Where to buy a genuine Toyota OEM HV battery

for $2300, there should be no old cells to balance. Everything should be brand new.....

I'm getting to suspect they sell 1 rebuilt battery only, giving you 3 options to the length of the warranty coverage. Whichever option you choose, the battery would be the same. If it fails during the warranty period, they will replace it (labor is on you). Not sure about shipping back and forth and the major inconvenience to do this every few months.

 

I give them a little more benefit of the doubt, that they replace what they view as defective modules with new ones. The early problems mentioned in that other thread make me think of mismatches that kill borderline modules they left behind.

 

Is that the understanding you got from the $2300 battery? New cells replacing the ones that are bad? Not completely new 28 modules for $2300? You can get 28 brand new modules at Toyota for that price.

This was not the OPS original battery, this was a battery exchange, new for old.

 

Only a guess on my part, but I doubt they are sending out an old case with 28 brand new modules and a long warranty. Where would the profit come from ?

 

What I'm guessing is the modules inside are all old modules, the bad ones have been replaced and the entire pack has been re-balanced. Even a re-balanced pack can fail, remember the battery cores could be from 2004 cars, which are 10 years old. The modules that were never replaced and tested good 4 months ago, just started to fail now. I don't think that would be uncommon with 10 year old modules....they'll slowly drop off one by one

In terms of profit, there's plenty of profit built into a $2300 battery with mostly old modules. If they are lucky, they don't have to replace it many times in the 4 years. If they are unlucky, they replace it more often. But the $2300 is already in the bank, it'll be the buyers responsibility to get the failed battery to them and they change out that module and the cycle repeats.

 

There was a thread a few weeks back regarding warranty coverage on rebuilt batteries. The companies would charge $250 for time and gas to drive to you to replace the "warranty battery" and then charge another $250 for the labor to remove and reinstall the "warranty battery". True the battery was under warranty, but to get it replaced, it was still $500. Some of these guys have all these things thought out. They are hoping you never call them again.....and with $500 replacement fees, many wouldn't do it. They would fix and sell the car

 

I would have Toyota do it. That is a fair price. In the long run you will be better off.

 

Autonation is the one to buy from. Same place Patrick Wong recommends. Local here in Houston. I buy from them all of the time. Great resource with discounted prices for internet orders. Call the 800 # and ask for Jake. He is very knowledgeable and can answer all of your questions. I think they will ship the traction battery, but not the 12 volt battery.

Ron (dorunron)

 

I too think that for $3400, if you prefer the OEM battery go ahead and let Toyota do it. There is quite a bit of labor involved, high voltage risks, plus the duct work can be tricky. The battery is also heavy and bulky. Toyota has all the tools, and the experience to do it right the first time. Just my two cents worth. IMO, you will get the best bang for the buck. Good warranty and knowledge you will have a new battery and not one that has been rebuilt. Rebuilds are only as good as the modules inside. As pointed out in this string, some folks have had problems with the rebuilds, other's have not. New is always better than reconditioned. Especially if it is new OEM IMO.

Ron (dorunron)

 

OP is in Indiana. If he is not too far from Steve at autobeyours he could consider shipping or bringing the battery to Steve for installation. Autobeyours offers a $200 installation for refurbs they sell, so perhaps they would install for that cost. Worth a call.

Alternatively, Autobeyours offers a refurb for $1100 installed. At 1/3rd the price of new at the dealership it seems like a reasonable contender in an older car.

 

Good point Sagebrush. I did not realize he was close to Steve. Steve knows his was around a Prius, no doubt about that. I would trust him over some of the dealers. I have been lucky. The two dealers I use do great work, but I have heard horror stories about a couple of dealers in the area. All Toyota dealers are not equal when it comes to their service depts.

But Steve at autobeyours definitely knows his stuff. Has the tools, knowledge and expertise too.

Ron

 

They for sure will sell just the battery but the warrenty is only about 1 year if you do it yourself. Thats where they get you.

 

Im having a reconditioned battery installed in my 2010 Prius for $1495.00 and they come to your home and do it in less than 1 hr. De

 

I didnt finish my reply and it cut me off. They give you a life time warranty also.