Gen 2 inverter pump back order?

Last week I started getting the hybrid system warning light, and consistent with suggestions made in another thread, the problem turned out to be the inverter pump. It is still under recall warrantee, and the dealer has confirmed that replacement will be free of charge. This is for a Gen 2, 2008.

However...! The gentleman at the dealer said that the part is on back order with no ETA on expected lead time to get it in. He tried to pass this off as normal and was annoyed when I pressed him, asking for when he would at least be able to tell me what the lead time would be. He said it could be a week or could be a month before he would even find out an ETA. Just absolutely no idea, and no effort to get more information on it. He said he would keep an eye on it and touch base with me periodically if there were any news. He really didn't seem to care or be sorry, and in the meantime, they have my only car.

The only option he could offer me, when I clearly didn't find this an acceptable situation, was that they did have in stock the original BAD design inverter pump and I could play $600 out of pocket to have it installed. I don't understand at all why they would still stock and sell a known defective part under recall - it makes no sense.

Is this a normal situation?? Has anyone else heard about the inverter pump being on back order with no known lead time date? Has anyone been able to find out when the part will be stocked again? I mean, it's a warrantee item on recall. Old recall yes, but still active.

I'm left wondering whether I need to start considering a new car, if this is going to be a long term situation. I adore my Prius, but it does me no good sitting at a dealer indefinitely.

If anyone has info about the supply for the inverter pump, it would be much appreciated! I'm also going to try calling the regional Toyoda office later today.

 

Oh, believe me the ONLY reason I am at a dealer is because the parts and work are covered under the warrantee recall. Everything should be free of charge - except for the pesky part of not having my car for an indefinite period of time. I actually started at with a mechanic. They diagnosed the problem and recommended going to the dealer since it would be covered free by the recall.

I am about 50miles south of SF, down in San Jose. I took the car into Stevens Creek Toyoda as that was the closest. The service person claims he called all other dealers in the area and that no one has the part. He also claimed that no mechanic would be able to get it either. But yeah, given my overall impression, I can't say I have the highest confidence. That's why I figured I would call the regional center. Is that not the right approach? Would it be better to call individual dealers? I can also try through my machanic.

What is the deal regarding the new warrantee part vs the original design part? It makes no sense to me that they would be selling a flawed part known to failure and under recall but that is what he was saying. When I call around, is there a clear way to distinguish between the two, other than what I said above? I don't want to get the work done only to replace with a faulty design part. (And are places going to think I am nuts for asking clarification on the part? " do you have an inverter pump in stock? I need the version that isn't flawed and under recall.")