Battery Replacement

Asked by katierust Jan 17, 2010 at 10:02 PM about the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring FWD

Question type: Shopping & Pricing

I've heard that you have to replace a Prius' battery every 3-4 years and that it's around $3,000 to replace. Is this true? I'm looking at buying a Prius but am a little hesitant after hearing that.

31 Answers

90

Sorry, just came across the site a few minutes ago. As for your question... We have a 2005 and in August it will have been five years since our purchase. So, no, that isn't true. Toyota warrants them for 8 years. At least that's what I remember. I know it's a little late but I hope that can help you.

9 people found this helpful.
205

I don't know how that myth got started, perhaps other car companies trying to bring `em down? Perhaps it's true w/other hybrid systems but with Toyota's system, there has never been a battery replaced other than one that's been in accident or was defective to begin with. And even if that was true, Toyota warranties their hybrid system for 10 years (not 8) or 100k. My step father also has a 2005 Prius w/over 200k and has never had to do anything but replace wear/tear parts. Our 2008 is now just over 50k and it's just the best mid-sized family car you could buy. Power is more than adequate, we avg. 48mpgs yearly and the technology is kick-ass...which other car co's are just now finally catching up and offering at a main-stream price like the Prius has done since 2004. If for some freak reason a battery were to go, there are several salvage yards around the country offering them for $700...shipping/installed would be about $1,500 tops...if you couldn't install it yourself. Get one, you won't regret it.

10 people found this helpful.
280

That is not true. What is true is that the Auxiliary 12v battery does need replacement every 3-4 years. but it only costs about $150. their is two batteries in a prius. a small one that starts the car (12v) and a large one that drives the car (230-310V depending on model). The large one lasts for about 150xxx miles and can be replaced by toyota for about 3000$ or by www.priusrebuilders.com for about $950

28 people found this helpful.
220

I have a 2010 Toyota prius and after approx. five and half years and 52000 miles on it, the auxiliary battery failed. Total cost was $275 ($200 parts& tax for 12v aux. battery and 1 hour labar charge@$75). I inquired the cost of 3rd party Optima battery at Autozone and it was quoted to be $229 excluding tax.

22 people found this helpful.
160

I have a 2007 Prius and just had to replace the auxilliary battery for $245. I have 139,546 miles on it and this is my first battery replacement.

16 people found this helpful.

I would look at the total cost to own a Prius. They are expensive to buy and you can buy cars that get almost the same mileage for a lot less money. Figure out what a 100,000 miles worth of gas will cost for each car and then look at the purchase price and add it all up.

6 people found this helpful.
355

if you buy a used hybrid, it makes complete sense to own one! Even more so if you opt for one that is more of a basic trim. If you buy one brand new, off-the-lot, it makes no sense. But really, imho, it makes no sense to buy a brand new car off the lot regardless of its composition.

11 people found this helpful.
80

I have a 2013 Prius Persona and I just replaced the auxiliary battery at a dealership in California. $273 without the $65 labor charge and it's not covered under the 10 year/100k mile warranty - only the main, hybrid battery is covered.

8 people found this helpful.

Green cars drain your green into the dealers bank account.

10 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2004 Prius with over 235,000 miles (381,000 KM) and the main battery still is working fine. However the auxiliary battery does seem to need to be replaced every few years rickmin

6 people found this helpful.
30

I have a 2013 Prius C and had to replace the 12V Auxiliary battery at 34,856 miles, which was under the 36K miles under warranty for this battery, but over the 3 year mark (unfortunately for me the 3 yr mark, came before the 36K mile mark).

3 people found this helpful.
90

We gave my daughter our first Prius (2004) with 200,000 miles on it in 2010. It is now 2017 and she has 270,000 miles on it. The large battery has never been replaced. Now that is what I call a reliable car! Our mechanic tells us buying a used Prius 10 years or more with low mileage has a greater chance of the large battery failing. Beware!

9 people found this helpful.
75

We have a 2007, bought in November 2006. We have never had to replace either battery and we have over 190,000 miles on these batteries. Last check up stated the main battery was going strong.

7 people found this helpful.
120

Not even close. My 2012 Prius battery is still perfectly fine after 6 years, and it costs nowhere near that much. The truth is usually somewhere between the worst rumor you heard and the best one.

3 people found this helpful.
30

I bought my first Prius c at continental Toyota il on 2013 , but now the main battery is failed with 135000 miles On it , The service guy told me it’s $3900.00 for the new battery replacement ,why the battery life is so short only 4 years

3 people found this helpful.
120

Actually, the secret is not allowing either battery to cycle to far between deep discharge and full charge. It has little to do with the number of cycles. The misunderstanding comes from test which only cycle the battery from full charge to discharge for each repetition. This is the quickest way to shorten the life of most rechargeable batteries. This has little to do with the way most electric cars are designed, depending on the model and driving style. Car manufacturers can design the car to cycle any way they like, to either lengthen it's life or shorten it. Fortunately, the Prius is one of best, because they keep their battery cycling ranges fairly narrow. My Prius Plug-in uses a lithium ion battery which has about 3 times the capacity of the standard Prius. Although technically, Li-ion batteries have a shorter number of cycles, Toyota decided to keep them working longer by reducing the range to between about 40- 70% if memory serves (no pun intended). I'm sure Toyota would like to build in a similar longevity in the regular Prius, but quite simple, it's like a tuna trying to do the work of a shark, so it must cycle deeper and frequently to do the same work. It doesn't have the extra capacity via the rechargeable virtual partition which serves as the 12-mile EV battery, therefore it must cycle more deeply. t makes sense that it won't last as long.

