ES Hybrid slow start issue

Interesting. I had a similar issue with my ES. Same symptoms - poor start, slow cranking. Are you experiencing any other electrical quirks, like dimming lights or weird messages on the dashboard? Does it happen often when it sits unused for a couple of days?

Yes, actually! The interior lights do seem a bit dimmer than usual, and occasionally, the infotainment system glitches out on startup. It's intermittent, but it's definitely there. And yes, it's worse after the car has been sitting for more than 24 hours. Any ideas?

Sounds extremely familiar. I chased that ghost for weeks! In my case, it turned out to be a faulty hybrid battery. It wasn't completely dead, but it had a dead cell that was causing the whole system to malfunction. My honest advice? Take it to a reputable workshop with experience in hybrid systems. They can properly diagnose the battery and charging system.

Thanks for the insight! It's reassuring to hear someone else had the same problem. I took your advice and booked it in. Turns out it was indeed the hybrid battery – a defective cell, just like you said! Repair cost me 290€ but now she runs like a champ again!