8 replies to this topic

[Milou]

Hello everyone,

as you can see this is my first post here. Being a member on other forums makes me confident to post here and get some feedback.

I own a 2006 GS450h which I bought used from the UK 1 1/2 years ago. The car was an approved used with full service history. It now has 60k miles on it.
About a month ago the engine light shown in the dash and I was reading check hybrid system. I took the car to Lexus garage. They checked with their diagnostic and said that this could be a control unit on the batteries or the batteries. We tried the CU but the problem was still there. So they now say it's the batteries, they cost 4k plus labour so I Decided to ask on the forum if anyone else faced the same problem.
From their side Lexus states that this is the first time they have batteries failing on these cars. They search on their network and said this is the first case in the EU.
Anyone who could share some knowledge would be very appreciated

[ABMA]

Sorry for having problems with your Lexus.
I believe the batteries and the hybrid components are covered under warranty. Check with your dealer.
This is copied from Lexus site :(Lexus Hybrid vehicles are provided with a five-year/60,000-mile hybrid component warranty. Any defect that is attributable to a manufacturing or assembly defect under normal use is covered by the warranty).

Let us know how you get with things.
Ahmed

[Milou]

Thank you Ahmed,

I think I lost the warranty because my car is a 2006 model with a little more than 60,000 miles.

[dave1]

Thank you Ahmed,

I think I lost the warranty because my car is a 2006 model with a little more than 60,000 miles.

Still worth pursuing Lexus over it. They may still cover it.

[steve2006]

I was also told the same by Lexus Derby (UK) in that a hybrid battery pack had never been replaced but I had heard that the control unit (Inverter pack) had failed on some vehicles.
Your vehicle is very close to the warranty period so as advised previously I would push for a full warranty replacement or at the very worst a 50/50 joint liability.
BTW which EU country are you in? As it may be worth contacting Lexus head Office in your country if this is the 1st ever battery pack to fail.
I imagine Lexus would not want it to be widely known that a customer has been faced with a large invoice for battery pack replacement particularly as they are heavily into the hybrid system.

[fjcfarrar]

I was also told the same by Lexus Derby (UK) in that a hybrid battery pack had never been replaced but I had heard that the control unit (Inverter pack) had failed on some vehicles.
Your vehicle is very close to the warranty period so as advised previously I would push for a full warranty replacement or at the very worst a 50/50 joint liability.
BTW which EU country are you in? As it may be worth contacting Lexus head Office in your country if this is the 1st ever battery pack to fail.
I imagine Lexus would not want it to be widely known that a customer has been faced with a large invoice for battery pack replacement particularly as they are heavily into the hybrid system.

The problem with batteries in hybrid vehicles is that they WILL fail/lose capacity. ALL rechargeable batteries have a finite life. It is just a question of when they will fail. The design criterion is that they should last the life of the vehicle as defined by the manufacturer - Toyota guarantee theirs for 8 years/100000miles and in some US states for 15 years. Generally, they have been found to exceed the mileage side by a large factor, although the time factor is not yet fully proven because they haven't been around that long.
It will be interesting to see what Lexus will do to help you with your problem - it is in their own best interest to maintain their reputation for long-term reliabilty given that the second-hand market and to some degree new sales are already depressed by rumours (apparently completely unfounded) of LIKELY and huge replacement costs for the batteries. Maybe a longer guarantee period would persuasively allay customer's fears and definitively prove they are not shared by Lexus? It would cost them nothing if there is no problem. After all Kia offer long warranties to convince people it is worth buying their products.

[sme]

I have just had the same indications, engine symbol and Check Hybrid System. The engine cut out and the car was running on battery only. Fault diagnosis showed Transmission Fluid Low Pressure and it seems the transmission has failed. The car is a 2006 model with 75k miles. Fortunately the vehicle is under warranty as the repair is expected to run to £3500.

[sysconp1]

Hi,
I recently bought a used 07 GS450H here in Ireland. I was quite fortunate as the car was taken for a service before I accepted delivery and the Hybrid battery had failed. As the car was covered under warranty (only 6 months left) they replaced the battery free of charge. The price for one of those batteries over here was €5000! So it seems that they are aware of batteries failing close to the warranty. Have to say that the GS450H is probably the best car I have driven by a long way.

[The Swede]

Good to know.

So what is the warranty on the batteries in Europe?