Second battery failure in 2 weeks

[RM2021]

My Corolla GR Sport hybrid is exactly one year old.    A few weeks ago, we got back from a 10 day holiday, to find I had a flat Battery.    Toyota Assistance (aka the AA) came out, jump started the car, and gave me a report recommending a new Battery.  My local Toyota dealer tested the Battery, found no problems with it, blamed the failure on 10 days inactivity, and sent me on my way.    I wasn’t totally satisfied with the response, but as I drive the car most days I didn’t anticipate any further problems til my next holiday.   However this morning, having driven it every day since it was ‘assessed’ by the dealer, it was as dead as a dodo again.    My Toyota Assistance membership had just run out, and thankfully I had joined Green Flag.   Green Flag came out, jump started the car, and gave me a report recommending a new battery.   Ground hog day?   The car is currently back with the Toyota dealer, and I’ve told them I’m not taking it back until they change the battery.    It all worked just fine for the first 11.5 months of its life, and now 2 failures in 2 weeks.   Both the AA and Green Flag said they won’t come out to the same fault again, so if this happens again I’m absolutely stuck.   Any thoughts?

 

[flash22]

no doubt it was weakened by lock down - the way dealers seem to test is nuke the Battery for an hour (this weakens them even more) then test it

Bite the bullet and stick a new Battery on it, your car will just sit at the dealers

 

[Roy124]

Disagree. 

You can get a cheap jumper pack like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starter-Portable-Battery-20000mAh-Flashlight/dp/B0B8ZG6LSX/ref=mp_s_a_1_2

This can recharge a mobile phone etc and is a torch.  It will always come in useful, new Battery or not. 

Then get a CTEK CT5 or similar charger as after jump starting it may be better than simply running in Ready mode the car for an hour or driving it may not be convenient. 

Now the crux.  Measure the Battery voltage when fully charged.  Measure it on successive days noting how it drops. If you have a jumper pack or charger you can do this for 6 days or more knowing you have a safety net. 

Then hit the garage with the facts.  Difficult to argue with numbers.  My dealer changed the Battery for a 42 AHr battery vice 35 AHr. 

I still had a flat after a period with Covid but I had my 1st Aid kit.  These cost less than the price of a new battery. 

[loz8]

agreed Roy,my jumper is on order,if it is the one that the button has to be pressed,it should be no prob as I usualy have company,who can press start. These cars seem not to like short drives [design fault] they can run for a year till it happens again.

[loz8]

police are now running the new corrola ts,wonder if the Battery prob has a fix?

[RM2021]

My annual mileage is around 8000 miles, I mainly do short runs.  I can't suddenly start doing long journeys just to keep the damn thing running the way it should!    

[forkingabout]

5 minutes ago, loz8 said:

police are now running the new corrola ts,wonder if the battery prob has a fix?

Police spec will have a separate power supply for all there extra electrical equipment & also run lock so the vehicle can be safely left powered up without the keys.

[loz8]

yes I guesed the blues would have a seperate Battery,but even interior cabin lights help flatten the ignition Battery.

[forkingabout]

10 minutes ago, loz8 said:

yes I guesed the blues would have a seperate battery,but even interior cabin lights help flatten the ignition battery.

That's why blue light emergency vehicles have run lock fitted.

[Roy124]

16 minutes ago, RM2021 said:

My annual mileage is around 8000 miles, I mainly do short runs.  I can't suddenly start doing long journeys just to keep the damn thing running the way it should!    

Rachel, given where you live I suspect that will probably be OK.  8,000 miles is typical. 

There are also things that are different from a conventional car.  First, don't sit in the car listening to the radio in Accessory mode.  Leave it in Ready mode; it will run the engine as necessary. 

If you stop and someone remains in the car, leave it in Ready mode. 

 

[RM2021]

Update - the dealer just called, they have replaced my 12v Battery.  I feel cautiously optimistic, as I feared they'd say it was all fine and decline any repairs/replacements, so fingers crossed - but this wasn't the experience I expected when I bought a Toyota, everyone told me they were reliable ??!?

[beeblebrox]

If you're wary regarding starting due to Battery I suppose you can just carry a spare Battery and jump leads till its sorted out. It's obviously not a permanent solution but at least you save on any extra roadside callouts which can be expensive.

