So it's official, I need a new HV battery. Help with options, please...

There are so many options below that price. First of all, where do you reside?

Here are some general options
Autobeyours.com
Hybrid Battery Experts | GreenTec Auto
Dorman Hybrid Drive Batteries
Prius Hybrid Battery Rebuild

If you look online for hybrid battery repair, you will find a myriad of options. You can even rebuild it yourself by following one of the threads in the Gen 1 or Gen 2 forum. The costs to DIY is anywhere from $100 to $250 but, it is time consuming.

 

first thing to do is ask the service advisor for help from toyota. if he turns you down, go directly to toyota. they have been very helpful to many here. if that doesn't work, try the links above from usnavystgc. you shouldn't need to spend more than one or two thousand for a rebuilt battery.

 

no, it's a difficult and dangerous diy for a novice. you may want to start contacting some local AAA garages.

 

Hybrid Auto Repair Shop in Washington, D.C. | Hybrid Battery Replacement

 

good one!

 

Hi Cloud...I see you are in Washington DC.
The first thing to consider is Hillmuth in MD where you can get a Dorman replacement battery probably for $2000.
To see a list of Dorman repair centers, go to Re-Involt.com

The second thing to consider are these guys, but we do not have much feedback about it.

The Hybrid Shop in Gainesville VA, Alexandria VA | Curry's Auto Service


If you want to sell it, I do not really recommend it ( you probably have a nice car), but there is a possibility that it has more value in MD where they have a 10-yr CARB wrranty on the battery. This gets complicated as it is unclear if the CARB warranty applies to a 2006 in MD. Someone might tell you "NO way" but unless really they know what they are talking about, I would be open to think it might be under warranty in MD.

 

Cloud if you are in MD, if it was me, I would be looking for someone to explain clearly to me why the extended CARB warranty would not apply. I am under the impression many 2006 models like mine are CA-certified (even if purchased in a non-CARB state). I would be pushing back on any suggestion CARB does not apply on a 2006 in MD, unless someone had some expert information. I would take this up with Toyoya or a more reputable dealer (not knowing where you are going now),

 

If you can get it to Dean Good at goodtou.com in Akron, PA you would likely be in good hands. That is where I plan to take mine when it needs a battery, but mine is still doing well at 197,000.

PA P

 

GreenTec Auto Hybrid Battery Replacement | Specializing in Honda and Toyota Hybrid High Voltage Batteries

I was considering these guys a while back (for another hybrid), they seemed on the ball, and reasonably priced. They typically offer refurb, new, and new with higher capacity options. Also they do mobile installs.

 

That's curious, as the hybrid battery cooling system doesn't actually have a filter? That's one of the problems with the cooling system design, no filter and the cooling fan often gets clogged with debris.

 

Thanks for the clarification cloud, that makes more sense.

Yes it's a particular problem with the HV battery that there's no filter on the cooling system and originally there was no service schedule at all on cleaning the fan (though some dealers are wising up to it now). The result is that a lot of people are driving around with very poorly performing cooling on the battery and this is no doubt contributing to some of the failures we're now seeing.

 

Kinda closing the barn door after the cows have escaped, but: I put a piece of vacuum motor filter behind the fan inlet. Check it periodically. Doesn't seem to impact air flow appreciably, it's quite open weave. Does catch some stuff, so far not much.

 

To qualify for the extended CARB warranty, at least 2 conditions must be met:
(1) The car must be currently registered in CARB state (MD since 2007)
(2) The car must be CARB-certified (California compliant version of the car)
(3) some folks say Toyota has some other interpretations - your car's age is before the clear language of Items 1 and 2 was adopted

Item (2) is the fuzzy requirement in your case (in my mind). My 2006 (purchased in VA) has a sticker under the hood which implies it is CA-compliant. The other clue that my 2006 Prius might be CARB-certified, is that my 2006 is exempt from emissions inspections in northern Virginia, whereas (some?) 2007 Prii do have to get the emissions tested in VA.

Basically someone needs to run your VIN number and advise you if you have a CARB certified vehicle. Sounds like Toyota gave you a fuzzy answer, which in my mind this is a fuzzy case. It is also possible you car is CARB-certified, but Toyota may have some internal rules (Item#3) which are more strict than other companies (eg; FORD).

>>What I would do is try to contact the biggest Toyota dealers service shop in MD (some big dealers seem to be more "in" with Toyota). I am thinking the likes of Fitzgerald Auto Mall, maybe DarCars, maybe Antwerpen. Call them tell them you have a 2006 and you want to know if CARB battery warranty applies for your speciifc vehicle (give VIN no). See what they say. If they say it doesn't apply, I would ask how they determined that answer. If it was me, I'd be asking how they know my vehicle is not CARB-certified, or if so, why that doesn't matter. (for example if your car was purchased in CA it would be CARB-certified, so unless they check VIN they have no way to know that ). If you already working with a major dealer, try another one just to see if you get the same answer. My approach would be to tell them Toyota ain't getting the work unless it is under warranty. I would just say I am going to Dorman or other...Toyota are too expensive. This way the dealer has the incentive to get Toyota to cover the repairs and of course the dealer makes the money off of Toyota doing warranty service. And I would also be asking Toyota the same questions.

The other background research I like to do on hybrid battery warranty questions, is to ask the question: How would FORD handle this same case in Maryland? For example, let's say you had bought a 2006 FORD Escape Hybrid in Maryland. I find the FORD hybrid warranty language/rules to be less fuzzy than Toyota's. So far I have not found a copy of the FORD 2006 warranty. If we knew the answer to how FORD handles the same case, that may or may not help.

UPDATE: I found the FORD 2006 Hybrid warranty and it seems to clearly state the hybrid warranty applies if the (1) the car is certified for sale in CA, and (2) if it is registered in a CARB state. I do not think the Toyota warranties ever get around to stating that clearly, but my assumption is the same rules apply for Toyota.

 

Have you tried calling corporate hq and asking about a goodwill replacement? I have had a few people who've called in (and had more miles and years on their cars) get help from Toyota. I think its worth a shot before you spend any money. Sometimes they will not pay the full amount for the battery replacement, but they will cover the cost of the battery and you have to pay labor. Also, I have seen them pay for a flat 50% of the total cost. Hope this helps,
Jessica

 

Any update? I'm in the same boat with the hybrid battery.