[satyrias]

According to the Truestart with 84 months warranty, the first 24-month free replacement and then 60-month proration in a simple two tier priced plan.

Anybody knows what is a "simple two tier priced plan" means?

If the battery dies after 3 years, how much money has to pay to replace it, if the price is $100 for the sake of calculation.

 

[touringcamry]

I don't know if Toyota uses this formula, but this is how it's typically calculated:

Remaining months / Total warranty length * Current price (or purchase price)

So after 36 months, the calculation would be:
(84 - 36) / 84 * $100 = $57.14

For car batteries though, IMO Costco's Kirkland and Walmart Ever Start Max are the best deals around and they have 36/100 warranties. The Costco battery is about $60.

 

[satyrias]

I have a Camry and replaced the battery yesterday at a Toyota dealer. They charged me $72, but when I asked for the calculation, they didn't explain to me. Most people don't question them, out of embarrassment.

When it says, 60 months prorated, isn't it correct to divide by 60 since the first 24 months is not counted?

Total price divided by 60 * month used after the initial 24 months of free.

So for 3 years, (36-24)/60*100 = $20, we have to pay to replace?

Your calculation is correct if it is straight 84 months. The 57.14 should be deducted from the price or have to pay $42.86.


I really need to get a definite answer to this 60 months wordings on their warranty.

 

[touringcamry]

No, it's typical to use the length of the total warranty, not just the prorated period. Whether or not Toyota battery carries the same warranty I don't know.

In my calculation, you would receive a credit of $57 towards the purchase of a similar battery. You'd pay the rest.

 

[JZ TWINS]

This should be the proration on the Truestarts

0-24 months 100% Toyota pays
25-48 months 50% """
49-84 month 25% """

 

[arabianobsession]

Just FYI I wouln't put a Walmart battery in anything unless you have manual locks, windows, no sunroof, and a cheap radio. I used to work at Walmart and batteries would come back 7 out of 10 within a year as junk. I had one in my power nothing Sunfire and it was still strong at 4 years....but remember I had power nothing. Just a little 4 banger engine.

But yes the above proration is correct.

 

[touringcamry]

Which Walmart battery though? They have several lines and the highest model has been consistently recommended by Consumer Reports. Same goes for Costco's Kirland battery, which isn't far behind; but, given the lower cost and that I have no Wally Worlds here, guess which one I use.

 

[TierOneSupplier]

I found a Toyota web site to confirm the information provided by JZ Twins, above.

http://tinyurl.com/3y4q5uc

It says, for the True Start:
* 84 month service replacement warranty
* Years 1-2: 100% of parts, service and towing
* Years 3-4: 50% of TrueStart MSRP
* Years 5-7: 25% of TrueStart MSRP

The document goes on to say that Toyota doesn't use the declining scale ("pro-rated warranty") that we usually see associated with battery warranties. Apparently the above program is what they mean by "simple two-tier price plan".

(Regarding the Walmart batteries, I've seen a lot of discussions boil down to whether they're made by Exide or Johnson Controls, with many saying the latter makes the more reliable battery).

 

[Paul3637]

Just to update everyone on junk TruStart batteries

Let no good deed go unpunished should be the motto for Toyota batteries. I put a replacement battery in my 09 Camry in August 2011 even though the old one tested fine just to make sure I would never be "stranded." But then, I got my TruStart nightmare after 33 months .....

If you don't like being stranded unable to start your car, DO NOT BUY TRUSTART 84 MONTH BATTERY

battery is horrible and may fail ...... and the warranty is WORTHLESS

My May 2014 story is here:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...attery-bad-experience-worthless-warranty.html

and

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...y-warning-bad-experience-toyota-84-month.html

************
Please share your trustart horror story with us as well.

 

[hoopitup2000]

Don't feel too bad as the Interstate Battery warranty is no better. I had one fail right after the 100% replacement period ended & they still only honored the prorate. I now always go with Costco when possible, but unfortunately they don't carry many different groups.

The battery had swelled & Interstate said it was caused by overcharging, but I never had a problem before or after the battery was replaced. Not sure how this was possible? This was a special shaped battery for an Acura Integra, so not cheap in the first place.

