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Toyota Auris owners – 12 volt flat batteries

By Toyota Blog
2012 Toyota Auris Hybrid

As part of Toyota’s rigorous quality control programme, we have investigated the cause of a 12 volt flat battery issue that has left some Toyota Auris drivers unable to start their cars after only a short period without use, usually a couple of days.

We would like to apologise for any disappointment and inconvenience that may have occurred as a result of this issue. But we can now confirm that the cause has been identified and a permanent solution developed.

The following information only applies to any Toyota Auris (including Hybrid) produced between December 2012 and February 2014. If you have an Auris produced after February 2014 your vehicle is not affected by this issue. No other models are involved.

Toyota Auris Hybrid Flat Battery: What causes the issue?

The issue is caused when the hazard switch is partially depressed for a very short period of time, incorrectly activating the car’s CAN-bus electrical communications system. This draws a constant flow of current that can discharge the 12 volt battery if the car is left unused for several days.

How can I prevent this from occurring?

Toyota has published a Technical Service Bulletin to its dealer network advising them of a permanent solution to this issue. The bulletin contains information and software files that will enable technicians to modify the software of the car’s combination meter. This update will prevent the incorrect activation of the CAN-bus system and prevent any potential flat battery concerns arising from this area of the vehicle.

If you still have concerns regarding the 12 volt battery of your current generation Toyota Auris then we recommend you get in touch with your nearest Toyota dealer for further assistance. http://www.toyota.co.uk/find-a-dealer

472 comments

  1. I also have the same problem with my 11 ref Auris Hybrid, where the car won’t start sometimes. I have to switch it off again, and switch anything else off (lights, fan, radio) before trying again. This seems to work, but there may be a time where it won’t work.

    I appreciate that a 12v battery won’t last forever, but this does seem to be a fault wider than the published models. Out of interest, with the advent of start/stop batteries available, would it be better to replace the 12v battery with one of those?

    Please advise, as one day I’ll be stuck whilst trying to pick up my children or going to work!

    Reply

  2. My 2013 Auris has this problem, with the battery draining when left for more than a few days. I took it to the local dealer who investigated and said it’s not caused by this and I needed a bigger battery which they got for me. The problem still happens and the dealership deny it is a problem.

    Reply

    1. Hi Diane,

      Thanks for your message. We’re sorry to hear about what you’re experiencing with your Auris and have emailed you to gain additional information. This will allow us to open a customer relations case on your behalf in order to investigate this further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. Hi, I’ve got a 2016 Auris Hybrid and keep having a problem with my 12-volt battery discharging. Its gone three times this year; twice when left for 7 days at the airport and one after 2 days. Is anyone else having these issues? I’ve had it back in for checking at the Toyota garage but they say its fine and have advised me to unplug the battery when I’m not using it – no exactly practical or helpful!

    Reply

    1. Hi Fiona,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team who will be able to help you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. I’ve had this problem again, only 7 weeks after the last check on the battery by the dealers. The car hasn’t been used for 3 days, but no sign of a problem before this. Its becoming very frustrating to keep getting told there is no problem only for it to keep draining.

      3. Hi Fiona

        Did you get this sorted? Was it expensive?

        I have a similar problem with my March 2013 Auris. I drove the cr yesterdy and parked it on my drive at 15.00. At 19.30 I went to the car but it would not stop, everything died and I could not even lock the doors.

  5. I have a 2014 low mileage Auris Estate Hybrid. We have owned it for two years and have been unable to start it about 8 times. We have had to buy a £60 jumpstart device and keep it in the car.

    Reply

      1. Hi Eric and Toyota
        We have a 13 plate Auris hybrid which we purchased 3 years ago and have experienced exactly the same flat battery problem on 5 occasions, the latest of which was this morning when we needed to go shopping for food in the middle of the lock down. The car had been standing on the drive for 3 days. It was serviced and mot’d a week ago and our dealer was asked to check the battery yet again. It was given a clean bill of health!

        We are pensioners who live in a rural area and are now stranded in the middle of a national emergency. Toyota, you have obviously been aware of this problem for several years but have failed to solve it. Shame on you! I think this would make a good story for the national press in the current circumstances. What do you think?

      2. Hi Jim,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We’re really sorry to hear about this and would like to help you further. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team who are best placed to discuss your situation with you in more detail.

        Thanks.

  6. Hi Toyota
    Thanks for your prompt response. Our local dealer came out yesterday, took the car away, replaced the battery and returned it before 5.00pm. Many thanks Alexander Wallace. However, it did cost me £145. I hope this solves the problem! If it doesn’t I shall be taking this further. I have been told that it is possible to remove a fuse to stop the battery draining. Can anyone tell me which fuse to remove? Our dealer promised to email photos but have not done so and are now closed for 3 weeks during the lock down.
    Jim

    Reply

    1. Hi Jim,

      Thanks for getting back in touch. We’re glad to hear it’s been sorted. We’ve just spoken to your dealer and the photos will be sent over as soon as possible. We’re sorry for the delay.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  7. I am having the same problem with my 2011 Auris hybrid. It struggle to start if I don’t drive it for a couple of days.

