Hybrid and EV Repair in Sacramento

Who does this page connect me with?

Sacramento Mechanic Line is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tesla, Toyota, Honda or any other vehicle maker or dealer. Tesla, Prius and the other names here are trademarks of their owners. Callers talk with independent local mechanics who work on hybrid and electric vehicles, and you agree on the price and the work directly with the shop.

What can an independent shop repair on a hybrid or EV, and what can't it?

It depends on the job, the vehicle and the shop's training. The U.S. Department of Energy says the maintenance needs of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles, that brakes generally last longer because of regenerative braking, and that all-electric vehicles need less maintenance because they have fewer fluids and moving parts. The table below sorts common jobs by who typically does them.

• Often done by independent shops: brake service, tires, suspension and alignment, cabin filters, and the gasoline engine side of a hybrid, assuming the shop works on your model.
• Needs high-voltage training and the maker's procedures: diagnosing or replacing the high-voltage battery, inverter, drive motor, charging system or high-voltage cables.
• Handled by the manufacturer: safety recalls, and repairs the warranty covers for free. Tesla's own FAQ for independent shops says independent maintenance facilities should send customers to Tesla Service to resolve a recall bulletin.
• Handled at a licensed Smog Check station: the Smog Check itself, which hybrids need and fully electric vehicles don't.

What training should a hybrid or EV technician have?

Hybrid and EV systems run at 400 to 1,000 volts, according to the Department of Energy, and the cables are orange. That is enough to cause serious injury, so the shop should be able to explain how it works safely. ASE's electrified-vehicle safety standards, written for shops, say technicians who work on these vehicles must be trained and tested in identifying the high-voltage components and circuits and the warning lights and labels on the vehicle, must follow the manufacturer's de-energizing procedures, and use lockout and tagout so no one re-energizes a vehicle by accident. The standards also say shops should align with NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements, and note that OSHA electrical safety training is required by law while NFPA 70E itself is not.

ASE also offers the Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) test. It covers the high-voltage battery system, the engine, drive systems, power electronics and supporting systems, and requires passing the A6 electrical and A8 engine performance tests first, plus work experience. ASE's separate xEV safety certifications cover electrified vehicles more broadly. Certification of this kind belongs to individual technicians, so ask the shop who will work on your car and what training that person has.

Can an independent shop repair a Tesla?

Tesla publishes repair and maintenance information for independent businesses and individuals at service.tesla.com, including service manuals, a parts catalog, wiring diagrams and do-it-yourself guides, and sells parts and tools. Tesla's Toolbox diagnostic software, which is sold by subscription, lets a technician plugged into a vehicle view information and run commands. Tesla's FAQ says a service manual lets a shop perform any repair listed, regardless of warranty status.

There are limits. Tesla says independent shops should refer customers to Tesla Service for recall bulletins. Tesla's service manual also says it does not support third-party replacement, used or recycled parts and warns that using them may invalidate the vehicle warranty. Federal law is narrower: the FTC says a manufacturer can't void a warranty only because you used an independent shop or aftermarket part, but can deny coverage for damage it shows was caused by a defective part or a bad repair. Check your Tesla's warranty terms before choosing, and ask the shop what parts it uses.

Tesla's warranty covers the battery and drive unit for 8 years with a mileage limit that depends on the model, 100,000 to 150,000 miles, with at least 70% battery capacity retention, and a basic vehicle warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles. Warranty repairs are done by Tesla.

What about a Prius or other Toyota hybrid?

Toyota covers the hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles on model year 2020 and newer hybrids, and covers hybrid-related components such as the hybrid control module and the inverter with converter for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Lexus lists the same hybrid battery term. Honda lists an 8-year, 100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty, and 10 years or 150,000 miles in California. Cars.com reports that many hybrids and plug-in hybrids bought in California have extended high-voltage battery coverage of 10 years or 150,000 miles, and that for all-electric vehicles federal rules require coverage for eight years or 100,000 miles. Ask a dealer to check your VIN.

Check recalls too. One NHTSA recall covers certain 2013 to 2015 Prius and 2014 to 2017 Prius V vehicles, where excessive voltage in the inverter's power module may shut down the hybrid system and cause a stall. Dealers update the software and repair or replace the inverter if needed, at no charge. Whether your Prius is covered depends on its VIN.

Do hybrids and EVs need a Smog Check?

Hybrids do, and fully electric vehicles don't. BAR requires a Smog Check for gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles from model year 1976 on, every other year at registration renewal and at change of ownership, with exceptions for the newest model years. Electric vehicles are exempt. Your DMV renewal notice tells you whether a check is due on your hybrid, and the check must be done at a licensed station.

What does hybrid or EV repair cost?

Reliable cost ranges for hybrid and EV repair are hard to find. The sources used here give brand-level figures, such as RepairPal's average annual repair cost of $441 for Toyota and $551 for Lexus, against $652 for all vehicles, but no Prius-specific or Tesla-specific price. The Department of Energy says replacing a battery outside warranty is expected to be a significant expense, and manufacturers typically don't publish replacement prices. Get a written estimate that separates diagnosis, parts and labor, and ask whether the part is new, rebuilt or used, since California requires that to be shown on the estimate and invoice.

How do I check a hybrid or EV mechanic?

Every auto repair business in California must be registered with BAR. Search in the DCA license search for status and disciplinary history, or use BAR's Auto Shop Locator. Then ask these questions. Consumer Reports says to take an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid to a shop that specializes in that type.

• Which hybrid or electric models do you work on, and have you worked on mine?
• Who will work on the car, and what high-voltage safety training do they have?
• Do you follow the manufacturer's service information and de-energizing procedures?
• What parts do you use, and what is the warranty on parts and labor?
• Should this repair go to a dealer because of a recall or warranty?

Frequently asked questions

Available across the Sacramento area

• Sacramento
• Elk Grove
• Roseville
• Folsom
• Citrus Heights
• Rancho Cordova
• Rocklin
• Lincoln
• Davis
• West Sacramento
• Woodland
• El Dorado Hills
• Carmichael
• Fair Oaks
• Orangevale
• Arden-Arcade
• Antelope
• North Highlands
• Granite Bay
• Gold River
• Rio Linda
• Galt
• Auburn
• Cameron Park
• Placerville
• Loomis