Toyota recalls Corolla hybrids over loss of brake assist

Plano, TX October 11, 2024 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 42,199 2023-2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid cars that may lose power brake assist. This would make the brakes stiff and up the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall can potentially be expanded to other models.

Recall summary

A brake actuator is a key component of the braking system that is in charge of slowing the car down when the driver presses the brake pedal. It does that thanks to brake fluid and a computer called skid control electronic control unit (ECU). In the affected vehicles, due to a software error, the ECU may not properly regulate brake fluid pressure when turning a corner. This may result in the loss of power brake assist and hard brakes.

Recall risks

The vehicle will be more difficult to stop, augmenting the chances of an accident.

Recall expansion

Toyota is currently assessing whether the defect also affects other models that run “similar software.” If it is determined to be the case, the recall may be expanded.

Other Toyota recalls

In July 2024, Toyota recalled Lexus SUVs because their headrests could have been inadvertently pulled out, reducing occupant protection in a crash.

In January 2024, the manufacturer recalled close to a million cars whose airbags would not deploy in a crash, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will perform a free software update to fix the issue.

The owners should receive notifications by November 19, 2024.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota brake assist recall affects more than 40,000 hybrid crossovers. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls Corolla hybrids over loss of brake assist

Toyota recalls brand Lexus crossovers with faulty headrests

Plano, TX July 25, 2024 – Toyota, (NYSE:TM), which owns the Lexus brand, is recalling 11,418 crossovers whose headrests may inadvertently be pulled out.

This reduces the level of occupant protection in a crash, upping the risk of injury. 

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2024 – 2025 Lexus NX Hybrid
  • 2024 – 2025 Lexus NX
  • 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid
  • 2024 Lexus RX

Recall summary

The headrests in the listed vehicles can normally be removed while pressing the “lock release button.”

However, due to the supplier error, the driver and front passenger headrests can be taken off even when the button is not pressed. 

Recall risks

The occupant seated in a seat without a headrest is more likely to sustain injuries in a rear-end collision. 

Other Toyota recalls

In January 2024, Toyota recalled nearly a million vehicles, including certain Lexus models, whose airbags would not deploy in a crash

In May 2024, the Japanese carmaker recalled over 55,000 Prius hybrids whose doors could open unexpectedly, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace both front headrests free of charge.  

Owners should receive notifications between July 27, 2024, and August 26, 2024. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota headrest recall affects more than 11,000 Lexus crossovers. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to do a Lexus recall check.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls brand Lexus crossovers with faulty headrests

Toyota recalls SUVs whose airbags may not deploy correctly, issues stop-sale order

Plano, TX October 19, 2024 – A stop-sale order for new cars was issued when the recall originally came out and is still in place for 2,800 cars in dealer inventory. Since the remedy is currently not yet available, it is not clear when it will be lifted. However, dealers may sell pre-owned cars as long as they disclose that the vehicle has an open recall, according to the information provided to the dealers by Toyota.

Plano, TX July 15, 2024 – Toyota (NYSE:TM), which owns the Lexus brand, is recalling 145,254 SUVs whose side airbags may not deploy as intended in a crash, upping the risk of injury. 

This recall affects the following models:

  • 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
  • 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
  • 2024 Lexus TX350
  • 2024 Lexus TX500 Hybrid

Recall summary

All listed SUVs are equipped with side airbags, which deploy in a crash to form a protective cushion between the occupants and the car’s doors and pillars.

Due to a supplier error, the airbag may partially deploy outside the window if the said window is rolled down. 

Recall risks

An incorrectly deployed airbag will not provide sufficient protection, augmenting the risk of injury.

Background of the recall

The airbags in question were designed by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv, which was also behind large-scale recalls related to faulty seat belts and unsecured child seats.

Other Toyota recalls

Issues with airbag deployment were the cause of another large Toyota airbag recall, which took place in January 2024, as reported.

Separately, Toyota Prius hybrids were recalled in May 2024 because their doors would open unexpectedly, also as reported.

The repair

The manufacturer is currently working on a solution to this problem. Once the repair is available, it will be free of charge. 

The owners should receive notifications between August 5, 2024, and August 19, 2024. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota airbag recall affects nearly 150,000 Toyota and Lexus SUVs. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to do a Lexus recall check.

