Control system abnormality requires updating. Toyota issues RAV4 PHEV recall notice

Toyota's general dealer announced a safety recall for some RAV4 PHEVs.

Toyota RAV4 plug-in gasoline-electric models have reported global software problems. Toyota Taiwan's general agent announced a safety recall for some RAV4 PHEVs. The reason is that the control program of the motor-generator electronic control unit may be abnormal, resulting in the inability to correctly control the motor output when driving at high speeds. In severe cases, the entire plug-in gasoline-electric system may stop operating, causing the vehicle to lose power and increase the risk of accidents.

The recall in Taiwan covers some RAV4 PHEVs produced from August 19, 2025 to August 5, 2026. Toyota stated that under certain circumstances, the motor initialization process may not be completed correctly when the vehicle is started. When driving to high speed, the system may not be able to control the motor properly and a warning light may illuminate. In the most serious case, the vehicle may be unable to continue driving. Starting from November 9, car owners will receive registration notices one after another and return to the factory to update the motor generator electronic control unit program for free, which takes about one hour.

This problem is not unique to Taiwan, and overseas markets have also launched recalls. The United States has recalled about 30,978 2026 RAV4 PHEVs, Canada has recalled about 7,847 vehicles, Japan has 5,307 vehicles included in the recall, and Australia has also announced a recall of about 5,925 vehicles. The production batches and recall numbers vary in each market, but the problems all involve the motor control program of the plug-in gasoline-electric system.