Dealer wants $4500 for brake repair.... WHAT?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013.

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  1. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

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    Ok well, background story first:

    2010 Prius 98,000 miles - No Accidents (always driven like a grandma)

    I was driving on the freeway cruising about 65-70mph... not using the brake at all. All the sudden the car starts beeping loudly with the BRAKE light going off, traction control light going off, and the ((!)) light as well. So I wanted to pull over to the side and realized my brakes were not working !! It was the same feeling as if you're trying to brake the car when the car is turned off. I slowly pulled off the freeway. Tried to reset the ECU, battery, everything, thinking at the traction control is just going crazy.

    I couldn't get it fixed and brakes were still not working and had the car towed to Toyota of Glendora. They spent the day looking at the car, and today I got a call from them saying something about the brake cylinder blew along with the brake power boosters. The next thing they told me almost made me crash my other car - $3500 in parts, $1000 in labor..... WHAT?

    Thats 1/3 of the value of the car right now. I'm going over to the dealer to get a printout of all the parts they say I need, and I'm thinking of taking it to a 3rd party mechanic and/or fix it myself once I buy the parts cheaper.

    Has this happened to anyone? helpp.. any assistance would be great :( I really do not want to spend $4.5k on brakes. I'll update again once I get the printout from the dealer of all the parts I need..
     
    #1 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013
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  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    I know you past your warranty but it may help to call Toyota corporate in Torrence California and open a ticket with the customer experience dept. I have heard of master cylinder failures but not at 3 years old. Toyota may pay for the parts and you the labor . It is worth a call.

    If they flat out turn you down call Avi in Pasadena , Ca they are a independent shop that specializes in Prius. Very honest and reliable and priced much less than dealer
    Avi's Advanced Auto Homepage
     
    #2 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
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  3. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    Seems I've seen a recall notice on the brake booster, but I'm not sure. I believe it had to be an older 2010 within a certain serial no range?
     
    #3 GSW, Nov 1, 2013
  4. terry brecheen

    terry brecheen Member

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    Man that is crazy. I'm glad I bought the 100,000 mile extended warranty. This might me think about trading it in for a newer one when I get close to the end of my warranty. Let us all know how this turns out. Sorry for your trouble.
     
    #4 terry brecheen, Nov 1, 2013
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Let us know the outcome
     
    #5 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
  6. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    OP - It stinks - now that you have a diagnosis you can call around and check pricing.
     
    #6 stevemcelroy, Nov 1, 2013
  7. kronos89

    kronos89 CHRRYPRL

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    Did you do the brake recall? I think it had to do something with the brake booster
     
    #7 kronos89, Nov 1, 2013
  8. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Dealer sometimes does not check recall list. Ping the dealer service manager
     
    #8 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
  9. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    #9 jdenenberg, Nov 1, 2013
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  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    There was a recent recall on 2010 models with build dates through early October 2009. The recall replaced the Brake Booster Pump Assembly on all and the Master Cylinder on some. There was a note on the recall that if you had experienced a failure prior to the recall that you could submit a request for reimbursement.

    If you are the original owner you should have received a letter if your car was included. Evidently you were not included or were possibly missed. I would definitely call the Service Manager and discuss the recall.

    98,000 miles is too early to be losing the brake system.
     
    #10 jdcollins5, Nov 1, 2013
  11. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

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    no, I just purchased the car 6 months ago, I will look into this recall as well and get back to you guys..

    EDIT: I called Dealer, they said the car is not part of the recall :cry:. Service guys blames it on "wear and tear". Since I am the second owner, i guess its POSSIBLE it was abused for 60,000 miles before I received it, but for the last 30,000 i drove it like a grandma to save gas. meh.. what now..
     
    #11 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how do the pads look? how can you abuse the brakes? i second calling toyota. all the best!(y)
     
    #12 bisco, Nov 1, 2013
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  13. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I agree with calling Toyota Customer Service. The brake system is a known problem area in the 2010's. I would not agree that this is wear and tear at 90,000 miles.

    Good luck.
     
    #13 jdcollins5, Nov 1, 2013
  14. BrianPB

    BrianPB Member

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    Wow that stinks, I just hit 95,000 miles on mine and I bought it with 60,000 miles too... make me think about trading it in. Hope everything turns out well for you!
     
    #14 BrianPB, Nov 1, 2013
  15. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

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    you say Avi in Pasadena? but the address seems to show in Tujunga, CA. is that correct?
     
    #15 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 1, 2013
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  16. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Yes, Avi is in Tujunga, CA. Call him

    JeffD
     
    #16 jdenenberg, Nov 1, 2013
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  17. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    That 's my first question, too. I believe there is a recall. Has something to do with the nitrogen charge in the brake system leaking and making the brakes fail. Serious stuff. And the recall is for 2010 models.
     
    #17 BZzap!, Nov 1, 2013
  18. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Yes Tujunga. I was at work and brain farted. They are good people
     
    #18 JMD, Nov 1, 2013
  19. HeinzCatSoup

    HeinzCatSoup Junior Member

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    Got the paper from the dealer, says: "Found Internal Leak in Accumulator Booster Pump Follow Flow Chart and Rec replacing Brake Booster Pump and Master Cylinder." Total Damage: $4300 including labor.

    Dealer says no to the recall, and I put my VIN into the toyota recall website and found nothing either. so much for that :( Going to give Avi a call tomorrow and let you guys know. That dealer is not getting $4300 out of my pocket today.
     
    #19 HeinzCatSoup, Nov 2, 2013
  20. kronos89

    kronos89 CHRRYPRL

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    Oh man, this is crazy. I wonder if this had to do with brake fluid going low, i recently had an issue with mine where the fluid would go low and toyota said it could be an internal leak, however, when they took it apart they found nothing.
     
    #20 kronos89, Nov 2, 2013
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