EEH

As you said I have a monitor as well to check how things are going with the battery health too. Just honestly sad and totally silly that we have to go to these lengths to ensure we have a reliable car to drive.

Also see it's available in EU too, seems to be a popular colour and Lexus decided to keep it going post the Original Launch model. Good all 🙂

Hi Nick. Totally get your frustration as have many others commented in this form and in many other Lexus and Toyota forums. This has been an ongoing issue from Toyota which is why I originally posted this topic in April this year. My concern was always that the LBX had even more features to run than my Yaris/ Yaris Cross which in effect this car is also based off. My dealer assured me at the time of signing my purchase contract "This is a Lexus and quality and after market support is way superior to Toyota and I must stop worrying". Based on numerous conversations of reassurance, I signed and paid my deposit. As the first deliveries took place, I started to read more ad more posts about the dreaded "no start issue" on the LBX. I contacted my dealer immediately, voicing my concern and asked to pull out of my deal. I was refused this option and was forced to take my Takumi Design or Cool model (as its called in EU). Their solution was to then wire in a harness directly to the 12v battery to which I then plug into a small solar panel. They were very pleased with the solution offered, while I was less so. Instead of covering the cost to do so, I was left with the bill to cover cost of this installation and panel. I do believe that Toyota/Lexus are fully aware of the issue for many years now, yet nothing has been done. (I am fully aware that there a people out there who have owned a hybrid from Lexus/Toyota for ages and never had this, but can only report on my experiences which were not pleasant in my Yaris but did not have the option to then walk away from my LBX deal). In fairness, I really like my LBX. It is such a quiet, comfortable drive, the perfect size for city and small motorway commutes. To date, and it's 3 months on with the car standing for most of the time with its solar panel attached. I have had no battery or no start issues. Combined with the fact that I am now fully aware of the Do´s and Don'ts of owning a hybrid (keeping car in Ready mode and not ACC mode when parked etc). However I think this is something none of the dealers communicate to people who have come from ICE cars to hybrids and get caught totally off guard. Holding thumbs this solution keeps me going especially during the winter where I too was afraid of running seat and steering wheel heating. Time will tell!

Thanks for this link Jim.

Afraid not.

Thanks for keeping us posted Rob! Glad the service and outcome on the spare tyre well area is good news. I would be interested to hear what your dealer has to say why the shark fin allowed water in the first place as we seem to have varying opinions re this topic on how different cars have different levels of attachment of their shark fins. Perhaps a factory issue on some and others done properly (some have as we would say "Friday cars" ?) More NB what the dealer offers as a solution to the problem to stop it happening again. Many thanks

Totally agree David, if you have a look in our LBX forum most of these issues have been raised a couple of times before, so you can rest assured you are not alone 😉 Hoping that future updates will allow the rear seat reminder alarm to be turned off permanently like it can be done in other Lexus models.

Sorry to hear Nigel. Hope you are recovering well. Sadly nothing new to Toyota and Lexus Hybrids if not driven. Have a look at the numerous posts related to this topic on my Lexus and Toyota forums. I like you, do not drive the car the much and had a solar panel installed which I leave on all the time when the car is not being used. 3 months in and all good so far. I don t have access to power outlet so the option of trickle charging was not an option but Im sure it will do the trick

Thanks for the update. Mine is definitely not very tightly screwed on and seems to flexible when compared to the one on our BMW which does not move at all. Makes me feel a bit better that it is normal? Suppose only time will tell and with snow and rain

Thanks Rob. I recon we have the same issue. Luckily my car has been covered under a carport the whole time so not standing in the rain etc, but will definitely have a look on wheel well as well. I suspect there are a lot more LBX owners out there have the same issue and not aware.

Rob this is shocking to see!!!! I posted in this form on the 30th of August re my concern about the shark fin antenna fitment concern. I was washing my LBX and when I was drying the car, I bumped the shark fin and noticed it seemed to lift up a little. I then posted and as comments suggested to take it to the dealer. I have done nothing about it, thinking its maybe just me, but now seeing your post makes me very worried!! This is totally not on and suspect I have the same issue as you. Does your shark fin antenna feel rather wobbly? If you gently push is from one side, does it seem to lift? I suspect there are many other cars out there with the same issue. I will definitely have to get mine seen too. Please can I ask you to keep us posted please on what the dealers have to say, would be most obliged.

Your story sounds all too similar to my Yaris experience. Owned the car for year with no issues and after its first service the issues started. I honestly believe the technicians or mechanics don’t know or don’t care about the battery drain issue they suffer with. We all know the biggest culprits are leaving the car on in ACC mode or even leaving the car unlocked drains the battery. I’m sure the car had to be on while they programmed the new software or issue and who knows for how long? i noticed a couple of hybrids in for service when I collected my car during the day which had multiple doors open for extended periods with the interior lights on. This all leads to the dreaded 12v drain and then issues after if not charged up to full again.

As the battery has gone flat, the mirrors have defaulted to not folding. You need to press the Auto switch again on the side of your door wing mirror adjustment buttons and it will function once again.

Thanks for info Stephen. Had read in other forums it was not advisable, but seems to work as you say, so thanks for the clarification.

Hi Iain. Sad to read your post. Sadly I was not allowed to cancel my order even after I raised my concerns multiple times with my dealer. Found it odd as they knew my concern re the battery and how little I drive and held me to my order. Took delivery of my new LBX mid August. Their solution as you may read in my post, was to install a wiring loom directly to my 12v battery, which I can then connect a small solar panel to. (I had to pay for this installation and panel too btw 😞 which I was not happy about ether) I have done less than 600km in 2 months and so far I have had no issues. It would seem that the solar panel is doing its job... and hope it continues to do so. Totally agree with you, there is a flaw in the Toyota/Lexus hybrid 12v battery draining issues with when compared to owning a regular petrol powered car. I too have never had any issues with starting any of my cars for over 30 years until my hybrid Yaris. There are some who have owned hybrids and never experienced this and are lucky, but can only report on my experiences. The BIG thing about owning them is to adapt the way you drive them. It is ridiculous to be honest and something I do not believe the dealers explain to new owners, leaving many frustrated and stranded. If you follow some simple rules, which I have learned the hard way they can function well. When parked and you have door open or radio etc on, always makes sure the car is in "ready mode" with handbrake on and in P to ensure the Traction battery charges the 12v battery. Hybrids use a DC to DC converter to charge the 12v vs a ICE car that uses an alternator to charge when the engine is running. I always put my key into "sleep" mode too. Not sure if you tried to jump start the car or tried to charge the 12v battery using the front connecting point found under the bonnet? If you tried to charge the 12v battery at this point it may explain why you experienced the alarm trigger issues as I believe this point is best used to jump start the car and not charge it. Best would be to do so by connecting directly to the 12v battery under the seat which is a right pain to access. Perhaps you could explore a solar panel option or if you lucky to have a power point near where your car parks install a trickle charger wiring loom directly to the 12v battery so you can charge the battery every now and then.