 

Bojan PopicToyota recalls SUVs whose airbags may not deploy correctly, issues stop-sale order

Toyota recalls Prius hybrids whose doors may open unexpectedly

Plano, TX May 16, 2024 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 55,690 hybrid cars whose rear doors may open on their own, upping the risk of injury.

The recall affects the following models: 

  • 2023 – 2024 Toyota Prius
  • 2023 – 2024 Toyota Prius Prime

Recall summary

Instead of a conventional door handle, these cars’ rear doors are opened using a push button, which activates the latch mechanism.

Due to a supplier error, the outside push-button assembly was not sealed sufficiently, allowing water to enter. This can result in a short circuit and cause the doors to open unexpectedly.

Recall risks

Unexpected door opening while the vehicle is in motion or during a crash increases the risk of passenger injury.  

Warning signs

An opened door will trigger a warning notification on the instrument panel accompanied by a buzzing sound. 

Other Toyota recalls

In January 2024, Toyota recalled nearly a million cars over a passenger airbag defect

Multiple fires led to a massive recall of Toyota RAV4 SUVs in November 2023, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the outside door handle assemblies free of charge. 

The notifications to the owners will be sent between June 2, 2024, and June 16, 2024.    

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 55,000 hybrid cars are recalled by this Toyota rear door recall. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls Prius hybrids whose doors may open unexpectedly

Toyota recalls close to million cars over airbag defect

Plano, TX  – January 22, 2024 – Toyota (NYSE:TM), which also owns the Lexus brand,  is recalling 999,901 vehicles over a problem with a passenger airbag that could prevent it from being deployed in the event of a collision. This ups the risk of an injury.

The recall comes on the heels of over 1,000 warranty claims and includes some of the following vehicles:

  • 2020 – 2021 Toyota Avalon 
  • 2020 – 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Camry
  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  • 2020 – 2021 Toyota Corolla
  • 2020 – 2022 Toyota Highlander
  • 2020 – 2022 Lexus ES Hybrid
  • 2020 – 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid

Recall summary  

The airbags in Toyota and Lexus vehicles use the so-called Occupant Classification System (OCS), which is an array of sensors designed to classify the weight of the front seat passenger. The OCS information determines whether the airbag should be deployed.

In the affected vehicles, the circuit board where the OCS sits was cracked during production. This may result in the short circuit and prevent the deployment of the front passenger airbag.

The full list of the affected vehicles is available here.

Recall risks

All risks caused by non-inflating airbags are explained in this article about a similar recall by Ford.   

Warning signs

In the event of the airbag failure, the driver should see the “the SRS warning lamp” and “Passenger Airbag OFF” lamp illuminate, among other warnings.

Background of the recall

The recall is a result of 1,194 warranty claims and 27 field reports. It is not clear if any injuries or crashes have been reported because of the defect.

Other Toyota recalls

In August 2023, Toyota and Lexus hybrid SUVs were recalled over the risk of fire from damage caused by “supplier issues.” 

In November 2023, Toyota recalled over three quarters of a million of SUVs over the risk of the front bumpers falling off “during normal operation.”

The repair

Dealers will replace the OCS sensors in the affected units free of charge. Owners will receive letters with more information by February 18, 2024.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 1 million vehicles are affected by this Toyota front passenger airbag recall. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloToyota recalls close to million cars over airbag defect

Toyota recalls RAV4 SUVs over risk of fire

Plano, TX  – November 27, 2023 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 1.85 million 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 SUVs over the risk of an electrical short which may lead to a fire.

The recall comes on the heels of an ongoing U.S. government investigation and multiple fires.

Recall summary  

The affected vehicles received aftermarket batteries with incorrect dimensions.  This may allow them to move and contact the bracket they are in, causing an electrical short.

Recall risks

An electrical short may generate excessive heat, which may cause the components around the battery – and the car – to catch fire. 

Investigation

The recall comes on the back of an investigation launched in February 2021 by the U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation was launched after the agency received almost a dozen complaints about fires and smoke. At least four of the fires occurred when the ignition was off. 

Other Toyota recalls

The risk of a vehicle fire was also the cause of a Toyota recall from August 2023, which affected RAV4 and Lexus SUV Hybrids

Earlier this month, the manufacturer recalled approximately 250,000 Highlander SUVs because their front bumper could detach.

