Lexus RX450H Hybrid Battery Removal & Reinstallation (2010-2015)

This video is a step by step guide on how to remove and reinstall the hybrid battery on a Lexus RX450H (2010-2015).
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- Brief introduction
- Disconnect 12 volt battery
- Trim and panel removal
- Service plug removal
- Seat removal and seat retention wire removal
- Traction battery removal
- Cleaning of battery compartment
- Traction battery re-installation
- Traction battery, fan and air duct installation
- Seat and seat retention wire reinstallation
- Trim and panel replacement
- Service plug installation and reconnection of 12 volt battery
- Brief outro
This video is for reference purposes only, we recommend having an understanding of basic electricity principles and high voltage batteries before attempting any maintenance or battery installations. For individuals with limited understanding of electricity and batteries please allow a trained professional to complete this type of work for you. Please adhere to all safety recommendations when working with high voltage battery packs. Palmetto Battery Pros accepts no responsibility for topics covered in this video, damages, injuries or death resulting from working on hybrid and or lithium batteries. Perform any maintenance on your own vehicles at your own risk.

[@unebonnevie]

Awesome! Thank you for showing the major steps. Looks like the Lexus owner of the RX450h in the vid is also a pet owner! Dog hairs EVERYWHERE! Those battery must be kept clean for longer lasting battery.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thanks for watching!

[@roccit]

Excellent video, thanks for this! Learned a ton!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I really appreciate your comment Rocco! Thank you.

[@lawrenceralph7481]

Thanks. Having an 08 HyH traction battery replaced tomorrow. Good to know what to look for.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Good luck! Keep those vent covers clean.

[@user-kf2up4ig6j]

great video--couldna done it without it!! I ordered a factory OEM battery. Was totally surprised when I saw that I had to disassemble my old battery and remove all the wiring. Not a job for the faint of heart!!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Sounds like you made it through. I appreciate the comment. Apologies for the late reply, I’m swamped with work and backed up on video production.

[@nhuvo9400]

Great video, thank you ☺️

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thanks for watching! I really appreciate the compliment.

[@jsol2480]

I keep reading and hearing that the lexus hybrids last upto 200k miles or more if its "properly maintained". Good to know that debris and dog hair will affect battery the battery life as well because of the cooling. Very helpful video thank you!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thank you!

[@dave9229]

I have same car and I believe it's great information that you have shared

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

We really appreciate your comment Dave. Cheers!

[@dannazhou4326]

Really detailed instructions

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

[@user-rh7tk3cu3t]

Incredible much respect...Very helpful video thank you!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!!

[@user-rh7tk3cu3t]

@@PalmettoBatteryProsmy Lexus 450 RXh keeps dying, it's happened a couple of times more and I think it needs a new computer and interestingly enough it happens when it rains, or if I hit the power button on and off rapidly ....and then I have to take the white cables in the front off (located in the box on the driver's side under the hood) and take the black cable off the battery wait for 15 minutes and then reconnect everything and it starts again I think the computer is bad or maybe there's a short in a cable I've already changed a few fuses keeps happening

[@pmacc3557]

Great work 👍👏

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thank you!

[@sparklemoss1027]

Like your attention to detail

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I really appreciate that. I always try to find a balance between too much and not enough.

[@JockeyCake]

Than you this amazing video

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. Give us a subscribe and thumbs up.

[@pablopicaro7649]

1:34 Power is off - can't move seats. need to move Seats BEFORE disconnecting power. thanks for the video!!!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Yes, I just hooked up the 12v to move seats.

[@eleanormassaro5195]

Is this specific to the hybrid RX? Because I can move my power seats forward and back without turning my RX on, but mine is a regular RX 350

[@JosBakker1970]

Awesome video, very clear! Only thing i would like to see more is how you test the battery and determine it is bad, and needs replacement or repair if possible. Plus where you can best buy a new battery.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Thank you very much. We ship them directly from the manufacturer to insure proper balancing.

[@geo745don]

​@@PalmettoBatteryPros Average cost

[@ronschwolsky1626]

I just can't get over how filthy that car interior was. The guy must own 10 dogs and park outside with the windows open.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

You haven't even seen the booger stash photos from a Prius I did a couple years ago.

