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
Toyota Auris 2013 Hybrid. Battery goes flat 3 times in last 2 months. (Not bad – RAC have been used on this occasion).
Today 12/04/2023 I contacted with the Toyota and:
– £150 p/h (up to 2 hours for electric check) – for MANUFACTURE FAULT TO FIX – not for free as should be.
– new car battery £165
– + extra cost for “if something have to be fix”
Conclusion:
Next year should be Toyota RAV4 but looks like no.
Thanks for lack of cooperation.
Hi Maciej, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear that you are unhappy with this situation.
Please contact 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.
Hello there
To be fair I am owner of Toyota Rav4 Plug in hybrid bought at the end of 2021 (1.5years, 14k millage) and just recently expirianced exactly same issue. Car was left for a week when we went on holiday and on our return when my wife was trying to get to work we found out that the car is completely dead with flat battery. I called RAC for recovery, they tested batter and discovered foulty sectors in the battery. I got ful tested documents and contacted the dealer we got the car from, arrange a visit where they discamer myaelf that they need to do their own test. Guess what, the battery said is fine and thar behavior of battery going flat when car is not used has been normal. ?! Really? 46k car still very new and vital organ to car function is not replaced under Warranty? Can’t believe it we have chosen Toyota for quality and reliability. I asked lady to send me test results and she replay she can send me picture. Is this for real? What happened with Toyota? I thought also will get Toyota again in few years and now I am thinking I may switch and go else where.
Hi Adam, thanks for your message.
We are sorry to hear about this experience and apologise for the inconvenience.
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. Therefore, if you were to make more frequent, longer journeys, these shouldn’t be an issue.
Alternatively, we would recommend the use of a trickle charger or solar powered intelligent charger to help maintain the charge in the battery when the vehicle is not being driven.
Once again, we apologise for this situation. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Teamm, here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
Hi,
I own Auris hybrid 2014 and battery got flat in every 2/3 months. What is the solution. Very poor service and information shared by Toyota UK now a days.
Hi Sandip, thanks for your question.
We 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. Therefore, ensuring that you are making more frequent, longer journeys may help your situation.
Additionally, we recommend the use of a solar-powered intelligent charger or a trickle charger in order to maintain your battery’s health, when your vehicle is being left unattended for long periods of time.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Seems incredible that you have to drive miles for no reason to keep the car usable.
I am retired and don’t need to drive miles. I just went away for 2 weeks and my battery is flat. The same thing happened earlier this year. I have never had a problem like this on previous cars, but this is my first Toyota and first hybrid. I should have to keep my battery on charge, besides I don’t know how to do it!!
Hi Isobel, thanks for your comment.
We completely understand how frustrating this can be, and wish to express our sympathies.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery in your vehicle 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 this doesn’t suit your vehicle needs you may want to look into using a solar powered intelligent charger.
Please let us know if we can advise you further.
Thanks.
2018 Auris, recurring issues with 12v battery. Despite a long drive a week ago (100 miles), and short journeys four days during the week, we try to set off for holiday to Scotland (from Oxfordshire) this morn and battery flat again. This level of unreliability is just not good enough for a fairly new car, suggestions please?
Hi Fiona, thanks for getting in touch.
We are sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues.
We recommend contacting your local Toyota centre to discuss these battery issues.
For further support, our Customer Relations team would be more than happy to help. They can be found here: https://fal.cn/3AkiO
Thanks.
We tried to buy a 12v battery charger but halfords were unable to confirm that theirs are compatible with our hybrid 2016 auris. Please advise what make of charger its safe for us to buy
Hi Deirdre, thanks for getting in touch.
Your local Toyota Centre are best placed to advise on the correct charging accessories for your vehicle.
You can locate your closest centre here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/find-a-dealer
Thanks.
BATTERY LIFE EXPECTANCY!
We are experiencing similar problems on a 66 plat Auris .
The major factor here is if a lead acid battery drops to 55% or lower it detrimentally shortens it’s life. repeated obviously it’s not going to last long this is definitely a great technical oversight and suggested solar panel as remedial is an insult ironically ours has just failed 3rd day running they don’t last five minutes regardless of how much you pay for a battery so buy cheap from Tayna basically the onboard system drains it far to quickly and solar trickle should have been built in to accommodate this .
So we are again going to buy a new battery to dispense with jump leads and back up battery in boot which locks down and won’t open 😮💨😬
My 2012 toyota hybrid was parked for 2 weeks when I try to start it no power at all put a new battery I can have only light and hazard light and sign of car door bootlid open and no power or ignition at all car is stuck can’t move at all any solution or help please
Hi Ayoob,
We are sorry to hear about this.
We would recommend getting your vehicle recovered to your nearest Toyota Centre so that they can physically inspect your vehicle and assist you further.
Thanks.
We were going to buy a new hybrid car ,but not now .Get it sorted guys ,you’ll sell more cars.But not Toyota’s
Its amazing that the hybrids costing well in excess of 30-40K need a battery charger to guarantee they will work. Maybe Toyota should supply one with every new and used car?
Hi Barrie, thanks for your comment.
We appreciate your feedback greatly and will pass this on to the relevant teams.
Thanks.
There are far too many people with the same issue. I’m a single mother and I rely on my car to work to get me from A to B. So what I’m expected to do is put my kids in car, have a scuffle with my 3 year old to get him to put his seatbelt on, take a long pointless drive and waste petrol and cause unnecessary pollution, hear my kids moan where I could be doing something productive!
It’s 1st January 2024, and surprise! I’m waiting for RAC to jump start my car which hasn’t been used for 6 days and this is my fault?
I think it’s time for a recall for this vehicle, this is not fair at all. Give us a better solution, I am not driving around my kids and wasting time and energy nor can I jump start a car and keep an eye on my two kids. Think about the problems that have been created for the single parents. Sort it out Toyota.
I have a 2015 Auris suffering from the same issues. Usually when the heated seats are left on.
reg: YW15EZE
Can you advise if my car falls under the possible manufacturing defect?
Hi Kashif, thanks for getting in contact.
We are sorry to hear you have been experiencing these issues.
Your Toyota Centre are best placed to advise on this. You can locate your closest centre here:
https://www.toyota.co.uk/find-a-dealer
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
My Auris Hybrid 2016 model has a 9v battery in the boot.
The battery failed twice last month and the AA were called on both occasions to jump start my car. This is my first time experiencing this problem. Jemca Toyota Enfield have just checked the car and found no faults with the battery or charge.
There was no mention of software updates today when I collected the car.
Please could someone confirm my 2016 Bus Edition model has a socket for a solar trickle charger, I can’t see one under the steering wheel?
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your comment.
Please provide your vehicle registration so we can check this with our Product Technical team.
Thanks.