Inverter just blew, 3K out of warranty!!......

Realistically, if you were the original owner and had 149,999 miles and something under warranty broke and you got a free replacement, then you might think you won the lottery because something that you got 99.999% of the guaranteed use plus a new whatever which should last another 150K miles!
Instead its like you lost the lottery...no big deal just a $1 ticket.
Of course the $2900 is painful and good for you if you can get Toyota to pay for it...but then what is the limit? 4K miles over the number? 5K, 10K? Don't they have to set a limit somewhere?

Mike

 

Used inverters are plentiful on ebay. Buy a used one and install yourself...they are not expensive.

On a semi-related note, it is interesting that non-CARB Prius receive 15 yrs/unlimited mileage for the common inverter issues while the CARB approved ones are limited to 15/150K:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10145758-9999.pdf

 

^ That. A secondhand inverter installed by an independent mechanic is the appropriate repair for this vehicle.

Taking any 10+ year old car to the dealership is like begging for a bank account beat-down.

 

Find a Prius with 149,000 miles, install your blown inverter in it, and take it to a dealer.

Just kidding... you’ll want to pull one from a wreck, etc.

 

Since your in Sac, check out the auto recyclers in Rancho Cordova.

They have plenty of stock.

Swap the inverter out for fractions of the dealer quote and be back on your way.

 

Pends....
You actually have a few options.

1. You can try for a good-faith warranty adjustment from Yota.
For a ten-year-old car that is most of the way through its design service life, it would require MUCH goodness and faith but it costs you nothing to try.

2. Used inverter installed either DIY or by an independent wrench.
This will probably cost you 1/3 of your car's real-world value, but you'll have the opportunity to sell the car and get another one this summer after the tax-refund feeding frenzy is over with and the dealers get hungry again.

2a. Used inverter installed either DIY or by an independent wrench....and drive the car for a while longer.

3. Sell the car As is - where is.
You'll probably get close to the real-world value minus what it would cost you to repair it.

3a. Talk to a dealer about trading the hulk in.
Perhaps instead of eating their cost for another inverter (probably about $500 for them) they would be willing to cut you a deal on a replacement. I do not personally think this is a WISE option....but it is an easy one to take.

Good Luck!

 

The traction battery went out on my 2008 2 years ago. The dealership wanted $3600 to replace it. Following the advice here on the forums, I complained to corporate and they ended up covering half of it, which made me pretty happy.

 

I can't understand the rationale behind this. I'm glad I have the longer warranty, though.

 

My inverter went out at 196,000 and toyota gave me a new one installed free.... 2013 prius v.........pretty sure yours is covered....miles don't matter.... 15 years.

 

Did you miss the post above you?


iPhone ? Pro

 

no

 

what am I looking for?

 

guess i missed something.......?

 

oh.... the pdf........just seen it.....

 

If you DIY or work with an independent mechanic, here's some repair manual info, inverter replacement:

 

Hmm, I re-read the bulletin. The asterisk is in reference to the original warranty terms; the bulletin goes onto state 15 years/unlimited mileage.

OP, I think you should have your dealer re-confirm. This might be a covered repair if your fault codes match the ones described.

 

Same thing happened to me... I was 1100 miles from home. Dealer told me $3700 or more. Thanks to RJ Parker he sent the info to me and I presented to dealer and it was covered. And they are supposed to tow and give loaner car.
I even got a unit from wrecked car and swapped it out and it wouldn't start.

 

IMO you have nothing to lose in calmly and sanely, contacting Toyota Care--and asking if any "Goodwill" extension could be obtained or applied.
You've already been told No by the dealership...the worst would be Toyota comes back and confirms the No. The flip side is I have read posts where occasionally Toyota say's Yes, in various different scenarios.

So I would I try.
With very tempered expectation just because the reality is, if you're past warranty, you're past warranty. Toyota doesn't HAVE to offer any support.

Then if you get a Yes...evaluate the value, depending on what level of support...pro-rated or otherwise.
If you get a No, and your plan was/is to sell in months? All the advice about finding a used inverter would probably be the way I would go.

Unfortunately, as would be with any used vehicle, if it's not running for any reason, the value plummets. So it would be in your advantage to try to find a semi-economical solution to at least be able to sell the Prius as a running Prius with a working inverter.
You'll have to look up similar Prius used car values, and do some math, to find out where that line is.

 

Has toyota drastically extended the warranty? On my 2008 it was 10 years in CA and only 8 everywhere else.