A/C Compressor Failure

Just curious, do you use AC always, frequently, sporadically? And where do you set the temperature?

 

That's not very comforting

 

Most definitely. Sorry. Another option is sourcing a used compressor and having a hybrid specialist shop that understands electric a/c's install it.

 

You say the AC is on all the time for the past year or so. Do you also have ECO mode on all the time?

Also, you might find this discussion interesting. It's not a C, but apparently ridiculous dealer pricing for this repair is common. I was surprised to see one dealer was willing to negotiate a little. Just goes to show you how each service department inflates repairs costs to suit their mood.

2011 Prius - A/C Compressor Dead | PriusChat

 

Just to clarify, the A/C doesn't always run when the "A/C" light is on. My understanding is that pushing the A/C button so that the light comes on is telling the HVAC system "you may use the A/C if you have to". The A/C will come on if it's needed to cool the cabin or if the system senses that there's too much humidity that might lead to fogging of the windows.

In dry Arizona I doubt you'd see too much of the latter, but I can easily imagine the A/C running a lot to cool the cabin.

 

A friend of a friend just reported their AC went out on a 4 year old Prius with 30k miles in Los Angeles with a repair bill over $2000, so it seems like it's occurring more frequently than it should on such a "reliable" car.

 

Compressor is what is costing the most, I would look for a used one out of a low mileage car and find an A/C shop to make the repair. A/C units that are used everyday as I do, in California, even in winter have much shorter life spans then a car in New York. My last car a Subaru A/C died at 7 years old.

 

I agree. Rising parts and labour costs are approaching some sort of critical mass.

 

Is the bulk of the cost in the unit or the labour? I'm wondering if you can save money by sourcing a compressor from a wrecking yard...

 

New OEM compressor is about $1,200 you can get a used one from a wrecked car for under $150.00

 

If your quote is like the one in the post I linked, the compressor is the major part of the cost. If you can get an AC shop to work on your Prius, you can save quite a bit with an OEM part - Not refurbished - but New OEM. 12 month warantee. Same as Toyota will offer.

Toyota Prius A/C Compressor from CarPartsWarehouse The linked shop doesn't appear to have one for the C. Just showing that for OEM cost illustration.

Based on your description of how you run the AC and where you live it's a good chance your compressor is shot, but if there is even the slightest thought the dealer might be scamming you (other than the high price), it might be worth it to check the AC compressor relay before spending any money. To be able to charge someone $2500.00 for a $90.00 relay is probably very tempting if they think they can get away with it. My dealer tried to get me to change a cabin air filter I had replaced two weeks earlier. Not on the same scale as your repair, but still a scam by a dishonest service manager.

 

That's early for a compressor failure, but $2,500 for the proper repair of a failed compressor, using OEM parts is about right.

Anything that fails inside the compressor sends junk through the whole system. The entire thing needs to be removed, and all of the pipes flushed. The condenser is of micro-capillary design, and can't easily be cleaned, so it's replaced. Most of the time, the evaporator and expansion valve will also need replacement.

Replace a failed compressor without doing these steps, and it's usually another new compressor within a year...and another, and another.

I'd call Toyota corporate, and tell them you're experience. You might get some good will out of it.

Lastly, jumping to another brand because of a $2,500 repair bill on your Toyota?? LOL. Being in this industry for almost 30 years, I don't even know where to start.