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
My dealer WKB at Waterloville Hants. suggests an “optimiser trickle charger” to solve the problem of my Sept. 2011 Auris Hybrid starting problems, they advise my daily town driving is not enough to keep the battery charged and start the vehicle. I have been driving this car for 4 years and this problem has only just happened, they have tested the battery and say it is fine but needs charging, is a trickle charger the only answer??
Hi Bob,
Thank your or your post. We have checked this with our technical team for you. Without knowing the exact amount of use of the car we can advise that a trickle charger will always help keep the battery to the optimal level.
If the vehicle is driven for only short periods of time, particularly at this time of year where the heater, lights etc are all used, then the battery can deplete more than it is charged. Therefore over a period of time engine starting could be difficult. It sounds like you have had your vehicle check by your dealer to make sure everything is working correctly with your battery, so we would therefore advise that if the vehicle is left for long periods of time without being used then a trickle charger may help in these circumstances.
Hope this helps and if you have any other questions please let us know.
We recently had the Auris hybrid recall software update. We had problems starting the car, after pushing the big button the warning lights all came on and sometimes we had to repeat the procedure ten times before the car would go to ready mode. It would then drive fine except that dab would cut out after a few minutes and the tailgate would be locked on stopping the car.
After the recall fix, the car was fine for two days but then exhibited the same problems again. As it was due for a service, Burrows Sheffield said they would investigate, but after ten days of starting the car have had no problems until yesterday, when they said it would not start because the battery was flat.
My question is, could my symptoms have been consistent with a flat battery? What exactly happens when you try to start a hybrid with a flat battery? The car is still with Burrows but until yesterday they have denied there being any problem, and insultingly implied I didn’t know how to start the car I had driven for a year!
PS What is a “service screen?”
i am in the same boat flat battery after leaving for more than a couple of days – this car is obviously not fit for purpose – i have to jump start the car regularly – toyota appear uninterested and offer no solutions denying that this is a problem – hazards also have a tendency to go off setting off alarm – the 12v battery is obviously not up to the job and requires a higher amperage – a solution that tells me me to drive the car more is not a solution and a modern car should be able to be left for more than a couple of weeks without draining the battery to such an extent that mechanical locks have to be used to enter car
Hi John. Thanks for getting in touch, and sorry to hear you’re having issues with your vehicle. Have you spoken to your dealer about the issues you are experiencing?
I see the main problem as Toyota leaving dealerships either totally in the dark or else giving bad or incorrect advice, as per several instances here. My dealership had never experienced the weird set of faults exhibited by a faulty battery and took two weeks to realize what the problem was. For most of that time they thought I was making it up.
I looked at the tiny battery in mine. It looks like there is room for a larger battery, though no doubt the clamp won’t fit one. I suppose having a small battery to charge means an improvement in fuel figures, either that or someone got their calculations wildly wrong.
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your post. We have spoken with our technical team and they have advised that the issues you are experiencing are not to do with the Hybrid recall software update. This is due to the recall relating to the high voltage hybrid battery not the 12 volt auxiliary battery. We would advise speaking with your dealer further and if you have any more questions please let us know. Many thanks.
The garage have replaced the 12v battery as they said it failed their tests. We got the car back last night. This morning, it started fine but dab was silent. The tailgate was not locked. I stopped the car, locked it, unlocked it and started again, and dab was back.
How do you explain those problems? Would ecu damage cause this?
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately we cannot explain these issues without a visual inspection. However, we have spoken with our technical team and they have advised it can take a little time for the DAB to power up properly once a battery is replaced. They believe from what has been described that this is the case and the DAB should function from now on. Please let us know if you experience any issues with this further. Many thanks.
Thanks for the feedback Michael. Any issue may or may not be caused by the same things. We try to ensure our dealers are as informed as possible when it comes to car issues, hence the thorough training our centre staff are given. However, we have resources such as the blog and our customer service channels to ensure that, if an answer isn’t satisfactory, we can investigate further.
I am the owner of a 2013 Oct Auris HSD which has suffered from a flat 12 v battery on a number of times (3 or 4). Yesterday (02/07/2016) evening was the latest. I had been cleaning the interior of the car which was a bit dirty the car having been used to transport rubbish to the nearby recycling centre. Afterwards I had gone to pick up my 3 year old grandson from his aunt’s house which is on a main road. Left the car for a couple of minutes before which I put the hazard lights on. Returned home and left the car on the entrance to my drive way as we were about to go out. Came out to start it up only to find the car dead. I couldn’t switch it on, get into the boot or operate the remote locking (had to use the manual key). The car was blocking my wife’s car in so we couldn’t use that and also made it difficult for the neighbour to get in/out of his drive.
