How are Gen3 HV Batteries Doing? Good it seems

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by wjtracy, Jun 7, 2015.

Page 1 of 3
  1. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,365
    3,608
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Seems to me we only have one or two posts of U.S. consumers needing a new Gen3 hybrid battery. We did have several European reports of high-mileage taxi battery issues, but that is perhaps different OEM parts and driving scenario.

    But I don't know if Toyota/battery repair folks are seeing more Gen3 battery replacement reports than we are?

    Here are some possible reasons for greater reliabiality over Gen2:
    > Better control of battery charge (car shut down) when gaso runs to empty
    > Stronger engine (keeps battery more full during those mountain ups and downs - Gen2 tends to discharge batt)

    Do we think Gen3 is better? If not there will be a huge number of new batts needed when Gen3 gets to 8 to 10-yrs old given more on the road than Gen2?

    EDIT: deleted more modules/actually same 28
     
    #1 wjtracy, Jun 7, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2015
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,500
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well, that reason can be excluded from the list since both G2 and G3 have 28 modules in the traction battery case.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jun 7, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    113,715
    51,756
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    aren't there gen III 100k+ mileage threads?
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 7, 2015
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,365
    3,608
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Oh thank you somehow I was thinking a few more
     
    #4 wjtracy, Jun 7, 2015
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,748
    8,554
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My 2010 battery is getting weaker. Waiting at the in n out drive through, my battery depletes pretty quickly compared to my new 2015. I think my 2008 holds up better
     
    #5 JC91006, Jun 7, 2015
  6. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2012
    776
    363
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The taxi cab fleet I work on have had most of their Gen III batteries replaced just before the warranty ended. The reason there are not many people posting here for help might be that they get them covered under warranty and have no need for help.
     
    #6 Avi's Advanced Automotive, Jun 7, 2015
    GrumpyCabbie likes this.
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,748
    8,554
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Good news for people in California with longer warranties
     
    #7 JC91006, Jun 7, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    113,715
    51,756
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    did they just happen to throw the battery code right before the warranty ended?
     
    #8 bisco, Jun 7, 2015
  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,365
    3,608
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I am shocked to calc Gen3 Prii Liftback not so much greater than Gen2 sales.

    I guess it's not too soon to project the numbers:
    Prius LB US sales 2004-9 (748,000)
    Prius LB US sales 2010-15 (800,000) projected end of 2015

    I suppose this may not be perfect split of Gen2/Gen3. Not quite the Gen2/Gen3 difference I expected.

    One thing is for sure, Prius sales picked up in 2007 so we do have a wave of 2007 battery failures coming if it's the same % failure trend as 2005/6
     
    #9 wjtracy, Jun 7, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    113,715
    51,756
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you do have to consider c and v, don't you?
     
    #10 bisco, Jun 7, 2015
  11. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    983
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    i remember more than just a couple. it should be an easy search.
     
    #11 Former Member 68813, Jun 7, 2015
  12. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,365
    3,608
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes v+c that would add another projected 300,000 by year end 2015, for 2010 to 2015. So grand total would be 1,100,000 vs. 748,000 for Gen2, but I was thinking Liftback batteries.

    ...we have many Gen2's batt replacements but not many Gen3 by my count. We do have the reports from EU taxis and now above US Gen3 taxis is one possible weak spot.
     
    #12 wjtracy, Jun 8, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    113,715
    51,756
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i don't think taxi's should be included. at least for the typical owner, they will likely skew the numbers one way or the other.
     
    #13 bisco, Jun 8, 2015
  14. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Why not? We were all happy to include taxi experiences on the super reliable gen2 but now the gen3 doesn't seem to be quite as good in hard taxi use we should exclude it? Hmmm.

    I have early signs of cycling as has been reported previously, but Toyota UK have now increased the battery warranty to 10 years/unlimited miles so any concerns are out the window. If it fails it'll be reported on here and replaced for free.
     
    #14 GrumpyCabbie, Jun 8, 2015
    Avi's Advanced Automotive likes this.
  15. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    983
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    i see that you didn't bother to do a search here.
    i just did a cursory search (and likely missed a lot):
    2011 Battery Failed due to over heating at 130k | PriusChat
    Finest, greenest, & safest taxicab in the world. The story of cab 2545 | Page 13 | PriusChat
    2010 Prius | PriusChat
    "dead HV battery reads 217 volts | PriusChat
     
    #15 Former Member 68813, Jun 8, 2015
  16. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    In the defence of the gen3, the HV battery has a replacement cost of £800 (US$1,300) so even if it needs to be replaced around 150k miles, it's not really the end of the world. The clutch on a manual will have needed replacement earlier and cost the same and the transmission of an automatic will probably fail around this mileage in taxi use and cost significantly more.
     
    #16 GrumpyCabbie, Jun 8, 2015
  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,365
    3,608
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Not true I said one or two cases and that is one of the two I am aware of, and that one is not clear if is a regular consumer (and he is not USA)...

    ...interesting though he mentions a part from Toyota to prevent vent blockage...someone was just asking about that
     
    #17 wjtracy, Jun 8, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2015
  18. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,365
    3,608
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Wow we need to start ordering from UK!!
     
    #18 wjtracy, Jun 8, 2015
    Avi's Advanced Automotive likes this.
  19. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I'm only quoting the Toyota UK website;

    Hybrids FAQs | Toyota UK

    "Hybrid batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. All Toyota cars have a 5 Year Warranty.

    It is extremely unlikely that a battery will need replacing. In the unlikely event that the hybrid battery does need to be replaced and the warranty has expired, the cost is approximately £800. An annual Hybrid Health Check at a Toyota Dealer is the best way to ensure you are safeguarding the health of your vehicle for years to come. ."
     
    #19 GrumpyCabbie, Jun 8, 2015
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    59,901
    41,170
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Here's something from Toyota UK, specifically regarding "hybrid health check". Seems it's only in the UK, and getting the check extends the warranty.

    Hybrid Cars Health Check | Toyota UK
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Jun 8, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3