Just don’t buy a Toyota Hybrid until you search the term “Toyota hybrid system failure” Now there’s some good electrical system failure reading!
Here’s a good one:
“On June 13th, 2008 I was traveling in my 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid on interstate 15 between Las Vegas & Barstow, CA when suddenly, without warning, my car lost power and effectively shut down. On the dash the warning “Hybrid system failure” appeared. After easing my car off the freeway I observed smoke coming from under the hood and within minutes a small flame appeared from under the engine compartment. I watched, helpless, as the car became engulfed in flames and was destroyed” http://getsatisfaction.com/toyota/topics/my_camry_hybrid_caught_fire_and_toyota_doesnt_care
Just a taste:
“THE DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT/ THE NAVIGATION DEVICE/ STEREO SYSTEM, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE MOUNTED”
&
“WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK PE04077_CAT”
That sounds fun, especially the “problem recurred” part.
Honda is no different, a search of Honda electrical problems brings up page after page of problems but this is what caught my eye:
You can get yourself a slightly used CRV and get a class action law suit thrown in! http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/05/honda_crv_fires.html