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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 19

#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

#182 of 186 Re: 2012 Toyota Prius Two [tommyterrific] by skycaptain

Oct 11, 2012 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: tommyterrific (Oct 11, 2012 1:51 pm)
Tommy, depending on how long you plan to keep the car, I would recommend you contact your credit union or Bank an see if they offer extended warranty protection contracts. I got a 48k mile 4 year extended warrant form my Credit union 3 thousand miles before my factory warranty expired. It cost me $1073 and was issued by Travelers insurance. The Toyota dealer policy was $2300 and he wanted to add it now at point of sale, 3 years before I needed it. It is a big mark up profit item for the dealer. Skip it and buy one later.

#183 of 186 Re: 2012 Toyota Prius Two [skycaptain] by tommyterrific

Oct 17, 2012 (11:05 am)

Replying to: skycaptain (Oct 11, 2012 2:04 pm)
Hello Skycaptain,
Can I still go to my bank if I paid cash for the car? Can I go to your bank too?
Tommy

#184 of 186 INVERTER VOLTAGE FLUCTUATING by abot

Oct 28, 2012 (8:45 am)

My 2007 HH has fluctuating dc voltage since April 2011 when there was 120488 miles on it. The dealer had below statement:
"INVERTER VOLTAGE FLUCTUATING AT AMD WIREFROM DC/DC CONVERTER. ~|~120488 INVERTER VOLTAGE FLUCT UATING AT AMDWIRE FROM DC/DC CON VERTER. 150 INVERTERNEEDS REPLA CEMENT."
They gave me an expensive estimate to repair it. Back then I didn't like the fact to pay such money for a part that still working. I thought I will repair it whenever it dies.
It is more than a year and half and I put more than 15000 miles on my car and the inverter is still working as before.
Anybody has the same problem? Does anyone know if my car really needs an inverter or it might be something simpler than that?
I would appreciate any thought.

#185 of 186 Re: INVERTER VOLTAGE FLUCTUATING [abot] by brewerguy

Dec 03, 2012 (12:22 pm)

Replying to: abot (Oct 28, 2012 8:45 am)
Not sure about that specific problem but one you might see is the generator failing and not charging the battery. The problem is that the generator is located within the drive system and the dealer cost to replace it is around $5,000 including labor. It's a 12-hour job. Good luck!

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

Jan 09, 2013 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: skycaptain (Oct 11, 2012 11:23 am)
Thanks for posting this solar roof concern. I have been browsing around for 2012 leftover Prius lll models and I've looked at several with that roof. I will be rethinking cars with that option. Did you get the roof replaced?

Messages Page 19 of 19

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