Toyota recalls 30,978 vehicles over crash risk: 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid – engine and engine cooling

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, 30,978 vehicles in all according to its report to regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received the recall report on October 7, 2026. The problem: a crash risk.

Why it was recalled

NHTSA's summary of the defect: “Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The motor generator ECU may encounter an error, causing the plug-in-hybrid system to reduce power or shutdown when driven at higher speeds.” The consequence, in the agency's words: “An unexpected powertrain shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.”

Which vehicles

• 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

What to do

NHTSA's advice: “Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting November 22, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 26TA22.” Owners can check whether their own car is included by entering the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; repairs under a safety recall are free.

Cover: A dealership service department. Photo: Christopher Ziemnowicz, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Full details – every identifier, the recall dates and other recalls from Toyota – are on the recall page. Source: NHTSA recall notice.