[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

A bit of correction, most of the time, water is sucked into the engine via Air pipes. Most modern cars will have Air intakes pretty low even though filters are at the top. This is due to the need for fresh and cool air.

It can happen either way. Usually its the air intake that is the culprit. In this case, I get the feeling that water must have gone through the tail pipe. The engine isn't always running on a Hybrid. If the vehicle did wade through water in EV mode, water must have started filling the tail pipe and eventually when the engine did decide to fire up, it would have sucked up some water eventually causing a hydro lock. Unlike a manual vehicle where you can compensate by revving the engine so water does not enter the tail pipe, you can't do that here.

The above is just a theory. Usually on a vehicle this high up from the ground, the tail pipe sits at a lower level compared to the air intake system.

The vehicle manual will detail the exact wading depth that is allowed.

As another member pointed out, speed is another factor. The result can be different from a vehicle going through water at 20kmph versus 40 kmph.

[VellVector]

Originally Posted by axymak

On that day, There was rain in the city, and some roads were filled with water as usual.

Originally Posted by axymak

However, just a few months later, on August 25, 2024, while driving through merely 15-20 cm of water, the vehicle started showing multiple errors, including a Hybrid System Malfunction.

It would be great if you could clarify how you measured the depth of the water. 15cm does not really seem plausible for the damage you have suffered. A picture of the vehicle after the error in the water or a dash cam video would really help shed some light on what exactly could have been the cause.

Originally Posted by axymak

Additionally, Toyota’s customer feedback email doesn’t seem to be working, and no one has responded to my inquiries.

Looking at your picture it seems like you are sending emails to a .co address, I believe that toyota's email would end with .co.in. Could you confirm if you are sending mails to the correct address?

Originally Posted by axymak

To add insult to injury, Even After 12 days (since Sept 11) with absolutely no progress on repairs. Whenever I inquire, I’m told that the service center is "waiting for insurance approval," leaving me without a functional vehicle for an indefinite period.


When I requested a replacement vehicle during this period, I was flatly denied, despite the significant impact this has had on both my business and daily life. What’s even more concerning is that the service centre is not acknowledging the real issue—a broken piston and crankshaft found in the oil tray—but instead, they’re giving me misleading information about “body and paint” issues.

Have you followed up with the insurance company yourself? Blaming Toyota for the insurance company not approving your repairs is pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Just in my experience with a flooded car - insurance companies are in no rush to approve anything, unless you get after the surveyor and start sending repeated emails things tend to move at their own glacial pace.

From what I read in the letter, the dealer isn't making any claims about body and paint issues as you've stated, only that the case has been shifted to their bodyshop department since its a insurance case and that department probably deals with all insurance related vehicles.

Further I am not sure why you are expecting the dealership to provide you with a replacement vehicle for a flood related case. That is something you can and should take up with the insurance company for delaying the approval of your claim.

[JayPrashanth]

Claim insurance and move on. If you have engine protect plus, you'll be covered. The dealer is not obligated to provide you a courtesy car. It's basically the discretion of the dealer as this is not breakdown caused due to Toyota. Repairs could take a month or two if it's major.

Cheers,

Jay

[NiInJa]

If the engine has broken pistons and crankshaft, it seems like a case of hydrolock which is a serious problem mostly caused by water wading.

From a dealer's or Toyota's perspective:

- Unless there are photos/videos shared of the 15-20cm depth of water through which the car was driven, they will not believe anything the driver has to say on how the car was driven. It is not a case of your word versus their's. Can you please also provide all error logs recorded, photos of air intake, filters, engine block etc?

- Speed also causes water to rise up and get inside the air intake, so that is another factor to consider, not just the depth.

- Since all these errors started coming after the car was driven through water, other causes of hydrolock attributed to manufacturing defects/poor build quality of the engine can be ruled out.

- Either ways, the damage is extensive and it is an insurance claim, so there is another party involved which will deal with Toyota/Dealer and the dealer will have to wait for approvals from the insurance company to start working on it. Toyota or any dealer may provide a courtesy car if and when the insurance is approved and the repairs on the car start (that too, is subject to availability, and is not a mandate). Makes no sense for the dealer to provide a courtesy car just because the car is stranded at the workshop awaiting approvals. You can check with Insurance company if they can provide one.

