Toyota will recall 460,000 vehicles in the United States to ensure the safety of its electronic stability control system. This is in addition to the recall of 4,000 2022 Lexus NXs due to incorrect welding.
It is reported that this software problem in the vehicles recalled by Toyota may fail to automatically switch the system into "on" mode when the vehicles are restarted.
Unfortunately, this can cause the system to be disabled as it relies on a computer to individually brake wheels in order to assist drivers in maintaining control.
Toyota Recall
In response to a software error that could have an effect on the car's stability control system, Toyota Motor Corp. said it was going to do a noncompliance safety recall that would affect about 460,000 cars.
As Boston.com reports, the Toyota recall affects a number of different car models. It includes vehicles from the 2020 to 2022 model years, including the Venza, Mirai, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna Hybrid, and Highlander Hybrid, all of which are manufactured by the Toyota brand.
In addition, the LS500h, LX600, NX350h, and NX450h-plus from the Lexus luxury brand vehicles sold in the United States are included.
An issue with Toyota's software is the root cause of the recall. When the software error occurs, the vehicle stability control system may fail to automatically activate the next time the vehicle is started under certain conditions.
Toyota and Lexus dealers will provide customers with a free software update for the affected software. Toyota added that the owners would be notified by the middle of June. This recall effort of the company is in compliance with the U.S. regulations on vehicle safety.
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control (ESC), is a built-in system in a car that is designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicle while steering. Assisting the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle in critical driving situations, electronic stability control (ESC) systems employ automatic computer-controlled brakes on individual wheels.
The ESC system helps to prevent a car from spinning out or plowing out due to a loss of road traction caused by slipping wheels.
ESC is well known under numerous names, such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and many more.
According to Kelly Blue Book: "The electronic stability control system monitors your steering wheel input and helps ensure the car goes where you want it to go. ESC is activated when it detects a probable loss of steering control." In addition, "When it recognizes that the car is not going where the driver is steering, the system makes adjustments to correct the car's course or minimize skidding during emergency evasive swerves."
The electronic stability control (ESC) does not explicitly prevent a vehicle from flipping over. However, the stability control will help tremendously in keeping the tires on the pavement and preventing them from rolling over.
Toyota Recall Includes 2022 Lexus NX
Toyota Motors owns the Lexus car manufacturing brand. Along with that, numerous Lexus cars were also included in the Toyota recall. Certain 2022 Lexus NX cars will be recalled for safety reasons. The recall affects 4,000 2022 NX (HEV, PHEV) vehicles.
Toyota released a statement stating that the recall is caused by "the front shock absorbers in the affected vehicles being mounted to body panels that may be missing some spot-welds." The company adds that "incorrect welding could eventually cause a shock absorber to separate from the mounting area, resulting in a loss of driving stability and increasing the risk of a crash."
To address this concern, Lexus merchants will inspect the welding near the shock absorber mounting areas on all of the vehicles involved in the Toyota recall. In an instance where the vehicle is spotted to have missing spot-welds, Toyota will remedy the situation.
The company stated that they will begin notifying owners in the middle of June.
