Hello all -
Had a bad day today as I found out my 2008 Camry Hybrid's battery needs replacement. Has 110k miles on it. Other than this, great car. So service says $4600 to replace. I said I have to think it over. Then they call back later and say since I've been a good customer, they will do it for $3500. I also talked to sales and asked what they would give me for a trade in. They said the car is woirthless.
I'm sure someone else has been in this fix! What to do?
Thanks!

 

What did the dealer say in detail about the battery problem?

Toyota dealers only sells/installs new Toyota batteries. A dealer may not be motivated to investigate too deep to find the real cause of the battery failure. Only that it has a problem.

The battery is made up of individual cells bolted together. If a bad cell(s) it is possible to replace just the problem cell(s). Individual cells are marketed on the internet.

Plus used batteries are available at lower cost. Remanufactured aftermarket batteries are available for $1500-1800.

The battery cells are ganged together electrically with electrical connections (straps). It has happened one connection corrodes causing the battery to not work. Cleaning and replacement of the bad connection corrects the problem.

Battery, cell replacement and connection repairs has been accomplished by DIY and third party shops.

Find out if there are shops that specialize in testing/replacing/repairing hybrid batteries which might diagnose the battery further.

A $3500 + tax amount appears a decent price for a new Toyota dealer battery installed.

It is possible to find the retail price on a battery by searching online Toyota dealers parts sites. Labor charges to replace the battery appear to be under 3 hrs if doing so under warranty (Toyota pays). Between 7-9 hrs if the owner pays.

The battery also has a core value that can be substantial (over $1000). When pricing the dealer quote, determine where this core value is factored into the quote.

If not already doing so. Also inquire as to your alternatives at the Toyotanation.com website, Camry hybrid section and other hybrid sites.

The internet has LOTS of posts on DIY hybrid battery replacement, cell replacement, repairing battery cell connections, etc.

The car appears to be worth under $4K with a good battery.

There may DIY'ers who buy cars cheap and repair them for a profit or own use.

Keep in mind the engine is subject to possible excess oil consumption due to issues of piston design. See link below:

https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/thr...e-lsc-ze7.362/

 

PM me with the VIN and I will tell you the date of first use. If you're in California, your HV battery is covered for 10years/150K miles- since we're still early into 2018- there's a chance you're still covered (unless they already verified that you're out of coverage).

J

 

Great post, thanks!

It appears about 10 states have extended battery warranties.

 

I'm not a fan of these state mandated "Extended Warranties". The government should NOT be able to force a manufacturer to have to extend a warranty on ANY product, in ANY state, beyond what it has agreed to cover everywhere else. We as consumers pay for this, even if we live in a state that doesn't provide a longer warranty. This is, "corporate socialism" regardless of how you want to look at it. When a person chooses to purchase an extended warranty on any vehicle, THEY pay for it. Not everyone else. It should be no different with extended warranties on batteries for Hybrid "green" cars.