~ 5 mpg drop in self reported fuel economy after traction battery replacement

I'd like to hear from Toyota.

It is possible that the service writer didn't know what they were talking about when they threw out the term "Factory Reconditioned".

Because up until today, I've never heard that Toyota dealt with or produced any "Factory Reconditioned" hybrid batteries.

 

The part number used is for a new battery, not a reconditioned one. I would not think Toyota would have the same part # for a reconditioned part.

 

But you are dealing with documents here that were produced by the typical "grease monkey" mechanics and order writers. They possibly are dealing with a service computer created by Toyota that simply doesn't know any other part numbers.

And just because it is a "factory reconditioned" battery doesn't mean that it was a Toyota factory that did it.
Does Toyota even make their own batteries in the first place ?? I'm sure that they did NOT the first few years of hybrid production.

AND finally, there in no guarantee that this repair procedure is even sanctioned by Toyota.
Some dealers would pull one from a junk yard and call it "reconditioned" if they thought they could make an extra $1000 and get away with it.

 

This was a warranty repair, Toyota has to pay for the part and pay the dealership's labor. Are we talking about the same thing?

 

Maybe. You don't KNOW that the shop reported the work being done to Toyota properly.
Toyota has to re-imburse the shop for their expenses.
I'm just saying that a lot of assumptions are being made in this thread about what Toyota does and doesn't know or do and it is largely speculation. Only the shop involved really knows.

 

Are you saying this Tallahassee Toyota dealership COULD HAVE charged Toyota corporate for a new battery and then put in a reconditioned one? Keeping the new battery for themselves?

 

The truth will out on this one way or another.

If indeed Toyota has changed their policy in regards to battery replacement, from "new" to some outsourced or vendored reconditioned battery, then we will hear more stories about this reality happening.

For me personally, until I hear it from Toyota, or at least have 1 other story that a reconditioned battery was used? Then I'm assuming the policy hasn't changed.

If it's warranty work, and this was...then a Toyota Dealership shouldn't be playing fast and loose with the rules to try to make more money. Toyota has got to have a policy on this, and dealerships should be following it. I'm willing to believe a service writer just "said" factory reconditioned...then believe the part number on the receipt was just randomly put there without it having any connection to the reality of the part used. One would represent just being a mistake in used verbal terminology...the other? Would be a fraudulent representation of a part that wasn't really used on an invoice...that would be billed to Toyota.

If it's changed? And the policy is now, find the best or nearest, reconditioned battery possible, and that is the standard for replacement under warranty, then I will admit I'm disappointed.

My secret hope was if I keep my Prius for 8 years and counting...I'm in a CARB state, that my Battery would fail sometime in the final 2 years, and that Toyota would give me a new battery...towards the end of my current warranty.

If the best I could hope for in that scenario is a reconditioned battery? With no warranty? Then...well...it's still free...but I'd not be as happy as if Toyota plopped a new one in.

But unless the OP can absolutely confirm it was a reconditioned, and/or get some confirmation from the dealership that it was absolutely a reconditioned battery...and that is NOW Toyota's official backed policy?

Then I'm just going to say we don't know.

 

You might remove the folding hatch floor and the black plastic tray over the spare tire to inspect the traction battery case. Is it shiny and new or beat up and decrepit. If the former, there is some hope you got a new battery.

Regarding your concern about a drop in mpg, have you taken the car on a reasonably long freeway drive to see what the mpg is under those conditions?

 

Thanks for the update pbarber. The truth is that the vast majority of cases like this (loss of reported fuel economy) do simply resolve themselves after a few weeks of driving. I'm pretty certain it's just down to the loss of ECU "historical data" after the 12V powered is pulled.

 

X2

Email Toyota directly for info (see link) on whether that part number includes both new and refurbished battery packs (post the answer here after, very curious).

Support | Toyota.com

The traction battery modules were made by Panasonic and they continue to make the modules for all Toyota hybrids AFAIK. I assume Toyota does the assembly on the complete traction battery assy though.

 

T

MB865 ?

 

My dealer assumed they are rebuilt, because he needs the core. My battery is good with the one cell I replaced, but I just bought a gen3 2012 battery with 6k miles on it, to rebuild my 2nd gen using the cells from it. Since the Toyota warranty is only 1yr on there's, I'll take my chance with gen3 cells, if I can get them to play nice with my car.

 

Reconditioned sounds like refurbished. It usually means someone bought it and returned it. It might even have been installed, but didn't fix the problem. The dealer can't sell it as new so they test it (maybe) and call it a refurb. I buy refurb electronics all the time. Sometimes they're not packed right or you're missing the instructions, but I haven't been burned yet.