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Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback

Messages Page 25 of 72

#238 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [odie1] by gagrice

May 19, 2005 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: odie1 (May 19, 2005 7:11 pm)
Should I replace that battery that starts the car?
 
Welcome to the forum. The 12 volt battery is very easy to have checked. I would think it should have some kind of warranty from the battery manufacturer. You need to report this to the NHTSA. That is the only way that Toyota will know about the problems you are having. Your dealer is not going to admit that they are clueless. You should not have to put up with the problems you are having. It should all be covered by warranty. Be sure and document each visit to the dealership. Good luck and keep us posted as to what is found.

#239 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [gagrice] by odie1

May 19, 2005 (9:24 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 19, 2005 7:18 pm)
Thank you for your response....what is the NHTSA and how do I contact them?
 
thanks, Sharon

#240 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [odie1] by gagrice

May 19, 2005 (10:26 pm)

Replying to: odie1 (May 19, 2005 9:24 pm)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can search here and see if your problem is listed. It is a Federal agency. You are welcome, and again good luck..
 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

#241 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [gagrice] by odie1

May 20, 2005 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 19, 2005 10:26 pm)
I took this 2003 Prius to the dealer...the diagnosis? Dirty fuel injectors which they will clean for 300 dollars. The problem they said was with the B/P Gas that we have been using. The dealer said they have been seeing many vehicles with dirty fuel injectors lately and that the gas company may issue a statement regarding this problem and "may offer you a refund" if the problem is related to the gas. We have only bought gas at BP, Conoco, Phillips 66 for the last five years. The dealer said that Chevron has not reported "bad gas" lately.
 
I mentioned that the problem was also present in January and they had looked at it then three times (while under warranty) and no problem was found. This time the "codes came up on the computer diagnostics". I thought that Toyota may have sent the dealer new software for this problem but they said not. I am out 300 dollars right now for this fix and the vehicle only has 40K on it. And so many people have told me that Toyotas were good cars. With gas the price it is and if the problem is with the dirty fuel injectors due to the gas what and who can I report all of this to? Do I start with the NHTSA? Who regulates the gas companies? I live in Bremerton WA. Do I call the attorney general in Olympia?
 
Help! and thank you....

#242 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [gagrice] by odie1

May 20, 2005 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 19, 2005 10:26 pm)
I took this 2003 Prius to the dealer...the diagnosis? Dirty fuel injectors which they will clean for 300 dollars. The problem they said was with the B/P Gas that we have been using. The dealer said they have been seeing many vehicles with dirty fuel injectors lately and that the gas company may issue a statement regarding this problem and "may offer you a refund" if the problem is related to the gas. We have only bought gas at BP, Conoco, Phillips 66 for the last five years. The dealer said that Chevron has not reported "bad gas" lately.
 
I mentioned that the problem was also present in January and they had looked at it then three times (while under warranty) and no problem was found. This time the "codes came up on the computer diagnostics". I thought that Toyota may have sent the dealer new software for this problem but they said not. I am out 300 dollars right now for this fix and the vehicle only has 40K on it. And so many people have told me that Toyotas were good cars. With gas the price it is and if the problem is with the dirty fuel injectors due to the gas what and who can I report all of this to? Do I start with the NHTSA? Who regulates the gas companies? I live in Bremerton WA. Do I call the attorney general in Olympia?
 
Help! and thank you....

#244 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [odie1] by gagrice

May 20, 2005 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: odie1 (May 20, 2005 1:25 pm)
Dirty Gas????
 
That is a good one. I have not heard that before. The fact that you had taken the car in several times while under warranty, then they come up with a fix past the warranty period is suspicious. I would go to the gas station you use most and tell them what happened. They may or may not go to bat for you. BP/ARCO is a lot bigger than Toyota. If the dealer is scamming you they may give you some ammunition to use. Gas is regulated pretty closely. Your fuel filter should have gotten any contaminants that got in the tank. I would assume that you had the car serviced at the prescribed intervals and the gas filter was changed on schedule. It would be worth filing a complaint and maybe find out who is at fault. Kind of like the Explorer/Firestone fiasco.

#245 of 711 Re: engine light 2003 Prius [gagrice] by odie1

May 20, 2005 (6:50 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 20, 2005 3:06 pm)
I cannot believe it BUT I guess it was true...I thought the dealer was scamming me today to get money for the fix. The dealer told me there would be a press release on the "bad gas". I turned on the 5 o'clock news and there it was that BP, Conoco, Phillips 66 company delievered bad gas to WA state stations. They also interviewed a mechanic who said, "we have to clean the fuel injectors because of this gas they were selling." I got the 1-800 # to BP and told them I send them 300 dollars a month for gas and that my car was in the shop today for the fuel injector fix. They gave me a fax number so I could send them my bill. We will see if I get reimbursed. I am still shocked that the press release came out this very day but it did. If they do not pay I will call the state attorney general over this. Needless to say BP, Conoco, Phillips 66 has lost my business now. I will switch to another brand I guess. Chevron perhaps. Gas is gas but the news flash stated something was added to their gas that should not have been causing the fuel injectors to become sticky. So there you go! Thanks "Gagrice" for your input. I will let you know how my Prius runs after this.
 
Sharon

#246 of 711 Well... by jrct9454

May 20, 2005 (7:33 pm)

What I find interesting about this situation is how quickly everyone is ready to blame the dealer and Toyota. I wonder why.
 
Big car companies and their retailers are potential "scammers", but big oil companies and their refiners are surely OK?
 
The fact is that modern induction systems need a level of detergent to function properly; in the absence of a true national standard for fuel quality [fat chance, with the current crew], every buyer is literally on their own. This isn't the first time, and likely won't be the last; the remarkable thing is BP owning up to the problem...and since they ship the stuff all over the Northwest, it will be interesting to see who else is at risk [including me and my Mercedes C240, which is mostly fueled at the Costco in Vancouver, WA - where does their fuel come from? I guess I'll find out...]

#247 of 711 Re: Well... [jrct9454] by gagrice

May 20, 2005 (10:24 pm)

Replying to: jrct9454 (May 20, 2005 7:33 pm)
I think that Costco gets their gas from BP/ARCO refineries?
I think the assumption that it was a Toyota dealership problem is correct. He had taken his car in several times for the same problem. If they had taken care of it as they should on the first visit they would be in the clear. That is not too much to expect from any dealership.
 
Your consumer protection agency is the entity that has the control over these oil refineries. Sounds like it may be a BIG problem for many car owners.
 
http://www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/gasprices/refineries.shtml

Messages Page 25 of 72

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