Battery Changes/Replacements

miPrius · 07-26-2006, 02:07 PM

Hello all!

Has anyone ever had to replace or change out their batteries yet?
If so, what's the ball park range of the cost to replace them?

Make it a great day!

ScottY · 07-26-2006, 02:22 PM

Battery as in the Hybrid battery or the aux battery?

The hybrid battery you can get from http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...005&catalogid=1 for $2388, plus labor. I guess under $3k? Another source is eBay. I sort of remember galaxee saying there were 2 known hybrid battery failures in the US both cover under warranty. But don't quote me on the number.

The OEM aux battery is something like $100+.

miPrius · 07-26-2006, 02:37 PM

Hey thanks. I'll have a look.

Anymore out there?....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jul 26 2006, 01:22 PM) [snapback]292675[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Battery as in the Hybrid battery or the aux battery?

The hybrid battery you can get from http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...005&catalogid=1 for $2388, plus labor. I guess under $3k? Another source is eBay. I sort of remember galaxee saying there were 2 known hybrid battery failures in the US both cover under warranty. But don't quote me on the number.

The OEM aux battery is something like $100+.
[/b]

Betelgeuse · 07-26-2006, 02:37 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jul 26 2006, 02:22 PM) [snapback]292675[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The hybrid battery you can get from http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...005&catalogid=1 for $2388, plus labor. I guess under $3k? Another source is eBay. I sort of remember galaxee saying there were 2 known hybrid battery failures in the US both cover under warranty. But don't quote me on the number.
[/b]

I remember that, too (that galaxee said there were two replacements in all of the US). Since NONE of the Prii (at least Gen 2s) are out of battery warranty yet, this is not something that anyone has yet had to deal with (i.e. paying for a battery). If/when that happens, it is highly likely that battery costs will be way down from their costs today (just using what's happened in the past as a guide).

Just a couple of other things to point out: the battery is moduar, so there is a reasonable chance that, if someone's battery was giving them problems, they'd only have to replace one or a few cells. Also, the Prius is very good about protecting the battery, so not many people are anticipating problems.

Why do you ask? You looking at having to replace a battery?

SomervillePrius · 07-26-2006, 02:57 PM

I haven't heard anyone on these boards having a gen2 that have had a battery change, even under warranty. I think Toyota over protects the battery but it's probably good so that people's imprssion can change.

As the battery can be made modular it shouldn't be too bad replacing the ones that are failing

ScottY · 07-26-2006, 03:02 PM

To comments about battery being modular. Do the techs have a way to check which cell is bad? r they willing to find out which cell is not taking charge?

i m saying that becaues i work with production line techs. usually they just change the whole unit instead of finding out which component is bad. that way is easier for them and faster to get the job done. as in our case, the techs are not the one who's paying for the battery. it will be either us or Toyota who's paying.

galaxee · 07-26-2006, 03:05 PM

i actually got that number from a post of efusco's a while back. maybe he can verify what he knows. evan?

what i recall was one here, replaced under warranty... and one that evan mentioned, something about a plug in mod or some other kind of modification.

actually there has been one failure we know of due to running out of gas and running the HV battery charge too low for for the HV charging unit to rescue, but this was in a classic prius. the new models have a different battery program, supposedly to protect it more but hey why take your chances with running out of gas.

otherwise, one other scenario may be that the company decides to just change out the battery rather than send out the regional guy with the HV charger, it's actually technically cheaper to just replace the battery than send out the dude with the charger (airfare, hotel, etc). but i think they avoid that- you know how the media spins things.

jfschultz · 07-26-2006, 04:52 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jul 26 2006, 02:02 PM) [snapback]292701[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

To comments about battery being modular. Do the techs have a way to check which cell is bad? r they willing to find out which cell is not taking charge?

i m saying that becaues i work with production line techs. usually they just change the whole unit instead of finding out which component is bad. that way is easier for them and faster to get the job done. as in our case, the techs are not the one who's paying for the battery. it will be either us or Toyota who's paying.
[/b]

The determining factor is what Toyota considers to be the field replaceable unit. Is this at the module level or the full battery pack.

**efusco** · 07-26-2006, 08:57 PM

There ARE, actually, quite a number of Gen 2 Prii out of warranty. I'm aware of a total of 3 HV batteries requiring replacement. Two unclear reasons, one due to a single failed module.

One of those had been moded with aux pack charged off the grid, but it isn't clear that that contributed. He also had a very steep two way daily commute that took the pack to the extremes of charge and discharge daily.

I suspect one could pick up a pack from a salvage yard for ~$500 if necessary. Install should be done by a mechanic, but 'could' be done by an individual who knew what he/she was doing.

tlditku · 04-18-2007, 10:48 PM

I may have a free hybrid battery replacement soon, IF....

OK, here we go. I can't get help from any national Toyota rep so I'm counting on you guys. This seems like your basic dealer nightmare....

I bought my 2001 Classic from Carmax on March 31st, 2007 and drove it over 500 miles in 3 days. It easily averaged 50 mpg overall, up to 60 mpg at times, with no problems or warning symbols that I could detect.

Then I took it to a local Toyota dealer for a full checkup, and now it's been in their shop 2 weeks, and they can't tell me when I might get it back.

The dealer said they found a stored trouble code, and it needed new injectors and a new computer for free under Toyota warranty. They did the work, and replaced the aux battery, and now it won't start.

So they loaned me a new Camry for free and I'm still driving it today, April 18th, 2007, but I can hardly afford the doubled fuel cost.

I visited the dealer yesterday, including 4 levels of mechanics and managers, and they say the hybrid battery is dead, and they've been trying to start it everyday but it won't "catch." They've been trying to get hold of the only hybrid battery charger in the region to see if it can be charged, and if it can't, they'll replace it free. But they can't get the charger because it has to be accompanied by a trained technician.

