Car Warranty

saul

Hi Guys,

I need some help.!

I have a Lexus 450h 2006. !I have 113k on the clock. !The hybrid battery has failed. !I have extended warranty with Lexus, but they are refusing to cover the cost of replacing the hybrid battery!stating that it's the age of the vehicle and high mileage and is not !a mechanical failure.

My warranty expires in November 2106 but back in May 2016!before its 10 years anniversary I got sold another 2 years, so I am covered until 2018. !

I am in in disbelief as it costs £2400 to replace the hybrid battery. ! I am arguing the following points:

1) In the warranty terms & conditions it doesn't say if the vehicle is aged, !parts won't be covered. !It says, they won't cover if it its wear & tear. Can this be classed as wear & tear?

2) If they are using this ageing argument, they should clearly state this that hybrid batters won't be covered if over certain age, no?

3) I reported the Hybrid battery problem before the 10 year anniversary of the vehicle as I had some alarms come up. !The dealer than said alarms were cleared and test were inconclusive. Less than 6 months later the hybrid battery has failed. !

I would sincerely appreciate your help guys to sort this out.



Thank you



Saul

Silver-Surfer_2

saul wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I need some help.!

I have a Lexus 450h 2006. !I have 113k on the clock. !The hybrid battery has failed. !I have extended warranty with Lexus, but they are refusing to cover the cost of replacing the hybrid battery!stating that it's the age of the vehicle and high mileage and is not !a mechanical failure.

My warranty expires in November 2106 but back in May 2016!before its 10 years anniversary I got sold another 2 years, so I am covered until 2018. !

I am in in disbelief as it costs £2400 to replace the hybrid battery. ! I am arguing the following points:

1) In the warranty terms & conditions it doesn't say if the vehicle is aged, !parts won't be covered. !It says, they won't cover if it its wear & tear. Can this be classed as wear & tear?

2) If they are using this ageing argument, they should clearly state this that hybrid batters won't be covered if over certain age, no?

3) I reported the Hybrid battery problem before the 10 year anniversary of the vehicle as I had some alarms come up. !The dealer than said alarms were cleared and test were inconclusive. Less than 6 months later the hybrid battery has failed. !

I would sincerely appreciate your help guys to sort this out.



Thank you



Saul

Your vehicle isn't high mileage for its age but batteries do deteriorate, so there's an arguement for wear and tear. How long do Lexus state a battery should last?

AdrianC

Unless the hybrid battery was specifically included, I would expect it to be excluded after 10yrs and 113k miles as wear and tear, absolutely.

For a new Lexus hybrid, there's an explicit 5yr/60k mile warranty on the hybrid battery.

saul

Hi Silver, thank you for your reply at this time of need.

There's no official statement on how long a hybrid battery should last.

Is wear and tear argument particularly difficult to comprehend and justify where the vehicle is within the 10 year/140K limit and there is no specific exclusion on the lifetime of HV Battery.

How exactly have I worn it out? Mileage? Age? So what is the cut-off? 100K? 110K? 8,9,10 years? If there is one, why is that not part of the T&C's?

Would you agree?

Silver-Surfer_2

saul wrote: »

Hi Silver, thank you for your reply at this time of need.

There's no official statement on how long a hybrid battery should last.

Is wear and tear argument particularly difficult to comprehend and justify where the vehicle is within the 10 year/140K limit and there is no specific exclusion on the lifetime of HV Battery.

How exactly have I worn it out? Mileage? Age? So what is the cut-off? 100K? 110K? 8,9,10 years? If there is one, why is that not part of the T&C's?

Would you agree?

By charging and discharging it, aka using it.

saul

This is from from Lexus website that shows what is covered and not covered:

WHAT YOU ARE COVERED FOR
Engine components
Clutch
Gearbox and manual transmission
Automatic transmission
Four wheel drive transmission

Rear axle
Propshaft
Suspension
Braking system
Turbocharger

Fuel system
Diesel injection systems
Electronic ignition
Electrics
Oil leaks

Cooling system
Steering
Air conditioning
Casings

WHAT YOU ARE NOT COVERED FOR
Serviceable items
Drive belt adjustments
Brake and clutch adjustments and replacements due to wear
Glass replacements due to breakages or impact
Lights, bulbs and headlight adjustments
Window and door lock adjustments

Paintwork and bodywork
Battery (HV battery on Hybrids is covered)
Interior trim
Corrosion to the exhaust
Road wheels

See where it says (HV battery on Hybrids is covered)

Would you agree that I am covered now?

saul

I don't manually charge it, its automatically done by the engine.

Still a case for wear & tear?

Silver-Surfer_2

saul wrote: »

This is from from Lexus website that shows what is covered and not covered:

WHAT YOU ARE COVERED FOR
Engine components
Clutch
Gearbox and manual transmission
Automatic transmission
Four wheel drive transmission

Rear axle
Propshaft
Suspension
Braking system
Turbocharger

Fuel system
Diesel injection systems
Electronic ignition
Electrics
Oil leaks

Cooling system
Steering
Air conditioning
Casings

WHAT YOU ARE NOT COVERED FOR
Serviceable items
Drive belt adjustments
Brake and clutch adjustments and replacements due to wear
Glass replacements due to breakages or impact
Lights, bulbs and headlight adjustments
Window and door lock adjustments

Paintwork and bodywork
Battery (HV battery on Hybrids is covered)
Interior trim
Corrosion to the exhaust
Road wheels

See where it says (HV battery on Hybrids is covered)

Would you agree that I am covered now?

You'd need to see if there are any conditions attached to the battery.

AdrianC

saul wrote: »

See where it says (HV battery on Hybrids is covered)

Would you agree that I am covered now?

No, because there will be a general wear exclusion on top.

A normal starter battery is never covered. A clutch is covered - if it's failed for reasons other than wear and tear.

You'd have to prove that the hybrid battery hadn't simply reached the end of it's servicable life, but had failed prematurely because of a manufacturing or materials problem. After a decade and 113k miles, good luck.

bigjl

Has the battery completely failed?

Or is it just showing a reduction in range?

I have been told that Toyota Warranties are more generous than Lexus which seems strange since Lexus are the high end brand for Toyota.

saul

There's no other condition attached to the battery. That is why I am shocked to see they refused it based on high mileage.