If your Prius V diesel loses power under load and blows black smoke, clogged EGR and DPF are likely culprits. Learn what to check first and if it’s safe to drive.
Understanding the Symptoms
When your Toyota Prius V diesel struggles to climb hills or accelerate, and you see a cloud of black smoke trailing behind, it's a clear sign that something's choking the engine. In my years under the hood, I've seen this exact behavior from a clogged EGR system or a blocked DPF. The black smoke means incomplete combustion—fuel isn't burning cleanly, and that soot has to go somewhere.
