So after 2 years of abuse (Extreme temperatures, being drained during testing at work, etc) my OE battery started showing signs of needing to be replaced. The more interesting one was the EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated Notification. It started of quickly flashing at start

Thanks for sharing. This is yet another confirmation of the many posts that 5th generation RAV4s will give all sorts of strange and bogus warnings on the MID screen when their batteries are getting weak and failing.

 

I wanted to go AGM

OE Battery Info:
380LN3-ISS
65 Amp Hours
603 CCA

Everstart Platinum Battery Info:
AGM H6
70 Amp Hours
760 CCA

I am undecided as to whether to go to an AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery when the time comes for replacement in my '21 RAV ICE XLE. I used AGMs in my '03 Jeep Liberty for years and was happy with them for their increased CCA and resistance to vibration damage off road. Recently though there has been a lot of discussion in the Toyota Nation forum in both the 8th generation Camry sub forum (same basically as 5th gen RAV) and current 12 gen Corolla sub forum. Posters there say you should NOT use an AGM as a replacement. They argue that the current Toyotas' alternators and charging systems and ECM are set up or programmed to charge a standard lead acid battery and they will overcharge and damage an AGM (which has quite different charging requirements). Also, they argue that if you plan on pre-emptively replacing the battery as a precaution (say about every 3 or 4 years) then the AGM, being more expensive, is not cost effective. I have no opinion myself--like I say, I'm undecided.

 

I had heard this as well, if it kills it under the 4 year warranty im ok with that LOL (free replacement)

 

We'll see how it holds up, but as soon as i changed it the message no longer popped up! Score!

Did you use any "memory saver" device when you changed the battery? Did you lose any of the radio presets or have any DTCs. Did you have any other difficulties or have to re-program or reset anything when you changed the battery?

 

I did not. I use Carplay all the time so didn't have any pre sets. I'll scan it today to see if there are any DTC's related

 

In your last photo what is the thick blue cable with the gizmo in the center running from the battery positive to GROUND on the firewall?

 

In your last photo what is the thick blue cable with the gizmo in the center running from the battery negative to ground on the firewall?

Its from the + not ground. It goes to a Power Block that powers my amp and other stuff

 

Hey Peeps! So after 2 years of abuse (Extreme temperatures, being drained during testing at work, etc) my OE battery started showing signs of needing to be replaced. The more interesting one was the EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated Notification. It started of quickly flashing at start and I couldn't even make out what it said. But this winter when the temps started dropping, it started staying on for a little longer and i was even able to snap a pic

Not only that, It started to struggle a tad to start. So I decided it was time for a new battery and I wanted to see if the message was indeed tied to the battery not being as young as it used to be ( Im sure some can relate). I wanted to go AGM, but i didn't want to go as extreme as the Odyssey I'm running in the Tundra. I was about to pull the trigger on a Duracell AGM when I noticed Walmart's Battery, made by Johnson Controls, offered a "Platinum" AGM. Not only was it the cheapest option ( 169 USD) but it had a 4 year warranty vs the 3 the others offered.

We'll see how it holds up, but as soon as i changed it the message no longer popped up! Score!

OE Battery Info:
380LN3-ISS
65 Amp Hours
603 CCA

Everstart Platinum Battery Info:
AGM H6
70 Amp Hours
760 CCA

I just started having this issue this week as well! My car battery is only 18 months old as I have a 2021. I googled the issue and I guess this issue is common enough. Is it confirmed that this is a sign that the battery is dying? That's a bit surprising as I got the car new and I drive mostly highway miles, never abused it with short drives and repeated starts, never left the headlights on. The only thing I can think of that could have shortened the life of the battery was that I added the headlight gaskets which I saw either here or on reddit could cause excessive heat build up.

 

Interesting. Problem is the car could be new, but the battery could have been sitting for a bit waiting to be put in a new car. Wouldn't hurt to go get it checked. I know a lot of the newer cars we look at for work do weird things when battery voltage starts going down

 

Welcome to the forum. It is confirmed that you can get all sorts of strange warnings and messages on the MID when the battery is weak. I also have a 2021 gas model XLE and installed the rubber weatherstrips over the headlights when it was brand new and was a week or so home after purchase. I have not had any battery problems or weird warnings. In my opinion it's false that the rubber strips increase engine compartment heat and harm the battery. There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for the 2021 model year that concerns a possible battery draining issue due to a fault in the Data Communication Module (DCM). It is fixed by a half hour soft ware re-program. You are under warranty. Print out the TSB and take it to the dealer. Get them to test your battery and check for any DTCs with Toyota Techstream. Get them to do the TSB. All this is FREE under warranty (3 Year Basic).

 

Update: Got the battery tested and it was on it's last legs. Replaced it and the EPB shift interlock message no longer appears. I'm not taking any chances and I'm going to remove the headlight gaskets when it warms up.

 

You guys convinced me to check my battery too as once in a blue moon I do get the EPB Shift Interlock thing.
Mind elaborating a bit on the testing procedure and result? Just a simple voltage check both with engine off and running? Or more elaborate?

 

I have the same issues. 2021 with 41K miles. What battery did everyone get? I don't' want the same OEM as it's not lasting very long.

 

Those of you who had battery failure, did u check the water/Acid level in ur battery's (Ever)..?

 

Having same issue in our 2021 XLE AWD ICE. Has the battery held up?

Vehicles with Auto Start/ Stop come with EFB batteries. I'm not sure if I should go with AGM or EFB. Costco doesn't sell them but I can get one from my local Interstate distributor for about $255

 

so far so good!

 

I taught my little woman to use a jump pack, & it is in the car. Even a new battery can conk out on ya....
Just not sure if the battery is dead, how she can get to it, it is stored on the left side under the mat for spare.
Thought there should be a manual Latch release.

 

I taught my little woman to use a jump pack, & it is in the car. Even a new battery can conk out on ya....
Just not sure if the battery is dead, how she can get to it, it is stored on the left side under the mat for spare.
Thought there should be a manual Latch release.

There is a positive jump post under the hood i believe. No manual open for the hatch

 

I might have to try to get to it by dropping the back seat, crawl in there & pull the mat up, with the hatch closed im not sure...