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Should You Buy a Second-Hand Prius?

Maintenance costs may outstrip fuel savings

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 4, 2008

With sales of new hybrids increasing by almost 30 percent a year and gasoline prices following at a faster pace, a second-hand hybrid can appear to be a smart alternative in a tight economy.

But because of the car's relatively new design, there is little information available to help consumers judge the reliability of a used Prius other than reports from previous Prius owners.

Consumer beware. The risks may be higher than you think.

Battery blues

Doris in Smithville, Tennessee bought a used Prius in July 2006.

“Trying to inform myself prior to buying the car, I asked about the battery and was told never had they seen the whole battery fail, only a cell at a time to the tune of $200 per cell,” she was told. “I did not want to spend the money on a brand-new Prius. I wanted to test the waters on a used one first.”

The decision to buy a second had hybrid was costly.

The 2006 Prius had 73,200 miles on the odometer leaving 26,800 remaining on the hybrid battery warranty. “I bought it and thought I was living the dream, but only for a moment,” Doris told ConsumerAffairs.com.

When the weather turned cold her Prius would have no power. The engine was difficult to start. “Finally it went totally down,” she said. “No power!”

The Toyota dealer told Doris at first that she must have over-filled the gas tank and may have ruined the Prius computer system. The repair cost would be $1,900.

One year later the Prius lost all power while driving at 65 mph on an Interstate highway. "I was scared to death,” Doris wrote. The Prius was towed to a dealer and Doris was told “the main battery was down it would be $6,890 to fix it.”

Remember, the first dealer told her the battery never failed completely and the replacement cost would be roughly $2,000.

Doris was lucky as things turned out.

“They called tech support and found it was a leaf sucked up in a filter which in turn prevented gas and air from going to the battery and drained it." Doris spent $225 to tow the Prius to the dealer and $276 to charge the main battery plus tax, a lot less than the original $6,890 repair estimate but still $549.85.

But not all the repair news was good. "They told me it could happen again. So I'm stuck with what I feel is a defective product. I'm Toyota's rolling gunea pig,” she said. “I cannot trade the car because they tell I'm $5,500 up side down," she said. “I have to buy a new car to roll this amount with it. I can't afford a new car with a $425 per month payment.”

Transmission troubles

In Loomis, California, Sam tells the tale of expensive repairs with his 2003 Prius.

After a series of problems with the Prius engine, Toyota informed Sam that he needed to have the transmission replaced. The estimate for repairs was around $7,000, almost the value of the entire vehicle, according to Sam.

“Naturally the vehicle was no longer covered by the warranty,” he said.

The Prius had 116,289 miles on the odometer when the car began to malfunction. The check-engine light came on and the engine quickly shut down. The dealership informed Sam that the gasoline engine quit because the battery ran out of juice. The dealership checked the spark plugs and coils, detected slight misfire until warm but could not reproduce the problem. The cost of the service was $123.77.

The repair bill seemed too good to be true. And it was.

When the problem occurred a second time, the Toyota dealership said that the “problem was not really the spark plugs but that the sophisticated hybrid transmission needed to be replaced. The estimate for the parts and labor for this repair would be approximately $2,000.” The estimate was quickly revised to $7,000 with parts and labor. The “cost of the new transmission alone was $5,000,” Sam reported.

Early adopter

In Sunnyvale, California, Matt was one of the original 2001 Prius hybrid owners.

“Now, after 130,000 miles of driving the main battery is dead. The Toyota dealer is telling me the life of the main battery was 100,000 for my car, although the new Prius comes with a 150,000-mile warranty,” he said.

Matt said that the dealer told him he was the third Prius owner to require a main battery replacement.

“Labor and parts, plus tax was $4,500. Unfortunately, there is no third-party service provider who knows how to fix Prius,” he said.

Matt warns consumers interested in a second hand Prius to be prepared to pay $4,500 for the main battery before 150,000 miles have been recorded on the odometer.”

Complexity

That is not all.

“The car is loaded with electronics and solid state controllers. Be prepared to pay outrageous prices for diagnostics and repair. Very rarely you will walk out with a bill costing under $300,” Matt said.

“You will pay nearly $150 for having a duplicate key made to your Prius. That is because the key apparently has an anti-theft chip which has to be programmed by Toyota,” he said.

There's no doubt the Prius gets good gas mileage (though perhaps not as good as many buyers expect). But whether the total cost of ownership is reasonable is another question indeed.

