1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

battery replacement economy?

Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by gene so, Oct 15, 2019.

  1. gene so

    gene so New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2019
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas, New Mexico
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello,
    I am not a Prius owner, and previously have rejected buying one of these automobiles due to the replacement costs for the battery. Recently my wife rented one of these automobiles and was very happy with it on a six state trip.
    Recently I was informed of a business which replaces Prius batteries in Oregon at a much cheaper rate than the dealership prices. I do not have specifics.
    Is this merely a rumor, or in fact, does a cheaper replacement exist for batteries for the Prius automobiles?
    Thank you for your attention in this matter.

    Gene So
     
  2. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    708
    454
    0
    Location:
    South Carolina low country
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    It's true. fwiw, I'm on my second Prius and never had to replace the battery.
     
  3. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    1,731
    1,154
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    How many miles do you put on it? If less than half a meg you’ll likely not need to think about replacing it. I don’t have exact stats but very few batteries have ever needed replacing.
     
  4. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2016
    1,057
    789
    0
    Location:
    Washington State, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    279k miles on our 2007 Prius, still with the original battery.
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,958
    8,836
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It seems with Gen3, engine replacement is more likely to come before the battery. No one knows about real longevity of Gen4 and PRIME as of yet.
     
    davecook89t and jerrymildred like this.
  6. Fuel Miser

    Fuel Miser Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2010
    86
    22
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    elementnomore likes this.
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Replacement battery (new) for a non-plugin Prius is roughly the same cost as an automatic transmission repair on a regular car with rather similar odds of happening. Since a failed transaxle on a Prius is extraordinarily rare, it's a fair trade.
     
    mjoo and davecook89t like this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    1) there are four different prius traction batteries

    a) nimh

    b) plug in li-on

    c) li-on

    d) prime plug in li-on

    2) there are a lot of after market battery replacement companies, most (if not all) are rubbish

    3) once you decide what prius model you are interested in, we can be more helpful.

    you are in the prime plug in forum, so if that is the car she rented and would like, it is only 3 years old, so we don't have any battery longevity or replacement info.
    but one thing you can count on, it would be hugely expensive, and there are no aftermarket suppliers or installers.

    all the best!(y)
     
  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,780
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Yes and no.

    Do some searching on this site for "battery" and sort through some of the several THOUSAND posts that it will find.
    Summary: A really good, completely rebuilt battery from an independent source with a good warranty should cost about 2/3 what Toyota wants to charge. Then you have to worry about shipping......availability and cost.

    Your search should find explanations of the differences in "refurbished" ones.
     
  10. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    575
    595
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    When the NiMH traction battery on my 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid died, I went with one of these aftermarket, rebuilt batteries. It was 50% of the cost of the dealership, but only lasted me 2 years. YMMV.
     
  11. MTN

    MTN Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2017
    306
    275
    2
    Location:
    SB, CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    2020's now have a 10yr/150,000 battery warranty. Don't factor in battery replacement cost when purchasing. That would be like factoring in the cost of a new engine/trans for a non-hybrid when thinking of buying a car. The chance of it happening is very, very low.

    But, DO factor in the savings of a Federal tax credit and any state, local, utility, etc rebates. Makes the Prime a better purchase than a regular Prius for nearly every transaction.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. the battery usually goes before anything on a gasser
     
  13. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,485
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Very VERY few new Prius buyers have to replace their batteries because few new car buyers keep their cars long enough for a battery replacement to become necessary.

    However (comma!) if you're going to start out in Priuses by buying an older used model then, yeah, the battery might become an issue.
    BUT.....replacing an air conditioner compressor, having transmission work done, or even a 4-wheel brake system repair can ALSO leave you with a 4-digit repair bill, and this happens with all cars.

    Your call.

    Not buying a Prius is the right call for some people, but make sure that you're not buying one for the right reason!
    If your CFO likes this car, warts and all, after a six-state road trip?

    I'd have to consider learning more about them.

    Good Luck!
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    o/p forgot all about us :unsure:
     
    royrose likes this.
  15. Renee'

    Renee' New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2019
    13
    4
    0
    Location:
    Henryville IN
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have talked to a couple of people and they have got a battery replaced at Autobeyours in Scottsburg IN they said that they also have a location in Titusville Florida. They have rebuild battery's for $775 and give a 1 year warranty.
     
  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Or, for $1600 delivered you could have @2k1Toaster kit of new cells basically giving you a NEW battery. Link is in my signature. Many of the batteries built using old modules from failed packs do not last for the warranty period without needing replacement. For many people, the dependability of the car is a huge issue with repaired batteries.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    and yet, we're in the prime forum. wonder how auto be yours would handle it:whistle:
     
    jerrymildred and Prodigyplace like this.
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sorry I missed that.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you and everyone else, and the hit and run o/p
     
    jerrymildred and Prodigyplace like this.
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yeah. Who was that masked man? :D
     
    Mendel Leisk and Prodigyplace like this.