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Help: my 2014 Prius broke down in AK

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by ajh2222, Aug 22, 2024 at 3:19 PM.

  1. ajh2222

    ajh2222 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Here's my situation:

    I purchased a used 2014 certified pre-owned Prius in 2019. I've tried to take good care of it -- it received its 60000 mile service in December. In May, I went on a trip from Anchorage to Soldotna, AK. 2/3 of the way in, the engine started to whine, but no warning lights came on. I pressed on, hoping to make it to town, but twenty miles from Soldotna, the engine conked out. I pulled over and was towed into town.

    On June 7th, I finally got the Prius to a Toyota dealer. The dealer established that I had a valid powertrain warranty, but it took them an outrageous 2 months to complete the required engine teardown to the point of failure. Before doing the teardown, they required that I approve the action and agree to cover $1,000 of repairs in the event the warranty company ultimately didn't cover my claim. So I did -- what choice did I have?

    Today, Aug 21, I finally got word that my warranty claim was denied. Apparently, the heat exchanger failed, causing a total engine failure, and apparently the heat exchanger is not part of the powertrain.

    This is turning into more of a rant/comment than a question, but I guess my questions are:
    1. What would your all do in this situation? I'm going to talk to Toyota and complain about the horrible customer service I've experienced from beginning to end, but that won't solve my underlying problem.
    2. Does a 2014 Prius with a broken engine have any value? I've moved from Alaska, and I don't have any idea what to do with the hunk of junk at the dealership.
    Any advice welcome! Thank you.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    Sorry for your troubles!
    That is almost unheard of in a Prius with such low mileage.
    I would ask them what a heat exchanger is, to start with.
    A part number would be helpful.
    A 2014 with 60k is valuable. Look around for a shop that would install a salvage engine for a reasonable price
     
  3. MAX2

    MAX2 Junior Member

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    2007 Prius
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    What was included in the maintenance?
    Do you have a list of works?
    Are you talking about a problem with the EGR?
    Usually, after its malfunction, the engine overheats, gasket breakdown and coolant leak into the cylinders.
     
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I would imagine the engine overheated and failed. About a $6k-$8k repair at a dealer assuming they install a new short block and rebuild the head.

    What now has more to do with the warranty provider. Sounds like it was not Toyota Corp and may have been a fly by night LLC insurance company.

    2014s don’t have a history of Exhaust Heat Recirculation failures which are common on 2016 and newer gen4s. More likely it was a head gasket if no warning lights or codes actually occurred. This is common on gen3s and overheating is not necessary.

    Overheating would have caused codes and warning lights. Water pumps fail but they code one way or the other. However codes are easy to clear and the dealer and warranty company probably assumed someone cleared the codes and it’s your fault for not immediately shutting down and towing.

    Sounds like the dealer was leaning that way by pre-authorizing $1000 for the teardown knowing the warranty company was not going to approve it. Often their game is to “offer” a few thousand as a trade on a new car. In reality the car is worth $500-$1000 to them at a salvage yard or auction.

    The 2014’s value would be partially restored with a JDM engine installed for $2.5-$3k. That’s assuming the car was with you AND you lived somewhere in the lower 48 where obtaining a JDM engine is less than $1400 in big cities. Transporting it from Alaska when you have already moved makes little sense.

    As is, your best bet is to complain to Toyota Corporate IF your used car warranty was sold by them. However many dealers make more by selling the off brand LLC warranties which are essentially worthless if needed.