Toyota and Lexus hybrids set the trouble code P0A80 “Replace Hybrid Battery Pack” when the car’s onboard computer determines the hybrid battery pack is faulty. In rare cases there may be something else the matter (overheating or a computer sense wire problem) but almost always a bad hybrid battery corresponds to this code being stored.
(In all cases the car should be diagnosed by a service professional, using a professional-grade scan tool to gather all the faults, review the live data, and come to an informed conclusion.)
Once you’re sure you need a hybrid battery replacement, what are the options? What you typically hear about are:
1. Brand new battery packs
2. Reconditioned battery packs
What should you consider?
Brand new battery packs are made by Toyota and are equivalent to the original equipment the car received at the factory. You can have them installed at the dealership or at Earthling Auto (and other independent shops); we purchase the same parts from the dealer that the dealer installs, and we perform the replacement at a competitive price.
Reconditioned battery packs are collected and processed by third-party companies, not Toyota. Some of these companies sell their parts to independent shops (like Earthling) for a service professional to install. Some of these companies will install the parts themselves, often coming to your home or work.
Earthling (like Toyota) does not recommend reconditioned batteries and will not install them. The very simple reason is that they often do not work.
Sometimes reconditioned packs are bad out of the box. More often they will set the same codes (or new codes) shortly after installation (1-3 days). If a replacement does initially work, it is still likely to fail within a time frame disproportionately short for the difference in the cost (~6-12 months).
Earthling only offers factory-new battery replacements. This has been our policy for over ten years, and the processes, source materials, and failure rates of reconditioned batteries have not improved in any meaningful way, throughout that period, for us to consider changing the policy. We will never offer a repair on which you cannot rely.
The happy news is that brand new batteries, while unfortunately more expensive, will fix your car, short term and long term. Generally you should expect the replacement battery to last as long as the original one, which is often 10+ years and well worth the value.
For an up-to-date quote, please text or call the Earthling at 415-875-9030.
If we don’t already have one in stock, we can typically order the battery and have it installed the same or next day.
Still not convinced? Want to read more? Feel free to check out the legacy blogs (13-17 years old!) documenting our journey on this topic:
December 9, 2008 https://earthlingauto.com/gen_1_prius_battery_failure/
September 3, 2010 https://earthlingauto.com/rebuilt_hv_battery_packs_toyota_prius_hybrid_et_al/
August 9, 2011 https://earthlingauto.com/prius_battery_rebuild_yes_or_no/
April 24, 2012 Album of a recent HV battery replacement via Facebook
May 19, 2012 https://earthlingauto.com/2004-2009_prius_hv_hybrid_battery_options/
