My wife's new Habanero died at 70 miles....

Happy to hear though that you are happy with the dealership. I'm sure it makes this process quite a bit easier. <br>
would be interesting if they do decide to do a quality analysis on this vehicle to prevent his happening to other ones they are making!

 

Were the Prius C not so popular with plenty of models and colors in stock at the dealer, simply replacing the car MIGHT have been an option and probably what SHOULD have occured. Since that's not the case here I think they're doing the best they can...

 

Really? Where does that come from? Is this mandated by some states, cities or counties?

If so, please post links to reputable references at http://priuschat.com/forums/other-cars/103928-states-have-cooling-off-return-period-new-cars.html.

 

I would like to point out a few things. Keep in mind that dealership technicians are NOT PAID for any diagnostic time spent on a car under warranty. They are only paid for the part they change out. So whatever poor tech ended up with this car is going to have a very bad paycheck coming. I wouldn't be surprised if the car has been shuffled around between a few techs.

Second thing, the car is a new model. None of the techs are going to be particularly good at troubleshooting this one.

Based on the description of the problem, it is likely something very simple. It could be something as simple as a bad connection on a wire-harness somewhere. Those are the most difficult types of problem for a technician to find, yet the actual fix is pretty darn simple. If it is something like that, it can happen to any car. I wouldn't "loose my faith" in toyota over something like that.

 

Have they provided you with a rental during this period? It seems to me that the Dealers are not getting up to speed fast enough on these new cars. I know on my Prius v the dealer had never heard of the Entunes update and basically had very little knowledge of the service bulletin to fix the exhaust. I don't know if the fault lies with Toyota or the dealer, but for the money spent on these cars, they have to be more on the ball.

 

over here waranty repairs are payed for by toyota.
but first the dealer must find out what the problem is and then can direct a bill to toyota head office
and those bills are standard amount for any warranty so they will not get more if it takes more time to find it out.
but the dealer carries the bill and not the technician.. thats ridiculous
the technician is not a business man the dealer is and so being a employer comes profits but also responsibility that you don't have if your a employee

 

Sounds totally reasonable. They are lucky to have gotten a customer like you.

 

As someone who has worked in customer service, I just want to pop in and say that I very much appreciate how you're handling this situation. I'm sure the folks at the dealer and at the corporate office are very thankful that this happened to you, and not someone else. It's especially impressive given this particular situation. I would be devastated if my brand new car broke down the first day! But fingers crossed that it's either a small, easy fix, or that Toyota will provide you a new one if necessary.

Best of luck!

 

I had that sickly feeling of an empty pit in my stomach when I read your thread. In fact, the very reason I am not in a new C right now is that my other non-Toyota car is stuck at the dealer for warranty work on the transmission. For nearly 6 weeks now! I was planning on selling it for the C down payment but had to put that plan on the back burner for a while.

Like you, I am very patient with the dealer. My trucks problem is quite rare it seems. Corporate is involved, the whole nine yards.

Anyway, back to you. You definitely are helping things by keeping a cool head and being patient. But, it seems to me that Toyota USA should just replace your car with a new one. You know, keeping the customer happy and all. You had it less than 24 hours, right? You are apparently one of their better customers with all the vehicles you have bought from them recently. Remind them of that fact politely perhaps?

I wish you good fortune and hope that they quickly resolve the issue. Think grand, maybe you are the beginning of a new Technical Service Bulletin that will help countless others.

I will watch this thread closely. I hope my new Prius doesn’t have any issues – if I ever get it. Good luck.

 

If keeping your cool doesn't work, scream your head off and demand a new car in front of everybody or on the phone with the big manager.

One time while I was working at the Apple Store, our manager had a customer on the phone who was demanding a brand new imac after hers was still in repair (it was new, just like your car). She was literally vicious over the phone. She was yelling at our manager. She couldn't be quieted and she wouldnt hang up. A situation like this essentially traps the manager whose job it is to provide top customer service. Therefore, he couldn't just hang up, ignore her, or give her an alternative solution at that point. The store was crazy and busy that day yet everyone took notice. This customer/phone call had become a distraction for everybody. Eventually, our manager told this customer that we'd ship her a brand new computer that afternoon.

As we employees heard about this we rolled our eyes. The lesson is if you cry and scream eventually you'll get what you want. Very few customers will ever have the guts to do it, but it works.

 

This is going to sound strange....

But I think the fact that the OP's Prius c failed almost immediately, at 70 miles, right off the lot, is a GOOD thing for everyone BUT the OP.

If this was a common or repetative design flaw, since this vehicle has already been sold in great numbers as Aqua in Asia...and in growing numbers as Prius c in North America...I'd think you'd have a great number of early failure posts...

This is the only major one I've seen, which suggests to me, to no relief to the OP...but it suggests to me, this is an isolated incident.

To the OP? You seem to have a level head about it, and a patient understanding.

I think I would lobby for a total vehicle replacement. With your loyalty to the Toyota brand, and such an evidently catastrophic failure at such a low, low mileage? I would calmly communicate your level of discomfort.

At only 70 miles on the odometer, it wouldn't even cost the dealership or Toyota that much to make the switch. Once repaired, your troubled Prius c, would probably be an easily sold, low mileage "used" vehicle.

In the meantime, Toyota would restore the confidence of a loyal customer, whose confidence has been shaken.

I think I would be tempted to at least lobby for replacement..knowing that it all could be denied. The OP's might be an isolated incident, and perhaps the problem can be repaired and no other problems would manifest or exist. But it has to be disheartening to pay for a top of the line Prius c..and not even get over 70 miles on it before landing back at the dealership with a rental car.

I'm somewhat paranoid...or a lot paranoid depending on who you talk to...but my subconcious fear going forward would be that whatever defect they discover today? Is simply indicative of a vehicle that might have other hidden problems. Flawed logic I'll admit...but that would be a "fear" I would communicate to Toyota.

 

70 miles, first couple days?

Simply require your money back or a new vehicle.

Surprised they are even attempting to get you to keep the car.

 

wow, sis, I'm on your wife's side. I am (was?) in the market for a 3, despite my personal mantra (no 1st gens....no 1st gens)...but you give me pause.

Especially for me, because it would be a tight financial fit for me, and unless toyota paid for a rental during this time, I'd be ruined.

I'm totally with others that a new swap is warranted.

Best of luck to you!

 

You have extra ammo too, with all of us watching to see how Toyota treats your situation. Actually, I'm still pretty miffed at them for the way they took so long to Man-up about the Camry throttle fiasco.

At the very least, you should get a free extended warranty and a couple of $100 gas cards if they repair and return your original Habanero. Best case senario (especially for your wife and your happy home) would be a different new c!

Deb

 

Good to hear but since you in are in Washington State, doesn't the lemon law apply on this case?

 

A car is a lemon when it's not fixable. You have to give them an opportunity to fix it, first and they've "only" had a couple of weeks.