Recall wrap: Toyota recalls 26,000 vehicles

Toyota Australia has announced a nationwide safety recall for about 26,000 vehicles, including popular SUVs such as the RAV4 Hybrid, the larger Kluger Hybrid and larger-still new V6 diesel-powered LandCruiser 300 Series.

The Japanese brand’s hydrogen-powered Mirai flag-bearer – which is yet to be sold to the public – is also affected by the safety notice, which relates to software problems affecting electronic stability control systems.

Of the circa-26,000 vehicles affected, all manufactured between 2020 and 2022, Toyota says 9129 are still within its or its dealers' possession and will be updated prior to delivery.

“Due to a software issue, if the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system is turned off, it may not default to the ON setting the next time the vehicle is started,” said Toyota in its recall notice.

Toyota says warning lights will illuminate in the instrument cluster to indicate VSC is not activated, however, if left unnoticed the lack of ESC could result in loss of vehicle control.

Meantime, Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus has recalled more than 1000 SUVs including the new NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, LX 500d and LX 600.

All variations of the aforementioned models are affected by the recall, which covers model years 2021-2022.

According to Lexus, the 1122 vehicles included in the recall may encounter a software issue that could cause the infotainment unit to display video images while driving.

“This can result in driver distraction potentially drawing their attention away from the road,” said Lexus.

An over-the-air (OTA) update will be available from June 2022, however, owners can return their vehicle to a Lexus dealership in the meantime for a software update.

Separately, Lexus has revealed a potential fault with certain grades of its new NX mid-size SUV.

“Due to a manufacturing issue with the welding of the left and right front shock absorber mounting area body panels, the shock absorber may detach,” it said in its recall notice.

Meanwhile, Kia Australia is calling back a total of 2667 examples of its 2020-built Carnival people-mover (KA4) and Sorento large SUV (MQ4) over a potential fuel leak.

The South Korean car-maker says due to a manufacturing fault “a fuel leak may occur from the low-pressure fuel line hose clamp”.

This could result in an engine bay fire and subsequent serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users, says Kia, which is offering free replacement of the fuel rail in affected models.

In the high-performance realm, Maserati has also been struck with manufacturing defects that affect three of its models: Levante V8, Ghibli V8 and Quattroporte V8.

As with the above Kia recall, the Italian car-maker says fuel could leak from piping located within the engine compartment, which could result in a vehicle fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Just 40 vehicles are being called back, all of which were built between 2020 and 2022.

In other recent recall news, three RAM truck models are being called back over potentially faulty airbags.

According to the recall notice, which affects RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 pick-ups built between 2021-2022, the side curtain airbag inflators may rupture without warning.

“In the event of an airbag inflator rupture, compressed gas and metal fragments may be propelled through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or death,” said RAM’s recall notice.

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