Curious to know what happens when the 3rd gen battery kicks the bucket?

This may be a stupid question but I am not mechanically inclined. I work in the medical field and this is my first truck since the age of 15. I have a new 2024 Tundra TRD pro in the Terra color and it’s my first ever hybrid vehicle. I know the Tundra IMAX Hybrid engine is mainly designed to increase the towing and tourqe for the vehicle but what happens if you keep the truck until the battery goes out. Will it have to be replaced or will the vehicle basically run like the regular V6 non hybrid if you decide to not replace the battery?

 

My wife has the '22 Rav4 hybrid, and the battery was faulty (warranty). Her car sat for almost 5 months because she was away on work, and it wouldnt start or light up in the garage, but once we jumped it, it ran like a non-hybrid vehicle. It seems like all the systems worked fine, she just had the dash light letting her know there was a hybrid system fault. I would venture to guess all of Toyota's hybrids are like this since they all use the same tech. Just my anecdotal info

 

I still have my 2015 Toyota Highlander hybrid with 150000 miles . Thats 8 years so far .

 

I was thinking the same thing. Much like the PHEV vehicles now that work on the battery until they run out of a charge and then the combustion engine takes over until you can charge the battery. Most people don’t keep vehicles that long and I believe Toyota has a 15 year battery warranty if I am correct. Seems like that would be a problem for others who buy one used but it’s something I wasn’t sure about.

 

Might be a bit different as standard toyota hybrids have the motor in the rear not sandwiched between the engine and transmission.

 

Pretty sure I read Toyota recommends you pull the batteries once dead, and bury them deep in the ground, by a nearby stream if possible.

 

lol

 

A dead high voltage battery is different than a slightly depleted high voltage battery.

If the HV battery dies, the vehicle may go into limp mode and likely shows a hybrid system fault.

The high voltage battery starts the engine via the electric motor and charges the 12V system via the DC-DC converter. There is still a conventional 12V starter on the Tundra so the engine may start normally but the dead battery is an abnormal condition that would require service.

 

That is pretty good.

Just curious, so now I assume that your Highlander is out of warranty (by mileage) do yo know how much it would cost to replace the Hybrid battery in your Highlander if something does happen? Have you checked to see if they are readily avaialble?

**EDIT

Looks like about $2,900 (less core replacement) for aftermarket battery + taxes + shipping + install

https://www.besthybridbatteries.com/products/toyota-highlander-2014-2019-hybrid-battery

 

According to a quick google search Beachmont Toyota says between 2k and 8k.

 

Probably sell one of my children and re-up with new batteries

 

Not concerned. My relative have a 2006 Prius hybrid with NiMH battery, 180-200k miles and still running on original battery with no issues.

 

There is a video on youtube, guy shows you how to remove the battery, replace the battery pack, and install it. It was way cheaper to do yourself, didnt look that difficult.

 

Yes and it will be well worth it . It was the last series with the v6 tacoma engine . I think these were made in Japan ? Just a solid suv .

 

pretty sure all Highlanders were made in USA in Indiana. They even exported them to Australia as the Kluger. If your VIN starts with a J it’s made in Japan, otherwise made in Indiana.

 

Yeah, I believe by the time most people need to replace these batteries. There will be cheaper options or solid state batteries which would be much smaller than these. As time goes by the batteries will decrease in price generally.

 

My Prius battery last 17 years before a cell went bad. I ordered a refurbished one and did the swap myself in about 2 hours. It's not terribly difficult. As long as you are careful.