The ninth-generation Camry (XV80) dropped the V6 and went all-hybrid. Every one uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid making 225 hp with front-drive or 232 hp with AWD. Owners love the mileage. What surprises some of them is that the car can be totally "dead" while its big hybrid battery is perfectly fine.
Why a hybrid still has a 12-volt battery
The hybrid pack moves the car. The 12-volt battery runs the computers, locks, lights and the relays that wake up the hybrid system. If the 12-volt is flat, nothing turns on, so the car can't connect the big battery and get to READY. No READY, no driving.
Symptoms that point to the 12-volt
| What happens | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Push start, nothing happens, dash dark or flickering | 12-volt battery flat |
| Key fob won't unlock the doors | 12-volt flat (use the mechanical key in the fob) |
| Dash lights up but READY never appears, lots of warning lights | Low 12-volt voltage, or a hybrid system fault |
| Car runs fine but shows a hybrid system warning while driving | Hybrid system problem. Dealer visit |
| Dead after sitting a week or more | 12-volt slowly drained while parked |
How to jump a 2025+ Camry
Your owner's manual shows the exact jump-start point for your car. Use that spot, even if the battery itself is somewhere else.
- Find the jump-start point shown in the manual
- Connect red to the positive terminal, then red to the donor battery's positive
- Connect black to the donor's negative, then black to a bare metal ground on the Camry
- Press the power button with your foot on the brake and wait for READY
- Leave it in READY for 20 to 30 minutes so the hybrid system can recharge the 12-volt
Why the 12-volt dies
- Short trips. The 12-volt only charges while the car is in READY. Ten-minute errands don't give it much.
- Sitting. A car parked for a week or two can drain it, especially with a dash cam or plug-in accessory.
- Age. Like any battery, it wears out with time and heat.
- Leaving it in accessory mode. Sitting in the car with the screen on but not in READY drains the 12-volt.
What it costs
| Job | Who | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| 12-volt battery, 2025 Camry | Dealer | $259 to $305 (KBB) |
| Brake pads for comparison, 2025 Camry | Dealer | $287 to $337 per axle (KBB) |
| 12-volt battery under warranty | Toyota dealer | Usually $0 within the 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty if it fails a test |
| Hybrid battery | Toyota dealer | Covered 10 years/150,000 miles for 2020 and newer models |
KBB's numbers are for one Ohio ZIP. A parts store install may be cheaper, but make sure they use the right type and size for your car.
What to ask the shop
- "Can you test the 12-volt and show me the result?"
- "Is this battery covered under my warranty?"
- "Is the replacement the right type for a hybrid Camry?"
- "Any open recalls or software updates for my VIN?"
Is it worth fixing?
Always. A 12-volt battery is the cheapest fix a hybrid will ever need, and on a 2025 or 2026 Camry it's likely still under warranty. Don't let anybody talk you into hybrid battery work until the 12-volt has been tested.
More Camry help is on the Toyota Camry repair page. Brakes squeaking? See our Camry brake pad cost guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
