Hybrid Battery Failure

[dobby]

Just came back from my dealer. My 2006 400h (about 21,800 miles) started flashing the "check VSC system/check hybrid system" on Monday. Noted that the engine didn't shut off as usual at a traffic stop and getting out of the intersection was sluggish and going uphill was a bear; the CVT kept shifting. The hybrid battery reading was down to the last bar (when usually it's at about 2/3). From the time late Monday until today when I got to the dealer the MPG tanked from 26 to 22. I suspect it was running on gas the entire time.

The dealer said the hybrid battery "failed" and I'm waiting for parts and getting it fixed, hopefully by Monday.

In the meantime, there weren't any Lexus loaners available so I'm tooling around town in a Chevy Cobalt with manual locks, windows, mirrors, etc. (careful not to lock myself out of the car!) <_<

[ilovelexus2007]

Just came back from my dealer. My 2006 400h (about 21,800 miles) started flashing the "check VSC system/check hybrid system" on Monday. Noted that the engine didn't shut off as usual at a traffic stop and getting out of the intersection was sluggish and going uphill was a bear; the CVT kept shifting. The hybrid battery reading was down to the last bar (when usually it's at about 2/3). From the time late Monday until today when I got to the dealer the MPG tanked from 26 to 22. I suspect it was running on gas the entire time.

The dealer said the hybrid battery "failed" and I'm waiting for parts and getting it fixed, hopefully by Monday.

In the meantime, there weren't any Lexus loaners available so I'm tooling around town in a Chevy Cobalt with manual locks, windows, mirrors, etc. (careful not to lock myself out of the car!) <_<

Oh that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Look on the bright side, at least the battery not fail when you're at 100,001 miles :D :P . But wow, this is the first time I hear about this, hope it never happen to me.

Your dealer is so stingy. Is this in the city or suburban area? Last week I changed my oil for 45 mins, they gave me RX350 as a loaner (although I can tell they were not happy about it). Next time, request at least a Toyota or if it's Chevy, please Malibu or better.

[SOMEONE ELSE'S GOT MY NAME]

keep us posted!

It'll be interesting to hear if the cause was cooling, regen, bad module(s), ECR, or something else.

[dobby]

Well I got my car back. I'm told that essentially the hybrid battery failed. On the work order form, mentioned is that the diagnostic scan tool had code P080 "replace hybrid battery pack". No other parts were reportedly faulty or replaced.

Fortunately, everything is under warranty, otherwise cost estimate $5500 for parts and labor.

[SC1911]

Well I got my car back. I'm told that essentially the hybrid battery failed. On the work order form, mentioned is that the diagnostic scan tool had code P080 "replace hybrid battery pack". No other parts were reportedly faulty or replaced.

Fortunately, everything is under warranty, otherwise cost estimate $5500 for parts and labor.

Any tech venture a guess as to why the battery pack failed prematurely?

[RX400h]

In reality, occasional battery failures (virtually ANY type of battery) are not very rare, especially when multible batteries are tied together. Thus, if one battery pack out of 50,000 vehicles fails, it should surprise non one. Rather, I a never cease to be impressed by how few of these failures (Toyota hybrid vehicles) we hear about.

[Gryphon]

All the more reason to have an extended warranty if the only repair option is a complete battery pack replacement.

Tom

[RX400h]

The standard warranty for RX400hs here in California is 8 years or 100,000 miles. That's good enough for me!

[riwyle]

The standard warranty for RX400hs here in California is 8 years or 100,000 miles. That's good enough for me!

If you choose to keep the car past 100,000 miles, and the battery failed, would you spend the $5,500 to replace the battery?

[RX400h]

In our case - yes, because the car would be essentially worthless without a new set of batteries. Besides, at 100,000 miles, the V6 engine would still be very strong and judging by the stellar reliability we've experienced so far, I have no doubt that we'd be financially prudent if we bought new batteries. Still, I really doubt that the batteries would die at 100,000 miles. I'm sure they'd go 150,000+ miles.

[RXREY]

I do believe that by the time we need new batteries, 150K plus, the price will be even less. I have heard that the hybrid battery may even last 200k miles or maybe even a lot more. We'll have to see. I am not too concerned, I believe in Lexus cars. I hope that I will be proven right because as far as I can see, I hope to have this car for at least 10-12 years total, or for me, 100- 120K miles. Rey

[lenore]

OK guys you are scaring me, Today I got the turkey early....I Got the Check VSC, check Hybrid, and Brake system failure lights. I was making a right turn and it just came on. Car still drove. I stopped it and continued on toward my home. The hybrid battery went to 2 bars and then all of a sudden after a mile was up to two thirds. I exited freeway and at a left turn car died. I pushed it out of the way and called tow company. I then tried to restart while waiting and the car worked, however the check engine, and the other lights (check hybrid, check vsc, and brake failure lights were still on). Towed to Toyota, because I had a very bad experience with my local Lexus dealership, they are going to look at it Friday....The bad news just turned 103k miles...Oh I wish I had the codes...didnt have a reader with me. wish me luck on what may be a bad journey on my new to me 2008RX400h.

