Toyota Recalls 21,000 EVs Over Faulty ECU
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- Toyota is recalling 20,991 electric vehicles in the US, comprising 11,495 Toyota bZ models, 4,757 Subaru Solterra models, and 4,739 Lexus RZ models
- Toyota told the NHTSA the recall stems from a potentially faulty electronic control unit (ECU) that could cause a loss of power and increase crash risk
- Toyota stated that 100% of the vehicles included in the recall are expected to have the defect, while other Toyota, Subaru, and Lexus EVs are unaffected because they lack the same battery ECU or software
- Dealers will update the battery ECU free of charge, with notification letters scheduled to be mailed August 3, 2026
- The announcement follows Toyota's June 19 recall of 4,808 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra models in Japan
- The Toyota bZ was the third-most popular EV in the US in Q1, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3
- All three recalled nameplates share Toyota's e-TNGA platform, which received 2026 model-year upgrades including longer driving range and a built-in NACS charge port
Why it matters: Every single one of the 20,991 recalled vehicles is expected to carry the defect, meaning 100% of owners face a software fix — a costly logistical lift that lands just as Toyota's bZ lineup hit #3 in US EV sales behind Tesla's Model Y and 3. The 100% defect rate and power-loss crash risk make this a mandatory safety action, not an optional service campaign.
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