2014 Prius Still Has Original OEM 12 Volt Battery

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by dschwartz1957, Jan 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM.

  1. dschwartz1957

    dschwartz1957 Junior Member

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    I just realized that the 12v battery in my 2014 Prius is 11 years old. Other Prii owned by my family had batteries last in the 9 to 10 year range. Though the 12v battery in my 2020 Camry Hybrid failed this week, which made me realize it was time to replace the Prius battery.

    I often buy third party 12v batteries from Interstate, Autozone, NAPA, etc. But since the OEM Prius battery lasted 11 years I am inclined to use the local Toyota dealer. They quoted me $350 installed, plus tax. The battery alone is $250.

    Have people had any problems with new Toyota 12v Prius batteries? My Prius only has 92,000 miles, but it is not likely we will own it for another 11 years.

    Given my experience with the Camry 12v battery, I did not buy a Toyota Camry battery.
     
    #1 dschwartz1957, Jan 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
    ETC(SS) likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not that i have read.
    best i have gotten is 7 years on a prius, but our 2013 hycam was still good last summer when we traded it in.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Probably is time, but getting it tested is a little more definitive, especially if it’s not displaying any evidence of failure. Automotive retailers that sell batteries often will have an electronic load tester, will gratis check it and give you a print-out of the result.

    or you can buy DIY level testers, Ancel, Topdon are a couple of options. I’m using a Solar BA5 (current iteration is BA9): it tests CCA and volts, gives a verdict, either pass, pass-but-recharge, or fail.
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_O
     
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    So...
    Toyota doesn't make batteries.

    Since you present as the original owners (you said 'it is not likely we will own it for another 11 years...) it's pretty clear that you don't put very many miles on this car.
    Since you went to the dealer for a new battery I suspect that your idea of "proper maintenance' is to throw the key fob on the dealer's "service desk" and pay the bill afterwards every 5,000 miles or so.
    If you're out on the sharp end of the stick you may know how to extinguish the service reminder lamp and leg it out to the "recommended 10k oil changes.'

    Nothing wrong with this at all, btw...
    At 8,000 miles per year - it's working for you!

    To answer the question you asked, "YES."
    There have been wide-spread issues with late-model (2013-2015) G3 batteries.
    IIRC - these are smallish AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries, which are.......the same lead acid batteries that led to the famous first telephone conversation in the 1870s - only with a fiberglass diaper.
    There's nothing wrong with using the dealer to replace the battery, but this IS rather like hiring a chef with a Michelin Star to brew your coffee in the morning.

    Maybe.
    Maybe not.

    I bought a highly rated budget Jump Pack from Amazon.
    (An AVAPOW Car Jump Starter.)
    The $40 you spend on one of these puppies can save you from a lot of grief AND it can also serve as a pretty good fast charger for phone/tablet/PC
    If my presumption that your 2014 is dealer maintained and in great condition I would sell it sometime in the next few years before it gets the 'death rattle.'


    HOW often?
    I just bought one of the batteries pictured below after the last snow/ice storm we had.
    The sticker said that the otha one was bought in 2017.......
    The jump-pack mentioned earlier "bought" me 3 more years with this battery after I started wondering about it AND saved me from waiting for a boost one cold and rainy night.

    NOT Prius rated though since it doesn't have the fiberglass diaper. ;)
    upload_2025-1-31_7-40-17.png
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Jan 31, 2025 at 8:40 AM
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2025 at 8:51 AM
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Likely a good profit margin on any battery dealership is selling, and $100 USD for 15 minutes work.

    My current, most likely, cash-n-carry option, through Canadian Tire, is roughly $300 CDN (~$210 USD). See attached:
     

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