[@victorting234]

Thank you so much for the detailed DIY installation guide. May i check with you, how these cylinderical type compared to the prismatic type? Are both do the same in term of performance? Is the cylinderical type good enough and as good as the original battery? Seems the cylinderical is easier as it come bundled and ready for swapping out the current bad battery.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I've been selling and installing these kits with the same manufacturer for 5 years now. I give 4 year warranties and they are rare to none. I have been very pleased with this product.

[@jean-philippeboutin4633]

Hi palmetto battery, how do you test or measure the batteries before re-installing the vehicle interior? Or do you simply reconnect everything and hope it works?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

If straight from manufacturer, install and good. If it’s been sitting for 4+ months, level charge the battery before installing

[@jean-philippeboutin4633]

@@PalmettoBatteryPros thanks for the response. thats super interesting! Id love to see a video about how this is done by a professional (youtube mostly has hobbyists with hobby grade chargers)

[@Dreancaidi]

How did you move the front seat all the way forward with the battery disconected? Do they run on the Nickel battery?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

The seats operate on the 12v system. I probably just connected the rear 12v to move the seats.

[@zakrstcasniisloboduz]

Hi guys. I have a question for the owners of the RX450h or anyone having experiance with it. Currently driving Prius Plus 2016,which has a small hybrid battery under armrest and heard only positive stuff about it. However, I am in love with RX450h and would love to get one. Should I stay clear off the high mileage RX 150 000 miles/250 000km or with good service history I should go for it? Or mybe better pay extra for lower mileage? Greetings!

[@BraveHelios]

Great video, thanks! My wife has the same car . Does this car have cooling fan(s) for the hybrid battery and if so, where are they? Can I inspect / access them without removing the seat? Thanks!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

The fans are on the back side of the battery. You would need to remove everything to get to them. I recommend just keeping the rear floor area as clean as possible.

[@BraveHelios]

Thank you!@@PalmettoBatteryPros

[@kubanskiloewe]

i have the same car but they are ok. I think the batteries in the car shown went bad because of all the dirt and dog hair which blocked a proper cooling !

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

That is the one thing that brings these vehicles in as early as 120K miles instead of 200+.

[@SpicyLimon4723]

Mine was great until it got water in it from a rain puddle 😢 240,000 miles

[@typenn84]

8:08 I noticed those arent lock nuts that came off the battery pos and neg. My car just smoked up after about 4k miles after installing the new battery. Im still trying to the car back running but those two bolts backed out and were loose. In the case of the negative terminal it actually fused the nut to the bolt. I guess what Im getting at is Im going to use lock nuts when I finally get everything figured out and reinstalled. Hopefully that's all the cause my car to break down on me on the highway. There was a suddenly loss of power and smoke coming from the back seats. The day prior I smelled something burning. I can send you some pictures, my battery junction block is done as the plastic melted away.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I’ve never had the nuts back off and I’ve done hundreds. Is it possible you didn’t fully torque down or left loose? The burning/fusing was from a loose connection at the ground. Any fault codes?

[@typenn84]

@@PalmettoBatteryPros P0A7A and P0A94. Im hoping the root cause of those are the battery connection. It melted the junction box so im awaiting part to replace that and repair the cable connector

[@neilbarnett3046]

(UK) Toyota say they now have a 15 year warranty on the hybrid battery, as long as you have it checked annually, separately or as part of a service. This is a specific check, not just a glance at it. I had it done separately, and it took 10 minutes, nearly long enough to drink the cup of tea the dealer made for me. Quite what happens if your battery turns out to be dicky, I have NO idea, maybe they change one cell, maybe all of it, maybe charge labour, but my 2009 RX is still fine.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Seems like a really good option.

[@JamesBrown-mt7vo]

I noticed you moved the front seat AFTER disconnecting the 12V battery. How is that possible? Was that a mistake in your video? BTW thanks for this. I'm going straight to my wife's car and clean the battery vents!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I may have moved it forward at some point by just hooking the 12v back up. Can’t remember. Vents are super important, and if you notice water getting in the cabin (via worn seals) address it immediately. The water settles at the lowest point which is unfortunately at the battery opening where the main HV cables attach to the battery.

[@lancehunt2699]

Same code popped up on my 2010. Ordered a used battery out of a crashed vehicle on ebay its about to be here.. my battery in the car now works for about a 100 miles give or take until i throws the code.. 179k miles. Should i check to see if theres something simple in the battery that needs replaced or just replace the whole thing with a new battery im getting? Thanks!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

it’s taken me years to figure out how to properly inspect, analyze and recondition these batteries. Also, I use expensive machines to test/balance modules. Given the worth, I’d see if anyone/dealership would give you money for returning it instead of trying to fix it. At 179k, the modules are low in capacity and having trouble balancing, In addition to corrosion related issues with hardware, harnesses and bus bars.

[@chautuandang5696]

Hello sir i have Lexus RX450H 2010 and now pn the board write Check Hybrid, i have go to Lexus tell me to chabge all the battery 6000usd, i live in Switzerland, you think need 100% to change or just one of piece broke to connect battery? Thabks alots

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

It needs to be replaced

[@kashifnyc]

My has just clocked 233k. Had the hybrid cooling pump code on, I had it replaced then the guy said, that battery code was popping. I think it’s time for replacement. Is it worth spending money when car fax is giving me $6500. Battery will cost me couple of grand or so? What should I do?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Its a Lexus/Toyota, so the car will run forever if taken care of and a hybrid battery replacement. If its in good shape and its just the battery, then I would repair the battery and keep the car/no payments. I'm actually looking for a well kept 400 or 450H right now with a bad battery.

[@paulcamalin5236]

Could you answer this question please if you have experienced that? I replaced the batteries on two RX450H. After 2 years and 15,000 miles on each the permanent code wont go away and I do not get any code on the panel and the car works normal. It's just that the permanent Code P0A80 (Replace Battery Pack) wont go away. Thanks!

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

If the batteries didn’t show signs of weak modules or unbalancing I would check the 12v. I’m sorry, I’ve never encountered this situation.

[@paulcamalin5236]

@@PalmettoBatteryPros No in fact the 12 volt battery is new. If there was a problem it would have shown on the panel. There is no problem with the battery and I. know all the battery modules are OK. I think this is just what Lexus does so that you have to take it to the dealer to clear the code and charge you a thousand!

[@lancehunt2699]

​@paulcamalin5236 have you ever figured that out?

[@paulcamalin5236]

@@lancehunt2699 I called a hybrid battery shop and they said this is always the case with rx450h.

[@pmacc3557]

I wonder how much a new battery costs? Would car work without it (petrol only)?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

The car must have the traction (hybrid) battery operational and the cost for the aftermarket rebuild kit is $3850 out the door

[@francisletendre1113]

Très bonne vidéo ! Combien de kilomètres avait la voiture ? Cordialement

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

278416

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Merci beaucoup

[@malehousecat]

Based on your experience with these vehicles, if properly maintained, at what mileage should we expect them to fail and if buying used, how can i tell if its failing during a test drive?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Great question. I normally see these vehicles between 150-220k. The biggest factor is dog hair and debris around the 3 vent intakes under the rear seat. If the vents are cleaned and the car was properly maintained, the battery could see 200K+, very unkept vehicles, especially with dog hair, can have battery problems around 150K or sooner. As you can see in this vehicle, the battery compartment was extremely dirty and this caused this vehicle's hybrid battery to fail at 145K. I recommend having diagnostics run on the vehicle to make sure there aren't any codes present and also check the 3 vent intakes for any debris or blockages. I would be weary of any hybrids over 150K that have signs of debris around the intakes. Check the screens behind the plastic vent covers with a flashlight. If any debris, the battery has been and is being stressed.

[@malehousecat]

@@PalmettoBatteryPros Thanks a lot. This has been very helpful. Will look out for that in my search.

[@tallsmile28]

What would be the estimate of how much a battery replacement would cost, parts and labor???

[@kubanskiloewe]

i have now 300000km on my 2010 RX450H and all is good but every year inspect these cooling filters and work of the 3 batterie cooling fans !

[@joelf5565]

@ kubanskiloewe Where are the cooling filters? Are they behind the vents and easy to access?

[@05attila]

How much cost to replace this kind of batteries ? Thanks

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

You can see our prices at www.palmettobatterypros.com

[@AbdielAlvarado-yb9gb]

Tengo un problema los ventiladores no encienden, tienen idea de que podria ser

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Bad harness possibly.

[@pngit1]

Do Lexus not clean the cooling vents as part of the servicing?

[@khnns4121]

Can you swap 2010 rx450h battery from 2016-2022 rx450h?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I honestly do not know how different the battery is, I've never opened a 2016 or newer. The manufacturer lists them as 2010-2015 so I would assume the batteries are different.

