[Sanidhya mukund]

Hello all,

I am creating a new thread about this as I feel this issue needs to be brought to the fore. After almost 6 months of research and test drives, I purchased a Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX (o) in February 2024. The main reason for ignoring enticing options like the Kodiaq and Tucson was that the Innova name is a stalwart of reliability. You know that it will fire up each time, every time, and won’t stop till it gets you to your destination.

However, 8 months and 7.5k KM into the ownership, the car has started facing battery drain issues. On the first instance, my parents had gone somewhere and had left the vehicle with the chauffeur. He told me that he parked the car for a couple of hours and then attempted to start it when my parents called for him. However, it didn’t fire up. I immediately drove down in my Mercedes C-class and found that the car is showing symptoms of a dead battery. I asked around for jumper cables, which a guy had, luckily. The car was hooked up to the Merc and it fired right up.
I suspected that our driver must have been using the aircon/audio system in power-on mode, which must have drained the battery.



However, today, it happened again! Less than a week after the previous incident, today morning, after the car was brought out of its parking spot and parked in front of my house’s entry gate, the car refused to start when it was time to leave! This time, I am sure that nobody had been sitting inside and fiddling with the aircon/music system. No devices were plugged in and no accessories (dashcam etc.) have been installed. No lights were left on. Since the car was blocking the Merc and the Ertiga had gone for an errand, I missed an important commitment.



This time also, I had to call for jumper cables and have the vehicle jump started using the Ertiga:



Mine isn’t the only case:

Here’s what BHPian Sameerg had posted in June 2024. His car also didn’t have any aftermarket accessories and his symptoms were similar to mine:

Originally Posted by sameerg

My two-month-old Hycross has faced a battery drain issues twice now. The first time it happened was when the car was just a week old, service centre folks said it was due to car being driven at low speed. Which lead to car running mostly in EV mode and engine not being used enough. I felt it was a stupid argument but since I was travelling and my father was dealing with the service folks, I didn't debate much.

This morning, the car didn't start again. Has anyone else faced this issue? Any idea why this would be happening?

Furthermore, I came across a video on YouTube where a guy tells us how he had to sell his Hycross ZX o because of this problem. For those who speak Hindi, he describes the exact same issue at the 5:30 mark in the video. In his case, it was so frustrating that he sold it to buy a Fortuner:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pLSZyE...Zm9ydHVuZXI%3D

As is evident from BHPian Sameerg’s case, Toyota folks seem to have no clue about what needs to be done in this situation. Very, very frustrating. My supposedly ‘unreliable’ Mercedes C-class has never had such an issue in the 10 years that we have owned it. Even my Ertiga CNG, which is nearly 3 years old now has also never had battery issues. Heck, even my Ford Ikon, which gets fired up once in 7-10 days also always starts in the first go. Very sad to note that a car which has reliability as it’s USP is behaving in such a manner that we are loosing faith in it.

[karan561]

I have faced this issue a couple of times on my HyRyder hybrid.

Had to call for Toyota roadside assistance to jump start.

Haven't really found a solution yet.

[Kosfactor]

How does the EPB work in Hycross? Is it a motor at the wheels or ABS pump?

I ask that because the sound of EPB engaging as my neighbour parks the vehicle is quite loud.

We know that EPB has to readjust overnight as the temperature falls, given its winter already I'm wondering if this bit is 'awake' all night.

[car_guy1998]

Our Hycross VX Hybrid is 14 months old and run 42k Kms as of now. But, haven't faced any battery draining issue yet **touchwood** though I'm away from the car now. Also, the car is been used as a daily driver.

But, after seeing this battery drain issue, I've become bit apprehensive. Now, I've to make my dad and chauffeur alert on this issue.

Also, during the first week of this month, the car was mostly unused since my dad was on a trip to Japan though the car was used by my mom once for her shopping visits during that timeframe. But, still, haven't faced the battery drain issue.

The car was also given for 40k Kms service during the same time.

[speed400]

Originally Posted by car_guy1998

But, after seeing this battery drain issue, I've become bit apprehensive. Now, I've to make my dad and chauffeur alert on this issue.

If you haven't faced any issues so far, I wouldn't worry about it. 1-2 people reporting a battery drain out of the 1000s of cars sold doesn't really say anything.

[CEF_Beasts]

This is a very well known and wide spread issue in Toyota’s Hybrid Vehicles.

The small 12V drains pretty fast when the car is left unused for a week or is used for very short distances where the engine doesn’t switch on for long.

In the UK some of these issues were resolved by a service campaign (software update) “XGG78” for the Data Communication Module reprogramming which was linked to the car’s SOS system drawing power. This issue plagued 2020-2022 cars mostly, but I’m surprised that this issue has still not been solved by Toyota globally.

The HyCross also has a SOS switch, it’s possible there is a parasitic draw or it’s the Electronic Parking Brake

https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/for...liary-battery/

In the 2017 Honda CR-V Hybrid the 12V battery draining was linked to the Electronic Parking Brake drawing some parasitic power even when switched off, Honda recalled cars to fix the problem.

https://www.crvownersclub.com/thread....135193/page-2

I would suggest you push your dealership to replace the 12V battery FOC or upgrade to a better brand’s 12V battery.

[setuniket]

I have a 2023 hybrid which is done 16K in one year and two months.

This issue can probably be attributed to parasitic draw.

Additionally, there is something which I have observed which can be a source for drain. The hybrid battery has its own cooling through a blower next to rear seat. I can hear the blower fan running after the vehicle is switched off and running stops after the car is locked.

In case the car is in ACC mode , the primary battery may be getting drained because of the hybrid cooling fan working without charging the primary battery.


This would require check for parasitic draw at the Service Centre.

