inverter radiator on 2012

Protecting the radiator from rocks, bugs, etc.. is very important. You can protect it from the real damaging stuff by making a simple grill cover for about $25. You can check out my post here:

Mesh Grill and Wolo Horn Install | PriusChat

- TP

 

If it was road hazard, why not claim it on insurance?

 

That's what I would do, notify my insurance company, especially if the deductible is less than the repair.

 

I am currently driving my third Prius, which I loved until this happened to me again. First time was the ac compressor on my 2010 and this week was the investor on my 2012. If something went through the grill I never heard it. The lights came on right after I had returned from a 500 mile road trip. Glad it happened close to home. I no longer consider this car safe and will be trading it for a non Toyota soon.

quote="quizzicallybemused1, post: 1655276, member: 99308"]yesterday, while driving my 2012 prius, the warning light and message posted about there being problem with the "hybrid system". After having car trailer to nearest dealer, I found out this morning that an 'unknown object, probably a rock' had damaged a radiator fin on the inverter cooler. i have 7900 miles on the car. the dealer indicated that the puncture was not covered by warranty, since it was a "road hazard." the technician indicated that they had encountered one other similar incident. the repair estimate was $771. there was absolutely no precipitating event that alerted me that there has been some contact with an errant object in the road. i was driving on a paved highway at about 60mph when the warning light and message came on. Has anyone else had their inverter radiator punctured by some object? after having inspected a friends prius, it is quite obvious that the probability of a similar occurrence happening will not be mitigated by merely replacing the inverter's radiator. there is absolutely no protection, other than the porosity of the grill, from another object damaging the new radiator. It certainly seems like a design oversight. the toyota technician said that 'in an attempt to lighten the car the fins on the radiator are being made with thinner aluminum and that if some type of protective screen was installed between the grill and the radiator, it would require maintenance' ie. cleaning. Having to pony up $771 certainly feels like a 'cleaning' has occurred. it is hard for me to believe that i am the only owner that has experienced this problem.[/quote]

 

Did you physically look at the radiator? I was told the same thing this morning by my Toyota dealership after being quoted $865 for replacement. After looking at the radiator, I found no damage visible. After driving vehicles for over 25+ years, this is the first radiator I have had damaged by a "rock." Ridiculous claim. I average 35K miles per year driving in another brand of car and have yet to replace a radiator because of external debris.

I have called Toyota customer service to dispute this claim that an external force damaged the radiator thereby making it a non-warranty claim. This seems to be the company line. I will fight this to the end. As a backup, I have researched other alternatives and found these radiators to range in price from a low of $65 to $300. Any quality mechanic can repair this at a fraction of the dealer cost. But I truly think the every Toyota owner should fight this until a recall is issued. This is simply shoddy workmanship.

 

Yup, happened to the wife this week. Dealer is claiming $1400 to replace, if the inverter isn't damaged.

She drove the car another 2 miles or so, till it quit.

I'll be adding something to protect this little item.

If it happened to you please post so we can determine if it is a design error.

Thanks.

 

Update: inverter is fried. Needs replacement. $4000 just for the inverter.

Covered by insurance as road damage.

Grill material has arrived and I'll be installing this weekend.