Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
#1
Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
My son-in-law's 2003 Civiic Hybrid just had the IMA light go on at 98,000 miles. He took it to the local dealer who quoted him $5000 to replace it plus $3000 more for a disposal fee on the bad battery. In reading the forums, I've not seen anything about the "disposal fee" and the replacement cost seems outrageous. Are costs a dealer dependent issue? He plans to drive 200 miles later this week to see if he can get a better deal from the dealer he bought it from. Any other suggestions?
#2
Re: Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
My son-in-law's 2003 Civiic Hybrid just had the IMA light go on at 98,000 miles. He took it to the local dealer who quoted him $5000 to replace it plus $3000 more for a disposal fee on the bad battery. In reading the forums, I've not seen anything about the "disposal fee" and the replacement cost seems outrageous. Are costs a dealer dependent issue? He plans to drive 200 miles later this week to see if he can get a better deal from the dealer he bought it from. Any other suggestions?
#3
Re: Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
My son-in-law's 2003 Civiic Hybrid just had the IMA light go on at 98,000 miles. He took it to the local dealer who quoted him $5000 to replace it plus $3000 more for a disposal fee on the bad battery. In reading the forums, I've not seen anything about the "disposal fee" and the replacement cost seems outrageous. Are costs a dealer dependent issue? He plans to drive 200 miles later this week to see if he can get a better deal from the dealer he bought it from. Any other suggestions?
Not sure where your son-in-law is located, but if he's anywhere near NY, he might want to check into this:
http://www.hybrid-battery-repair.com/hch/index.html
They have a chart on that site that lists the usual range of costs for a battery replacement, and the prices don't come anywhere as high as what was quoted to your son-in-law.
I think he's wise to check with another dealership.
#4
Re: Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
Agreed, I've never read about a disposal fee either. Definitely go elsewhere. Perhaps his dealer is hard up for money? That's what's supposed to be great about these batteries is that they are studied and refurbished/recycled when they go bad.
I really hate reading all these stories, though, about Honda batteries puttering out.
Then you have Toyota bragging about how few batteries that have had to replace out of the hundreds of thousands sold. I wonder what the percentage is with Honda?
Jess
I really hate reading all these stories, though, about Honda batteries puttering out.
Then you have Toyota bragging about how few batteries that have had to replace out of the hundreds of thousands sold. I wonder what the percentage is with Honda?
Jess
#8
Re: Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
http://www.hybrid-battery-repair.com/hch/index.html
...a link to some folks that do hybrid battery repair. I don't know them, and don't know of anyone that has used them. But if my battery goes after the warranty expires, I'm calling these folks first!
...a link to some folks that do hybrid battery repair. I don't know them, and don't know of anyone that has used them. But if my battery goes after the warranty expires, I'm calling these folks first!
#9
Re: Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
My son-in-law's 2003 Civiic Hybrid just had the IMA light go on at 98,000 miles. He took it to the local dealer who quoted him $5000 to replace it plus $3000 more for a disposal fee on the bad battery. In reading the forums, I've not seen anything about the "disposal fee" and the replacement cost seems outrageous. Are costs a dealer dependent issue? He plans to drive 200 miles later this week to see if he can get a better deal from the dealer he bought it from. Any other suggestions?
The battery might still be covered if you are in a "green state" like California...
The 2003 can be driven without the traction battery like a regular non-hybrid Civic if you don't want to replace the pack. Civic hybrids have a regular 12VDC starter and battery.
There is info on how to do this somewhere....searching....
#10
Re: Unreasonable Battery Replacement Costs.
I'm sure the Civic is similar:
http://www.99mpg.com/mima/faq/#cantheinsightopera
http://www.99mpg.com/mima/faq/#cantheinsightopera
Some new input from Carl Brown on this subject:
"Mike,
I noticed on your website FAQ a question about running the
Insight without IMA installed. You might find it interesting that the remaining IMA components will keep the 12V battery charged with the HV battery pack removed, so long as the BCM low voltage connector is also disconnected and the MCM remains fully connected. The only catch is that 12V battery charging is temporarily suspended when engine RPM exceeds 4000.
"Mike,
I noticed on your website FAQ a question about running the
Insight without IMA installed. You might find it interesting that the remaining IMA components will keep the 12V battery charged with the HV battery pack removed, so long as the BCM low voltage connector is also disconnected and the MCM remains fully connected. The only catch is that 12V battery charging is temporarily suspended when engine RPM exceeds 4000.