Tag Archives: Recall

News

Toyota Says “Oops, Again”: Over a Million Cars with Frozen Screens

If you thought last month’s Toyota recall was a one-off, think again. The Japanese giant is back at it—this time recalling over a million vehicles across Toyota, Lexus, and even Subaru models due to a potentially hazardous glitch in the rear-view camera system.

Yes, that’s right: the very tech designed to make reversing safer could now leave drivers staring at a frozen screen—or worse, nothing at all. And while it might sound like a minor digital hiccup, the consequences are anything but trivial. Back-up cameras have been federally mandated since 2018, and if the screen freezes, it could give drivers a false sense of security when backing out of a tight driveway or parking space.

Déjà Vu All Over Again

Here’s the kicker: less than a month ago, Toyota recalled 394,000 Tundras, Tacomas, and Sequoias for a similar camera malfunction. That earlier issue, linked to Panasonic components, would cause the screen to split into green-and-black nonsense—annoying, yes, but easily spotted.

This new recall, however, is a different beast. It involves a Denso-supplied system across multiple brands and dozens of models, from the Camry and Crown to the Lexus RX and even Subaru’s Solterra. Unlike last time, the fault can occur if reverse is engaged shortly after ignition, freezing the image instead of just displaying an obvious error. And unlike some software issues today, there’s no over-the-air fix: all affected vehicles must visit a dealer for a software update to the Parking Assist ECU.

The Affected Line-Up

The list is long enough to make your eyes glaze over, but here are some of the highlights:

  • Toyota: Camry, Crown, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Highlander, Prius, Sienna, Mirai, and the bZ4X.
  • Lexus: RX, NX, LX, LC, LS, ES, GX, TX, and RZ.
  • Subaru: Solterra.

In total, 1,024,407 vehicles worldwide are affected. Solterra owners, naturally, will get their updates handled by Subaru dealers rather than Toyota.

The Fix

Fortunately, no new hardware is required. A simple software update will recalibrate the system—but as mentioned, this can’t be done remotely. Drivers will need to make the time to pop into their local dealership and let the technicians do their thing.

While Toyota insists the fix is straightforward, the frequency and scale of these rear-view camera recalls might make some owners question the reliability of what is essentially one of the most crucial safety aids in modern motoring.

One million vehicles, three brands, dozens of models, and a software bug that could freeze your view of the world behind you. Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru owners—your next reverse might need a bit more caution. At least it’s not the brakes… yet.

Full list of affected vehicles is available at the end of the article.

Source: Automotive News

News

Ford Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles for Defective Rearview Cameras

If you drive an older Ford and your rearview camera’s been acting more abstract than useful—say, resembling a Picasso painting instead of the road behind you—there’s a reason. Ford’s recall saga rolls on, this time pulling in nearly 1.5 million vehicles whose backup cameras might show distorted images or simply refuse to work at all.

Not ideal when you’re trying not to reverse into the neighbour’s recycling bin.

The Recall Roll Call

The hit list reads like a time capsule of Ford’s lineup from the mid-2010s. The 2015–2016 C-Max, Escape, and Explorer are on the roster, joined by the 2019 Fiesta, 2015–2019 Flex, 2016 Fusion, and even the 2020 Mustang—because apparently, even muscle cars aren’t immune to a dodgy camera feed. The Taurus, Lincoln MKT, and MKZ round out the cast of concerned vehicles.

If you’ve been squinting at a fuzzy feed or seeing nothing at all, you’re not alone. Ford began sniffing around the issue back in February 2025, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) poked the Blue Oval with a polite-but-firm “Oi, something’s off.” The feds had received owner complaints across several model years, all pointing toward the same glitchy rearview problem.

Ford’s Investigation: The Long Rearview Look

Ford dug into the data—supplier records, warranty logs, customer complaints—and came back with the corporate equivalent of a shrug. The automaker said it was “unable to identify a defect related to motor vehicle safety across all vehicle populations equipped with this analog camera.”

Translation: “We can’t quite pin it down, but let’s play it safe.”