[L8Apex]

I really really wanna know how this story ends. What was the prob, what did Lex/Toyota do. I hear they're commitied to helping Hybrid owners and keeping them happy. Would love to hear if thats the case past 100K

[lenore]

I really really wanna know how this story ends. What was the prob, what did Lex/Toyota do. I hear they're commitied to helping Hybrid owners and keeping them happy. Would love to hear if thats the case past 100K

The codes which were something like A08 indicated a inverter cooling pump failure....Cheap part $168 my cost, but dealer charged $250 and labor....Three bolts and two hoses and located behind the left headlight on the bottom of the engine compartment....hey at least not a battery failure,even though others with the same lights and indicators message had either a battery or inverter failure....So far car is running well, it got new coolent in the inverter, which at 100k miles is about right.

[LexusUK]

I have just had a similar issue. I bought my car 1 month ago from a car garage.

Everytime I drive fast around 80 miles per hour- the "Check hybrid system" and "Check VSC system" messages appeared on the dash. also engine management light comes on. I called the AA recovery service and they diagnosed fault code AO80 relating to a faulty battery pack. I had this problem before and had the faults reset a week ago by an autoelectrician. Bust as soon as I speed the messages re-appear.

Is the above related to a battery pack and if so is it possible only replacing the faulty cell rather than the whole Hybrid battery?

Can the above related to a faulty mass flow meter / sensor? As the fault only arises when I accelerate at speed on the high way and not when driving slow in city traffic?

The place where I bought the car from is not willing to address the problem as the car is outside of the warranty perioved by 2 weeks. Car is a 2005 vehicle with 98000 miles. The car was parked on the drive for 4 weeks as I was on holiday during the warranty period :-( otherwise I would have raised the issue with the car garage earlier

Any advice would be most welcome.

[lenore]

My A080 code was a inverter cooling pump failure (electric pump) for the coolant. It is not an expensive part, cost around $168 new....Easy to change located on the left side of vehicle down low on the frame low and left of the radiator.....You will see two hoses going to it and it is about the size of your fist....

[LexusUK]

Sorry I made a mistake. ERROR code is POA80 and not

I have just had a similar issue. I bought my car 1 month ago from a car garage.

Everytime I drive fast around 80 miles per hour- the "Check hybrid system" and "Check VSC system" messages appeared on the dash. also engine management light comes on. I called the AA recovery service and they diagnosed fault code POA80 relating to a faulty battery pack. I had this problem before and had the faults reset a week ago by an auto-electrician. Just as soon as I speed the messages re-appear.

Is the above related to a battery pack and if so is it possible only replacing the faulty cell rather than the whole Hybrid battery?

Can the above related to a faulty mass flow meter / sensor? As the fault only arises when I accelerate at speed on the high way and not when driving slow in city traffic?

The place where I bought the car from is not willing to address the problem as the car is outside of the warranty perioved by 2 weeks. Car is a 2005 vehicle with 98000 miles. The car was parked on the drive for 4 weeks as I was on holiday during the warranty period :-( otherwise I would have raised the issue with the car garage earlier

Any advice would be most welcome.

[lenore]

Personally I would take it to Toyota, if the cooling pump is failing you could overheat the inverter which is $7000....Not time to mess with such a system. The code on mine indicated pump failure.

[LexusUK]

Hi Thomas,

I will take it to Lexus but I had the emergency breakdown company known as the 'AA' here in the UK and an independent Lexus Hybrid specialist identify the POA80 fault as a faulty Hybrid battery. Can you please advise if this fault code is related to an inaccurate fuel gauge level and low thermostat level or would these be independent of the POA80 fault error?

Rizz

My email=rizzlamann@live.co.uk

[maseace]

Here's the code from the service manual. It could also be the battery smart unit.

I think the smart unit is this part (battery sensor).

P0A80.pdf

[LexusUK]

Thank you.

I will book in the car with Lexus tomorrow morning I just hope they don't suggest the battery instead of a smart battery sensor unit as it is considerably much more expensive ( sales commissions on parts etc).