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Will my warranty cover my hybrid battery pack under the California Emission Control Warranty?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by uwuprius, Nov 16, 2019.

  1. uwuprius

    uwuprius New Member

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    I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I can't seem to find information on this specific situation.

    Took my 2005 Prius into the dealership recently after the red warning light came on, and told the hybrid battery pack is dying. I was told that my warranty only covered that specific part for up to 8 years or 100,00 miles. (I'm past that at 126,000 miles)

    Later, I looked through my Toyota Warranty booklet and found information about the California Emission Control Warranty, which basically covers maintenance on emission-related parts (including the hybrid battery pack) for a longer amount of time. For the hybrid battery pack specifically, 10 years of 150,00 miles.

    The caveat is that this specific warranty only applies to cars registered/operating in California OR states that adopt the provisions.

    So my question is, since my state of Oregon has adopted those provisions, shouldn't I be covered under it?

    I've talked with the Toyota Customer Care line 3 different times, and each time I've been given slightly different information, so I want to get some solid information. The last person I talked to told me that the state of Oregon WASN'T covered under the provisions when my 2005 was first sold, so it doesn't apply. Even though Oregon has since adopted the provisions.

    Maybe this makes sense, just seems kind of tricky. Any thoughts? Do you think I should be covered?







    Here's the clause in my warranty for reference:

    "Vehicles equipped with a California Certified Emission Control System that are registered and operated in California or any state that adopts California emission warranty provisions are also covered by the California Emission Control Warranty (see page 20*). Currently, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont are the only states to which the California Emission Control Warranty applies."

    *On Page 20 "Warranty for the hybrid battery pack is 10 years or 150,000 miles"

    My car was manufactured and sold originally in California, I don't think this matters but just in case.
     
  2. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    For the hybrid vehicle battery, it’s a moot point. Under the California Emission Control Warranty, coverage for the hybrid vehicle battery is limited to “10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first,” which would have ended ten years after the car’s date of first use, presumably some time in 2014, 2015, or 2016. See the chart on page 6 and the note on page 22 of the Prius Owner’s Warranty Information (PDF) booklet.

    As to the other parts listed on page 22 of the booklet, I agree that the text could be read as extending coverage in states that subsequently adopted California’s rules, but that’s not the interpretation in the Toyota Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual, available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com, which states in Policy 4.7, California Emission Warranty:

    Vehicles equipped with a California Certified Emission Control System that are registered and operated in California or any state* that adopts California emission warranty provisions are covered under this warranty.

    The asterisk note includes model years (emphasis added):

    *Currently Connecticut (starting with 05MY), Delaware (starting with 14MY), Maine (starting with 04MY), Maryland (starting with 11MY), Massachusetts (starting with 04MY), New Jersey (starting with 05MY), New York (starting with 2004-2015MY ZEV models only; all models starting with 16MY), Oregon (starting with 08MY), Pennsylvania (starting with 08MY), Rhode Island (starting with 05MY), Vermont (starting with 04MY), Washington (starting with 09MY). California-specification vehicles shipped to other states’ dealers do not assume coverage under the California Emission Warranty.
    Toyota’s Manual is binding only on dealers and isn’t part of the warranty terms, of course, but I’m not sure it would be worthwhile to try to change their position.
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I'm a couple hours north of you and work on Hybrid battery packs for friends and family and on rare occasion folks like yourself on Priuschat. In some cases the earliest stage of a battery pack failing can be repaired inexpensively it it's a corrosion in the wiring kind of problem or pack has lost capacity and needs reconditioning.

    In other cases a failed cell, or at least the first one to fail can be replaced and you can often get another year or two of trouble free driving.

    Alternatively, you could buy a healthy pack from a wrecked Prius, or a brand new pack that could be used in your current Prius and in your future Gen2 or Gen3 Prius are now priced as low as $1650 and only takes 2 hours to install.
     
    Skibob likes this.
  4. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    2005 Prius is covered only to 10 years which means 2015 or 150k which every comes first. Also that means only California cars and states which adopted the provision.
    Crap of out luck... but getting a used working hybrid battery or reconditioned battery pack is cheap these days and tons of shops now offer those services but I would buy a reconditioned with warranty and try to install it your self. Many videos online for the DIYers. If know how to change oil and have tools. I give you an 75-100% chance of doing job correctly.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  5. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Your asking a question that would have the same outcome either way as your car is well over 10 years old. Better you should ask for help on your options for fixing your battery, that’s where you need to focus your attention. Best advice so far is to ask @PriusCamper for help.
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    If you are going to DIY the best option is @2k1Toaster kit of new cells linked in my signature. $1600 delivered gives you basically a new battery. You can then sell any unfailed old modules to reduce your cost.
     
    Skibob likes this.