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Toyota batteries suck

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Stumpjumper, Jun 7, 2019.

  1. Jun 7, 2019 at 7:46 PM
    #1
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper [OP] New Member

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    Parked truck and went out to hook up boat. 2 years and dead. 12.8 volts but no amps. Had a Mototcraft die at less than a year so could have been worse. Tacomas always gave me a warning. None here. No slow cranks or anything.
     
  2. Jun 7, 2019 at 7:47 PM
    #2
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Daniel
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    a Northstar will solve your problem
     
    T500 and Tierhog like this.
  3. Jun 7, 2019 at 7:49 PM
    #3
    Thehype31

    Thehype31 New Member

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    I had a similar problem. 23 month old truck usually parked in the garage overnight was left outside in sub-zero temperatures... when I went to start it in the morning, battery was dead and would not hold a charge after that. Luckily it was replaced under warranty, but I have very little optimism that the warranty replacement will be any better...
     
  4. Jun 7, 2019 at 7:59 PM
    #4
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper [OP] New Member

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    40k on odo so no warranty
     
  5. Jun 7, 2019 at 8:41 PM
    #5
    JH5370

    JH5370 Member

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    This seems to be a theme. Most people are only getting about 2 years out of theirs. I have a 17 so it looks like I’m due for a dead battery pretty soon...
     
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  6. Jun 7, 2019 at 8:44 PM
    #6
    KnuckleHD

    KnuckleHD New Member

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    Is optima still making a good battery? I hear a lot about Northstar on this forum but I have no experience with them..
     
  7. Jun 7, 2019 at 8:52 PM
    #7
    apwisher

    apwisher New Member

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    I think it just depends on where you live. We have had multiple Toyota vehicles, and batteries all seem to last about 7 years here in the mild Pacific NW.
     
  8. Jun 7, 2019 at 8:55 PM
    #8
    Ely010606

    Ely010606 New Member

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    Mine died before i hit 2 years.
     
  9. Jun 7, 2019 at 9:01 PM
    #9
    Yzed608

    Yzed608 New Member

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    2 years 100% outside in WI. Maybe I should start worrying?
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  10. Jun 7, 2019 at 9:04 PM
    #10
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    If I was going to buy a new Tunny....the first add on I'd ask for is...."lose the pos factory battery and replace it with anything....."
     
    Ely010606 and rons23 like this.
  11. Jun 7, 2019 at 9:41 PM
    #11
    TomyTun

    TomyTun New Member

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    Almost three years and still running stock battery in NorCal. 28k on the odometer.
     
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  12. Jun 7, 2019 at 10:01 PM
    #12
    Baja Mike

    Baja Mike Baja Aficionado

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    Not any more. Not since they moved production to Mexico. I had one in my Tacoma that lasted for 10 years. Never had it die on me.

    Anyways, my Tundra is at 27k+ miles, just about 3 years old, and I had it die one me last weekend while in Baja for a race. But I was also running a CB radio off it without the engine running, just the key in the ignition. I was able to jump start it with my GooLoo battery jumper and it fired right up.

    So what aftermarket battery is everyone running now?
     
    KnuckleHD[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Jun 7, 2019 at 10:12 PM
    #13
    Samoan Thor

    Samoan Thor God is technically an alien

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    I’ve been lucky, just hit 72k miles on stock battery, serviced the truck a few days ago and battery is still good. Everyone’s experience will be different, no cam tower leaks either.
     
  14. Jun 7, 2019 at 10:59 PM
    #14
    Crunch527

    Crunch527 Brute Force and Ignorance

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    TRD Supercharger/BAM
    Original battery is still in my 2014.
     
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  15. Jun 7, 2019 at 11:06 PM
    #15
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    I replaced with an XS from Batteries Plus. It’s a Northstar rebranded. They aren’t cheap. 350 bucks.
     
  16. Jun 8, 2019 at 4:29 AM
    #16
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    Dfw Texas
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    Replaced my OEM battery this year before a long trip towing for peace of mind. No signs of getting weak. It was dated 2014 so 5 years old.
     
  17. Jun 8, 2019 at 4:48 AM
    #17
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    I have had great luck with Toyota batteries over the last 20 years...
     
