo Motor Circuit. As always, I searched PC for anything similar, and found 1...

Driver side face vents not blowing

Cabin odor

invalid@example.com (IABoy987) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:53:58 +0000

Have noticed the interior has the odor of spoiled milk or rotten cheese that comes and goes, sometimes in warm weather or freezing. Wife and I have sniffed everywhere but can't find any "hot spot(s)". Had the car deep cleaned which seemed to help but now its back again. Pulled the cabin filter, but it was fresh smelling no odor hint. Ran heater full blast and sniffed every vent but they seemed fresh no odor.
I googled about Prime odors and one suggestion is the evaporator may be...

Cabin odor

Big battery testing

invalid@example.com (IABoy987) — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:38:00 +0000

Not sure if this is right category for topic
Within the last month or so I have noticed the battery icon shows the battery where the blue is below the charge line, almost zero. As we drive the blue slowly climbs up to where the charge line is. Also we are no longer getting the driving range of a full battery, even on a good day of no heater or any accessories that rely on big battery. Used to be 22+ miles, now lucky if get 14 miles before ICE kicks in.
Wondering if Toyota can do a big...

Big battery testing