2006 Prius with 179,000 and battery just died

I joined Prius Chat back in 2006 before I purchased my Car on May 1, 2006. This site was great to help me get the best price on the car, the warranty, and the service. I kept my history for a while and faded away.

It is now 9 years later. My car just hit 179,000. I dropped my wife off at the airport and as I drove away alarms went off. The lights below came on. I stopped to ensure all doors closed and no flats. Drove it to the dealer. They said if the engine light is not flashing I can drive it. I took it to my local service station. They told me the hybrid battery is dead and needs to be replaced.

I called several dealers. The replacement including the battery ($2588), labor and taxes ranged between $3,166 and $4,500. I called a different local repair shop I sometimes use and they have major experience replacing the hybrid battery. The price out the door is $2,150.

So for people that like numbers, I thought this information would be interesting:

Purchase price: $29,032 including package 7, 100,000 mile warranty and auto care for 55,000 miles.

In 2007, a light bulb went out and was charged $500 to replace. It turns out there was some issue with these Xenon (sp?) lights. I called Toyota care and they reimbursed me. I asked if the other one was covered and they said they would. In 2008, the other light went out and they paid for this light direct to the dealer.

I purchased new tires at 40,000 and 100,000. At 100,000 I bought 80,000 mile tires and store said there was still about 25,000 miles left. Nice.

One of the wheel boots needed to be replaced since it tore last year.

At 175,000 my rear brakes needed to be replaced. They said it was the first time I replaced them. The front brakes have not yet been replaced and are still good.

The above repairs and regular maintenance since I passed the 55,000 included service cost me $4,500 (which also included another set of head lights but the price has dropped a bit more).

I don't know what I spent on gas over the years but I have averaged 45.6 mpg.

Up to now, my cost of ownership has been $33,532. With the $2,150 for the new battery, I am now up to $35,682. This is not bad for 9 years of ownership and I hope to get another 9 or more out of this great car.

Michael
Purcellville, VA

 

Thanks. The car runs like new. It is funny that without the hybrid battery the car is listless. It has no acceleration and struggles to go up a hill on my usual route home. Can't wait to get it back.

 

Progressive Automotive in Hamilton, Virginia is the place that I went to get the battery replaced. It is a remanufactured battery. It will have a 3 year warranty. The dealers only had a 1 year warranty and I believe most if not all of them were also going to provide a remanufactured battery.

 

Sorry. I was incorrect. I was mising up information. I called back one dealer and they use new batteries, so I assume they all use new batteries.

 

The repair company I use is certified by Toyota. They have the certificate that they went through the training and they have the equipment to work on Hybrids. I have been working with this repair company since 1998 and they have been honest with me, so I assume they are telling me the truth.

The other repair company (which is a little bit further away from me so the other is more convenient) is also certified to work on Toyota hybrids. The owner just called me a few minutes ago and told me that the car is providing 10 codes related to the battery. They checked the cooling fan to ensue it was working properly, which is is. They confirmed the diagnosis from the other company that the battery needs to be replaced.

He uses remanufactured batteries. He has been using them for years with no issues. They have also been in business since we moved here in 1998 so I assume they will be around for another 3 years.

Yes, I was incorrect. The dealers use new batteries. I mixed up my phone calls and apologize for that.

I asked the place that will replace my battery about new vs remanufactured. As I wrote above, he has had no issues. If I can keep this car for a few more years I will be happy. If I can keep it for another 9 years that would be great.

 

In 2006 I did get the tax credit. I believe it was about $3,000. Based on my income and/or other factors, I only was credited with about $2,700.

I forgot about this, so it lowers the cost of ownership a bit

 

The other reputable shop is Purcellville Tire. They have a Toyota certified technician who is also certified on Toyota Hybrids.

They just do not replace the hybrid battery since they have not had enough experience. But they have been maintaining my car for much less than the dealership. In fact, they maintain my wife's Honda CRV and my Dodge Ram 1500 and have been very fair to me over the years. I highly recommend them. They are less than 1 mile from my house.

The shop that did my batteries, as I stated, is Progressive Automotive, in Hamilton, VA. They are 2 miles from my house. I know. I just walked there to pick up my finished car. It is running smoothly again.

 

As I wrote above, the car had the issue Tuesday evening. I brought it to Purcellville Tire who diagnosed it with a dead hybrid battery. I took it to Progressive Automotive in Hamilton last night. They were even nice enough to drive me home. They told me they would have the battery by Monday. Their supplier happened to have a battery and they installed it today.

For this interested in the costs:

Diagnose Check Engine Light: on board computer analysis/fuel, vacuum and ignition systems check/retrieve code and diagnose running problem/relearn idle and drivability strategies/system has 2,500 different components that can trigger check engine light/codes: P3000, PO480, P3019, C1259, C1310
charge: $98.45

Complete Hybrid battery assembly/renew (3 year warranty)
charge: $344.58

Part #: 587001 Hybrid Battery $1,627.34

Labor: $443.03
Parts: $1,627.34
Enviro/supplies: $19.21
Subtotal: $2,089.58
Tax: $98.60
Total: $2,188.18

Hope this info helps someone.

 

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