- No dealer, Toyota or any other, will replace the car with a new one, unless it was a serious manufacturing defect and the cost of repairing it exceeds the cost of a new car.
Here, we are talking about a car that was damaged after driving through water. It is a completely wrong expectation.

[Cresterk]

I’m sorry dude but any car with an engine, whether it be Maruti, Toyota, BMW or Rolls Royce will end up hydro locked with critical engine damage if water enters the air intake. It’s just how combustion engines work.

I’m guessing the engine got hydrolocked while you were wading through the water, which is why you got a critical warning but since the distance was short, you managed to make it to your destination on hybrid battery charge and electric motor. Any other car would have left you stranded in the water itself once the engine stalled.

Here’s a compilation of cars getting totalled while driving in water that to most people will look safe.

https://youtu.be/Qmm7AfLMAqY?si=kJt5i910alHUHgj3

There is a reason hardcore 4x4s use snorkels. I only hope you have opted for flood / water protection insurance add on.

[Maximum Frisk]

Originally Posted by GTO

15-20 cm water as measured by whom? At what speed?

I completely agree with this. For the water to go into the engine and damage the pistons like that it has to be atleast 3 foot or 90cm water level. Because, that's how high the air intake of Hycross is from the ground. The pistons to be damaged like that just because of 15-20 cm water is highly illogical. The water level must have been much higher.

Originally Posted by manofinfinity

It’s sad to see such instances hope your issue gets resolved, you mentioned 15,20 cms of water is this from ground level or what?
If it is from ground level then is nothing i have myself driven my Hycross Hybrid through some tricky and dense water-logged areas during emergencies where the water was above the front parking sensor level but I didn’t face any problems.

Sounds extremely fishy, No wonder the insurance company hasn't approved the claim yet.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by axymak

while driving through merely 15-20 cm of water, the vehicle started showing multiple errors, including a Hybrid System Malfunction.

How do you prove it? Ok it is difficult. But unfortunately people in this forum are bored of the words 'Hydro-Locked' and many know it does not happen at 15-20cm of water. PS - Innova ground clearance is 220+/-mm, 20+ Cm, so basically you are telling your car drove 20mm/2cm over water and got hydro locked?

The very next day, the car refused to start

So you drove though water, chalo lets agree, high enough to be hydro locked, and nothing happened in that drive, no noises, nothing? It didnt even stall?

...I was flatly denied, despite the significant impact this has had on both my business and daily life... What’s even more concerning is that the service centre is not acknowledging the real issue—a broken piston and crankshaft found in the oil tray—but instead, they’re giving me misleading information about “body and paint” issues.

Now it is beginning to sound like you are building a case to sue the brand for damages.

Here’s what I expect moving forward:
Provide me with a replacement vehicle during the repair process.
Alternatively, replace the defective vehicle altogether, as such a critical failure should never occur so early in a vehicle’s lifespan.

You can write all you want, but...!

Despite raising the issue on various social media, they literally ignored it and kept me posted with the same message repeatedly.
...
this issue on LinkedIn[/url], and it already crossed 34000+ impressions and surprisingly most of the viewers are from Toyota. But I haven't received any feedback yet.

You do realize Social media is to pass time right? If you want to fight a car manufacturer you have to file a case in consumer court with facts and proof.

I’ve always trusted Toyota to deliver superior quality and customer service, but this experience has been the complete opposite. I urge Toyota to take immediate action to resolve this matter before it further damages its reputation.

Again, looks like you are using Social media to fight your case. But unfortunately 2 things are standing out here friend - 200mm of water does not hydro-lock even a Lambo with 130-140mm ground clearance, and if the brand can prove water entered your engine (broken/bent piston is a sign) then you have to pay for a new engine.

