Sooo... just turned 20k miles... and i needed to reach out to the group of owners... i've now had 2 of the plastic bumper valances break... has anyone else had this problem? no off road driving, no long road trips... and the roads here in Orange County, CA and not to blame... Car is garage kept. 1st pic is from January 2017 and second from September 2017...
Do you park where cars are in front of you, say on a street?? Your damage sure looks like a peasant mobile backed into you. A rock probably wouldn't cause that kind of damage without an accompanying loud bang. The car's too new to have a material failure. I've had peasants back over my Alfa Romeo Spider when I was wedged in a front to back parking situation, and thereafter stopped parking under those conditions. Look for someone with either/or truck, SUV, or other lumber wagon who doesn't have a rear facing camera. It's probably an incompetent driver rather than a vengeful swine, since revengers tend more to keying cars. .
No, I park in a reserved space here at my office (Head in) and at home it is parked in the garage... it is 100% not from anyone backing into it because it is behind the license plate level and there is no other damage... im sure it was a rock, however my complaint is more with the durability of the plastic piece with Toyota... 2 times in 1 year is not a freak accident...
Which model car do you have. (I use the mobile PriusChat app which doesn't show your car info.) I have 9400 miles on my Prime with no front dings or other damage to front end; although I do drive 80% surface streets, I have gone over 100mph on freeway on occasion which would encourage this kind of damage. What has Toyota said about your situation? .
it is a Premium... Toyota is taking a look at the issue and is supposed to get back to me today actually... this has been going on for a week or so and i have had several conversations... will update once i get a solution!
And since you know the area... I live in Ladera Ranch and commute to Corona along the 241 toll road... not what i would call the mean streets... lol...
We're going to have to call you, "Rocky"!! With that kind of damage, it had to be a good-sized rock, at freeway speed; did you hear anything? Radio loud? That front material looks pretty strong and flexible. I once got a large rock from a truck dropping it on the 605 freeway; trucking company paid for the new windshield. The damage to your car sucks!! .
I wouldn't rule out a bullet hole for either of them. But that does seem pretty unlikely to happen without there being big headlines from other cars or drivers getting more obvious bullet holes.
I thought they both looked like bullet holes. But to punch a hole like that, there should be some residue of a bullet or rock behind the hole. Have you looked behind where the hole is?
Pellet from a CO2 rifle similar to a ,22 cal. short. Low noise. Maybe fired down from a balcony/roof. Pellet may be laying on top of the under tray still. Look for internal impact damage. Look around on your metal body panels for other impact dimples.
Honestly, it looks like a deliberate puncture. Does somebody NOT like you or your Prius? Could this be planned vandalism? Would attribute it to random bad luck but both times the damage looks so perfectly similar.
Hell yeah!! Actually a bit over; I slowed down, and saw 100mph! The car is great at that speed; no I wasn't in a school or hospital zone. 12 lane (each direction), 5 fwy in Orange County. .
Yes, my first thought was a pellet gun bullet hole. All is speculation...rock impact, vandalism, parking dents, bullets....with out in person inspection, including the backside. Stay safe!!