A major car recall has been announced by one of the largest car dealers in the US, affecting over 1 million vehicles, including Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru models. The recall, identified as NHTSA number 25V-744, is due to a software glitch in the rearview camera system, which can compromise safety when reversing. The issue lies in the Parking Assist Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which manages the rear camera image, and can cause the camera image to freeze or go blank under specific circumstances.
The software glitch can manifest in two ways: the camera image can freeze for up to 1.8 seconds if the driver puts the vehicle in reverse within 2.6 seconds of starting the engine, or the screen can go completely blank if the driver turns off the vehicle during a data writing process. This can lead to a loss of essential rear visibility, violating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111 and endangering pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
Fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or injuries related to this software issue, and Toyota has confirmed that the recall is entirely preventive. The affected models include various Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru models from 2022 to 2026, including the Lexus RX, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Solterra.
The good news is that the recall is due to a software glitch, which means that no mechanical parts need to be replaced, and the repair is free for owners. The update can be done at a dealership and takes about an hour to complete. Owners can check if their vehicle is affected by looking up their vehicle identification number on the NHTSA website and contacting their nearest authorized dealer to schedule the software update.
In the meantime, drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution when reversing, using their side mirrors, rearview mirror, and manually checking their blind spots, as if the rearview camera system did not exist. This is a precautionary measure to ensure safety until the software update is completed. Overall, the recall highlights the importance of software safety in modern vehicles and the need for manufacturers to prioritize software updates to prevent potential safety issues.