Rick Hendrick Toyota of Fayetteville Not honoring Warranty by claiming problem is a wearable part. Fayetteville North Carolina
My prius would not start one day before school. As soon as I could, I tried multiple times to jump the starter battery, using the manual as a guide since jumping a prius is a little different. We used multiple methods ie jump box, my jeep, and my neghbors truck. Finally I had it towed. The car was used, but I had just bought the car that year and it should have had a new battery in it.
The service department said my battery was no good and it was going to cost me 2-300 dollars. I do not remember the entire bill, but that is the gist. I paid after finding out my warranty did not cover it. Oh well, I had my car again.
After driving the car every day for four or five months the same thing happened. I was confused. I did the same, I tried to jump the car and it would not jump.
I spoke with the service department and they assured me my battery was probably no good. (Of course, its not under warranty and incredibly marked up). I told them I don't know much about priuses, but they need to look into whatever provideds the battery with power while driving.
I recieved multiple calls with no details about the state of my car. I called them every other day (multiple times a day) for two weeks on the main number and the number given in the message. The number given in the message didn't even have its voice mail set up, so I couldn't ask what was going on. At this point I needed to start driving in 20 minutes to the dealership, despite my workload at home.
The verdict was they thought it was a bad battery and I had to pay again! I'm not sure how I have to pay for a bad battery they gave me.
I decided to get in their face about it. They accussed me of not driving it enough, which I did! They claimed to have done all the tests they could. The service manager Ray, continued to act confused as if he didn't understand my problem. All tactics I have seen before. Ray finally said he would float the bill for me. This I took as an admission of guilt. Why would they do that if they were confident in their service departments integrity?
I insisted on paying the bill (spite) at this point and let them know I was going to write anyone who would listen and vowed to never use any Rick Hendrick service again.
It didn't stop there. Ray continued to force the conversation. I had to ask him why we were still talking after I agreed to pay the bill, and then calmly pulled out my debit card. They are guilty as sin.
Rick Hendrick Toyota of Fayetteville is selling lemons and are not honoring their warranties. Brand new batteries do not die so quickly unless there is a problem with another part that is under warranty. Right now I have to find a private shop that can actually understand a prius in order to prove that it is a lemon, since hybrids are not common knowledge. So, I am kindof screwed.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Karl
Highlands Ranch,Colorado,
Matt,
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, March 13, 2014
You can watch a video of a Toyota Prius that is having problems in the snow. Simply 'Google' this- OUR NEIGHBOR'S PRIUS IN THE SNOW YOUTUBE, and it is available on the web. You can also 'Google' this- RUNAWAY PRIUS: TOYOTA'S SUDDEN ACCELERATION WOES ARE MOUNTING, and read the related articles on the web. Good luck to you!
MattMatthews
Raeford,North Carolina,
Good point
#4Author of original report
Wed, March 12, 2014
You are right. I am currently trying to find a private mechanic who knows Priuses. And, I am currently looking over my paperwork to see what exactly is covered by the warranty and not as much is covered as I was told. I am finding out a lot of what I was told is not covered in the mountains of paperwork I signed. (I swear I read it). My bad for not staying up all night researching the contract.
I just want to save my car and be done with this particular dealership. The service from sales to the service department has been awful.
Robert
Irvine,California,
Ripoff....Perhaps...If
#4Consumer Comment
Wed, March 12, 2014
First of all a Battery is considered a "wearable" part just like the brakes, tires..etc. So they were initially correct that the Battery would not be covered under your vehicle warranty.
But Batteries have their own separate warranty. So unless you had proof that the battery was still under it's warranty the initial replacement would have been legitimate. The issue comes in for the replacement of the battery you bought. That battery should have had a warranty, and just guessing by the price should have had one longer than 5 months. Most have warranties between 1 and 3 years. So if the battery was under warranty you should not have been charged for the replacement..although you may have been charged for installation.
I also agree with you that a battery should not die this quickly, and if it happens again there is most likely something else wrong. But you can not "assume" that the part that may be bad is under warranty as well. Perhaps it would be good for you to take it to another mechanic for a second opinion, or at the very least a different dealer.
This is all based on figuring you mean the "starter" battery and not one of the hybrid batteries.