What's the deal with the HV battery cost / core charge?

I believe someone misinformed you, no dealer is going to sell you a new not refurb battery for $1200. It is more likely $2500 +core charge, to be credited back to you upon return of your old unit. The core charge only applies if you buy the battery from the dealership and diy install the dealer pack. If you take it to the dealer and have them do it no core charge applies.

 

correct^^^ who did you buy the car from? i think they were the one's 'pulling a fast one'.

 

No it's $2100 (or more) PLUS $1350 core charge which you get back when you return the old battery. Toyota wants to keep those junk modules out of landfills and recycled appropriately to keep from getting a black eye PR wise.

 

It's far more likely that Toyota wants to keep those junk modules out of the hands of rebuilders. I'm sure they get recycled properly in the hands of Toyota, but that is not the main reason for a core charge that is half the cost of a new battery.

 

It seems as though you want to buy a new pack and install it yourself. That's not plug and play by any means. And you might not find a stealership that is willing to sell you the pack either. Such are the hassles in addition to that pesky core charge.

 

Here is a quote from a dealer I have ordered from online. Shipping would be a killer though.



From Toyota Parts and Accessories | MetroToyotaPartsNow.com

 

And who then do you return your core to? MetroToyotaPartsNow.com? A local stealership (who might not be obligated to accept your core)? This would bother me as I abhor uncertainty involving thousands of dollars.

 

Metro Toyota Scion | Brook Park, Ohio New & Used Toyota Car Dealer - Serving Cleveland, Parma, North Olmsted, Cleveland Heights, & Brunswick

 

This was just to help justify the correct price. Sometimes I can find Toyota parts cheaper from a dealer on Amazon.

 

As mentioned, it is $2k and up (seen as high as $2.8k) for the battery PLUS a $1350 core charge. Many dealers will not sell you a pack over the counter. Some do if they know you, some do to anyone, some sell them online even. But it will be price + core + tax + shipping. Then when you get it you have a big 'ol battery that you then need to install. You can do it yourself in a day, or experienced rebuilders can do it in a few hours usually for $200-$400, but obviously the price varies. Toyota dealerships generally want $400-$800 to install and they also generally do not accept you bringing them a battery. If you want your dealership to do it for you, they will install the battery that they order, not the one you found online for a bargain.

 

What did you end up doing about your battery? I have one that the dealer keeps saying doesnt throw codes so it's good. It's got nearly 180,000 miles. I really dont know what to do with a bluetooth thingy or the apps and results....

 

not sure what you're asking here. are you having a problem with your car? if so, what are the symptoms?
are any of the trouble lights on the dashboard on?

 

It runs like crap. Everyone says it's fine and there aren't lights on. So they say it is perfectly fine. Funny..... it didnt run like this 30000 miles ago