Problems with Hybrid Cars
The most obvious place to look for emerging and existing problems with used hybrid cars is with different recalls that have been issued with the different hybrid car models. One of the best places to find an updated list of these recalls is the NHTSA website, which lists safety recalls and issues with hybrid cars at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/ In addition to that database, you may want to take a look at the Automobilemag, which also uses information from the NHTSA and manufacturers for a database of safety issues at www.automobilemag.com/auto_recalls/27/hybrid_cars/index.html Apart from recalls, there are several issues and problems with hybrid cars that have been reported by hybrid car users in their reviews of the cars. For one, of course, is the price you pay for a hybrid car. Because of the novelty of the car type and the lower production numbers, the overall price of the car is usually much higher than for the similar non-hybrid model. Many aim to make up for the difference in their driving of the car, through higher miles-per-gallon numbers. However, one of the problems with hybrid automobiles is that the MPG numbers from EPA do not always corresponds well with people's individual driving habits. One of the potential problems could be the replacement cost for the electric car batteries. For example, Toyota battery packs run around $4900, but the price is expected to drop as hybrid cars become more popular. Of the Toyota hybrid cars, Toyota Prius has an 8-yr./100,000-mi. warranty on the battery and hybrid systems, and in addition a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the other parts of the car. Outside of using the hybrid car, in case of emergencies and car accidents, there is the potential danger from the rescue crew not being familiar with the hybrid cars electric systems, which may pose a danger to the rescuers as well as the passengers of the hybrid car.
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