I trust this dealer because a friend has been satisfied with their service on her Corolla for 15 years, but I need my Prius back and running, and the dealer isn't making any progress. I want to be driving my Prius when I'm making payments on my loan, and when I buy the extended Carmax warranty this month, but the dealer just says "keep enjoying that free Camry, and you're gonna have a great car." But WHEN?

From reading Priuschat, I also think mine has missed out on a number of recall repairs, such as the steering box.

The Carmax 30-day warranty runs out soon, but Toyota doesn't seem to be following through on its responsiblity to fix the hybrid system.

You guys got any advice? Is there a national rep I can contact to get the charger and my Prius together? Is this dealer trying to "wait me out," or should I just chill and look forward to a great car that has had expensive repairs done for free?

Now that I've posted this, I bet I'll get good news from the dealer tomorrow.

Is anyone else going through this?

Thanks, guys.

07-26-2006, 03:05 PM	#7
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,080 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	i actually got that number from a post of efusco's a while back. maybe he can verify what he knows. evan? what i recall was one here, replaced under warranty... and one that evan mentioned, something about a plug in mod or some other kind of modification. actually there has been one failure we know of due to running out of gas and running the HV battery charge too low for for the HV charging unit to rescue, but this was in a classic prius. the new models have a different battery program, supposedly to protect it more but hey why take your chances with running out of gas. otherwise, one other scenario may be that the company decides to just change out the battery rather than send out the regional guy with the HV charger, it's actually technically cheaper to just replace the battery than send out the dude with the charger (airfare, hotel, etc). but i think they avoid that- you know how the media spins things. __________________ black 2005 prius, tweaked just the way i like it my diagnostic guy on electronics: "lack of troubleshooting ability is due to a high common sense rejection ratio."

07-26-2006, 08:57 PM	#9
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,247 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	There ARE, actually, quite a number of Gen 2 Prii out of warranty. I'm aware of a total of 3 HV batteries requiring replacement. Two unclear reasons, one due to a single failed module. One of those had been moded with aux pack charged off the grid, but it isn't clear that that contributed. He also had a very steep two way daily commute that took the pack to the extremes of charge and discharge daily. I suspect one could pick up a pack from a salvage yard for ~$500 if necessary. Install should be done by a mechanic, but 'could' be done by an individual who knew what he/she was doing. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

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07-26-2006, 02:07 PM	#1
miPrius Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hello all! Has anyone ever had to replace or change out their batteries yet? If so, what's the ball park range of the cost to replace them? Make it a great day!

07-26-2006, 02:22 PM	#2
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,245 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Battery as in the Hybrid battery or the aux battery? The hybrid battery you can get from http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...005&catalogid=1 for $2388, plus labor. I guess under $3k? Another source is eBay. I sort of remember galaxee saying there were 2 known hybrid battery failures in the US both cover under warranty. But don't quote me on the number. The OEM aux battery is something like $100+.

07-26-2006, 02:57 PM	#5
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I haven't heard anyone on these boards having a gen2 that have had a battery change, even under warranty. I think Toyota over protects the battery but it's probably good so that people's imprssion can change. As the battery can be made modular it shouldn't be too bad replacing the ones that are failing

07-26-2006, 03:02 PM	#6
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,245 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	To comments about battery being modular. Do the techs have a way to check which cell is bad? r they willing to find out which cell is not taking charge? i m saying that becaues i work with production line techs. usually they just change the whole unit instead of finding out which component is bad. that way is easier for them and faster to get the job done. as in our case, the techs are not the one who's paying for the battery. it will be either us or Toyota who's paying.

04-18-2007, 10:48 PM	#10
tlditku Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 8 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I may have a free hybrid battery replacement soon, IF.... OK, here we go. I can't get help from any national Toyota rep so I'm counting on you guys. This seems like your basic dealer nightmare.... I bought my 2001 Classic from Carmax on March 31st, 2007 and drove it over 500 miles in 3 days. It easily averaged 50 mpg overall, up to 60 mpg at times, with no problems or warning symbols that I could detect. Then I took it to a local Toyota dealer for a full checkup, and now it's been in their shop 2 weeks, and they can't tell me when I might get it back. The dealer said they found a stored trouble code, and it needed new injectors and a new computer for free under Toyota warranty. They did the work, and replaced the aux battery, and now it won't start. So they loaned me a new Camry for free and I'm still driving it today, April 18th, 2007, but I can hardly afford the doubled fuel cost. I visited the dealer yesterday, including 4 levels of mechanics and managers, and they say the hybrid battery is dead, and they've been trying to start it everyday but it won't "catch." They've been trying to get hold of the only hybrid battery charger in the region to see if it can be charged, and if it can't, they'll replace it free. But they can't get the charger because it has to be accompanied by a trained technician. I trust this dealer because a friend has been satisfied with their service on her Corolla for 15 years, but I need my Prius back and running, and the dealer isn't making any progress. I want to be driving my Prius when I'm making payments on my loan, and when I buy the extended Carmax warranty this month, but the dealer just says "keep enjoying that free Camry, and you're gonna have a great car." But WHEN? From reading Priuschat, I also think mine has missed out on a number of recall repairs, such as the steering box. The Carmax 30-day warranty runs out soon, but Toyota doesn't seem to be following through on its responsiblity to fix the hybrid system. You guys got any advice? Is there a national rep I can contact to get the charger and my Prius together? Is this dealer trying to "wait me out," or should I just chill and look forward to a great car that has had expensive repairs done for free? Now that I've posted this, I bet I'll get good news from the dealer tomorrow. Is anyone else going through this? Thanks, guys.