2006 Prius with 179,000 and battery just died

Ok, bottom line up front: Toyota Carlsbad appears legit, and Toyota does make remanufactured hybrid batteries (at least in some states).

Now here's some more of my story continued from earlier post #35.

My local dealer Toyota Carlsbad did call Toyota Corporate on my behalf, the "Goodwill" extended was 50% off the price of the $1,850 remanufactured battery, but only if I had it dealer-installed. Dealer's labor charge was $775, so pre-tax, installed price of about $1,700 .

The dealer service rep and parts counter staff both said the remanufactured battery was made by Toyota, and just to be sure I called Toyota Corporate and learned my dealer (Toyota Carlsbad) is correct. Toyota Corporate told me the following - and here's where it gets a bit more interesting and slightly confusing ...

Toyota does make and sell "remanufactured" hybrid batteries. Corporate also confirmed all the cells are replaced in the re-manufacturing process. I was further informed by Toyota Corporate, that the remanufactured battery option is new for Toyota so dealerships are still being brought up to speed on the program and options. Contributing to the confusion is the fact Toyota only offers the remanufactured battery on certain cars in certain states. As if that isn't confusing enough, the parts counter told me he could offer remanufactured hybrid batteries "for one type of 2006 Prius, but not the other", and wanted my VIN# to confirm if he had a remanufactured battery option for me. The Toyota Corporate rep then told me that Toyota covers the remanufactured hybrid battery with a 3-year/unlimited mileage warranty if dealer-installed, 1-year/unlimited if installed by others.

Back at Toyota Carlsbad, I authorized the repair and when I picked up the car (same day and working great thanks!) I reviewed the service invoice which listed a FP-Number of G9510-47031-84, and description of "REMAN HV BATT". Also printed in the customer receipt boilerplate was the statement "If the part# ends with "-84" it is a genuine Toyota remanufactured part." Note: I confirmed Toyota's part# for a new battery is G951047031.

With new batteries available on-line for as little as $2,071 on-line, many might consider the price difference of $221between remanufactured and new as insignificant, but everyone's unique factors such as Toyota "Goodwill", shipping considerations, time constraints, mechanical aptitude, etc.) will be different and more options are always good..

While there is no mention of the 3-year/unlimited mileage warranty on the service receipt I received , the service counter said just save the receipt, as they had not yet received specifics of the warranty program. Typically the warranty for dealer-installed OEM parts would be 12 months UON.

Bottom line: If what I'm being told is true it seems many Prius owners will now have another alternative if their Prius traction battery fails - a "remanufactured" battery, made by Toyota, containing all new cells and bus-bars, warranted for at least 3-years, and at about $800 less cost than a new battery.

Standing by for independent confirmation of above from others and for more details on warranty, construction, etc. from Toyota which, for the time being at least, seem scarce and mostly verbal. Apologies for the lengthy post.

P.S. While their pricing may be at the high end, Toyota Carlsbad has always been a high-quality dealership IMHO.

 

I'm not understanding the difference between a BRAND NEW battery and a refurbished battery. If a refurbished battery came with all brand new modules and bus-bars, what else is there to label it refurbished and not BRAND NEW?

Did you get 50% off the refurbished price? That's what I would go for if it's all new modules and bus bars

 

Also I noticed another person in San Diego area with a Brand New 2016 replacement HV battery that had a black painted case. I wonder if this is the new "refurbished battery" from Toyota. Can you confirm if your new battery case is painted black?

 

Sorry. Can't confirm color as I never saw either battery. Don't know any other details WRT construction. My OTD price was abut $1,780 tax included.

 

I stand corrected and informed now.

Toyota is truly making an ideal remanufactured HV Battery: NEW modules, new buss bar, but reusing the old case. I'm sure most here would have no problem with this, as the most important part, the modules, are all 100% brand new. I would be fine with reusing the old buss bar, if it is in good condition.

I now wonder if the Toyota dealers selling HV Batteries online for $2071 are the remanufactured HV Batteries? B/C I see other online Toyota dealer prices start from $3000 for HV Batteries. Either way, I would have no problem purchasing a Toyota remanufactured HV Battery, b/c of it would contain all new modules.

Realistically, you need not worry about warranty length (1yr vs 3yr), since you have a Toyota remanufactured HV Battery that is made with all NEW modules. You will likely get the same length of trouble free service, more or less, from this HV Battery.

 

Take the rear hatch tray out in the trunk where the spare tire is kept, you'll see the battery right in front of you. Please confirm if it's black....the OEM one from 2006 is not painted black

 

New would mean every component of the HV Battery is 100% new. Reusing the case prevents them from calling it NEW. Remanufactured or rebuilt is legally correct, and will prevent lawsuits for Toyota.

Remanufactured sounds better than rebuilt, although the end product is the same. Just like CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) vs a used car.

 

Please take photos of any labels visible on the battery case.

 

I post previously here about Toyota remanufactured battery and was attack in the Prius chat by many. the company that I work for buys battery's industrial and new this fact for a long time this is true

 

AK James,
To access the numbers and labels on the battery case is pretty easy.
Two 10mm bolts and popping off a piece of trim.
I can explain further if you are willing to check it.

 

Yes you were, because you were implying Toyota were recycling the used batteries they receive in the cores of defective batteries. You also claimed that the batteries Toyota were selling as new were really remanufactured batteries. You never substantiated your claims, which is why you were not taken seriously.

This new information does not change anything you said.

 

Upon further research, I may be able to get a picture of the "black painted" refurbished 2016 battery from Toyota. There is labeling on the battery that says the battery is "refurbished in the USA". A dealer in San Diego "I'm assuming same dealer" sold this battery installed for over $3000. So not much discount on it and I'm not even sure this was disclosed as a "refurbished" battery when sold to the customer.

more to follow..........

 

OK kinglew you deserve a promotion for making a key "pre-discovery" finding (pending confirmation). Geez but anyone who thinks Toyota reviews our posts and keeps us informed, is not aware that we are mere mushrooms in the green car movement. That is: kept in the dark.

 

credit of this pictures goes to a member I referred to buy this battery in San Diego LOL
SM-N900P ?

 

Yes apparently the battery is remanufactured which is a first from what i've been seeing over the last 3 years. The price is around ~1900 new it seems. The irony is I can get the non remanufactured one locally in san diego for 2.2k will call price. (pre tax).

Why would anyone get the remanufactured one for 200-300 less? I don't understand that too well. Anyone?

 

Start on page 2 of this thread for the discussion to your question.....

 

Its the truth

Sorry your wrong stop bash people your wrong

 

Truth will set you free exsudent one of the bashers on Prius chat shame on you

 

S
I stand by the truth

 

what is truth?