Inverter issues - Need full hybrid system evaluation?

[blacktouring]

I have a 07 Touring with just over 19,000 miles.

My master warning light came on, so I took her to the local dealership (DCH Toyota Torrance). Codes came up related to the inverter.

After spending 3 hours evaluating, they told me that they could not determine what the exact issue was (within the inverter system) without doing a "Full Hybrid System" evaluation.

They also determined that the car had been in a serious front end collision. The front end damage was not visible in the posted photos, discolsed to me nor did it show up on my carfax report.

Due to the accident damage, they stated there's a low likelihood that they could make whatever required repairs under warantee. To their credit, the did not charge me for the 3hrs of evaluation and the Service Manager did drive my car for around 12 miles after clearing the codes to see if the light would come on again. Due to the evidence of front end damage, he did suggest that I try to get the dealership I purchased from to buy back the car. He said the steering didn't feel right either - he stated that it felt tighter than it should. It does sometimes make a quiet creaking noise when turning, but not very often.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by blacktouring

...Any input would be greatly appreciated.

A few questions:

1. How long have you owned the car, and is this the first problem that your car has experienced?

2. What are the DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) logged by the car?

3. How did the dealership determine the car had been in an accident? Did they point out the evidence to you, and do you agree that the car body looks like it had been repaired?

The steering column can occasionally make a creaking sound when you are turning the steering wheel and this by itself does not necessarily mean the steering system has a problem.

[blacktouring]

1. I've had the car since 7/7/09. This is the first problem I've experienced. I've driven about 1200 miles since taking delivery and have averaged 51 MPG in my heavy traffic mostly highway commute.

2. I'll have to ask about the DTC codes. The service manager said a general code came up for the inverter, but he said it was too vague for specific diagnosis. He did reset it and in the past 40 miles, nothing has lit up. Car drives normally so far.

3. Accident damage - The hood, though a Toyota part did not match the original car. The service manager stated something about the stickers not matching. The hood has been repainted (not well BTW, very obvious in person). The windshield is not OEM. The driver's front fender and door panel have been repainted, again poorly. Though clearcoat is somewhat smooth, the paint beneath appears to have sand paper marks. The Driver's side door and front fender are poorly aligned. The dash has evidence of the top panel being removed (superficial black-ish scratches on A pillars). When going over rough surfaces such as railroad crossings, there are some strange rattles from the suspension. The interior of the driver's door has a small dent on the frame adjacent to the B pillar - I'm assuming it's stress related from the frontal impact. This door also intermittenly creaks - such as when you negotiate uneven surfaces at low speed like speed bumps in parking lots. I'm assuming it's due to the mis-alignment of the door.

Regarding steering - the service manager stated that the steering didn't feel right compared with other Priuses he's driven. He said it felt tight / too high resistance. Feels OK to me, but I don't know what's normal. He also stated that it sound like on of my front wheel bearings is going, but I think it's really the crappy, stock, worn down Bridgestone Turanza EL 400 tires making noise.

Other than the sub par bodywork, the car is clean and everything else works well.

[Patrick Wong]

OK, I agree that it sounds like the car has been in a serious accident. That should have been disclosed to you; maybe you can seek recourse from the selling dealer.

This is an expensive lesson, but you probably now know about the VIN labels that are on the doors, hatch, hood, front fenders, and bumpers, and prove that those parts are original. Hopefully you now have the knowledge to determine that body repairs have been performed, when you are looking at used cars in the future.

[dhancock]

What about Carfax? Does this CarFAX Gurantee apply?

[blacktouring]

Originally Posted by dhancock

What about Carfax? Does this CarFAX Gurantee apply?

It's worth a try. My guess is that this car probably had salvage title level damage but was not reported to the DMV, hence the reason why it appeared as a clear title through Carfax. I'm will be reaching out to the dealership first to see what recourse I can negotiate. I will try Carfax as well to see what options I have.

I hate to give this car up - dispite the issues, I really like this car!

[richard schumacher]

It may be an inverter coolant pump failure, perhaps even unrelated to the accident. Toyota may be willing to replace it under warranty.

So much can be wrong with a salvage-like car it'll make you ill, and there are plenty of used Prius in good condition. I'd try to get a refund for this one.

[djasonw]

I am curious as to why you did not notice these things before you completed the transaction. An indication of poor body work should have been a warning to you when initially evaluating the car for purchase. Just because you buy a car from a dealer does not mean that major things can be wrong with it. What is troubling is that these things would definitely be known to the selling dealer and they weren't revealed to you. I am not sure of what type of disclosures (if any) have to be made. I guess it varies by state. Good luck and take the advice from other posters here and try and get your money back. There are tons of good used Prii out there especially ones that have been recently been traded so that folks can upgrade to the 2010.

[blacktouring]

Originally Posted by djasonw

I am curious as to why you did not notice these things before you completed the transaction. An indication of poor body work should have been a warning to you when initially evaluating the car for purchase. Just because you buy a car from a dealer does not mean that major things can be wrong with it. What is troubling is that these things would definitely be known to the selling dealer and they weren't revealed to you. I am not sure of what type of disclosures (if any) have to be made. I guess it varies by state. Good luck and take the advice from other posters here and try and get your money back. There are tons of good used Prii out there especially ones that have been recently been traded so that folks can upgrade to the 2010.

I bought it on line. The dealer had a good rep - ebay 100% feedback / multiple dozens of transactions. There were not close up photos. I could photograph this car right now and be able to easily hide the defects by camera angels and lighting. The car is what you might call a good "10 footer" - meaning looks good from 10 feet/but don't look up close - a term I've heard some in the vintage car community use to describe like cars. Needless to say, this will be the last time I buy online/out of state! Though this experience does make me feel ill, getting over 50MPG ave on my long commute does help to take the edge off!

[bedrock8x]

Does it listed in eBay as clear title or salvage? Did you check Carfax before buying?
If your title is salvage and listed as clear, you can get in touch with eBay as they have car buying guarantee. I think you can get your money back.

Originally Posted by blacktouring

I bought it on line. The dealer had a good rep - ebay 100% feedback / multiple dozens of transactions. There were not close up photos. I could photograph this car right now and be able to easily hide the defects by camera angels and lighting. The car is what you might call a good "10 footer" - meaning looks good from 10 feet/but don't look up close - a term I've heard some in the vintage car community use to describe like cars. Needless to say, this will be the last time I buy online/out of state! Th?ough this experience does make me feel ill, getting over 50MPG ave on my long commute does help to take the edge off!