Toyota Recalls 10,000 C-HR EVs Over Power-Loss Bug — SkimNews
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- Toyota issued a safety recall for approximately 10,000 model-year 2026 C-HR electric SUVs in North America, stemming from a software glitch in the regenerative braking system that can cause the vehicle to lose power while driving.
- The defect triggers when the battery is fully charged or at a high state of charge — the regenerative braking system can overcharge the battery, causing the electric drive system to shut down mid-drive.
- Toyota dealers will correct the issue by updating the battery ECU (electronic control unit) software, and the automaker plans to begin notifying affected owners in early November 2026.
- The recall had not yet been posted to nhtsa.gov at the time of writing, and details remain limited; only the 2026 model year is affected, while the 2027 C-HR is also now on sale.
- The recall may extend beyond North America: the Toyota C-HR+ sold in Europe, the UK, and other markets is essentially the same vehicle without the "+" designation.
- The all-electric C-HR launched earlier this year starting at roughly $37,000 as a smaller, sportier alternative to the bZ, positioning it as one of three electric SUVs in Toyota's North American lineup alongside the updated bZ and bZ Woodland.
- Affected owners can contact Toyota's Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331 or check Toyota.com/recall — and later nhtsa.gov/recalls — using their VIN or license plate number.
Why it matters: A power-loss-while-driving defect in a newly launched EV is a credibility test for Toyota's growing electric lineup, and roughly 10,000 owners will need a dealer visit once notifications begin in early November 2026 — all the more pressing because the same vehicle architecture is sold overseas as the C-HR+, raising the prospect of a wider recall footprint.
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