# Prius (2001) Battery dead?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** batteries, prius, toyota, repair\
**Created:** [January 1, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382 "2011-01-01T20:00:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nduchast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9de053/32.png) [@nduchast](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nduchast)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382/1 "2011-01-01T20:00:41Z")

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I have a 2001 Prius with 90K miles.  
  
 While driving, I got the three lights (main battery, stearing, run to dealer).  
  
  
  
 The dealer tells me the battery is toast and it will cost $4,200 to repair.  
  
  
  
 A rew questions for experts:  
  
  
  
 a) I have read that even 1st gen batteries should last longer (150 K or even 300 K). I have ready than when this occurs, the car stops - I was able to drive still. How do I know that the dealer is not just trying to sell me a new car?  
  
  
  
 b) I read about repair kits to replace the battery. Anyone used these?  
  
  
  
 c) The repari kit seems to cost $500, do you know if anyone will actually do this for me? i.e. $500 parts + labour?  
  
  
  
 d) Can I salvage the car for parts?  
  
  
  
  
  
 Anyone had similar issues in the past?  
  
  
  
 Thank you.

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**Author:** ![kizwiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7cd45c/32.png) [@kizwiki](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kizwiki)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382/2 "2011-01-02T00:22:41Z")

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These people have:

> **[Prius battery life and replacement cost?](https://priuschat.com/threads/11399/)**
>
> My wife and I are considering the purchase of a new Prius. Does anyone how long the batteries last or what they're replacement costs are? How does...

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**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382/3 "2011-01-02T19:06:02Z")

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I thought the batteries were guaranteed for 10 100k miles. What does the warranty say?

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**Author:** ![lenjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f475e1/32.png) [@lenjack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lenjack)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382/4 "2011-01-02T21:30:09Z")

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Should not cost that much. Try another dealer.

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-2001-battery-dead/59382/5 "2011-01-02T22:07:38Z")

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A replacement battery should cost about $2800. Your dealer will not “repair” the battery; I doubt if they even know how.

As mentioned. try another dealer. There are also “rebuilt” batteries available now.

Finally, Prius batteries normally last way beyond 300,000 miles; those used in taxis have been beaten up and driven at least 300,000 miles. I do not recall any failures.