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Help! 2005 Prius with 180kMi needs new battery pack

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GregAZ, Feb 25, 2014.

  1. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    Friends,

    Well ... I seem to always fall in the area of exception. Recently I read the thread of 200kMi drivers and with great delight saw that almost no one has had their battery pack fail. So yesterday, I am driving along and CHRISTMAS - all the lights come on the dash. First I had FLAPS pull the code and it can back as "Replace Hybrid Battery Pack". Then I drove to the dealer and this morning got the call - several cells are bad, the battery pack needs replacement. Cost quoted, approximately $3,500.

    So, now what? Has anyone else done this? Should I get a second opinion? Replace with new? Consider used? I never thought this would happen to me, but should have known ...

    My car has been perfect - no issues, maintained by the book and I really would love to drive it a few more years. I am the original owner.
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Greg,

    1. If a Prius had a traction battery failure after warranty expiration and prior to 200K miles, the owner may have decided to get rid of the car at that point. So there is some amount of positive self-selection in the 200K mile string.
    2. Phoenix, with its extremely hot summer weather, is not the perfect place to be with regards to traction battery longevity.
    3. You need to consider the current market value of the car and the likelihood of other significant failures given the current odometer reading when deciding whether to spend $3.5K on a new battery (which is a very high price by the way.) You may decide to seek additional quotes from other dealer service depts.
    4. A reasonable alternative certainly would be to install a used traction battery, which would enable you to sell the car or drive it for a while longer.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this is a bit startling. only 9 years old and 180k? are you sure it's the hybrid battery? sometimes, you just need to clean the cooling fan or replace the 12v. some dig in and relace the one bad cell that is causing the failure, but that takes some diy knowledge. plenty of threads here to help, whatever you decide, all the best!(y)
     
  4. Rich12

    Rich12 Member

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    Prius is notorious for dropping parts after 100k. Hybrid battery, 12v, brake actuator and ICE coolant pump are top of the list. Another data point for the troubling reliability (?) of theses cars.
     
  5. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Its def not notorious but in a hot climate such as Phoenix, this is expected. I personally would recommend a DIY replacement with a battery pack from Dorman. This can be ordered from your FLAPS.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  6. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Greg,

    As you are the original and only owner of your Prius, it is very unfortunate that you probably have just experienced traction battery failure, especially since you paid full price for it.

    Traction battery failure is inevitable. Some fail within the warranty period while others don't fail until after 400K miles. You were at a disadvantage from day one because of the Phoenix factor. I wonder how many early Gen 2 Prius owners in the desert southwest have experienced traction battery failure before 200K miles.

    I wouldn't say you should have known better because you probably couldn't have at the time you bought it. You're one of the pioneers, the early adopters. There wasn't a great deal of information out at the time that would have raised a red flag. That's water under the bridge.

    If the traction battery is the only issue with your Prius at the moment, it might be worthwhile for you to install a reconditioned one in it so that you can continue driving it for at least a couple of more years. There might be an independent hybrid specialist nearby that can install one for you for less than $1500. IMHO, installation of a new one in your car is not cost effective.

    Don't despair, get it repaired.(y)
     
  7. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    DOUBLE POST
     
  8. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the feedback, guys. Honestly, it's a little bit of a shock, but the car has been SO good to me, I think this will be a small bump in the grand scheme of things.

    So, I just called a local dealer that has been VERY good to me with discounted parts for DYI maintenance. They are able to sell me a BRAND NEW Toyota battery for $2,070 plus tax. Sounds like a good deal for a battery that may last another 180kMi? I looked up Dorman, and they want $1,750. Is it worth it to pay $300 more for a new Toyota battery? Is this a DYI job?
     
  9. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    And these guys have one for $899 with free shipping!
    Home
     
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you are looking at only the 2 options of Dorman at $1750 and Dealer for $2070, it would be wise to choose the New battery for $300 more. Although you may not keep your car for another 9 years and 180k miles, it's nice to know you won't have to worry about a re-manufactured battery failing down the road. A new battery will most likely last the remaining service life of the Prius.

    This could be a DIY project, but there are safety issues if you are not careful. Installation at a dealer or private shop should run more or less $300.
     
  11. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    I am open to ANY options, just looking for feedback!
     
  12. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    I would probably go with the $899 option if it were me. I guess it depends upon how long you plan on keeping this vehicle. 180,000 miles seems like a lot of miles. Good luck in your final decision! :)
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I would go with a company that you know for certain will honor a warranty claim, if needed. Many can say they offer a warranty, but are nowhere to be found when you need to get the coverage.

    I was thinking of rebuilding a gen2 battery pack using gen3 cells. Here in California I can get a gen3 pack for $400 because there isn't much demand for gen3 yet

    SM-N900P ?
     
  14. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    What's the condition of the car otherwise like Greg. If it's been well maintained and in immaculate condition I'd be very tempted to go with the new battery.

    If on the other hand it's starting to get a bit worse for wear and you're only considering keeping it a few more years then taking a gamble on a cheap s/h battery could be the go.
     
  15. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Honestly guys, I don't think this is overly shocking or startling. A 180,000 lifetime in a hot climate is probably down around the 20th percentile, but far from a freak incident.

    I know that a survey is inherently self selecting, but the results of a recent poll here indicated 15.1% of respondents had a failure under 200k miles. About 77.8% reported no failure in the same range, giving a marginal (conditional) probability of about 16%.

    See: Hybrid Battery Survey-Gen2 Prius 2004-2009 | PriusChat
     
  16. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    An excellent way to look at it Greg. Considering that you're doing about 20k miles per year, even the new battery wont set you back more than 2 years of gas savings (over a 25 MPG car). That still leaves you 7 years of gas saving ahead of the game. :)
     
  17. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    I am the original owner and the car has had every single service done at the dealer prior to 175kMi. At that point I started my own servicing, including 180kMi just last week. It's using about two quarts of oil per 5kMi (maybe less - 1 quart?), so I am keeping an eye on it.

    I'd love to keep it until 180kMi, maybe 225kMi, just doing research on which battery to get. Toyota sounds like a good option, but I've been reading about Reinvolt all morning and it sounds like an awesome option. Although the price is comparable ...

    If I could get the repair price point to $1,000 ... I'd be VERY happy!!!
     
  18. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    I think your perspective is skewed a little bit here.
    A really LOT of cars have parts prone to fail after 100,000 miles.
    Most people would not consider that "troubling reliability".
    Neither do any of the respected auto testing organizations, as I don't think any of their reports even go that high.
    (Now to see what the rest of the posts have to say.)
     
  19. GregAZ

    GregAZ Junior Member

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    FWIW, I totally agree. This has been the most reliable car I have ever owned, and I enjoyed driving it 180kMi from new. If this wasn't a Toyota, I wouldn't be thinking of fixing it at this point.
     
  20. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Hey Greg, biased advice here (warning)!
    If it were me, I'm all about the $899 battery and a DIY install and yes it can be a DIY job and.... there are even videos on youtube for you.