12V battery problems 24 TrailHunter

[Bcphoto3]

Driving a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TrailHunter.. Hybrid.. First 12v Battery dead at 18 months.. Noticed it because the Ultrasonic Collision sensors started throwing codes. Now checking the replacement battery (2 weeks ago) as the Ultrasonic front sensors started throwing codes again.. Guess what, Voltage at 12.1.. My driving is short 5-15 minute trips around town with occasional longer trip maybe once every couple of weeks.. i have heard that Toyota put alternators on certain models of Tacoma starting in 2025.. Toyota engineers are rather stupid to ignore this problem and let it occur in the first place.

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[Will721]

Common problem reported with hybrids. Got a multimeter? I'd like to know what charging voltage is while running. Preferably both in normal and Eco Mode.

My theory is that charging voltage is reduced when in eco mode which combined with someone who tends to make short drives would cause premature battery failure. These trucks don't necessarily have an alternator but rather a dc-dc voltage converter.

But I don't have a hybrid and no one that has had issues has been willing to test it for me.

 

[lauren01]

You’re correct. My ‘25 Trailhunter has an alternator.

 

[Bcphoto3]

Common problem reported with hybrids. Got a multimeter? I'd like to know what charging voltage is while running. Preferably both in normal and Eco Mode.

My theory is that charging voltage is reduced when in eco mode which combined with someone who tends to make short drives would cause premature battery failure. These trucks don't necessarily have an alternator but rather a dc-dc voltage converter.

But I don't have a hybrid and no one that has had issues has been willing to test it for me.

So I checked the voltage yesterday, engine cold, after warning about Ultrasonic sensor showed up.. Voltage 12.1V. Today cranked up and ran some errands around town (maybe 15 min total) then came home and let sit in Ready Mode for 15-20 minutes.. Voltage now 12.73V.. Will check sitting over next couple of days to see about parasitic draw.. I have nothing added (Warn Winch, Rigid Lightbar on Prinsu Rack, and lights inside of AluCab Contour Canopy) that doesnt switch off when ignition off. And I dont have bed lights coming on when doors/ tailgate open..

 

[trailhunger]

Trickle charger, normal mode and/or a solar setup w/a charge controller. I use the solar setup, drive similar distances even less and resolved my starter battery issues. I have a ‘24 TH and yes not driving it enough you’ll get battery problems.my dealership swapped the OE battery. No issues since I became proactive about this. The vehicle is always parasitic draw on the starter in some fashion. To be expected

 

[Bcphoto3]

You’re correct. My ‘25 Trailhunter has an alternator.

Have you had any problems with battery at all? Do you have auxiliary devices hooked up (lights, etc)?

 

[Chico]

I have a 24 Trail hunter which I only drive for short trips at a time (only 12,500 so far). I don't do Overlanding, and I haven't had any issues with the battery. My truck sometimes sit in the garage for two to three days no driving. I don't have any aftermarket installed except for a Dashcam with a dongar 12 pin power adapter and the Rigid ARB Rear Bumper SR-L Lights.

 

[lauren01]

Have you had any problems with battery at all? Do you have auxiliary devices hooked up (lights, etc)?

I have had the 12v battery go dead during a time when I was doing adds to the truck all weekend, but had not run it for a few days. Had to use a jump box to restart it.

Yes to your second question. I have the two Rigid lights added to my rear bumper, although they are LED and low voltage. They come on with brake lights in red and backup lights in white. I have a DD SS40 pro light bar to install once the brackets arrive from Sherpa. Will probably wire to a D-Switch, but might use AUX1 or 2, we shall see.

I rarely use my Diode Dynamics 2” ditch lights. They’re a low power draw but only used at night on a trip. Used them twice since installing months ago. I keep them in a box under the seat.

On Monday an Optima battery that I ordered several weeks ago is due in at 4WP. Once that is in I’ll visit my OTT tuner to have a software tweak to get my alternator to charge to a slightly higher amperage, needed to keep that battery happy. Can’t be worrying about the 12v - you are in good company.

 

[lauren01]

I should add, I’ll be running a Starlink Mini, GMRS radio, and ICECO APL 35 fridge. Fridge gets plugged into the DC 2400 in the truck bed.

 

[Bcphoto3]

I should add, I’ll be running a Starlink Mini, GMRS radio, and ICECO APL 35 fridge. Fridge gets plugged into the DC 2400 in the truck bed.

