Common Issues in Hybrid Cars: A Guide by Master Service Electro

Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Lexus RX, KIA Niro, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Fusion, and others – what challenges do hybrid car owners commonly face? STS engineers have compiled the top 5 frequent concerns.

No time to read? Schedule a hybrid diagnosis right away.

Hybrid High-Voltage Battery Diagnosis and Repair

Let's explore the reasons for diagnosing and possibly repairing the hybrid high-voltage battery.

• Purchasing a used hybrid requiring comprehensive battery diagnostics. Unlike Nissan Leaf and the Leaf Spy app, this process is performed exclusively with specialized equipment.
• Movement issues: car fails to start, loses speed when climbing, and more.
• Regular fuel overconsumption.
• Warning code "Check Hybrid System" on the dashboard.
• The car was involved in an accident with an impact on the battery area, possibly causing a breach in high-voltage insulation.
• Battery lifespan has expired, averaging eight years.\

Diagnostics are conducted:

• In motion, evaluating voltage levels in each cell during various driving phases.
• On a stand, removing the battery and connecting it to specialized diagnostic equipment.
• Visual inspection, checking connections, terminals, and other components involved in battery operation, such as cooling air ducts or cooling fans.

In battery diagnostics, no detail is too small. Below is a case illustrating how a visual inspection and masterful expertise saved both the car owner's battery and money.

STS Electro Case

Issue: A Toyota Camry hybrid owner requested battery replacement due to constant malfunctions. During visual diagnostics, masters identified an issue with air ducts participating in battery cooling. In this model, they are located on the sides of the rear-row passenger seats. The owner accidentally covered the air ducts with non-hybrid model covers.

Solution: The air ducts were uncovered, the battery was cooled, and the owner saved both money and nerves.

Hybrid Car High-Voltage Battery Repair can be:

• Partial, involving the replacement of some elements.
• Complete, replacing the entire unit.

Repair of the Hybrid Cooling System

Common cases reported to STS Electro involve issues with the coolant pump and/or cooling radiator

In both situations, driver forgetfulness is the main cause. In the first case, car owners miss the manufacturer-recommended replacement of the coolant pump. In the second, they forget to change the coolant. Consequences can be severe, leading to a major repair of the hybrid system.

For reference: The coolant pump should be replaced every 120,000 km, and the coolant should be changed every four years.

STS Case

Issue: Random overheating of the inverter in an Infinity QX 50 Hybrid. The cooling system works fine during fast movement but overheats during slow speeds. No one could figure out the problem, but our masters recognized this issue. One of the coolant pumps caused the problem.

Solution: The coolant pump was replaced, miraculously saving the inverter. The owner was unaware that this component needed periodic replacement.

Hybrid Air Conditioning System Repair

Most commonly, car owners report compressor failures in the air conditioning system. This usually occurs due to a lack of refrigerant. As an unofficial rule, the car's air conditioning system should be checked twice a year: in spring and fall.

Important: STS has the world's only diagnostic stand for electric air conditioner compressors with voltages ranging from 140 to 400 V. Developed by our equipment engineering department.

Fuel Overconsumption Issues in Hybrids

Primary causes of fuel overconsumption:

• Hybrid system problems, low capacity, or high-voltage battery overheating.
• Failures in the fuel-air mixture preparation intake system: λ-zone, air flow meter, catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation valve, fuel supply pump, air or fuel filter.
• Thermostat malfunction in the cooling system.
• Low tire pressure, brake malfunctions.
• Internal combustion engine wear.

Solution: Diagnosis of the hybrid based on actual parameters, decoding, and

STS Electro Case

Issue: Fuel overconsumption in a Toyota Camry.

Solution: During diagnostics, masters identified an EGR valve malfunction. The valve was replaced, fuel consumption was normalized, and the owner saved money.

Hybrid Transmission Repair

A common issue among hybrid cars. Solution: Regular oil changes in transmission elements, even if the manufacturer claims the material is designed for the entire hybrid lifespan. It's essential to understand that the vehicle's expected service life, as assumed by automakers, differs from the actual one.

Conclusion

Pay attention to typical problems in hybrid cars, perform timely replacement of components and consumables – and your car will serve you as long as you desire. If a breakdown occurs, you know where to turn.