Consumers who need reliable, inexpensive transportation are still better off with a simple, straightforward economy car -- a Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic or something similar with a four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission are likely to provide trouble-free, economic transportation for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Here are some of the reports we've received from other Prius owners:

Rod of Milwaukee, WI November 18, 2009

I purchased a 2008 Toyota Prius new, and currently have 62,000 miles on it. Around the 58,000 mile mark both headlights went out while I was driving home at night. I pulled over and switched my headlights to the off position, and then back to the on position. The lights came back on, and I arrived at my destination without further problems. 2 days later one of my headlights went out, only to come back on hours later. I replaced both bulbs, but the headlights still go out and then back on frequently. After searching the internet I have discovered that this is not an uncommon problem with the Prius, and seems to be an extremely dangerous.

Mary of Medford, OR November 14, 2009

I drive a 2007 Prius, the accelerator has gotten stuck full throttle 4 times, first time I brought it in and the Toyota dealer told me to put my foot on the break, this last time it happened while my 15 year old daughter was driving and that was it for me. Toyota has the car and they were able to duplicate the problem in the shop 2 times, it has nothing to do with the floor mat. I refuse to take the car, they have given me a rental at this point.

Neil of El Cajon, CA November 12, 2009

I bought the Prius to be Green and do my part to help save the planet. My first set of tires completely wore out at 15,000 miles. The dealer prorated the tires and gave me a fair price on a new set. These have lasted 10,000 miles and are showing major wear. I pointed this out to the dealer and they just blamed me saying the tire pressure was low voiding my warranty. REALLY??? I've owned 15 cars over the years, never checked the tire pressure on any of them, and never had any unusual tire wear issues on any of those cars. The Prius EATS TIRES RAPIDLY because the battery weight, inherent alignment issues and the small size/width of the tires for the weight of the car. This makes tire pressure important resulting in a huge maintenance issue requiring checking and maintaining tire pressure weekly. Who in their right mind does that or has the time for it? Even when tire pressure is optimal the Prius will still eat tires much faster than the tire ratings. Not only that but the Prius does not have tire pressure monitoring, common on most other vehicles. If any vehicle in the world needs this feature, it's the Prius and it doesn't have it! Tire pressure monitoring is a cheap feature which comes standard on most cars nowadays and it's unbelievable that the car that needs it the most (the Prius), doesn't have it.

It is mind numbing finding that Toyota knows about the tire pressure problem and does not inform Prius owners of this maintenance issue, yet chooses to blame the owners. This is clearly an issue where Toyota is using the wrong tire for the car so that it will get high gas mileage and beat the competition...but at the expense of the tires. If you think you're being green by driving a Prius consider how much carbon you dump into the environment with 1 set of tires. Now consider that the Prius eats tires about 4x faster than a standard car and your Prius has just become a severely polluting clunker. I sacrificed acceleration, speed, and looks to help the environment. For 3 long years, I've been ripped off, driving like a slug, getting cut off frequently and having to take it because the Prius isn't going to outrun anyone, rationalizing it by thinking it was all for the good of the planet. Now, knowing I've got one of the worst Carbon offenders I feel totally swindled. My Grandfather told me long ago that there is no free lunch. At Toyota they want you to believe there is, but you'll definitely be paying a huge amount for your meal and so will the planet!

Linda of Johnson City,, TN November 5, 2009

I have a 2007 Prius with 46,000 miles. I got it as a used car last Jan. 2009 as a Certified Used Car. The bracks are grabbing & feels like they are not catching for 1 to 2 feet. Billy P. & the dealer he worked for Phy B. charged me 94.01 just to tell me the problem. I was told the brake assemblyh actuator was bad and needed to be replaced at 2457,90 plus tax and my warrenty did not cover it.

This is the 5th Toyota I have owned. I get a new one almost every 2 years and have yet to have a problem with any of them until I got this Prius. I put 4 new tires on it only to be told they were not like other cars and the mounting had to be to one side only. I have a new battery but twice it has gone down and I have had to call them out to start it. It takes almost 3 to 4 miles for the heater to finally kick in.

When I wanted to trade the car for a RAVE like the one I owned before and loved they were not offering me but slighly half what I payed them for it less than a year ago. The car is parked becasue I feel for my life when I drive it and right now my Dad is dying and I am his only caregiver and need to be there for him.

I was a Honda driver before I started buyting Toyota's every 2 to 3 years. I have been a good custom for Toyato but perhaps it is time I return to Honda's again if they do not stand behind me on this problem. It is not like the brake pads have worn out this is just a malfuction in the brake actuator. It was doing this when I got it but everyone kept saying it is just your antalock brakes they do that, but it has got worse and worse until now I face the treat of death when I cannot stop at the next red light or stop sign.

Jan of Bend, OR November 5, 2009

Diane I have had the same experiences with my 06 and 09 Prius. You have described the actions of the car perfectly. I sometimes transport my Grandchildren and after the news report and reading others experiences I too am concerned. My husband assures me with as many as there are on the road the numbers are so extremely low the manufacturer more than likely will do nothing.

