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2021 Toyota Prius Supersonic Red hybrid engine electric motor
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By Jeff Teague Jan 31 2021 - 8:30am

How Long Does Toyota Hybrid Battery Last (Including Toyota Prius)? Our Expert Answers Your Questions (with Video)

Our Toyota technician answers your questions about Hybrid battery life, dependability, warranty, parts and systems, and much more. Learn about 2021 Toyota Prius and other popular models.
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Hybrid vehicles can be a confusing thing for many people. A mystery of sorts.

Yes, people research them, and they shop for them. They buy them and they own them.

But what is a hybrid engine, and how dependable are they over time? You know, like the engines you find in a Toyota Prius, or a 2021 Toyota Venza, or a Toyota Camry Hybrid.

We went straight to a Toyota expert for answers.

2021 Toyota Prius specs

Ali Mohagheghi Fred Anderson Toyota Raleigh NC

Ali Mohagheghi is a Master Diagnostic Technician with Fred Anderson Toyota in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has been working on Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs for 35 years.

He says his special interest is in Toyota hybrid vehicles, having worked on them since the Toyota Prius was first launched over two decades ago.

Ali was kind enough to give us a tour of some Toyota hybrid engines. He is an incredible resource for anyone wanting to know more about this highly interesting but complex topic.

Of course, Toyota has opened the flood gates on its hybrid lineup. We see more and more of them each year. Think about the all-new 2021 Venza, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Toyota Prius and many more.

We may even see a Toyota Tundra Hybrid in the near future.

VIDEO TOUR: Learn more about 2021 Toyota Prius, 2021 Toyota Venza and 2021 Camry Hybrid in our Toyota hybrid tour.

A Toyota hybrid, like found in 2021 Prius, utilizes a gasoline engine working together in synergy with multiple electric motors.

2021 Toyota Prius hybrid engine electric motor

The benefits of this synergistic effect may include more horsepower, additional low-end torque, less emissions and drastically improved fuel efficiency.

Toyota Hybrid Warranty

2021 Toyota Venza hybrid engine electric motor

Starting with 2020 all Toyota hybrid vehicles, including Toyota Prius and RAV4 Hybrid and Toyota Venza, have an extended warranty you may enjoy.

The hybrid battery is now covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Previous battery coverage for pre-2020 hybrids was 8 years or 100,000 miles.

This should provide peace of mind for many people who would like to purchase a new Toyota hybrid like 2021 Toyota Venza or RAV4 Hybrid but are still unsure. They may have heard the battery is expensive to replace if it needs replacing.

Peace of mind can mean so much to a person and their family when making a big decision like going with a hybrid vehicle. I feel this will really help.

How long will a Toyota Hybrid battery last?

According to Ali, “the hybrid battery on them usually lasts 180,000 to 200,000 miles. And they are becoming cheaper and cheaper and cheaper as they go.”

There is no way to predict for sure how long each individual Toyota hybrid will last before its battery needs to be replaced. Many vehicles will go their entire lifetime with the original Toyota hybrid battery still going strong.

This is, however, a good baseline to start with.

Time for your thoughts on Toyota Prius and more

Are you in the market for a new hybrid such as 2021 Toyota Venza or Toyota RAV4 Hybrid? Or maybe another Toyota model?

What is your comfort level with Toyota Hybrid?

2021 Toyota Venza Limited in Ruby Flare Pearl
2021 Toyota Venza Limited Ruby Flare Pearl profile view

On a side but similar note, I personally just purchased a 2021 Toyota Venza Limited and I love it. It is already the best car I have ever owned. So comfortable.

If you are not yet sure about purchasing a hybrid vehicle, what concerns do you have that might be holding you back? This would make for great future content. Thanks in advance.

See you next story when I review the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible.

