12 volt battery replacement prices?

[RaineN]

My dealer in Houston wanted $200 for battery, $50 for labor, and $199 for diagnostics. I went in specifically to have the battery replaced and he still wanted to charge me for diagnostics. Is that reasonable??

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[Mark Hassa]

Wouldn't you have to demonstrate symptoms that the 12v battery is defective or do you just go to the dealer when the car is 2 years and 11 months old an tell them you want a new battery?

I went to the dealer close to the end of my warranty. They can check the battery to see if it passes a certain type of test. Mine was showing no signs, but didn’t pass the test, so they replaced it free.
I now hear that OTA’s that fail can be caused by a bad battery even if it was installed after a long drive which typically tops up the 12v.

 

[Mach-Lee]

My dealer in Houston wanted $200 for battery, $50 for labor, and $199 for diagnostics. I went in specifically to have the battery replaced and he still wanted to charge me for diagnostics. Is that reasonable??

No. You are skipping diagnostics and going straight to replacement. Don't pay for that.

 

[stellman]

Picked up a Diehard branded battery at Advance Auto Parts for ~$225. Sounds like I paid too much. Oh well, it's done and installed it myself.

 

[Space_Pony]

No. You are skipping diagnostics and going straight to replacement.

Why didn't you just buy the battery and put it in then return the old one for the core refund.

 

[kevC]

My dealer in Houston wanted $200 for battery, $50 for labor, and $199 for diagnostics. I went in specifically to have the battery replaced and he still wanted to charge me for diagnostics. Is that reasonable??

I'm also in Houston. I just got mine replaced for $180 total, no diagnostics.

 

[RaineN]

No. You are skipping diagnostics and going straight to replacement. Don't pay for that.

I'm also in Houston. I just got mine replaced for $180 total, no diagnostics.

Where did you go? I’m currently waiting at Sterling McCall Ford while they’re replacing it for a much more reasonable price than Mac Haik who tried to price gouge me.

 

[kevC]

Where did you go? I’m currently waiting at Sterling McCall Ford while they’re replacing it for a much more reasonable price than Mac Haik who tried to price gouge me.

Tommie Vaughn in the Heights

 

[T.S.]

I have an appt scheduled for the battery recall update at the dealer on 12/4, but a 12v battery error popped up two days ago, so while I was out just now, I stopped at Pep Boys around the corner...nice kids who could have taken me for a ride before about a tire issue, but didn't...to ask them what they would charge.

I'm thinking it's an easy job and shouldn't be expensive. He looks up the battery and said there were two options (huh?). One was $250 and the other was $399 and labor was $60, depending on how "accessible" it was.

I was stunned, and said maybe I should just stick with the dealer, and to his credit, he agreed.

What do you think he was looking at? I thought it was just a normal battery.

 

[Fremont Kid]

Replaced battery and brake fluid at 3 years.
OEM battery $145.00. Service to replace and perform battery reset $189.00. Drain and replace brake fluid $134.95.

 

[RacerX]

I purchased the BAGMH3 from Fordparts online for $ 119. It was sent to my dealer and they installed it. $225 labor charges. Took them abt 45 minutes shop time. I was getting close to 4 years on the 12v battery and just did not want to get caught in the cold with a dead battery

Is the "BAGMH3" the OEM battery? I see it on RockAuto for $160, which doesn't seem extreme, and I can replace myself. BMS reset looks like easily enough done, unless someone has different experience.

 

[Tomm]

I still have a reset anxiety. If u buy a battery at rock auto, do I just do the reset, or do I have to charge the 12v to “top it up” before reset??

 

[Mach-Lee]

I still have a reset anxiety. If u buy a battery at rock auto, do I just do the reset, or do I have to charge the 12v to “top it up” before reset??

The rock auto batteries are new enough you can just do the reset without charging it.

 

[Tomm]

Thanks Mach-Lee

 

[epec]

my car is almost 3 year and 5 months, 60,000 miles. Dealer did test on 12V battery at 50,000 miles and told me no need to replace. I am bringing it back for 60k miles service, I will ask them to test again

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