2019 Toyota C-HR Electrical System

The alternator dies suddenly and without warning. The battery quickly drains, and you lose control of the power steering. All lights shut off, not allowing for hazards to be turned on. Testing shows the alternator is producing 0.7 Volts, and the battery is at 2 amps. The battery is a Toyota brand, less than 2 years old. The car has 60,000 miles on it.

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota C-HR. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked at a shopping center when she attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called automotive roadside assistance who arrived and jumped started the vehicle. The contact stated that once the vehicle was started, the vehicle was idling very roughly. The contact attempted to shift the vehicle into drive however, the parking brake remained engaged and she could not move the vehicle. The contact was told by roadside assistance to try releasing the parking brake button again. The contact stated that the vehicle then started to move. The contact then moved the vehicle out from the parking lot onto the roadway and while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would not exceed 15 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle as a battery memory saver system failure. The battery was replaced. The contact then drove to her residence and contacted the dealer to set up an appointment. The dealer took the vehicle and diagnosed the problem as the memory saver system in the battery. The dealer did not replace the newly purchased battery. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

STARTED MY CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR SAID TO BRING TO DEALER. WHEN I WAS BRINGING MY CAR TO THE DEALER SUDDENLY MY WHOLE DASH LIT UP AND MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE STRANGE. THE DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS MY GAS CAP, BUT I MADE THEM CHECK MY CAR AND IT WAS RODENT DAMAGE TO THE WIRES. THEY SAID THIS IS COMMON SINCE CHANGING TO SOY BASED WIRING SINCE IT SEEMS TO ATTRACT ANIMALS, BUT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM OR RECALL. LUCKILY MY CAR INSURANCE COVERED IT SO IT IS NOT GOING TO COST ME $300+ TO FIX, BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IF IT IS BECOMING COMMON AND THEY ARE AWARE OF IT. WE HAVE ALSO BECOME AWARE OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH NEWER VEHICLES THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO.