More than 30,000 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles are being recalled because a software problem could cause them to lose power on the road.
The recall covers 30,978 model-year 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles, according to an official notice the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shared on October 7.
USA Today reported Wednesday, October 14, that federal regulators traced the problem to software in the motor-generator electronic control unit, which is part of the hybrid system.
In certain situations, the glitch could cut power or shut the system down while the vehicle is moving at higher speeds. NHTSA warned that “an unexpected powertrain shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash,” Fox Business reported.
Which Toyota Vehicles Are Included in the Recall?
Only certain 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles are part of the recall.
Toyota has not recalled every RAV4 model, so owners should check their own vehicle before assuming they are affected. NHTSA lists the recall under 26V659000. Motor1 reported that Toyota is using campaign number 26TA22 for the same recall.
What Could Happen to an Affected RAV4?
According to Carwow, an electronic control unit, or ECU, is a small computer that manages one part of a vehicle. In a plug-in hybrid, the motor-generator unit controls electric motors that help power the car.
AutoGuide reported that the fault is a communication error in that unit that can occur under specific conditions during startup.
If startup fails, the higher-speed control mode isn’t available. At higher highway speeds, the risk rises, and a front motor failure can shut down the whole system while the vehicle is moving. That shutdown is what led NHTSA to flag the added crash risk.
How Will Toyota Fix the Software Problem?
Toyota dealers will update the software on affected vehicles at no cost to owners, according to NHTSA.
Letters to owners are expected to begin going out Sunday, November 22. Fox Business reported that Toyota will notify owners by early December.
Owners with questions can also call Toyota or talk to their local dealer about the recall and the software update.
How Can Toyota Owners Check Their Vehicle Now?
Owners do not have to wait for a letter to find out whether their RAV4 is affected. NHTSA runs an online recall lookup where they can search by vehicle identification number, or VIN.
Entering the 17-character number shows whether that specific vehicle has an open safety recall. A VIN is unique to each vehicle, so the result applies only to the car whose number is entered.
Per Allstate, the VIN is usually on the driver’s side of the dashboard, on registration documents, and on insurance paperwork.
Anyone with a 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid can run the lookup before booking a dealer appointment. If the lookup shows an open recall, owners can call a Toyota dealer to ask about getting the free update.
Toyota Recalls 30,000+ RAV4 Plug-In Hybrids That Could Shut Down at Highway Speed