[TonyHSD]

19 minutes ago, RM2021 said:

Update - the dealer just called, they have replaced my 12v battery.  I feel cautiously optimistic, as I feared they'd say it was all fine and decline any repairs/replacements, so fingers crossed - but this wasn't the experience I expected when I bought a Toyota, everyone told me they were reliable ??!?

Yes, Toyota are reliable as much as can be a modern car, however there is a wide spread 12v Battery problem in many new cars. The reason, small Battery and a lot of power hungry electronics and accessories. Short town trips less than 20 min each are also a kill for any car Battery, combination battery issue, unsatisfied owners. The suggestion for battery charger is valuable and a jump pack eventually,  it will help a lot. No need to drive more than you need just to keep battery happy, all you need just a bit extra care, recharge the battery once a month with ctek or similar and your 12v battery will last ages. 

[Ian.S]

I had a Corolla since shortly after relaunch and never had a 12V Battery problem. I bought a charger and even wired in a socket for easy charger connection but have never used it. I also have a herd wired Nextbase front and rear dash cam with parked cover active, 15k miles over 2 yrs. Never even hint of a low Battery. I do always stay in READY mode whenever I’m in the car though. 

[AndrueC]

4 hours ago, RM2021 said:

I expected when I bought a Toyota, everyone told me they were reliable ??!?

Toyota probably don't make the Battery 😉

[Derek.w]

Hi RM2021 I glad to see you have a new Battery fitted now its time to fit a solar charger so when you return from your next holiday no nasty suprise.

[Gray86]

A new Battery will likely go the same way if you leave it for a prolonged time. If you can plug in a trickle charger, a CTEK MXS 5.0 will keep it charged up - both my dad & I have 2.0 Hybrids (my Corolla, his CHR) we have both left our cars for 10+ days and had no problems, as we charged our batteries before leaving the car parked

[RM2021]

Thanks for all the advice and tips on charging - however my gut feeling is that I didn't spend £30k on a car to have to mess around like this ...... !!!

[forkingabout]

On 9/12/2022 at 8:39 PM, AndrueC said:

Toyota probably don't make the battery 😉

No idea who makes them but FWIW this Toyota branded Battery was manufactured in Spain.

[FROSTYBALLS]

45 minutes ago, RM2021 said:

however my gut feeling is that I didn't spend £30k on a car to have to mess around like this ...... !!!

As Toyota Owners Club has no association with Toyota, try expressing that to Toyota or your dealer ....

[RM2021]

Don't worry - I left the dealer in no doubt as to my views on the subject 🙂

[Obsidian Estate]

I have an Optimate and used it every Xmas on my GT86 as I'd not be at work for the majority of December.

I'd planned on doing the same on the Corolla.

[TonyHSD]

Well I think my Battery will go bad soon too. Yesterday tested a new carista adapter and to my surprise the Battery showed “12v as seen on ecu” while car in acc mode, then in ready mode went up to 15v. I also know the exact date it won’t unlock or start the car, 29/10/22. I will come back to let you know what happens with my prediction. 🔋😂

[Cyker]

It is a bit disappointing they still haven't engineered this out, as it's been a fairly common problem for at least a decade!

I would give one tip, and that's to disable the Smart/Keyless Entry system if you're going to leave the car unattended for a while - That seems to have the highest parasitic draw when the car's off, probably because of the active radio beacons.

You will need to use the remote fob to lock/unlock the car until you turn it back on tho'. Then when you get back, press the Start button with the fob to turn it on to re-enable the Smart Entry and keyless start system.

 

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, Cyker said:

It is a bit disappointing they still haven't engineered this out, as it's been a fairly common problem for at least a decade!

I would give one tip, and that's to disable the Smart/Keyless Entry system if you're going to leave the car unattended for a while - That seems to have the highest parasitic draw when the car's off, probably because of the active radio beacons.

You will need to use the remote fob to lock/unlock the car until you turn it back on tho'. Then when you get back, press the Start button with the fob to turn it on to re-enable the Smart Entry and keyless start system.

 

There are many settings that can be altered to help extend Battery life. Interior lights, auto folding mirrors, going home lights, smart entry indeed, but the biggest draw of energy is the brake booster and the connected services plus any additional cameras if you have some installed.