THE BREAKDOWN Dead 12-volt batteries in some Toyota and Lexus hybrids can disable smart entry and electric door releases. 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. 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. highlighted the Lexus LBX and Toyota Yaris Cross as models with high reported rates and listed the Lexus RX, NX, RZ, plus Toyota C-HR, Corolla, and Yaris among the cars where owners most often described repeated 12-volt failures. Toyota updated its battery checks in May 2026 so that owners whose cars are found to need a new 12-volt battery receive a free replacement.