8 people found this helpful.
120

I forgot to add the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_effect

1 people found this helpful.
60

As far as batteries go, we just had to replace the original 12 volt battery in our 2009 Prius with just over 280,000 miles on it. Other battery is fine. Car just runs and runs and runs...

6 people found this helpful.
10

Had to get my 12v replaced for 2007 prius at 101,000 miles for first time, $253 for battery, $200 installation w/ 36 month replacement period and + 36 month discounted period after (72 month warranty) via AAA (May 2019).

1 people found this helpful.
10

We have a 2007 Prius, purchased new in 2007. It has ca. 140,000 miles. We have only had to replace the 12 volt starter battery once, never the larger battery. Starter batteries run ca. between $150 - $240.

1 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2007 with 125,000 miles. I have replaced the small battery once. I am getting a new one for the winter. it's been 5 years since I replaced it. This car has minimal service requirements (unless you go to the dealer for service). Read the manual. Hardly anything to do. I got new front brakes last year. Everything else is fine. Hoping to drive it another 4 years! I go to a mechanic once as year for a bumper to bumper safety to check. Off brand light replacements don't work. I finally replaced my headlights with Toyota brand and no problems. Other lights burned out in 6 months or less. Small battery quote is $211 plus tax. I bring it to my mechanic for install.

1 people found this helpful.
40

Ok. I have a 2011 prius. In 2015 I started having problems starting the car. The lights in the dash would come on, and it was behaving funny, but it wouldn’t start. Thats when I learned there were two prius batteries not one. If you are having the problem above, it is a problem with the 12v battery. Mine lasted exactly 4 years, so that was expected. It was $150. The main hybrid traction battery is warranted for either 10 years/150,000 miles or 8 years/100,000 miles depending on where you live. In a California emissions compliant state (there are eight of them) its 10/150. My main battery is going out and I’m taking it in tomorrow. Its under 10/150 because I live in Washington state. I have 8 years/117,000 miles—and I was just assured that it is under warranty, if it is the hybrid battery that needs replacing. Also, the 12v battery is prorated. The full hybrid battery will be replaced with a new one. It isn’t prorated.

4 people found this helpful.
50

My 12V just died in 2010 Prius, 10 Years it lasted! No warning, just dash light would come on, but it would not start...I got my use out of it!

5 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2016 Prius, tried to start it and nothing, dash lights flickered, I noticed mileage said 35,000 EVEN and though to myself "is this a joke?". Warning light stated something vague about a 12V battery and to call the dealer. I was told it's the 12V battery and it needs replaced. We called the dealer and they said we could jump it as normal to get it started and to bring it on in to have it replaced...$250 plus labor. After reading this forum, sounds about right. Thanks for all of the information! BTW.... I LOVE MY PRIUS!!! Just paid it off and toyed with trading it in for something else but NO WAY..I get 58 mpg and it runs like a top!

4 people found this helpful.
50

I live in So. AZ and have a 2014 Prius V with 51K miles. Yesterday it wouldn't start. I jumped the 12v battery and drove up to the dealer. They tested it, said one cell was bad. Replacement (with labor) was $294. Cheaper batteries can be found online, but the Toyota replacement comes with a great guarantee: 2 yrs @ !00%, + 2 yrs @ 50%, + 2 yrs @ 25%.

5 people found this helpful.
90

I just replaced the 12V battery in my 2011 Prius. It lasted 9 years. I think it lost its charge from sitting in garage unused for 2 months COVID stay at home quarantine.

9 people found this helpful.
20

Just replaced 12V battery on our 2008 Prius. Second time, first was in 2013. Only have 8300 on it with only 375 Covid stay-at-home miles on it. After having to get it jumped twice in two weeks, was time to check battery and needed replace. Also had a 2007 with over 140,000 sold last August after buying a 2019 Prius and that battery (12V) only needed replacement once. LOVE Prius cars! They are amazing, well built, extremely economical and built to LAST!

2 people found this helpful.
10

We have a 2013 Prius Persona edition and our local dealer service advisor has been pretty honest with me and said the Auxiliary batteries can last up to 8 years. We're in New England and batteries do last a bit longer than in the warmer states. I'm at the 8th year now and will likely go to our local parts store or whatever to replace it. Its easy to get at in the trunk area under the right side removable panel. Always disconnect the positive cable first. Yes you have to reset your clock after but not a big deal. We have 152K on this and running light new. It is one of the best low maintenance cars we've ever owned.

10

My former 2008 prius went 8 years, my current 2012 prius is going on 9 years, and my 2014 prius is now on 7 years on the original 12v battery. Fantastic car, cheap to keep and doesn't break. Just wanted to mention that the ground or negative cable is disconnected first then the positive when taking out the old. Putting in the new battery, connect the positive cable first and then the ground. I maintain several of these cars for other friends and they don't have many faults. The mfd (multifunction display) in gen 2 cars goes blank quite often but can be repaired by autobeyours.com which is currently repairing a display for a friend of mine who asked me to take it out of the car and ship it for him. Second time doing this and it's not hard and costs' $299 plus shipping to Steve @ autobeyours. No, I am not a relative of Steve, he just is very good at what he does. Dealer wanted $9000 for a new mfd and $2000 for a used mfd. I think the dealers just want to wash their hands from dealing with this issue with an older prius like the gen 2 (2004-2009).

1 people found this helpful.
10

Carguru guys: Yes you corrected my mention of which battery post to remove first. It should always be the negative, then the positive, then the positive and negative last upon installation of the new battery. That way you won't risk hitting metal on the positive side with a wrench and causing a few sparks in the process.

1 people found this helpful.

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