Bad transmission - fix or sell?
Thread Starter
2nd gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Bad transmission - fix or sell?
Hi all! I'm new here and would appreciate some advice. I have a 2010 HS 250h with 150,000 miles. It's been running fine but the other day, it shut down in the middle of a drive. The check hybrid sytem warning light came on, and the car didn't move when I pushed the accelerator. I was able to restart the car and drive it back home (1/4 mile), but it gave out again. I was able to coast to park it. Our mechanic got the following codes:
P0A7A generator inverter performance
P0A92 hybrid generator performance
subcode P0571-115 and P0A1B -788
The mechanic called Lexus and determined that the transmission is bad. I spoke with a hybrid specialist who was convinced that it's the hybrid battery. I can get a used, low mileage transmission for $1000 but installation will be costly ($3000 or more). I can get a used, low mileage hybrid battery installed with a three year warranty for $2200. Either way, I guess there's no guarantee that the car won't need both!
Should I fix it? If yes, in what order? If no, how much should I sell it for? The car is cosmetically in pretty good coniditon, except for a crack in the driver's seat leather. We repaired it with a patch. It has newish tires. It does turn on and move, but I'm guessing it will shut down again mid-drive. I live in SoCal. Any help and advice would be much appreciated!
P0A7A generator inverter performance
P0A92 hybrid generator performance
subcode P0571-115 and P0A1B -788
The mechanic called Lexus and determined that the transmission is bad. I spoke with a hybrid specialist who was convinced that it's the hybrid battery. I can get a used, low mileage transmission for $1000 but installation will be costly ($3000 or more). I can get a used, low mileage hybrid battery installed with a three year warranty for $2200. Either way, I guess there's no guarantee that the car won't need both!
Should I fix it? If yes, in what order? If no, how much should I sell it for? The car is cosmetically in pretty good coniditon, except for a crack in the driver's seat leather. We repaired it with a patch. It has newish tires. It does turn on and move, but I'm guessing it will shut down again mid-drive. I live in SoCal. Any help and advice would be much appreciated!
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 328
Likes: 203
From: NV
Have all recalls been completed? Recall HLE involved replacing the transaxle due to possible generator failure.
RCMN-17V619-6500.pdf
Condition
A manufacturing issue in an electric motor in the involved vehicle’s hybrid drivetrain may cause components to wear, leading to a potential short circuit. This condition will illuminate warning lights and warning messages. In most cases, the vehicle will enter a fail-safe mode, resulting in reduced propulsion and allowing the vehicle to be driven safely for a limited distance. Under rare conditions, the hybrid system could shut down. While power steering and braking assist will function normally, a hybrid system shut down while driving at higher speeds could increase the risk of a crash.
A manufacturing issue in an electric motor in the involved vehicle’s hybrid drivetrain may cause components to wear, leading to a potential short circuit. This condition will illuminate warning lights and warning messages. In most cases, the vehicle will enter a fail-safe mode, resulting in reduced propulsion and allowing the vehicle to be driven safely for a limited distance. Under rare conditions, the hybrid system could shut down. While power steering and braking assist will function normally, a hybrid system shut down while driving at higher speeds could increase the risk of a crash.
RCMN-17V619-6500.pdf
CL Community Team
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,208
Likes: 1,735
From: VA
Nevada is correct. You need to first contact Lexus via the phone number (page 5) in the PDF link above to determine if this vehicle has been repaired under the recall. Have your VIN available to read to them. They will have a record if it was repaired.
If it has not been repaired you need to a find out from Lexus if it can still be repaired under the recall for free. Some recalls do have an expiration date and it has been 8 years since it was announced.
You may also be able to look up if it was repaired under the recall at the USDOT-NHTSA link: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
If not covered by the recall you need to decide if you want to potentially invest $5200 in a vehicle that is not worth that much on trade in if it is running. Or if it will be cheaper to repair what you know than spend more on another vehicle. As it is now you could probably get a few hundred from automobile recyclers, just call a few or your mechanic probably knows someone.
If it has not been repaired you need to a find out from Lexus if it can still be repaired under the recall for free. Some recalls do have an expiration date and it has been 8 years since it was announced.
You may also be able to look up if it was repaired under the recall at the USDOT-NHTSA link: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
If not covered by the recall you need to decide if you want to potentially invest $5200 in a vehicle that is not worth that much on trade in if it is running. Or if it will be cheaper to repair what you know than spend more on another vehicle. As it is now you could probably get a few hundred from automobile recyclers, just call a few or your mechanic probably knows someone.
Last edited by Clutchless; Jul 20, 2025 at 06:18 AM.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: IL
Hybrid inverter
My 2012 hs250h died on the expressway a few months ago and it was due to the hybrid inverter failing at 160,000 miles. A used one was put in for $1k and that solved it. 👌 I hope it is your hybrid inverter that is the problem, in which case it is a 1-step fix. Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. Don't jump at the dealer recommendation that it's a transmission issue; investigate with other hybrid specialists in town. I doubt if the hybrid battery will die that abruptly; usually degrades very gradually
Thread Starter
2nd gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi @Nevada @Clutchless and @Tumbles ! Thank you very much for your responses. I did check the NHTSA link, but my VIN wasn't listed. I never thought to call Lexus, but will keep that in mind for the future.
One hybrid mechanic did mention the inverter, but in the end, I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into the car only to find that the something else needed fixing. A mechanic bought the car from me for a decent price, so I think it's a win win. Thanks again!
One hybrid mechanic did mention the inverter, but in the end, I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into the car only to find that the something else needed fixing. A mechanic bought the car from me for a decent price, so I think it's a win win. Thanks again!
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