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Dorman Battery Warning

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by TampaPrius.com, Aug 28, 2017.

  1. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    I am not a huge fan of rebuilt batteries in general because by nature they don't last. It is not the fault of the re-builder, it is the process. Expecting a hodgepodge of 10-12 year old battery parts mixed together to last for more than 6 months is wishful thinking. If you do the work yourself then you don't have that much invested.

    However, if you shell out $1200-$1400 to a major company like Dorman you would expect more than this. This battery is assembled IMG_8331.JPG IMG_8333.JPG IMG_8334.JPG IMG_8335.JPG IMG_8336.JPG IMG_8337.JPG IMG_8338.JPG from gen 1 cells, seriously? This battery was assembled 3/28/16. IMG_8331.JPG IMG_8333.JPG IMG_8334.JPG IMG_8335.JPG IMG_8336.JPG IMG_8337.JPG IMG_8338.JPG
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I had a battery that looked just like this from another rebuilder. I now refuse to fix anything that's been fixed by someone else before. $1500 for a rebuild is nuts
     
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  3. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    Aaaa yup that ain't going to buff out very well at all. I'm not a fan of Dorman in this space either regardless of this hack job.
     
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Dorman: Do you feel this battery is safe for travel?
    Inspector #4 aka Del: Yes I do....Yes I really do...I believe that....I know it's not pretty to look at....but It'll get you where you want to go.

    pta.jpg
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i will stop recommending dormant as the rebuilder of choice.:oops:
     
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  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Unfortunately it's not just Dorman
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i know, that has been my only recommendation if someone wants to go rebuilt due to the 3 year warranty.
    seems like there are no options at all now.
     
  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    That is awesome. I have a Dorman that I received after installing a Gen2 (rebuilt with 2015 modules) into another members car. It was 15 months old when it failed. I disassembled it and I thought it was a POS. Went through it with a fine tooth comb, repaired some things/replaced a few modules and installed it in my sons 2005 for testing. Still going strong after a few months (so far).

    Saw your first photo and the first thing that crossed my mind is WOW, those are Gen 1 modules in a Gen 2 battery. Are you able to read the serial numbers on the modules? I was thinking about building one like and installing it in my car to experiment. The difference is my donor battery is an OEM Gen 1 battery built in 2015, with modules date coded 12ZP (December 12th, 2014). I just haven't decided if I really want to use 28 of the 38 modules instead of just using the battery for a replacement job for someone who needs a new Gen 1 battery. Anyone out there with a Gen 1 in need of a new battery?
     
  9. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    That is one of my favorite scenes from that movie. The only scene that is better is, "Those aren't PILLOWS!"
     
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  10. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    I do warranty replacements for Dorman occasionally (I do not sell them). I have one customer who is on her 6th Dorman battery in 9 months. BTW Dorman does not pay installation as part of their warranty and she has had to wait 1-3 weeks each time it fails to get a replacement after calling, waiting on hold and jumping through hoops. The last 2 didn't last 2 days before the lights came back on.
     
  11. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Incredible.

    Well that has to be the reported record here. Previously one poor guy told us he was on his fourth which I didn't think could be topped...... :eek:
     
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  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    6th and counting. She has 2 years and 3 months left in the warranty
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's a shame. while the financial opportunity has to be present, it is disappointing that no one has been able to come up with a reasonably priced, reliable rebuild. dormant is a huge letdown, and we are left with few, if any, options.
    toyota really needs to do more about the price of a new battery, but it doesn't seem to be on their radar.
     
  14. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    If anyone is interested, I have a lot of used oil and oil filters from my Prius. IMHO same thing as a rebuilt battery. If your battery (12 volt or traction) fails, get a new one.
     
    #14 William Redoubt, Aug 30, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2017
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  15. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I reckon your customer should cut her losses. I figure by the time she has 7 or more replacements she will have spent as much, with the additional labor each time, on these Dormans compared to a new from Toyota (at a Toyota dealer). Probably is already past that point if compared to what you charge for a Toyota new!
     
    #15 dolj, Aug 30, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2017
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  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's more like used tires, sold for less than new, but can fail at any time

    They'll try to match the thread of the other 3
     
  17. Overworked9000

    Overworked9000 Junior Member

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    Darn it. I just put in my first Dorman. Worked great for 5 miles, then DTC light came on. HV to Ground.

    FML.
     
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  18. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Damn.

    If it's still in the 30 day window, you can get a refund. But here's the dealio, where's your original battery? Dorman took it as a core exchange, correct? If one decides to get a new Toyota battery, you'll need an old one or get charged a $1350 core charge.
     
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  19. Overworked9000

    Overworked9000 Junior Member

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    Correct, they took it. There is no way to get the core back? I guess?
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe they haven't shipped it out yet.
     
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