- The New Recall: Why It’s So Serious
- The Legal and Safety Context
- Comparing the Two Recalls
- Affected Vehicles: Major Models
- Key Risks and How to Get Help
- Main Takeaways
- “The Silent Image Trap”
In a blow to Toyota and Lexus’s reputation for reliability, more than one million vehicles across three brands must return to dealers after a critical failure in their reversing camera systems—potentially leaving drivers with no rear visibility. This in-depth article unpacks the technical details, explains the difference between similar recent recalls, explores the long list of affected models, and offers practical advice for owners facing this disruptive campaign.
The New Recall: Why It’s So Serious
The latest recall centers on Denso-supplied rear camera systems in Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru models from 2022 to 2026.
The flaw can cause the image to either freeze or fail to display altogether while reversing—sometimes moments after shifting to reverse—giving drivers a false sense of security.
The fault is tied to the parking assist ECU; it cannot be fixed remotely (no OTA update), requiring all 1,024,407 affected vehicles to visit dealers for a software update.
This comes just weeks after a previous recall for a similar but separate rear-view camera issue from a different supplier (Panasonic), focused on Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia models.
The Legal and Safety Context
Since 2018, rearview cameras have been federally mandated in the US on all new cars.
Earlier recall: Users saw the display go half-black, half-green; an obvious, visible malfunction.
This recall: The camera image may freeze and appear normal at a glance, potentially tricking drivers and resulting in dangerous situations that normal user awareness cannot mitigate.
The subtlety of the failure increases the risk significantly, as drivers may reverse without realizing the image is frozen or missing.
Comparing the Two Recalls
Affected Vehicles: Major Models
Toyota: Camry, Crown, Highlander, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Prius, Grand Highlander, Sienna, Corolla Cross, and more.
Lexus: RX, TX, NX, LC, LS, GX, LX—gas, hybrid, and electric variants.
Subaru: Solterra, the bZ4X twin; their update is handled by Subaru, not Toyota.
Models all use the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM); see full lists online or with your dealer.
Key Risks and How to Get Help
Frozen or missing view on reverse boosts collision risk with obstacles, people, or vehicles, especially in garages or tight parking lots.
No parts are replaced; correction is through a dealer-installed software update—owners will be notified by mail with instructions.
Subaru Solterra owners should go to Subaru dealers for the fix.
Owners must act once notified—ignoring it risks noncompliance and increased accident risk.
Main Takeaways
Back-to-back recalls, same issue: rear camera, but different suppliers and fault modes.
The Denso failure is subtler and therefore riskier than the Panasonic issue.
Nearly all new Toyota/Lexus models with advanced camera systems are affected, raising industry scrutiny of safety validation.
Software fix only, but physical dealer visit is critical.
The saga pressures automakers to rigorously test and oversight camera tech.
“The Silent Image Trap”
A driver trusts his camera for a safe driveway exit—then the image freezes unexpectedly. Only a delayed realization prevents disaster. His experience triggers a corporate reckoning, showing how a quiet tech flaw can ripple through the automotive world.