Lauren, since I have an AluCab Canopy, I ran my StarLink Mini (permanently mounted flat on top of cab) down to inside the canopy and then connected to a GoalZero Yeti 700 Generator in back of truck and connected generator to AC Power supply plug in back. I plug the StarLink USB-C into the USB-C PD port on the Starlink (100W max). Then we just charge the Yeti as we go down the road (usually the battery lasts at least until the next morning when we are boon docking). That way no drain on truck while turned off.. I just have to remember to turn on the AC power switch up in cab while we are driving.. Usually only takes a couple of hours to go from 10% to 100% on battery.. Has work on 3 different long trips (45 days each).. Looking to see how it works this fall on 3 month excursion through PNW and down CA coast until turning back east and hitting some NPs in the lower section of the country.. 15 NPs, some NMs, some State Parks and some Wilderness areas.. And maybe some vineyards!

 

[lauren01]

Lauren, since I have an AluCab Canopy, I ran my StarLink Mini (permanently mounted flat on top of cab) down to inside the canopy and then connected to a GoalZero Yeti 700 Generator in back of truck and connected generator to AC Power supply plug in back. I plug the StarLink USB-C into the USB-C PD port on the Starlink (100W max). Then we just charge the Yeti as we go down the road (usually the battery lasts at least until the next morning when we are boon docking). That way no drain on truck while turned off.. I just have to remember to turn on the AC power switch up in cab while we are driving.. Usually only takes a couple of hours to go from 10% to 100% on battery.. Has work on 3 different long trips (45 days each).. Looking to see how it works this fall on 3 month excursion through PNW and down CA coast until turning back east and hitting some NPs in the lower section of the country.. 15 NPs, some NMs, some State Parks and some Wilderness areas.. And maybe some vineyards!

That sounds like an amazing trip plan. I hope you get to the vineyards!

We’ll use the Starlink in two vehicles so will bring a 300 or 500 to power it along with a solar panel at camp. In the truck we can use the 400 on back of the center console, but as you know, that shuts off when we make a stop. So we will probably use a power station. If we have our teardrop we can also power with its 2000 at camp plus we can bring the extender if we want to fiddle around. I have a love-hate relationship with all these gadgets

We’re planning a fall vineyard HipCamp stay in a few months in Lockwood, northwest of Paso Robles. Tried to do this a couple years ago, but a fire came too near so we had to cancel. We’ll be in full gadget mode and report in on what works too.
thanks for sharing!

 

[djevans]

Driving a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TrailHunter.. Hybrid.. First 12v Battery dead at 18 months.. Noticed it because the Ultrasonic Collision sensors started throwing codes. Now checking the replacement battery (2 weeks ago) as the Ultrasonic front sensors started throwing codes again.. Guess what, Voltage at 12.1.. My driving is short 5-15 minute trips around town with occasional longer trip maybe once every couple of weeks.. i have heard that Toyota put alternators on certain models of Tacoma starting in 2025.. Toyota engineers are rather stupid to ignore this problem and let it occur in the first place.

Lexus has already replaced the battery on my wifes 2026 RX350 Luxury. (yes, I know it has some parasitic drain at all times) Toyota just doesn't seem to care though, about charging the battery "enough" in my opinion. I have a voltmeter plugged in to the lighter socket, so I can see when it charges. It only seems to really charge (over 15v at times) when I let off the accellerator. Then my wife makes pretty short trips too. then she might not drive it for a week. Needless to say, I had to install a battery tender on both vehicles. My 2025 Tacoma Limited operates "exactly" the same. Neither of ours are hybrids. Her car might get parked at anything between 65% SOC (OR LOWER) and 80% SOC. But after a week of sitting it was nearly always getting close to 50% SOC. I simply won't let the battery get below that level. I will add, the battery does recover quickly during charging. Maybe there's been some change in the battery or the battery chemistry, but it's AGM and I never let any lead acid battery type get below 50% SOC.

 

[TacoFreak]

Lexus has already replaced the battery on my wifes 2026 RX350 Luxury. (yes, I know it has some parasitic drain at all times) Toyota just doesn't seem to care though, about charging the battery "enough" in my opinion.

I gave up hoping that my truck could keep its 12V charged or that Toyota would do something to fix it. It is in my garage right now with a trickle charger on it, and if I do that every 1-2 weeks it is fine. My wife's RZ can't keep its 12V charged either and it has gone stone dead several times. When I take the charger off of my truck I put it on her SUV, and that keeps them both running.

We both carry jump packs so we don't get stranded, but for two vehicles that cost over $125k combined, I expected more. At least Lexus will replace the battery for 48 months, versus only 24 months for a Toyota product.

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