The report said if this does happen in the the case the brakes do not slow down the car, put the car in nutral and apply the brakes. I hope I can remember that IF the car ever "takes off". Technology...hmm I suppose that is why we bought the car. Best to you, I will more than likely trade mine in when I can afford to do so and look outside of the Toyota lot!

Diane of Hendersonville, NC November 3, 2009

I have a 2007 Toyota Prius purchased new. I am retired and the only driver. The car has been gently driven, well cared for and maintained, mileage less then 8500 miles.

Hearing news about uncontrolled speed surges triggered recollection of my Prius having small surges in speed from time to time and only for a second or two slowing when the breaks are applied. I felt concern when it happened but let it go since it happened only occasionally (again only last week). Now I am very aware of the power surges and very frifghtened that my car may be one that is susceptible to uncontrolled speed surges.

Another concern from time to time the car felt as if it would go into a skid (on a flat road) and I could feel the car correct itself, again it would last only a second or two but would startle me when it happened. Other times if my tires (on one side of the car) would go over a bump (even a small one) the car would go into a speed surge where I would apply the breaks and it woud correct. This would startle me and shake me up a little but again since it happened only occasionally I would let it go.

During my last oil change I spoke to the service department about my concerns. They checked my floor mats and found them not to be a problem. They made sure they were clamped down. Since I check them I know they have never been pushed up near the gas pedal. I want to be sure my concern is duly noted since Toyota doesn't seem to have any idea what the problem is obviously they don't have a solution. I don't know what to do, I no longer feel safe driving my car and can't just go out and buy a new one.

Carlos of Miami, FL October 23, 2009

I, Melina, the daughter of Carlos, was driving home, with the Toyota Prius of 2005. On the way home at the entrance of my complex I was turning at about 15 MPH and then out of nowhere the car came to a complete stop. Jolting my father, who was in the passenger seat, and I forward with a great ammount of force. The car completely turned off and got all locked up, and we became sitting ducks on 152nd avenue. The only way the car was able to be moved was when the towing truck came to take it to the toyota dealership. It has now been at the toyota dealership for exactly ten days. I have now been informed on the 10th day that the malfunction of the car was caused by the water pump.

The Toyota dealership has now charged me over 2,000.00 for the malfunction of this car to be fixed, and at the toyota the do not guarrantee that the malfunction will not occur again. Now my main concern is, that the malfunction of the car that happend before can happen again most probably in different conditions and maybe even at a higher velocity, putting anyones life whos in the car in danger, resulting maybe even in death. I am also almost certain that their was another cause for the cars malfunction other than the one i was told. I was told by the toyota employees that, that this malfunction has yet to occur in any other car.

Bea of goodyear, AZ October 12, 2009

Safety issue. Leased 2008 prius and the headlights had to be replaced after 35,000 miles. Paid for the replacement headlights and the expensive labor cost because it was over 30,000 miles. I thought this was just a fluke. Decided to buy a preowned 2008 expressed my concerns about the head lights malfunction. The same dealer convinced me to add a platinum extended warranty and it will cover everything bumper to bumper even the head lights. At 50,000 miles the headlights also went out. The dealer said the headlights just fail and need to be replaced. The headlights is not covered in the extended warranty because it is considered a wear and tear item. I have owned many Toyota cars and have never had a headlight go out even after 250,000 miles.

Vickie of Astoria, OR October 12, 2009

Approximately 6 months ago the headlights on my 2007 Toyota Prius started to dim, about 3 months ago the driver side headlight went out. I can turn the headlights off then back on and it stays on for awhile. Several weeks ago they both went off. I pulled over and performed the same procedure and they both came back on. Dealership says the headlights are going out. But they cannot explain why turning them off then on seems to work. These headlights do not just burn out like other headlights so I am suspicious. The service person cannot garauntee that new headlights will not do the same. I suspect a computer component is bad...? New headlights are 150.00 ea. plus diagnostic (computer?), and labor brings grand total to over 400.00.

Cindy of Santa Cruz, CA September 15, 2009

2007 Toyota Prius headlight on the driver side has been shorting out for ove a year. Turning it on and off fixes it temporarily. The other night both went out, and I was in the complete dark on a country road (no moon). Luckily I did not hit anything or drive off the road, but it was very scary. Turning the lights off and back on fixed the black out, but the driver side lamp kept going out about every few minutes. I am worried about driving at night, since I am out with children on small, windy, steep country roads that are not lit! I called the Toyota Dealer in Capitola, CA. The service manager took the call, and said that he would get back to me. Not expecting great results. I am contacting a lawyer in San Francisco regarding a CLASS ACTION SUIT.

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