Tom,
Thanks for the case number. And for trolling the other forums. I have also done that, and in fact copied the list of problems that I found and sent them in an email to Toyota. I have been assigned a new case manager, and will see that she gets your case number.
I wish you luck in arbitration, and if it does no good bring on a class action suit!
Let us know.
Lisa

Tom,
Thanks for the case number. And for trolling the other forums. I have also done that, and in fact copied the list of problems that I found and sent them in an email to Toyota. I have been assigned a new case manager, and will see that she gets your case number.
I wish you luck in arbitration, and if it does no good bring on a class action suit!
Let us know.
Lisa

Lisa and other members of the Toyota HyHi "Dead Battery Society" ,

It may be helpful to see if we can identify when this problem became chronic for our respective Hybrid Highlanders (in terms of age of vehicle in months and miles). Our HyHi started having the problem prior to 12,000 miles, and prior to the 18 month mark, but it became more frequent after 18,000 and 24 month mark. We currently have about 23K on our 2006 HyHi. We're on our 4th 12volt battery.

Doug

Doug,
Agree with you. Mine started having trouble at the four month time period, at about 4,000 miles. I'm only on my 2nd battery, every time they recharge it, it comes up at 100%. I can't even count the times it has been jumped. Currently have 38,600 on the car (I drive about 300 miles per week back and forth to work).
Lisa

Our 2006 showed the issue within the eight months of ownership, within the first 5K miles.

We have just been contacted by Toyota, and they are offering to re-purchase the vehicle without continuing arbitration. Great news. A word to anyone else who may be experiencing any kind of warranty issues: take it in immediately. The sooner and the more frequently you register your issues, the better off you are. Also, keep your own records - don't rely on the stuff they put in to their computers. The guys who do that data entry are utterly unconcerned with the accuracy of that stuff, so in our case it represented our history quite poorly. I was concerned whether we would have enough documentation to 'win' an arbitration, but luckily for us Toyota is doing the right thing and not fighting it. If we ever buy another new car again I'm going to document the sh** out of every step, record every phone conversation, etc.

In our case I have to say that although we were daunted by some of the horror stories surrounding Toyota and arbitration/lemon law cases, in the end we're very pleased with how they handled it. They bit the bullet and made things right. I still have nothing but loathing for our local Santa Cruz Toyota service center; I will not deal with them again any time soon. However Toyota as a corporation acted quite responsibly in the end, and my faith in the company has basically been restored.

Good luck to all - I'll post if anything new crops up.

- Tom

Hi Tom,
Great news for you. Please let us know if anything else comes up.
Lisa

Tom, glad to hear your news. One question though, would you consider purchasing a 2008 or 09 hihy?

I guess I just joined the dead battery club :-( I took my HH06 with 27K miles in today and was told by the dealer that leaving the car sit for 5 days it was normal for it to lose it's charge. I am currently on the phone with the Toyota Experience people to register my problem. Has anyone determined a final fix for this issue?

I was told by the representative that I should drive around for 20 minutes at 35mph or higher before parking it for any extended time. And also to not run unnecessary electronics during this time. I did get a case number 200809041199.

scififan,
I have not heard of a fix, I won't say "welcome" to the club, because no one wants to be here.
I took mine in recently and had the regional tech look at it, they said all is good and there is no problem. Can't wait for the next time I leave it for 3 days and it doesn't start.

Lisa

Lisa and newest member (victim) Scififan,

Our 06 HH has gone over 3-4 months without the 12volt battery discharging, and requiring a boost/jump. It's got about 26K on it now. I'm glad to see it go this long without requiring a jump, but I have no idea why it hasn't discharged lately.

I wonder if the Camry Hybrid and Prius owners are experiencing this as well, or is it only HH owners have all this fun?

Doug

Doug,
Interesting question. I haven't heard of the Prius or Camry having this problem. But then Toyota says there is not a problem.
Mine is doing well, but I've been driving it almost every day. Will see if it makes it through the winter, that's when I have the most problems.
Lisa

Hi All,

I have a 2006 Highlander Hybrid. I have had the "failure to start" problem seven times now. It has happened when I haven't driven it for a couple of days, when I have left it for 4-5 hours and twice when I turned it off for 15 minutes. I have NOT left on any lights or other things that would drain the battery and the car always starts immediately with a jump. Sometimes it has started after just waiting for 15 or 20 minutes after the first start attempt. My dealer has not been able to "replicate" this -- of course -- so there is nothing they can do. I will call the 800 number also, but would love to know if any other developments are at hand.

lbs

Hello lbs,

I would say welcome to the club, but don't think any of us really want to be here. No new developments from my side, regional tech checked out the car and stated there was not a problem.
I am experiencing something frequently that might be related - when I go to start the car it often takes three or four times to start properly. Will initially get "must be in park to start". After getting that message I keep trying and it will finally start. Just a new twist to the dead battery club.

Lisa

Sorry guys, wanted to let you know I will no longer be a member of the club.
2 weeks ago the battery drained again. I drove the car for about 100 miles on Wednesday, returned home at about 5:30. Didn't drive it at all on Thursday, and it wouldn't start on Friday. Tried to charge it over the weekend - trickle charge, couldn't get it going. Monday morning tried to jump it no go, I triple checked all connections, etc. Had the car towed to the repair shop on Monday, They managed to charge the battery and get it started, and of course could not replicate the problem.

What was the resolution - I traded it in today for an 08 Highlander NON-Hybrid. I loved my Highlander, but I'd had enough. Hopefully I don't get another with ghostly problems.

Good luck,
Lisa