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Comments

Jason wrote on February 1, 2021 - 2:40pm
My 2008 Prius battery lasted about 10 years and 260K miles. $2600 for a replacement battery. Well worth it. By the way, 287K miles and the same brakes.
William Lord wrote on January 24, 2023 - 9:35pm
My 2012 Toyota Prius C has given me 250,000 km absolutely flawless service and the HV battery has just started to fail. My Toyota dealer (Canberra, Australia) has quoted me $2700 to instal a new battery. Given that I have travelled 250,000 km with a consistent fuel usage of less than 5 litres/100 km compared with the 8-10 litres/100 km (let's say 4 litres/100km more for a similar sized "sub-compact" car) it is simple math - My Prius has burned 10,000 litres less fuel in the (brilliantly reliable) life of my Toyota. With fuel costing around AUD $2/litre I've saved $20,000. More than covers the cost of a new battery AND done my bit to reduce emissions.
badmonkey wrote on February 1, 2021 - 7:36pm
Our 05 Prius needed a new hybrid motor battery at 174K miles and was honestly not that expensive to replace. The second Toyota factory battery is 60K+ miles and still going fine. The stupid part is the 12V accessory battery costs almost $300 as its inside the cabin and the car is on its 5th battery now. Put all those stupid fuses in the trunk and the battery back in the engine compartment so we can go back to led acid $110 batteries!!!!!
Camry Hybrid #2 wrote on February 4, 2021 - 4:06pm
My first Camry Hybrid was super and that’s why I bought the second - a 2014. The 12v batteries are extremely poor quality. I’m putting my third battery in right now with 88,000 miles. The construction quality is not nearly as good as my first. And the price of a new replacement has gone up a lot.
Ivan wrote on February 8, 2021 - 1:33pm
Agreed with you and they take a beating well said.
LMC wrote on February 1, 2021 - 11:47pm
When referring to the hybrid's battery, it failed to be specific. There is a 12 volt in the rear and then then there are cells located and encased behind and below the rear seats. My 12-volt lasted over 9 years. As for the cells, I have 28. If one cell should fail to maintain say an at least 6.5 charge then you can simply replace ithat cell at about $90 per cartridge, at your own labor in about 2 hrs. the first time, only bc you want to be sure you know what you're doing as to not get electrocuted or cause damage to car. It isn't difficult; I learned from a how-to video. I keep hearing stories from others, their Prius costing them several thousand for "battery" replacement. I only paid $210.00 for my 12 volt battery. I simply can't understand why or how thousands were necessary to shell out. How can that be possible? Does that mean the dealer changed out all cells, instead of testing for the non performing one? If so, that seems unnecessary, unless of course, for their own profit.
Orlando Cabanilla wrote on February 2, 2021 - 9:38am
I’m still waiting for the answer. How much to replace the battery on 2021 Hybrid when the battery went up dead?
Santiago B Tejada wrote on October 19, 2021 - 10:59am
I paid about $3,000 at the dealership for a "replacement" where all they did was to replace 4 damaged cartridges. Luckily, I got $1,000 off from Toyota Headquaters.
Aaron beard wrote on February 3, 2021 - 12:44am
Agree wholeheartedly with the guy replacing cells himself. My 2005 prius went 210k on the original brakes and needed 2 new cells (at 225k after I gave it to my buddy). My mechanic found 2 used ones at the junkyard and installed them for about $200 total. Same thing 2 years later in my parent's 2008 Highlander at 198k. There are soooo many totalled hybrids around due to the volume at which Toyota has sold them that lightly used cells are easily had.
Andy wrote on February 5, 2021 - 7:53am
Thank you for the articles & all accompanying comments. My 2009 Prius purchased new had over 378,000 miles with the original engine before we donated her to a veteran organization at end-2018. No major repairs; only routine maintenance, including brake pads.
Rodolfo A. De Leon wrote on February 5, 2021 - 1:50pm
when will be a remedy for Tundra 2019 fuel pump recall. It's been 2 weeks.
Chris wrote on February 5, 2021 - 5:41pm
My 2006 prius was still getting 40+ mpg with nearly 200k miles on it, with roof racks on. The 12v battery was starting to get finicky though. That was one tough vehicle and I was not kind to it My biggest problems with that car were not the batteries brakes or any electrical or mechanical but with the damn tire pressure sending valves that always leaked.
Sorinel Dita wrote on February 6, 2021 - 9:40am
Am un prius din 2017 ,ce trebuie avut în vedere pentru o folosire îndelungată . Ce nu trebuie făcut în exces?
Prius man wrote on February 7, 2021 - 2:08pm
2006 Gen II, 345K miles with original battery and breaks when I sold it, 2010 Gen III 220K, original battery and breaks. I can see my cell voltages via Bluetooth OBDII adapter and they are perfect :)
Elaine Bradley wrote on June 25, 2021 - 12:18pm
We have ordered a rav4 prime and are waiting for it. We are told it will have the nickel ...battery. How is the care of this battery different in terms of charging, is its behavior different? If the battery is under the car, how does it resist road salt and pot hole damage? We are in northern ontario canada.
Tom wrote on July 20, 2021 - 11:56am
I bought a 2009 Camry Hybrid in August 2008. It has 250,000 miles on it and still going, though no longer getting hybrid-style mileage. Original battery must be close to its end, but only had to replace the 12-v once (it does cost $300 or so to replace). Broke a spring once on Michigan roads, but other than that no major repairs. Just oil change every 5k and the occasional hybrid maintenance (braking system fluid...)
Bill Milligan wrote on September 13, 2021 - 10:30am
The red Venza in the picture is an LE and definitely not a Limited. I myself own a Limited in the same color with the Advanced Technology Package and love it!!
Santiago B Tejada wrote on October 19, 2021 - 11:08am
My Prius 2008 (generation II) still with me, got the hybrid battery "replaced" at 362,000 miles and 13 years on the road. The battery "replacement" was done at the dealership (Earl Stewart Toyota), but all the did was to replaced about 4 damaged cartridges for about $3,000. They call it "hybrid battery replacement". Luckily I got $1,000 off from Toyota HQ.
Kelly wrote on January 24, 2022 - 8:50am
I have a 2010 Prius with 257,000 miles, never replaced the battery!
Susan wrote on April 3, 2022 - 1:08pm
Am I cutting the life of both my batteries by not driving much? I kept changing my 12 volt and the mechanic said to drive more, and I think that helped. But for the past 2 years I have stored my car with the 12 volt unconnected for 4 months while out of town. But now this 2008 Prius needs a new hybrid battery at only 50,000 miles. One person told me that the age of the hybrid battery is more important than the miles. True?? (I live in a remote town without hybrid specialists.) Thanks!