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Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance Repair and Concerns

186 messages,  Last post on Jan 09, 2013 at 7:39 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Fit Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck

Messages Page 19 of 20

#172 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [jchutch] by srs_49

Feb 26, 2012 (9:30 am)

Replying to: jchutch (Feb 25, 2012 4:05 pm)
Dealers tend have a different definition of "extreme", or "severe duty" than does the manufacturer. Of course, it's the dealer that's making out if drivers are manipulated into thinking they need more maintenance than what the manufacturer thinks is warranted.
 
Always gotta ask - who's going to profit from this recommendation? In other words - just follow the money!

#173 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [srs_49] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 26, 2012 (9:56 am)

Replying to: srs_49 (Feb 26, 2012 9:30 am)
it makes no sense for NJ--this is simply not an extreme climate. I guess you could try to look this up in your owner's manual or call Toyota Customer Care.

#174 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [Mr_Shiftright] by whitey9

Feb 26, 2012 (11:17 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 26, 2012 9:56 am)
I just look at the edges of the belt, and if there are some OBVIOUS cracks, i replace it.

#175 of 186 press request by kirstie_h HOST

Feb 28, 2012 (1:00 pm)

A reporter is looking to interview parents who own a Chevy Cruze Eco, Toyota Prius V and/or Honda Civic Hybrid. If you are willing to share your experience with the car, please email PRedmunds.com no later than March 10, 2012.

#176 of 186 Bogus Prius Maintenance Concerns by new_yorker

Apr 20, 2012 (6:23 am)

I am an owner of a 2 year 3 month old 2010 Prius Five with the ATP, Nav, pretty much everything. I sold my 2007 Prius Touring to my sister who loves the car. Neither has had a dime in repairs from normal breakdown or wear items. I purchased my first Prius despite all kinds of Gloom & Doom Warnings about expensive hybrid batteries, and costly repairs. Even Edmunds review warns about buying a Used prius and expensive repairs possible. None of that nonsense has been born out by reality. In fact in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia the Prius is probably the most prevalent Taxi Cab model in the city, and has been for a long time. In case you don't know it, Taxi fleet owners are the people most averse to paying for expensive car repairs. The proliferation of the Prius as a Taxi has happened precisely because Taxi Fleet owners know what Edmunds and others obviously do not, that the Toyota Prius is, when it comes to repairs, practically Bullet Proof. Thay almost never breakdown. And nobody uses them more harshly or runs up the mileage higher than a fleet Taxi Cab. So by all means Buy a Used Prius, they exceed 300,000 miles routinely, and the Gen 3 models (2010 0nward) have even fewer moving parts to break than the older versions of the car. Don't give a moments thought to buying a properly maintained Prius as a used car.

#177 of 186 Service Prius by ctl

May 16, 2012 (6:37 pm)

Is it necessary to take the Prius to Toyota dealers for regular services? If one buys a "regular" Toyota, that answer is never, be it 300K or 500K miles after. But is there any kind of service for Prius (all HSD for that matter) that is better to be done at the dealers?

#179 of 186 Prius Solar Panel Failure by skycaptain

Oct 10, 2012 (4:38 am)

I bought a 2010 Prius 3 in 2010 and now have abut 63000 miles on it. I love this car. I have had no mechanical problems except one that made itself known just past the 36 month warranty period.
 I noticed that my solar driven cooling fan wasn't working this summer. I thought the fan had maybe died but then I looked at the solar panel and saw that green copper corrosion caused by long term moisture infiltration had shorted out the solar panel and it was unable to produce electricity anymore.
 I had the Dealer look at the panel and by looking at the panel from a ladder he ascertained that the moisture infiltration had reached all the way across the panel to the rear as evidenced by the green corrosion of the wiring in the panel.
 Now this just didn't happen overnight, but most likely, moisture had been infiltrating the panel for several years. There was no moisture visible in the pane, just the evidence of long term corrosion throughout the panel.
 What I am saying is this. These panels were manufactured by an outside vendor for Toyota. If made properly, a solar panel should be hermetically sealed. Most solar panels normally have a useful life of 15 years. This panel was defective the day it was made and it just took 3 years for the corrosion to infiltrate deep enough to disable enough of the solar cells to render it inoperative.
 The reason I tell you this is the solar option is an expensive option.($2000 replacement cost) If you are still in your warranty period I would suggest having the panel inspected for corrosion before you experience a failure. Once you know what to look for you can examine it yourself. Much like a hermetically sealed double pane house window there will be some clouding of the glass panel where the moisture has infiltrated.
 In my case the infiltration appears to have been going on for years before total failure. Since it is tinted and part of the roof design you won't notice the subtle changes in the color unless you inspect the panel closely.
 
 In conclusion, these panels should be waterproof and sealed during manufacture. If any moisture infiltrates by means other than from damage it is a design and/or manufacturing error.

#180 of 186 Re: Prius Solar Panel Failure [skycaptain] by skycaptain

Oct 11, 2012 (11:23 am)

Replying to: skycaptain (Oct 10, 2012 4:38 am)
Well, Just got off the phone with Toyota Corporate. Basically they told me that they will give me $750 towards my repair of $2000 for the defective solar panel on my 2010 Prius. I told them I was surprised that they weren't at least offering to supply the part and I could pay for the labor(about $350) for repair as most all other car manufacturers would have done. Even Ford has been known to do this. Sadly, It appears Toyota's customer service quality is well below Ford's.
 
 I guess Toyota has made a corporate decision of "Buyer Beware". If Toyota installs a defective part in your new car and you don't find out until 9 days after the 3 years warranty is up it is just to bad for you. Even if it was defective before the warranty expired. Amazing! It is disappointing to see this attitude from a company I thought was known for quality and great customer service.
 
 I asked them if I could appeal the decision and was told "No, I would have to pursue a remedy outside Toyota". In other words hire a lawyer or file in small claims court. What a craven answer.
 
 I hope you folks don't have any problems with your Toyota after the paper warranty is up. Toyota appears not to care about or understand their customers. I t has become , in my opinion, a company run by bean counters and Lawyers.
 
  I like my dealer and had planned on making Toyota my car of choice for the future , but after this experience I think I won't be buying any more of their cars.

#181 of 186 2012 Toyota Prius Two by tommyterrific

Oct 11, 2012 (1:51 pm)

Hello Everybody,
 
We just purchased this car 2 days ago, and were given the "HARD sell" to purchase an extended warranty. What does anybody have for an opinion on this matter?
 
Thanks,
TT

Messages Page 19 of 20

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