What is happening to Toyota is a question many people are asking. The company is once again at the center of attention, but not because of its innovation or reliability, but because of a safety issue with rear cameras that affects more than one million vehicles in our country alone.
Apparently, the system prevents the rearview image from displaying correctly (or from appearing at all), and for those who are used to using it when reversing, it can be very dangerous.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed the issue and stated that it affects both Toyota and Lexus (luxury) models, so here’s everything that’s happening to Toyota and how to proceed if this affects you.
Software problems
According to Toyota, the problem lies in the software of the electronic control module (ECU), which manages the parking assistance system. When this module fails, the camera stops displaying the rear image correctly, reducing the driver’s visibility and potentially preventing them from seeing what is happening behind the vehicle.
It’s the law
Since 2018, U.S. law requires all new cars to have a functional rearview camera, so this kind of failure is a direct violation of federal safety regulations.
Which models are affected?
As mentioned, the recall affects both Toyota and Lexus. On the Toyota list are the BZ4X, Camry, Crown, Grand Highlander, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sienna, and Venza.
- And in the Lexus lineup, the affected models are IS, GX, LC, LS, LX, NX, RX, RZ, and TX.
- In total, it is estimated that more than 1,025,000 vehicles are affected.
Before December, owners of these vehicles will receive official notifications so they can have their vehicles updated properly at dealerships across the country.
How to know if your car is affected
If you own a Toyota or a Lexus, you can easily check with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN — those 17 characters found on your documentation and windshield).
You just need to visit:
Toyota has made it clear that it will not charge anything for the repair, inspection, or installation of the new software.
Are these cameras really that important?
Yes, they are one of the most basic safety tools in modern cars. Reversing maneuvers are much more complicated without them because any pedestrian could pass behind your vehicle without you noticing, leading to an accident.
This incident makes it clear that software problems have become the new Achilles’ heel of the industry and that digital errors can be just as complex and serious as mechanical ones.
Toyota’s response
This is not Toyota’s first recall in recent years, and it must be said even though it is the most reliable brand on the market. In 2024, it already had issues with RAV4 brakes.
But one thing consumers emphasize is that Toyota responds quickly and transparently. It doesn’t try to hide, as some companies do, perhaps because it knows perfectly well that its reputation is built on reliability. So being upfront and solving its problems as soon as they occur continues to make customers trust them completely.
As you can imagine, this recall is one of the largest of the year. Check your vehicle as soon as possible and schedule an appointment for the update as soon as you receive the letter.