[cpwerle]

I have a 2018 Highlander that I purchased new in March 2018. The factory battery was one that was not sealed. This past August I noticed corrosion on the battery terminals, so I just went ahead and put in a new, premium, sealed, AGM battery. Unfortunately, what I didn't notice is that electrolyte had somehow dripped into the engine compartment and made its way to the transmission case side cover, which is made of plastic. It then undermined the cover to the point where transmission fluid started leaking. As the dealer noted, it is impossible to replace the relatively cheap cover without dropping the front suspension, to a tune of $2,000.00+. The dealer also told me that my platinum extended warranty (costing more $thousands) will not cover it. I realize that batteries are not warranted and don't last forever, but when an apparently cheap, factory-installed battery leaks and causes significant damage to other drive train components I think the warranty should cover it as an exception. Going forward, I hope that Toyota will upgrade to sealed batteries and/or install some sort of spill prevention/capture system to keep this from happening to anyone else.

 

[Gugi53]

Always read the small print. There is hiding in the truth.

 

[swimf]

. Going forward, I hope that Toyota will upgrade to sealed batteries and/or install some sort of spill prevention/capture system to keep this from happening to anyone else.

Sometimes they have them from new. Mine did anyway. That stinks.. atleast you didn't have an oil leak that destroyed your engine... Trust me it could be far worse.. did the dealership service and install the new battery?

I was just saying on the forums here like a few days ago that the frame of the car that the battery sits upon is crap. i noticed on mine, it's approximately 1/2 the total surface area the battery's base is. So half the battery actually hangs off with nothing for it to sit on except a flimsy plastic tray. Idk about the highlanders but my other cars have battery trays. My HL doesnt though. I only mention it because when i took my battery out this winter, i laid it on the floor, and couldn't help but notice the wobble it developed. It was unable to seat flat on the level floor.. i imagined a 40 something pound battery wanting to bounce while driving, living under a hot hood -- wanting to flex since nothing supports it...

I wonder if your HL comes with a battery tray , or any of em? I've seen other Toyota owners go and put steel trays in , custom or prefabricated, but just something i noticed..

 

[lopezislandjohn]

What a mess! Sounds like something out of Alien! Thanks for bringing this up...I have a 2018 XLE & will check this out for sure.

 

[Coolrockdaddy]

Appeal it some more with your dealer….then tell them you are going to dispute the claim with corporate,ask them for phone number and then do so……tell corporate you bought their vehicle new because of Toyota’s dependability and the extended warranty was sold to you for additional peace of mind. Toyota should take care of you as “their” battery was defective Good luck with everything….

 

[cpwerle]

Appeal it some more with your dealer….then tell them you are going to dispute the claim with corporate,ask them for phone number and then do so……tell corporate you bought their vehicle new because of Toyota’s dependability and the extended warranty was sold to you for additional peace of mind. Toyota should take care of you as “their” battery was defective Good luck with everything….

That's exactly what I am going to do. I have already prepared the letter to send to corporate which will include the repair bill and every service report from the dealership since I bought the car. None of the service reports say anything about battery leakage or corrosion, and the battery is checked as being green.

 

[cpwerle]

Sometimes they have them from new. Mine did anyway. That stinks.. atleast you didn't have an oil leak that destroyed your engine... Trust me it could be far worse.. did the dealership service and install the new battery?

I was just saying on the forums here like a few days ago that the frame of the car that the battery sits upon is crap. i noticed on mine, it's approximately 1/2 the total surface area the battery's base is. So half the battery actually hangs off with nothing for it to sit on except a flimsy plastic tray. Idk about the highlanders but my other cars have battery trays. My HL doesnt though. I only mention it because when i took my battery out this winter, i laid it on the floor, and couldn't help but notice the wobble it developed. It was unable to seat flat on the level floor.. i imagined a 40 something pound battery wanting to bounce while driving, living under a hot hood -- wanting to flex since nothing supports it...

I wonder if your HL comes with a battery tray , or any of em? I've seen other Toyota owners go and put steel trays in , custom or prefabricated, but just something i noticed..

It's still at the dealership being repaired, but as I recall it just has a plastic tray with little or no raised edges that would contain much leakage for long. Wind coming thru the grill would easily blow anything off the tray and into the engine bay.