    Reply

    1. Hi Mubashir,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We’re sorry to hear about the issue your experiencing. We do have some hybrid storage advice that we hope will help.

      In addition to the storage tips for our conventionally-powered vehicles, our hybrids require additional steps for each battery, as the hybrid vehicle battery and auxiliary battery will discharge and their condition is liable to decline.

      To prevent excessive auxiliary battery drainage, charge the battery at least once every two weeks by powering on the hybrid system for 20 minutes with all non-essential electrical accessories (such as air conditioning and audio equipment) turned off. It is not necessary to drive the vehicle, but do not start the hybrid system in an enclosed area unless the tail pipe is connected to an exhaust hose to prevent harmful buildup of fumes. As an alternative, you may disconnect the negative terminal of the auxiliary battery.

      For the hybrid vehicle battery, charge the battery at least once every two months by starting the hybrid system for about 30 minutes*. Check that the “ready” light is on and all lights and electrical accessories are off. As with the auxiliary battery charging, it is not necessary to drive the vehicle, but the steps to prevent exhaust buildup must be taken.

      Alternatively, our Toyota centres do remain contactable by phone and email during this period if you wish to discuss this further. You can find your nearest centre via this link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/forms/forms?tab=pane-dealer

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Hi after calling out the AA because my Auris Excell wouldn’t start they recharged the small battery in the boot it & all was ok.They told me to turn the car over / leave running for 10 mins each day which I did but attempting on the 6th day after he had been it would not start/couldn’t lock it/dead as a dodo😞.Because of this virus contacted a lady at Bentley Toyota who told me to find a place (motor world) open & to get a new battery from them/get it fitted.This I did & you know….it works great now.My contract service comes up in June at Bentleys WARRINGTON & I will ask them to check things over during the electrical check & rectify the C bus problem on the haz warning button which has drained the old battery initially.Thank you to the lady I spoke to at Bentley for those very wise words!!ToyotaFender🤪

      Reply

  8. I have come to this site today to check this problem out and am horrified to see this problem has been known since 2014 and nothing appears to have been done about.
    For the second time during ‘lockdown’ I have had to get AA out through Toyota Breakdown as the car wouldn’t start when we have gone out to collect our shopping. Today the AA told me I’d need a new battery and charged £280 for this . We are pensioners and this was quite a shock

    Reply

      1. Hi there, we own a 65 plate Auris hybrid and the 12v battery died today, the car was serviced and MOT’d by RRG Toyota Bradford a couple of months ago and the car itself was only used yesterday for a 30 mile drive (my wife is a key worker) I had to jump start the car today and now the keyfob no longer works. Is there a way to fix this and should the 12v be checked during a service and MOT?
        Look forward to your reply.

    2. My daughter’s five year old Toyota Yaris has a flat battery. After initially getting the electrics to come on by jump leads to another Toyota which was working ok, and attempting to turn over the engine, the radio screen came on to show a bar which was filling left to right indicating an update or initialisation. The car will now not even show the original electrical connection. What to do?

      Reply

      1. Hi Sean,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We’re sorry to hear about the issue you’re experiencing with your daughter’s Yaris. In this case, we would recommend contacting your nearest Toyota centre as they are best placed to offer further advice. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with them directly.

        Thanks.

  9. Hi there, we own a 65 plate Auris hybrid, the 12v battery died today, no rhyme or reason, the car was only MOT’d and serviced by RRG Toyota Bradford. It was used yesterday for a 30 mile drive (my wife is a key worker) we had to jump start the car this morning but now the keyfob doesn’t work. Is there a way to fix this?

    Reply

    1. Hi Lee,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us and we are sorry for our delayed response. In this case we would recommend discussing this further with RRG Toyota Bradford as they are best placed to help you further. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put the centre in touch with you directly.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. My Feb ’14 Auris’ battery is now going flat after a couple of days of not being used. I have had a rescue service out twice and have had to buy an expensive battery charger. I need my vehicle as I need to be able to reach my elderly mother during lockdown.

    Very frustrated with this vehicle; after its catalytic converter stolen twice I have had to pay to have a catloc installed, and now I have to buy and carry around a battery charger. I never have any confidence that it will start when I need it.

    How do I get the battery problem sorted during lockdown?

    Reply

    1. Hi Susie,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry to hear about the issues you’re experiencing with your Auris. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team. They are best equipped to discuss your situation in more detail and support you in any way we can. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

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