Over 21,000 Subaru, Toyota and Lexus electric vehicles face a voluntary recall due to a high‑voltage battery ECU glitch. Learn the details and how to get your car fixed.
Three major Japanese automakers—Toyota, Lexus and Subaru—have launched a voluntary recall affecting 20,991 electric vehicles sold in the United States. The recall targets a serious software defect in the high‑voltage battery control unit (Battery ECU) that can cause the motor to lose power abruptly while the vehicle is in motion.
What the fault does
The Battery ECU, supplied by Denso, houses two integrated circuits that share the same memory address. Under certain driving conditions, the monitoring circuit overwrites data at the exact location the control circuit just wrote to. This memory‑collision becomes more likely when the battery’s state of charge is low, pushing the CPU to its limits.
When the overwrite repeats, the ECU fails its self‑diagnostic test. The driver’s display immediately shows an “EV System Malfunction” warning along with multiple error lights. If the condition persists, the electric drivetrain shuts down to protect the electronics, leaving the vehicle without propulsion.
Potential safety impact
Although power‑steering and brake‑assist remain functional—allowing the driver to steer to the roadside—the fault can also disable active safety systems such as the Pre‑Collision System (PCS) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned that the issue could occur at any speed, raising the risk of a traffic collision.
Models affected
- 11,495 Toyota bZ series (2026 model year)
- 4,757 Subaru Solterra (2026 model year)
- 4,739 Lexus RZ (2026 model year)
All recalled vehicles were built between April 2025 and April 2026 and share a common chassis platform.
How the problem was discovered
During development of a plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) in 2025, Toyota engineers noticed a similar memory‑conflict scenario, but concluded it didn’t affect pure‑electric models at the time. In April 2024, remote diagnostic data from vehicles in real‑world operation revealed repeated data‑overwrite events, prompting a deeper investigation and the decision to recall.
What owners need to do
To date, Toyota has logged only one warranty claim related to the issue and no accidents have been reported. Affected cars cannot receive an over‑the‑air (OTA) software update; owners must schedule a free service appointment at an authorized dealer to reinstall the corrected Battery ECU software.
If you own one of the listed models, contact your dealer promptly to arrange the repair and keep your vehicle safe on the road.