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
Have not used my 2021 Yaris for 2weeks and now the batteries are flat. This seems to be a common fault, and being told to run the car for 60 minutes each week is ridiculous and not possible if you are away. This is serious fault. I shall not be buying another one.
Hi Richard, thanks for your comment.
We understand your frustration and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
We would recommend contacting our Customer Relations Team to discuss this further. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
Before leaving your car two weeks, did you check you battery charge status? Connect multimeter to the red + connector in fuse box located in the engine compartment, and minus connector to chassi detail using VDC <20 setting or similar. If reading says half charge (e.g. 12.4V or less for an Auris, see ranges for Yaris in your manual), then run a 10h 4A charge cycle (or whatever info is printed on the battery). No need to remove the battery if temperature is above five degrees centigrade but make sure to run charger in winter mode. Connect as above, and open the battery box and windows a bit preferably for ventilation. After completion check voltage again, and run additional cycles until fully charged.
Try buying a 44 amp battery stop start
Dealer says me: Your auris can hold battery only one week. I need car only evey third week.
Nice hybrid, nice economy! Drive car to only charge it!!! Auris is 2016 year.
Then I’m guessing your dealer assumes e.g. that your battery is not fully charged to begin with, or that your Auris will be parked outside in cold weather conditions. Before leaving your car three weeks, make sure your battery is 100% charged, i.e. voltage multimeter reading should say at least 12.6V. Use battery charger to reach full charge Check battery charge level status a couple of times a week. If it gets less than half charged, that is below 12.4 volt, run a charge cycle. My Auris 2013 manual considers the battery to be empty if voltage drops below 12.0 volt. Look for your specific electrical system details in your manual.
This is my second time of having a flat battery in the last month very disappointed with toyota that this problem has not been addressed will not recommend toyota hybrid cars in the future.
My toyota’s battery got flat from 70% full to zero within 24h. Before I had to start the car every 3 days so it will not go flat. Ridiculous.
I love my toyota but I can’t trust it; long term…
My one is 2012.
Hi Kat, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear this and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre regarding this, as they are best placed to inspect the vehicle for any issues.
Thanks.
Me too. It’s a fault with this car and Toyota are trying to get out of it! Buy a trickle charger solar powered can only work when parked in the Sun. Not possible for me. Drive your car for one hour solid every week. I don’t go anywhere for one hour solid and look at the waste of petrol and the pollution.!! Never heard of this problem happening before one. Garage said yet the AA that came out on multiple times to my car, said they get this problem all the time with this make of Car.
I have a Toyota Auris touring sport hybrid 2015, and I am really disappointed with this car. The flat battery is common every week without use. This happened 10 times already.
They said: this is normal, but
I don’t think so. I am really disappointed with the hybrid battery also, I had a problem with, in less then 100.000 miles.
I am really disappointed with this hybrid model.
Don’t recommend anyone to buy it!
Hi Ancelmo, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear about this situation and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge, which could be the case in your current situation. If you were to make more frequent, longer journeys, these shouldn’t be an issue.
However, if you are leaving your vehicle unattended for long periods of time, a trickle charger or solar powered intelligent charger are advised, in order to maintain the battery’s charge.
Once again, we are sorry that you are dissapointed. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team, here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
It’s about time Toyota took responsibility for this battery problem if I’d have known before hand I would never have bought my Toyota Yaris hybrid 5 months ago only 2 years old ,very angry that I was told to buy a solar charger for this problem which I put on today at my own cost.if this doesn’t help I will change it for a different make.
I have 2013 Toyota. From the day I bought this car have problems. When companied to Toyota UK they didn’t give a damn. To start with the dealer despatch the car with a dirty Boot. When complained no one wants to know. Now for one year this battery problem! Even though this article was published in September 2016 no one from Toyota informed us. When told to the Toyota Dealers they pretend that they don’t know it. I will never buy a Toyota and have advised my friends relatives no to. Worst Company in the car industry.
I’ve had problems with my 2013 Toyota Auris hybrid 12volt battery going flat after two days of none use. This has only become an issue since I retired.
