Dead Battery...How does Toyota Warranty Their Batteries?

So I hit it hard at the GYM today. Went to the local store to pickup a salad to re-energize.

Got back in my car no crank. Called the wife. She brought the CRV over to jump start. CLICK CLICK CLICK...car wouldn't start.

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Toyota replaced battery on 5/16/2012 with the following:
TRUESTART BATTERY GR 0054427F60710

It was pushing 8:45PM my time and I needed a battery like now. Autozone accross the street. Battery per their machine said dead battery. Had to replace with the Autozone Special (normally like Costco because you get lifetime battery).

Toyota Battery says TrueStart 84Month battery. Being this is the second battery (seems to last 2 years) no way it is a 84 Month true start.

How does Toyota dealers warranty their batteries? Am I screwed because they already replaced this once, even though both batteries combined didn't last 84 months?

Probably a moot point because I already replaced it. Maybe I can get a free tire alignment or something.

 

if it has an 84 month warrenty.... it has an 84 month warrenty.

at the very least a the 3yr / 36k mi will apply that came with the truck.

 

I don't know of anywhere that'll warranty stuff (i.e. reimburse for) stuff you already replaced on your own dime.

 

I didn't mean reimburse me for purchasing a new battery...but reimburse me for a battery that is still under warranty....

 

The toyota batter had 710cca/165rc. this duralast gold only has 575cca/130rc...does that matter?

 

If you've still got the failed one, you can take it back to the dealer and see if they'll pro rate you on another one. (Which is how battery warranties work.)

But then you'll have two batteries.

They're not gonna cut you a check.

 

Yes, will go check what dealers says. My buddy says I can take my battery back to Autozone.

 

I have the Toyota dealer replaced battery at it sez 2 year free replacement, prorated after that. See if they'll give you reimbursement on pro-rata to the 84 months which at 27 months, is about 1/3rd used up or about a 68 percent refund, including installation (i'd hope). So it may be worth your while if you still have the old battery. Depends upon the integrity of the dealer....maybe they'll give you discound on something else....

 

Probably not in your area as long as you do not let the vehicle set for long periods of time (days or weeks) before it is driven. If you were in cold country it possibly would not start in the winter. Also it will not have any effect on the truck or its electrical system as long as the charging system is properly working regardless of what package you have.

You should be able to carry the old battery in to the dealer or any place that sells that brand and get a totally free replacement battery or a pro-rated battery depending on how the warranty is written. If you used the old battery as a core when you bought the new one you are out of luck.

I think you can forget about a free alignment or anything else. The batteries are not dealership's and the warranty is not theirs. Both belong to the manufacturer of the battery who makes them and Toyota just uses them and the battery manufacturer does not offer free alignments, just battery replacements.

 

Isn't the 710 what came with the truck if you have the tow package? Might make a difference if you tow.

 

As a 20 year veteran Toyota service writer I can tell you that the warranty on the original factory installed battery is 3 year or 36,000 miles from date of first use. If the battery went out during that period they will replace it with a True Start 84 month battery with 710 cold cranking amps (made for Toyota by Interstate) and it will have the remaining balance of the factory warranty on it. However if you purchased the True Start battery own your own the first three years are free replacement and pro rated after that. The dealer may not have told you that when you purchase a True Start battery instead of the True 2 battery that it comes with 3 years of roadside assistance should it leave you stranded. Then all you do is call the nearest Toyota dealer and have them arrange towing for you or submit the tow bill to Toyota with a copy of the battery purchase for them to pay you back, I don't remember the dollar limit on towing but I think it just has to be to the nearest dealer to you breakdown location.

 

The Toyota owners site (click on the download-application chart) indicates 2 year replacement. But dealer may make an exception.....

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pa...showPartsDetail&categoryId=32047&partNo=part4

 

If you live in a hot climate, then 500 CCA will work fine when the temps are above freezing, but if below freezing, then you will wish you had the 700 CCA battery.

 

I needed a new battery once when I was in Honduras. I took the failed battery back to the parts store when I returned and they paid me cash for my warranty since I couldn't get to the store when I needed a new battery.

 

Hey when your in a tight situation such as yours and the convience of not having that happen in the middle of the day with a dealership right around the corner, I can see where one would go to AutoZone (or any other autoparts place for that matter) to just get a temperary battery, heck nothing wrong with that. But I would still take your battery back to the dealership and swap it out for a new one. Of course they should pro-rate it and you just pay the difference.

I've had this happen to me twice. Once on my wifes 2003 4Runner (I always use only Toyota batteries) and on my 2008 Tacoma. As you mentioned 84 month warranty on their batteries. After having the battery for only a little over 2 years it goes dead. Removed the battery, took it to the dealer's parts counter, told them dead battery, the guy behind the counter (with a look like your going to have to buy a whole new battery at full price) asked if I purchased it from 'their dealership' and if I had a receipt, my response was..."sir it does not matter "what Toyota dealership" it was purchased from...this is a manufacture genuine Toyota 84 month true start warranty battery and this is a genuine Toyota dealership and they should honor the warranty, so it does not matter".
Guy behind the counter then changes his tune and tells me that he is going to do me a favor and help me out? I'm thinking to myself...your going to do me favor and help me out?! I then ask him..."how?!"
He checks the date on the top of the batter (month, year) and says that he will pro-rate the battery and I'll just pay the difference on the price for the total amount. He's telling me all this thinking that I should be extremely happy and grateful to him for this?!
All this time I'm thinking.... Dude I already know this! This is all that I really expected from the dealership on their 84 month warranty battery? Was he thinking that I was expecting to get a brand new battery for free and not pay anything?! At this point I just tell him to..."please just get me a new battery and I'm on my way to the cashier".
I was through dealing with that idiot! Ended up walking out paying $36 bucks and a new battery the first time.
Then second time ended up paying $55 bucks.

 

The click, click is most probably the starter solenoid engaging. The most common causes for the starter motor not working with a healthy battery and connection are burned/pitted copper solenoid contacts (or worn starter brushes is another possibility). If you can easily remove the starter, the contacts can be replaced in less than 30 minutes for around $10. Sorry I missed this in the original post.

 

Arizona heat kills batteries. I just replaced my wife's 2 days ago in her vehicle.