My 2012 Prius V Wagon has been having issues since the safety software update. I first noticed the car selectively (hit or miss) going in EV mode even after driving over 30 miles on the freeway so its not a matter of the engine and or fluids not heating up. The EV light also rarely lights up while before it was fine. It idles a lot without going in EV mode. More worrisome is the intermittent acceleration cutting out recently with the warm weather (85F Plus). I have been having scary on and off acceleration issues with the AC on when the car will decide not to accelerate until I turn the AC off even if i floor it. When I turn the AC back on, the car would slow down again. This happens occasionally and usually when the it is quite hot outside. Anyone else experienced similar issues or can point me to another thread. I love the car and it only has 92K miles on it but the acceleration cutting out is quite scary and a safety issue especially on the freeway. Thanks!
What software update campaign number are you referring to? Not aware of a “safety” update, though there have been two hybrid system firmware updates since 2016.
It is the most recent hybrid system update that supposedly prevents the Prius from stalling. I will try to find the paperwork and post the number
sounds like the inverter diode update to limit accretion to prevent overheating clean the battery cooling fan and grille check the 12v health clean the egr circuit check the inverter fluid movement
Thanks Bisco! I have made an appointment with the dealership on Friday. This popped up in my news feed today Toyota expands Prius recall, reveals up to 20,000 hybrid inverters failed - Los Angeles Times
That's interesting. Seems to confirm earlier concerns that there may be a long tail on the inverter problem.
How many miles have you put on since the software update? Mine acted “differently” for a couple hundred. Then it settled back into what I remembered before the update.
Took it to the stealership where it cost nearly $700 to replace the intake manifold, clean the EGR and replace the spark plugs. He said it was all carboned up and was throwing a lot of codes. I thought price was on the high side but I bit the bullet as we are moving and I needed the car fully functional. Isn't there a TSB or some other warranty on these issues. Mine is a 2012 with 92K miles and I bought it used so not even sure if i would be covered.
plug your vin into the toyota owners website. it will give you all the warranty recalls. some gen3 had an intake manifold recall
i have been at Hybrid pit and notice many of the 3rd gen Prius are going in for EGR cleaning, many of 3rd gens have at least 90K to 100K miles on them and due to the hot weather many of them are experiencing inverter issues. i guess i will be looking forward to that when my car hits the mileage
Did you all see that lawsuit that the dealership just won against Toyota for what it sounds like hellonearth says was his problem? Toyota ordered to pay auto dealer $15.8 million in trial over Prius defects - Los Angeles Times
Quote from a previous article: “Hogan, however, contends Toyota is trying avoid a multibillion-dollar replacement program for the defective inverters.” Hmmm....