Hybrid won't start: 12V battery dead
A hybrid needs its small 12-volt battery to wake up the system, so when that battery is flat the car stays dark even if the big hybrid battery is charged. A jump to the 12-volt system usually brings it back; if it keeps dying, the 12-volt battery needs replacing.
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Likely causes
- Small 12-volt battery worn out with age
- Car parked for a while without being driven
- Dome light, dash camera or charger left on
- Hatch or door not fully closed
- Heat shortening the 12-volt battery's life
Try this first
- Press the brake firmly, push the power button once and look for 'Ready'
- Hold the fob against the power button in case its battery is low
- Close every door and the hatch completely
- Check your owner's manual for the jump point, which is often under the hood even when the battery sits in the back
- Never touch orange cables or covers; they're high voltage
When to call us
- The dash stays dark or flickers
- You can't find the jump point or the battery
- The 12-volt battery has gone flat more than once
Jump startDead battery? We bring a booster to your car and get it running.$49–$75+ $19 dispatch
Call (469) 619-8700 or request online.
In danger or blocking traffic? Call 911 first.
We come to where your car is
Day or night: your driveway, the parking garage at work or the shoulder of the freeway.
Questions
01Is my big hybrid battery dead?
Usually not. When a hybrid won't power on at all, the 12-volt battery is by far the more common cause. The large battery tends to show other warning signs first.
02Can a hybrid be jump-started safely?
Yes, through the 12-volt system and the jump points the maker provides. The high-voltage system is never part of a jump start.
Also useful
- Car clicks but won't start
- Car won't start and makes no sound
- Car cranks slowly or struggles to start
- Car dies right after a jump start
- Battery light came on while driving
- Push-button start car won't start
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