What Does the “Check Hybrid System” Light Mean For a Toyota Highlander?

If the “Check Hybrid System” light comes on in your Toyota Highlander, it could mean battery failure—but it might also indicate something less severe.
Written by John Davis
background
The “Check Hybrid System” light in your Toyota Highlander can indicate a significant hybrid battery failure—but it might also be triggered by something much simpler, like a blown fuse or bad inverter. 
It’s never fun to see a warning light on your dash, much less one associated with highly-expensive repairs. And while the “Check Hybrid System” light can, in fact, indicate severe problems with your Toyota Highlander’s hybrid battery, it can be triggered by something much less severe. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this warning light and what to do if it pops up on your Toyota Highlander’s dash. 
Don't get ripped off!
Estimate repairs near you with GarageGuard™ for free so you KNOW the fair price.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged

What does the “Check Hybrid System” warning light mean? 

The “Check Hybrid System” light can mean that your hybrid battery is failing and needs to be replaced. 
But the good news is that’s only one of the many potential reasons this light might appear on your dash—it does not always mean that your battery is bad. Similar to how a check engine light doesn’t always mean your engine is faulty, the “Check Hybrid System” light can turn on for various reasons, from a minor electrical issue to a complete battery failure. 
The bad news is that it’s challenging to diagnose the cause of a “Check Hybrid System” light without a trip to the dealership or auto repair shop
The warning light is intended to come on if your Highlander’s hybrid system fails or malfunctions. However, hybrid system failures don’t automatically translate to battery failure. While a faulty hybrid battery cell—or multiple cells—can cause the light to turn on, it’s only one of many potential triggers. 
A variety of other problems—including a faulty inverter, a blown fuse, or even a lousy 12-volt battery—can trigger the “Check Hybrid System” warning light.
On some hybrid vehicles, the warning light is color-coded to aid in diagnosing the problem—red indicates serious problems, while yellow means there’s a less serious problem. However, this light is white on Toyota Highlanders, so you’ll have to take your car to the dealership or an independent repair shop for diagnosis and repair. Professional mechanics will scan your Highlander for error codes, including the infamous
P0A80 code
, which means you need a hybrid battery replacement. 
Toyota Highlander Hybrid battery packs can generally be expected to last from eight to 10 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles. If your Highlander is creeping up on either of those milestones, the chance that you’ll need a battery replacement begins to grow significantly—especially if you don’t drive your car often. 
The good news is that Toyota Hybrid vehicles come with a hybrid battery warranty. This warranty covers your lithium-ion battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you drive a newer Highlander and experience battery problems, this warranty may protect your car. 

When to replace your Toyota Highlander hybrid battery

Your Toyota Highlander Hybrid battery pack should last between eight and 10 years or around 100,000 to 150,000 miles. That’s significantly longer than a regular 12-volt car battery, but it’s pretty standard for hybrid vehicles—unfortunately, high repair costs are standard for hybrids, also. 
The average cost to replace a Toyota Highlander Hybrid battery pack ranges from $5,000 to over $7,000. The exact replacement cost will vary, depending on your Highlander’s age, model and
trim options
, your location, and the repair shop’s labor rates. If you own an older Highlander, the repair cost might even surpass the value of the car!
While the Toyota dealership has technicians explicitly trained to work on your vehicle, it will be the most expensive option. An independent shop will likely be able to provide cheaper service but may not have access to the same parts and tools. 
Another thing to consider is whether you want to replace your battery with a used or remanufactured version. Although the Toyota dealership will not replace your hybrid battery pack with anything but a new one, you can save some money going this route. In fact, you might be able to replace your hybrid battery pack with a used one for as little as $2,000—keep in mind, however, that a used battery will not be as reliable or last as long as a new one. 
Whichever replacement option you choose, don’t forget to check for system error codes before dropping a massive chunk of cash on a battery replacement. Furthermore, check to make sure your fuses are functional, your alternator is in working order, and the electronic control unit (ECU) is not malfunctioning before purchasing a new hybrid battery.

Signs of hybrid battery failure

Besides the “Check Hybrid System” warning light, there are some other issues that indicate you have a problem with your hybrid battery. Keep an eye out for these signs of hybrid battery failure: 
  • Reduced fuel economy. A 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 36 combined city and highway mpg. Older models get 25 to 30 combined mpg. If you notice your fuel economy suddenly begins to plummet, take your car in for a hybrid system check.
  • Unstable charging. If your Highlander Hybrid is unable to hold a charge, there’s a good chance there’s something wrong with the battery. Fluctuations in the state of charge are good indicators of battery problems.
  • Internal combustion engine (ICE) working harder than normal. If the internal combustion engine is kicking on more frequently, there’s a good chance your hybrid battery is malfunctioning. 
  • Excessive fan noise. Strange noises from your car are never a good sign. An overheating hybrid battery pack can cause your fan to work overtime, causing loud and noticeable fan noise. 

How to protect your Toyota Highlander hybrid battery

Although your lithium-ion hybrid battery will inevitably degrade over time, there are a few things you can do to help prolong its life. To stretch your hybrid battery’s life out for as long as possible, follow these tips:
  • Avoid high temperatures. Although your geographic location may make it difficult, try to avoid excessively hot temperatures whenever possible, as heat is a leading cause of lithium-ion battery degradation.
  • Drive the vehicle. Allowing your Highlander Hybrid to sit unused for long periods of time is an excellent way to speed up the battery degradation process. It’s essential to start the car up and take a quick drive occasionally, even if you have nowhere to go.
  • Keep up with routine maintenance.
    Routine maintenance
    is vital for the health of your entire car, not just the hybrid battery. But keeping up on maintenance will help protect the battery from degrading because the battery must work harder to run a poorly-maintained vehicle. 
 “I felt like I was paying too much for my insurance policy, so I downloaded
Jerry
. I literally only typed in 3 pieces of info and Jerry found my current insurance. In a few minutes, they pulled up 2 Progressive policies that showed $900 in savings over 6 months!” —Maeve J.
Don't get ripped off!
Estimate repairs near you with GarageGuard™ for free so you KNOW the fair price.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings