Bad first service!

Complain to the service manager and the general manager to start. Sounds like your service should be comped, at least.

There is special training for Prius service techs - make sure that only a Prius-trained tech works on your car.

Dealers are going to learn very quickly that many Prius owners are going to pay far more attention to service details than most other car owners. If they don't get it right the first time, there won't be a second time.

 

Same goes for Rancho Santa Margarita Toyota of Orange County in Socal. It's a fabulous place to buy a Prius, but fear the service department.

 

My dealership also left grease stains and various scratches around the inside area. Furious but calmly, I pointed out each and every area that was soiled and scratched. I flat out told him the quality of the work SUCKS here. He ordered new parts for those that were soiled - this included a new top for the center armrest, a new arm rest for the drivers side door and a new plastic trip for the display (which had been gashed on the right side).

Now, I understand these guys are busy trying to fix mechanical things and are getting dirty just doing their job, but c'mon Toyota - put some blanketly blank blank covers, sheets, plastic, whatever, over the interior, will ya?

 

That sounds like an induvidual dealership problem, not a company wide problem. There are plenty of people who are perfectly happy with their place of service. Check around and ask for recommendations. I wouldn't go back if you got bad service, it's only asking for more bad experiences. Once you find a place you trust, stick with them and spread the word so others get good service too.,

Unfortunately if you go to a place with an express lube, the chances of anyone being Prius-trained are near zero. These guys usually aren't even ASE certified...

 

I have been following all of the posts about first service experience and "bad first service" describes what I just went through at my Toyota dealership in Dearborn, MI. I told the service rep to make sure the oil was not overfilled and specified the tire pressure at 40 front and 38 rear.

I didn't think I would have to be as specific or assertive as some of my fellow Prius owners have related. The rep assured me that my car would be serviced by their experienced Prius mechanic.

My car was ready in 30 minutes and am I ever glad that that I checked the oil level before I left. I was shocked to find the oil filler cap on the ledge beneath the windshield! The oil was overfilled by 1/4 inch and the tire pressure, well - let's just say I gave them the benefit of the doubt because the tires were warm.

I received nothing more but apologies so I rated them as unsatisfactory on the post card supplied.

Here I go again removing excess oil with the ball squeeze pump I rigged with aquarium tubing - the same thing I had to do upon delivery when it was 3/8 inch overfilled. I hope I never have any major problems in the future.

 

In my experience, if you expect to see change, you have to reduce your experience to writing and send it to the owner of the dealership with a copy to Toyota Customer Relations.

Merely speaking with the Service Manager is not going to solve the problem becasue it never gets to his boss, who will make sure that it does not happen again. Service Managers are responsioble for making sure that cars are serviced properly and their employees are doing the job correctly.

So, take the time to write a simple letter with your experiences and mail it to the owner and Toyota Customer Relations. A word of caution, don't personalize it, keep it fact based and objective.