Myth: Hymotion voids Toyota warranty

[PeakOilGarage]

I have seen this statement written several times here on PriusChat.com. I just want to find out all of the information possible. From everything I have read, this battery does not void your warranty.

(from the Hymotion blog by Sanjeev Choudhary, General Manager, PHEV Systems)


Toyota Warranty
Since our L5 PCM product availability announcement, Toyota has officially stated to the media that the Prius’ factory warranty will not be automatically voided due to installation of the L5. Toyota has further said that if the L5 creates a problem with a warranted system then Toyota may refuse to provide warranty service if the L5 is the source of the problem.

These statements from Toyota are consistent with our own position on how the Toyota factory warranty will be affected by installation of the L5. We have consistently said that Toyota can’t automatically void the Prius’ factory warranty simply because an L5 is installed. We have also noted that if the L5 causes a problem that would otherwise be covered by Toyota’s warranty then Toyota may refuse warranty coverage. Rest assured that in this event, A123 will pay for the cost of the otherwise warranted repair for our customers.

[wchardin]

Thanks for the information, I was wondering if this was true or not.

[jelloslug]

I have always wondered why people have said that the Hymotion kit voids the warranty.

[glaf8421]

I have had my L5 for 3 months now. NO PROBLEMS. I have run about 1200 miles now on pure EV. Amazing technology.

Grant

[dipper]

That statement is written in a blog. But is it written in the service contract? If not, this is not legal by law. Hymotion and A123Systems will just deny any responsibility.

Grant. Can you check your contract to see if it said anything?

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by dipper

That statement is written in a blog. But is it written in the service contract? If not, this is not legal by law. Hymotion and A123Systems will just deny any responsibility.

Grant. Can you check your contract to see if it said anything?

It is the law. Federal law and case law have clearly established that a manufacturer cannot void a warranty merely because a consumer installs an aftermarket product. The burden of proof is on the company (in this case Toyota) to prove that the product actually caused the service problem that they are refusing to cover.

So if you have a problem with your cruise control on a Toyota Prius, then having a Hymotion battery had nothing to do with it. Toyota cannot refuse to fix your cruise control because of the Hymotion battery being installed.

This is case law and is already clearly established.