5 Top Common Repairs You Can Expect In A 2004-2009 Toyota Prius

There are loads of second generation Prius that are still on the road today. More people everyday are joining the Prius owners club. Amongst these new owners are also many questions they have regarding what they should be aware of when purchasing one of these used gems.

I have gathered together 5 common issues that these vehicles face, and what you can do about it, if you are in the market for a used Prius.

Toyota Prius Inverter Coolant Pump
The inverter coolant pump is still a pretty common failure among the 2nd generation Prius. The code P0A93, will set and the car will trigger a master warning light. This is obviously a very scary scenario for many people. Luckily, the 2nd gen Prius inverter is really durable, but you still need to replace the pump.

The OEM pumps are the best ones to get. Aftermarket pumps have been known to have higher failure rates. Toyota had a recall on Prius for this exact component to have it replaced. Now the pumps are still causing problems, but not because they were defective from the get go, it is because they are wearing out.

The pump from the dealer could run you between $100 to $160 depending on who you know on the inside that could potentially hook you up with one. Either way, if you have the issue or are considering a Prius, this something to definitely be aware of.

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Traction Battery
It is seriously no mystery that Prius will at some point will have a traction battery that needs repair or replacement. There is a serious overload of information when it comes to this. The P0A80 code is most famous with Prius needing a traction battery replacement or overhaul.

You can read about the Carista tool and the Dr. Prius app that will help you determine if the traction battery is in good condition or if it will be needing some help soon. This can also help you save a few bucks in negotiations as well if you are buying from a dealer or private party. Either way, it is a common issue to be aware of.

Instrument Cluster Blackout
Ever been driving and you all of a sudden lose the ability to see how fast you are going? If this has happened to you, then you are not alone. May Prius owners have had this happen to them, only to find out that the fix can be up words of $700 or more.

The actual cost to fix the issue is about $1, if you know how to do the repair. I was able to perform this repair in about half a day and save some serious money doing it. It honestly is not that hard, just time consuming. There is no real warning signs to check for, it simply goes out one day.

The cause is a little capacitor on the circuit board that ends up dying out. You can reset it by disconnecting the 12v battery, but chances are it will happen again. Replacement boards can also be had for pretty inexpensive, around $50 from a local parts house. Just make sure you have recorded the mileage, that way you can get a new one and not worry about having the actual mileage being different. A great thing to watch out for when selecting your new to you used Prius.

Prius ABS Actuator/Pump
Missing your brakes? You are not alone here either. The ABS pump on 2nd gen Prius can be a regular thorn in side of many owners.

Some of the key warning signs can be the pump running fairly often and also pretty loud. Once the pump fails for sure, you will get trouble codes and also no hydraulic brakes. When test driving your new to you Prius, listen and pay attention to how often the pump runs while stopping and driving. This can be indication of a potential expensive repair.

Oil Consumption
This is really no secret at all, that 2nd gen Prius can be an oil eater. I have been in the midst of a study to help solve this issue using BG products, and I will be having an update here soon as my testing will be coming to a close.

This information will help many Prius owners and not just the 2nd generation, it is relevant for all Prius owners that are having the same issue. It can be hard to know for sure if the car is consuming oil or not. This is where I would hope the owner that is selling it, would be honest and let you know.

Should you buy a Prius and find out that you have the problem, use the BG products, it is going to help, and in future article from me, you will find out how you can do it to your Prius as well. Stay tuned for sure.

Conclusion
Whether you have a 2nd generation Toyota Prius or are in the market for one, these common issues that an easily be attended to and if you are handy with a wrench, even save some money.

These cars are super reliable, and for the most part can be had for pretty inexpensive. There is plenty of help to fix these problems online and from experts like myself. Feel free to reach out to me anytime for help on yours. Have a great weekend.

Check out my other story out about where a 2nd Generation Prius Gives A WRX Owner A Challenge

Also Watch New tech means more MPG from your Toyota Prius and Click to Subscribe to Torque News Youtube Channel for Daily Toyota Prius and Automotive News.

Peter Neilson is an automotive consultant specializing in electric cars and hybrid battery technologies. He is an automotive technology instructor at Columbia Basin College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Service Technology from Weber State University. Peter is also an Adjunct Instructor of automotive technology at Columbia Basin College. Peter can be reached on Linkedin and you can tweet him at The_hybrid_guy on Twitter.