Hybrid battery dead on 76,000-mile 2006 Prius -- replace or not?

Since you've already brought it to the dealer for diagnostics, call Toyota corporate and ask them for a goodwill warranty on the battery. You have so few miles, they may just help you pay a big portion of the replacement battery cost.

I would not junk the car, it's just barely broken in. If you decide to sell it, I may sell one of mine to buy yours....It's like a new car lol

 

I think the battery may have died because it wasn't used enough. I know that sounds odd, but I have a 2004 with the original battery and 282,xxx miles. I get anywhere between 42-49 mpg consistently. I have no idea what I plan to do when the battery finally goes, but if I were you, I would go to the second hand market. You will have do some research in your area and see if you can get a salvage unit. Thre are places that come to your car and do a swap out for ~$1,200-$1,500. Good luck. If the other parts of the car are in good shape it would be a shame to junk it.

 

Kent, if Toyota won't help with the battery I would shop the local dealers and get their prices for installing a new pack. I know the car is a lawn ornament but if the price difference is significant it may be worth the tow.

Very low annual mileage is a problem. Are you able to plug in a battery tender?

 

It would be a shame to junk this car. It certainly has more life left in it.

I'm curious about the events leading up to the triangle of doom's appearance. I'd be happy to talk with you to figure out what to do or offer some advice. Just give me a call at the phone number in my signature.

It sounds like your Prius sits unused for long stretches at a time. This is especially hard on an older Hybrid Battery, even if that battery has low miles on it.

I love hybrids and my livelihood depends on them. But I've got to be honest that in some situations it make sense to own a non-hybrid instead of a hybrid.

 

There is a guy I found on eBay that covers the MD, VA, DC, PA areas and will rebuild your battery for 599. Never contacted him or anything though because I got an entire used unit.


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if you're averaging 5,000 miles per year, i would replace the battery and sell it, looking for a corolla and etc.

that being said though, it will probably last another 10 years.

 

Well, you did as you intended however the event occurred much earlier than you anticipated. Hope you didn't pay too much for it.

Anything else wrong with it? If not, here's WWJ do.

Definitely try to get Toyota Corporate to fork over some goodwill money to install a brand new HV pack. Then you would be able to sell it close to the top end of the KBB price range or you could just keep it for another 10 years assuming that you continue to have no other major maintenance headaches to deal with. Gen 2 Prius' with 150K miles and more tend to burn oil which requires that you periodically top off the oil between changes. There are other minor issues that will probably need repair at some time like the HV inverter electric water pump, the gasoline engine water pump, and possibly the coolant control valve. Each of these are relatively easy DIY repairs. Later on you might have to contend with more pricey repairs like the brake accumulator pump, wheel bearings, the MFD, and the combination meter.

If Toyota won't help you out with a new HV pack, the decision to sell or keep it is clearer. You don't drive enough miles per year to keep the HV pack happy. Once an original pack dies, it can be resuscitated but never fully brought back. And it will fail again within a few years and in your case probably much earlier. You could install a rebuild like a Dorman but you'd likely have the same problem - the pack will die on you and you or a mechanic would need to swap in another after a year or so. That would suck in the middle of winter. Your best option is getting the lowest cost rebuilt pack you can buy with a transferable warranty, detailing your car to make it look its absolute best and sell it. You might get about 2/3 what it's worth that way. Then you could buy something more
suited to the relatively few miles per year you drive.

Best of luck to you.

 

Yes those codes mean replacement of one or more modules or the pack as a whole is likely necessary.


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if you want to talk to the expert: @jeff652

 

Maintaining the hybrid battery charge is important, especially when the car is not driven that often. We have hundreds of snow birds and other low vehicle use customers using our systems to keep the battery charged and in good operating condition. Not being driven regularly is hard on the battery, but with regular maintenance the battery will last much longer then if it is ignored.

As you already have the P0A80 and P3000 there is a 50/50 chance a module or two will require replacement. However since your failure is due to non-use, there is also a good change that simply cycling the pack and restoring a balanced charge level across the cells will be enough to recover the pack and return it to operating condition.

The lowest cost option would be the Prolong Value Reconditioning Package. It has everything needed to perform unlimited battery maintenance at home for the rest of the life of the vehicle. It does use the manual light-bulb discharge process:
Prolong® Value Reconditioning Package - Hybrid Automotive

If you don't want to mess with the light bulbs and want the easy of use that our new Prolong Battery Discharger provides, then I'd recommend the Prolong Deluxe Reconditioning Package:
Prolong® Deluxe Reconditioning Package - Hybrid Automotive

 

thank you jeff.

 

HI Kent- I just experienced almost exactly your situation. My prius only has 77k and the hybrid battery is dead. Can you please tell me what exactly you said to Toyota USA that led to them providing your $2500? I would be most grateful for you sharing your strategy/approach!

 

i had my hybrid battery rebuilt 3 months ago at the collage here cost 1200 . do some reaserch before you pay dealership cost