Yaris not starting in the cold - battery issue?

[Amal S]

Hi everyone,

 

I've had my Yaris since 2021 (brand new) and the last two winters had no issues. Now however, in the cold mornings my car won't start.

The screen first says 'braking power low' and 'hybrid system stopped - shift into P position' and it won't allow me to drive. This morning it wouldn't even reach that, it just didn't turn on at all! I've called Toyota who said it could be a Battery issue and I'd have to call for recovery (out of my own pocket), they've given me an appointment in two days time, but I wanted to see if others had the same issue? And if Toyota will repair free of cost?

Thanks!

[Mojo1010]

Likely Battery issue due to low/infrequent usage. If fortunate, Toyota may offer a replacement Battery, but wouldn't hold breathe as they will probably cite low usage. 

Big thread on 12v maintenance at the top of the forum. Leave it on ready mode for about 60mins a week if infrequent/low use to maintain Battery health. Would suggest buying a breakdown policy from now on, it doesn't cost much with start rescue and perhaps a jump start device. 

[Roy124]

Can you check the 12v Battery voltage yourself?  

When I had a flat Battery the symptoms were not as you describe.  Low voltage resulted in failure to get to Ready mode and really flat unable to unlock the door.

It may well be as stated the 12v Battery but can you exactly what you see or don't see as "it just didn't turn on at all!" sounds explicit but there is much more that that.

Does it unlock?  Are there any lights on, ie open door overhead light?  Is the display off, no lights, or does it have lights but not fully bright?

 

[Serban]

17 minutes ago, Mojo1010 said:

Likely battery issue due to low/infrequent usage. If fortunate, Toyota may offer a replacement battery, but wouldn't hold my breathe as they will probably cite low usage. 

Big thread on 12v maintenance at the top of the forum. Leave it on ready mode for about 60mins a week if infrequent/low use to maintain battery health. Would suggest buying a breakdown policy from now on, it doesn't cost much with start rescue. 

So basically if I want to park my car for 2 weeks in an airport, my car is likely not to start when I come back and want to drive off AND Toyota won't fix the issue free of charge? How cool is that?!

[Roy124]

2 minutes ago, Serban said:

So basically if I want to park my car for 2 weeks in an airport, my car is likely not to start when I come back and want to drive off AND Toyota won't fix the issue free of charge? How cool is that?!

I think you are  misinterpreting the situation.  Toyota, probably in common with many other manufacturers only offer one year's free breakdown cover.  Some motorists take a punt and hope for the best.  Others take out various forms of breakdown cover.

You can get cover for as little a £40 per year.  I was offered the Toyota 2nd year cover (AA) but only need cover for 6 months.  I took the cheapest I could find that covers home start to full journey cover.

I think the most likely need for a callout is a puncture.  Yes, I can probably change a wheel (if you have a spare).  However on a cold, wet and windy winter night I would much prefer to sit in a warm car than wrestle with a wheel change.

[Max_Headroom]

26 minutes ago, Serban said:

So basically if I want to park my car for 2 weeks in an airport, my car is likely not to start when I come back and want to drive off AND Toyota won't fix the issue free of charge? How cool is that?!

Many members have had no issue with not driving for two weeks i guess you need to make sure the 12v Battery is fully charged when you park to give the best chance  of it starting. 

Many insurance policies these days include breakdown cover if i didn't already have this on mine i would get it next time especially if i owned a hybrid.

As Roy124 says above i would rather have a breakdown man/woman fit my spare wheel at the side of the road especially if the puncture is on the off side of the car.

[Amal S]

53 minutes ago, Mojo1010 said:

Likely battery issue due to low/infrequent usage. If fortunate, Toyota may offer a replacement battery, but wouldn't hold breathe as they will probably cite low usage. 

Big thread on 12v maintenance at the top of the forum. Leave it on ready mode for about 60mins a week if infrequent/low use to maintain battery health. Would suggest buying a breakdown policy from now on, it doesn't cost much with start rescue and perhaps a jump start device. 

Thanks! I do drive frequently, at least 5 days in the week. I'll check with my insurance if they can jump start for me.

[Amal S]

38 minutes ago, Roy124 said:

Can you check the 12v battery voltage yourself?  

When I had a flat battery the symptoms were not as you describe.  Low voltage resulted in failure to get to Ready mode and really flat unable to unlock the door.

It may well be as stated the 12v battery but can you exactly what you see or don't see as "it just didn't turn on at all!" sounds explicit but there is much more that that.

Does it unlock?  Are there any lights on, ie open door overhead light?  Is the display off, no lights, or does it have lights but not fully bright?

 

No clue how to check the Battery, first time car owner and embarrassingly not knowledgeable at all haha. 

At first I turn on the car and it beeps with 'braking power low' and 'hybrid system stopped - shift into P position'. The car won't drive as I couldn't get into ready mode, but it's otherwise on with a full display. Today however, it wouldn't turn on at all, the car remains dead with the exception of my front lights coming on. Display is off. Trying to insert a video here!

[Mojo1010]

44 minutes ago, Amal S said:

Thanks! I do drive frequently, at least 5 days in the week. I'll check with my insurance if they can jump start for me.

If that is the case then get the car to a dealer to check it, if a Battery problem then insist on free replacement under warranty. 

Serbian - many members here have left their car for 2 weeks on holiday and have no issue starting. If a problem, it's not exclusive to Toyota's, other manufacturers car can have problems. It's a Battery issue. 

[RickyC]

2 hours ago, Amal S said:

No clue how to check the battery, first time car owner and embarrassingly not knowledgeable at all haha. 

At first I turn on the car and it beeps with 'braking power low' and 'hybrid system stopped - shift into P position'. The car won't drive as I couldn't get into ready mode, but it's otherwise on with a full display. Today however, it wouldn't turn on at all, the car remains dead with the exception of my front lights coming on. Display is off. Trying to insert a video here!

12V Battery too low.

You need to connect a booster or bridge with another car to the Battery connection oin under the hood.

[Roy124]

Amal, what you say indeed suggests Ricky is correct. 

The more startling light effect occur with higher spec models. 

To check the Battery you would need a voltmeter.  I would suggest at this point that you try and ask a friend to help with checking the Battery.  Always best to have someone show you.

[Mojo1010]

5 hours ago, Roy124 said:

I think you are  misinterpreting the situation.  Toyota, probably in common with many other manufacturers only offer one year's free breakdown cover.  Some motorists take a punt and hope for the best.  Others take out various forms of breakdown cover.

You can get cover for as little a £40 per year.  I was offered the Toyota 2nd year cover (AA) but only need cover for 6 months.  I took the cheapest I could find that covers home start to full journey cover.

I think the most likely need for a callout is a puncture.  Yes, I can probably change a wheel (if you have a spare).  However on a cold, wet and windy winter night I would much prefer to sit in a warm car than wrestle with a wheel change.

My last car bought at 2 years old - MK3 Yaris hybrid, took out 5 yearly breakdown policy with start rescue for 30-40£. Never needed to use once as Toyota is so reliable. Break down cover is one area which should not be skipped. 

[Cyker]

IMHO you shouldn't get it towed to the garage; Buy a cheap 12v jumper pack from somewhere (Amazon, Halfords, Lidl etc.), read the car's manual to familiarize yourself with where the jump-start posts/connections are in the car, and use the jump pack to power the car up so you can just drive to the dealer.

 

I reckon the issue is just that the 12v Battery has run down; It's probably been kept at too low a state of charge which shortens its life, and can't hold enough charge any more.