[Cresterk]

Looks like you have to get the 12V battery checked and replaced
It could be something as simple as a 12V battery from a bad batch or the DC-DC step-down converter not being able to charge the battery. Either way, have toyota themselves take a look at it.

Originally Posted by karan561

I have faced this issue a couple of times on my HyRyder hybrid.

Had to call for Toyota roadside assistance to jump start.

Haven't really found a solution yet.

Same as above. Get the 12V battery replaced from outside and see if that solves it. Or you can push the dealership to do it if you are still under warranty.

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

How does the EPB work in Hycross? Is it a motor at the wheels or ABS pump?

I ask that because the sound of EPB engaging as my neighbour parks the vehicle is quite loud.

We know that EPB has to readjust overnight as the temperature falls, given its winter already I'm wondering if this bit is 'awake' all night.

There is a motor (actuator) on each rear wheel and it pushes the brake pads against one another tightly. I don't think it adjusts itself after the initial push. My garage is right next to my living room and I am a bit of a night owl but I never heard any noises from the car overnight. I would like to read more about this though.

As far as I know, the only modules which stay active after the car is turned off and are powered by the 12V battery are:

1. The internet / sim module that connects to toyota servers for connected car features.

2. The security system that includes the interior motion sensor

3. The keyless entry system.

4. The powered rear door. Though I have used it multiple times with the vehicle left parked for a few days and it didn't cause any issues with the battery draining.

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

The small 12V drains pretty fast when the car is left unused for a week or is used for very short distances where the engine doesn’t switch on for long.

Something to note is that the Hycross and other Toyota hybrids do not have an alternator. The 12V battery is not charged by the engine. It is fed power directly by the larger Hybrid battery using a DC-DC step-down converter. In other words, it is being charged after you push the brake and start button, regardless of whether the engine is on or not. The engine always turns on immediately anyway if the hybrid battery has only 2-3 bars of charge (which is still more than enough to charge the 12V battery)

I have had to move the car around sometimes when I'm cleaning it or getting it out of the way for my other car. Starting and stopping it within a min. I have noticed that once the hybrid battery is low, the engine just turns on immediately when you press the start-stop button instead of waiting 20 seconds as it usually does. Hasn't caused any issues yet.

The 12V battery controls the computers that turns on the hybrid system. Since the system is starting just fine when being jump started, it means the hybrid battery has charge in it. Thus ruling out short trips where the engine didn't turn on long enough.

I would say it's more likely the 12V battery is from a bad batch or the step down converter isn't working properly. Car is in warranty, let toyota deal with it.

[dearchichi]

gladiatort1000, who has the VX variant from the initial batches, had reported the battery drain issue (Toyota Innova Hycross Review) in April.

Since a car with automatic transmission cannot be push started, the only way to recover from the failure is to jump start the battery. I always carry 4-gauge jumper cables in my April 2024 VX. I also got a portable jump starter from the US for this purpose: https://a.co/d/fEIqHh8

My car sits idle for long periods (it has clocked only 2200 km in 5 months). I'm yet to face the battery-drain issue.

[NitroNerd]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

How does the EPB work in Hycross? Is it a motor at the wheels or ABS pump?

I ask that because the sound of EPB engaging as my neighbour parks the vehicle is quite loud.

We know that EPB has to readjust overnight as the temperature falls, given its winter already I'm wondering if this bit is 'awake' all night.

I’m facing the same issue on my HyCross ZX. Every morning I get inside the car and get the car in D, there’s a significant sound coming from the rear wheels after moving the car that sounds like the brakes getting disengaged. It’s only been 4 months since I purchased my vehicle and the brakes are not showing any signs of wear. Is anybody else facing this issue and why is it being caused? Thank you!

[speed400]

Originally Posted by setuniket

I can hear the blower fan running after the vehicle is switched off and running stops after the car is locked.

That'd probably stop after a few minutes? Same as the engine fan no ? Shouldn't be a cause for a constant drain I think.

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by Sanidhya mukund

I suspected that our driver must have been using the aircon/audio system in power-on mode, which must have drained the battery.

I too have faced this, no, not in a Hybrid, but a regular NA engine car.

Originally Posted by Sanidhya mukund

However, today, it happened again! Less than a week after the previous incident, today morning, after the car was brought out of its parking spot and parked in front of my house’s entry gate, the car refused to start when it was time to leave! .

Since the car had a dead battery, it might not have charged in that driving duration and needed (either) more time to charge or needed to be put on in an overnight charge facility.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________

And as others are pointing out, there appears to be some issue plagued with Toyota hybrids, hope Toyota India proactively issues a recall and fixes these issues.

[Axe77]

This is really disappointing to hear. From some of the posts that suggest the issue exacerbated with short heavy traffic commutes, this would literally make this the strong hybrid equivalent of the DEF issues in some cars (i.e. need longer drives every now and then and can’t handle long periods of down time).

I really hope Toyota can find a credible solution to this sooner rather than later. People compromise on a lot of other fronts that the brand doesn’t deliver on when they choose Toyota for the “peace of mind” factor instead. If they can’t get that right too … well!

[hanzt]

I am facing this same issue with my Toyota Urban Cruiser mild hybrid as well. Two batteries dead so far and they are yet to figure out the cause of this drain.

No aftermarket accessories, regular running and yet batteries dead within a few days.

[Rahul Lal]

Sudden draining of 12v battery in hybrid car is not new. I have faced this issue even in Lexus RX450hL. One moment everything is fine & next moment when you start the car, it fails to move. Different failure warnings start displaying on MID. If you are not familiar with the issue it makes you feel that something big has happened.

The worst part is that MID does not give any prior information or warning that battery is going to die.

The 12v battery for Lexus is sold by Toyota India for around one lakh. It was so frustrating that I had to sell Lexus.