Probelm with Prius III Gen car Hybrid system

Are you sure that you didn't deplete the 12v battery? With all of the lights that came on, it sounds like low 12v bus voltage.

 

I'm not an expert on "Lemon Laws" and they may vary from state to state. But I think you have at least two things to deal with. #1, even with Lemon Laws I think dealerships get the chance to make things right. In other words, it's possible that the battery is replaced and the automobile is fine from that point forward.

#2, I think you need to start a verifiable paper trail as to what is happening to your vehicle. That way, if the battery is replaced and new problems arise or the same problem again then you can argue that indeed the automobile is a lemon. I'd make sure this experience you are having is registered within the system. Voice your concerns and register what is being done with Toyota USA.

I think it does vary from state to state, but I do think Toyota get's the chance to make your vehicle right....The positive thing is hopefully the dealership service department is correct and you just have defective battery.

I'd start a paper trail, verify and register what is happening. Hopefully the best case scenario would be a new battery is installed and you don't have any major problems again. But if that is not the case I think you need a verified history of experience and repairs to prove that your car falls under the definition of lemon.

Unfortunately, you might want a low cost consultation with a local lawyer that deals with these laws and situations. If you continue to have problems, and Toyota balks, you want as much leverage as possible and personally if I had further problems I'd be lobbying for a whole new vehicle.

 

Oh that's interesting. It does sound like a low 12vlt battery. Hmm...then that would mean the dealership either doesn't know what the "H" they are doing or they are just trying to get another Hybrid Battery.

I suppose a second diagnostic opinion couldn't hurt the OP.

 

While this is a bummer, for sure, try taking a deep breadth and calm down. If they provided a loaner car, then that should ease some of the inconvenience (not all). But hey, it's a complicated car, and no doubt there will be a few cars that have problems like this.

If the battery was charging/discharging as it should (as seen on the display), I would be surprised that the battery would suddenly stop working, or providing the correct voltage. But if you trust the dealership (ie fair and honest), then I would accept their word.

As far as "lemon law"...LOL. You are a long way away from being able to play that card. If this is a repeat problem that they are unable to fix, after multiple attempts, then yes, you can involk the "lemon law". But you're not even close to being there yet.

Good luck.

 

The Prius has control computers that store codes indicating what is wrong. You can ask them to share the codes and what they mean. If you post the codes here, some of us have maintenance manuals and we can read the description too.

Every machine made by man has a certain amount of what we call "infantile failures." In spite of everything, latent defects occur and get passed to the customer. It isn't desirable but it happens.

Bob Wilson

 

I am going to assume you took it to your Selling Dealership.

Given that, you could tell them depending on Mileage, you don't want a repaired vehicle, but if it is found to be a defective Battery, that can happen in anything we purchase in our daily living.

I would get something in writing and keep a paper trail. It could have very well been a issue with a Battery which probably has a low incidence of failure but nonetheless, they can fail initially like anything.

Get something in writing that states, if the battery is not the issue and some other major issue, then you want to be able to get a different car. I think the Lemon Law's require you give the dealership a chance to correct. If they can not, that's a different issue.

If you want additional satisfaction of a third party, run it past a local attorney that you may know or have a referral for, and review this with them to see if you can insist on a replacement vehicle, or what your options are.

If in fact, it is only a faulty Battery, once replaced you should not have any other problems. And you should be able to enjoy your car as intended.

Keep us posted.

 

Perhaps the OP can help reconcile the following:
There are many articles that parrot the following:
Prius Owners are “Smart” Drivers | Media News And Views

... versus their 1st post - and their inquiry formatted as it is.

Perhaps the better first question might be to inquire what their 1st language is, then help by forwarding them on to folks from that country. I'm not trying to be condescending. It's simply incredable as laid out. Maybe the OP will post which dealer in NJ (for example) they took it to. I'm just saying a bit of proof would lend an element of veracity.

 

The 12 volt battery is in the back of the car, its function is the same as the 12 volt battery you had in your last car, it stores electricity to run accessories and start the car. Only difference is when I say start the car refering to Prius I don't mean start the engine.

Keep all documents relating to the issue (verifiable paper trail), if it was an american car this would be more important but as it is a Toyota it will be sorted soon enough.

 

Sami:

Legal note:

If NJ lemon laws are like Florida, in order to invoke and perfect the actual lemon law process, you will be required to send a certified letter to the manufacturer invoking your right to a final repair to be followed by arbitration/or other legal action.

You should have a booklet which describes this process in your state included with your original materials -- with an address to send the letter.

Hope this helps.

___________________________________
Mark

Model V w/ATP, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Dark Grey Interior

 

Sami, welcome. Your county's Consumer Affairs office should have a Lemon Law booklet. You'll need 3 trips & 30 days in the shop before the law is in effect.

Keep a record of every conversation & transaction with the dealer. Dates--times--individuals. Ask for & receive a list of all DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) found.

I had an ABS brake failure in 2006. The car was at the dealer for a week. No further brake problems. The replacement 12v battery failed after 10 weeks. Again, replaced under warranty although with more inconvenience. Toyota's going to pay for defective parts. If the failure is from abuse then it will be on your dime.

Please post more details including the dealer. Give them a fair chance. I believe you'll be satisfied but expecting a replacement Prius is unreasonable.

 

Totally agree. :rockon:

Great advice!

 

My 4 month old 2010 threw a Hybrid System Failure Check Engine Alert and while I was leaving my house. Had the car towed to the dealer after it wouldn't start. The dealer found code P3191 and said HV battery was low - P3000. They started the engine and let it idle till the battery was charged. They checked for codes again, found none and declared it good to go. I could not get a reasonable explanation as to what would have caused the battery to get so low to throw the code. Are there "no no's" in operating the Prius that I should be aware of that will allow the battery to discharge so low.

 

Hey, that suits me - 2 graduate degrees, Gen X'r, sans the Obama and latte prose. :rockon:

 

The 12V battery can be run down just as it can with any other car. But as far as I know the hybrid battery should protect itself and should retain enough charge to start the car, providing of course the 12V battery still has sufficient charge to close the relay.

The exception may be if you run out of gas, or the engine refuses to start for some other reason, and you keep driving on the battery. I understand that if you do this the hybrid battery may be depleted to the point where it can no longer function, if this happens you may or may not be able to have it recharged. Other than driving when the engine won't start or very long term storage a properly functioning hybrid battery should not run down.

FYI according to a post in the Gen2 section the P3000 is somekind of HV battery code and P3191 is an engine no start/slow start code. http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/70528-p3191-p3009-p3000-c1259-codes.html