Cost to replace an oxygen sensor

[CMUCasey]

An hour and a half at the dealership so they could tell me I need a new oxygen sensor. The check engine light came on and off and on. The charge to read the code was supposed to be free IF they found a repairable problem, otherwise it would have been $100. The final estimate for my charges was going to be 225.00 which I noticed included a 50.00 fee for reading the code. I pointed this out as calmly as I could and they took it off. Since I have to return to the dealership after they can find what I thought was a standard part, I'd like to know if the fee seems a tad high or is that just my wallet complaining.

[priusenvy]

Autozone will read the codes for free. $50 is a ripoff. Your car is out of warranty?

[CMUCasey]

My 05 was a used purchase and is out of warranty. There are places near by who will read the code for free too but the dealership insists that the "code" is very non specific and the tech must work through possible solutions. IF only Toyota had dealerships that matched their cars in quality

[Patrick Wong]

The oxygen sensor is covered by the emissions warranty. If your warranty has expired, then MSRP for the sensor is $207 for sensor #1 and $139 for sensor #2.
DiscountToyotaParts

Do you know what DTC had been logged?

[galaxee]

it's pretty standard for them to charge a half hour to read a code- that's typically between $40 and $50.

if you've got the code, they can use the repair manual to diagnose. the thing about the prius is that not all hybrid specific codes are readable in a standard obd2 reader. and they want the money for doing the job instead of letting you get it done for free...

just wanted to clarify about emissions warranty... most emission related stuff is covered for 2 years/24k miles, but only the big stuff (cat, ecu, obd) would be covered for the 8 years/80k interval.

my sis just graduated from cmu last month. i take it you're a student there?

[CMUCasey]

Thanks for the cost perspective. When you go to a dealership you just don't trust, it is hard not to be suspicious of over charging . (CMU alumi now)

[kohnen]

Originally Posted by CMUCasey

(CMU alumi now)

You mean alumnus, or possibly alumna, no?

[CMUCasey]

So right! Maybe my new slogan should be Never type or read at the end of a very long and stressful day. Thanks for the correction. Now I am wondering why my dad's Tacoma has never had the oxygen sensor (does it have one?) changed and it is ten years old.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by CMUCasey

... Now I am wondering why my dad's Tacoma has never had the oxygen sensor (does it have one?) changed and it is ten years old.

If the Tacoma is a 1998 model, it probably has two oxygen sensors. The purpose of the first one is to provide feedback to the engine computer for purposes of adjusting air/fuel mixture. The purpose of the second sensor is to assess whether the catalytic converter is doing its job.

In your case, you haven't mentioned how many miles are on the odometer. If you have more than 100K, it is not surprising that you need a new sensor. Also the Prius engine ECU may be more sensitive in declaring an oxygen sensor failure compared to older vehicle ECUs.

BTW the 2G first sensor is an air-fuel ratio sensor, which is supposed to be more sensitive compared to an oxygen sensor. The 2G second sensor is an oxygen sensor. This is why the first sensor costs much more compared to the second.

[kammssss]

Hey Patrick,

When did you change your O2 sensors? How many miles? And did you do it because your mileage was declining? If so, was there a difference in mpg when you changed it? I have 113k on my 05 and it is still peforming just as well as it was new. Thanks.