Toyota has announced a significant recall affecting more than one million Toyota and Lexus vehicles, as well as the Subaru Solterra. The recall stems from a potential software defect that could impact the functionality of the rearview camera, increasing the risk of an accident.
The Problem: Delayed or Frozen Camera Display
The issue arises when drivers select reverse gear too quickly after starting the vehicle—specifically, between 0.7 and 2.6 seconds after ignition. In these instances, the rearview camera image may either freeze for up to 1.8 seconds or fail to display altogether upon the next startup. This lapse in visibility presents a potentially dangerous situation, as it could prevent drivers from seeing obstacles—pedestrians, other vehicles, or objects—behind their car while reversing.
The root cause is a software problem related to the vehicle’s Parking Assist ECU. The system attempts to write camera optical alignment data twice within the first 12.5 seconds after ignition. When these processes happen randomly within the specified timeframe, it can interrupt the normal function of the backup camera.
Models Affected and What to Do
The recall impacts a wide range of Toyota and Lexus models from recent and upcoming model years. Here’s a complete list of affected vehicles:
- Lexus: 2023-2025 ES, 2024-2025 GX, 2024-2025 LC, 2023-2025 LS, 2022-2025 LX, 2022-2025 NX, 2023-2026 RX, 2023-2025 RZ, 2024-2026 TX
- Subaru: 2023-2025 Solterra
- Toyota: 2023-2025 BZ4X, 2025-2026 Camry, 2023-2026 Crown, 2025 Toyota Crown Signia, 2024-2026 Grand Highlander, 2023-2025 Highlander, 2024-2025 Land Cruiser, 2023-2025 Mirai, 2023-2025 Prius, 2023-2025 RAV4, 2025 Sienna, 2023-2024 Venza
Toyota has already initiated contact with registered owners of affected vehicles. The company will provide instructions for scheduling a free software update at a local Toyota service center. A technician will then update the Parking Assist ECU software, resolving the potential camera malfunction.
Why This Matters
This recall highlights the increasing complexity of modern vehicle technology and the potential for software glitches to impact safety. Backup cameras are a standard safety feature designed to reduce accidents, and a failure of this system could have serious consequences. The broad scope of this recall, involving multiple models and a collaboration with Subaru, underscores the importance of rigorous software testing and validation in the automotive industry. While the risk is relatively low—the problem only occurs under specific conditions—the potential for harm necessitates this proactive measure from Toyota.
