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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

456 comments

    1. My wife has a 2012 Auris Hybrid It had a new 12v battery fitted 1 year ago but battery was completely flat after car not started for 10 days Had to have it jump started and drove the car for about 18/20 miles The same fault accured again after leaving for 6 days I had the battery checked by a battery supplier who tested it as says it needs replaced I have spoken to local agent who states this is a regular problem and Toyota won’t replace the battery FOC I have since got a email from Toyota suggesting to buy and fit a solar/trickle charger As this is a known fault should Toyota dealers not be warning potential customers My son also drives a hybrid from another well known brand and wasn’t started for 5 weeks with no problems

      Reply

      1. Hi Bertie,
        Thanks for getting in touch with us.
        Fundamentally, to charge the 12 volt battery, the vehicle needs to be driven. Shorter and fewer journeys, as we are currently being encouraged to make, do not give the 12 volt battery adequate time to recharge, and this is the same as with any combustion powertrain.
        The AA are reporting significant numbers of callouts from owners of all brands due to this issue, showing that this is a national problem and unrelated to the manufacture of the car.
        You can find information and tips on how to maintain your hybrid vehicle in lockdown here: https://blog.toyota.co.uk/coronavirus-toyota-hybrid-car-maintenance
        Your nearest Toyota Centre will be able to assess your vehicle and diagnose any issues, so we would recommend making an appointment with them, but if this fault is as a result of a lack of use, we will be unable to support you further.
        Thanks.

    2. Hi, this is exactly my problem and I contacted the dealer in Kingston on Thames who had never heard of the issue and would only look at my car if I agreed to pay an inspection fee of £140 and they would then make a decision.

      This doesn’t seem right for a known fault, particularly when the garage service my car every year.

      Neil

      Reply

      1. Hi Neil,
        Thanks for getting in touch. We’re sorry to hear about this.
        If you are unhappy with the service provided by your Toyota Centre, we would recommend contacting our Customer Relations team.
        They will be best placed to explore your specific situation further with you, and they can be contacted here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre/email-us
        Thanks.

      2. Thanks for coming back. I contacted customer care and they referred me back to the dealer but they require a £140 to diagnose so it’s cheaper to just buy a fast charge pack and keep that in the boot which seems ridiculous but I guess that’s just the way it goes.

  2. Hi Hugh,
    Thanks for your comment.
    We can see that you’ve been in touch with our Customer Relations team and would recommend addressing this issue in further detail with them and your dealer as they are best placed to assist you further.
    Thanks.

    Reply

  3. Hi, I have a 2013 Toyota Auris Hybrid. Battery on my car is completely flat today following only two days of not using the car which sounds like it’s got the issue described in this article. I’ve spoken to my local Toyota dealer Fishbrothers who said that I need to bring the car over for them to diagnose/fit a new battery. However they are unable to offer any assistance regarding how I should be taking the car there when I have a completely flat battery. What are my options here, please advise. Car has full service history through Toyota dealerships and had the last service done on 1st of July. During that they checked the battery and confirmed its fine and no need a replacement. Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Oliver,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing an issue with your Auris.
      We would recommend contacting your roadside assistance provider, who should be able to recover your vehicle to the Toyota centre.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. Again Back At My Local Toyota Dealer, Courtesy Car Unavailable, Battery Issue And Alarm Going Off For No Reason 3-4 Times Daily Mainly At Night Waking Me And The Neighbourhood.

    What Are Toyotas Comments Re: Below, Mine Has The Original Mentioned BY AA.

    Green Flag. It needs replacing after five, six or seven years, like the battery in any other car.

    Hybrid battery problems: petrol electric cars hit – Green Flag

    Toyota Auris owners – 12 volt flat batteries 261 Complaints
    Toyota Auris owners – 12 volt flat batteries – Toyota UK

    Is The Vehicle Fit For Purpose/Safe? If You Stopped In A Secluded Area Potentially Miles From Anywhere Your Entire Family Would Be Stranded.

    Never Will I Purchase A Toyota Again.

    Reply

  5. We also own a Toyota Auris Hybrid 2010 and have had battery drain issues since the first lockdown. I have changed the battery around 6 months ago and the car then was working ok and have been using it regularly ever since. Now we have the same battery issue again and have managed to jump start the car twice in the last couple of weeks. Today, i went to use the car and the car would not open due to the battery completly drained. I am fed up now, how can a car drain a battery after such a short time after use?. I own a Volkswagen and has not let me down once. Please sort out this Issue.

    Reply

  6. I have a June 2015 Auris hybrid with the same flat battery problem that many others have reported. The car has been serviced by Jemca in Bracknell every year. The battery first went flat in November 2017 and again soon after in January 2018. Jemca replaced the battery FOC. It next failed in February this year prior to lockdown after I had two nights in hospital. I paid £125 for a new battery in August and it has just failed again. I’ve been taking it out for 10 mile trips every third day but that was insufficient it seems. RAC have been again and checked the system. They can see a 0.5A constant discharge from the battery. This needs to be sorted out by Toyota. I have now purchased an intelligent battery charger (£65) as recommended by the dealer.

