HELP! No power 800 miles from home!

Obviously?
You need a second opinion.

Make them write out a written repair estimate, and take the car to another repair facility for another estimate.
If the new estimate matches the old one?
(I have my doubts!!!)
Then you'll have your answer.
If not?
I would become the original dealer's worst social media nightmare.

Yeah, You will have to come out of pocket for a rental and spend some time, but there's no way on GOD's green earth that I would reward a dealership that tried to pull this off on a customer. I'd drive a VeeDubbaya before I did that.
As a matter of fact, I would go all Elizabeth Warren on them for trying.

Good Luck!


Thread # 4,234 for why I'm a toyota driver and not a toyota owner.

 

Ask for the codes, then post here. And google for yourself too. All of those numbers seem pretty larcenous, adversarial, aimed at pushing you over to the new car department (as you allude).

Just taking the hybrid battery price of $4500, here's a thread: dealership is offering new battery for $2700. The kicker though is they're asking $1000 for install (further down the page). They also offer a Toyota sanctioned refurb (claimed to have all new cells) for $1850. Assuming the prices are in line, you went with the refurb, and a more up-and-up dealership would do the install for an (honest) $300: you'd be looking at $2150 plus tax for hybrid battery replacement.

Same story for the inverter: replacement should be roughly half that $6000 number?

And $20,000 to replace transaxle? Maybe report this dealership to Toyota? Can you get something on paper from them? I suspect it's just a very oily Service Writer, and they will not want to give you anything on paper though.

On the flipside, once you have the codes, and can get some more realistic numbers on what the $'s are going to be, it may still make more sense to trade-in for something newer, or new. But if possible, shop elsewhere lol.

 

That IS highway robbery . . . get it in writing.

Do you have warning lights on the dash after the 12v replacement? If not, drive it away and get an independent evaluation. If you do have warning lights, it maybe safer to have it towed, but what that dealer is saying does not sound trustworthy.

 

how many miles on her? they're making some great deals on the new prius.

 

I agree with the others. That estimate sounds insane! Did you get the codes yet?

 

did your cell phone die as well?

 

Where is the car located now?
Perhaps can help you find an alternative shop.
It is unlikely all those things would have gone wrong.

 

Guy makes an account, makes one single post claiming outrageous repair costs for a Prius, then disappears without a trace.
I hate to say it, but something seems a little fishy....

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Thanks for the update. It's amazing that so many people can come to the conclusion that expensive parts need to be replaced without have the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes). One always needs to ask: "Which codes were thrown for you to make that recommendation?"

Better to have a hot inverter shut down than to operate until it fries itself. Cheaper to replace a pump than an inverter. Look for the turbulence in the coolant tank to confirm that the pump is working.

 

I see that you are in MI, I believe there are some companies that would be able to replace the battery with a used battery with repaired cells as a significantly lower cost. May want to google to find some that are in the direct vicinity. Otherwise I've read the Dorman battery isn't a terrible option.