2nd N/C Dealer ABS Repair in 2 years!

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by blwn393saleen, Jun 4, 2025 at 6:21 AM.

  1. blwn393saleen

    blwn393saleen Junior Member

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    I hope this post helps anyone with a late Gen 3 model Prius who's concerned about a possible ABS failure.

    Today - for the 2nd time in 2 yrs - the Toyo dealer approved my Gen 3 ABS Booster Pump repairs under the Toyota Customer Support Program Bulletin 20TE07 - within DAYS of my car hitting its 10-yr in-service date (which of course means expiration of the CSP).

    Back in Fall of 2023, my 2013 Prius V threw the c1391 code - with only 2 wks left before its 10 yr in-svc date. It was my 1st Prius, so a quick search on the Brake System warning lights turned up the ABS issue via the Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). I showed up to my appt at the dealer with the TSB in hand (which they noted, for the record), and only 3 days to spare. $7500 in parts & labor, N/C

    Sadly, I totalled that car in a teeny fender-bender this January.

    I found an identical 2015 Prius V, one owner-low miles. Before I test drove the car, I told the owner about my ABS experience with my 2013 and that I'd be listening carefully for the ABS pump noisesr. Omg, I was SO disappointed to hear the whine of a failing ABS pump as soon I drove 20 feet. I was ready to walk away, so the price came down to account for the MINIMUM repair cost - if we ended up DIYing it with the help of our local Prius expert. Before buying the car, the seller took it to Toyota to see if she could get it fixed for me (and get $3k more on the sale), but they told her that without any brake warning lights on, they wouldn't touch it.

    For the first 8 wks, the ABS issue worsened. The pump ran every 15 seconds, without the brakes being touched - and instantly if they were applied.

    Again I went to the dealer with my ABS concerns, especially since my 20 minute daily commute includes a steep 3000 ft downhill grade. Again, they said that "the brake warning light has to be on", or they wouldn't touch it. And that's true, according to the service techs' process flow for diagnosis on the TSB.

    Then, about 4 weeks ago, the ABS warning lights started coming on but NOT staying on. Time was running out, so I started taking pics & recording video when the lights were on.

    We got a better OBDII reader - one that pulled ABS codes. There were 3 ABS pump related codes showing, and 2 of them were the SECOND step of the TSB's ABS diagnosis flowchart.

    I made an appt to take the car back to Toyo. Still worried that I was missing step 1 (brake warning light on) yet, I did have pics of 2 of the 4 diagnostic trouble codes related to the issue, and video of the 4 brake warning lights coming on when the pedal was pumped.

    Appt day came. I sat in the car and pumped the brakes while checking in - and showed the advisor the warning lights.

    Then I waited. About 3 hrs in, the Svc Advisor called to say "it might be covered under Toyota Customer Support Program Bulletin 20TE07. Whoop! - there's hope! Another hour, fingers crossed. A few more prayers to my mechanical Saints and heavenly mechanics. Then an online donation to a non-profit just for good karma. Within a few minutes of my good karma donation, the text came through: repair approved, parts ordered under the CSP.

    I'm grateful - if anyone wants more details from a 2-timer, DM me!
     
    Air_Boss and bisco like this.
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If you are lucky you might escape the head gasket fail on the 2015 which is as common as the brake booster on the 2010-14s,