What was your most expensive Prius repair?

Well, I suppose if you grenaded the PSD off warranty, that could be a $4,000 touch. Ditto if you jump start the Prius using wrong polarity and fry the inverter.

Otherwise, I see little need for an extended warranty. Not sure if an extended warranty would cover an improper jump start anyway

 

Anecdotes are not statistically valid. Judging from Consumer Reports' data, unless a Prius has been in an accident an extended warranty is a waste of money. Your plan to bank that amount is an excellent alternative: you'll earn interest, and you'll probably never have to touch it.

 

Most likely the "extended warranty" from a bank wouldn't cover a hybrid. They are pretty generic insurance policies.

As for the most expensive repairs, I had to replace tires once on my 2004.

 

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I spent $25 to repair the display screen!! Very disappointing.

 

Tires were expensive, but that was more planned maintenance than unexpected repair. It cost me over $400 to have two plugs and two coils replaced when water leaked into the engine compartment and rusted them out. No warranty for that, even thought there was a TSB issued.

 

Other that tire replacements, my largest ever bill was $344.12. 60k mile service on 2001 Prius including coolant replacements, spark plug pull& inspect, and fuel/induction system cleaning. At about 80k I had suspension alignment and transaxle fluid change/pan drop for $247.30. After those I did more DIY.

Steering rack replacement, TSB EG011-03 and a rear wheel bearing assembly were done under warranty.

 

I paid to patch a tire a couple years ago.

 

As can be seen from the previous replies, a Prius is generally a reliable car (my 2004 is at 142,500 miles). In two cases I would have been hit by an unnecessary high expense if I listened to the dealer:
- AC freon leak (dealer wanted $1200 for a new condenser), but a chemical and a Freon charge fixed it with no further troubles for $75
- Brake chirp (in a TSB, the dealer wanted $550 for a full front brake job), but bleeding the right front brake fixed it for $29.95. (I still have not had to do a brake job)

Other than wear items that can be expensive in any car, most expensive repairs can be done for significantly lower cost if you are willing to use parts salvaged from low mileage wrecked Prii.

JeffD

 

As a couple here have reported the $1000 vicinity for shockes and struts, and as they will eventually need replacing on all Prius, I'd like to discuss the options. or should this have a new thread?

My questions are as follows:

There are full sets of KYB offered on ebay and presumably elsewhere for about $280. Are these inferior to the Toyota originals? (As I recall Galaxee has said so).

What does Toyota charge for their version? (which I guess are also KYB)

Do indie shops charge significantly less than Toyota for installation? I know of no 'hybrid issues' related to this R&R.

My intent is to have a good set of options outlined at PriusChat for when a larger number of Prius need to be 're-suspended'.

 

Onya tony, ya bugga! ya got me.

 

Hi Doug,

When the time comes for me to replace the front struts on my 2004, I plan to buy Toyota-brand parts which indeed are manufactured by KYB. I had previously replaced the rear shocks at 30K miles.

The front struts are $99 each ($131 MSRP) and the rear shocks are $45 each ($60 MSRP) at Champion Toyota - Houston, plus shipping.

In response to the OP, the single most expensive non-warranted repair on my 2001 was to replace the struts/shocks, which cost around $400 including worn rubber parts, plus my labor time. The 12V battery cost around $200 including a new battery bracket to fit a larger size battery. A few sets of tires, this is normal. Several warranted repairs, no need to go into them now.

On my 2004, I've replaced the rear shocks so far at a cost of around $100 plus my labor time, plus miscellaneous parts like the PCV valve, maintenance items like filters, oil changes, wiper rubber refills, etc., and a few sets of tires. MFD was replaced under warranty.

 

I spent a half-hour drilling a hole and installing a screw to fix the glove box closer attach point. It had just gone out of warranty and I didn't want to spend $200 to have the dealer replace the whole box.

 

About $500 for the four Michelin Hydro Edge tires from Costco. I do all major mechanical work myself (except for oil changes because I usually get great coupons from the dealership which pretty much covers the cost of parts) Just went in today to get the oil changed for $15 and I'm at about the 100,000 mile mark and it is crazy at what the dealer wants for maintenance. $200 for a serpentine belt when I can get a Goodyear Poly-V for $20 and change it in 5 minutes, $150 for spark plugs when I can get all four for under $30 and change them in about 45 min to 1 hr... it pays to be mechanically inclined

 

$1,000 to fix a 2005 with 77,000 miles that stalled due to "bad gas".

This is about double what it should have cost, but I had the car towed to the nearest dealer.

Find a good mechanic that you trust before your car has a problem.

Don't do what I did.

 

About $550 to replace a failed HID headlight bulb; $100 to replace the AC condenser when a rock took it out. That is it aside from regular maintenance, tires, and modifications I did because I wanted to for fun. Essentially, having 115K on my car, it is the most maintenance free car I have ever owned. I will replace it with another loaded Prius when the time comes. I have owned over 30 new cars of all types; even some American made cars, but not many. Mostly european and Japanese which I find to be better made and more reliable.

(sorry US auto manufacturers; but you lost my business years ago after ripping me off repeatedly on bad cars which the manufacturers failed to stand behind.)