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  18. Jun 8, 2019 at 4:55 AM
    #18
    Outbound

    Outbound SSEM #2.5, Token AmeriCanadian

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    The Toyota branded battery in my truck is 14 years old, corroded as hell and still starts the truck at -40 Celsius even when I forget to plug the truck in. :notsure:
     
  19. Jun 8, 2019 at 5:11 AM
    #19
    nowayout

    nowayout New Member

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    I think its a bigger issue with the 2017's

    Mine died at 20k miles just 2 weeks ago. It was fine all that day starting and driving. At one 5 minute stop at a store came back out and it was completely dead.

    If I could do it over again and known about the problem I would've replaced right away.
     
    Shaggie13 likes this.
  20. Jun 8, 2019 at 9:04 AM
    #20
    Heeler13

    Heeler13 21MGM

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    My 2015 Tundra battery died at 2 years with 36k.
    Currently i have a 2018 Tundra with 22k. Im going with Northstar at the 1st sign of any issue.
     
  21. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:03 AM
    #21
    ManoTundra

    ManoTundra New Member

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    My Tacoma battery died on me with no signs, drove all morning, had maybe 2 stops, then parked for lunch, came out and battery was dead. My thought was all the times the headlights are on when you arm the alarm with the car off had to be the drain on the battery, who knows. I have since changed my lights to turn off once armed but still weary.
     
  22. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:13 AM
    #22
    TXDrifter

    TXDrifter BlueGrass Crew

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    Optima is junk since the new company bought them and now made in Mexico.
     
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  23. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:18 AM
    #23
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Optima's are just fine thank you. I did a write up here on the forum concerning the Optima move to Mexico and the early QC issues that have been resolved years ago. The Johnson Controls Optima Division was right here in Aurora. Our Calibration lab maintained the calibration contract for years at the Optima facility. Naturally there were many disgruntled employees and many of which posted very many baseless reviews for some time after the move down south. After making several onsite calibrations at the Aurora facility you get to not only see the mfring of the batteries but actually calibrate the test equipment and a multitude of load banks. AGM batteries are quite simple in design and engineering, the difference is in the quality of materials used in the manufacturing processes. Optima still uses virgin lead like the other top notch AGM mentioned here. I don't care what manufacturing production line gets moved. There will always be start up issues. I've seen this first hand numerous times in my 40 year calibration career. You get to see how a lot of things are made. Some I can't even tell you about.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2019
    B737, ninjajay, ManoTundra and 3 others like this.
  24. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:22 AM
    #24
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Nope..same company. Not junk. I own an Optima just like many members here. It's still the #1 selling AGM.
     
    KnuckleHD likes this.
  25. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #25
    TXDrifter

    TXDrifter BlueGrass Crew

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    Original Optima, made in USA, lasted me 8 years. Bought a new one that was made in Mexico lasted 2 days. Now granted that was along time ago, however they might have fixed the issue, but unfortunately from my perspective i can not trust them nor will I spend 3 times the price on an AGM battery from them. YMMV
     
  26. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:28 AM
    #26
    Devcom

    Devcom Miles per Gallon? More like Smiles per Gallon!!

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    My truck is at 10.5k miles and a year and a month old with the factory battery. I am hoping I do not have to deal with this and sorry for those that have/are dealing with this.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  27. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:29 AM
    #27
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Hopefully Johnson Controls will move the Optima line back here. My current Yellow Top is now 3 years old. I'd be pissed if my battery lasted only 2 days.
     
    TXDrifter[QUOTED] likes this.
  28. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:31 AM
    #28
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    The Toyota TrueStart that the dealer sells are supposed to be better than the factory battery. They are on sale now I think.
     
    Devcom[QUOTED] likes this.
  29. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:48 AM
    #29
    nvrgvup444

    nvrgvup444 New Member

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    2015 and battery went out at 30K. Agree that the batteries suck.

    We have a business here that sells blems and I have always had great luck with them in my vehicles and boats.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  30. Jun 8, 2019 at 10:53 AM
    #30
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I was pissed when Johnson Controls moved the Optima line to Mexico. Not because we lost the calibration contract, but because we used to be able to get steeply discounted blems... dang it....
     
    nvrgvup444[QUOTED] likes this.

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