Hybrid cars can save you a lot of money on gas over time. You will not have to go to the gas station often and you will be putting out fewer bad things into the air. Also hybrid cars are very quiet and smooth to drive.. Some people who own hybrid cars are scared that their battery will stop working. When the dashboard starts flashing with a warning people want to know how much it will cost to replace the battery in their car.
The simple answer is that it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 to replace the battery in a car with a brand new one. If you get a battery that has been fixed up it can cost between $1,500 and $3,000. The total cost will depend on the kind of car you have the kind of battery you. How much the people who fix cars in your area charge.
A lot of people get worried when they hear these prices.. You do not have to spend all your money to fix your car. You have a lot of options from going to the car dealer to getting a fix from someone who is not the dealer. This guide will help you understand how much it will cost to replace the battery in your car and it will help you decide if it is a good idea to fix your car.
Breaking Down the Cost to Replace a Hybrid Car Battery
Lets break down the cost of replacing the battery in a car. When you take your car to a mechanic they will not just give you one price. They will give you a few options. You need to understand the three parts of the cost to replace the battery in a hybrid car so you can make a good decision.
1. Brand New Batteries ($3,000 – $8,000)
Brand new batteries from the car dealer can cost between $3,000 and $8,000. Getting a brand new battery from the car dealer is the way to go. It is very reliable. Usually comes with a good warranty.. It is also the most expensive option. When you buy a battery you are paying for new cells that will probably last for another ten years. If you have a luxury hybrid car or a hybrid car with a battery it will probably cost more.
The good things about brand batteries are that they will last a long time they are made by the car company and they come with a good warranty. The bad things are that they cost a lot of money and if you have a car it might not be worth it.
2. Used and Fixed-Up Batteries ($1,500 – $3,000)
Used batteries that have been fixed up can cost between $1,500 and $3,000. If a new battery is too expensive a used battery that has been fixed up is a middle ground. The people who fix cars take a battery find the bad parts replace them with good ones and make sure everything is working well. This makes the battery work again and it costs less than a new one.
The good things about batteries are that they are cheap they are good for the earth because they are recycled and they can help old cars keep running. The bad things are that they will not last long as a new battery and the warranty is usually not as good.
3. The Cost of Labor
The cost of labor can be between $500 and $1,500. You cannot just put a battery in a hybrid car like you would with a regular car. Hybrid cars have systems that need special training to fix. The car dealers usually charge more per hour than the people who fix cars on their own. Also some cars have batteries that’re hard to get to so it takes longer to fix them.
Average Battery Replacement Costs by Hybrid Model
The cost to replace the battery in hybrid cars can vary. Some cars have batteries than others so it costs less to replace them. Here are some examples of how much it can cost to replace the battery in some hybrid cars:
- Toyota Prius: $2,500 to $4,500 for a new battery, $1,500 to $2,200 for a used battery
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: $3,000 to $5,000 for a battery $1,800 to $2,500 for a used battery
- Honda Civic/Accord Hybrid: $2,500 to $4,500 for a battery $1,600 to $2,400 for a used battery
- Ford Fusion Hybrid: $3,500 to $5,500 for a battery $2,000 to $2,800 for a used battery
- Lexus RX 450h: $5,000 to $8,000 for a battery $3,000 to $4,500 for a used battery
It is worth noting that the Toyota Prius is one of the common hybrid cars so it is cheaper to replace the battery. There are a lot of people who fix Prius batteries so the prices are lower.
How Long Do Hybrid Batteries Really Last?
How do hybrid batteries really last? The good news is that they last longer than people think. The car companies make the batteries to last long as the car. On average a hybrid battery will last for 10 to 15 years or around 100,000 to 150,000 miles. Some people who own Prius and Camry cars say that their batteries have lasted for more than 200,000 miles with proper care.
You also have protection from the law. The government says that car companies have to give a warranty for the battery that lasts for 8 years or 100,000 miles. If you live in a state that follows the rules of California the warranty lasts for 10 years or 150,000 miles. If your battery stops working during this time the car dealer has to replace it for free.
Hybrid batteries do not usually stop working all of a. They get worse slowly like the battery in your phone. If you take care of your car and drive it regularly you can make the battery longer.
5 Signs Your Hybrid Battery is Getting Worse
There are five signs that your hybrid battery is getting worse:
- Your car is not getting as gas mileage as it used to
- The gas engine is running all the time
- The battery is losing power quickly. Charging erratically
- The engine is making noises
- The dashboard is showing a warning light that says “Check Hybrid System”
Is It Worth Replacing the Battery?
Is it worth replacing the battery? This is a decision but you can make it easier by looking at the overall health of your car. If your car is in shape has no problems with the transmission and the engine is running well it might be a good idea to replace the battery. Think about it like this: spending $2,500 on a used battery can give you a car for another five years. That is cheaper than getting a car payment.
But if your hybrid car is 15 years old has 250,000 miles on it is using a lot of oil and needs brakes it might not be worth replacing the battery. In this case the cost of the battery is more than the car is worth. It might be better to sell the car for parts or trade it in.
It is an idea to pay a specialist to check your cars battery before you make a decision. They can tell you how healthy the battery is and make sure the problem is not a cheap sensor or a clogged cooling fan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hybrid Batteries
People often ask these questions about hybrid batteries:
Can you drive a car without the battery?
Usually no. The hybrid battery is part of the cars electrical system and transmission. If the battery stops working the car will not start.. If the battery is just weak some hybrids can drive very slowly to get to a mechanic.
Are used hybrid batteries an idea?
Yes they are. For cars that’re older than 10 years a used battery is a good choice. You can save a lot of money. Still get a reliable battery. Just make sure you buy from a shop that gives a warranty.
Can you replace the bad cells in the battery instead of the whole thing?
Yes you can. This is called cell balancing or reconditioning. A skilled technician can find the cells and replace them. This is the option but it is just a temporary fix. Once one cell stops working others will probably stop working too.
Will car insurance cover a battery replacement?
Car insurance only covers a battery if it is damaged in a specific incident, like a car accident or a fire. Insurance does not cover wear and tear or age-related battery problems.
Can you replace the battery yourself?
We really do not think you should try to replace the battery in your car by yourself. The battery packs in these cars use a lot of current and high voltage. Often more than 200 volts. If you do not have the tools and safety gear you could get electrocuted. This is very serious. Can even be fatal. You should always let a professional who is certified do this job.
Making a Smart Decision for Your Car
It is never fun to find out that your car needs a repair.. If you know how much it really costs to replace the battery in your hybrid car you can make a good choice about what to do with your money. Spending a thousand dollars now might seem like a lot but you have to think about all the money you have saved on fuel over the years.
You have some choices when it comes to replacing the battery in your car. You can buy a brand battery from the dealership, which might be expensive but will give you peace of mind.. You can buy a used battery that has been fixed which will be cheaper and will still get your car running. Just remember to look out for signs that your battery is not working well check if your car is still under warranty and get prices from least two different mechanics who work on hybrid cars.
If you want to know more about how long hybrid cars last and what kind of warranties they have you can visit websites like FuelEconomy.gov.
We Want to Hear From You!
Do you have a car, with a battery that is not working well? Have you gotten a price from a mechanic lately? Please leave a comment below with the kind of car you have and how you were quoted so other people can compare prices.
For more maintenance tips, experts at Consumer Reports recommend regular inspection of hybrid systems.
