22 Toyota Hybrid Battery Discharge Prevention TSB

Toyota has released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to address the natural discharge of batteries in its 2022 hybrid vehicles, including the Toyota Camry, when they are stored for periods of time. This TSB, identified as NHTSA ID 10214322, highlights the importance of proper battery maintenance to prevent issues and ensure continued warranty coverage.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of this condition is the gradual decrease in the State-Of-Charge (SOC) of both the hybrid vehicle (HV) battery and the auxiliary (12V) battery. If left unaddressed, this can lead to the auxiliary battery becoming fully discharged, which can prevent the vehicle from starting or operating correctly.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

This battery discharge condition is expected to occur when a hybrid vehicle is put into storage. During storage, the SOC of both the HV battery and the auxiliary battery will naturally decrease over time. This is a normal characteristic, but it requires proactive management to avoid problems.

Important Warnings

Toyota explicitly states that it does not provide battery warranty coverage for discharged and/or failed batteries that result from a lack of proper maintenance. This means owners and dealers must adhere to the recommended maintenance procedures to protect the battery warranty.

What Owners Should Know

It is the dealer's responsibility to ensure the specified State-Of-Charge (SOC) of the vehicle's batteries while in stock and to confirm proper SOC at the time of delivery. Owners of a 2022 Toyota Camry or other affected hybrid models should be aware of this TSB, especially if their vehicle is stored for extended periods. While the TSB does not detail specific owner actions for maintenance, it emphasizes that proper maintenance is necessary to prevent the auxiliary battery from becoming discharged. If you experience a Toyota Camry battery discharge issue, especially after storage, discuss this TSB with your dealership.

Repair Procedure Summary

The TSB indicates that maintenance service for both the HV battery and the auxiliary battery must be performed. While the bulletin summary does not provide detailed steps for this maintenance, it underscores the necessity of these procedures to prevent battery discharge. Dealerships are responsible for maintaining the battery SOC for vehicles in their inventory and ensuring it is correct at delivery.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022 Toyota hybrid vehicle and plan to store it, or if you are experiencing a Toyota Camry battery discharge issue, it is advisable to consult your Toyota dealership. They can provide guidance on appropriate maintenance to prevent battery discharge and ensure your vehicle's batteries remain in optimal condition, thus avoiding potential warranty issues related to a discharged battery.

Source: NHTSA ID 10214322