Some part of Hybrid System not coverd under warranty? Dealer Scare Tactics?

the tranny is only 3/36 i believe, which i find odd, since it contains two electric motors but is not considered part of the hybrid system. they hardly ever fail though.

likely, he was giving you the usual scare tactics, trying to pad his wallet. hey, that's what they hired him for. not to tell you you don't need the warranty.

 

Ha ha...first, the salesperson convinces one to buy Toyota because of the reputation for reliability. Then comes the pitch for the warranty because the POS will cost you $14k when something breaks.

PS: ride43, luckily you're in a CARB state. 10yr/150k warranty on the traction.

 

Practice the proper response:

"You're selling a car is that unreliable?"

Get up and walk out. When the salesman intercepts you, ask him to introduce you to the sales manager. If he tries to sell the extended warranty, ask him which would he rather sell, warranty or car?

Actually part of the deal is to emphatically answer "No." If they think you can be persuaded, they will never stop.

Bob Wilson

 

Page 14 of the Warranty & Maintenance Guide (PDF) for the Prius Prime says the “Transaxle/Motor/Generator” is covered under the Powertrain Warranty, 60 months or 60,000 miles.

I can’t comment on the reliability of the electronics in a Prius Prime, other than to note that the level of diagnostic skill among technicians varies, and it’s easy to run up a large repair bill by replacing parts until the trouble goes away instead of finding and replacing only the one defective part.

Vehicle service agreements, like most other insurance, are sold to make an underwriting profit, that is, the issuer pays out less in claims, administrative expenses, and sales commissions than they collect in premiums. If you can afford to self-insure instead, buying insurance, on average, tends to be a poor deal. Consumer Reports has an article with other tips you might find helpful.

If you’re considering a service agreement that covers only specified parts, check the list carefully. For example, I don’t see the Network Gateway or Driving Support computers on Toyota’s list, even at the “Platinum Protection” level, and it’s not clear to me that their “Boost Charging Inlet and Plug-in Electronic Control Unit” would include the Electric Vehicle Charger Assembly on a Prius Prime.

 

The warranty manual should spell out exactly what parts are covered.

The hybrid battery is covered under the mandated, federal emissions warranty. I can see a plug in's charger not being covered because not being able to charge is going to effect the emission control systems of the car.

 

There is no way for the hybrid battery to cost $14,000.

Currently, replacing a battery with brand new cells at an independent shop will likely cost you right around $2,900 or so.
At most dealers I'd guess $3,500+?
Could be 10 years out before you have to get that job done.

The battery does not come with the electronics because the electronics from the old battery are transferred to the new one.

Now, there are some unscrupulous repair shops that may try to sell you NEW computers, but it is totally unnecessary.
New computers would cost a few thousand dollars each, I suppose.
I've heard of dealers trying to charge $5,000+ for replacing a hybrid battery and recommending NEW computers.

Scare tactics or just generally uninformed.

EDIT: I see that I am in the PLUGIN forum. Sorry. I was quoting NIMH traction batteries for standard hybrid. Not the Plug In lithium battery. Sorry.

 

how can a prime battery only be $2,900. when a lift back battery is almost that much?

 

If someone wants to PM me the last 8 numbers of a prime VIN I can check my local price.

 

Remind me not to take my car to that repair shop

 

why is the psd not part of the hybrid system, could it operate without it?

 

Have a friend call the dealership claiming to be a ‘land shark’ asking to contact the finance guy to locate the $14,000 repair victim.

Now if this was an estimate to repair a crashed Prius, it would make sense. Insurance companies need a repair estimate to declare it a total loss.

Bob Wilson

 

It never made sense to me to buy warranty on a new car. I bought a new car because it is more reliable than my old car. If I have to buy a warranty in case the new car breaks, wouldn't I be better off with the old car and have the money to fix it?

Anyway, the manufacturer is always trying to weasel their way out of a warranty repairs. Case in point, car has a rough idle. Dealer said dirty MAF sensor. Bumper to bumper warranty does not cover this as it is a maintenance item. $200. Rough idle returns the next day. Bad ECU. This is covered under warranty. Replaced for free. That misdiagnosed $200? That's service rendered.

Another case. Garage door failed. Replacement part will be covered under warranty. However, $100 diagnostic by local technician was not included. $100 installation of replacement part by local technician was not. $8 shipping of replacement part was not included. Luckily, I was able to replace the part myself but it still irks me I had to pay for shipping.

Ahhhh, I remember the good old days when warranties buy me peace of mind.

 

The warranty for me wasn't that expensive, only 35 bucks for the 125,000/6 years that covers everything. I bought it not because i'm afraid of the reliability of a Toyota. I bought it because the car is new with a lot electronics/tech baked in. The main control unit (lcd) cost 6000 bucks just to replace and the warranty comes with free car rental which makes my insurance cost less.

It's up to you to decide if it's worth it but for me the 35 bucks each month is well spent for the next 6 years of driving.

 

i'm glad you added the last sentence '35 bucks each month'. the first sentence should state $2,500.?

 

The general rule on electronics is that they usually either fail early or they fail late. I think the same can probably be said for mechanical parts in modern cars. That's how warranty companies make the big bucks because they are insuring the period of time when there is the least likely chance of failure. $35 x 12 mo x 6 years = $2,520, and you just need to think about how likely is it that something really expensive will fail during that relatively short gap period between when the manufacturer's warranty runs out and the extended warranty runs out.