[@JustMe81579]

Do you guys just clean the area where the battery is? I feel like that should be a thing since it’s the problem for the battery needing to be replaced.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Yes, I thought I discussed that in the video.

[@kashifnyc]

Do you guys refurbish or sell these? Any recommendations for where to get the replacement battery from? I hate Lexus service folks, bunch of con artist in my opinion. Dealt with 2 diff dealership. So dishonest. How much one should pay for it for Atleast 3 yr warranty?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

We recommend the Rebuild Kits with a 4 year or 75,000 mile warranty.

[@CC-xu2yz]

That goes for all dealers, not just Lexus.

[@DustyPazner]

How much do thesw batteries usually cost?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

$3850usd

[@abstrahujacod5130]

How many kWh does this battery have?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

1000W/kg and 40Wh/kg

[@Alburhanproductions.]

What scanner tools you used to diagonsis the hybrid battery?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

We use the snap on scanner

[@reckondragon2130]

Whats the cost for a replacement battery system?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

We charge $4000

[@uzmate]

do you have a battery for rx400h 2008?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

I can order it and have it in around 2 weeks.

[@uzmate]

@@PalmettoBatteryPros what would be price for it?

[@marcuswestermark6477]

I wan planning on getting a used Lexus RX, model year 2012-2015 as my next car; unfortunately only the 450h is available in my country. Should i reconsider due to potential battery failure?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Anything past 150k is in need of a new battery

[@mikhailvershinin2292]

How much do you charge for this service ?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

The battery and installation cost is on the Hybrid Page of our website.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

palmettobatterypros.com/hybrid-battery-repair

[@colesteverson5751]

That plastic seat clip is such a pain in the ass. All my dudes hate doing it. Unless you have found an easier way

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Constant cycle. I struggle with it at first, but by the end of the job I got it. Then I don't do a RX or High for a month or so and the cycle repeats.

[@JG-ey5ml]

How much do you charge boss?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

3850 for the battery

[@covidBS4populationReduction]

price? are they brand new? what brand? warranty?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

New and $3650 shipped for the rebuild kit.

[@warehousebeveragesallouezb5638]

TOTAL TIME TO REMOVE AND RE-INSTALL?

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Removal can be done in 2 hours, re-install maybe 1 or 1.5 hr

[@angusnz7910]

Step 1 disconnect the 12v battery, step 3 is slide your ELECTRIC seat all the way forward 🤪

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Haha, curve ball. My bad.

[@reneclaudio5089]

Cuánto cobran por repararla y si puede enviarme número para llamar y pedir información saludos desde 🇵🇷

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

8437442020 weekdays 9-5 eastern time zone.

[@reneclaudio5089]

Price

[@discobee7097]

So let me get this straight..You are sitting on top of a high voltage battery set-up? That's not for me...I guess I won't be buying a hybrid vehicle anytime soon..Plus, how much does a replacement battery cost?

[@TheBurnknight]

a replacement battery is about 2000 bucks, but its not common that u have to replace it. the rx450h is just like any other lexus, reliable. + sitting on the battery doesnt really matter, lets say u see any smoke in the back seat, just stop the car ;D car batteries doesnt just spontaniously combust.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

In all the years I've worked on hybrids I have never heard of or experienced a catastrophic failure of the HV battery. Ni-MH has been around since the 70's, it is not a new chemistry and completely safe. The individual modules are low voltage and low amperage.

[@TheTrev4477]

You do realize you are sitting on top of a fuel tank in your car

[@divnaryba]

@@TheTrev4477 Lexus dos not have the li-ion accumulator, but NiMh. So there is not a problem, it is not burning. ;)

[@user-kh2zu4dj5h]

Отключили 12 В батарею и каким то образом двигали передние сиденья, да уж.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Awesome

[@user-kh2zu4dj5h]

@@PalmettoBatteryPros я и говорю чудо чудное 🤣

[@dchampion5576]

Nice video. Too bad you had to use that music. Really annoying.

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

Apologies, we stopped using the music.

[@juantorres8605]

No wonder that the batteries did not last due to not maintaining the filters free of debris. Very dirty car !

[@jevan996]

So move the seat forward then unplug the 12v batterie 😂

[@orlnz]

6000 grand for a battery

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

We have these kits for $3850

[@tomjerry4240]

Just get the 350 v6

[@PalmettoBatteryPros]

You’ll only pay roughly over a $1k extra per year in gas, so before you’ll need to address the hybrid battery you would have saved 10-12k.