Folks,

I have a 06 Hybrid Highlander with 20K miles on it. It frequently won't start (has to be jump-started) if it has been sitting idle for 5-6 days. It frequently runs the 12V battery down. Toyota has replaced 3 batteries since I bought it exactly 2 years ago. The Toyota dealership states that we are not driving it enough. We're put 10K miles on it each year. They claim that the alternator is charging the battery properly. This doesn't make sense.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Doug

Doug,
I've been having the same problem with my '07 HH. I have 30K on mine. The battery has been running down if left to sit for 2+ days. I have jump started it here at home a number of times, and when in a body repair shop they had to jump start it (window problems). Has been to the dealer for this twice and they can't figure out the problem. Last time I took it to the dealer they let it sit from Friday evening until Monday morning - and it started fine for them. I just had it towed to the dealer yesterday - I'd left it setting from Sunday morning until yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. They have it now and still can't figure out a problem.
I've been searching on other forums and this seems to be a problem with some of the hybrids but not all.
Good luck and if you find a solution please post.
Lisa
Oh yeah, on another forum a member posted a number to Toyota 800-331-4331, and said they wanted to hear from anyone who is experiencing this problem. They'll get my call in the morning!

Lisa,

Thanks! I will call the 800 number to formally document the problem. My Highlander is sitting at the dealership as well. They keep saying the same thing - and that is "it needs to be driven more often". I am going to take it to a different Toyota dealer, and see if they are as clueless as the Toyota dealer that I bought it from. Please let me know what you find out, and I will do the same.

Good luck!

Doug

Doug (and others),
It is now 4 days since the car was towed in. The dealer actually loaned my a 2009 Corolla to use since they have no idea what is going on. My service department says it is not the battery, because the battery showed good on their systems, even though the car was dead - no lights, etc. They seem to think the problem is between the battery and the computer system, but can't find it. Service Rep said that he thinks every time I thought the battery was dead this was the problem. I'm in a wait and see mode right now.
Called the 800 number, I have a case number and was left a message on Friday. I'll call them back Monday.
Will keep you posted.
Lisa

Lisa,

I just picked up my Highlander from the Dealer yesterday, and they had it for 4 days as well. They told me the same thing AGAIN!!! "It's not the battery, and because I don't drive it enough". I called the 800 number that gave me (Thanks again!!) - and now I have a 'case number' as well. That is very interesting in what they told you - that it is not the 12V battery, but the connection between the battery and the computer..... I am anxious to hear what you find out. My e-mail address is: dsnyder999@aol.com

I tried hooking up a battery maintainer (2 volt "trickle charger") just like I do on my Boxster. I plugged the battery maintainer into the 12 volt (cigarette lighter type) socket--- but it made the battery and a few other displays light up. I don't want to leave those things running all the time. I think I will try hooking the battery maintainer directly to the 12 volt battery. Have you tried a battery maintainer?

-- Has anyone else had to use a battery maintainer to maintain the 12V battery on your Toyota Hybrid??

Doug

Doug,

I haven't tried a battery maintainer - yet. However, I did buy one. The one I bought is a 2|10|50, and clamps right onto the battery - and metal for negative. I can use it as a trickle maintainer or with the 50 amps can start the car. Boy I don't want to have to do that! Will let you know what I hear.
Lisa

Doug (and others),
Bad news today. My dealer can't "replicate" the problem. They don't think it's the battery, but can't figure anything else out either! I'm getting it back in the morning. The National Toyota Care people told me some weird things on the phone today:
1. This is not a nationwide problem, I'm it!
2. I need to drive my car at Freeway speeds at least once a week - told them I drive it at highway speeds for about 40 miles every work day! (I asked where that was stated in the owner's manual, and was told they didn't know)
3. I must be leaving a dome light on or not closing a door enough - I slam the doors and wait for all lights to go off before leaving the car.

I've decided I'm just going to be late for work once or twice a week, because I am not going to keep jumping this car.

I'm also going to register at every other forum I've found these problems on and urge everyone to register a complaint at the 1-800 number.

Doug, let me know if you find out anything.

Lisa

Lisa,

The local Toyota Service Manager told me something very similar. The Toyota 1-800 claims manager asked me if I knew of anyone else having a similar problem with their Hybrid Highlander - and I told them about you. She asked what state you are from. I told her that I didn't know. I'm from South Carolina. I'm assuming that you are from the East coast as well. Is that correct?

The Service Manager requested that I call him the next time that the car won't start. He said that he will come on over and test the car at my house, and see exactly how many Amp my battery is currently showing when it won't start.

My warranty runs out next January. If I can't resolve this soon - then I may consider trading it in. I really hate that. We really like this SUV. I'll let you know if I find out anything on this end.

Doug

Doug,
Sorry I've been at a conference for the last few days. I am in Southeast Arizona. I've been taking the car to Sierra Toyota in Sierra Vista.
I'm still going through some issues with National Customer Service (NCS). Now when I tell them others have the same issue - I'm told they don't care about others only about me. Hmmmm???
Also have now been told: make sure radio is off (asked where in manual this is); make sure AC is off - it's been winter AC has been off and I turn the heating/cooling off when I turn the car off.
When I got the car back the dome lights had been turned off and the headlamps moved to the off position. I asked why this was done, and received no answer. Told NCS that I need a dome light as I frequently get in the car at night, and that it was my understanding the headlamps could stay in Auto unless the car was to be left for over a week. She's looking into it.
I did get the extended warranty, because I tend to keep my cars for a long time. But if this can't be fixed, I too will be looking for a replacement. I really don't want to do that!
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I find it strange that we are the only two Highlander Hybrid owners having this problem. There has to be others out there. Southeast Arizona must be nice. I coach USTA Junior Tennis - and have taken the team to Tucson a couple times. I really like that area.

