Hybrid Battery Pack Replacement - To Juice or not to Juice

The Battery Pack in my sisters 2006 Lexus RX400H has died.  Lexus says replace with new for about $6,500.00.  The do not recommend driving the vehicle until it is fixed because "It will die at speed and leave you with no steering or brakes".  

Anyone have experience with aftermarket battery packs such as Link

Thanks - Scott

it's a battery, I would have absolutely no qualms about using a replacement aftermarket battery pack.

I’m not sure of the start date, but in many states the emissions warranty on pzev vehicles (including hybrids) is 15yrs/150k miles. 

Hybrid systems are considered part of the emission system and batteries, controllers and motors are covered for much longer than the standard warranty.

I’d look into it to make sure she doesn’t end up paying for something that should be warranty  

Go to YouTube and search Prius individual cell replacement. There will be many videos to choose from and this will give you the basics. 

From there, search out RX/Highlander individual cells. I am not sure if they are the same part as Prius but for Prius you can get tested, used cells off ebay for $100 each and you likely only need 2.  Really! 

What John said. 

I was watching a u tube guy that replaced all the cells with a new set that are used but tested and balanced to work together properly. Cost was 1K for the cells with instructions for the replacement. The actual replacement was about something like two hours labor. 

Those 400h batteries are unique from prius and everything else toyota has done since for some reason. The modules inside the pack enclosure are in metal cans instead of plastic. The metal can is conductive and attached to cell terminals internally. So for real, dont zap yourself, dont poke them with a metal tool, and dont disassemble it and set the modules on your metal workbench or toolbox. 

In reply to blizazer :

Well, that's unfortunate.  Though I have not done the change on the Prius version, that hardest part seems to be the tedious job of removing all the plastic trim from the trunk area and unbolting the rear seat cushion. 

Individual cell replacement is the best option, but an aftermarket replacement battery is fine too. The upside of individual cell replacement is that you can be 100% sure of the quality of the components going into it, and it's cheaper.

Thanks Gang - I will let you know which way she goes.