Toyota issues guidance after Lexus hybrids lock occupants when battery drains
Toyota has issued new guidance after reports that some Lexus hybrid cars can lock occupants inside when the 12V battery drains.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Toyota has issued new guidance after reports that some Lexus hybrid cars can lock occupants inside when the 12 volt battery drains. The problem affects certain hybrid models in the luxury Lexus brand. When the battery runs down, the electric door locks may not open, trapping people inside.
One owner, Mary Mitchell, described the frightening moment her grandchildren, aged seven and ten, became trapped in a parked Lexus. "Absolute oh my god moment, what are we going to do? It locked itself with the children and the key inside," she said. The children eventually escaped when the older one manually unlocked the rear door from the back.
Hybrid and electric vehicles have two power supplies: the main high voltage battery and a 12 volt starter battery, which can be drained by onboard electronics even when the car is not being driven. Once depleted, it will not open the electric locks. Toyota acknowledged this can be a problem when the 12 volt battery becomes depleted.
The manufacturer points to two overrides. A physical key is hidden inside the key fob and can be inserted into the driver's door. There is also an inside handle override: pulling the handle twice on the second pull opens the door. Toyota says these instructions are in owner's manuals and given by retailers.
Consumer campaigners are calling for more action. They want Toyota to contact all owners, not just those who have dealt with Lexus directly, and to send a letter through the DVSA's recall system so owners are aware of the emergency release. Toyota said it has emailed all customers on its database, but one owner remains concerned about getting out of the car.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| A physical key is concealed within the key fob and can be used to unlock the driver's door. | |
| Toyota acknowledged that a depleted 12-volt battery can cause electric door locks to fail. | |
| Toyota contacted all customers via email. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on a personal consumer safety story, using an interview with an affected grandmother to illustrate the danger. It explained the technical cause, offered practical solutions, and highlighted calls from campaigners for Toyota to do more, including using the DVSA recall system. The tone was consumer-focused and slightly critical of Toyota's response.
- “Absolute oh my god moment, what are we going to do? It locked itself with the children and the key inside.”
- “Most car owners don't realise there is a physical key hidden inside their key fob.”
- “All owners should be contacted, whether they've dealt with Lexus directly or not and be sent a letter through the DVSA's recall system”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.