An illuminated “Check Hybrid System” warning light on a 2013 Toyota Prius Hybrid could mean that there’s a serious problem with your hybrid battery or it could be a minor issue.

The potential costs of high-voltage battery replacement rank high on the list of concerns for hybrid owners, so it’s no wonder that people are less than enthusiastic to see the “Check Hybrid System” light appear on their dashboard. But before you throw up your hands in despair and dismay, you should know that it might not be that bad!

An illuminated “Check Hybrid Engine” light can indicate a high-voltage battery that’s headed to hybrid Valhalla or it could be something minor—like a blown fuse, bad wiring, or a faulty engine fan. Read on to learn more!

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What does the “check hybrid system” warning light mean?

First things first: just because the “Check Hybrid System” light in your 2013 Toyota Prius is on doesn’t automatically mean that your hybrid battery is on the way out.

It’s kind of like how a “Check Engine” light is often caused by a loose gas cap. Even though neither one of these lights is a welcome sight, they can appear due to a wide range of problems, from something very minor to something really wrong.

But here’s the thing: figuring out why the “Check Hybrid Engine” light is on is typically something that requires a trip to a dealership or a mechanic. The joys of car ownership!

In some cases, the “Check Hybrid Engine” light turns on because a check of the hybrid system has failed, but it could fail due to a number of things. A blown fuse, loose gas cap, wiring issues, fan malfunction, and problems with the smaller 12-volt battery can all lead to a failed hybrid systems check.

In this case, the warning light is likely to be yellow. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore it, mind you—it just means that the problem is not necessarily a catastrophe.

If, however, the light is red, you might want to be a tad concerned. Called the “Red Triangle of Death” by some Prius owners, this color is an indication that something is quite wrong with your high-voltage battery.

In this case, Toyota recommends that you stop driving your Prius immediately and contact your Toyota dealership. Once you’ve stopped screaming, that is.

In all honesty, you’re going to want to take your Prius to a mechanic or dealership for diagnostics right away, no matter what color the warning light is. Ignoring a warning light can potentially turn a minor problem into a major one, so don’t wait.

The dealership can scan your Prius for error codes to locate the source of the trouble. The code you really don’t want to get? The feared and loathed

P0A80 code

. This is the one that indicates that your hybrid battery is in need of replacement.

In general, a hybrid battery on a Prius should last about eight to ten years, but this varies a bit depending on your usage and what kind of climate you store your Prius in. So with a 2013 Toyota Prius, you’ve unfortunately started to reach the point where the battery might begin to go a bit sideways.

The warranty on a 2013 Toyota Prius hybrid battery is typically eight years or 100,000 miles. However, if you’re in a

state that has adopted California emissions laws

, then the warranty is for ten years or 150,000 miles. So depending on where you live, the hybrid battery on your 2013 Prius might still be under warranty!

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When to replace your 2013 Toyota Prius Hybrid battery

A lifespan of eight to ten years or up 150,000 or 200,000 miles is pretty standard for a high-voltage hybrid battery. The other thing that’s standard is the painfully high cost of replacing a high-voltage battery.

In general, you can expect a new hybrid battery for a 2013 Toyota Prius to cost between $2,200 and $4,500. This may vary according to where you live and where you get the replacement done.

The good news is that the 2013 Toyota Prius has held its value quite well—Kelley Blue Book gives it a Fair Market Range of around $14,000 to $17,000. So if you can swing a new battery, it just might be a good investment, and means that you’ll be cruising in your Prius for many more years!

Another option to consider is a used or rebuilt battery. These go for around $1,200 and can be a way to save a little money on replacement costs. That being said, they’re not likely to last as long—so take that into consideration.

If you opt for a non-OEM battery, then you’ll have to take your Prius to an independent mechanic shop, as Toyota won’t install it.

If you do go for a used battery, make sure you do your research. Is there any warranty offered on it? Are you able to inspect it and test it for error codes before you buy it? You don’t want that “money-saving” used battery to end up costing you more down the road!

Signs of hybrid battery failure

Besides the warning light glaring (and sometimes buzzing) at you in an accusatory fashion, there are a few other signs to look out for that might indicate battery failure in your 2013 Toyota Prius.

Don’t ignore the following signs:

Decreased fuel economy. A 2013 Toyota Prius has an EPA rating of 48 mpg in combined driving. Your mileage can vary according to how you drive, but If you notice that you’re getting significantly less mileage than that, it could mean battery trouble.

Strange charging behavior. If the battery in your Prius is slow to charge or doesn’t seem to be holding a charge, it’s an indicator that the battery may not be in the best shape.

A gasoline engine that’s working harder. If the old-school internal combustion part of your Prius is acting like it’s working extra hard or is showing new patterns in how often it engages, this could be a sign of a failing battery.

Noisy fan. A malfunctioning battery will often overheat, causing the cooling fan to run more than usual. If the fan’s on a lot, it could mean battery trouble.

These signs generally hold true for any hybrid vehicle. The other hybrid models that Toyota currently sells are:

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Toyota Prius Prime

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Prime

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Happy hybriding!

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