Toyota recalls Rav4, Lexus NX HEVs

MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) is recalling RAV4 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and Lexus NX HEVs to address a software issue that could affect the vehicle stability control (VSC) system.

In a letter to Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau director Melquiades Marcus Valdez II, Bernardino Arevalo, first vice president for customer service operations at TMP, said the automotive firm has initiated a special service campaign covering a total of 132 vehicles sold in the country.

In particular, the recall covers 92 units of RAV4 HEV produced from Dec. 1 last year to April 1 of this year, and 40 Lexus NX HEV units assembled from Nov. 17 last year to March 31 of this year.

The recall is being conducted in line with TMP’s commitment to product safety and quality.

Arevalo said the vehicles are equipped with a VSC operated by a skid control ECU software.

The VSC helps maintain vehicle traction and prevents skidding.

Due to an incorrect programming of the skid control ECU software, the VSC may not be able to return to its default on setting under certain conditions.

If the VSC does not automatically turn on, a warning light will illuminate to inform the driver the system is not activated.

When the VSC does not go back to its default on mode,  and the driver also does not recognize the warning light to manually reactivate it, operating the vehicle may increase the risk of a crash.

As such, Arevalo said TMP will reprogram the brake actuator ECU.

“The remedy will be performed at no cost to our customers,” he said.

To know if their vehicle is covered by the recall, TMP owners can go to the online service campaign checker https://toyota.com.ph/service-campaign.