Didn't know the hybrid battery was under warranty

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Down&Out, Mar 12, 2015.

  1. Down&Out

    Down&Out New Member

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    My Toyota Prius 2007 had 96,000 miles on it, and was just over the seven year mark. The hybrid battery failed, and unfortunately I did not know that the hybrid battery was still under warranty in California. I took it to mechanic who saw that I was clueless, and replaced the hybrid battery for $900. I have gone back to him twice within 4 months, and the hybrid battery failure lights are back on again. I do have an 18 month warranty from him, but I have no faith that his battery replacement for the third time will do any better than the last two times. Meanwhile a new hybrid battery costs between $3000-$3500 which I cannot afford.

    This was genuine ignorance on my part. Does anyone know if Toyota has forgiven someone as clueless as me, and okayed a warranty replacement? Any suggestions are welcome.
     
    #1 Down&Out, Mar 12, 2015
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Unique situation.
    I suppose you have nothing to lose in calling Toyota Customer Care and explaining and asking.

    Do you have any written documentation that your original battery had "legitimately" failed?

    Good Luck. You don't have too much option here but to throw yourself at the mercy of Toyota. And of course failing that, you're still under warranty with the battery installer you have lost faith in.
     
    #2 The Electric Me, Mar 12, 2015
  3. littlehandegan

    littlehandegan Junior Member

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    $900 for a replacement sounds like he just replaced a few cells, can you confirm what exactly he did?

    I highly doubt Toyota will cover a device that has been "tampered or modified", but I am ignorant to the CARB law that provides that warranty coverage
     
    #3 littlehandegan, Mar 12, 2015
  4. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Take it to a Toyota dealer and see what the service department can do for you. I suggest you do not tell them of the history. Let them diagnose the system and act like you don't know anything.

    Good Luck
     
    #4 xpcman, Mar 12, 2015
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    You're hoping for some good will here from Toyota.

    As you "accidentally" privately repaired something that was still under full warranty.
     
    #5 The Electric Me, Mar 12, 2015
  6. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    You learned an expensive lesson. READ and understand the owners manual and WARRANTY booklet. If you had, you would not be here.

    I wonder if the mechanic knew the warranty length for the Prius, but just kept silent to take easy money off an easy target. Knowledge is power. Become informed to decrease being victimized.

    Camelback (Phoenix,AZ) has a NEW HV battery for $2175. You just need to confirm if they will sell to you as some dealerships are being lame and not selling to people who are not mechanics or working for a repair shop.
     
    #6 exstudent, Mar 12, 2015
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