Seriously considering geting rid of this rather expensive piece of hardware/software. After the experiences I have had and after reading the experiences of others I am not sure I would go for a Toyota HSD again.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your post. We’re really sorry to hear you are having problems and we want to help resolve them for you. We would advise contacting our customer relations team. They can help advise and assist further. Many thanks.
I have been considering the purchase of a new Auris Hybrid Business Edition but have been very put off by the battery problems as typically I leave my car unattended for two months in the summer and a week or two at other time. As a result It seems this car is not for me.
Or have the problems been solved in the latest version.
Incidentally what is an HSD?
Christopher Singer
Hi Christopher. HSD stands for Hybrid Synergy Drive, the technical term for our hybrid cars. The Auris has since undergone a facelift and we have had no reports of this incident happening again. Have you taken a test drive yet?
Very many thanks for your encouraging answer
And I should have added and yes taken on a test drive and impressed – and go back to the show room in a few minutes!
That’s great news Christopher! We hope you get on well, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any further questions :).
Personally I wouldn’t leave the Auris HSD for 2 months. I have no experience of leaving mine for that length of time but I would be a bit concerned about doing so.
I too have just experienced a flat battery on a 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid, after being away and not driving it for 3 weeks. It does not seem to be recharging very well now and I feel vulnerable with the dark nights.
The comment about using the hazard lights throws some light asI had used them briefly just before Zi went away.
After having to get Green Flag out to get me going, I went Tony local Toyotagarage. They assured me all was well and did not mention this problem. Looks like another trip is required.
After my Toyota garage replaced my 12v battery I have had no problem. But I don’t leave it with the doors open, i.e. with interior lights on.
I contacted Vantage Toyota where they arranged for a test on the battery and found it to be 70% charged. I found this surprising being that the battery had been on charge all night and I had a 56mile run in the car mainly on motorways. They arranged for the 12v battery to be replaced for which I am grateful. It is too early to say whether it has cured the problem. Just let’s hope so.
I found out that the battery on my Toyota Auris Hybrid that battery was flat yesterday. When I pushed the start button, the dash lights and radio went into a flashing on/off mode., but the headlights wouldn’t come on. I had a new battery fitted, and although all the lights now came on, the engine did not start. I am now stuck with a 6 year old car that wont go anywere.
I had a Toyota Corolla before this one and I didn’t have any trouble with it in the 7 years I had it
Hi Rob,
Did you take your Auris to a Toyota Centre to replace the battery? Many thanks.
I have noticed a similar issue – flashing radio lights etc. My Auris is 5.5 year old. I could not start the car, but did manage to do it after 2-3minutes. Another time, after 4 days the car did not have this problem, so was not sure what is wrong. a week later, again could not start the car…
I am not sure what is wrong, as I thought there should be a message on the dashboard if the battery is gone. has anyone know the answer to this problem?
did you manage to find out what is wrong with the car?
No I didn’t as the car was not driveable, and had to ask a local mechanic to get it for me. The car is now at the local Toyota garage, as I had to organise a recovery vehicle to transport it for me.
My wife is now very dubious about keeping the car now.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for getting back to us. We would have to advise you to keep in close contact with your Toyota Centre. They will be able to advise you and reassure you on your situation. Many thanks 🙂
I brought Mine back in May 2013 when the model came out, by August i had experienced 2 flat batteries after not using the car for 1 day, each time i got it jump started and took it to Toyota garage who couldn’t find a problem with it. I ended up contacting customer services after it happened the 2nd time. After the 2nd time I was phoned up by the garage and told they couldnt find a problem with it and wanted to give me my car back, i emailed back customer services to inform them that it was not acceptable that i owned a ÂŁ24,000 car which was less reliable than my brothers ÂŁ400 banger… i then got a phone call an hour later from the garage saying they putting a new battery in the car.
Since then i never had an issue, i had the car sent in to sort out the issue this article mentioned so i can contest that its not been an ongoing issue… Except this morning when my girlfriend kindly started my car up thinking it would defrost it
I came out 30 minutes later and all the lights were blinking and i couldn’t get it to start, its now dead again and am waiting for a jump start.
Sadly she had just pushed the power button to start the electrics but not the engine, so the car had drained the battery with the lights and AC heaters on.