Short Trips Blamed for Battery Issues in Toyota Hybrid Cars in Australia

Too many short trips could be causing dramas for Toyota hybrid drivers in Australia.

A spate of battery-related failures has prompted an education campaign and a warning from Toyota Australia.

It says hybrid cars need to be driven regularly over longer distances to ensure their 12-volt ’starter’ batteries remain properly charged.

The move comes after a series of failures in late-model Toyota hybrids, reported by owners.

“Since the day of purchase, I have repeatedly encountered the low battery warning. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this issue, the problem persists,” one Toyota hybrid owner, Gudiyattam, said.

The owner of a Lexus UX hybrid, had a similar story.

“While this is a very nice little car to drive, it’s not working for me. I don’t want to go down to my garage and find the battery flat again,” said Angela Westacott.

“Lexus have told me not to use the radio, headlights in the day time and not to lock it in the garage, Also they mentioned a trickle charger.”

Jeanette Fitzsimmons, owner of a Yaris Cross Hybrid, reported a series of incidents where she has needed starting assistance from her state’s motor club.

“Is my car just a lemon? Why is mine so problematic?,” she said.

The battery drama is related to the way the hybrid system works in Toyota vehicles.

It gives priority in charging to the vehicle’s 48-volt hybrid battery, ensuring it always has the highest possible power reserve for hybrid operation.

But this system can leave the 12-volt starter battery short of charge if the vehicle is only driven on short trips and the 48-volt system is not at full capacity.

If the starter system gets too low, usually if the vehicle is not driven enough or parked for any length of time, the 12-volt battery can run completely flat. If this happens repeatedly then a new 12-volt battery can be required.

Toyota Australia has fresh advice for owners.

“In order to maintain battery health and charge, Toyota recommends continuous driving for at least 30 minutes every two weeks. In colder temperatures, this may need to be extended,” a spokesperson said.

“In any vehicle, the 12-volt battery can run low when it is used only for very short or infrequent trips, or through extended use of electrical features such as lights or multimedia systems while the vehicle is not running.”

It also highlighted other potential 12-volt drainage.

“Customers should also ensure any accessories are switched off when the vehicle is not running, minimise use of high-current accessories such as extra lights, dash-cams or GPS trackers, and have their battery inspected regularly by their local Toyota dealer.”