Toyota, Subaru, and Lexus have issued a recall for almost 21,000 electric vehicles in the United States due to a battery software issue that can unexpectedly cut power to the wheels. The affected models, built between April 2025 and April 2026, may experience a sudden loss of propulsion, though steering and braking remain functional. Owners will need to visit a dealer for a software update to resolve the problem.
Details of the Recall
The recall covers a total of 20,991 vehicles in the U.S., including 11,495 Toyota bZ models, 4,739 Lexus RZs, and 4,757 Subaru Solterras. All of these vehicles were produced between April 2025 and April 2026 and are equipped with a battery ECU supplied by Denso.
The issue stems from the battery management system, where two integrated circuits in the ECU can occasionally overwrite data in the same memory location. If this occurs repeatedly, the ECU may fail an operational check, leading to a complete loss of drive power.
How the Fault Manifests
Drivers may first notice an ‘EV System Malfunction’ warning message and multiple warning lights on the dashboard. If the fault progresses, the electric drive system can shut down entirely. While power steering and brake assist remain operational, the vehicle will not be able to move under its own power.
Toyota’s testing revealed that this malfunction can happen at any speed and may also impact safety systems such as the Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).
Discovery and Response
Toyota initially identified a similar memory-overwrite condition during development work on a plug-in hybrid model in 2025, but believed it would not affect battery-electric vehicles. However, in April 2026, engineers discovered evidence of the issue during a review of remote diagnostic data.
Further testing showed that the memory conflict could occur under certain conditions, such as increased CPU load at low battery state-of-charge. Toyota has received one related warranty claim in the U.S. but no field reports. Owners are not required to stop driving their vehicles but must visit a dealer for a software update.
Competitor Comparison
The Toyota bZ, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra compete in the electric SUV segment against models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. These competitors have not reported similar battery ECU software issues in recent recalls, highlighting the importance of robust battery management systems in modern EVs.
Why this matters
This recall underscores the complexity of software management in electric vehicles and the potential for unexpected faults to impact drivability. With nearly 21,000 vehicles affected, the incident highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and rapid response to software-related safety issues.
Given Toyota’s prior year sales growth of 3.7% and a total of over 2.2 million vehicles sold in 2023, maintaining consumer trust in EV reliability is crucial as the company expands its electric lineup.
What this means for buyers
Owners of affected Toyota, Subaru, and Lexus EVs should schedule a visit to their dealer for a software update as soon as possible. While the recall does not require drivers to stop using their vehicles immediately, addressing the issue promptly will help avoid unexpected loss of propulsion.
Prospective buyers should be aware of this recall when considering these models and check that any vehicle they purchase has received the necessary software update.
Key Specs
- Total Vehicles Recalled: 20,991
- Toyota bZ Models: 11,495
- Lexus RZ Models: 4,739
- Subaru Solterra Models: 4,757
- Production Dates: April 2025 to April 2026
- Affected Region: United States
- Remedy: Dealer software update required
Source
Images sourced from: caranddriver.com, carscoops.com, electrek.co
