Replacing air vent vanes that push air side-to side = $2,179.50

The question is rather how often you need to adjust them /
I adjusted mine once when I got the car (11 years ago) & that's it /
(pretty much the same thing as with the seat: once set & it's done)

Answer with help from AI:
"
️ Problem:
In the 2015 Prius center dash vent, the side-to-side vanes are usually linked by a small plastic connecting rod or tab behind the front slats. That connector has either popped off or broken. This is fairly common in many Toyota models.

Diagnosis:

• If only the center tab moves but other vanes stay still, the link is detached.
  
  
• Since you can move them with pliers, the vanes themselves are intact—just no longer linked.
  

✅ Fix Options:
Option 1: DIY Reconnect (Non-Destructive)

1. Get a small mirror and flashlight.
   
   
2. Look inside the vent to see if the horizontal connector rod is:
   
   • Hanging loose
     
     
   • Snapped
     
     
   • Just popped off
     
3. If it’s just popped off:
   ➤ Try guiding it back into place using needle nose pliers or a bent paperclip. It snaps back in gently.
   

Option 2: Remove & Repair Vent
If the connector is broken:

1. Pop off the entire vent unit (gently pry around the edges with trim tools—YouTube has Prius-specific guides).
   
   
2. Check the back of the vent assembly. If the plastic linkage is broken:
   
   • You can use super glue or plastic epoxy to fix it.
     
     
   • Or 3D print or rig a small connector (some people use heat-shrink tubing or a plastic zip tie loop as a fix).
     

Option 3: Replace Vent
If it's badly broken:

• OEM part: around $40–$60 online.
  
  
• Look for "Toyota Prius 2015 center air vent assembly"
  
  
• Junkyard or eBay often cheaper. "
  

 

They should immediately jail service writers for quoting prices that high for something that's easy to repair. If you pull off the vent and examine it from the back side you'll probably find the busted part and can likely use a plastic melting gun or glue to repair it. Alternatively if you can find same Prius at a wrecking yard you could remove the vent, which gives you practice before you work on yours, and they'll probably only charge you $20 for the part.