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Rusty steering wheel axle

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Joseph Lim, Nov 17, 2017.

  1. Joseph Lim

    Joseph Lim Junior Member

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    I bought a used 2016 Prius last week.

    I came across many odd things because I see many differences with my currently owned 2016 Prius which I bought new last year.

    Yesterday I found steering wheel axle is really rusty on this no accident history car. Is it normal? I already reported it to dealership. I also found driver seat rail is rusty. Is there any possible cause for this? Thanks
     

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  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Where did the car come from - as beach area?
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Car got flooded, maybe with salt water? Something fishy (no pun) is going on, that's unusual for interior steel. You are right to bring it to their attention, perhaps a short and sweet trade-in is in order?
     
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  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I didn't think of that - here, that would normally be classed as a write-off if it was flooded. Do the carpets and seats look OK? No musty smells? Can you look under the dashboard for anything sinister, do all the electronics work properly, the USB Port, CD Player etc?

    What about externally - are there any signs of water?
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    harvey car? is it legal for a dealer to sell them without disclosing?
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The carpets look pristine, replaced??

    Check under the carpet?
     
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  7. Joseph Lim

    Joseph Lim Junior Member

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    According to Carfax, it seems to be originated from Kentucky. Thanks
     
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  8. Joseph Lim

    Joseph Lim Junior Member

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    I found that front speakers do not work at all so that I couldn't hear anything once it's paired with my phone. Dealer promised to replace the radio set which may come in 2 weeks. There was a hook to lock the matt on driver side broken, totally gone. Also door side edge of floor carpet was left open when I received the car. I noticed white stuff left in crevice all over the car. Dealer explained that it's reminder of wax. They cleaned it but not totally.

    Some other things;

    1. Wheel cover were not original ones as shown in the picture. Also some parts of the wheel covers were swollen.
    2. There were missing nuts over the wheels. One part was not properly placed, seemingly happening during reassembly.
    3. Both 12v power outlets didn't work. I checked the fuse and they were all blown. I switched it with other one but it got blown right away. At that time I tried to plug in my gps unit.
    4. Originally there were no logo caps on all four wheels. I requested them to place them. Inside of the logo caps, they were all so rusty.
    5. It had only one key which is very expensive to buy. Dealer promised to get me another one later.

    I bought it at around $18k with 36k miles.
    They didn't say any issue with this car. I'm so frustrated. I had to travel to dealership which takes 2 hours round trip several times to deal with issues.

    Can I request refund or exchange? They said I can exchange in one week and I mentioned I would if issues keep on. Today is the 10th day since I bought it. I'm thinking of exchange it with new corolla unless I can get refund.

    I'm busy with other works but I can't concentrate on because of this car issue which I didn't have when I bought my new 2016 Prius last year.

    Thanks
     

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    #8 Joseph Lim, Nov 17, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2017
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah this smells. Reminds me of a "new" car we got one time, where one side had sideswiped a bollard coming off the boat: half the car got a fast bondo-and-repaint.

    The wheel rims are bubbling up rust under the paint, and the picture with expanse of blue paint (img_1518), you can see strong orange-peel texture to the paint, that does not look original.

    I think you want to bail on this, as painlessly and quickly as possible. Sadly, the dealership will probably sell it to someone else.
     
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  10. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Walk away, my friend. This car has been in a flood somewhere and should be a write-off! o_O
     
    #10 RCO, Nov 17, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2017
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ This. If dealership knows it, and knows you know too, you have a strong bargaining chip. It's never a cakewalk though.

    Innocently ask them (hinting they knew nothing about it, which "may" be the case) if you should report the car's condition to the feds?
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is this a toyota dealership?
    i would ask for exchange/refund. if they balk, talk to your ag's office of consumer affairs.
     
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  13. pilotgrrl

    pilotgrrl Senior Member

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    Get rid of this car. It sounds like nothing but trouble, and the dealer sounds like a scam artist.
     
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  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    The fact the carpets have been disturbed and not put back indicates to me that the car has been stripped out, cleaned, dried and hurriedly re-assembled. Poorly.

    I'd just ask for your money back - it's a car full of problems today, tomorrow they will just fester. Rust doesn't go away, and if there's visible rust, imagine what else is lurking underneath.

    Not sure if that's a legal offence in your country to try to sell it without explanation that it's been severely damaged, but here, I think it is.
     
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  15. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    Most used car sales are as-is. Did you have a mechanic inspect the car before you bought it?
     
    #15 William Redoubt, Nov 17, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2017
  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Is there no statutory warranty?

    Here, there is a 3month/5000km warranty on all use cars less than 10 yrs/160,000km old. (But there are some exemptions, eg bought at an auction and vehicles that are on the ‘written-off’ register and others.)
     
  17. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    /
    In my state on Massachusetts we have specific laws as well: https://blog.mass.gov/consumer/consumer-rights/purchasing-a-used-car-heres-what-the-lemon-law-means-for-you/

    Not sure about the specific protections in the OP’s state, but I hope he will get legal advise fast. Any dealer that let this car be sold cannot be trusted in any form or fashion moving forward.
     
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  18. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    There is definitely a lot of strange issues going on with this. No rust at all on mine, about 10 miles away from water where I live and closer where I work but I garage mine, except for work.
     
  19. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    Not in the US for used cars. Unless there is a contract indicating a warranty, the minute you sign the papers you own the car without recourse. Even if it explodes and burns the next minute. Dealers here are allowed to lie without penalty because the only thing that matters is what is in the contract. And they disclaim every warranty and the buyer has to agree and sign when they buy the car.

    There are "lemon" laws that protect new car buyers. But used car buyers have no protection unless the contract includes specific coverage. That's why you need an inspection. Even when buying from a dealer. In fact, it is highly likely that the salesperson knows nothing about the car's history or condition.
     
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  20. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    They are not called STEALERships for no cause. I won't even trust a dealer to change the oil.
     
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