And play it safe they did. The recall is part of a broader agreement with the NHTSA, covering Ford’s rearview camera systems from 2015 to 2025. Vehicles are being split into two camps: those getting a formal recall and those receiving a 15-year extended warranty on the camera system. So whether your Ford’s getting a new lens or just a long-term promise, it’s at least something.

The Numbers Game

Ford’s recall report mentions a rather eye-watering 12,487 warranty claims linked to the issue—stretching all the way back to the first complaint in July 2014. The company also acknowledged five accidents possibly tied to faulty cameras, though thankfully no injuries have been reported.

The automaker’s already started mailing out “interim remedy” letters, essentially saying: “We’re on it, hang tight.” Owners will need to bring their cars into Ford service centers for inspection and—if needed—a camera swap. A proper fix, Ford says, should arrive by mid-2026.

Another Hiccup in the Mirror

It’s been a rough few years for Ford on the recall front, with millions of vehicles affected by various gremlins ranging from brake hoses to batteries. This latest one might not sound catastrophic, but in an era where cars rely more on cameras and sensors than actual visibility, a blank screen can be more than a minor annoyance.

Still, Ford’s transparency here (and willingness to play ball with regulators) shows lessons learned from past recall fiascos. And at least this one’s not catching fire or falling apart—it’s just a bit camera shy.

So, if your Ford’s reversing camera suddenly goes on artistic leave, don’t panic. Check your VIN, call your dealer, and maybe keep practicing those old-school shoulder checks. Looks like the analog age isn’t quite done haunting us yet.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

News

BMW Issues Massive Recall Over Starter Motor Fire Risk—Toyota Supra Included

BMW is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The automaker has announced a sweeping recall involving more than 196,000 vehicles in the United States and at least 136,500 in Germany, after regulators uncovered a defect in the starter motor that could lead to vehicle fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the recall official on Friday and took the unusual step of urging owners not to park their cars inside garages or near buildings until repairs are complete.

At the heart of the issue is the starter relay, which can corrode if exposed to moisture. That corrosion may trigger overheating, and in some cases, a short circuit. Initially, the problem may leave a driver stranded with a car that won’t start. But NHTSA and BMW confirmed the bigger danger: the defect can escalate into a fire—even hours after the vehicle was last driven.

BMW traced the issue back to water intrusion in starter motors built between late 2015 and 2021, with internal testing and customer complaints pointing to repeated failures. The recall spans a wide range of models, and thanks to shared components, the Toyota Supra finds itself caught up as well.

Models Affected in the U.S.

  • 2019–2021 BMW 330i
  • 2019–2022 BMW Z4
  • 2020–2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4
  • 2021–2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible
  • 2022 BMW 230i
  • 2020–2022 Toyota Supra

Globally, the campaign covers nearly every BMW model line produced between September 28, 2015, and September 7, 2021, with only transverse-engine compact cars and M performance models escaping the defect, thanks to different suppliers.

Germany’s Recall List Includes:

1 Series (F20, F21); 2 Series Coupe (G42); 3 Series (G20, G21, G28); 4 Series (G22, G23, G26); 5 Series (G30, G31); 6 Series GT (G32); 7 Series (G11, G12); X3 (G01); X4 (G02); X5 (G05); X6 (G06); X7 (G07); and the Z4 Roadster (G29).

Safety Warnings

Both BMW and U.S. regulators are treating the situation with urgency. Because the fire risk is unpredictable and may occur while a vehicle is parked, NHTSA warns:

“Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.”

That’s not boilerplate advice—it’s the same language regulators have used in past recalls where parked-vehicle fires became a real-world hazard.

Remedy and Timeline

BMW says owners in the U.S. will begin receiving official recall notices on November 14, 2025. At that point, drivers can confirm their vehicle’s status by checking their VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

The fix involves replacing the starter motor free of charge, and in some cases, swapping in a new battery. Repairs will be carried out at authorized BMW dealerships worldwide. For U.S. owners with questions, BMW’s hotline is 1-800-525-7417.

This is not BMW’s first large-scale recall in recent years, but the scope—spanning multiple continents and even pulling in Toyota’s halo sports car—makes it one of the brand’s most significant safety campaigns to date.

Source: BMW