This is a circuit that must be completely isolated from the rest of the vehicle for it to work properly.
explains Sacha Leroux, owner of the Arleco Génération III garage.
Sacha Leroux, owner of the Arleco Génération III garage
Photo : Radio-Canada
« The way the cable is plugged in, it doesn’t seem weatherproof enough. Water seeps in and calcium builds up, causing the turnout to rust really prematurely. »
Starting in mid-2021, Toyota redesigned the part to allow water and dirt to drain away. However, following inspecting several vehicles, Sacha Leroux believes that the new design does not give the expected results.
The new version of the high voltage cable is not completely covered by the protective cover to facilitate the flow of water.
Photo : Jean-Thomas Landry
In my experience, it’s still not enough, because it still traps dirt and calcium. There is still corrosion
he confirms.
Suspicions for two years
As early as October 2020, Toyota’s US division suspected corrosion issues with the high voltage cable.
In Canada, it was last March that Toyota Canada sent a procedure to its dealers: detect corrosion, replace defective cables and, if out of warranty, invoice customers.
Under warranty? Hurry up
When the dealer diagnoses a corrosion problem, Toyota replaces the cable at no charge. But only if the vehicle is less than three years old or 60,000 km. Nonsense for other drivers, according to the Association for the Protection of Motorists (WHAT).
George Iny, Director of the Association for the Protection of Motorists (APA)
Photo : Radio-Canada
« We are talking regarding a part that is supposed to last the normal life of the vehicle. If Toyota didn’t design it to withstand our road conditions, now’s the time to take responsibility. »
Out of warranty, the cost of the part is $4500 plus labor. In some cases, the total bill exceeds $6,000.
L’WHAT received several complaints. The price is grossly exaggerated, that’s clear. For that price, you can buy an entire engine from some manufacturers.
argues George Iny.
Added to this are the problems of supplying the part. Several testimonials report delays of several weeks, even several months, before receiving a new cable.
Confidential offers
Jean-Thomas Landry owns a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid. He took the plunge when his dealer estimated the cost of replacing his cable at nearly $6,000. Dissatisfied, he contacted Toyota Canada to complain.
Jean-Thomas Landry received his new cable following several months of waiting.
Photo : Jean-Thomas Landry
The automaker offered to pay two-thirds of the bill, on the condition of closing the file for good and not disclosing the content of the agreement. Jean-Thomas declined the confidential offer and opted instead to alert the public by creating a Facebook group.
« By signing the agreement, I mightn’t sue them. It’s nonsense that Toyota leaves people like that. I just wait for there to be a call back and then they change the room for everyone. »
The Facebook group created by Jean-Thomas Landry has more than 3,200 members.
Photo : Facebook/Toyota CABLEGATE
Today, more than 3200 people have joined the Facebook group. Jean-Thomas can count on the help of a former RAV4 hybrid owner to administer the page, Hugo-Sébastien Aubert.
« People don’t understand that Toyota can’t fix the problem. The product is acclaimed all over the world. Now the “management” should be at the same level. »
Jean-Thomas and Hugo-Sébastien combined media interventions. Newspapers, radio, specialized broadcasts; the cable problem even has a name, #CableGate.
The scale of the mobilization impresses George Iny, of theWHAT. He tells us that the owners of these vehicles are very smart people. A good number of them have the part checked before the end of their guarantee and they try, as far as possible, to protect their rights.
.
For months, members of the Facebook group have been hoping for an important announcement from the automaker, a solution applicable to all. The announcement is still pending.
Extend the warranty, protect the part
For many RAV4 Hybrid and Prime owners, a simple warranty extension would save them a lot of angst.
The components of the hybrid system are already guaranteed for eight years or 160,000 km, which is much more than the basic guarantee of three years or 60,000 km.
Against all logic, according toWHAT, the high voltage cable is not included in the hybrid system components. George Iny feels that Toyota Canada should revise its fine print and include the cable in this warranty. It also asks the manufacturer to reimburse customers who have already changed their high voltage cable and who were no longer under warranty.
Moreover, theWHAT recommends that Toyota Canada install a sleeve or apply grease to cables that are still in good condition. Whatever the means, the objective is to delay corrosion as much as possible.
Replace, start over
What path does Toyota Canada plan to take to overcome #CableGate? Impossible to know. The company declined our interview request, this case is currently before the courts [… ]
writes a spokesperson.
While waiting for a permanent fix, RAV4 Hybrid and Prime owners should replace their damaged cables, or risk having to do it once more in a few years.
Test from AM radio
To find out if your high voltage cable is corroded, nothing beats a professional inspection. However, a quick test can give you a clue.
- Start the vehicle
- Tune to an AM station
- Activate the rear wheel motor by moving forward or backward slowly
If you hear interference, your cable is likely corroded.
Test to see if the cable is corroded.
A class action once morest Toyota
A request for authorization of class action was filed in Montreal last May once morest Toyota Canada. Among the demands: reimburse the cost of replacing the cable, pay punitive damages and extend the warranty, just like the other components of the hybrid system.
Jean-Luc Bouchard’s report is broadcast on the program The bill Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on ICI Télé.