The repair

Dealers will replace the battery tray and the retaining bracket with upgraded versions free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information between December 17, 2023 and December 31, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota battery fire recall affects almost 2 million SUVs. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool

Aleksandra SnesarevaToyota recalls RAV4 SUVs over risk of fire

Toyota recalls Highlander SUVs whose front bumpers may fall off   

Plano, TX – November 9, 2023 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 750,795 SUVs whose front bumpers and surrounding plastic trims may fall off and create an obstacle for other motorists, upping the risk of a crash and injury.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2020 – 2023 Toyota Highlander 
  • 2020 – 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 

Recall summary  

The front bumper covers on affected SUVs have upper and lower sections which are held together with a series of retaining tabs. Some of these tabs may break “during normal operation.”

If this happens, the lower bumper section may separate and cause other pieces of plastic trim fastened to the bumper’s lower section to fly off as well. 

Recall risks

For the risks of this recall, please see this article about a similar Mercedes-Benz recall.

Other Toyota recalls

Some of these SUVs may have been affected by a recall from May 2023 caused by an inoperable stability control system, as reported.

On a separate note, in August 2023, Toyota recalled over 43,000 luxury Toyota and Lexus hybrid SUVs because of the risk fire, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the bumper section and install upgraded retaining hardware if there is damage. If no damage is noticeable, the existing retaining tabs will be replaced with a sturdier version. 

All repairs will be conducted free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information between December 11, 2023  and December 25, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota fly-away bumper recall affects approximately three-quarters of a million SUVs. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls Highlander SUVs whose front bumpers may fall off   

Subaru recalls cars over faulty rear turn signals    

Camden, NJ  – September 17, 2023 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 8,915 sports cars – including the 2022 Subaru BRZ and the 2022 Toyota GR8 – because of a problem with the rear turn signals which may result in a higher risk of an accident. 

Both models were made in partnership with Toyota, which owns a 20% stake in Subaru.

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, exposure to strong sunlight could cause less voltage to flow through the car, resulting in the rear turn signal being temporarily disabled.

Recall risks

The risks caused by a faulty turn signal are covered in this report about a similar recall by Toyota.  

Warning signs

If there is an issue with the signal, “the driver will notice rapid flashing of the dashboard turn signal indicator lamp,” according to the information provided by the manufacturer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Other Subaru recalls

In December 2022, Subaru recalled a number of 2019-2022 Ascent SUVs due to overheating electrical systems that led to a higher risk of fire

In March 2023, Subaru issued a recall for some 2019-2022 Crosstrek Hybrid units over a charging problem with the cars’ 12-volt battery. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the rear lamp assemblies with ones containing an improved circuit. This will be done free of charge, and Subaru will reimburse owners who paid for repairs before the recall order was issued.

Owners will be notified by October 29, 2023.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Close to 9,000 vehicles are affected by this Subaru rear turn signal recall. To do a Subaru recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloSubaru recalls cars over faulty rear turn signals    

Toyota recalls hybrid SUVs over fire risk   

Plano, TX – August 5, 2023 – Toyota (NYSE:TM), which also owns the Lexus brand, has recalled 43,442 SUVs because their charging system may short circuit and overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.  

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2021 – 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime 
  • 2022 Lexus NX450H+ 

Recall summary  

Plug-in hybrids have two electrical systems – a high-current one to drive the wheels and a 12-volt system to power other components, such as lights or power windows. In between, there is a converter, which negotiates this voltage difference and ensures the 12-volt battery is being recharged.  

In affected vehicles, the converter may develop an electrical short due to damage “during production by the supplier.” This may cause it to overheat, augmenting the risk of fire. 

Recall risks

You can find out all about fire-related risks in this Hyundai recall from July 2022

Other Toyota recalls

Some of these SUVs may have been affected by a Toyota recall caused by a potential loss of stability, which took place in May 2022, as reported

More recently, in October 2022, more than 83,000 Lexus SUVs and Toyota trucks were recalled because their parking brakes would stop working, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the faulty converters with improved ones free of charge. 

In the meantime, Toyota advises owners “not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit”. 

Owners should be notified between August 7, 2023, and September 10, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 40,000 SUVs are affected by this Toyota hybrid fire recall. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls hybrid SUVs over fire risk