Welp, my first problem with the RZ … the 12V battery died. Have been working at home all week, and had not driven the RZ for 6-days Was heading out to run errands and was met with total “deadness” … could not unlocks the doors.

First issue was trying to unlock the driver’s door using the small “emergency key” inside of the FOB. For those who don’t know the process for unlocking these new electronic doors, here’s a short how-to video on YouTube, It’s for the new NX with electronic doors. but the procedure is the same.


Once inside, and stepping on the brake and depressing the On/Off Button, there was nothing … so I called Lexus Roadside Assistance. They dispatched AAA, who arrived in about 30-minutes. He gave me a jump-start and all worked well … but he did say that this was the second RZ he’s had to jump-start and has also done the same for a Toyota BZ4E, and several other Lexus/Toyota hybrids. So, I’ll continue to monitor, but it seems that the loss of charge on the 12V is the same issue I had with our CT200h … after the car sits for a handful of days not being driven, and then needs a jump-start. Thankfully we have not encountered this problem with our NX300h.

Anyone experiencing this?

 

A non-starter for the second time in 10-days

 

And the 12V battery saga continues. Have had three 12V battery failures in the course of less than a month; the car has been in the shop twice for this; and they now have had my car for 2+ weeks with no resolution in sight. The dealer’s service advisor said they have reached out to Lexus Technical Assistance for help…. but there still isn’t a solution. I’ve told them about the same issue some Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Soltera owners have had, and I even sent them the YouTube video I posted in a previous post about this happening to a Toyota in June 2023 … but they still haven’t resolved this. From what I understand, they’ve known about this for at least a year or more. It’s all very-very frustrating.

 

Hello! My 2023 RZ Luxury also had a bad 12v battery. I had to jump start the car every time I drove it. I got it into Lexus and they replaced the 12v under warranty. Sounds like something more troubling is happening with yours.

One thing I would recommend is purchasing a portable jumpstarted. I have a Halo Bolt that I purchased off of Amazon. Less than $100 and I keep it in the center console. I was able to jump my car over the weekend and got it to the dealer on a Monday. Good luck on getting yours resolved!

 

Thanks … and yes, I have have several Halos for use around the house during power failures and have one that I’ve used for my Mom’s car.

Sadly, the RZ remains in the shop … we’re now at day #25 … with no fix in sight. No one seems to know why there is such a big drain on the 12V battery or how to correct it. My frustration with this is through the roof since this has been a known problem (from what I read on line) for at least one year, or longer.

Here’s link to a YouTube video in which a Toyota BZ4X experienced the same problem in June 2023. And I’ve read on other forums that several other RZ owners have experience the same.

https://insideevs.com/news/670724/th...s-more-common/

 

Mike,
This HAS TO be frustrating. I don't want to add to your frustration, but I left my 2023 RZ in the garage for the entire month of March while I was away on vacation, and I had no issues when I returned. It sure seems the dealer would be able to monitor the charge / voltage and find out why your battery is depleting.

 

Folks on the fifth gen RX thread are having the same problem of the 12v battery going dead, here is the link to the thread. In short one of the owners garage door opener is always looking for the Bluetooth connection in the RX. So they disable the Bluetooth "Digital Key system in the car (Settings -> Info & Security -> Enable Digital Keys -> OFF)" and problem solved!

 

Digital Key (via phone) appears to be one contributor to the problem, though others on the RX dead battery thread indicate they don't have/use Digital Key and are still seeing dead batteries.

 

I don’t use the digital key either.

During the first few days of trouble-shooting I found it interesting thst the technician asked if I was using the Lexus App … and what device I have (Android or Apple) … and what version of the Lexus App I have installed on my iPhone (I have the most current he said).

I’ve thought from the onset that with the App always “pinging” the car that this could be contributing to the problem. 🤔

 

Just had my 4th dead battery, in my 2023 RZ450e, It has only 746 miles since I purchased it in January. Lexis support connected a $4,000 test\analyzer to monitor the battery draw. I've tested the battery and the average voltage each time was about 6. The one I have has every package and accessory for the car so I thought possible that was the problem but from what the tech told me, Lexus has it designed to trickle charge the battery from the EV main battery so it should never get drained below a certain point.
All that said, I've decide to exercise the NJ lemon Law and have Lexus buy back the vehicle. Should take about 3-4 weeks.

 

We just completed the buy back. Lexus has been extremely prompt and professional during the entire ordeal. We couldn’t ask for more. And the servicing dealer, service advisor and lead technician have also been top-notch. As unfortunate as this situation was, we remain strong Toyota/Lexus enthusiasts, and replaced the RZ with a new ES300h. Onward and upward! Hoping your situation plays out as smoothly as it has for us.

 

If I might ask, what did they give you as a buyback amount? I've been offered a buyback and the money makes no sense; my MSD's, my monthly lease payments to date, and other misc. fees plus an additional $3k
I have to give them an answer by July 1st.

I signed the buyback agreement and should be rid of this car in a few weeks, once they inspect it and give me the check.

Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment but I really like my RZ so I'm going to get another one, going on the assumption that it was a LEMON!

 

My buyback arrangement was basically the same as you describe … it at least made me whole and I was surprised as how quickly they offered to do the buyback. But I decided to go with a new ES300h to replace the RZ. I’m getting about 43mpg thus far with the ES and it has been a very comfortable drive. It just “feels right”. In retrospect, I should have gone with the ES from the start as we already have a small SUV … a NX300h … so that box was already checked.

Good luck!

 

Picked up my 2024 RZ 450e Luxury yesterday, the only change was the color, couldn't find the two-tone with-in 1000 miles so I settled for solid Ether. I'm going to forgo the digital key for a few months as that might have been the problem. There is already a new firmware update loaded into my car which hopefully will resolve that issue.

Enjoy your ES300H!

Rich

 

My 23 RZ (got new Dec) had 12V died and the dealer replaced it in June. It just happens again today and now at the dealer. I am told that 3rd time will let me claim it as a lemon.

Extremely disappointed that Toyota f*ed up RZ so bad. I knew I was taking a risk with a first year model and their first ever ev (in US) but I was hoping their reliability reputation means the risk is low.