Bad transmission, $8,500?!?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kenworthey, Apr 18, 2005.

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  1. kenworthey

    kenworthey New Member

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    I never did give a final accounting of this. After a month of back and forth with Toyota (many fed exes, containing letters from not just me but with many other 2001ers who had similar problems), Toyota dealership ended up charging me $2500 to replace the CVT, as a "goodwill gesture." Gee, thanks, Toyota. But I was tired of fighting about it. I was also tired of not having a car and taking two buses to work. So I paid it. I have had nothing but problems with the car since. Do a search for "kenworthey" and you'll see the latest--a complete and catastrophic failure of the entire hybrid battery and the associated computer. $4900 in parts. Dead car.
     
    #41 kenworthey, Apr 25, 2009
  2. Ogo

    Ogo Prius Owner since 2008

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    Well Ken, pioneers always pay a higher price. That is unfortunate fact.
    It takes some time to iron out all issues with new technologies and you with your NHW11 Prius were one of the pioneers.
    Even we with NHW20 Prius are still sort of pioneers. If everything goes well new Prius ZVW30 will launch hybrid cars in to mainstream. But still beware. If reliability is a priority, I would delay purchase of ZVW30 for 3 years, so they iron out all the major problems of a new model. But that is the reality for all new car models, hybrid or non hybrid, Toyota and non Toyota. ;)
     
    #42 Ogo, Apr 26, 2009
  3. kenworthey

    kenworthey New Member

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    You are right, Ogo. And I will never, ever be that sucker again. (Nor will I ever buy Toyota again.) My next car is going to be a Honda Civic. A GASOLINE ENGINE Honda Civic.
     
    #43 kenworthey, Apr 26, 2009
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Ken,

    Sorry to hear about your car's problems. It is true that the Prius and other hybrids are highly complex. Although Prius is quite reliable, the occasional failure happens and your car is evidence of that.

    If you must depend upon dealer service for post-warranty repairs, this will quickly become an uneconomic proposition. If you are willing to DIY and can deal with high voltages then you can economically repair most problems that come up including the traction battery (the transaxle replacement goes beyond what a normal DIYer would be expected to do.)

    It makes lots of sense to buy a low-tech car such as the regular Civic, if you are very concerned about post-warranty repair costs.
     
    #44 Patrick Wong, Apr 26, 2009
  5. kenworthey

    kenworthey New Member

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    Thanks, Patrick--good advice. I live in a basement apartment in the city--I'm pretty sure I have a wrench and a screwdriver somewhere but that's it. ;) I put gas in my car and air in my tires, and occasionally check the oil level, but everything else I leave to the pros. And since when I buy a car, I generally hope to own it for about fifteen years (longer if it is still kicking), yes, I am done with being a pioneer.

     
    #45 kenworthey, Apr 26, 2009
  6. boughtalemon

    boughtalemon New Member

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    Im alos having engine problems with my Prius. I bought a 2002 Prius from someone who didnt tell me that it needed repairs. Then that person disappeared when I tried to contact them :(.

    The dealer is probably referring to the tranaxle not the transmission (I dont believe Prius's have transmission). I got a few different estimates, the most reliable were between $4000-$5000 to repair.

    Good Luck!
     
    #46 boughtalemon, Aug 25, 2009
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