A dead 12-volt battery in some UK-market Toyota and Lexus hybrids is doing more than killing the radio presets, it is leaving people fighting to get out of their cars. Consumer group Which? has flagged cases where an electric door-opening system stayed locked when the starter battery failed, forcing owners to smash a window or wrestle jammed doors with kids in the back.
The core issue is a conventional 12-volt starter battery in certain Toyota and Lexus hybrids that appears prone to repeated discharge or early failure. Which? gathered more than 270 UK owner responses about battery problems, and more than three-quarters involved Toyota and Lexus models, far above the survey average for full hybrid cars from all brands.
