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TrueStart OEM 12V Battery Warranty

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by kayceee, Jan 22, 2020.

  1. kayceee

    kayceee Junior Member

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    Hi All,

    Just wanted to provide a data point here.

    Went to Toyota in Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles) to inquire about a TrueStart 12V battery for my 2012 Prius III and was told by parts/service that while most TrueStart batteries have a 84 month warranty (2 year free replacement then prorated), the Prius TrueStart battery has a different warranty of 1 year free replacement then 2 years prorated at 50%.

    Can anyone else confirm this information?

    Was looking to get another OEM since my first one lasted for almost 8 years, but with such a limited warranty I'm leaning towards getting another battery with at least 3 year free replacement.

    Thanks.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i understood that the prius true start had the 84 month. did you ask for documentation?
     
  3. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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  4. kayceee

    kayceee Junior Member

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    In true dealership fashion, nobody had documentation - the parts guy just asked the most experienced service guy. I may go to a different dealership to see if they have documentation.
     
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  5. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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  6. kayceee

    kayceee Junior Member

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    Thank you StarCaller

    Does that battery work for your 2014 Prius? This is the only battery that shows up when I search for my 2012.

    upload_2020-1-22_16-56-45.png
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all gen 3 batteries are the same
     
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  8. kayceee

    kayceee Junior Member

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    Got it, so the more expensive one I posted is no better than the cheaper battery StarCaller posted?
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    different dealerships have different prices. what matters is the model and fitment.

    i went to germain toyota and plugged in your car. it said $200., thats what i paid as well.
     
  10. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    Toyota dealers in the U.S. have, over the years, had two sources of auxiliary (12 volt) batteries. There are original equipment (OE) batteries, stocked by Toyota parts distribution centers, and TrueStart batteries, stocked by Interstate Batteries distributors. The dealer or customer doesn’t usually get to choose: for any particular size and application, the OE battery is typically discontinued once a TrueStart battery is available.

    According to Policy 4.11, Service Part Battery Warranty Coverage, in the Toyota Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual (available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com), all TrueStart batteries—for hybrid vehicles or otherwise—have the 24-month replacement/84-month prorated warranty. OE batteries for hybrid vehicles—assuming you could still get one—have a 12-month, non-prorated warranty. Either way, any remaining New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage also applies.
     
  11. kayceee

    kayceee Junior Member

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    Thank you for this information! Do you know if the same 84 month prorated warranty holds if you self-install vs getting installed at Toyota service center? I have read some user posts that buying the battery over the counter changed their warranty period.
     
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  12. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    You’re most welcome.
    Yes, it does; the policy applies to any “Toyota Genuine replacement battery installed by a Toyota dealer in a Toyota vehicle or purchased over-the-counter.”

    Ni-MH or Li-ion high-voltage (HV) batteries are the exception; these are warranted for 36 months if installed by a dealer in a vehicle that isn’t a commercial, fleet, or livery vehicle, or for 12 months, otherwise.
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I depend on CTEK, simpler than the warranty run-around.
     
  14. Tnx

    Tnx Junior Member

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    Sorry to res this thread. If I'm understanding correctly, the battery for around $150~, model number 00544H4052470 is for the Prius TWO correct? The toyota website doesn't say anything about it fitting my Prius 3 2011. Meanwhile, searching for the other battery model 2880021171 linked in post 7 by Kaycee shows them out of stock everywhere around me in SoCal LA area.

    Is this just a supply chain issue or are they discontinuing these batteries as well? Seems like the only other choice for a new battery for me is the yellow top or AC delco ACDB24R on Amazon.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Try local automotive retailers selling batteries: they invariably have a website that'll let you enter your vehicle stats, show what they have that's compatible.

    I'd much rather deal local with batteries, in case there's any hiccups.

    I believe all the 3rd gens are the same battery. Going through the exercise, I see the Canadian Tire Store about 10 kms east of me have 3 of their compatible AGM Motomaster battery in stock now:

    upload_2020-5-11_13-53-28.png

    I believe the above's pretty much physically identical to the OEM Yuasa, and same spec's.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, May 11, 2020
    Last edited: May 11, 2020
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  16. Tnx

    Tnx Junior Member

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    All the stores around me either only have yellow tops, or have a store branded battery that runs about 225. At that point it seems like I should just buy the OEM one from toyota for that crazy warranty no? I have three toyota dealers within 12 miles of me, which seems local enough, but none of them are open.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You were saying the OEM were out-of-stock? Maybe just on Amazon, but dealership still has them?

    $225 USD is pretty steep, I mean I'm seeing same price up here in CDN.
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, May 11, 2020
    Last edited: May 11, 2020
  18. Tnx

    Tnx Junior Member

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    Yeah I meant the OEM is out of stock at all the dealerships around me. I don't see Amazon selling any of the OEM Truestarts. And yeah $225 is steep but I don't see too many options, besides the $160 AC Delco. I guess I should look into that one and see what others say about it.
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think there's not that many manufacturers, you can count them on one hand, just a lot of different badging.
     
  20. Peter123

    Peter123 Active Member

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    I think the current Toyota part number for a gen 3 12 volt battery is 00544-21171-325.
     
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