Hi guys, I have a 2006 Prius and the plastic piece surrounding the handle to open trunk cracked while trying to open it while it was frozen shut. Anybody have an idea how much this would cost to fix? I returned the vehicle to the rental company and they gave me an appraisal of $530! This amount seems absurdly large and probably based on a dealship replacement. Does anyone have a more reasonable estimate of parts/labor I can return to the rental company? Any input appreciated! Thanks guys!
In October 2016 mine was replaced with a new piece by our regular mechanic. The price was $410 installed, with most of it being the price of the new hatch garnish from Toyota. You can get them much cheaper from pick-a-part places but if it's a rental company I'm sure they want a new one, not used. I agree the price is probably based on what the local Toyota dealer will charge for it. Check with a couple of local mechanics for a price. It is not something that requires a hybrid specialist. You can also see if they will allow you to repair it.
That plastic gets stressed from people grabbing at it all the time and not pressing the button before doing so. I would put it to you that it probably at least had some small cracks in it before you used the car. Musical chairs - it's finally broken and you were the unlucky one to have the car at the time. On taxis I used to drill holes through the plastic and tail gate (hatch) and put small bolts in to help hold the plastic against the tail gate. You can find a secondhand plastic with a bit of looking (ie get one the same colour and have it sent to you). The car rental place will push you to buy a new part... but I'm skeptical that you're the sole reason that it broke.
1. You are renting a 12 year old car? 2. What happens if the traction battery failed, would they charge you for that too? 3. What matters is getting a quote in your local area unless the company allows you to repair yourself which is unlikely. 4. The company will also charge you for loss of rental revenue while the car is being repaired.
Yeah, the same question came to my mind. Renting 2006 Prius? Did you rent it with a credit card that has rental car insurance? Or do your insurance cover the loss? $530 for body part repair on Prius is not unusual, but if that was my own car would never spend that kind of money on 12 years old car.
