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P0A94 Inverter Warranty in Canada

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by robray, Aug 16, 2024 at 12:15 PM.

  1. robray

    robray Junior Member

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    This is the story of my inverter failure and warranty fix. It’s a bit long.

    2010 Prius that we bought off a 3 year lease from a dealer. We have 230,000 km on it and pretty much trouble free.
    Got the warning light on the dash to check or service hybrid system so I scanned the car and found the code to be P0A49.
    Did a search and quickly found this to be the inverter failure and also that there is an extended warranty. So I made an appointment at my closest a Toyota dealer, which is Granville Toyota in Vancouver.
    I told the advisor that the code is P0A49 and that it looks like the inverter has failed but not sure if they noted this. I had to wait about a week to get in and I wasn’t able to drop the car but my wife dropped it off. The advisor informed her that there would be a $150 diagnosis charge.
    Got a call after a few hours and was informed about the “bad news” that indeed my inverter has failed and that the repair is $4,300. I quickly replied that I think there is an extended warranty on the inverter. The adviser was not aware of this and asked where I saw it and suggested that it could be only applying in the USA since I saw it online. The advisor would investigate and get back to me. I will also investigate.
    I immediately called Toyota Canada and talked to a very nice person who was able to confirm that there is a 15 year inverter warranty on 2010 to 2014 Toyota Prius and that my VIN seemed to be eligible. She also gave me the reference number R66 or X66 in case anyone in Canada has this issue and the dealership is not aware of the warranty.

    The advisor texted me during my call with Toyota Canada and said that he found the warranty info but needed to confirm my car had the proper software update to make sure it is eligible. I replied and informed him I spoke to Toyota Canada and gave him the Ref#R66.
    After a couple hours I finally got a response saying that the software was updated so my car should be eligible. I just went to check the exact wording in the text but they all seem to be gone. I also tried to call that number after receiving the text and it isn’t a number you can call. Does Toyota have a system where they can text from a random number and the text auto deletes?
    At this point I am getting a bit frustrated. I want to know that I am covered for sure. Eventually I get another text saying the part can be ordered and work done next week. They asked if we wanted to take the car or leave it. I said leave it because it does not seem drivable.

    The day of the job o got another text with slightly ambiguous wording as to whether the work will be covered and I responded with “Do not proceed with this job before confirming it is covered under warranty. I will not be able to pay for this job if it is not covered.”.

    The next text I get is the car is ready to be picked up.

    The fix was done and I wasn’t able to pick up the car in person but thankfully I was NOT charged anything not even the diagnosis.

    My question or concern is around the warranty awareness of the dealer. Does this seem normal that I would be given an estimate of $4300 and if I agreed I think I would have just paid it and the warranty wouldn’t have covered it. Also the uncertainty of the coverage was so frustrating to deal with. This was potentially a very expensive repair.

    I feel a bit suspect of the dealership. Can they really not be aware of this warranty? How many Prius’ are in Canada? Is this a wide spread problem? I find it hard to believe they didn’t know. Am I off base here?

    I got a text asking if I was satisfied with the service. I responded NO and the response is that someone from the dealer will contact me.

    Ultimately I am happy my car is fixed and it cost me nothing except time and some aggravation. But I plan to provide feedback regarding the warranty awareness. Should I mention anything else?
     
    #1 robray, Aug 16, 2024 at 12:15 PM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    No this is exactly how business works they want to keep you in the dark as much as possible if they can get away with it Toyota really wouldn't have anything to do with this this would be Toyota of Canada I guess it's like a franchise somebody brought Toyota to Canada a group of people millionaires whatever like they did in the States I have beef with Toyota in America I have beef with Toyota USA not Toyota the manufacturer in Japan I'm talking to USA because Japan doesn't talk to me they didn't sell to me Toyota USA did Toyota Canada did all that so that's who you're dealing with You can tell him whatever you want but this is pretty much kind of how they roll if they can get away with it You got it fixed generally speaking you should be happy and as far as Toyota Canada's concerned they'll send you a gift card for a cup of coffee or something probably I don't know but that's very typical people who've worked in the car business have a good handle on this sort of antics but your car is fixed and it's almost 15 years old or something so that's a pretty good lick right. Me I don't ever make it that far I just have an inverter laying out here under the carport and I just drop it in and I'm driving in an hour and a half so I don't have to make these calls and be told anything about 4,000 and a 12-year-old car or whatever
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Aug 16, 2024 at 12:30 PM
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I’m not sure if Tom mentioned this, but I’ve heard dealerships get paid better by retail customers than Toyota, so a big disincentive for both of them to accept responsibility.
    Ever cleaned the EGR system?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Aug 16, 2024 at 12:36 PM
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2024 at 3:40 PM
  4. robray

    robray Junior Member

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    My EGR is due to be cleaned and I had tried to get it done about 6 months ago. I don’t feel like doing it myself and my trusted independent mechanic has been going through some personal issues so it’s been delayed.
    It will get done.

    I also have the extra filter ordered for the battery vent in the rear seat.
     
    #4 robray, Aug 16, 2024 at 2:05 PM
    Mendel Leisk and bisco like this.
  5. robray

    robray Junior Member

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    I am very happy with the outcome but the process to get there wasn’t great.

    Where do you get a spare inverter? Is this a used part from a wrecker?
     
    #5 robray, Aug 16, 2024 at 2:07 PM
    Tombukt2 likes this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    First couple of links in my signature may help him.

    If you've never done it, good to dig right down to the battery fan itself, see how it's doing, clean it. It can be done without rear seat removal.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Aug 16, 2024 at 2:40 PM
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah during the time of the recall most of these got redone in America they put a sticker on them and some other kind of nonsense so you can tell it's been done as they go into the junkyard these inverters they can't give them away they have thousands of them piled up in the corner that they're going nowhere so every time I go buy any of my towing lots or LKQ they'll practically give me one give me $20 Tom okay buddy thanks but they never break in the generation 2 practically so I have one for each car just in case haven't used one yet many here on this list have had to but I personally haven't had to use one yet they're both sitting here at the ready and yes they came from breakers other people with cars that were getting ready to send the card to the breakers but they call me first and I took what I wanted and then it went to the breakers that sort of thing I try to stay on top of this stuff so I'm not having to buy lots of parts especially ones that have been fixed under warranty already and have a green stamp of approval.
     
    #7 Tombukt2, Aug 16, 2024 at 2:51 PM
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Oh Man just wait a few more years You think this little dig with something to deal with Just wait these companies are fixing to get really almighty governments are enabling this pretty soon they won't even be a warranty or anything like that Just watch You may live to see it on your watch or your children will It's becoming more and more like that everyday Big business can write their own ticket and say whatever they want and pretty much that's gospel people are getting so dissatisfied and start being tired of hearing this stuff look on the internet they're blowing up products It will certainly get a lot worse before it gets better giving our governments have certainly short changed the people.
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Aug 16, 2024 at 2:53 PM
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