Buyer Beware: 2007 Toyota Prius VIN: JTDKB20UX77570607

Hello,

I'm creating this posts to help others avoid the headache/stress I went through.

On December 26, 2015, I went to go look at the 2007 Toyota Prius with the VIN of JTDKB20UX77570607. It was dark. We had noticed some moisture on the hatchback floor and the seats. The dealer told us the car was detailed a few days earlier and hadn't gotten to dry out because it was raining and they couldn't open windows, etc.

I came back on December 28th. I wanted to take the car to the Portland/Broadway Toyota for a used car inspection. Earlier I called and the dealership said I didn't need an appointment and to just drive right in. But when I called around 2:30pm the lady said the mechanics were finishing their last cars and would be closed at 4:30pm so not enough time to check the car that day.

I ended up buying the car that night but the next morning I noticed a leak in the hatchback area. I did a google search for leaks in 2007 Prii and it seems to be common problem in Gen 2 Prii. I noticed the spare tire area had rust that seemed to be scrubbed but not all of it got removed. Also, appeared the spare tire was missing. The underside of the vehicle appeared to be rusted/corroded. The back wheel wells both seems heavily damaged by rust/corrosion.

I took the car back to the dealer, in less than 24 hours, and demanded my money back.

He said come back the next day and the owner will deal with it. The next day the check engine light went on as I was driving into Portland. I took it to the dealer to see if I could get more info. They told me that in August of 2015 they told the owner that the check engine light was because the car needs a new cat. converter which would cost $1,700-1,900 to replace. They said the owner decided to trade the car in and Toyota decided to auction it because it wasn't up to their resale standards.

I asked why the check engine light wasn't on when I test drove the car. She said it was reported as going on and off. She also said that it appears the dealer (or someone) disconnected the battery and reconnected it. This forces the check engine light off and it will stay off for a while.

I want all potential buyers of this car to know that I've observed these things. The CarFax has it listed as $1,500 over bluebook value but it's not! I left a brief comment on CarFax about this but I'm not sure if they will accept it or not. I just want some public record for anyone who searches for this VIN online.

Also, Carfax has the vehicle listed as green but the vehicle I bought was blueish.

I was able to get my refund from the dealer! Buyer beware on this vehicle.

 

Thank god he refunded me! I learned a lesson from this experience. This is the first time buying a car on my own. What a headache!

 

The stress alone was too much! No one should have to go through that!

 

Yes, you're right. It's probably not the definition of a lemon but it was a classic used car experience. The used car guy was trying to distract and discourage me from getting it looked at. I felt desperate and bought it because I didn't want to stress about reliable transportation after several weeks of problems. But it turned out to be more stressful than needed.

I really just want a public record so others can know that they wont find all the info they need in CarFax or the dealer.

The water leaks seems common in Gen 11 Prii and I was almost ok with it because there seems to be somewhat of an easy fix for it (with the cracks near the hatch lift area. But then I saw other water leak issues and wasn't sure I could fix all of them. I'm not a car person and don't understand all these things I was reading.

I never went under the car so I don't know what the whole thing looks like but I could see corrosion and rust all along the sides of the car and the rear wheel well looked rusted out. I didn't remove much but I was scared that the battery area was just corroded and nasty.

Anyone considering this car should get the rust/corrosion damage full inspected.

This feedback is very helpful thank you. Is 2005 Gen I? or Gen II? I'm pretty new at this and haven't memorized everything yet.

 

Thank you! I'm going to go through the guide so I know what to look out for, etc. I had googleed one and was reading it since this experience. I will see if these are the same guides.

If the car was flood or in a collision it wasn't listened on the CarFax.

I thought this car was one that was well taken care of because it looked like it got well maintained but those CarFax can be deceiving....

Thank you! I was hoping to get a car 2004 or newer because I have a 2003 right now.

 

I guess a leak & check-engine light aren't reported either....

 

Should I check that vehicle on Toyota's website? Can I check other toyotas I'm interested in the future or do I have to own it to check it?

 

You made me laugh! I don't know shit about cars (if that was obvious!) I'm newer to the area. My mechanic doesn't really know anything about Prii. Where I lived before, I literally had a reliable mechanic right next door, 20 feet away! Only an alley separated up.

I was desperate. The stress from not having the car figured out was weighing down.

I'm so lucky! Lesson learned.

What is carfax good for?!? I'm so confused. It said that car was $1,550 over retail blurlebook value. Wth?!? There's no way!

Do any of you have carfax accounts? Can you see my comment on this car?

Is the Portland Toyota place reliable? They seem expensive! But she totally helped me with the check engine code! I don't know who to trust. I'll spend thousands just inspecting cars!!!

I'm going to check this out. Have you ever looked at anyone else's car on there?