 

[got-rice]

For Costco, they have the Group 35 size, which should fit the majority of Corollas (except my XRS). But if you want the Group 24F size (for Camrys and many other Toyota and Lexus), you have to go somewhere else since they don't sell that size (don't know why, a lot of cars use this size). Yes, you can use the Group 35 battery in a Camry, but it won't fit properly. I ended up getting my battery at Sam's Club.

 

[haubg]

True Start Warranty

Have True Start battery and after just about three years on 84 month warranty, battery bad and no rebate.

 

[haubg]

I agree with your comment on months' usage. Have had True Start for about three years, 84 month guaranty, and no good now. Not impressed with life or warranty.

 

[ranger0]

I generally look at whether it will physically fit, cost, replacement period and CCA's. Can't really complain about WalMart, had one go bad and they replaced it, lickity split. It's always a gamble, even the best go bad at odd times.

 

[got-rice]

Go with Costco if you can. Just about to put a Costco/Interstate one in my Corolla...the Energizer battery that I've had for a little over 3 years failed the load test, so it is outside the warranty period and Costco now carries the right size batteries for most Toyotas.

 

[Lookdowntheroad]

Battery warranty transferable?

Bought a 2009 Venza 8 months ago (5/2015) that had a 60 month TruStart battery that had been installed 3/14. Battery died in cold weather. Brought it to the Toyota dealer where I bought the car and where the battery was installed. Was told that the battery warranty was not transferable from the original owner. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[got-rice]

Bought a 2009 Venza 8 months ago (5/2015) that had a 60 month TruStart battery that had been installed 3/14. Battery died in cold weather. Brought it to the Toyota dealer where I bought the car and where the battery was installed. Was told that the battery warranty was not transferable from the original owner. Anyone know anything about this?

Why not talk to the used car department that sold you the Venza? Perhaps they can goodwill a new battery. If needed talk to the Customer Relations department at the dealer and/or Toyota USA as well (800-331-4331).

 

[cpeterson70]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I have a question regarding the battery warranty for the 84 month True Start battery. I have a 2004 Sienna and have gone through quite a lot of batteries. Yesterday I had to have it replaced again. The previous time was in 2014. Yesterday, they charged me full price. I argued that the last replacement was in 2014 which is well within the 84 months. They said it was because the warranty started back in 2009-2010 (or something - I cannot remember all the dates we went through). We went around in circles because I'd say, but it was just replaced in 2014...around and around. I just paid full price to get out of there, but it puts doubts into my mind about the dealership. How does the battery warrant work? Does the warranty start over with each replacement? I had to pay a prorated amount each time I have replaced the battery; I would think the warranty would start over?


Thank you.

 

[Paul3637]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I have a question regarding the battery warranty for the 84 month True Start battery. I have a 2004 Sienna and have gone through quite a lot of batteries. Yesterday I had to have it replaced again. The previous time was in 2014. Yesterday, they charged me full price. I argued that the last replacement was in 2014 which is well within the 84 months. They said it was because the warranty started back in 2009-2010 (or something - I cannot remember all the dates we went through). We went around in circles because I'd say, but it was just replaced in 2014...around and around. I just paid full price to get out of there, but it puts doubts into my mind about the dealership. How does the battery warrant work? Does the warranty start over with each replacement? I had to pay a prorated amount each time I have replaced the battery; I would think the warranty would start over?


Thank you.

You are correct. See my posts 1, 4 & 16 here

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...warning-bad-experience-toyota-84-month-2.html

They replaced my replacement of my replacement battery for free when the last one showed it had significantly discharged (but was not dead) after only 16.5 months which the dealer discovered during the checkup that accompanied a routine oil change. The service writer made a point of telling me that "if it happens again within the next two years, well give you yet another one free."

 

[ranger0]

FWIW - I haven't had to hassle with a bad battery at Toyota yet, but my experience with GM is same as cpeterson70's. The GM replacement battery warranty started with the date of the first battery. DON'T KNOW ABOUT TOYOTA (yet). That's why I go to WalMart, had one car I had to replace the battery 2 or 3 times, never a hassle.

Best of luck.

Bill