I took my vehicle into RRG Toyota Stockport for a check up after reading the article about “Toyota Auris Owners- 12 volt Flat batteries” in the Toyota Magazine, that suggested this was a known problem with Auris manufactured between December 2012 and February 2014.
RRG hadn’t heard of this problem before so I gave them a copy of the article.
After checking the battery condition and running diagnostics, which found no parasitic draining, they checked the combination meter software, which they said was up to date.
The result was a costly diagnostic check (£125.00) that hasn’t solved the problem of my 12volt battery going flat in two days or less of non-use. The lack of solution to this problem, seems to be a recurring theme for Auris owners from reading other comments in the magazine.
I will not be considering Toyota when looking for my next vehicle.
Hi, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear about this issue and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge, which could be the case in your current situation. If you were to make more frequent, longer journeys, these shouldn’t be an issue.
However, if you are leaving your vehicle unattended for long periods of time, a trickle charger or solar powered intelligent charger are advised, in order to maintain the battery’s charge.
Once again, we are sorry that you are dissapointed. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team, here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
We have a 2014 Auris which has a flat battery on 3 separate occasions. The first was during the period of the UK lockdown and we accepted that as being something that could not be helped. However, we have had two more similar such events since and are finding this very frustrating. We have had the car checked out by our local Toyota dealership, who took the car in and charged the battery and told us the battery had no problems. The advice is that we should take the car for a 40 minute drive each week to keep the 12v battery charged, why is this necessary?
So, yet again today, having been in the car yesterday I went to start the car and the battery was flat, very, very annoying. My wife and I are both retired and now have come to the conclusion that we can no longer TRUST our car to start it when we need it. What would happen if we needed the car in an emergency situation?
Toyota this really is not acceptable.
Regards,
Brian McMullan
Hi Brian, thanks for your comment.
We understand your frustration and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge. If you were to make more frequent, longer journeys, this shouldn’t be an issue, which is why you were advised to drive for 40 minutes a week.
We would recommend the use of a solar powered intelligent charger or a trickle charger. This will help to maintain the battery if your vehicle is unattended for long periods of time.
We hope this helps and once again, apologise for the frustration and inconvenience this has caused.
Thanks.
My parents bought a Toyota self charging hybrid Yaris Cross in 2021. No problems in the 1st year but, since then they’ve been stranded at the shops with a flat battery and stuck at home a few times, having to cancel appointments thanks to a flat battery. They’ve had a flat battery about 5 times now.
Raised with Toyota and they keep blaming my parents even though they drive more than the recommended “10 miles every few weeks”. They’ve been told to buy a charger (solar or plug in battery charger) to put battery on charge every day when they leave car. THEY BOUGHT A SELF CHARGING Hybrid that should not need to be charged manually!!! If solar charger is needed to keep these rubbish batteries charged, why are Toyota not supplying them and why are they not rectifying the problem??
So many reports of same problem with Auris, Yaris and Yaris Cross but less so with larger models.
Hi, thanks for your comment.
We completely understand your frustration and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
The 12 volt batteries in our hybrids are smaller than other vehicles as it is only needed to run small systems in the car. When the READY light is on, it means the hybrid system is running and charging the 12 volt battery.
In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys means that the battery doesn’t fully charge. Therefore, a solar powered intelligent charger or trickle charger would be recommended to maintain the battery.
If this is an ongoing issue, we would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre to have the battery assessed.
To discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Once again, we apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
Thanks.
My 2017 Auris Hybrid has a flat battery on 3 separate occasions as well, as a result, I had to buy a battery charger to charge the battery at least once per week, however, as the battery has been danaged already, it can be only charged to about 12.4V. When the first flat battery heppened on 2020, I bought my car to the Toyota dealership to check, they said the battery had no problem, but I told them the battery couldn’t be charged to 12.6V, usually about 12,45-12.5V, they said to me it’s absolutly fine, that’s totally rabbish, I knew the Voc of a fully charged battery should be 12.6-12.8V. On that time, my car was still on 5 years warrenty, they refused to replace the battery for me. Now I need buy a new battery to replace the less than 6 year’s old battery, Very disappointed, This Auris hybrid is my first Toyota car and will be my last one as well.