Toyota Recalls Over One Million Cars Globally Due to a Software Flaw in the Rear View Camera

Massive Service Recall: Over One Million Toyota, Lexus and Subaru Cars Affected by a Rear View Camera Problem

Japanese automaker Toyota has announced a massive recall of more than a million vehicles worldwide. The reason? A software glitch that affects the operation of the rearview camera, an essential safety feature required by federal regulations in many markets.

The recall was initiated after Toyota engineers confirmed a problem with the parking assist system. This failure is related to a programming flaw in the electronic control unit (ECU) of the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system that the vehicles are equipped with.

Details about the Issue and Affected Models

The specific problem is that if the driver selects reverse gear shortly after starting the car (within a critical time frame), the image from the reversing camera may become blocked or not be displayed at all on the central display. This situation, which significantly reduces the driver's visibility, increases the risk of accidents, especially in parking lots or when exiting.

The recall campaign is extensive and includes models from the 2022 to 2026 manufacturing years from three brands:

1.     Toyota: Popular models like Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Prius, Land Cruiser, Mirai, bZ4X, Sienna, and others.
2.     Lexus: A wide range of luxury models, including ES, GX, LC, LS, LX, NX, RX, RZ, and TX.
3.     Subaru: The Solterra electric model, developed in partnership with Toyota.

Solution and Customer Notification

Toyota has stated that the solution to the problem is a software one. Technicians at authorized service centers will perform a free software update of the Parking Assist ECU.

The Japanese automaker has already begun the process of notifying owners of affected vehicles, and repairs will be fully covered by the company. Customers are advised to contact their local dealerships for service appointments as soon as they receive official notification.

This recall highlights the growing importance of electronic and software systems in the modern automotive industry and the need to ensure their continued compliance with safety standards.