    Reply

    1. Hello Derek,

      We’re very sorry to hear that and hope you are feeling better.
      If you’d like to discuss your experience with our Customer Relations team, they can be contacted by calling 0344 701 6202.

      Thanks

      Reply

  7. Hi,

    I have 64 reg Toyota Auris and have experisnced battery drainage twice over past 12 months, on the last occasion it triggered my traction,ASB and handbrake lights to come on.
    In regards to the last battery drainage occured when polishing my car inadevrtedly pressed hazards light swithch, by the time finished cleaning the car 45 minutes later battery was non responsive and no electrics what so ever.
    I the jump started the car, but now skid(traction), ASB and handbreak lights come on and would not go away. It’s known issue when battery goes dead to cause ECU to mulfunction and warning lights come on the dashboard.

    I’ve booked the car with Toyota for tomorrow, hopfully can be resolved inder this recognised issue for 2012-2014 models and I an not going to ger robbed for what is known fault.

    I was swearing by Toyota, but if not resolved properly migh have to look elsewhere.

    Skoda sounds right, but will see.
    Thanks

    Igor

    Reply

    1. Hi Igor,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us.
      Your Toyota Centre are best placed to assess your vehicle, diagnose any potential faults and offer further advice, so you are in the best hands.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. I am having the same problem with my early 2015 Auris. A garage jump started the car for me, I then drove it a couple of miles and stoped to call my wife to tell her I had to take it for a run and not to worry. I had not switched the car engine off but it would not start once again so I had to call the AA out. I had a new battery put in by the AA last year for the same problem. I called my Toyota dealer to have another new battery put in as I cannot afford to have a car breaking down when it’s needed as my wife is disabled so needs the wheel chair we have in the boot. The Toyota dealer in Timperly said they don’t have a battery in stock and stated that Toyota has informed them that they DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SUPLY THEM WITH A REPLACEMENT. What can I do other than get another car other than this type of Toyota as I need reliability.

    Reply

    1. Hi Peter, we’re sorry to hear this.

      We’re working hard to fulfil parts orders as quickly as possible. If you’d like to discuss your experience with our Customer Relations team, they can be contacted through this form: http://fal.cn/ya-i.

      Thanks

      Reply

  9. Je vien d’acheter une auris hibride la voiture ne démarre plus batterie je pense mais le problème j’ai acheter la auris il y a 2 moin 4 fois que je la ramène avec un dépanneur disque foutu alor que les 40 poins de contrôle ont aite faits 45 ans chez renauld je voulais mieux mais je commancer aavoireun doute j’ai acheter Jean l’Ain occasion à seyssinet pariset 38

    Reply

  10. My 2014 Auris hybrid randomly goes flat even after it has been recently driven. Twice this year I have driven it 20 odd miles, parked up and then had a flat battery. I now have to carry a jump pack with me because my Toyota dealer can find no fault and deny that there was ever a problem with Auris’ suffering flat batteries and say that Toyota has never acknowledged such a thing, so it is interesting reading this page!
    Funny thing is I had similar happen with our 2016 Prius which after two visits to the dealer they finally discovered a dead cell in the 12v battery, which makes you wonder why they didn’t discover that the first time around…
    My Auris is the only car that has ever left me stranded and my Toyota dealer seems unable to fix it because they can’t find a fault, although I certainly didn’t sit by the roadside for 2 hours in freezing temperatures waiting for the AA because my car was fine – it wasn’t.

    Reply

    1. Hi Stewart,
      Thanks for getting in touch. We’re sorry to hear this.
      If you are not driving your vehicle as much, a lack of use can impact on the 12 volt battery by not giving it enough time to fully recharge, especially in the current situation where journeys are limited. The decreased usage will impact upon all vehicles, including those with regular combustion engines.
      Your nearest Toyota Centre will be best placed to diagnose any potential faults with the battery. If you are unhappy with the service you have received from your dealer, our Customer Relations team would be best placed to explore your specific situation further with you.
      They can be contacted here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre/email-us.
      Once again, we’re really sorry to hear about your experience.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. My Auris is doing near daily 15 to 20 mile journeys as it always has done, as have all my previous cars, so I am not sure why the Auris should be uniquely unable to manage it when other cars, Toyotas included, had no issues.

        Unfortunately replacement 12v batteries are unobtainable currently according to my dealer, which is a poor show for such a popular model and means I can’t even choose to change the battery in the hope it solves the issue.

        A car that requires special hour long drives every week, as was recommended to me by my dealer, just so it’s battery doesn’t go flat seems to me not fit for purpose, nor is it very environmentally friendly. Rapidly losing faith in Toyota at this stage.

      2. Hi Stewart,

        Sorry to hear that. We realise this doesn’t really help, but for context, there is a national shortage of 12v batteries due to the high demand, from owners of all types of vehicles. We are doing all we can to source additional supply for our customers. Again, we are very sorry that you have to wait and hope you are back on the road as soon as possible. If you want to discuss this further, you can contact our customer relations team here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre/email-us

        Thanks

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