Failed inverter. 25 Days and counting.... Waiting for the part

Where is the info that show redesigned inverter?
The stories of inverters failing after the recall does suggest the recall is just a band aid that didn't stop the bleeding.
As for the stellar reputation you must be joking, right? Anyhow, I have/had 4 toyotas lately and 2 of them were not stellar at all. So, I'm not drinking the koolaid.

 

Careful, they'll have you shot at dawn for saying that!

I agree though, my Prius has been less than stellar too. I too wonder if the recall is just a sticking plaster that isn't quite working. The reduction of hybrid warranty to 5 years from April 2014 for UK sold hybrids is also a worry. Apparently it's for the customers benefit to make the warranty simpler to understand. But with this outstanding inverter issue the cynic in me is not convinced.

 

No info I am aware of. You quoted a half a sentence of mine. The full sentence said that the delay in sending out a replacement led me to wonder if current production is different.

Let's put a number on "inverters failing." Are we past three yet ?

 

AH, but *if* that failed inverter was in YOUR car, even just ONE failure is TOO many. It is all about perspective...and viewpoint "involvement," ie: does it directly affect YOU.

 

If it was my car I would be more involved but it would not lead me to imagine conspiracies or cover-ups of legions of failures. Three would still be three, not a tip of an iceberg.

 

Not sure the total count but my 2010 Prius died yesterday (Aug 26, 2014), got towed to the dealer and I just found out that the inverter is dead, dead, dead. The dealer said they've ordered a replacement and will let me know ETA later. Lucky for me it's going to be covered by warranty. I've got 123K km.

Perhaps we should start a pole?

Similar story to many I've read in the forum. Accelerated after turning onto a major road. Went about 100-200m when the dash lit up like a Christmas tree and the "Check Hybrid System" message came on.

It was a scorcher up here in Ontario yesterday so not sure if the hot temp had anything to do with this. Of course AC was running full out since I had just gotten into the car about 5 min. before. NB There was nothing in front of the vent. I still had power to all the electronics & power windows, radio etc. I coasted to the side of the lane but as there was no shoulder, I started blocking traffic almost immediately. (With all the electronics in the car I was looking/hoping for a "reset" button or a "ctrl-alt-delete" <grin> to get everything going again.)

The complete death of the gas & electric motor was the weirdest thing I've experience in 35+ years of driving. I would have expected the gas motor to keep going. It could have been a serious accident if I'd been on the highway.

 

Yes, a sticky thread to keep track of inverter failures in G3 Prius would be a good idea. Hard to say at this point if Toyota had a bad batch or made an engineering error. Either way Toyota has a stellar history of owning up to these sorts of problems and doing right by the consumer.

I wonder if failures are more common in cars driven aggressively. What is your lifetime mpg ?

 

I'm probably a bit more aggressive on the gas peddle. I think the touring package, low profile tires etc. make me do it.

I'm not sure what the lifetime mpg is or how to figure out (or if available using the computer).

I track mileage per fill-up and mileage per service using A & B trip odo. It's become a bit of a game. I suspect this is pretty typical of Prius owners.

Mileage since last service was around 5.2l/100km (~45mgp) but I can't check since the car is at the dealer. Normally on the highway I'm getting around 4.5l/100km (~53 mpg).

Where I live it is normally 5.8-6.2l/100km due to the totally screwed up lights and traffic. Yes, really! (I think it's a hidden tax on our traffic calmed neighbourhoods and bad urban planning. It seems to equate to ~1l/100km). When I'm outside of Oakville (where I live) for an extended time the city mileage is around 4.9l/100km. Go figure??

 

Just got a call from the dealer. He said the inverter is "back ordered to Japan". No eta. As in another post, I can confirm the verbal quote for the repair of about $4k. Holy crap! Thank God it failed under warranty.

Not sure what I'll do about getting around. The warranty won't cover a rental. :-(

 

Just a quick update. I was told last week that the part would arrive today (Sep 3).

Today, the dealer rep called and told me the part is listed "code red" and has an earliest ETA of Sep. 29th. So it looks like the backorder problem is much bigger than originally thought.

 

that's ridiculous, i would raise a stink about a rental. did you elevate to toyota?

 

Sorry for not replying sooner. I did pester the dealer. The dealer went to bat for me with Toyota and I have a courtesy car for the duration. I didn't think I needed to bother Toyota since everything was moving forward, even if slowly. I'm glad I can get around again.

 

Good they gave you a courtesy car. That is a big benefit. That will help take the pressure off of you.

 

Another update. On Fri. (Sep 19th) I got the car back. So it was 3.5 weeks from the inverter failure to receiving the car back paired. The new inverter is quite shiny sitting in the front right of the engine compartment.

The dealer was quite helpful. They are going to try to get the towing charge reimbursed by Toyota. I'll be impressed if that happens.

After driving the car a few days now, I could swear the acceleration has been neutered. I have to admit that I probably had a heavy foot but it made the bunny car (as my kids call it) more fun to drive. Now it seems much more subdued.

On the other hand, I've never had such good fuel economy. Driving around town here I've never gotten better than 6 l/100 km. I think it is because of the inordinately large number of stop lights/stop signs & not syncronized lights. On longer trips or longer visits to other towns/cities I was easily getting below 5l/100km. Since getting the car back I'm at 5.2l/100km at home. I hope this continues!

Good luck to the others who have had inverter failures. I really hope this new part (redesign?) from Japan fixes the problems for everyone.

 

That's good to hear. We sorta experienced similar fuel economy change, after getting the software update, maybe related. I noticed the car would shut the engine off, run electric-only, noticeably more easily. My wife remarked the same thing, and I swear I had not asked her, or mentioned it. Seems like they've taken something off the "top end" to protect the inverter, and recouped it from easier electric-mode. Hopefully not overtaxing anything.

 

I had the same inverter problem on December 28, 2015. Unfortunately I was driving on the freeway when it POPPED, a bunch of dashboard lights came on, and the "check hybrid system" message appeared. Fortunately, I was able to safely (though slowly & with difficulty) drive it to my regular Toyota dealer less than a mile away. They've been great, all things considered. Toyota is paying for everything (under original warranty) and a "rental car" (a Corolla off the dealer lot). They've pushed back the ETA a few times already, but I expected that based on testimonies I've read here. They have to rebuild the inverter system; some parts came in from Portland, OR (I'm in Olympia, WA, about 2 hours north); one part is on back order & causing the delay.

Counting my blessings that everything has been so convenient, but missing my car and the ignorant bliss of it being problem-free.

The current ETA is next week (15 days).


2010 Prius, Pkg IV solar roof (I purchased it in May 2009 & was told that it was the 49th 3G off the line)
53,000 miles

 

Wow, not a good holiday experience for sure. Kudos to you for keeping a positive outlook on everything.

 

For the record, I got my car back tonight (yay!!) after 18 days. The bill would have been $2500 + $700 for the rental car. Toyota paid for it all. I feel very grateful.

My service consultant said there are three hybrid-certified technicians on staff (that sounds so low for such a big dealership) and this is the first time they have ever seen this problem. So it's not common by any means.

Hopeful this is my last problem. I still love my car. Though considering the new 2016 Pri...that Four Touring is interesting.