Toyota and Subaru recall new EVs due to risk wheels could fall off

Toyota may have nailed the hybrid car market, but it is off to a rocky start with its all-new, all-electric bZ4X after a recall was issued on Thursday.

The recall also applies to the Subaru Solterra, which is built on the same electric platform developed in a partnership betwwen the two carmakers.

Toyota on Thursday said it would recall all 2,700 EVs delivered to date after it discovered a fault that meant there was a risk the wheels could become loose.

Toyota’s first mass-volume electric vehicle was first debuted in late 2021 and is a crossover featuring a yoke steering wheel, up to 500km driving range in a single-motor format, and 460km in a more powerful dual-motor format.

In a document filed with Japan’s road transport bureau, the carmaker said that (translated from Japanese): “In the hub bolt that attaches the tire, the bolt can loosen due to repeated sharp turns and sudden braking.

“Therefore, if you continue to drive in that state, abnormal noise will be generated, and in the worst case, the tires will be damaged.“

According to a report from Reuters, 2,200 of the 2,700 vehicles were slated for European customers. Another 260 were headed to the United States, 20 to Canada and 110 were reserved for Japanese customers.

Toyota commenced deliveries of the bZ4X in Europe only two weeks ago, in early June.

“As an immediate measure for all vehicles, we request the user to stop using it, and as soon as the measures are decided, we will take permanent measures,” the company said (translated from Japanese).