2017 Prius (7450 mi) required all brake pads to be replaced

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Pappapete, Aug 13, 2020.

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  1. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    Hi Everyone,
    Looking for anyone who's had experience in this area. My parent's 2017 Prius, with only 7,450 miles had to have all of its brake pads replaced. They've barely driven it because of the pandemic. The dealer said that moisture built up due to inactivity and rusted the brake pads out.

    They're retirees and paid out hundreds of dollars on this already.

    Please let me know if you've experienced this, or believe this is possible, or could be downright fraud.

    Thank you,
     
    #1 Pappapete, Aug 13, 2020
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  2. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    no problems with the rotors?
     
    #2 krmcg, Aug 13, 2020
  3. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    I believe the front and rear rotors were replaced also. Am confirming. Sound legit to you?
     
    #3 Pappapete, Aug 13, 2020
  4. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    I'm calling BS on this one - either surface rust or flood damage.
     
    #4 mjoo, Aug 14, 2020
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  5. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    Thanks mjoo, if it's surface rust it likely will just wear off after a couple of miles of driving right?
     
    #5 Pappapete, Aug 14, 2020
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  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Or a dealer who needed to buy a new boat.
     
    #6 Prodigyplace, Aug 14, 2020
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  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Contact TOYOTA Customer Service and complain bitterly. They should last 200,000kms.
     
    #7 alanclarkeau, Aug 14, 2020
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  8. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    smh

    You need to find a new dealer or garage to have them take their car to.
    check their reviews on google. ask around.
     
    #8 dig4dirt, Aug 14, 2020
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  9. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    Thank you Alan.

    Yes thank you MoonGlow I believe we may have to do that.
     
    #9 Pappapete, Aug 14, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 15, 2020
  10. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Yes
     
    #10 mjoo, Aug 14, 2020
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  11. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    not at all.
     
    #11 krmcg, Aug 14, 2020
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  12. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I have read other threads with a similar issue on fairly new Gen4 Prius or Prius PRIME having to do brake/rotor replacement. Since you live in the rust belt, it is possible the car may need a brake service. The best way to be sure is to bring the car to the different shop(s) to get second or third opinions.
     
    #12 Salamander_King, Aug 14, 2020
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  13. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    ok thank you for your input Salamander_king. Sadly, my parents went ahead with the replacement before getting a second opinion. I think this is a lesson learned.
     
    #13 Pappapete, Aug 14, 2020
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    'my parents had to have all of its brake pads replaced'

    had, as in already done? or recommended, but doing due diligence?
     
    #14 bisco, Aug 14, 2020
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  15. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    Already done. They trusted the dealer and simply paid for the service. Had I been there I would have questioned it and gotten a second opinion.
     
    #15 Pappapete, Aug 14, 2020
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  16. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    Have you described the problem correctly? We have seen reports of rusting rotors on this forum, but I don't believe I've seen any about rusting brake pads. In fact, I wonder if that is even possible. There is a metallic component in some brake pads (not sure about the Gen 4 Prius), but since it is combined with other materials and little of the metal is exposed on the surface, I don't think it could rust. If that is what the service writer said, it really does sound like BS.

    Also, if the work has not been done yet (it sounds like it has), could you post pictures of before and after?
     
    #16 davecook89t, Aug 14, 2020
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  17. Pappapete

    Pappapete New Member

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    Hi Dave, thanks for being precise - yes, I did not describe it correctly. The rotors were rusted. The brake pads were simply replaced along with the rotors. I'm trying to get my hands on the inspection report to see why. Front pads were down to 6mm and rear, 8mm.

    No photos available sadly.
     
    #17 Pappapete, Aug 14, 2020
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Are you in California or Canada? You profile is not clear.
     
    #18 Prodigyplace, Aug 15, 2020
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  19. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Was this based on actual measurements or were they just "eyeballed" by the "technician"?
     
    #19 RRxing, Aug 15, 2020
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  20. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    A caution though: that's true for light surface rust that has only formed in the last few days, when the car is driven often enough to keep it scrubbed off.

    If the car is driven less often and is not scrubbing all of the rust off while it is light, it (the rust) becomes more established, rougher, and harder. At that point, it is not something the pads will scrub off. It becomes a pad grinder.

    Happened to my Gen 1 back when I was mostly bicycle commuting.
     
    #20 ChapmanF, Aug 15, 2020
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