PS
In case you do not believe it...

https://www.drive.com.au/news/lambor...rs-in-florida/

[born.4thnov]

I am sorry but I will have to take Toyotas side here. The whole of Gujarat and Rajkot in particular received heavy rains in 25 Aug. The rains subsided only on 26th around 6 am. This was flashed across all news channels. The City received close to 90 mm of rain in 24 hours. At this juncture I am forced to believe that your claim of 15 cms of water is false and it may close to a feet or even more where water would have entered the engine through the air intake. Is there a problem with your piston and can you provide a list of spares to the changed as per Toyota?

[adi.mariner]

Feeling bad for the mishap which occurred. First thing you could have checked is the Air Filter. If it was wet, that's a clear sign that water has entered the Engine and it is a case of hydro locking which has caused the connecting rod and piston to break. Also I would suggest to work with the insurance company and Toyota regarding the repairs.
Also would suggest the moderators to revise the title of the thread to "drove through some water instead of 15-20 cm which is misleading".

[ishekk]

Originally Posted by Maximum Frisk

I completely agree with this. For the water to go into the engine and damage the pistons like that it has to be atleast 3 foot or 90cm water level.
Sounds extremely fishy, No wonder the insurance company hasn't approved the claim yet.

Originally Posted by svsantosh

Innova ground clearance is 220+/-mm, 20+ Cm, so basically you are telling your car drove 20mm/2cm over water and got hydro locked?

You do realize Social media is to pass time right?

Originally Posted by born.4thnov

At this juncture I am forced to believe that your claim of 15 cms of water is false and it may close to a feet or even more where water would have entered the engine through the air intake.

Originally Posted by adi.mariner

Also would suggest the moderators to revise the title of the thread to "drove through some water instead of 15-20 cm which is misleading".

Before bombarding the thread with similar posts targeting OP, please go through one of the posts above which explains how water can enter engine in a hybrid vehicle:

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

In this case, I get the feeling that water must have gone through the tail pipe. The engine isn't always running on a Hybrid. If the vehicle did wade through water in EV mode, water must have started filling the tail pipe and eventually when the engine did decide to fire up, it would have sucked up some water eventually causing a hydro lock.

And also please don't suggest that OP should have just stopped on the road when everyone else is moving through the flooded road and he should have been smart enough to think of this scenario because he is the owner of hybrid vehicle. If people start doing this, traffic will come to standstill in India at the time of rain.

[adi.mariner]

Originally Posted by ishekk

.

The tail pipe is for exhaust gases to go out and not for intake of fresh air. For the water to enter the engine from the Tail pipe, there has to be a sufficient head of water which has to be above the level of the engine for the water to travel all the way to the Engine. Anyways.

[autohead]

Does Toyota mention anywhere about waterwading depth for Hycross before selling the vehicle, I myself don't take my vehicle through even mildly deep water but I have been stuck in situations where you have no way to go and are forced to continue, especially narrow roads with traffic behind you and no possibility to make a you turn. Also when visibility is low there were situations on unlit highways where there is water logging but not visible due to heavy rain and oncoming glare.

Sudden heavy downpours and consequent water logging has become quite common these days.

What does Toyota or these morons at insurance companies suggest in such situations ? Especially when you are in a location which in not familiar to you.

Why is flood Damage not covered automatically especially for BEV's/Hybrids., when battery is a major part of IDV and Premium is collected on entrie value how can a layman understand what is covered and what is an exception, flooding is not intentional and most people like me would avoid driving through flooded areas or even park in areas where flooding can happen if its a known area, but under all circumstances flooding is accidental not intentional.

Just as you won't park your car in the middle of the road and walk across the street, you do that only if your vehicle is immobile and can't move.

Does Toyota specify water wading depth before selling its cars which it even names as Hy-cross (I wonder what Cross means if it can't even Cross mild water logging), by all means it's not a low slung sedan.

I had fought for my friend with an insurance company few years back to pay for hydrostatic lock, it was a Mercedes C class and she was stuck due to heavy downpour and had to simply drive through water since there was no option to turn back due to the road and traffic situation.

The insurance company did relent and accept the claim, when I insisted that her safety was important not the vehicle in such a situation, She could not have stopped the car in the middle of the road and waded through water herself and blocking the entire traffic.

There is no point in blaming the user in such situations,
most of us are not chap#i youtubers out there to do stupid stunts for views.