I apologize if I have already asked this question --- When did your battery start running down? Was it the onset of colder weather? I am trying to connect the dots. So far, I haven't identified a correlation to weather, night driving, lack of freeway driving, short trips, etc... Is that your read as well?

Doug

Doug,
I haven't found any correlation, except time. Mine has run down on a 3-day weekend, when at the body shop and left sitting for 2+ days, another 3 day weekend, when not used from Friday to Monday morning, etc. It's always been after not being driven for at least 2 days. Our weather is fairly mild here, however, the problem has definitely increased with the cooler weather.
The national customer service have told me there is nothing else to do since the problem can't be replicated. Guess it will just run down again and I'll call for a tow!.
Lisa

Did a very fast look online and found two others that have commented in forums (I found a lot more 2 weeks ago - will have to refine search later):
http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f31/dea...694/index2.html

http://cardealerforums.com/alt-autos-toyot...yota-forum.html

Lisa

Lisa,

Thanks! I just read through both of the links that you provided. The guy from Minnesota provides an area worth checking into, and that is the remote starter function. I am trying to pay close attention to minimizing consecutive short trips on the vehicle as well.

It's strange, but I haven't experienced experienced a 'flat' battery over the last 2-3 weeks. How about you? It is this that makes me wonder if cooler or cold weather (as opposed to hot weather) is a factor.

Doug

Doug,
I haven't had a problem since I got the car back on the 26th. Wonder if it does have something to do with the cold - even though mine is garaged at night. I have turned my dome lights back on to the door position, and have placed the lights back to auto this weekend. Will see if that makes any change.
Lisa

Doug and Lisa,

Thanks for all the experience...I have a '07 HH with about 18,000 miles on it and have experienced this problem only twice. The first time was in the parking lot of a paint store when the car was still quite new. I had just driven (1.5 hours) from the mountains where I live, and parked, after 10-15 minutes in the store I came out, my steering wheel was locked and when I turned on the ignition, nothing, no lights nothing...I messed with the wheel for 5 minutes or so and finally the wheel unlocked and the car started....today however different story...it has been sitting for 2 days without being driven and attempting to start it today, nothing no lights, however the wheel is not locked I cannot get it out of the park (not sure if this is typical or not).

How do you jump these? Guess my manual will tell me

Hi Shellie,

Welcome to the Dead (or Dying) 12V Battery Zone. To 'jump' the 12 volt battery on the Hybrid Highlander is just like any other 12 Volt vehicle. Just pull out your Owners Manual and connect the jumper cables between the jumper battery and your 'run down' battery as directed.

Although, I strongly recommend that you call your Toyota dealership, and have them come to your location and connect a multimeter, and see how many Amps your battery currently is showing, and to see what they come up with. I always chuckle when they tell you to check to see if you are leaving anything on. I really think that some Highlander Hybrids just have a problem of simply letting the 12 Volt battery discharge. It is my understanding that the 12 Volt battery does directly function in starting the vehicle..... instead it provides power to the computer(s) that serve to facilitate the large vehicle battery/power cell engage and provide electricity to move the car, etc..

Make sure that you call the 1-800 number that Lisa provided in a previous message in this string. Let them know that there are two others that have called in and complained (Lisa from Arizona, and me from South Carolina).

Good luck!

Shellie,
Please let us know what your dealer service rep tells you about this. If they figure anything out it would be of tremendous help, and if they don't we'll just have to keep trying.
Lisa

Just wanted to report that our 07 Highlander Hybrid in Naperville IL also experienced similar problems after a five day non-driving period. We'll keep an eye out to see whether the problem repeats. It jumped started fine and drove it for about 25 minutes trying to keep the engine running as much as possible (I'm not sure how the generator works). It's been about a week of daily use again, and things seem fine.

WCWIII,

Welcome to the Hybrid Highlander "Dead Batteries Society". Keep us posted. We're gone over 3 weeks without having to jump our 12V battery. Although this is normal, it appears to be the cumulative effect of driving short trips here and there, and then not driving the vehicle for 3 or more days. At least that is my read of the situation.

Ensure that you call the 1-800 number and have this properly documented the next time that this occurs. You also need to contact your local Toyota dealer, and ask them to document it as well.

Good luck!

Doug

Hi all,
Well it's been a month since I got the car back from service. It's started, but I've also driven it every day. Had a call yesterday from the service department, they want me to pay for the towing from my house - since the problem could not be replicated - and they are the ones that told me not to jump it, and they even called the towing company! Don't think I'll be paying that bill anytime soon. It's probably going to be another 2 or 3 weeks before I can leave the car and not drive it for a few days.
I'll keep checking in.

Hi Lisa, Sorry to hear about the boneheaded treatment that you have received from your local Toyota service center. I recommend calling the 1-800 number and see if Toyota will pick up the tab for the towing since they directed you to do it. It's strange, but we haven't had to jump the HiHy in a month.

Hmmmm.... does that somewhat support our hypothesis that "cooler weather" may be a factor?? I haven't seen any posts recently from Shellie. I guess we will remain members of the "Dead (or Dying) Batteries Society. Hang in there!

Doug