Hybrid Battery Replacement Help Needed

Something sounds a little off there. According to those numbers the labor is around $1000. I'm not sure but I think that's less than a two hour job. Maybe they didn't include the core credit in the $3765 quote?

While the 4 year warranty is nice, I think it's more likely to get 10 years out of the new Toyota battery.

There are independent shops that can install the new Toyota battery for a much lower price, probably around $2700.

 

how many more years/miles do you hope to keep the car?

 

WOW, Many things we do not know. Exact symptoms, any lights work. IS THE 12 VOLT BATTERY GOOD ? I capitalize this question as we have had many 12v battery problems with Generation 1 and 2 Prii. What did the dealer do to diagnose, did the dealer list any codes, the last question being most important. Did anybody try to jump start the car? Answer as many questions as you can.

 

Logged on 58 min. Ago, must not have been too important.

 

if you plan on keeping it for anotherr hundred thousand, i would get the factory battery. even though it's only a one year warranty, odds are, it will last a lot longer than a rebuilt. it's too bad you're in a hurry, makes it difficult to make an informed decision.

 

there is a thread here, by 'sagebrush' regarding the cheapest places to buy oem battery. anyone can install it in about two hours.

 

Let's see if I can reply to each:
1 multiple lights on dash means the car is semi-working and is trying to tell you something
2 no dome light will tell you a major fuse blown, the dome fuse which is tied in with a or some computer boxes ( vital ). I never had it happen with my 2005 but the car will not go into Ready
3. That's a good sign but indication that the battery is good, it must be checked with a voltmete.
4. If the dealer does not provide you with a list of DTCs causing the problems, then look elsewhere .

IF: # 4 does not hold up look for another qualified mechanic experience with that car,
There are small problems that can be easily fixed on the Prius. Restarting, Rebooting, check 12 V, have it checked and charged at a battery shop. Inverter fluid, is the container full. Did the Inverter get too hot to touch? Finally, don't get rushed into fixing the car, you can probably rent one for a week until it's fixed.
THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING RIGHT ? No emergency.

 

The Dealer Service Manager cannot possibly predict how far the car can travel.

 

It's going to take more than 2 hours for a factory battery. A factory battery does not come ready to drop in.
Core fee is generally $1,375 from a dealer if you buy the battery and take it off site. Core fee is waived if everything is done by them.
Call me if you want to discuss your options and plusses and minuses. There is plenty to to read through on line but I'd be happy to help you cut through it more quickly.
I'm replacing a Gen 2 battery in the morning and have some other hybrid things going on, but give me a call.
Glad to help.

 

You need to be careful with aftermarket battery warranties. It doesn't matter how good the warranty is if you cannot redeem it when needed. (some vendors go out of business, some don't honor labor claims to redo the job etc). We had to help many customer redo "rebuilt" batteries purchased from out of state vendors and any money they saved was wasted in frustration and down-time.

Best option is new battery from Toyota installed by someone else, or a near new battery with modules from a gen3 prius (ideally 2012-2014). Both of these options will last many many years and be well under $3000 installed. I know it sucks Toyota only gives 1 year warranty, but there is no reason the new battery won't last 8-10 years since they are brand new zero mile cells.

"rebuilt and/or refurbished" batteries should only be purchased from a local vendor, because when they fail you'll need someone to redo the job without the hassle of shipping etc.

If you intend to keep the car for years, spend the money and buy a quality new or low mileage battery (but have someone other than the dealer install it).

You really get what you pay for when it comes to Hybrid batteries.

 

Good Advice. My real problem with this OP is the total lack off any credible information.

 

An experienced tech can swap the battery in a couple of hours, but sometimes shops charge a flat fee based on what "book time" is for the job and their skills/experience. You should also clean the battery blower fan when everything is opened up. BTW, here's a video removing the hybrid battery in about 10 minutes, but I've done it a few hundred times Sorry about the crappy audio.

 

Almost all of them charge the book time. Still should only be around $500 for labor.