Its like blaming a lady for wearing short skirts if she is harassed, if she is wrong then ban the skirts and make being fashionable illegal and also we all have to follow weather reports before taking our cars out every day

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by axymak

while driving through merely 15-20 cm of water, the vehicle started showing multiple errors, including a Hybrid System Malfunction. The very next day, the car refused to start and had to be towed to Infinium Toyota, Rajkot.

As you have found out, 15-20 cm plus speed can create issues. Did your car stall at that location or did you continue to your home and observe the problem the next day?

Shockingly, I was informed that the engine had severe damage due to water exposure. How is this even possible for a top-end vehicle?

By now I am sure you must have gone through various threads as well as videos. The simple answer is that liquids cannot be compressed unlike Petrol and a tiny amount of water is enough to cause havoc when the engine tries to compress. So, once even a small amount enters the engine, irrespective of the make/ model/ variant almost always the damage is certain. The only way it might get saved is to not try to restart the engine after it stops. Just keep the vehicle wherever it is.

Even budget cars manage better in these conditions.

Yes, most of the Marutis have air input pipes higher up in the bay. Probably this is what they did for our conditions. Most other cars will have air inlets in the bumpers so they get cool air.

This raises serious questions about the build quality of the Innova Hycross and Toyota’s declining standards of excellence

You need to consider this incident as an accident. The manufacturer or you, no one had any control over this. Now, we can say, that Toyota should have done a better job in design, but we can see only a small number of vehicles getting affected, so this has to be a combination of a lot of things. No design can be 100% perfect.

Even After 12 days (since Sept 11) with absolutely no progress on repairs. Whenever I inquire, I’m told that the service center is "waiting for insurance approval," leaving me without a functional vehicle for an indefinite period.When I requested a replacement vehicle during this period, I was flatly denied

Insurance on such a vehicle will depend on your add-on. If you have engine protection, you are covered else, any or all engine-related damage, you will need to bear. Service centres cannot start work or order parts until they get approval from the Insurance/ Manufacturer or customer. A loaner has to be claimed from the Insurance based on your policy. Service centres may or may not give you based on the goodwill in such insurance cases.

a broken piston and crankshaft found in the oil tray—but instead, they’re giving me misleading information about “body and paint” issues.

Toyota dealers usually have two different workshops, one that handles day-to-day work and the other that handles accidents and such damages that you had. it's a term they use - bodyshop.

Toyota’s customer feedback email doesn’t seem to be working, and no one has responded to my inquiries. This level of service from a globally trusted brand is deeply disappointing.

This is my biggest concern with Toyota. And it's across the Globe. To be fair to Toyota, per their working culture, they choose Dealers very carefully and then put efforts into training them. We need to route everything via dealers.

This can be challenging in our country as we are used to escalating things at the slightest of issues. Give your dealer time and space and let him take up with the Toyota on how best to come out of this situation. Remember, Toyota or that dealer are in no way responsible for your problem.

[ninjatalli]

A close friend informed me that his driver drove his Corolla through similar (or possibly a bit more) waterlogged road in Mumbai and he faced the same problem. With a lack of the necessary cover on his insurance, he finally went the route of getting the engine repaired (or more possibly replaced). All his attempts of getting any goodwill from Toyota went unanswered.

Originally Posted by axymak

How is this even possible for a top-end vehicle? Such catastrophic failure from driving through shallow water is beyond unacceptable. Even budget cars manage better in these conditions. This raises serious questions about the build quality of the Innova Hycross and Toyota’s declining standards of excellence.

I think there’s merit in raising the argument that the Toyota cars are not best designed to be able to wade through waterlogged roads; as compared to their peer manufacturers.

But I wouldn’t call it a decline on their build quality. I wouldn’t say you should look for alternatives to move on; this is a clear case of an unfortunate accident situation that you don’t have the necessary insurance cover for.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by ishekk

Before bombarding the thread with similar posts targeting OP, please go through one of the posts above which explains how water can enter engine in a hybrid vehicle:

Nope. That doesn't work the way you think it works. https://www.ml-vehicle.com/info/is-t...-93810863.html