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2010 Prius IV solar roof showing sign of rust in the panel cells

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Jin, Feb 7, 2014.

?

Does your solar roof shows same signs of rusting as my mine?

  1. yes

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%

  2. no

    8 vote(s)
    72.7%
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  1. Jin

    Jin Blizzard PRIUS 2010, Nav+ solar roof

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2010
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    Location:
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    Hey Cheese, did you check your solar panel and see if you have same issue as mine?
     
    #21 Jin, Feb 14, 2014
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
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    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Solar panels have been offered only on Gen 3s.
     
    #22 css28, Feb 14, 2014
  3. alekska

    alekska Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
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    Location:
    Atl
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    mine looks the same (2010 Blizzard Pearl, IV)

    - Alex
     
    #23 alekska, Feb 14, 2014
  4. myPriusAcct

    myPriusAcct Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Only Gen3 has the solar panels. I didn't bother with the replacement because it was well outside of the warranty when I noticed it. You have to look pretty closely to realise it's not how the new panels normally look.
     
    #24 myPriusAcct, Feb 16, 2014
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    #25 cwerdna, Feb 16, 2014
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That will be 3/36. Not part of Hybrid system.
     
    #26 edthefox5, Feb 16, 2014
  7. Jin

    Jin Blizzard PRIUS 2010, Nav+ solar roof

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2010
    174
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    Location:
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Well, I wrote to the dealership Younger Toyota of hagerstown md regard the Prius' roof issue since it is serviced at the same location since day one but no reply from their managers, I'm officially done with all Toyota cars. Even our family 05 Sienna has to go and schedule a time with them for another recall work I don't think I'll trust Toyota anymore. (Sienna and Prius both have multiple recalls done past 3 years).
    I've already told my dad that we should do a trade in Sienna for a Hyundai instead, I'm just going to wait for a good deal from Hyundai dealership towards end of this year then maybe we can do Sienna trade in. It won't be easy to convince my dad since he has been driven Toyota forever =.= and we still have 4 Toyotas, but I really really like the Hyundai's new slick style compare to all Toyota's old style. Good luck to rest of you, I hope some of you guys out there have better luck than me.
     
    #27 Jin, Mar 24, 2014
  8. CheeseheadPrius

    CheeseheadPrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    59
    7
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    Location:
    Northern Wi
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four

    I did and mine still looks like how it came from the factory. Sorry I missed your question.
     
    #28 CheeseheadPrius, Mar 24, 2014
  9. Roland1555

    Roland1555 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    It would be a good idea for any of you with an issue to report it to Toyota for reference. At some point if it turns out that a large enough percentage of these panels fail then an extended warranty or goodwill compensation program might be the result. Possibly a redesign as well.

    My car has lived outside, unshaded or protected from the elements since purchased in mid 2009. We do get snow and ice here on occasion, but less salt than many places would in winter. But the sun is very potent here, and that panel tends to be hot enough to burn skin on a summer day. Seems to be enough insulation below it though, and it does keep the hvac system nice and clean, interior and battery temps down, so I'm still happy I bought it.

    Super nice day here and enjoyed driving around with the roof open, which of course is the other positive part of the solar package.

    My dealer did replace the front "wind deflector" portion of the roof at no charge after 2 years. That is the only glass panel that has a plastic surround to it. On mine, it became loose or saggy. Toyota wanted the piece sent back to them to test as it was unusual. To me it was as though the plastic edge was chemically affected by something, I never heard anything back. I only run through a touchless wash that likely uses some type of acid to aid in cleaning the odd time in winter months when I cannot safely use the hose and pressure washer at home due to low temps.

    If it was strong car wash chemicals that did something to my front panel, I wonder if they could in time hurt the solar panel. Btw, mine is made by Kyocera as well, perhaps the sole supplier?

    Roland
     
    #29 Roland1555, Mar 25, 2014
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