Toyota hybrid car batteries are known for their dependability and efficiency. Unfortunately, they cannot last forever. The battery warranty lasts 8 to 10 years for most Toyota hybrid vehicles. This long warranty period shows the company’s confidence in the quality and reliability of its batteries, but how much should you expect to pay when it does come time to replace them?
Toyota hybrid battery replacement costs can range from $1,000 to as much as $5,000. Factors like service fee, car model, manufacturing year, battery type, and brand affect the total replacement cost of a particular Toyota hybrid car.
Hybrid batteries are more expensive than traditional car batteries because of the technology and engineering behind them. Although the battery cost may seem high upfront, hybrid batteries can save owners thousands of dollars on fuel over eight years. Below is a detailed guide on Toyota hybrid batteries that discusses warranty, maintenance, and costs.
How Much Does a Toyota Hybrid Battery Replacement Cost?
The replacement costs for a Toyota Hybrid Battery can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more depending on the car model, the manufacturing year, and the replacement battery type and brand. Service centres may also vary in their quoted price due to different service fee structures on top of the battery cost.
How Much Does a Hybrid Battery Cost for a Toyota?
According to Toyota Australia, replacement batteries for many Camry and Prius models cost less than $3,000 plus GST. Prius models manufactured in the early 2000s have cheaper batteries. Refurbished batteries cost less than brand-new ones and cost roughly $1,000 on average.
What Affects the Price of a Toyota Hybrid Battery Replacement?
Toyota hybrid battery replacement costs depend on factors like the car model and the manufacturing year. Generally, batteries of older vehicles are cheaper than models manufactured in 2019 and onwards.
The total bill for the battery replacement service may be higher if the service centre has to conduct extra services and repairs to replace the battery successfully.
How Often Does a Toyota Hybrid Need a Battery Replacement?
Toyota hybrid batteries can last long if you maintain them well, and you may only need to replace your hybrid battery every 8 to 10 years or after running it for around 160,000 to 240,000 km.
These estimates are based on the general warranty offered by Toyota. You may need a battery replacement before or after this estimated period or mileage. The longevity of a Toyota hybrid battery depends on usage and environmental factors. Many owners claimed that their batteries lasted the whole duration of their vehicle ownership.
How Long Will a Toyota Hybrid Battery Last?
A Toyota Hybrid battery should last at least eight years or up to 160,000 km in mileage. Some car owners don’t have to replace their batteries for 15 years, depending on the model of the vehicle and their maintenance habits.
There have been reports of Toyota hybrid cars lasting up to 320,000 km or more. Many manufacturers offer extended warranty periods with unlimited mileage on replacement batteries.
How Do I Know if my Toyota Hybrid Battery Needs Replacing?
Some signs that indicate your Toyota hybrid battery needs replacing include fewer kilometres to every litre of fuel, charging issues, erratic engine performance, strange noises, and fluctuations in charge reading.
If your tank drains faster than usual, it may mean the battery is not charging fully or retaining its charge level as expected. The engine cutting in or stopping randomly can also be due to a battery problem. The hybrid battery should charge at a rate that is steady and predictable. In addition, strange noises coming from a running fan may mean that your battery is getting hot at an alarming level.
How Can I Improve the Lifespan of a Toyota Hybrid Battery?
You can increase the longevity of your Toyota Hybrid battery by charging the battery to a recommended level (80% in most cases), keeping the temperature stable, and accelerating and slowing down at a steady pace.
Do not skip routine maintenance of your hybrid vehicle and its battery to maintain its efficiency and high performance. Keep the battery fan vent clean and unobstructed to function optimally.
How Long is the Toyota Hybrid Battery Warranty?
The Toyota hybrid battery warranty usually covers eight years or about 160,000 kilometres for models manufactured in 2019 or earlier. Newer models manufactured in 2020 or later have an even bigger warranty of 10 years or 240,000 km.
The warranty starts on the date of first use and expires based on whichever comes first between the year limit or mileage limit.
What Will Void the Toyota Hybrid Battery Warranty?
A Toyota hybrid battery warranty can be voided if the Toyota dealership or official service centres discovers signs of neglect and abuse on the owners’ part. Toyota will most likely void the warranty if external and vandalism are the causes of damage to the battery.
Some examples of tampering or mishandling include modifying the battery or leaving it outdoors. In addition, the warranty does not cover damages due to extreme weather, vehicular accidents, or collisions. As the owner, you are responsible for maintaining and servicing your vehicle.
What Happens if I Don’t Replace a Toyota Hybrid Battery?
If your Toyota Hybrid needs a battery replacement, the performance will continue to drop over time. The longer you take to get a battery replacement, the more damage is done to the vehicle, and the worse it will perform.
Toyota designs hybrid vehicles with a fully functioning battery to share the load with their gas engine. If the hybrid battery is not functioning properly, it will force the gas engine to work more than it should. Negative effects of this uneven load include declining performance and efficiency and increased gas usage. These effects will worsen over time until the battery finally fails entirely.
Can a Toyota Hybrid Run Without a Battery?
A Toyota Hybrid can still run without its main hybrid battery, but it will not ride correctly, and you will get poor fuel economy. Hybrid vehicles are designed to be powered by both gas and hybrid battery. If you remove the battery, you risk damaging your vehicle in the long run.
Many hybrid vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, have two batteries – the 12V battery and the main hybrid battery. The hybrid vehicle’s engine won’t start without the 12V battery. A hybrid car without its main battery will not perform efficiently.
Can I Replace the Battery of a Toyota Hybrid Myself?
You should not attempt to replace the battery of a Toyota hybrid yourself, as there’s a high risk of a serious electrical shock when performing a DIY hybrid battery replacement. You also risk permanently damaging your vehicle or voiding your warranty.
You do not need to replace your hybrid battery often – every 8 to 10 years. Therefore, the Toyota hybrid battery replacement costs will not be too expensive in the long run. It is always better to let a professional replace your hybrid battery instead of risking your well-being when the time comes to get a battery replacement.
Toyota Hybrid Battery Replacement Services in Australia
Australia has over 290 Toyota Dealer Service Centres that offer battery replacement services. There are also many independent hybrid battery replacement centres across the country. The leading ones include Car Health, Dr. Hybrid, and MyCar.
In addition, the company Infintev partners with service centres to sell cheaper rebuilt hybrid batteries.
Related Questions
How Reliable are Toyota Hybrids?
Toyota reliability consumer reports rank Toyota hybrid models like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and the RAV4 Hybrid as some of the most reliable and effective in fuel economy. For two decades, the Toyota Prius has been considered one of the most reliable hybrid cars in the market.
Are Hybrid Batteries Covered by Insurance?
Most car insurance will not cover hybrid batteries as they are automobile parts that can wear quickly based on usage. Toyota’s hybrid car warranty usually covers hybrid batteries. However, some comprehensive car insurance will cover theft of the hybrid battery or damage to the battery caused by a car accident.
