Arbitration with Toyota

I feel your pain.

I agree that at this point your car should be replaces or your money back. It's clearly something wrong with it. It's rare that priuses breaks down so I hope you will consider a replacement.

Let us know what happens!

/Robert

 

Do you know what that code was that they kept resetting? I'm surprised they kept replacing expensive parts without a little more certainty that the problem would be fixed.

 

Yeah -- what code? And did they actually sic a *diagnostics* guy on
it, rather than just trying to parts-swap it away? One loose
connector can ruin your whole day, y'know, and it's their job to
find it.
.
_H*

 

This is disturbing.


What dealership in Georgia?


I have wondered about everything for the ac/radio/etc being run off of one computer screen. - It was my big concern for this car.


It seems like enough of these cars are out there now that they could diagnose it.

 

diagnostics is hard stuff and there aren't a ton of people who are really any good at it, especially with the hybrids, but they have a technical assistance line for that.

there are lots of 'computer systems' in the car... to say they replaced a computer system doesn't say much. without more detailed information we can't say much as to the actual problem, but it is definitely time to check out the lemon laws in your state. whether it's the car that's just mortally screwed up or the service department, the liability doesn't fall on you to figure out what's wrong and fix it.

good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rcatz4 @ May 9 2007, 05:41 PM) [snapback]438605[/snapback]</div>

Regardless of who is paying for the repair it is YOUR car. You are entitled to precise explanations, lists of parts replaced, and trouble codes found. Everything should be in writing from the dealer. If not, make your own detailed notes. Politely suggest that if the guys from 2 dealers can't figure it out then find someone from Japan who can. I would also contact Toyota directly and get them involved in the resolution. If you want another Prius hold out for another --same color and option level. Toyota can either find one or build one. I seriously doubt 2 Prius techs have worked on "lots of Prius" as the car doesn't seem to have a long list of mechanical or electrical problems. (Galaxee, if you disagree, I'll stand corrected.)

 

Sorry for your situation.

It is really disturbing that they cannot find the error. I mean EVERY bolt and error should be traceable. I'm very surprised they have replaced all these parts without knowing what the problem is.

Why didn't they just call Toyota saying they have an unknown error code?

I know little about cars and much less about the hybrid, maybe someone here could help...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ystasino @ May 9 2007, 11:03 PM) [snapback]438886[/snapback]</div>

What is the LEMON LAW in Georgia? Out West, more than three times for the same problem = NEW CAR.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 9 2007, 11:58 PM) [snapback]438913[/snapback]</div>

I don't know about the lemon laws in any states, but definitely it should go back to Toyota. They should want to find out what went wrong so it can be avoided in the future. $10,000 lost by the company (I assume it's still under warranty) without fixing the car is too much. Not for just one time, but repeated it could cost the company a lot more.

Dave M.

 

Realistically, the best you can hope for is that Toyota will give you a good trade-in on a new car. If you have only owned the car a year and financed it, unless you made a big down payment, you really don't have much equity for them to refund.

I wish you the best of luck but I think your expectations are far too optimistic.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 10 2007, 02:58 AM) [snapback]438913[/snapback]</div>

The FEDERAL law is the manufacturers representative (dealer) must identify AND correct the problem three times. All states have some variation but it is basically the same. I tested the lemon law in Texas in 1984, just days after enacted and Chrysler bought baack a Dodge Daytona Turbo from me for exactly what I had paid for it 364 days and 4 months in the shop later. The manufacturer must identify the problem, fix the problem and have two usbsequent failures, same or different in nature, before being eligible for action under the consumer protection phase of the law. Remember, the 35K or so miles will also be deducted, and I am positive the Toytota people around here would go way down on the limbo bar to make someone happy here. Seoutheastern States Toyota may not be so accomodading. If you can start an inteligent dialog with someone at the dealership I am sureToyota Corproate will jump on board.
Do not believe everything they tell you at the dealer. Believe only what you can see with your own two eyes. (Reciepts/parts). If they offer you another vehicle, be wary. I beleive if your is fixable and your dealer is reputable, your car will be repaired. If you suggest maybe (if you have not already) you should contact the regional people with Toyota and meet with resistance, your car trouble is covered beyound 3 year/36K miles if for nothingmore than the notice it broke so close to the mileage limit. They recieved notice of a defect and have to act on it.
Best of luck, keep us posted. My 2005 has been flawless...

 

Rita, have you contacted a Consumer Affairs office in your state or county government? Perhaps filing a complaint against the dealer and Toyota (or at least suggesting it) may encourage speedier action. Good luck.

 

get yourself a list of part names, numbers, diagnostic code numbers, anything else they have records of. especially the codes. if you can do that we'll see if DH has seen anything like it before. now HE is a guy who's worked on pretty much every screwed up hybrid that's come through the service bays in the past couple of years.

 

My research into arbitration resulted in the discovery of a couple of resources on arbitration. Search on Toyota arbitration and/ or Prius arbitration.

Here is a link to someone who has performed an esteemable act by sharing his experiences with Toyota arbitration:

http://www.myscionsucks.com/index.html

and

http://www.lemonlawsusa.com/

I am trying to remain reasonable with Toyota before pursuing arbitration. Maybe they will work out a claim on a confirmed manufacturing defect in the paint. My 2007 Prius needs to be repainted! They don't want to replace the car even though I reported the problem with 300 miles on the car. So much for QC. No matter how big the problem it is not worth my happiness. Reasonable consumers have options particularly in the Internet age.

If they tried to fix your car several times and have provided a loaner car they are showing concern for the problem. Best of luck to you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mpgFanatic @ May 10 2007, 03:27 PM) [snapback]439520[/snapback]</div>

Any particular reason that a Lemon Law attorney has not been contacted?

Just because you signed an agreement to arbitrate doesn't mean you are compelled to arbitrate the dispute (at least not in California; other states may have a different take on that concept, which is why you should at least have an initial consultation with a Lemon Law attorney who is familiar with the applicaiton of the Lemon Law in your state).

 

I have been through the entire lemon process with Nissan. It was not easy,fast, or cheap. All in all I walked away losing $0.125 per mile. Nissan ended up settling the day of my case. They agreed to buy back my car, pay off my loan, and pay all attorney's fees (after discounting the fees). It took me 2.5 years to complete all this. That being said, my car was driveable during the time.

Usually the lemon law has two clauses. One for time in the shop and another for repair attempts. If you car is in the shop for more than 30 days total, they don't have to be consecutive days, or if your car has been repaired three times plus a written letter to toyota saying you have one last chance or I sue then you can move forward and you have a solid case. I would imagine Toyota would be reasonable in this situation and offer to replace the car minus a mileage offset. In my case arbitration was worthless. My arbitrator agreed that my car was legally a lemon but said "all cars have problems, live with it" and I ended up losing the arbitration thus leading to my suit against Nissan.

If you are really interested in learning about the lemon law and what to do please PM me and I will gladly share what I know with you. Good luck and keep us posted as to your outcome.

here is a guide I posted on maxima.org when I was going through my suit:
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.php?p=35...amp;postcount=1

This is a pretty good reference of what to do.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msoengineer @ May 13 2007, 07:52 AM) [snapback]441047[/snapback]</div>

While sharing information about the Lemon Law process in Illinois might be informative, it won't necessarily apply to the Lemon Law in Georgia. rcatz4 is going to be subject to the Lemon Law of Georgia if that is where the car was originally purchased. Each state has slight differences in the Lemon Law. For example, in California, the plaintiff's attorney fees are paid by the manufacturer. Guess how many Lemon Law actions in California result in buy-backs (at full price without deduction for miles driven)?